Rob Paston

Would you have liked to have done something much bolder on child... Because you did do childcare reform.

You did provide much bigger subsidies for childcare.

But I think you actually wanted to be more ambitious.

Yeah.

Don't say that because I weep every time anybody talks about this.

It's so upsetting.

But there is a connected...

question.

We should be concerned about bequeathing huge debts to our children and their children.

The biggest part of the welfare budget is what we spend on pensions.

This is reforming the growth in essentially payments to those who've retired.

It's just been too politically difficult for any government.

You didn't do it.

You do think, though, that the time has come to reform the triple lock, don't you?

So what would you do?

What would the rule be for you?

I agree, but can I ask you what, there is a connected question, which I do think, which is, I know something you thought about when you were Chancellor.

And, you know, again, Steph and I talk an enormous amount about, you know, not only our amazing universities, but just the vibrancy of the tech sector, life sciences, AI and all the rest of it.

But there were some stats out this week which showed that just so far this year,

Overseas interests have bought listed businesses worth £150 billion.