The Briefing Room

Why have some countries run mass-testing operations when others, including the UK, have not? David Aaronovitch examines how South Korea and Germany have approached the coronavirus pandemic and what they have learned from the data they've gathered. He also looks at how the hunt for a vaccine is progressing and who is in the race, as well as the role existing anti-viral drugs might play in reducing the threat posed by Covid-19. Contributors:Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health, University of EdinburghDr Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine InstituteDr Philipp Zanger, Head of the Institute of Hygiene, Infection Control and Prevention at the Rhineland-Palatinate Agency for Consumer and Public ProtectionProfessor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner InstituteProfessor Johan Neyts, virologist, University of Leuven, Belgium. Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Darin Graham & Rosamund Jones Editor: Jasper Corbett

The UK fishing industry will be central to EU trade negotiations, starting soon. David Aaronovitch explores why a sector, which contributes very little to the overall economy, has gained such political and cultural importance. He asks why there is such a mismatch between the kind of fish we catch and the kind of fish we eat. When did cod become so central to our diets? With his guests, he also traces the industry's relationship with the EU down the decades. To what extent did the imposition of EU quotas reduce the amount of fish UK boats catch? And should fishing now expect a 'Brexit bounce'? Contributors: Hazel Curtis, director of Seafish Nick Fisher, fisherman and authorJohn Lichfield, journalistDr Jill Wakefield, University of Warwick. Dr Bryce Stewart, University of York Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Jordan Dunbar and Rosamund Jones. Editor: Penny Murphy.

Sinn Féin's historic result in the Irish election has the potential to change the face of Irish politics - dominated for the past hundred years by the two main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. So what lies behind the rise of Sinn Féin? And to what extent has it put its past association with violent republicanism behind it? David Aaronovitch is joined by guests including: Naomi O'Leary correspondent at Politico Europe Brian Feeney, historian and author Professor Roy Foster, professor of history at Oxford University. Dr Margaret O'Callaghan, political analyst at Queens University, Belfast Dr Theresa Reidy, political scientist at University College CorkProducer: Jordan Dunbar Editor: Jasper Corbett -

In recent months convicted terrorists just released from prison have launched knife attacks which have maimed and killed - the latest one on Streatham High Street in South London. Both attackers were shot dead by police officers. David Aaronovitch asks why events like these are happening, and whether we are releasing convicted terrorists too early. The government is promising swift action, but will the proposed changes make us safer? He asks what we know about the success of de-radicalisation programmes in our prisons and whether there are lessons we should be learning from other countries. Contributors: Nazir Afzal, former Chief ProsecutorAndrew Silke, Professor of Terrorism, Risk and Resilience at the Cranfield Forensic InstituteLord David Anderson QC, former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation in the United KingdomDominic Casciani, BBC Home Affairs CorrespondentProducers: Rosamund Jones, Kirsteen Knight, Jordan Dunbar and Tom Wright Editor: Jasper Corbett

For the first time in decades the UK will now negotiate its own trade deals. David Aaronovitch explores our options and likely outcomes.Free trade deals can take years and require hundreds of highly skilled staff in what are described as the biggest games of poker you can play.Former US trade negotiators reveal a world of bluffs, plays and tapped phone calls.How should the UK should play its hand with the US, EU and rest of the world as we exit the European Union?There are losers in every trade deal, how prepared is the UK to cope with that?Contributors: Soumaya Keynes, trade and globalisation editor, The EconomistCharles Grant, Centre for European Reform Ron Sorini, Sorini, Samet and AssociatesWendy Cutler, Asia Society Policy Institute Roderick Abbot, former senior trade official with the European Commission and trade negotiatorProduced by Rosamund Jones, Kirsteen Knight and Jordan Dunbar Editor: Jasper Corbett

What lessons do previous pandemics provide about how we should treat the new coronavirus? David Aaronovitch tracks the disease's origins in China, explores its spread. He considers how dangerous this virus is and asks how prepared we are for an outbreak in the UK. Contributors:Howard Zhang, editor of the BBC’s China serviceDr Nathalie McDermott, Imperial College, LondonJohn Oxford, Professor of Virology, Queen Mary’s College, LondonDr Josie Golding, Epidemic Preparedness and Response Programme at The Wellcome Trust.Producers: Rosamund Jones, Kirsteen Knight and Jordan Dunbar Editor: Jasper Corbett

