The World at One

Want to listen to #BBCWato from outside the UK? 🔊 Overseas listeners can now listen to the World At One, Broadcasting House, @BBCPM and @BBCR4Today at any time on catch-up. 🔗 Go to bbc.com/audio/category…

"It really is a situationship isn't it?" "They prefer the marriage than the friends with benefits". In Figuring It Out, @Sarah_Montague and @EvanHD discuss Rachel Reeves' call for Britain to have a deeper trade relationship with the EU and the economic impact of Brexit.

"The president approved it until he opposed it." Richard Haas, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, tells @sarah_montague that it is 'inconceivable' that President Trump did not know about Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field.

"Do I actually think it'll make a difference to the supply of oil and gas to the UK? Probably not." Former chief exec of BP Lord Browne says he thinks it would 'be a good idea' to drill for oil in the North Sea, but says the region has already been 'exploited very efficiently'.

"If the UK decided... to exploit its own natural resources, it certainly would be in a much better position today." Peter Huntsman, CEO of chemicals giant Huntsman Corporation, says energy prices would be 'much better' if the UK drilled its oil reserves.

"It's very disappointing to see so many countries in Nato... lying back and saying it's somebody else's problem." Caroline Glick, international affairs adviser to Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu, criticises Nato members for not offering to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

"It is a very transactional relationship, but one that is very close" Rob Macaire, British ambassador to Iran between 2018 and 2021, discusses Russia's relationship with Iran.

“The problem is, even if you’re trained, you can only really shear sheep here for about three months of the year.” Jill Hewitt, Chief Executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, explains the reasons behind shortage of sheep shearers in the UK.

"How long do you think this is going to go on for?" As the war in the Middle East continues, @Sarah_Montague speaks to Israeli PM spokesperson David Mencer, who says the US and Israel will launch strikes against Iran 'until the job is done'.

Education, finance and digital are among the first V-level subjects rolling out in England from 2027. James Reed, CEO of the recruitment company Reed, says many employers will see students with V-levels as “much more attractive” than those with traditional qualifications.

Would MI6 have known about the US and Israel striking Iran beforehand? @Sarah_Montague presses former chief Sir John Scarlett, who says he would have expected them to have known as he knows the 'capabilities' of the Secret Intelligence Service.

"It's very naive to think the infighting is over." Former BBC Persian journalist Rana Rahimpour shares her analysis of Iran's appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by US-Israeli strikes, as its new supreme leader.

"I'm still in Austria training... I've literally just come in from the mountain now." Nina Sparks says it hasn't sunk in yet that she will become Great Britain's first female Paralympic snowboarder when she hits the slopes to compete next week.

Labour MP Tony Vaughan has co-ordinated a private letter to the home secretary expressing concerns about the new asylum plans. It has been signed by 100 other Labour MPs. He says there needs to be changes to the 'incentive structure' to take pressure off the system.

“There is an assumption that this is a shorter term squeeze on the market.” PM’s @EvanHD says the markets are not currently anticipating long term changes to oil and gas prices, despite a rise as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. 🔊 bbc.in/408Od79

"This is not the battle of Britain... It's an irrelevant comparison." Democrat Congressman Don Beyer says that the UK should 'brush off' Donald Trump's criticism calling Starmer 'no Winston Churchill' over Iran strikes.

One of three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China is the partner of a Labour MP, the BBC has been told. Political editor @ChrisMasonBBC explains more to @Sarah_Montague.

"This is day four of this conflict. It's extremely early days." Following the Chancellor's Spring Statement, Treasury minister Lord Livermore says the economy is in the 'strongest possible position' as the conflict in the Middle East looks to affect the cost of living.

"If it doesn't happen this Parliament, you don't see that as a breach of the manifesto?" @Sarah_Montague asks Treasury minister Lord Livermore if the election promise to bring minimum wage inline for all ages will be delayed, after the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

"The final scenario is a complete breakdown into chaos and anarchy." Former Ambassador to Iran, Rob Macaire, goes through the possible scenarios that might happen as a result of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The BBC's deputy economics editor says the 'volatile and shaky picture' comes at an uncomfortable time for the Chancellor, ahead of tomorrow's Spring Statement. Dharshini David says any change to energy bills because of events in the Middle East wouldn't show until the summer.