Sam Coates
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Sam Coates, Deputy Political Editor, Sky News 📺📰🎙️ Politics at Sam and Anne’s podcast🎙️TV by @JoeCookJ
Articles by Sam Coates
Can Andy Burnham deliver his vision?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Andy Burnham has a vision but with a mountain to climb – where is his premiership heading? With the 10-year plan, controversial welfare reforms and a UK-EU summit on the horizon, can the prime minister turn his political ambition into real change? In a special episode, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Paul Ovenden, Sir Keir Starmer’s former director of strategy, to deep dive into the thinking of the Burnham government.
What Trump’s double defeat means for the UK
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News It’s been a bruising night for Donald Trump at the midterm elections – losing both the house and the senate – but what does it mean for Britain? In a special edition, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy hear from a variety of experts – on both sides of the Atlantic – as the balance of power shifts in Washington. So where does the president go from here – will he double down or change course? Could he relaunch an offensive in Iran?
Shabana Mahmood – her fightback kicks off
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News A bullish home secretary came out swinging after critics claimed she’d made a climbdown over her controversial immigration reforms. What remains from Shabana Mahmood’s original plan? And is the rest of the cabinet – including Angela Rayner – really behind her? Sam Coates – who’s been speaking to the home secretary – and Anne McElvoy examine the details and question whether she’s done enough to quash the internal arguments within Labour.
Has Shabana Mahmood won her immigration tussle?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Are domestic political battles about to collide with diplomatic challenges for the prime minister? As Andy Burnham jets off to the Caribbean, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares to unveil one of the government’s most contentious policies: a major crackdown on legal migration.
Budget 2026: We answer your questions
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News So was that it? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have slept on it – and are feeling the budget may have landed with a whimper rather than a bang. They weigh up the case for the defence: has John Healey played it safe to reassure the markets, keep Labour onside and give households some immediate relief on energy bills? Or has he ducked the big decisions, leaving families facing a cost-of-living squeeze and businesses distinctly underwhelmed?
Why marketers need better signals, not just more data, in the AI era
Marketers have spent the last decade getting very good at collecting consumer data. They have been perhaps less successful at working out how to consistently get the best out of it. AI is changing that calculation, though not necessarily in the direction you would assume. A fundamental change is underway in how consumers discover, research, and decide, driven by increasingly complex and fragmented marketing touchpoints, and accelerated by the shift towards AI.
Will Andy Burnham actually like his own budget?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News It’s budget day – and it’s a critical moment for the chancellor and the UK economy. So, what are the plans to ease the squeeze on household bills and the cost-of-living crisis? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the high-stakes decisions facing the government, and how John Healey plans to raise billions in additional revenue through increasing tax.
Budget 2026: Cheaper gherkins but bigger bills?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News It’s budget eve but can the chancellor really deliver a ‘breathing space’ budget? With living standards under pressure, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy explore the trade-offs John Healey must balance between the cost-of-living crisis, the government’s plan for growth and whether ministers can convince voters that they’re easing the pressure.
The three hot topics splitting the cabinet
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News At its core, will this be a John Healey or an Andy Burnham budget – and will it deliver any real breathing space? With the biggest fiscal event of the year looming, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine some of the cabinet divisions across a range of topics, including oil drilling, migration policy and a new relationship with Europe. Plus, is the prime minister reopening Labour’s battle over Europe and free movement?
Who are the losers from the budget?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Can the government find more cuts across Whitehall to fund its NATO defence commitments? With less than a week to go until the budget, Treasury minister Emma Reynolds says squeezing more efficiency out of the government could free up cash for defence. But with public services already under pressure, where can the cuts be made without making things worse?
Burnham’s gas gamble: Why he’s approved Jackdaw
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News The government has approved the Jackdaw gas field. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh says the decision will support the country’s energy security and that it is compatible with legally binding climate commitments. Critics say the move breaks the spirit of the 2024 Labour manifesto – and makes Andy Burnham look like he’s living in a “parallel universe” after the hottest summer on record.
Chancellor reveals Budget secrets early – but why?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News John Healey’s first budget is shrouded in secrecy so how come we know he won’t be touching capital gains tax? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ponder whether the Treasury is worried about growth and discuss how Kemi Badenoch is trying to get the Conservatives on an economic front foot. Plus, they pull apart the weekly polling numbers, and Sam’s got a story about the wait times for parents of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) children.