The government wants an infrastructure revolution in the north of England. David Aaronovitch looks at whether improving transport networks could reduce economic differences between the north and south. He talks to experts about how the Treasury judges whether a project value for money. And he considers which projects might be the best ones to pursue and whether we have the necessary skills to deliver them. ContributorsGeraldine Scott, The Yorkshire PostAlasdair Reisner, Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)Dr Marianne Sensier, University of ManchesterTom Forth, Open Data Institute, LeedsPaul Swinney, The Centre for Cities Producers: Rosamund Jones, Jordan Dunbar, Kirsteen Knight Editor: Jasper Corbett

The killing of General Soleimani by the United States has led to uproar in Iran. Massive crowds have accompanied his coffin through the streets and he is now hailed as a martyr. Retaliation has started with a missile attack against US airbases in Iraq, led by The Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). David Aaronovitch examines the history and political clout of one of the most feared military organisations in the world. The IRGC's sphere of influence spreads deep into Iranian society and abroad too. What role will it play in what happens next and what impact will recent events have on US and Iranian foreign policy? Contributors: Ambassador Barbara Leaf, former US ambassador to the UAE and senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East PolicyAniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, research fellow at The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Ali Alfoneh, senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, Washington DCAzadeh Moaveni, senior analyst at the International Crisis GroupMehrzad Boroujerdi, Director of the School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech. Producers: Rosamund Jones, Jordan Dunbar and Kirsteen Knight Editor: Jasper Corbett

A look back at some of the big stories that hit the headlines in 2019. Jonny Dymond is joined by: Jennifer Williams of the Manchester Evening News Rory Sutherland of the Spectator and Ogilvy Group Helen Lewis of The Atlantic.

'Get Brexit Done' was the slogan that helped lead the Tories to an election victory - but how will that be achieved? It's the pressing task now facing government, but what might Brexit actually look like and how long could it take? David Aaronovitch considers the political and economic pros and cons of the different kinds of trading arrangements the UK and EU might end up with. Are the UK and EU both clear about their priorities and what might cause them to shift? And if we do sort out a trade deal, will Brexit be done or is there more to come? Contributors: Jill Rutter, UK in a Changing Europe Mujtaba Rahman, Eurasia GroupDavid Henig, UK Trade Policy ProjectKatya Adler, BBC Europe Editor Peter Foster, Europe Editor of the Daily TelegraphProducer: Rosamund Jones Editor: Jasper Corbett

A wave of protests are sweeping through Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Retribution in Iraq and Iran has been swift and savage, and hundreds of young people have been killed - but what lies behind the unrest? David Aaronovitch explores the common themes - unemployment, crony sectarianism, corruption and hopelessness. These were the issues that led countless thousands onto the streets in many middle eastern countries during the Arab Spring ten years ago. What lessons have governments and protesters learnt since then? The young people are hoping for sustained political and economic change this time. What chance is there of that happening? CONTRIBUTORS: Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East EditorDr Lena Khatib, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham HouseMichael Safi, International Correspondent, The GuardianPesha Magid, Journalist Lizzie Porter, Journalist Producer: Rosamund Jones Editor: Jasper Corbett

The island of Malta is the European Union's smallest state. Yet it is giving Brussels one of its biggest headaches. After the very public blowing up in her car of an investigative journalist in 2017, the slow investigation into her death took a dramatic turn earlier this week with the sudden resignation of the prime minister. Some of his closest associates have also gone.But what are the reasons for this development? Why has Malta become the centre of such attention and scrutiny after centuries of relative obscurity? What do its travails tell us about modern European economies and the rule of law? And why does the European Union seem to struggle at ensuring political accountability among its member states?David Aaronovitch invites us into The Briefing Room to discover the answers.Editor Jasper Corbett

Politicians are busy making big electoral promises. Some of them are to be funded by taxing wealthier people. But will the next chancellor be able to get the money they need from high earners, or will they need to find new ways of funding their ambitions? David Aaronovitch discovers, with his guests, what wealth consists of and who today has the means to contribute more to the UK tax kitty and how they could pay it. How many are there of them? And, importantly, are they the people we think they are? Might we be surprised to discover who qualifies as wealthy?CONTRIBUTORS:Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, an independent think-tank that focuses on the living standards of those people on low and middle incomes.John Whiting, CBE, former tax director of the Office of Tax SimplificationPat Thane, Visiting Professor in History at Birkbeck, University of London and an expert on ageing, the welfare state and pensionsMerryn Somerset Webb, editor-in-chief of the personal finance magazine, MoneyWeek, and a columnist for the money section of FT Weekend.Producer Simon Coates Editor Jasper Corbett

