In this jam-packed episode, we look at today’s by-elections in England and Scotland, the government’s social media ban, the security and defence spending crisis, plus how does polling actually work?

This week’s stories:

• As Kemi Badenoch hits an approval rating high, why has the Conservative Party’s support remained stagnant?

• Defence spending fallout: In the wake of John Healey’s resignation, the British public want increased defence spending but where do they think extra funds should come from?

• Is the public in support of the government’s social media ban for under 16s?

• Triple by-election breakdown: focus group insights from Makerfield, plus could energy politics hinder the SNP in Aberdeen South or Arbroath and Broughty Ferry?

• A pollster’s guide to polling: the methodology behind the numbers.

• The decline of childhood independence over generations.