Monday Matters: Music, News, & Interviews

The British Medical Associate has released a report that says the NHS is in crisis in England. They claim the number of overnight beds has dropped by a 5th since 2006 leading to delayed or cancelled operations. Jason McCrossan spoke to Dr Mark Porter. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Many young Brits think it's harder than ever to get on the property ladder, with 1 in 5 prepared to leave the UK in order to buy their own home. Jason McCrossan spoke to Martin Ellis Head of Housing Economics at Halifax and award winning senior financial broadcaster Georgie Frost.

A parliamentary report has warned that up to 15 new bills including The Great Repeal Bill could be needed to deliver Brexit. PM Teresa May will send a letter to the EU on Wednesday triggering Article 50. The Government then has 2 years to negotiate our exit. On Monday Matters Jason McCrossan was joined by Joe Owen from the leading think tank The Institute for Government to help us understand what’s going to happen on and after Wednesday.

Loneliness among older men a growing problem in our society - especially for those with poor health Almost a third of older men who have long-term health problems – that’s around half a million men over the age of 65 in England – are lonely according to new analysis revealed by Age UK. Mounting evidence shows that loneliness has a serious impact on our health – which in turn can lead to greater reliance on health and social care services. Mervyn Kohler from Age UK spoke to Jason McCrossan on Monday Matters

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has denied that patients were put at risk after the NHS mislaid more than 700,000 pieces of medical correspondence, including cancer test results. In a data blunder the Government is accused of covering up, the documents went undelivered for five years - ending up stashed in a warehouse rather than being sent to GPs. Dr Mike Smith is from The Patients Association and spoke to Jason McCrossan on 106.9 SFM Monday Matters. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Dan Scott is an artist from Kent. He is working from No. 34 the High Street in Sittingbourne where he will spend his time interacting with people who are know as professional listeners (including a priest and an improvising musician) sharing their experiences, techniques, and tactics for listening. He spoke to Jason McCrossan about what he hopes to create from the experience.

Dan Scott – A Space Made By Listening- Sittingbourne Residency.mp3

The Government has been declassifying and releasing its archive of UFO files. Nick Pope used to run the British Government's UFO project. From 1991 to 1994 he researched and investigated UFOs, alien abductions, crop circles and other strange phenomena. He spoke to Jason McCrossan on 106.9 SFM. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

The Bob Dylan Story is the new stunning multimedia tribute to a songwriting genius and Nobel Prize winner, who spoke for a whole generation. ? Enhanced by a top backing band and visual imagery from his 1960s heyday, the show lovingly and authentically recreates the many songs that made Bob Dylan the living legend he is today, the way we all remember hearing them. ? The lead from the group, Bill - spoke to Jason McCrossan on Saturday Breakfast.

English comedian, presenter, political satirist and journalist Mark Thomas spoke to Jason McCrossan about his latest show that he is touring the UK with called THE RED SHED. The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of Wakefield Labour Club's iconic Red Shed. It's the story of where Mark first started to perform in public and where he politically came of age as a student involved in the miners’ strike. For more information, please visit: www.jmccrossan.co.uk

The 28th January was the Chinese New Year - the year of the Rooster. The festivities usually start the day before the New Year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year. Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. Jason McCrossan spoke to Vivian Chan who is a member of the University of Kent's Chinese society. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jason McCrossan talked to Hendrik Baird  the Station Manager of Africa’s only gay radio station which broadcasts from the South African city of Pretoria. Gay-SA-radio produces content for Africa’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex communities and is trying to counter homophobia and break down stereotypes. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Ruby Turner was born in Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay, moving to England when she was 9. Her major break came in the mid 1980's, when she was asked to join 'Culture Club' at the height of their stardom. To date, Ruby has released 17 albums plus the BBC's 'Live From Glastonbury', as well as appearing on releases by the likes of Brian Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood and Mick Jagger. She is also one of the main singers in Jools Holland's R&B Orchestra. Ruby will come to Maidstone on Friday 20th January and she joined Jason McCrossan on his 106.9 SFM Saturday Breakfast show to talk about her life and music. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jason McCrossan's guest on 106.9 SFM Saturday Breakfast penned an article for his PeterTatchell foundation website and also the Pink Paper in which he states "Anyone who remembers George Michael solely for his music is missing the real importance of him" – he is human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who shared his memories of George and a chance encounter before he was famous in a gay bar in London. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Siobhain McDonagh is the MP for MP for Mitcham and Morden who brought together a group of MPs to release the 'National Living Rage' Christmas campaign song to generate higher public awareness of some UK companies who have been cutting the total pay of their long-serving staff, as a result of the increases to the national living wage. She spoke to Jason McCrossan on 106.9 SFM about the campaign and her desire to raise awareness of the fact that thousands of people in this country, who are already on low pay, are receiving a pay cut. For more information: http://www.siobhainmcdonagh.org.uk/campaigns/nationallivingrage.aspx Jason: http://www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jason McCrossan's final guest of 2016 is a local boy who grew up in Sittingbourne and whom had no real desire to be famous – until a Channel 4 reality show came knocking and turned him and his ex-boyfriend into – pretty much – overnight sofa celebrities. He is Stephen Webb – from Gogglebox and with his partner Chris Steed have written a biography called - We Need To Talk. www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jeffery Augustine is a writer, blogger and podcaster who is highly critical of Scientology. His blog is called The Scientology Money Project which seeks to demand total financial transparency from the Church of Scientology. In his blog, he has spoken to many ex-Scientologists and shares his knowledge of the "religion" and those who have been through their system. blog: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/ https://www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jeffery Augustine is a writer, blogger and podcaster who is highly critical of Scientology. His blog is called The Scientology Money Project which seeks to demand total financial transparency from the Church of Scientology. In his blog, he has spoken to many ex-Scientologists and shares his knowledge of the "religion" and those who have been through their system. blog: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/ https://www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Jeffery Augustine is a writer, blogger and podcaster who is highly critical of Scientology. His blog is called The Scientology Money Project which seeks to demand total financial transparency from the Church of Scientology. In his blog, he has spoken to many ex-Scientologists and shares his knowledge of the "religion" and those who have been through their system. blog: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/ www.jmccrossan.co.uk

Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, who played hapless Spanish waiter Manuel in the BBC sitcom, has died aged 86. Sachs, who had been suffering from dementia for four years, died on 23 November. Jason spoke with John Cleese about what it was like working with Andrew - almost 40 years ago.