Where’s Burnham really on welfare reform?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Having more than a million young people not in education, employment or training is an “economic catastrophe” according to the prime minister. So, what will the government do about it? With Alan Milburn’s long-awaited review due next month, is Andy Burnham laying the groundwork for tougher benefit conditions in the budget – as ministers look to rein in the spiralling welfare bill?
The extremes of Reform: What will Farage do?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Is Reform facing another growing crisis over alleged racist, sexist and violent language within its ranks? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess what the latest claims within an ITV News undercover investigation mean for Nigel Farage and whether more damaging revelations are still to come. Reform says there is “no room for racism” within the party.
Budget ‘beerlaterals’: How Burnham and Healey really work
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Downing Street, is the balance of the Ukraine war shifting? Andy Burnham will reaffirm Britain’s support for Ukraine after Presidents Trump and Putin reached a diesel deal – but can the UK still make a difference without putting its relationship with Washington at risk?
Can the chancellor really win back business? Original
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Reform is under pressure again – but could the coming weeks prove make-or-break for Nigel Farage’s party? With fresh undercover filming threatening to cause trouble and a crucial report into the £5m gift looming, how serious could the fallout be? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also unpack the latest polling: is Kemi Badenoch enjoying a post-conference bounce, or are internal divisions across the political landscape reshaping the race?
Revealed: The chancellor’s plan to survive the budget
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News With the budget barely a fortnight away, Chancellor John Healey is warning of mounting economic headwinds. Can he ease the pressure on the public finances without loosening the purse strings? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy test the tightrope Healey is attempting to walk ahead of a major speech to the International Monetary Fund. Elsewhere, is Donald Trump’s energy deal with Vladimir Putin putting the UK’s support for Ukraine to the test?
Will Berlin help Britain rejoin the EU?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News With conference season in the rear-view mirror, Andy Burnham jets off to Germany for his first European trip as PM – but how much do Anglo-German relations matter right now? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look ahead to his meeting with German chancellor Friedrich Merz as the countries attempt to align ambitions and maybe find an avenue to rejoin the EU.
Will Tory donors splash the cash?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News It’s Kemi Badenoch’s big day at the Conservative Party conference – but it’s not just the adoring party faithful she has to impress. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at how the leader’s speech will land with both voters and party donors – in what she’s calling a “battle for the soul of the country”.
Who is in charge of the budget?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News The ‘Burnham Bounce’ is extending Labour’s lead in the polls – so are the Conservatives anywhere near ready to challenge? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the latest polling numbers, and what they mean for Kemi Badenoch as the party struggles to define its offer on the economy, triple lock and social care.
Is Kemi Badenoch abandoning the Red Wall?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Is Andy Burnham an easier opponent for the Conservatives than Sir Keir Starmer? At the Tory conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch’s team sniff a chance to attack the prime minister – with a particular chance to seize on and attack his economic argument. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy pore over Badenoch’s “The Right Way” pamphlet and how she plans to take the fight to Reform UK in the north and the Liberal Democrats in the southeast.
Lib Dem triple lock revolt deepens as internal document seen by Sky News seized on by disgruntled MPs
The memo, prepared for MPs, will pile even more pressure on party leader Sir Ed Davey as his robust defence of the policy continues to spark big divisions. Prepared in September, it neutrally makes the cases both for and against the pensions triple lock, which ensures the state pension increases every year in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5% - whichever is higher.
Who cares if I’m nasty – Kemi Badenoch fights back
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Labour’s conference is over, and the opposition parties are already on the attack – despite a ringing endorsement from Oasis’ Liam Gallagher. As the Conservatives head to Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch has branded the prime minister’s plans as “Corbynism with better packaging”. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether the Tories are embracing a more aggressive style of politics – in stark contrast to Andy Burnham’s call for a more consensual approach.
What the gaps in Andy Burnham’s speech reveal
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News A lot has been said about the prime minister’s first speech as leader at the Labour Party conference. But what didn’t Andy Burnham say? Have the public understood the new PM’s big policy offer? And why was there nothing substantial on welfare reform? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the headline polling on the Burnham speech – whether the public back his triple lock “adjustment” to fix social care and whether the numbers add up.
