David Aaronovitch and guests discuss how Conservative and Labour preparations for the next election will be dictated by the state of the UK's public finances. Guests: Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation Production: Ben Carter, Claire Bowes and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Two years ago we looked at Britain’s political geography and the role of identity and party loyalty. In this special programme in front of a live audience, David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what’s changed since then. David talks to: Paula Surridge, political sociologist from the University of Bristol Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics at King's College, London Rob Ford, Professor of Political Science at the University of Manchester Producers: Claire Bowes, Kirsteen Knight and Ben Carter Editor: Richard Vadon Sound Mix: Graham Puddifoot

Some school buildings in England have been forced to close or do urgent repairs because they’re built with a potentially crumbling material, reinforced autoclave aerated concrete, known as RAAC. Lightweight and cheap, RAAC was widely used during the post-war building boom of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. But it has a limited shelf-life, which experts have been aware of for the last 30 years. And poor maintenance of buildings has added to the risks of sudden and catastrophic collapse. But are schools just the tip of the iceberg? David Aaronovitch asks how widespread is the risk – and what structural solutions are available for schools, hospitals and other buildings that contain RAAC? David Aaronovitch talks to: Prof Phil Purnell, Professor of Materials and Structures, University of Leeds; Laura McInerney, education journalist, public speaker and co-founder of Teacher Tapp; Adrian Tagg, Associate Professor in Building Surveying at Reading University and a current practising chartered buildings surveyor; Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University. Production: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight, Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Debbie Richford Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Richard Vadon (Correction: In this programme we said that 100 schools in the UK had closed due to issues with RAAC. This is incorrect. Although RAAC has been identified in more than 100 schools, most of them have remained open)

The number of holiday lets in England rose by 40% between 2018 and 2021. There's been a similar boom across the UK and governments are at varying stages of legislation to regulate the industry and curb the problems associated with these kinds of rentals. Launching England's consultation earlier this year the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said too many people were being "pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages". Meanwhile a second consultation's being led by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, to create a register of these types of property. So can local tourism and local communities both benefit? And how is this different from second home ownership anywhere? David Aaronovitch hears from: Ffion Jon, Documentary maker James Kinnersly, Sales Director and UK market expert at AirDNA Vicky Spratt, Housing Correspondent at the i paper Dr Nancy Holman, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at London School of Economics Production: Alix Pickles and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Former US President Donald Trump now faces multiple criminal and civil cases. Which are the most serious, what do they mean for his presidential campaign and could the US constitution prevent him from taking office if he wins the 2024 election? David Aaronovitch speaks to: Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor Renato Mariotti, Legal Affairs Columnist for POLITICO Magazine, former federal prosecutor and co-host of the “It’s Complicated” podcast Kermit Roosevelt III, professor of constitutional law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, author of The Nation that Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story. Production: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Diane Richardson Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Debbie Richford Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon