Any Questions On...

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Any Questions?

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Politics

Topical discussion posing questions to a panel of political and media personalities

Topical discussion in which a panel of personalities from the worlds of politics, media and elsewhere are posed questions by the audience. From a different location each week

BBC Radio 4 FM

Any Questions?: Any Questions on... the Welfare State

Any Questions on... the Welfare State

BBC Radio 4 - Any Questions?, Any Questions on... the Welfare State

Any Questions is 75. Alex Forsyth explores how debate about the welfare state has changed.

Alex Forsyth is joined by Lord Lamont, Chris Mason and Ash Sarkar to delve into the Any Questions archive. Together, they explore how debate about the welfare state has changed.

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

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Any Questions?

Any Questions on... the Welfare State

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4