bbc

Radio 5 Live: the reality of working in an MP’s office

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On 13 August 2026, Radio 5 Live presenter Matt Chorley interviewed:

  • Lisa Gilmore, GMB MPs’ and Peers’ Staff Branch President and current MP staffer
  • Ethan Harris, former MP staffer
  • Matt Hinton, former MP staffer
  • Steve Race, MP for Exeter

They spoke about the reality of working in an MP’s office, the workload and how it has changed over the years, and the type of work involved.

You can list to the interview until 7 September 2026 here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m003025w by scrolling forward to 1:06:20′ it lasts approximately 22 minutes.

Green Paper and Consultation on the Future of the BBC

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The government is consulting the public to aid decision-making on the terms for the BBC Charter’s renewal and any changes needed to help the BBC to continue to serve the public.

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 10 March 2026

You can read the Green Paper and the consultation questions here

There is also a Commons Library paper about BBC funding and the future of the licence fee
And finally, there will be a Westminster Hall debate on government proposals for renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter on 6 January 2026 at 2:30pm. The debate will be opened by Sir John Whittingdale MP.