The Story

Autism diagnoses in England have shot up in recent years from 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today. It's led to a backlash, with some suggesting the condition is being over-diagnosed. Not so, says Dr Mary Doherty, a top doctor who founded Autistic Doctors International. She says she knows why diagnoses are up.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Andrew Billen, feature writer, The Times.
Producer: Olivia Case.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: I’m a top doctor and I’m autistic. I know why diagnoses are up
Photo: Tom Jackson for The Times magazine
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Reform conference kicks off today, Nigel Farage and his team are looking to pitch themselves as a serious party ready to win a general election. But after a long, hot summer dogged by controversies, party infighting, and a by-election against a man dressed as a bin, this strategy might be undercutting itself. So where do they go from here?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Leo Danczak, Micaela Arneson.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Reform UK must walk a tightrope if it is to win
Further listening: Posh George: the criminal behind Farage
Clips: Sky News, Nigel Farage via YouTube, ITV News, BBC News, MS Now, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, The Telegraph.
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are likely to effect UK tax and pensions. But can politicians intervene without making things worse?

The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to control yields. But how far can Scott Bessent go before investors lose faith?

In this episode of The Business, Dominic O’Connell brings you essential market analysis with The Times economics editor, Mehreen Khan, and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy at Legal & General Investment Management. They unpack how spiralling UK borrowing costs affect everything from mortgage rates to pension values, delivering the definitive financial news breakdown.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Guests:

Chris Jeffery, head of macro strategy, Legal & General Investment Management
Mehreen Khan, economics editor, The Times

Presenter:

Dominic O'Connell. business correspondent, Times Radio

Producer: Hope Federico
Executive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy
Video Producer: Bronwen Latham
Image: Getty
Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it? And with Britain going through four prime ministers in the same period, does she have a lesson for the rest of us?
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Olivia Case and Leo Danczak.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: 1,413 days and counting… can Meloni become Italy’s Merkel?
Further listening: How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstar
Clips: Atlantic Council, CNN, Giorgia Meloni / YouTube, @GiorgiaMeloni / X, EUDebates.tv
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Micaela Arneson, Leo Danczak, Jennifer Kennedy.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Keir Starmer’s final U-turn gives Andy Burnham an early headache
Further listening: The impossible dilemma of early release
Clips: BBC, Parliament TV, Andy Burnham via TikTok, Number 10, Channel 4, Sky News, CNBC, The Mirror.
Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.