What does Andy Burnham have to prove today?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News It’s the new prime minister’s big day in Liverpool – but will he explain what Labour conference slogan “hope again” actually means? After a series of major speeches with little substance so far from his cabinet colleagues, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy wonder whether Andy Burnham is saving all the juicy details for himself. Could there be some policy surprises – with the pensions triple lock seemingly on the table?
Can Chancellor John Healey avoid big tax rises?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News The Labour Party conference enters day two under the shadow of a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford and whether the Iranians were involved. As Donald Trump offers his account, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the conflicting versions of events, the emerging security concerns around the Gloucestershire airbase and the political reaction. Meanwhile in Liverpool, the chancellor takes centre stage, but why is he keeping a low profile?
Revealed: Andy Burnham’s route to victory
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Is the Burnham bounce starting to show? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dig into a mega poll projecting Labour as the largest party at the next general election – but still 85 seats short of a Commons majority. What do these numbers mean for Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage? And how could a split on the right of British politics help Labour keep the keys to Number 10?
Has Burnham changed tack on Russia?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Is Britain about to re-engage with the world in a more meaningful way than any time in the past decade? After a frantic 24 hours in New York, Andy Burnham declared to the UN: “Britain is back.” But what does that mean in practice? And after a rebuke over rhetoric on Russia from Donald Trump, is the new PM taking a different stance to Moscow from his predecessor?
Burnham softens up Trump – but at what cost?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News How on edge will Andy Burnham feel as he prepares to meet Donald Trump? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the risks as the two meet for the first time – where could the US president take umbrage? Also – why has Andy Burnham agreed to help Saudi Arabia with “defensive military support” against the Houthis?
How can leaders on the ropes bounce back?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Can the Liberal Democrats withstand the political turbulence around them? As delegates gather in Brighton for their party conference, Sam Coates gauges the pressure on Sir Ed Davey’s party as it faces a squeeze from the Greens and the Andy Burnham bounce. Elsewhere, the prime minister prepares to go to New York for the UN General Assembly, the duo look ahead to his first meeting with Donald Trump – can they find any common ground?
AI is changing discovery. What does that mean for your business?
How customers discover products and information is constantly changing. Search engines, social media and marketplaces like Amazon and Ebay, previously shaped how consumers discovered brands. But now AI-driven Large Language Models (LLMs) form another layer of that ecosystem, with more than 50% of online adults having used generative AI to find answers to questions, according to Forrester.
AI is changing discovery. What does that mean for your business?
Tech News Tube is a real time news feed of the latest technology news headlines.Follow all of the top tech sites in one place, on the web or your mobile device.
What does a party of former PMs reveal?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News What happens when the keys to Number 10 are handed back? Anne reports from a gathering of former prime ministers – Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – and reveals what life after power really looks like. Meanwhile, after some football diplomacy with Canadian PM Mark Carney, could it offer a chance for Andy Burnham to unlock closer ties with the EU, or has the reset hit another roadblock?
Why ministers paid £2m to influencers
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at how political communication has changed – from Keir Starmer’s government paying influencers to promote its message, to Andy Burnham putting himself front and centre of the social media operation. Sam has a scoop on how much it all costs. Elsewhere, former Number 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeny is launching a new thinktank designed to shape Downing Street thinking, but with less scrutiny.
Rayner v Streeting, round two
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News As the TUC Congress continues in Brighton, some of Labour’s big beasts have been baring their teeth – with Angela Rayner using an after-dinner speech to land some blows on Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy reveal what was said and whether it was all taken in good fun. Meanwhile, the economic picture looks bleak as John Healey prepares for his first budget.
Why Reform’s donation will change British politics
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Will a record breaking £72 million change the face of British politics? After receiving two of the biggest political donations in history – £36m each from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political fallout – are the donations legal, will the government legislate to stop them and how does this vast sum of money influence British politics?
Why Burnham is making holidays more expensive
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Having spent the summer trying to ease the cost of living, is a new tourist tax about to hit domestic holiday makers in the pocket? The government is giving mayors additional powers to introduce a levy on hotel stays, with no cap on how much they can charge. With the tourism industry already angry, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the move and why the timing maybe a little uncomfortable for the government.
