My LBC show: Getting the jobless jobs, divorcing with decorum, curbing fat cats’ pay

Enjoying debating the big political issues of the day on my LBC show

Unbelievably Debretts, the chroniclers of decorum and social etiquette, have produced their first divorce guide: The Debrett’s Guide for Civilised Separation.

But can such an emotional break-up ever be amicable or handled with decorum? The majority of you who called or wrote in to my LBC show this week, didn’t think so and thanks so much to those who shared such personal tales of heartbreak.

A passionate conversation followed with Andrew Marsh, campaigns director of religious lobby group Christian Concern about how such a book is indeed glamorising divorce and encouraging people not to work harder at their marriage. You can listen to our colourful exchange here via this free podcast.

Stephen Timms, the Shadow Work and Pensions Minister then came on the show to illuminate how David Cameron’s aptly named ‘Work Programme’ is failing. Post our interview I simply couldn’t find anyone who thought the new scheme was doing a good job at getting the two million-plus unemployed back into the workplace. The Observer’s piece highlighting how private companies could be profiteering from the jobless via the programme is worth a read.

Finally we rounded the show up with a great interview with Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Business Secretary, about how he and the Labour Party would control executives’ excessive pay packages. I am still not sure why Labour ministers didn’t do more to control this problem during their 13 years in power but all eyes will be on Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, tomorrow as he recommends giving shareholders more power to curb fat cat’s bonuses and basic pay packages.

Have a great week and look forward to lots more great and fiery conversations with you next Sunday on LBC 97.3 from 4pm x