Any Questions on... the Welfare State

Available for over a year

This month, Any Questions turns 75. To mark the occasion, Alex Forsyth is joined by guests to discuss how the way panellists debate has changed - how language, attitudes and perspectives have shifted throughout the programme's history. How have our fears and preoccupations shifted? Are arguments made differently now? The world into which Any Questions emerged saw the state taking a more active role in providing for the population than ever before. In the first programme of the series, Alex turns her attention to the welfare state. She's joined by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Lamont and Contributing Editor at Novara Media Ash Sarkar, along with former Any Questions presenter and BBC Political Editor Chris Mason. Together, they delve into the Any Questions archive, hearing snippets from the programme at crucial points over the last 75 years. The four examine how expectations of the role of the state in supporting society have evolved and explore how debate about benefits has changed. Presenter: Alex Forsyth Producer: Camellia Sinclair Assistant Producer: Jo Peacey