Today, King Charles has become the first monarch ever to reveal their tax bill: £12.9 million. The King has broken royal precedent by publishing some of his finances, revealing that he is in the top 100 of UK taxpayers. But we still don’t know much about his income, or how this tax bill was calculated. The accounts also show that the main source of annual public funding for the Royals will nearly double within three years. Adam speaks to Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph. He’s also joined...
Jun 26, 2026•46 min
Today is the hottest June day on record in the UK. A temperature of 36.4C has been recorded in Somerset. This beats the previous record, set just yesterday. A red weather warning for extreme heat has been extended into Friday for parts of the country, and at least six NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, and Professor Ed Hawkins MBE, climate scientist at the University of Reading. And, how optimistic are business lead...
Jun 25, 2026•34 min
Today, the largest review of it's kind in NHS history has found major failings in maternity care at a hospital trust in Nottingham. The report found that hundreds of babies and mothers died or were harmed due to the “deep-rooted, systemic failures”. Leaders at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have apologised, and the Health Secretary says the government will respond by taking “immediate steps”. Adam is joined by Social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan. Plus, Helen MacNamara, f...
Jun 24, 2026•46 min
Today, Andy Burnham is the front-runner to be the next prime minister - so what happens now? New MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham is currently expected to be the only candidate in the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Will he run unopposed? Former Defence Minister Al Carns and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones are both considering leadership bids, but it is unclear if they have enough backers in parliament to make it into the contest. Meanwhile, Westminster is ...
Jun 23, 2026•26 min
Today, Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister. Speaking outside number 10 on Monday morning the Prime Minister said he accepted that his party does not believe he is best placed to lead the country at the next general election. In an emotional speech he also thanked his wife and said he wanted to be the "best dad I can to my beautiful children". Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has arrived in Westminster to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield. Burnham has confirmed he’ll stand to replace Starme...
Jun 22, 2026•35 min
Today, we look at strong indications the prime minister may be on the verge of resigning. Cabinet Secretary Peter Kyle’s message this morning was that he is reflecting on the "political realities". It’s a departure from the not ‘he’ll fight on’ message of 2026 up to now. Henry Zeffman joins Laura and Paddy in the studio to look at the possible timetable of a resignation and the appointment of a replacement. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask B...
Jun 21, 2026•38 min
Insiders have told Laura that the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has joined a list of people who’ve told Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. He's at Chequers - the PM’s retreat - considering his next move as talk of fighting a leadership challenge quietens. Laura and Paddy unpack the shift in mood, and question whether Andy Burnham can appeal to voters outside the North West. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to...
Jun 20, 2026•32 min
Today, Labour’s Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by election - so how could we see a challenge to Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader? Burnham won almost 25,000 votes, beating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes. In his victory speech Andy Burnham said "Everyone knows that politics isn't working, and has previously said he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest. So what happens now? Adam and Chris are joined by Kevin Fitzpatrick political reporter for Radio Manchester a...
Jun 19, 2026•40 min
Today, the US and Iran have an agreement which extends the ceasefire between the two countries, and is now signed by US President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet talks us through what the deal includes, what it means for the strait of Hormuz and oil prices, and where the sticking points may be. Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue explains how the deal has been spun and how it has been received in the US. And, we continue ...
Jun 18, 2026•42 min
Today, Keir Starmer returns home from the G7 with a warning to Andy Burnham not to rush into triggering a leadership contest if he wins in Makerfield tomorrow. In an interview with Chris, the Prime Minister said that a leadership contest would be bad for the country but reaffirmed his intention to fight any challenges to his leadership. Tomorrow’s by-election in Makerfield still stands in the way of any move Burnham could make to trigger a by-election. Alex is there on the ground and brings us t...
Jun 17, 2026•32 min
Today, what difference will banning social media make to children’s lives? Speaking the day after the announcement of a ban on social media for under-16s the education secretary speaks to Adam in the Newscast studio. They discuss; if children need to be bored more whether it’s OK for parents to watch youtube with their children and whether the school day should be longer? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It work...
Jun 16, 2026•32 min
Today, the prime minister has announced under-16s will be banned from social media. Speaking at Downing Street Keir Starmer announced if passed in parliament the ban will come into force by spring 2027. Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among the platforms affected - but not WhatsApp or Signal. So will the ban achieve what the government says it will? Adam and Henry are joined by Zoe Kleinman, BBC technology editor. And, the US and Iran have agreed a deal to the end the wa...
Jun 15, 2026•44 min
Royal Marine Commandos have boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning. Marines, joined by National Crime Agency officers, with the support of the RAF, intercepted and boarded the vessel in a six-hour operation - the first operation of its kind by UK armed forces. The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD said. Joe Pike joins Laura and Paddy to go through what we kn...
Jun 14, 2026•34 min
Paddy is back from holiday and he’s also back from Ashton-in-Makerfield. He joins Laura to discuss a new poll that suggests Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain could steal enough votes from Reform UK to hand Andy Burnham a win. Luke Tryl from More In Common - the pollsters behind the research - also joins with Joe Pike who’s sat in on a focus group they ran. A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp...
Jun 13, 2026•40 min
Today, Adam and Chris discuss Chris’ interview with the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister sat down for an extended conversation with Chris following the resignation of his defence secretary John Healey yesterday over disagreements about the government’s new Defence Investment Plan. It’s the latest blow to the Prime Minister following several high profile cabinet resignations last month and the possibility of a leadership contest in the near future. Adam and Chris breakdown wha...
