Episode description

This morning the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has proposed "a new National Care Service", as part of the government's plan to shake-up adult social care with increased funding and an independent commission headed by crossbench peer Baroness Louise Casey. As adult social care is a predominantly female work force - and women make up the majority of people carrying out unpaid caring responsibilities - what impact could these changes have? Kylie Pentelow is joined by Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup is being held later this year in England. Whilst Scotland and Wales will be competing, England currently sit at the top of the world rankings – with many hoping this could be women’s rugby’s ‘Lionesses moment’. To discuss whether this is likely and how best to ensure the tournament has a positive legacy, Kylie Pentelow is joined by Fi Tomas, women’s sport reporter at the Telegraph, and Christina Philippou, an associate professor in accounting and sport finance at the University of Portsmouth.

Comedian Amy Gledhill is about to start a new residency at Soho Theatre in London with her award-winning solo show, Make Me Look Fit On The Poster. She joins Kylie to talk about writing autobiographical comedy, romance, bin bags... and why she is hoping her work will make people think as well as laugh.

Juhea Kim’s first novel Beasts of a Little Land was set in Korea and covered the conflicts of the 20th Century. Her second novel, City of Night Birds, explores a wildly different subject, modern Russian ballet, and follows the story of talented ballerina Natalia as she finds fame and struggles to cope with the demands of international stardom. Juhea joins Kylie to discuss how her own experiences as a dancer inspired her novel.

Presenter: Kylie Pentelow Producer: Rebecca Myatt