Rethink

Rethink considers how we might take a different approach to issues that affect all of us, asking some of the brightest minds what we could do to make the world a better place. This week, we're rethinking energy. The massive rise in the price of wholesale gas in 2022, and the subsequent rise in our household energy bills highlighted the need for the UK to have a secure, reliable and cheap energy su...

The care system in Britain is creaking at the seams. People who need care aren't receiving it - or if they do it's untenably expensive. There aren’t enough staff for care homes, and unpaid family carers often burn out looking after their loved ones without support. Successive governments have recognised it’s a problem, but they haven’t been able to fix it. Rachel Reeves is just the latest in a lon...

Rethink looks at the issues of our time, and considers how we might approach them differently. Scrutinising the latest thinking and research, we look at what this might mean for policy and society. In this episode: the cost of living has been high, but all too often, we also pay a premium. It's because of dynamic pricing, drip pricing and now personalised pricing. Dynamic pricing is why, after que...

Rethink looks again at the issues of our time, and considers how we might approach them differently. Scrutinising the latest thinking and research, we look at what this might mean for policy and society. In this episode, we’re looking at one of the most divisive issues of our time – immigration – and in particular, how we can change the discourse around migration. Polling from the British Social A...

Rethink considers how we might take a different approach to the issues of our time, asking some of the brightest minds what we could do to make the world a better place. This week: billionaires. They are some of the wealthiest people who have ever lived - a tiny group with a large influence on politics, society and the lives of millions. The gap between the super rich and everyone else is huge. Ac...

One person, one vote - we're all equal in the voting booth, right? But it hasn't always been this way, and just who can vote has changed many times since the Second World War. Until 1951, business owners and some university graduates were allowed multiple votes. 18 year olds could vote for the first time in the 1970 general election, and In 2024 British expats who had lived outside the UK for long...

Rethink examines emerging issues in politics, society, economics, technology and the UK's place in the world, and considers how we might approach them differently. We look at the latest thinking and research and discuss new ideas that might make the world a better place. In this episode, we look at "Enshittification", or to put it more politely - the problem of internet platform decay. Facebook us...

What type of leadership does the world need to tackle global warming? Amol Rajan discusses whether people with power are doing enough to solve the climate crisis. Are politicians just too focused on the ballot box to take long term decisions? What about the role of celebrities and business leaders? Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests...

Will technology and innovation slow down or even reverse climate change? Amol Rajan looks at some of the existing innovations that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also at some of those still being developed. He asks whether we're relying too much on the promise of technology that either isn’t ready yet or can’t work at scale. Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Clim...

Amol Rajan explores what switching to a green economy may mean for the way we live and work and whether it's compatible with financial growth. If, for the sake of the planet we need to cut production, consumption and perhaps profit, then how will we pay for the essential services we need in the future? There are some difficult choices to make that sound particularly tough amid a cost-of-living cri...

What personal lifestyle habits are we prepared to give up to stop global warming and who bears responsibility for changing our behaviour? Is it the state or the individual? Amol Rajan discusses why we continue to live the way we do, despite knowing the planet is heating up. Is it ignorance or denial? Perhaps the problems is with the way we talk about climate change. If so, then how does the discou...

In the first programme in this series Amol Rajan and guests examine the pledges that have been made on climate change and how far we have gone towards meeting them. What has worked to reduce greenhouse gasses and what’s not working, including the role of COP. Is the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees the right one? Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question...

Amol Rajan and his guests look for some answers on how to tackle the challenges thrown up by demographic change. From the pressure put on governments by burgeoning populations of young people, to the tactics best adopted by those of us planning to live to a hundred. GUESTS Camilla Cavendish, former Director of Policy for Prime Minister David Cameron, Financial Times columnist and author of 'Extra...

Amol Rajan and his guests look at Japan where almost a third of the population is aged 65 or over. What does that mean for Japan's economy, and its future? And what can other ageing countries learn from its experiences so far? GUESTS Kathy Matsui, partner at venture capital fund MPower Celia Hatton, Asia-Pacific Editor for the BBC Bill Emmott, Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic...

In episode three of the series, Amol Rajan is joined by guests from Africa and the Middle East to look at the challenges and opportunities faced by countries with rapidly growing young populations. Will this mean demographic dividend or disaster for states like Nigeria? GUESTS Dr Wangui Kimari, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa at the University of Cape Town Cheta Nwanze,...

Amol Rajan and guests look at why British birth rates have declined so much. Can we - should we - try to reverse this and how will we pay for the health and care needs of our growing elderly population? GUESTS Prof Sarah Harper, Director and Clore Professor of Gerontology, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing Miatta Fahnbulleh, CEO, New Economics Foundation Robert Colvile, Director, Centre for Po...

In a new five-part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests challenge some of our long-held assumptions about population change. Are there really too many people in the world - or will some countries actually end up with too few? GUESTS Rt Hon. Lord David Willets, President of the Advisory Council and Intergenerational Centre of the Resolution Foundation Professor Anna Rotkirch, Director, Population...

During the pandemic many schools and universities relied on virtual lessons using video software. In the final programme of this Rethink on Education, we look to the future and ask what is the role of technology in education? Will students be taught virtually or will online resources only be used to enhance the classroom experience? Amol Rajan and guests discuss. GUESTS: Alex Beard, Author, Natura...

Universities receive double the amount of funding that Further Education colleges get, despite the fact they have twice the number of students, most of whom are in vocational training. If the country is to meet the requirements of new technology jobs, and skills, should we be investing more money in higher education that provides the skills we will need for the future economic prosperity of the co...

Should we change the current system of examinations for our 16 and 18 year olds? During the past two years pupils across the UK have missed out on official exams like GCSEs, A Levels and Highers. So are official exams no longer needed? The current system was set up as a conduit for the now, 50 percent of students who go to university. But what about those who don't go on to higher education, are t...

Today's Rethink is looking at early years and primary education. With cuts in child services, are primary schools and early years providers becoming ersatz parents as well as educators? Providing everything from meals to setting boundaries in a space where children can be their very best? Amol Rajan and guests discuss whether educators can really make up for what's missing in the home? GUESTS Dr....

Rethinking Education. In a new five part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests discuss how we can re-think the Education system post pandemic. GUESTS Kikelomo Agunbiade, Head of Education, IPPR Claire-Marie Cuthbert - Chief Executive, Evolve Trust David Perks, Principal and Founder, East London Science School Professor David Runciman, Professor of Politics and History, Cambridge University Present...

Professor Jude Browne looks at how we tackle the concept of responsibility post-pandemic

Author Graeber questions the purpose of our work.

Activist Sinxoto reminds us that millions of people live in constant danger.