AntiSocial

Some historians suggest the NHS would never have got off the ground without large numbers of overseas staff, but why was there such a reliance in the first place, and when did the backlash begin? Adam Fleming speaks to Andrew Seaton, history researcher at the University of Manchester and author of 'Our NHS: A History of Britain's Best Loved Institution'.

An NHS campaign group posts on social media to celebrate the organisation's overseas workers, but there's a backlash from people who think we should have more British-born doctors and nurses. Would the NHS collapse without these foreign workers? We find out how many are employed and ask whether there could ever be enough British-born staff to replace them. The NHS has long relied on foreign workers - we go back to the organisation's beginnings. Plus, where does the NHS fit into the UK's broader immigration row?
Presenter: Adam Fleming
Production team: Simon Tulett, Lucy Sheppard and Bob Howard
Studio manager: Andy Mills
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy

The idea of a North-South divide in England carries weight with many people, but is there any historical basis for it, and how far back does it go? Adam Fleming speaks to James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of England.

Andy Burnham's pledge to rebalance power in Britain shines new light on a long-standing divide stretching across England. Some say the new Prime Minister's focus on the north is long overdue, while others argue it's divisive and that the south has its problems too. So how deep does the divide go, and where does it come from? We explore the geology, geography and the history. People from north and south often sound different - we discuss the links between accents and prejudice. And we revisit a TV series that has been instrumental in the way the Prime Minister, and many others, view the north of England.
Presenter: Adam Fleming
Production team: Simon Tulett, Mhairi MacKenzie and Lucy Sheppard
Studio manager: Hal Haines
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy

The alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe prompted a debate about how we should speak about the dead, after some people came under fire for comments they made in the wake of her passing. When is the right time to bring up criticism of a public figure that’s died, and how do you accurately reflect someone’s life and legacy? To find out, Adam Fleming spoke to Ann Wroe, obituaries editor at The Economist.