Jun 12, 2026•33 min
Today, Chris speaks to Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, about the resignation of his defence secretary John Healey, his plans for the Defence Investment Plan, and whether or not he’ll fight a potential leadership election. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing ne...
Jun 12, 2026•25 min
Today, the UK Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned. In his resignation letter to the PM, Healey set out his reasons for leaving, telling the PM the defence investment plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”. The sixth minister to resign for Starmer’s cabinet in a month, and one of its most loyal, the question will now turn to what lies ahead for the PM. Adam and Chris are joined by Shashank Joshi Defence Editor of the Economist You can...
Jun 11, 2026•31 min
Today, extra police are brought into Belfast and public transport is closing early, after a night of violence. The violence erupted after a knife attack in the city on Monday. The suspect has appeared in court charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody for four weeks and is due to re-appear in court via video-link in July. The family of Stephen Ogilvy, the victim in Monday night's knife attack in Bel...
Jun 10, 2026•37 min
Today, a Sudanese man in his 30s is being held on suspicion of attempted murder after a knife attack in North Belfast. Footage of the attack has been widely shared on social media. Politicians in Westminster and Stormont have appealed for calm while the police carry out their investigation, while some have called for faster transparency and information about the identity and immigration status of the suspect. Adam is joined by Chris Page, the BBC’s Ireland correspondent, and Joe Pike, senior pol...
Jun 09, 2026•34 min
Today we hear from Labour MP Jess Phillips, who resigned from government in part over what she saw as its failure to act quicker on kids‘ online safety. One of the measures she was pushing for at the time was announced today. Sir Keir Starmer has told firms to either activate built-in features or update software to prevent children from taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices. And after 24 hours of missile fire between Israel and Iran. Diplomatic cor...
Jun 08, 2026•42 min
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has told the US Vice President JD Vance "he was wrong" to say mass migration was to blame for Henry Nowak's murder in a phone call. On this episode of Newscast, Laura, Henry and Joe discuss the relationship between the two of them, why that American politicians are talking so much about the UK and Europe. We also look at what’s taking the government so long to publish its Defence Investment Plan. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to ...
Jun 07, 2026•31 min
The murder of Henry Nowak has sparked another debate about so-called ‘two-tier policing’, in which people are treated differently by police based on their ethnicity. We look at whether it actually exists, what police guidance says, and whether the case might lead to changes in how police deal with reports of crime. Laura is joined by former BBC legal and home affairs correspondent and Labour home affairs advisor Danny Shaw to discuss. They also unpack JD Vance’s comments blaming Henry’s death on...
Jun 06, 2026•27 min
We’ve got together with Americast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever. How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive? We tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch. Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring join from Americast, and 5 Live football commentary legend John Murray is on from Football Daily. In this episode we look at why ti...
Jun 05, 2026•32 min
We’ve got together with Americast/Newscast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever. How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive? We tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch. Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring join from Americast, and 5 Live football commentary legend John Murray is on from Football Daily. In this episode we look ...
Jun 05, 2026•25 min
We’ve got together with Americast/Newscast and Football Daily for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever. How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive? We tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch. Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring join from Americast, and 5 Live football commentary legend John Murray is on from Football Daily. In this episode we look ...
Jun 05, 2026•30 min
Today, the first televised debate from the Makerfield by-election has taken place in a special edition of Question Time. Adam and Chris reunite after Question Time to discuss all the biggest moments, including Andy Burnham’s clearest confirmation yet that he will stand in a Labour leadership election - but will he trigger one? Plus, Alex and Faisal wrap up the biggest news stories of the week, including the political response to the murder of Henry Nowak. A full list of candidates for the Makerf...
Jun 04, 2026•55 min
Today, Chris tells Adam what it was like meeting Robert Kenyon, the Reform UK candidate in the Makerfield by-election and how he and Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate have responded to challenges about their track records on different key issues. They discuss the ongoing reaction to some of Robert Kenyon’s previous comments about women and whether Andy Burnham’s campaign message of “Change Labour. Keep The Faith” is cutting through with voters. Plus how have the Conservative, Lib Dem and Green ...
Jun 03, 2026•44 min
Today, the Prime minister says he “felt sick” as he watched the body cam footage of a student who was handcuffed as he lay dying. The 18-year-old Southampton student Henry Nowak was handcuffed after Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to police at the scene of the 2025 stabbing, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack. Shabana Mahmood described the murder as an "an act of pure evil” and described bodycam footage of officers handcuffing Nowak as "disturbing and tragic". Adam and Joe are joined by ...
Jun 02, 2026•44 min
Today, more than 1000 pages of documents about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US have been published by the government. Adam, Chris and Joe get together to discuss what the files tell us about Peter Mandelson’s vetting process, his relationship with some of the government’s most senior figures and his thoughts on the Prime Minister’s leadership. Some of the files have been redacted or held back as part of the ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in...
Jun 01, 2026•31 min
After Laura’s exclusive interview, she’s joined by Henry and Joe to discuss what Nicola Sturgeon had to say about her estranged husband Peter Murrell’s guilty plea to embezzling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the SNP - as well as the political and public reaction to her words. Hear the full length interview on the previous episode of Newscast. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speaker...
May 31, 2026•30 min
