Episodes
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Huw Pill is one of just nine members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, the group responsible for setting UK interest rates – decisions that influence everything from mortgage costs to inflation.
Born and raised in Cardiff, Huw is now the Bank of England's Chief Economist and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis and Research. In this episode, Fliss and James speak to him about his Welsh roots, his journey from Cardiff to one of the most influential economic roles in the country, and his views on the challenges and opportunities facing both the UK and Welsh economies.
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Nigel Farage has resigned as an MP, triggering a by-election he says he'll contest. Fliss and James are joined by Political Editor Gareth Lewis to unpack the dramatic move, how it came about and the reaction from Reform UK in Wales.
They also discuss plans for a new economic development agency, which the Welsh Government hopes will help boost productivity and drive economic growth. Former minister Andrew Davies explains why he scrapped the previous Welsh Development Agency in 2006 and what lessons can be learned from its demise.
Plus, how should governments tackle complex policy challenges? Andy Regan, Head of Nesta Cymru, joins the podcast to discuss what works best when it comes to delivering ambitious reforms, including in areas such as childcare.
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Missing episodes?
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In his first major speech since launching his bid to replace Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham focused on devolving power from Westminster. But what could it all mean for Wales? Greater Manchester, and the transformation Burnham says he's helped deliver there, was a focus of the speech. Fliss and guests examine the key ingredients behind the city's success and ask whether this can be replicated elsewhere in the UK, specifically in Wales.
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Felicity Evans and Gareth Lewis speak to the Welsh Government's Finance Minister Elin Jones, and David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, about the supplementary budget.
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It's been ten years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU. James is in Ebbw Vale to reflect on the day. The town is part of the Blaenau Gwent where 62% of the population voted for Brexit, compared to an average of 52.5% across Wales. James talks to people about how they voted at the time and their thoughts on the decision ten years later.
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Former First Minister Mark Drakeford joins James Williams and Gareth Lewis to assess Sir Keir Starmer's legacy, and to explain why he's backing Andy Burnham as his successor.
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Fliss and James are joined by BBC Wales' Health Correspondent to discuss his interviews with the new Health Minister and whether the extra funding he's announced can cut down waiting lists.
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Fliss and James unpack the Senedd row that saw a walkout after a controversial speech in the Siambr by Reform MS Joe Martin. They’re joined by BBC Wales Political Reporter David Deans, who was there at the time, to break down what happened and why. The team also turn their attention to education, analysing the latest announcements from the Welsh Education Minister. They discuss her stance on social media bans, restrictions on mobile phones in schools and the ongoing difficulties around teachers’ pay and PISA with our Correspondent Bethan Lewis.
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Childcare returns to the political spotlight in Wales this week. James is joined by Political Editor Gareth Lewis to unpack the Welsh Government’s commitment to the policy, after surviving an important vote in the Senedd. They’re also joined by Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation to explore the real-world impact of getting childcare policy right (or wrong). Plus, James takes a closer look at a Welsh Affairs Committee report into prisons, probation and rehabilitation and the ''serious concerns'' it raises. Ella Rabaiotti from the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice breaks down the findings and what it all means for Wales.
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Fliss catches up with Dr Jac Larner from the Wales Governance Centre to look back at the polling across the Senedd election. They discuss what it got right and wrong, political trends and how we got to the final result.
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Fliss catches up with our political editor following the first FMQ's after Plaid Cymru's Senedd election victory. Rhun ap Iorwerth faced questions from members across the political spectrum covering topics from health to education.
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Rhun ap Iorwerth MS sits down with James for his first Walescast since becoming First Minister.
They met at the Urdd Eisteddfod site on Ynys Môn.
You can also watch this episode on BBC iPlayer.
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The new Senedd is underway with new parties, new faces and a lot more MSs. How are the opposition navigating this new landscape?We’ll hear from the Welsh leader of Reform and the leader of the Welsh Conservatives. Podcast co-host and former Conservative member and advisor Craig Lawton also joins us in the lounge with Political Correspondent Elliw Gwawr.
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James discusses a pivotal moment for the new First Minister, catching up with political editor Gareth Lewis ahead of Plaid Cymru’s first Cabinet meeting in government. He also speaks to the journalist behind the Undercover Voters investigation to reflect on what the series uncovered during the Senedd election.
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On this week’s episode, we unpack a historic moment as Plaid Cymru unveils its new Cabinet following their victory in the 2026 Senedd election. Newly appointed Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams MS joins us to discuss the party’s priorities and what this new era of leadership means for Wales.Meanwhile, in Westminster, pressure continues to mount on the Prime Minister as questions swirl around his leadership. Claire Hughes MP throws her support behind Sir Keir Starmer. Political consultant Cathy Owens and BBC Wales Political Editor Daniel Davies break down the key developments and deliberate on what it all means for Wales and Westminster.
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Fliss and James are joined by Political Editor Gareth Lewis and Politics Wales Presenter Teleri Glyn Jones after a long day. They came together off the back of presenting BBC Wales coverage of the historic Senedd election results.
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With less than 24 hours to go until Wales heads to the polls for the 2026 Senedd election James and Fliss take stock with Political Correspondent Daniel Davies.
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The use of AI chatbots for advice is becoming increasingly common. But, could they could be providing misleading information to voters ahead of the Senedd election? Ben Summer, the Journalist running the Undercover Voters investigation, joins James to fill him in on his latest discovery.
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Fliss and James catch up with our Health, Education and Environment Correspondent to unpack the policies and issues that have made it big in the Senedd election campaign so far — and those that haven’t.
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Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre joins Fliss and James to unpack the key themes emerging from the six main parties’ manifestos and to take a close look at whether the numbers behind their promises add up.
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