The Bench Report
🇬🇧 Making UK politics accessible & accountable.
✂️ Concise summaries of debates & briefings.
⚡️ A new topic every episode.
Discover the issues your MP's are talking about. Local, national or international affairs, from AI regulation to climate finance to bin collection in Birmingham...we give you the crucial context you need.
Listener suggestions are vital to our mission - making politics more accessible and accountable. Â So please get in touch and producer Tom (me) will grab another coffee and start scanning those pages of Hansard.
- Stay Informed: Get up-to-date on the latest parliamentary debates and policy decisions, many of which can be overshadowed by the headlines.
- Accessible Politics: We break down complex political jargon into clear, understandable audio summaries.
- Accountability: Understand how your government is working and hold them accountable.
- Targeted Content: Search our episode library for topics that matter to you, personally or professionally.
Our Sources:Â
- No outside chatter. We rely only on the official record of Parliamentary debates: Hansard.parliament.uk
- Reports from Parliamentary Committees that consider and scrutise government work: committees.parliament.uk
- Upcoming Parliamentary bills: bills.parliament.uk
- The comprehensive resources of the House of Commons Library: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Legal:
- Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament
Email:
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Extended episodes:Â
We try to keep episodes short and concise, but if you would like a more detailed analysis of a particular topic, please get in touch!
About Me:Â
I'm Tom, producer of 'The Bench Report'. Yorkshireman, ex-primary school teacher, now working in the world of education technology. Dad of two, elite village cricketer, knackered footballer. Fascinated by UK and US politics and the world my kids will be taking over.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 10 minutes
- Episodes
- 96
- Years Active
- 2025
Unsafe Homes: The Cladding Crisis examined
Join us as we explore the ongoing crisis surrounding dangerous cladding in residential buildings, years after the Grenfell Tower disaster. We examine the latest report from the Committee of Public Ac…
Scunthorpe Steel Crisis: The Future of UK Steel
An emergency episoide of 'The Bench Report today as we explore the critical debate in Parliament surrounding the future of Scunthorpe Steelworks following British Steel's worrying announcement of pot…
PE & School Sport: Funding, access and targets
LISTENER REQUEST EPISODE! Our producer Tom plays (well, tries to play) football each week, as do his children. One of Tom's team-mates is a PE teacher, who, when chatting about Tom's crazy podcast id…
REWIND: Article 50 Triggered: Inside the Historic Brexit Debate
Join us as we delve into the momentous day the UK formally triggered Article 50, beginning the process of leaving the European Union. This episode takes you inside the House of Commons as Prime Minis…
Down Syndrome Act 2022: Understanding the Guidance and the Fight for Progress
EXTRA: includes an overview of other notable issues debated in the Commons recently.
The Down Syndrome Act 2022 aims to ensure public authorities in England, like the NHS, social care, education, and …
Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny
This episode delves into the latest developments in the Post Office Horizon scandal redress process, examining the Government's response to the Business and Trade Committee's critical report. We unpa…
UK Airport Queues: Should Brits Get Their Own Passport Lines?
Essential listeng for the Easter and Summer holidays! This episode of 'The Bench Report' will provide you with a quick understanding of the discussions surrounding dedicated passport lines for Britis…
Public Sector Productivity: Has Working From Home Changed Everything?
Is working from home helping or hindering the public sector? Join us as we delve into a lively debate in the House of Lords about the impact of remote working on productivity. With public sector prod…
REWIND: UK Coronavirus Bill: Emergency Powers, NHS Support & Civil Liberties Debate
Our first Bench Report REWIND explores the UK Parliament's Second Reading of the Coronavirus Bill, a piece of legislation enacted to tackle the unprecedented public health emergency. We delve into th…
Grassroots Sport - Funding and Facilities.
Ahead of the weekend, we ask what is the state of grassroots sports in the UK? Join us for an in-depth look at recent parliamentary discussions focusing on the financial lifeline and essential facili…
Clearing the Air - Unpacking the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
While everyone may be talking about the Chancellor's Spring Statement earlier today, our misson at 'The Bench Report' is to highlight other debates and committees that may go unheralded, but are extr…
SPECIAL REPORT: UK Cyber Security Under Scrutiny - Ransomware, Russia, and Local Authority Defence
A subject very relevant after the recent cyber security leak in the US government!
BBC News - Trump's national security team's chat app leak stuns WashingtonÂ
This episode examines the government's ong…
SEND Funding Crisis: Urgent Reforms Needed Across the UK?
The current state of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding in the UK is under intense scrutiny, with calls for urgent reform and increased financial support.
This episode delves in…
The Bench Report: An Introduction
Welcome to the introductory episode of 'The Bench Report!' UK politics then and now, straight from the benches.
We're here to make debates from the Commons and the Lords more accessible to everyone an…
Spring Statement 2025: Decoding the UK's Economic Outlook
Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into the upcoming Spring Statement 2025, where the Chancellor will respond to the latest economic and public finances forecast from the independent Office for …
Rare Cancers: A Bill of Hope and the Fight for Fair Treatment
This episode of 'The Bench Report' delves into the passionate and moving debate surrounding the Rare Cancers Bill, a crucial piece of legislation aiming to address the disparities faced by individual…