25/10/2026

England's mayors will get greater powers to overrule councils in some planning decisions, but will it help the government's new homes target? We hear from house builder Eleanor Deeley of Deeley Group. The mayor of the Italian town Como speaks to us about banning cyclists, after he was hit by an …

The Police Federation calls for a U-turn as its public petition reaches 829,000. Lyse Doucet joins us from Kabul five years on from its takeover by the Taliban. We visit one of the country's oldest petrol stations, which will trial pre-payment at the pump to foil fuel thieves. We meet our listener …

Wildfires caused by arsonists in South Wales are a danger to life according to the Chief Fire Officer there. Plus, did the government need to use the national warning alarm? We have live debate. Also on BH, Lord Woolley says a media witch-hunt led to the death of his friend, the academic Jason Arda…

With drought declared in England and Wales, we look at the impact of extreme weather. NFU President Tom Bradshaw calls for more government action on wildfires and reservoirs. Plus, two weeks into Andy Burnham's premiership, Paddy goes to the pub in search of a Blairite, a Brownite and a Corbynite. …