Has the reaction to the Winter Fuel Payment cut scared Labour from making more big budget moves on welfare? And what ever happened to the tradition of the Chancellor knocking back a brandy while delivering the Budget? Ed and George discuss the best drinks of choice when outlining an economic plan to the nation… and what other Treasury traditions are in place.

Plus, is it a brief, is it a leak or is it just a plain old trail? The pair breakdown the terms and mull some of the most famous, career-ending leaks in British political history.

And with the US election just over a week away, what is the level of support for Donald Trump amongst the UK population? Do more Brits than we think secretly admire the Republican nominee’s approach?

Finally, for all you listeners desperate to join our Record Club, Ed has followed up his first suggestion of Kuunnelmia by Jukka Perko with another Scandi recommendation: Hoven Droven.

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Frenemies George Osborne and Ed Balls talk about great political friendships and rivalries. What was the unspoken understanding between former Prime Minister David Cameron and George that made their allegiance last? And which Conservative friendships were soured by Brexit?

They answer the question: Are economists just making it up as they go along? How can Rachel Reeves just change the definition of fiscal rules? And with questions from all over the world this week, Ed and George ponder: should we be rethinking about how we teach second languages?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can Rachel Reeves solve her £40 billion budget gap without breaking Labour’s manifesto promise? Ed Balls and George Osborne take a deep dive into the tax hikes she has and hasn’t ruled out - and whether she can fairly class raising employer National Insurance contributions as manifesto-friendly.

Elsewhere, Labour continues to woo the business community - this time at its International Investment summit. But can an event like this overcome the very real barriers to growth that the UK faces?

And, with the passing of controversial SNP titan Alex Salmond, Ed and George look back on his legacy, and the state of his former party.

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty

Producers: Rosie Stopher, Miriam Hall and Danny Garlick

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The killing of HS2 was one of the defining features of the former government’s final days but there’s now talk the high speed rail line to Manchester might happen after all. Northern Powerhouse Chief Executive Henri Murison asks what Ed Balls and George Osborne make of the chatter that it could be revived, in the form of the so-called ‘HS2 light’.

How should we truly define a “pensioner”? Does it just mean someone who is actually receiving a pension, or someone who is of pension earning age? And should pensioners with wealth be treated in the same way as those without?

Plus, Ed and George share their favourite moments of political barb and banter. What was George’s scariest moment as a politician?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Cleverly has made a stunning exit from the Tory leadership race, leaving Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick as the final two to duke it out. George Osborne and Ed Balls consider if that’s thanks to some cunning political strategising or just a good old-fashioned cock up. Now, of the two who is more likely to take the crown? George thinks Jenrick is more “malleable” – is that what an opposition leader needs to be? Is Badenoch Mrs T(hatcher) or T(russ)?

Meanwhile, the lead up to the budget is intensifying with the IFS Green Budget being published this week. Can Rachel Reeves change her fiscal rules without spooking the markets?

Finally, what is the role of Downing Street’s Chief of Staff? With Sue Gray's departure, what can Morgan McSweeney learn from his predecessors to right her wrongs and rebuild the government’s image?

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Balls and George Osborne consider their biggest political mistakes and their proudest moments in office with a question from former Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey. What tax move did George make – against all prevailing advice, mind you – that he remains pleased with to this day? And what would Ed have done differently in the handling of the Baby P tragedy?

Speaking of mistakes, some of our attentive listeners have sent in a few corrections for Ed and George to face. In a move unfamiliar to most politicians, they’re willing to admit when they are wrong, judiciously of course…

And live from the Tory party conference this week, the Conservative Mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen asks if Rachel Reeves is really supportive of devolution? Sounds like the jury is still out as to whether or not the Treasury is really behind it…

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Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producer: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has caved and returned thousands of pounds in freebies given to him by a Labour donor, in an attempt to close a rather embarrassing chapter for the government. But has he successfully hosed it down? Ed Balls and George Osborne consider whether it's a textbook case of what not to do when you have a PR snafu on your hands.

Meanwhile, tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Is there a risk of the conflict intensifying, or is the situation under control? And what does it mean for the West?

And with the highly anticipated budget now merely weeks away, they take a look at what Rachel Reeves has on her plate. Is this shaping up to be the “relaunch” budget Labour needs, or are we on the verge of a new era of anti-growth…

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Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency

Production support: Caillin McDaid

Producers: Rosie Stopher and Miriam Hall

Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.