The Prime Minister sets out plans in his first major speech of 2023. Former speech writer to David Cameron and Theresa May, Jessica Cunniffe, joins Adam and Chris to go through Rishi Sunak’s first speech of the year, in which he set out his five pledges for the public to judge him on. And with train services disrupted again this week due to ongoing strikes, the boss of Network Rail, Andrew Haines, tells us how close he thinks he is to a deal with the unions. Today’s episode was presented by Adam...
Jan 04, 2023•36 min
As the government admits the NHS is facing an “unprecedented challenge”, A&E consultant Dr Maya Naravi tells us that in 25 years of working in emergency medicine, this is “the worst I have ever seen it”. BBC health editor Hugh Pym joins us to explain what’s behind the problems and what’s being done to try to relieve them. And amid widespread walkouts, Alan Jones, the PA’s industrial correspondent, talks us through what disruption we should expect as a result of strike action this year. Today...
Jan 03, 2023•36 min
Reliving the first live Castfest from the BBC Radio Theatre. On 18th October 2022, Newscast and all of our sister podcasts came together in front of a studio audience to mark 100 years of the BBC. For the first time, and for our final episode of this year, here are some highlights from the event, which was hosted by Adam and Ukrainecast’s Victoria Derbyshire. As you’ll hear, it came at a key time in 2022: in the run-up to the US mid-term elections, at a potential turning point in the war in Ukra...
Dec 30, 2022•31 min
Never before heard conversations with Richard Osman, Hans Zimmer, and Hugh Bonneville. In this special edition of Newscast, we bring you the interviews that had to be left in storage when major news events took over. Adam talks to gameshow host and Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman about how he writes the books, and why he chose detectives in their 70s as his main characters. We hear from the man who wrote the music for some of the biggest films ever, Hans Zimmer. He speaks about working...
Dec 29, 2022•27 min
After 12 months that saw war in Ukraine, three prime ministers in Number 10, the end of the second Elizabethan era and the Lionesses bringing football home, Radio 4 asked us to look back at some of the most memorable stories. And, of course, we thought we’d share that with you too. Adam and Chris are joined by Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Newsnight’s economics editor Ben Chu and our technology editor Zoe Kleinman to look back on the events that shaped 2022. Today’s N...
Dec 28, 2022•40 min
Adam is joined by the UK's biggest breakfast show presenters: Radio 2’s Zoe Ball and Radio 1’s Greg James. Joe Lycett also joins to look back at the biggest broadcasting moments of 2022 including Sam Ryder's Eurovision triumph, the Lionesses' Euro 2022 win and the coverage of the Queen's death. And Grammy winning vocal group The King's Singers have a very special rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas, made with the help of you Newscasters. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Flemin...
Dec 23, 2022•46 min
As further strike action hits air, road, and rail over Christmas, we discuss the implications with the the country’s most recognised travel journalist Simon Calder, and Radio 2’s travel reporter Bobbie Pryor. Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge talks about how business is going as food prices rise, and gives his best Christmas recipes on a budget. And Scotland makes history in passing a bill that makes it easier to change your legal gender. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming. I...
Dec 22, 2022•32 min
As thousands of ambulance workers across England and Wales strike, we discuss how it’s impacting people at a local level. BBC Radio Sheffield’s Toby Foster, BBC Radio Cornwall’s Julie Skentelbery, and BBC Radio Kent’s Anna Cookson join Adam to discuss how listeners have reacted to the industrial action. Also, it’s been a busy week for former US president Donald Trump. Americast host Justin Webb fills us in on the news from across the pond. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming. I...
Dec 21, 2022•28 min
Health bosses have warned they cannot guarantee patient safety during strikes by thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales on Wednesday. Adam is joined by Unison boss Christina McAnea and BBC health reporter Jim Reed to explore how the industrial action could impact the NHS. And the BBC’s Fergus Walsh celebrates some of the latest medical innovations, including a trial of a personalised cancer vaccine and how a baby's life was 'probably saved' by umbilical stem cells. This episode of N...
Dec 20, 2022•32 min
Where does Monday's High Court ruling leave the Rwanda migrant plan? The UK High Court has found that the government's plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda is lawful. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Dominic Casciani and Nick Eardley to discuss the political, legal and practical ramifications of the decision. Former White House adviser, and soon-to-be Chancellor of Durham University, Fiona Hill, talks about fears of nuclear war, the upcoming winter in Ukraine and how high fees may have kept her...
Dec 19, 2022•29 min
Does the public support the strikes? We speak to two Broadcasters who chat to the general public for a living. 5 Live Breakfast’s Nicky Campbell and presenter of Radio 4’s Any Questions, Alex Forsyth, are on to help us try to figure out what the mood of the country is. Marina Glasgow, the chief conciliator at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - also known as ACAS - explains her role in finding a resolution to the disputes. And actor and director Mark Gatiss talks about his famou...
Dec 16, 2022•31 min
ITV’s Robert Peston and Sky’s Beth Rigby join Chris and Adam to look back on a tumultuous year in politics, recapping the biggest political moments of 2022 - as well as what happened behind the scenes. Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are on strike in the first of two days of industrial action this month. Sunday Times health editor Shaun Lintern explains what impact the strikes are having on the NHS. Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, Cordelia Hemming and Mi...
