How does Britain’s most famous broadcaster recover from a crisis that’s reached the very top? In the space of a week, the BBC has lost two of its most senior executives and now faces an extraordinary legal threat from the President of the United States. What began as an editing error in a Panorama documentary has spiralled into a full-blown test of the corporation’s credibility — and its future.In this episode of The Capitalist, Marc Sidwell is joined by veteran journalist Robin Lustig, former BBC World Service and Radio 4 presenter, to explore what this storm reveals about the state of public service broadcasting, political polarisation, and the shifting media landscape. Together, they ask whether the BBC can still command trust in a divided Britain — and what must change to restore its authority.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Despatch: Tax treachery will cost us
Is Britain heading for another 1976 moment? With a £30 billion fiscal hole and few promises left unbroken, Rachel Reeves looks set to raise income tax — a move that could mark a grim turning point for Britain’s economy. In this essay, Reem Ibrahim, Head of Media at the Institute of Economic Affairs, warns that higher taxes on work will punish aspiration, stifle growth, and echo the policy mistakes that once sent Britain to the IMF, cap in hand. Her message is clear: without spending restraint, Reeves risks repeating history’s harshest lesson.Despatch brings you the best of CapX — the sharpest writing from the UK’s most insightful daily newsletters.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Special: Decoding the Chancellor’s pre-Budget signals
Rachel Reeves' speech on Tuesday gave every indication that tax rises are on the way — though she was careful not to name names.The challenge is clear: raising serious revenue usually means turning to the big three — income tax, National Insurance, or VAT. But Labour’s manifesto ruled those out, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal puzzle and limited room to manoeuvre.Joining CapX deputy editor Joseph Dinnage to make sense of it all are Reem Ibrahim from the Institute of Economic Affairs and Henry Hill from Conservative Home.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Despatch: Why the Right should back the Oxford Cambridge Arc
Should the Right back Britain’s most ambitious science corridor? The Oxford–Cambridge Arc has long been dismissed as another government slogan in search of substance. Yet beneath the jargon lies a bold vision: a world-class corridor linking Britain’s greatest minds, laboratories, and industries—from quantum computing to Formula One. In this essay, James Price, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute, argues that the Arc could be the key to Britain’s renewal—if only conservatives have the courage to back it. With smarter planning, faster connections, and freer markets, he says, the region could transform from a bureaucratic idea into a global powerhouse.Despatch brings you the best writing from CapX — the sharpest ideas from the UK’s most insightful daily newsletter.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Britain could build enough homes
Labour’s New Towns Taskforce promised a bold vision for housing. But with only three modest sites selected, is this really the step-change the country needs — or just more planning fatigue?Plus: with welfare spending rising and tax burdens at record highs, is it time for serious reform? As the Treasury looks for ways to plug a £22 billion shortfall, we ask whether the current system still delivers value for money.And can London win back its missing millionaires? After years of sluggish growth and rising levies, business leaders are calling for a rethink of the capital’s tax regime. Benjamin Wilson is joined by City AM’s Alys Denby and Lawrence Newport from Looking for Growth to explore what’s needed to put London back on the global map.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Capitalist is the podcast that champions free markets, fresh ideas, and thoughtful solutions. Join sharp minds from business, politics, and beyond for intelligent debate and optimistic conversations about building a brighter, market-driven future for Britain. Brought to you by the team behind CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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