The private companies running Britain

About this episode

The episode discusses the outsourcing of state operations to private companies in Britain and the resulting societal issues, including recent riots in Belfast related to asylum accommodation.

From prisons to speed cameras and welfare to nuclear warning systems, the British government has outsourced a huge number of state operations to private companies – including the housing of asylum seekers. This week, riots erupted on the streets of Belfast following the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvy. The suspect is an ex asylum seeker. It’s the third summer in a row that the asylum accommodation system has been the focus of violent protests. Has Britain lost control? READ: How Britain lost control https://www.newstatesman.com/cover-story/2026/06/how-britain-lost-control LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered

• outsourcing
• asylum seekers
• protests
• government control
• private companies

Keywords

• outsourcing
• private companies
• asylum seekers
• Belfast riots
• government control

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British government

Places: Belfast, Britain, asylum seekers

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