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Do nuclear weapons keep us safe?

The first ever atomic bomb was dropped 70 years ago as an act of war killing about 70,000 people in Hiroshima, Japan. A second nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later and is credited with ending World War Two. This week Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said that "we have to continue our effort to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. It is our responsibility and it is our duty."

In Britain a decision on whether to renew Trident, the UK's nuclear deterrent, is due to be taken in 2016. 20 former defence chiefs have said to "abandon" Britain's four Trident submarines would be "an enormous gamble" which could threaten "the survival of our nation". But just what role do nuclear weapons play in the world today? Are they a vital insurance policy that help keep the peace? Or does their existence threaten us all?

We also hear from members of the Pax Christi group who have organised a peace vigil to mark the anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki at Westminster Cathedral. And former general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Bruce Kent speaks about his opposition to nuclear weapons.

Joining Sian on the panel this week are:
Andrew Pierce - consultant editor for the Daily Mail
John Bird - founder of The Big Issue
Bharti Tailor - executive director of the Hindu Forum of Europe
Julie Bindel - journalist and author
Peter Jenkins - former ambassador to International Atomic Energy Agency

Also on the programme:

Should you give money to beggars?

Fewer than one in five people arrested for begging in England and Wales last year were homeless, suggest police figures. A Home Office spokeswoman said the government had given police and local authorities "a range of new and flexible powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, including begging, which is a criminal offence. Some charities discourage giving to beggars, as they enable them to not seek help. Others think it's the compassionate thing to do.

Many people feel guilty if they do not offload a few coins to a beggar, others ignore them. What should we do when we're approached by a beggar? Tommy Sandhu asks those on the streets of Belfast, on whether they give money to beggars or not.

INTERVIEW : Ade Adepitan interviews Clarke Carlisle, the former footballer and PFA chair who was also a Kick it Out ambassador. Carlisle talks about his battle to overcome depression and his recent suicide bid. He also gives an insider's view of the sexism, homophobia and racism in football.

Does football encourage discrimination?

The football season begins this weekend, the most lucrative and watched of sports. But does football set a bad example of intolerance? In the past season:

- The Football Association was criticised for not disciplining Malky Mackay, the former Cardiff City manager, and executive Iain Moody, after the two men were found to have exchanged messages containing homophobic, sexist, racist and anti-Semitic content.

- Four Chelsea fans accused of refusing to allow a black man on to the Paris Metro have been banned from attending football matches for up to five years.

- The new Manchester United Women's kit being labelled as sexist, for having a low cut top. United also do not have a women's team.

Does football need to do more for equality? Or are the terraces where hard working men and women can vent their frustration in harmless banter?

The panel is joined by the Times sportswriter Matthew Syed.

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