• Why has Nigel Farage resigned as an MP?
    Jul 7 2026

    A fight for his political future or nothing more than a publicity stunt? Nigel Farage has announced he’s resigning as MP for Clacton only to stand to again in the by-election he’s triggering.

    Mr Farage calls it a case of the “people versus the establishment” but did he jump before he was pushed?

    He has faced intense scrutiny over his financial affairs, after it was reported he had received support from his long-time ally, the convicted fraudster George Cottrell – and is also the subject of a parliamentary investigation over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne.

    So why resign now? Will Mr Farage’s political enemies be able to take advantage? And is there any truth to the conspiracy theories of an establishment and media hatchet job?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Chief political correspondent Jon Craig.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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    19 mins
  • Why Trump’s Iran war is finally costing UK households
    Jul 1 2026

    Whether you’ve been enjoying or enduring the summer heatwave, running that new air-con unit has just got a whole lot more expensive.

    For millions of people across England, Scotland and Wales the cost of household energy has soared by 13% from the 1 July – following the latest rise in the energy price cap.

    The war in Iran is largely to blame, thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent spike in oil and gas prices.

    But Donald Trump’s military action began at the end of February, so why are we only beginning to feel the impact now? How long will the current high prices persist and are there any tricks for reducing those domestic bills?

    Mhari Aurora is joined by Sky’s business news reporter James Sillars.

    Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

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    14 mins
  • Why grooming gang ringleader cannot be deported
    Jul 2 2026

    He’s a convicted child rapist who’s been stripped of his British citizenship. But the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang – released from jail this week – cannot be removed from the UK.

    Shabir Ahmed was sentenced in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12. But provisions in the Immigration Act 1971 mean he is safe from deportation.

    Politicians from all parties – including prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham – are calling on the Home Office to take action. But what legally can be done? And how does the law actually work?

    Niall is joined by lawyer, journalist and legal affairs commentator Joshua Rozenberg.

    Warning: today’s episode contains references to grooming gangs, rape, sexual abuse and coercive control.

    If you have been affected by any of the issues Joshua and Niall discussed you can call The Samaritans, free of charge, on 116 123.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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    21 mins
  • Why Burnham could be getting the Milibands back together
    Jul 3 2026

    Brothers, rivals, cabinet colleagues? When Ed Miliband beat brother David to the Labour leadership in 2010, it looked as if their relationship had been fractured beyond repair.

    But it appears Andy Burnham is giving serious consideration to offering them both big roles in his administration.

    Can the Milibands really work together again in government after years of estrangement? Will it be senior women in the cabinet who are forced to make way for their promotion to power?

    And what does it say about Burnham’s political instincts that he appears to be so reliant on former friends from the Blair-Brown era?

    Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s chief political correspondent, Jon Craig.

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    22 mins
  • Why is Sky buying the home of Coronation Street?
    Jul 6 2026

    Cancel Corrie? No chance! ITV will remain free-to-air and continue to show fan favourites, such as Coronation Street and Love Island, following a deal to sell the broadcaster to Sky.

    Both Sky and ITV insist the move will make it easier to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix. And there’s a commitment to buy programmes from ITV Studios – which is not included in the sale – until 2034.

    But what does the deal mean for both viewers and the UK media landscape? And will regulators have questions about Britain’s biggest commercial TV station being snapped up by a US-owned rival?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.

    Sky is the parent company of Sky News, which makes this podcast.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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    19 mins
  • Why Burnham’s housebuilding boom is doomed
    Jun 30 2026

    Every prime minister promises ambitious plans to build new homes – every prime minister in more than half a century has failed. Andy Burnham says he’ll be different.

    The former Manchester mayor is on the verge of becoming the new tenant in Number 10 and wants to oversee the biggest council house construction programme since the post-war boom.

    But you have to go back to 1970 for the last time any government fulfilled its housebuilding target. So why is Mr Burnham so sure he can succeed where his predecessors have failed?

    Mhari Aurora speaks to David Byers, deputy property editor at The Times and Sunday Times.

    Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

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    18 mins
  • Why British waters are less safe under defence drone plans
    Jun 29 2026

    Drones in, destroyers out. The Royal Navy looks set to be the biggest losers when the Defence Investment Plan is finally published.

    Instead of building a new fleet of state-of-the-art warships, we will have to rely on cheaper ‘common combat vessels’ to serve as hubs for a hybrid response to the threat from Russia.

    How will the change in military spending be received when Sir Keir Starmer makes his international swansong as prime minister at the NATO summit? And could he really be the next NATO secretary general, despite a mixed record on defence readiness?

    Mhari Aurora speaks to Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes.

    Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

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    15 mins
  • Why the King's tax return leaves unanswered questions
    Jun 26 2026

    The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so.

    The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases.

    They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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    15 mins