Immigration system in crisis: sky-high hotel bills and a convict on the loose

Immigration system in crisis: sky-high hotel bills and a convict on the loose

Author: The Guardian October 27, 2025 Duration: 26:25
Another week, another immigration crisis. A powerful parliamentary committee has accused the Home Office – for this government and the last – of squandering billions of pounds on asylum accommodation and overseeing a ‘failed, chaotic and expensive’ system. The report came days after the barely believable revelation that the convicted sex offender whose case sparked protests at the Bell hotel in Epping was accidentally let out of prison on Friday instead of being deported. He is now back in custody. Pippa Crerar and Eleni Courea discuss the ongoing firefighting at the Home Office and its impact on the public consciousness. Plus, what now for Labour after a crushing defeat in Caerphilly and the election of its new deputy leader, Lucy Powell? Finally, we go back to the China spy row – will this be the week the mystery is cracked open? • Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politicspod">theguardian.com/politicspod</a>

Every seven days, the whirlwind of Westminster, Holyrood, and beyond offers more headlines than anyone can easily digest. That’s where Politics Weekly UK comes in, offering a necessary pause for reflection and analysis. Hosted by Guardian columnist John Harris, the conversation is joined by the paper’s political editor Pippa Crerar and policy editor Kiran Stacey. Together, they don’t just recount the events; they pull apart the parliamentary manoeuvres, scrutinise the policy announcements, and trace the human stories behind the soundbites. You’ll hear informed debate that cuts through the noise, drawing on the deep reporting resources and editorial insight that The Guardian is known for. This isn't about partisan point-scoring, but a clearer understanding of the forces shaping the country. Tuning into this podcast provides a coherent narrative through the complexity, making sense of what just happened and what might come next. It’s an essential companion for anyone trying to look beyond the day-to-day frenzy and grasp the deeper currents in British public life.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Politics Weekly UK
Podcast Episodes
Zombie Labour: Starmer staggers on [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
After a week when it seemed all but over for Keir Starmer, John, Pippa and Kiran unpack how the prime minister survived – and what it means for Labour in the long run. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="…
Starmer survives Sarwar’s putsch, for now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:08
Keir Starmer’s future as prime minister suffered another major blow when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for him to go. With the cabinet rallying around him, the PM seems to be safe for now, but for how m…
Mandelson, Epstein and what Labour knew when [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:37
Peter Mandelson has resigned his Labour party membership after new details of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light. But why did Labour ever decide to appoint him as US ambassador? Pippa and Kiran chat thro…
What happened when Starmer met Xi Jinping? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:32
Keir Starmer held talks with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week and proclaimed Britain should have a more ‘sophisticated’ relationship with China. Pippa Crerar, who was with the prime minister on the trip, tells Kir…
Burnham blocked: Has Starmer messed up? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:08
The Labour party has once again been plunged into turmoil after the NEC blocked Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Will the row quickly fade, or does it risk piling further pressure on the pr…
Taco Thursday: Trump climbs down on Greenland tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:52
John Harris is joined by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to discuss Donald Trump’s climbdown on tariffs over his move to buy Greenland. Plus, Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is to stand down, which could open the way for Andy Burn…