Westminster Unfiltered

In this episode of Westminster Unfiltered, we spoke to newly elected local councillors Aaron Goater and Rukhsar Askari about what it is really like to become a councillor. We asked them about the election process, what happens during a campaign, and what life is like on the campaign trail - from speaking to residents and knocking on doors, to waiting for the results and starting work as local coun...

How can young people with SEND make sure their voices are heard? In this episode of Westminster Unfiltered , wes spoke with Emma-Jane Hampsheir-Gill, SEND Participation Officer for Southwark Council. Emma-Jane explains what a SEND Participation Officer does, how young people with SEND can share their views, and why student voice should be at the heart of decision-making. We also discuss annual rev...

For National Colleges Week , we were really pleased to welcome Sutton Councillor Rob Beck to the Sutton Life Centre for a special interview. As Vice Chair of the People Committee and SEND Champion at Sutton Council, he had lots to share, and we enjoyed asking him about everything from specialist Further Education and future skills to mobile phones in schools, his work as a councillor, and even his...

We’re delighted to welcome James Kearns, Principal of Carew Academy, to Westminster Unfiltered for a special education-focused episode recorded at Carew Academy’s brand-new building. Our student hosts, Joseph and Morgan, spoke with James about what a school principal really does day to day, how decisions are made that affect students, and the challenges and responsibilities that come with leading...

We are delighted to welcome Danny Beales MP, Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, to the show for a special episode recorded on location at the Houses of Parliament. As part of Natspec’s Power of Specialist FE Awareness Week, our student hosts spoke with Danny about the essential role specialist further education plays in supporting young people with SEND. Danny reflects on the imp...

We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP, Member of Parliament for Vauxhall, to the show for a special episode recorded on location at the Houses of Parliament. As part of Natspec’s Power of Specialist FE Awareness Week, our student hosts spoke with Florence about the vital role that specialist further education plays in supporting young people with SEND. In this thoughtful and insightful i...

We are thrilled to welcome Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to the show for a special episode recorded on location at the Houses of Parliament. Marking Natspec’s Power of Specialist FE Awareness Week , our student hosts spoke with Sir Ed about the critical importance of specialist further education for young people with SEND. In this exclusive interview, Sir Ed offers personal reflec...

In this special episode, we were invited to the Houses of Parliament by Bobby Dean MP for an exclusive interview in his offices. Our regular hosts, Joseph and Morgan, ask about some of today’s key issues - from shoplifting and community safety to the Liberal Democrats’ chances at the next election. Bobby also gives a behind-the-scenes look at life as an MP and joins in on some lighter questions, i...

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Jewkes, Head of Programmes at the Ben Kinsella Trust, the UK’s leading knife crime prevention charity. Tom shares the story behind the Trust, founded in memory of Ben Kinsella, and explains how their powerful workshops and campaigns help young people make positive choices. We talk about why some young people feel pressured to carry knives, how social media pla...

In this episode of Westminster Unfiltered, we open up about what inspired us to become interested in politics - from the issues that fired us up to the politicans that made us care. Then we shift gears to a big international headline: Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on the global film industry. Is it political posturing or a serious threat to jobs in this country? We break down what it means...