MPs voted in favour of the government's Brexit deal but then rejected the PM's plan to fast-track a bill through Parliament to implement it. Opposition to the deal is still strong in some quarters. Northern Ireland’s DUP withdrew its support for because it would lead to a customs border in the Irish Sea. The Scottish and Welsh governments believe it could undermine the powers of their devolved legislatures.So what could this deal mean for the future of the United Kingdom? And what might it mean for the future relationship between the UK and the EU? And could Brexit still be derailed by groups which are implacably opposed to it? David Aaronovitch is joined by: Jill Rutter - Senior Research Fellow, UK in a Changing Europe Rob Ford - Professor of Politics, University of Manchester Sam Lowe - Senior research fellow, Centre for European Reform Alison Young - Professor of Public Law, University of Cambridge Sam McBride - Political editor at The Belfast News LetterProducer: Serena Tarling Editor: Jasper Corbett

Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he was withdrawing the remaining US troops in northern Syria sent shockwaves across the security establishment, and caught allies in the region off guard.Turkey moved swiftly to launch an offensive against Kurdish forces across the border. What does President Erdogan want to achieve? And where does this leave the political map of the region and the fight against the Islamic State group?David Aaronovitch speaks to guests about the phone call that started it off and what could happen next.GUESTSEric Schmitt - senior writer covering terrorism and national security issues for The New York Times and co-author of Counterstrike Dr Amanda Sloat - senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Affairs at the State Department Charles Lister - senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and author of The Syrian Jihad: Al Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Evolution of an Insurgency Lina Khatib - Head of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House Seth Frantzman - Middle East affairs analyst for the Jerusalem Post and the author of After Isis: America, Iran and the struggle for the Middle East (September 2019).Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Jasper Corbett

Would cutting back on meat consumption help tackle climate change? What impact would this have on individuals, governments and businesses? Livestock farming accounts for at least 14.5% of all human emissions - with beef making up the highest proportion of this. Meat free burgers are now available at fast food restaurants across the western world; veganism is on the rise, as is flexitarianism - a largely vegetable-based diet supplemented occasionally with meat. But how far can these eating trends help to reduce carbon emissions?David Aaronovitch is joined by: Dr Hannah Richie - Head of Research at Our world in data, University of Oxford Tim Searchinger - Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute and Princeton University Professor Louise Fresco - President of the Wageningen University Laura Wellesley - Research fellow in the Energy, Environment and Resources Department at Chatham House Toby Park - Head of Energy and Sustainability, Behavioural Insights TeamProducer: Serena Tarling Editor: Jasper Corbett

What's the Trump impeachment inquiry about? The White House is in damage limitation mode following a whistleblower complaint that revealed details about a phone call between President Trump and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The whistleblower expressed an 'urgent concern' that Mr Trump had used his office to pressure a foreign power to damage a political rival and leading Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden.Now the Democrats have launched a formal impeachment inquiry into what went on. Where might this end up and what does it mean for American politics? David Aaronovitch is briefed on the wider context to this story and how the case will likely be built both for and against Donald Trump. He also asks how significant this moment is likely to be in US history? GUESTS:Josh Gerstein, Senior Legal Affairs Contributor, Politico Jonah Fisher, BBC correspondent in Kiev Leslie Vinjamuri, Head of US and Americas programme at Chatham House Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution Amy Jeffress, former federal prosecutor and partner at Arnold and Porter law firmProducer: Serena Tarling Editor: Jasper Corbett

The Supreme Court has ruled that Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful, turning a page on the country’s constitution. The Supreme Court president Lady Hale said "the effect on the fundamentals of democracy was extreme." The Prime Minister responded that he "strongly disagrees" with the ruling but will "respect" it. So is British democracy at a crossroads? In an extended edition of the Briefing Room, David Aaronovitch asks who is running Britain and is it now time to have a written constitution.CONTRIBUTORS:Alison Young, Professor of Public Law, University of Cambridge.Philip Norton, Professor of Government, and Director of the Centre for Legislative Studies, University of HullDavid Allen Green, contributing editor to the Financial Times and lawyer at Preiskel & CoMichael Keating, Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change at Edinburgh University and Professor of Politics, at the University of Aberdeen. Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London, Senior Fellow at the UK in a Changing EuropeMurray Hunt, Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of LawProducer: Neil Koenig Editor: Jasper Corbett

Seven recent deaths in America have been linked to the use of electronic cigarettes. The federal government and some states have made moves to ban the use of the products - other countries, such as India, are following. But some experts believe that vaping has a useful role to play in helping people to give up smoking. In this week's programme David Aaronovitch asks why have e-cigarettes become so popular, and what are the risks of using them?CONTRIBUTORSTom Novotny, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Diego State UniversityHannah Kuchler, US Pharma and Biotech Correspondent, The Financial TimesLinda Bauld, Professor of Health Policy, the University of EdinburghLion Shahab, Associate Professor in Health Psychology, University College London.Producer Neil Koenig Editor Jasper Corbett

It’s been another extraordinary week of politics. Parliament is closed, but a general election is on the horizon. What strategy should the party leaders follow to come out victorious? David Aaronovitch slips into character to seek advice as to how Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Jo Swinson, Nigel Farage and Nicola Sturgeon should play the coming weeks and months. Guests: David Cowling, political analyst and expert in voting patterns Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics at King’s College London Rob Ford, Professor of Political Science at Manchester University

In a momentous week for British politics, David Aaronovitch presents a special hour-long edition of The Briefing Room in which he asks whether the United Kingdom's history might help us to understand better the political storms buffeting the country. What has the debate over Brexit done to Britain’s political parties and its parliamentary system, what does Brexit mean for the future of the union, what does it tell us about Britain’s place in the world and what has it revealed about the state of the country and the public’s faith in government as its provider and protector?Joining David Aaronovitch are: Margaret MacMillan, Professor of History at Oxford University Anne Deighton, Emeritus Professor of History at Wolfson College Mary Daly, Emiritus Professor of Modern Irish History at University College Dublin Lord Lexden, the official historian of the Conservative Party Professor Ian McLean, Senior Research Fellow in Politics at Nuffield College Oxford Alwyn Turner, social historian. Producer Neil Koenig Editor Jasper Corbett

It's the world's biggest organised event: 900 million eligible voters across India have been to the polls in the last six weeks after five years of Narendra Modi's BJP government.Narendra Modi's ambition was to project India as a global economic power, clamping down on corruption and burnishing its national security credentials. How far has he achieved this? And to what extent should India's non-Hindus be concerned about Narendra Modi's brand of Hindu nationalism? David Aaronovitch speaks to experts to find out.GUESTS:Dr S Y Quraishi - Former Chief Election Commissioner Soutik Biswas - India correspondent for BBC news online Kunal Sen - Director, Professor of Development Economics, University of Manchester Ambassador Nirupama Rao - India’s foreign secretary 2009-11; former ambassador to the US, China and Sri Lanka James Crabtree - India expert at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore and author of The Billionaire Raj

The British Foreign Secretary has warned of the danger of Iran and the United States stumbling into a war by accident. And the signs are ominous: the US accelerated the deployment of an aircraft carrier and B52 bombers to the Persian Gulf and all non-essential staff are being withdrawn from the US Embassy in Baghdad. US National Security Adviser John Bolton said any attack by Iran on America or its allies would be met with what he called unrelenting force. So what's the risk of a war breaking out? David Aaronovitch is joined by: Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group Kori Schake of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Aniseh Barissi Tabrizi of the Royal United Services Institute Robert Cooper, former EU diplomat. Barbara Leaf, former US diplomat and State Department official

With measles infections on the rise in the UK, should vaccinations be made compulsory?Measles is an ‘entirely preventable’ disease, says the UN – and for a while the UK and other developed countries had prevented it. But during the first three months of this year, the World Health Organisation reported 112,000 cases of measles. Over the same time last year it was 28,000In the UK we once again have outbreaks of measles and a falling vaccination rate. David Aaronovitch asks how much this matters and whether, as the Health Secretary has said recently, we should rule nothing out, even including compulsory vaccination.CONTRIBUTORSGareth Williams, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Bristol and author of Angel of Death: The Story of SmallpoxProfessor Heidi Larson, director of The Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineHugh Whittall, director of The Nuffield Council on Bioethics Dr Stephen John, Hatton Lecturer in the Philosophy of Public Health at the University of CambridgeProducers: Richard Fenton-Smith & Serena Tarling Researcher: Kirsteen Knight Editor: Jasper Corbett

