Budget 2023 Childcare, FGM report, Sex education in schools, Courting India, Country-pop duo Ward Thomas

Today’s budget announcement is expected to include an expansion of free childcare provision for working parents in England for one and two-year-olds. The plans will be outlined by the Chancellor in full later today. Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson joins Nuala McGovern to talk through what the changes could mean for parents looking to get back to work.

A major report has been published today, looking into the experiences of survivors of FGM in accessing post-FGM healthcare in the UK. Nuala speaks to Dr Laura Jones, University of Birmingham, one of the lead authors on the report; Mama Sylla, a survivor of FGM who has been recognised by the government for her work in raising awareness of FGM and Juliet Albert, Specialist FGM Midwife at Imperial College.

Are children being exposed to inappropriate materials during sex education classes? Nuala discusses with BBC Education Correspondent, Elaine Dunkley.

How were the origins of Empire and the British arrival in India in the 17 century shaped by the women in the Mughal Harem? The new book Courting India tells the story of the first English embassy to India, with a focus including the children and the women both in and outside of the Mughal Harem that played a significant role behind the scenes. Nuala speaks to it author, Nandini Das, Professor of Early Modern English Literature and Culture at Oxford University.,

Ward Thomas are an English modern country-pop duo, composed of twin sisters Catherine and Lizz.y. They first visited Nashville at the age of 17. They will soon set off on a UK tour, and have a new album, Music In The Madness, which includes themes of Love, family, unity and the healing power of music. They join Nuala to talk about their music and to perform live the song Love Does.

Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley