Laura Kuenssberg, Living standards, Motherless mothers

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Laura Kuenssberg is the presenter of the BBC’s flagship political interview programme Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, having been the BBC’s political editor between 2015 and 2022. After two decades covering British politics, she joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her new book Pay Attention. It is an attempt to get underneath barely controlled chaos in Westminster, offering insights into women in political life, as well as her own experiences of being trolled and targeted. Some economists and think tanks have warned of a difficult few years ahead after the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility pointed to weaker economic growth and continued pressure on living standards. Chancellor John Healey has argued that last week's Budget will give households some "breathing space" on the cost of living, while acknowledging that government cannot completely shield people from financial pressures. But how is this economic outlook impacting women? Clare is joined by Trinh Tu, Chief Executive of Ipsos UK, who has new polling to share exclusively with Woman's Hour; Louisa Matthews, Chief Executive of Nottingham Women's Centre, which supports women facing hardship; and Professor Sarah Marie Hall from the University of Manchester, who leads the major research project Austerity and Altered Life-Courses. Eighteen-year-old Sofia Demetriades, a violinist, has won the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2026. She won after competing in the competition's first-ever all-female final. For her final performance she played Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. It was described by the BBC Young Musician 2026 judges as a performance 'with authority and thrilling virtuosity'. Clare is joined by musician and composer Errollyn Wallen who was one of the Judges of this year's competition. One in three new mothers enter motherhood without the support of their own mother due to either bereavement, estrangement or illness. That figure comes from research from the charity Motherless Mothers who raising awareness of the impact of this loss through its Unmuted campaign. Of the women they spoke to they say most experienced the impact of maternal absence weekly, with nearly 90 percent saying it often leaves them feeling alone. Kennedy Frampton, a mother of two girls and Adina Belloli, a psychotherapist and co-founder of the charity join Clare to discuss. Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Dianne McGregor