Politics At Sam and Anne's

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at how political communication has changed – from Keir Starmer’s government paying influencers to promote its message, to Andy Burnham putting himself front and centre of the social media operation.
Sam has a scoop on how much it all costs.
Elsewhere, former No10 chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – has been speaking about his time in No10 and how he tried to launch a thinktank in Downing Street to develop policy.
Plus, with energy bills forecasted to rocked up near £450 in January, how worried are the government and what can they do to help families?

As the TUC Congress continues in Brighton, some of Labour’s big beasts have been baring their teeth – with Angela Rayner using an after-dinner speech to land some blows on defence secretary Wes Streeting.
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy reveal what was said and whether it was all taken in good fun....
Meanwhile, the economic picture looks bleak as John Healey prepares for his first budget. Sam has a scoop on how one economic forecast could make or break his spending plans.
And Reform remains ‘100% confident’ two of the biggest donations in British political history were legal. But will that position shift as ministers face growing questions over how a proposed retrospective change in the law would work in practice?

Will a record breaking £72 million change the face of British politics?
After receiving two of the biggest political donations in history - £36 million each from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harbone.
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political fallout - are the donations legal, will the government legislate to stop them and how does this vast sum of money influence British politics?
Elsewhere at the TUC conference in Brighton, the unions are ramping up the pressure on the government to deliver more for workers.
Plus, could former Prime Minister – Liz Truss – really be plotting a return to frontline politics?

Having spent the summer trying to ease the cost of living, is a new tourist tax about to hit domestic holiday makers in the pocket?
The government is giving mayors additional powers to introduce a levy on hotel stays, with no cap on how much they can charge.
With the tourism industry already angry, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the move and why the timing maybe a little uncomfortable for the government.
Elsewhere, Sky News has uncovered more turmoil in Reform-run local councils. With the Metropolitan Police also widening their investigation into allegations of illegal foreign donations, how much trouble is Reform and leader Nigel Farage really in?
Plus, the Assisted Dying Bill returns to parliament tomorrow – can it clear its first major hurdle for a second time? And Anne assesses the international fallout from the UK’s action over Israel.
You can watch Cathy Newman’s full investigation into Durham's Reform-led Council here.

There’s fallout to the UK’s move to announce sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israel is closing the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem and considering other measures.
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the reaction and wonder if the new PM should also be giving attention to other matters overseas.
Elsewhere, Sam’s got a story about a big government growth initiative which, so far, hasn’t done much.
And, is the bleak economic picture making John Healey’s budget harder by the day?