Is Andy Burnham talking about the right stuff?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News There’s fallout from the U.K.’s move to announce sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel is closing the U.K.’s consulate in Jerusalem and considering other measures. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the reaction and wonder if the new PM should also be giving attention to other matters overseas. Elsewhere, Sam’s got a story about a big government growth initiative which, so far, has not done much.
Inside Burnham’s big Israel gamble
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Britain is about to take its toughest stance yet against Israel – but will it make a difference, or will it leave the UK isolated on the international stage? Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband will unveil a package of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, putting Britain at the forefront of the G7’s effort to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Is the chancellor really a risk taker?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Can the chancellor deliver growth without breaking his own self-imposed fiscal rules? John Healey will set out his vision for the economy this morning, but with pressure mounting on the public finances, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether he is preparing to stretch the rules to make it happen.
Can ‘ratty’ Farage get his mojo back?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News As Reform UK kicks off conference season in Birmingham, Nigel Farage appears to have some work to do. The party has gone from dominating the political conversation to facing a fall in polling numbers, mounting scandals and fresh questions over Farage’s leadership. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview a crucial three days for Reform, with major announcements expected on migration and the economy – while a French connection could be significant.
Is Burnham living in a economic dreamland?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News As Andy Burnham prepares for his first Prime Minister’s Questions, he faces a gathering economic storm. With markets driving up government borrowing costs and the prospect of another interest rate rise, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the turmoil could mean for mortgage holders, public spending and the government plans going forward. Could the chancellor be left with almost no room for manoeuvre ahead of October’s budget?
Burnham enters the political bearpit
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Parliament is back and the honeymoon is over – Andy Burnham now faces his first major test as prime minister. The PM will make his Commons debut as he promises to “bring back hope” and make life more affordable. But with pressure on public finances, can he deliver on his promises to cut energy bills, cap bus fares and slash business rates?
Sam and Anne’s guide to the term ahead
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News After a summer of setting out his stall, Andy Burnham now faces the hard task: turning ambition into action. In the last of the summer boxset, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy take a deep dive into five big challenges facing the government in the coming months. From defining the 10-year plan to unresolved pressure at home and abroad, the duo give their take and analysis on a critical parliamentary term ahead.
What will Burnham do on AI?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Artificial intelligence could transform the economy, the workplace, and even the way we think — but is Britain ready for it? And is Andy Burnham? In the second of Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy’s summer box set conversations, they sit down with POLITICO UK tech editor Isobel Asher Hamilton to look at the choices facing the new prime minister this autumn. Should Britain be building the next OpenAI, or focusing on using AI to revive manufacturing?
What will Burnham do with the Budget?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Andy Burnham has promised to transform Britain, but can he afford it? This autumn, Chancellor John Healey will deliver the new government’s first Budget, so what might it include? In the first episode of Sam and Anne’s summer box set, they sit down with Sky News’ economics editor Ed Conway to look at the spending choices facing the new prime minister. How will the government tackle the cost of living? What do the bond markets make of Mr Burnham?
Burnham’s blitz: Sam and Anne’s verdict
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Andy Burnham has thrown the future of legalising assisted dying into doubt. After telling Sam Coates that he does not want legislation to proceed until social care and palliative care are “fixed”. Supporters of the bill insist they are pressing ahead. But has the Prime Minister’s intervention made its passage through Parliament far less likely? Sam and Anne examine what Burnham’s comments mean for MPs ahead of the crucial September vote.
Who is Ed Miliband really listening to?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Anne shares what she’s been hearing about the new top team at the Foreign Office and Ed Milliband reveals what his grandfather would have said about his new job. Meanwhile, can Andy Burnham really fix Britain’s social care system? That’s the big question as the new prime minister hosts cross-party talks on one of the country’s biggest challenges.
When Sam met Andy
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News No wonder the new prime minister is feeling chipper. Labour and Reform are now neck and neck in the polls for first time in more than a year. The biggest change? Among young voters. But the ‘Burnham Bounce’ doesn’t stop there – with the PM not only having the pleasure of meeting President Zelenskyy on a visit to a naval base but also our very own Sam Coates.
What will Burnham really change?
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Andy Burnham came into office promising the biggest change in Britain for 40 years. But one week into his premiership, is Britain seeing transformation—or just a different style of politics? As Burnham unveils plans on social care, devolution and welfare, Sam and Anne ask just how big the policies announced by Burnham actually are. Is this just a continuation of Starmer with a new face?
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