Prescriptions for opioid painkillers have increased by 60 per cent in the UK during the last decade, and the number of codeine-related deaths in England and Wales has more than doubled. The government is now planning to put prominent warnings about the dangers of addiction on the packaging of opioid medicines, to protect people from 'the darker side of painkillers' - as Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock put it. This is an effort to avoid the situation in the United States where 130 people die every day from opioid-related drug overdoses, which has prompted President Donald Trump to declare a national health emergency.But are we really on the precipice of our own epidemic? David Aaronovitch asks how the situation got so out of control in the USA and whether the UK should do more to regulate painkillers containing opioids. CONTRIBUTORS Sam Quinones, journalist and author of 'Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic'. Dr Raeford Brown, former chair of the FDA's Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee Dr Luke Mordecai, consultant anaesthetist at University College Hospital, with research focus on opiate use and complex pain Professor Leslie Colvin, chair of pain medicine, University of DundeeDr Emily Finch, consultant addiction psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS TrustProducers: Serena Tarling & Richard Fenton-Smith Researcher: Kirsteen KnightDetails of organisations offering information and support with addiction are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 155 947.

Is religious intolerance on the rise, and if so, what is behind it?In Sri Lanka this week, people claiming to be acting out of religious belief killed more than 350 people, mostly of a different faith – in this case Christians. Religious intolerance is a theme which has surfaced in the news with some frequency in recent years – be it the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Yazidis in Iraq, the Uighurs in China or numerous blasphemy trials in Pakistan. On this week's programme, David Aaronovitch asks whether religious intolerance – be it intolerance of religions, or by religions - is actually on the rise.If so, who is leading this – governments? Nationalist political movements? Or the faithful themselves? CONTRIBUTORS:Alan Keenan, senior analyst at the International Crisis GroupAlan Cooperman, Director of Religion research, Pew Research CentreKaren Armstrong, author of The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred TextsOliver McTernan, founder of the conflict resolution organisation, Forward ThinkingRobin Gill, Emeritus Professor of Applied Theology at the University of Kent

The investigation has taken nearly two years, cost tens of millions of dollars, and led to dozens of criminal charges. Now, a redacted version of Robert Mueller’s report into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 US Presidential election is going to be delivered to Congress. This week David Aaronovitch and his guests in the Briefing Room examine what’s in the report, and what does it all mean - especially for Donald Trump and his prospects for winning a second presidential term next year.Contributors: Katie Benner, Justice Department reporter, New York Times Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Head of the US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House Shira Scheindlin, former United States District Judge Larry Sabato, Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia

David Aaronovich examines the likely lasting impact of the UK's decision to quit the European Union - not on Britain but on mainland Europe. The European Union is struggling to reconcile competing views of the economy, of national identity and of ideology. As populist political parties play an increasing role in the governance of member states, some expert Euro-watchers give their views of the divisions and the chances of them being reconciled. Might the EU "widen" its reach to new countries? Or deepen" the binds between member countries? Or is it time to concede that voters across the Continent prefer sovereignty to be exercised within national states. Presenter: David Aaronovich Producer: Sally Abrahams Researcher: Kirsteen Knight Editor: Andrew Smith

As the Brexit negotiations rumble on Britain appears more divided than ever. This week David Aaronovitch and his guests ask how deep is that division and what it would take to unify the country?Contributors: Professor Sara Hobolt, London School of Economics Professor Sir John Curtice, University of Strathclyde Margaret MacMillan, emeritus Professor of International History at Oxford University Deborah Mattinson, Founder, BritainThinks Paula Surridge, Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol

With the route of the UK’s departure from the European Union still unclear, this week David Aaronovitch looks at Britain’s place in the world and assesses what lies ahead in the next stage of negotiations with the EU. Joining David in the Briefing Room are: Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, Sam Lowe, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Reform, Meg Russell, Director of the Constitutional Unit at University College London and Stefanie Bolzen, London Correspondent of German newspaper, Welt.Producer: Jim Frank Editor: Jasper Corbett

The boss of Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei, says his company would never spy on behalf of the Chinese state. But some experts think it would be a mistake for Britain to involve the company in the development of the 5G network. What's the relationship between Huawei and the government in Beijing, is the company a reliable partner and what should Britain do? David Aaronovitch is joined by: Dr Linda Yueh, Economist at the University of Oxford and author of 'The Great Economists'. Wanyuan Song, BBC Journalist Jan-Peter Kleinhans, Project Director IoT-Security at Stiftung Neue Verantwortung Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the China Institute, the School of Oriental and African Studies Charlie Parton, Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute Emily Taylor, Editor, Chatham House's Journal of Cyber Policy Dr Tim Stevens, Lecturer in Global Security, King's College London

The Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee called GCSEs 'pointless' and said they should be abolished. David Aaronovitch asks if it is time for the exam system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to be completely overhauled. GUESTS Sandra Leaton Gray Associate Professor in Education at University College London’s Institute of Education Laura McInerney, former editor of Schools Week and education writer Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Sir Mike Tomlinson, former Chief Inspector for Ofsted Lord Baker, former Education Secretary who brought in GCSEs Peter Mandler, cultural historian at Cambridge University

The Japanese car maker Nissan has announced its next generation of SUVs will be made, not in Sunderland as planned, but in Japan. Jaguar Land Rover has announced big losses and Honda has announced job cuts at its plant in Swindon. David Aaronovitch and guest discuss why the car industry is facing such uncertain times and if it will ever recover. Guests: Professor David Bailey, Aston Business School Dan Coffey, Leeds University Business School Professor Matthias Holweg, Said Business School, Oxford University Catherine Faiers, Operations Director, Autotrader Peter Campbell, Global Motor Industry Correspondent, The Financial Times Ian Henry, Managing Director, AutoAnalysis

New figures show a slight decline in people sleeping rough in England. But since 2010 the trend has been upwards. Why? And what can be done about it?David Aaronovitch talks to guests about the drivers that lead people to sleep rough, and how the UK is dealing with the problem now. GUESTSRisha Lancaster - Co-Founder of Coffee4Craig in Manchester and a volunteer at a night shelter Michael Buchanan - BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Louise Casey - Head of the government's Rough Sleepers Unit from 1999 - 2003 Nicholas Pleace - Director of Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York Jon Sparks - CEO of homeless charity, Crisis

What is at stake for Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic in terms of security, the economy and the politics, as Britain prepares to leave the EU. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss. GUESTSPeter Taylor - BBC journalist who has covered Northern Ireland for nearly five decades. John Campbell - BBC Northern Ireland’s Economics & Business Editor Dr Katy Hayward - Political Sociologist at Queen's University, Belfast Dr Margaret O'Callaghan - Political Analyst at Queen's University, Belfast Dr Etain Tannam - Expert in Irish diplomacy and cross-border co-operation, Trinity College, Dublin

There is little or no consensus in Westminster about what kind of Brexit, if any, MPs want. The government's plan was defeated by a whopping 232 votes. And Labour's vote of confidence in the government was then defeated. Brexit has stretched the British parliamentary system to its limits. David Aaronovitch and guests examine Britain's constitutional crisis and ask if the current political system is irretrievably broken. GUESTS Katy Balls - Deputy Political Editor of The Spectator Sam McBride - Political Editor of The Belfast Newsletter Alison Young - Professor of Public Law at the University of Cambridge Robert Hazell - Professor of Government and the Constitution at University College, London

Work and Pensions Secretary, Amber Rudd, this week announced that the next stage of the Universal Credit roll-out is to be scaled back amid concerns about the controversial new benefits system. So what were the origins of the Universal Credit policy and can its flaws be fixed?CONTRIBUTORSRoy Sainsbury - Professor of Social Policy at the University of YorkBaroness Philippa Stroud - former government advisor and CEO of the Legatum InstituteKayley Hignell - Head of Policy for Family, Welfare and Work at Citizens AdviceFran Bennett - Senior Research Fellow at the Department for Social Policy and Intervention at Oxford UniversityTorsten Bell - Director of the Resolution FoundationDeven Ghelani - Founder of Policy in Practice

In October, the IPCC, the UN body that reports on climate change, issued a stark warning. It said that if the world wanted to avoid catastrophic environmental damage, we needed to reduce carbon emissions by almost half in the next 12 years. So what needs to be done now if that target is to be reached? What's the position in China, the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide? And how important is the stated intention of President Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas emissions? We hear from, among others, Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, the author of the seminal Stern Review in 2006.

