Trump says special relationship in “sad state” as alarm sounded on British Economy — while Starmer is slammed for prioritising welfare over warfare

Trump says special relationship in “sad state” as alarm sounded on British Economy — while Starmer is slammed for prioritising welfare over warfare

From The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show by Talk

April 15, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

Julia Hartley-Brewer discusses the impact of Donald Trump on the British economy, Labour's handling of asylum seekers, and the state of the NHS and military in the UK.

Rachel Reeves blames Donald Trump for the fallout from the Iran conflict just as the IMF warns Britain could suffer the biggest economic shock among developed nations. Julia Hartley-Brewer asks if this is really Trump’s fault, or whether Labour’s high-tax, net zero agenda left the UK dangerously exposed to soaring energy prices, weak growth and another brutal hit to living standards. Also in this episode, Labour claims success after moving 10,000 migrants out of asylum hotels. But is this really a win for the country, or simply a cynical accounting trick designed to hide the cost from the public? Julia is joined by former Conservative adviser Claire Pearsall to debate asylum hotels, shared accommodation, the ballooning welfare bill and why so many voters feel they are footing the bill for a system that no longer works. Julia also tears into Wes Streeting’s claims about sexism in the NHS, asking why ministers seem more interested in grievance politics than fixing the real failures in healthcare and protecting women’s dignity. And: Falklands veteran Simon Weston issues a chilling warning over Britain’s military weakness. With fresh alarm over defence cuts, troop numbers, energy…

People in this episode

Host: Julia Hartley-Brewer

Guests: Claire Pearsall, Simon Weston

Topics covered

  • Trump
  • British Economy
  • Labour Party
  • asylum hotels
  • welfare
  • NHS
  • defence cuts
  • military weakness

Keywords

  • Iran conflict
  • IMF
  • energy prices
  • living standards
  • grievance politics
  • healthcare
  • Russia
  • Middle East

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iran, Britain, UK, Falklands, Russia, the Middle East

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