Former political rivals George Osborne and Ed Balls, who used to battle it out across the House of Commons despatch box, are starting a weekly podcast.

Ex-chancellor Mr Osborne and former shadow chancellor turned Strictly Come Dancing contestant Mr Balls, say they want to help people understand “what’s really going on inside the corridors of power”.

The podcast, starting this autumn, will see the former Conservative and Labour politicians cover economics, politics and decision-making within Westminster and other issues that shape how people vote.

Mr Balls said: “The politics of money is back leading the news again, but all too often the stories which are going to have the most transformative impact on people’s lives get the least attention.

“George and I want to bring economics back to life and on the agenda, with explanation and entertainment in equal measure.

“Politics is never far from the markets so I’m looking forward to teaming up with my old political rival as we throw all our experience from Whitehall and Westminster into the show.”