Theresa May has been back in Brussels to attend a meeting of EU leaders, a day after surviving a leadership challenge at home. Her mission: to try to extract some form of concession from the other 27 EU member states that might persuade MPs in Westminster to support the withdrawal agreement the UK has concluded with the EU. Few commentators give her much chance of success. It still seems likely that when the deal is finally voted on by Parliament, it will be rejected. So what would happen then? Would the UK be heading for the EU exit door with no-deal? Might there be a vote of confidence that could lead to a general election? Could MPs from both main parties form a temporary government of national unity? Or might the Prime Minister accede to demands for a new referendum? With the historian Peter Hennessy, Jill Rutter of the Institute For Government, Agata Gostynska-Jakubowska of the Centre for European Reform and Meg Russell from University College London.

In France a wave of protests has brought the country to a standstill in recent weeks. The original cause of the anger - the government's plan to raise the rate of tax on diesel - has now disappeared. President Macron responded this week to the mood in the country by withdrawing the tax, due to be introduced next year. The question now is whether that will temper the anger of the Gilets Jaunes, the protesters who take their name from the hi-viz vest that every French driver must carry with them in their vehicle. The protesters form an amorphous movement without leaders and their demands are many and various. President Macron is being criticised as much for his style and tactics as his policy. Where does France go from here? With Sophie Pedder of The Economist, the geographer Christophe Guilluy, the pollster Bruno Jeanbart, the writer Jane Weston-Vauclair and Professor Philippe Marliere of University College London.

Theresa May is urging her MPs to accept the deal she has struck with Brussels on the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The trouble is that few in Westminster believe this is a vote she can win and Brussels has said no further negotiations are possible. With the vote due on December the 11th the Prime Minister has less than two weeks to get MPs to change their minds. If Parliament does reject the deal, does that mean a no-deal in March next year? If not, how can no-deal be avoided. Contributors: Tim Durrant, Senior Researcher at The Institute for Government Alex Barker, Brussels Bureau Chief of The Financial Times Patrick Smyth, Europe Editor of The Irish Times Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London

Is Brazil embracing a more conservative political future?In the wake of economic crisis, corruption scandals and rising levels of violent crime, Brazilians are shunning the left wing politicians who have run the country for the last two decades in favour of a right wing outsider: Jair Bolsonaro. In the first round of Brazil's presidential election, Bolsonaro won 46 per cent of the vote and appears on the cusp of victory in the second round on 28th October. Having campaigned on an anti-gay, anti-migrant platform, Bolsonaro has built his base on his evangelical roots and clean public image. David Aaronovitch talks to guests about what a Bolsonaro presidency could bring and asks whether the left-leaning Worker's Party (PT) candidate, Fernando Haddad, could still win the second round.CONTRIBUTORSDr Marukh Doctor - Reader in Political Economy at the Department of Politics at the University of Hull Katy Watson - BBC South America Correspondent Marieke Riethof - Lecturer in Latin American politics at the University of Liverpool Richard Lapper - Associate Fellow at Chatham House and former Latin American editor at the Financial Times

Air pollution is creating big problems. Scientists say it is a leading cause of climate change, which will be the subject of a major report to be released next week by the IPCC, a UN body that is studying the issue. Another problem is damage to health. Scientists believe that air pollution harms the quality of our lives, and shortens them too. So how bad is the air in the UK? And what can be done to improve matters? CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Grieve, Air Quality Analyst at the Environmental Research Group at King's College London Fiona Godlee, Editor, The BMJ Audrey de Nazelle, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Environmental policy, Imperial College Gavin Shaddick, Professor of Data Science and Statistics, University of Exeter

At its annual conference in Liverpool this week, the Labour party set out plans to nationalise a large range of industries that previous governments had sold off. The industries it wants to bring back into public ownership include water, rail, energy and the Royal Mail. But how would Labour’s ideas work? And what would the process be for implementing them? David Aaronovitch and his guests discuss.Contributors: Chris Curtis, senior political researcher, YouGov Dieter Helm, Professor of Energy Policy and a Fellow in Economics at the University of Oxford Dan Neidle, Partner, Clifford Chance Dr Sarah Hendry, Senior Lecturer in law at University of Dundee Karma Loveday, Editor, The Water ReportProducer: Neil Koenig

How could a new referendum on Britain's relationship with Europe work? As pressure mounts on Theresa May to seal an agreement on Brexit, there are growing calls for a further referendum on the issue. From across the political spectrum, MPs, trade unions and campaigners are demanding another vote on the terms of the deal, or lack of one. In the Briefing Room, David Aaronovitch examines the mechanics of this hypothetical proposition. What would the procedure be to trigger another referendum and how would it be organised? And is there enough time? Guests: Chris Morris, BBC Reality Check Alan Renwick, deputy director of the Constitution Unit, University College London Professor Catherine Barnard, Senior Fellow at the UK in a Changing Europe Initiative at King’s College London Professor Matt Qvortrup of Coventry University Katya Adler, BBC Europe Editor

