Baked beans and bank tax: Healey’s ‘boring’ budget? Plus, Brazil boots Bolsonaro 2.0
Pod Save the UK

Baked beans and bank tax: Healey’s ‘boring’ budget? Plus, Brazil boots Bolsonaro 2.0

2026-10-29

This week, while Nish is on tour, Coco is joined by journalist Zoë Grünewald to make sense of the first ‘steady-as-he-goes’ Burnham budget. From Burnham’s barnstormer, to Healey’s humdrum address… it was, fine I guess? Weeks of pitch-rolling and pre-announcements led up to this moment, which meant there were very few surprises in Parliament, but a few cans kicked into next year.

Coco & Zoë speak to Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at the Trussell Trust, to understand what the budget means for those who really do need ‘breathing space’ the most. Keep an eye out for the Timms and Milburn reviews, due next month, to understand how the government intends to support the most vulnerable.

Plus, Coco & Zoë discuss the recent election victories for progressive movements across the world–from Serbia to Brazil and beyond–and ask, what will it take to see the same over here in the UK? Are we too busy lime bike jousting, or are there bigger structural hurdles (electorally, and legally) that prevent the easy formation of mass protests in the same way…

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Pod Save the UK

Pod Save the UK
No. of episodes
184
Latest episode
2026-10-29

Where can you listen?

Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.

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