The Tories are split, Labour is split and some people think it just can’t go on.Once more there is serious talk about the formation of a new political party.This has been tried before and recent history seems to say that the odds of success are not good. But what about now? Have the prospects changed?What might a new party look like this time? And what chance of success would it have?CONTRIBUTORSSir Ivor Crewe, political scientist and Master of University College, OxfordDavid Cowling, political opinion polling specialist and former editor of political research for the BBCSteven Fielding, professor of political history and director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of NottinghamJane Green, professor of political science at Nuffield College, Oxford, and co-director of the British Election Study

November's midterm elections in the US are the first chance for voters across the country to pass judgement on President Trump's administration since the 2016 election. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs and a third of the Senate. If the Democrats win control of the House, they would not only be in a position to halt President's Trump's legislative agenda; they would also be able, should they wish, to start impeachment proceedings. On The Briefing Room this week David Aaronovitch asks what's at stake in these elections and how the outcome will reshape the American political landscape two years before the next Presidential election in 2020.CONTRIBUTORSKen Goldstein, professor of politics at the University of San FranciscoElena Schneider, campaign reporter for PoliticoElaine Kamarck, senior fellow in the governance studies programme at the Brookings InstitutionJeff Lazarus, associate professor of political science at Georgia State UniversityLarry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics

The prime minister, Theresa May bemoaned the state of the housing sector in a speech earlier this year. She said the national housing crisis was one of the biggest barriers to social mobility in Britain today. She acknowledged that property prices have put home ownership out of reach for millions of people. And she pointed the finger at the failure to build enough of the right homes, as she put it, in the right places. But is the failure to build at the core of the problem? Or are other factors at play? Would excluding foreign ownership make a difference, or making more land available on which to build? And are we too obsessed with the idea of owning our own house? This week in The Briefing Room we ask why we can't fix the housing crisis?CONTRIBUTORSDan Tomlinson, research analyst at The Resolution Foundation think tankColin Peacock, Radio New Zealand Christine Whitehead, Professor of Housing at the London School of EconomicsPolly Neate, chief executive of the housing charity ShelterAndrew Whitaker of the Home Builders Federation.

Greece exited its bailout programme last week. It's the culmination of nine years of reliance on huge loans from international finance bodies and stringent budget cuts. Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, heralded it as a day of liberation.In the course of the country's economic crisis, youth unemployment rose to nearly 50 per cent and 40 per cent of the working age population was left at risk of poverty. Pensions were frozen and public sector salaries slashed.David Aaronovitch speaks to guests about what successive governments have had to do to turn things round and what impact years of austerity have had on the day-to-day life of the Greek people. And although the economic indicators have improved somewhat, how confident can the Greek government be in its future and in its ability to stimulate longer term growth?CONTRIBUTORSMichele Kambas, Athens bureau chief at Thomson ReutersRoman Gerodimos, founder of the Greek Politics Specialist GroupChloe Hadjimatheou, BBC journalistProfessor Kevin Featherstone, Director of the Hellenic Observatory at the London School of EconomicsProducer: Tim Mansel.

This week Turkey's currency plummeted to its lowest level ever against the US dollar. The lira's steady descent this year was accelerated by the imposition of increased tariffs on steel and aluminium by the United States. President Trump, it seems, is personally angered by the continued detention in Turkey of an American pastor, who's been held for nearly two years on suspicion of spying. The currency crisis has focussed attention on Turkey more broadly: on economic difficulties with deep roots, on the leadership of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has accumulated unprecedented power, and on Turkey's troubled relationships with many of its traditional allies. Mr Erdogan says he may now need to look for new friends - a potentially troubling prospect for other NATO members. David Aaronovitch asks how deep is the Turkish crisis?CONTRIBUTORSSoner Çağaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of The New Sultan - a biography of President Erdogan.Dr Mina Toksoz, an emerging markets and country risk consultant at the foreign affairs think tank Chatham HouseDr. Amanda Sloat, Brookings Institution, Washington DC and former deputy assistant secretary for Southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Affairs at the US State Department Dr Ziya Meral, a specialist on Turkey and a fellow at the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research