Dec 15, 2022•31 min
The UK rate of inflation is down, but will it continue to fall? Adam speaks to Richard Walker, the managing director of Iceland Foods, about the price of food this Christmas… as well as his ambitions to be prime minister. Who is Sam Bankman-Fried, the man behind the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX? Adam is joined by the BBC’s cyber reporter Joe Tidy and Jamie Bartlett, presenter of the BBC Sounds podcast series The Missing Cryptoqueen. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by...
Dec 14, 2022•33 min
Is today’s scientific breakthrough the “holy grail” of clean energy? Adam is joined by the BBC’s science editor, Becky Morelle, who explains what nuclear fusion is, and why today’s news is a big deal. Chris Mason talks us through Rishi Sunak’s immigration plans. And business editor, Simon Jack, joins Newscaster Chana Horn to discuss what impact the current strike action is having in her business and the wider economy. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Ru...
Dec 13, 2022•28 min
Bad weather adds to a week of significant strike disruption. Chris tells Adam why there’s no hope of the strikes being called off, despite talks, and crisis management expert Rob Doran explains what the government might be doing to soften the blow caused by the industrial action. And after Adam’s successful performance on Celebrity Mastermind at the weekend, presenter Clive Myrie gives his take on why he triumphed. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madel...
Dec 12, 2022•32 min
Is it the biggest shake-up for 30 years? The government has announced banking reforms that it says will "cut red tape" and "turbocharge growth". The BBC's economic editor, Faisal Islam, and banking analyst, Frances Coppola, unpack the government's plans to ease regulation. And winner of this year’s Turner Prize, Veronica Ryan, discusses the artwork that got people’s attention, and whether the Elgin Marbles should be returned. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn ...
Dec 09, 2022•32 min
Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond and culture editor Katie Razzall reveal how the Palace is reacting to Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix programme. And as A&E waiting times hit their worst levels on record across the UK, emergency medicine consultant Dr Salwa Malik gives us an insight into what’s it’s really like in hospitals at the moment. Also, travel journalist Simon Calder advises on how to navigate travel disruption during strikes this Christmas. Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Flem...
Dec 08, 2022•32 min
Government faces backlash following controversial coal mine approval. Adam gets instant reaction from Chris Mason, following news that the Cumbria coal mine has been approved, despite concern from some about its climate impacts. Also, with all the cold weather warnings, the BBC’s James Gallagher tells us how the cold affects our bodies, and Scotland’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, gives his health advice on how to stay safe and warm in the coming days. This episode of Newsc...
Dec 07, 2022•35 min
Could the strikes this winter spell trouble for the government? Adam and Chris speak to Alan Jones, industrial correspondent for the Press Association about what's behind the industrial action that's taking place and what impact these strikes could have. Also, the BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan discusses what he’s found out about the role accents play in social mobility for his new documentary ‘How to Crack the Class Ceiling’. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim...
Dec 06, 2022•32 min
How worried should we be about strep A? Eight children have died from severe cases of the bacterial infection. Adam is joined by Fergus Walsh, the BBC’s medical editor and Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health and Security Agency to discuss the disease, and what symptoms to look out for. Also, as the RMT union says that extra rail strikes have been scheduled over the Christmas period, Chris dials in from a delayed train to give his instant analysis. This episode of Newscast wa...
Dec 05, 2022•33 min
Has the announcement of an upcoming Netflix documentary series, plus a racism row involving Prince William's godmother, blighted a royal trip to the US? Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond is on to discuss. Also, we check in with our World cup Sweepstake as BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay analyses Japan’s World Cup success, while the BBC’s Emma Vardy has high hopes for Senegal who face England on Sunday. And in our book review, Adam speaks to broadcaster Nick Grimshaw about his new memoir, ‘Soft Lad’. This...
Dec 02, 2022•28 min
Conservative treasury minister Victoria Atkins and shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock discuss whether private schools should get tax breaks and what it’s like being the children of politicians. And rapper Professor Green speaks about how we should approach mental health at a time when people are struggling with the cost of living. Also, on the day that Ian Blackford steps down as SNP Westminster leader, we check in on his pet lambs Mango and Chutney. This episode of Newscast was present...
Dec 01, 2022•30 min
The former prime minister says it’s his “happiest day” as president of Alzheimer’s Research UK, after the discovery of the first drug to slow the disease. He also speaks about whether he did enough during his premiership to support those who needed dementia care. And, the BBC’s health and science correspondent, James Gallagher, explains how the medication works. This episode of Newscast was presented by James Cook and made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade, Madeleine Drury, Chris Flynn and Emma...
Nov 30, 2022•27 min
For the first time less than half of people in England and Wales describe themselves as Christian, according to Census data. Scotland Editor James Cook is off the bench, subbing in for Adam, to unpack the headcount on ethnicity and religion. He is joined by the BBC’s Global Population Correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and think-tank director Sunder Katwala. Marianna Spring, the BBC’s Disinformation & Social Media correspondent, discusses campaigner’s fears that the Online Safety Bill has been ...
Nov 29, 2022•32 min
Thousands take to the streets in China to protest against Xi Jinping’s Covid lockdown restrictions. Adam is joined by John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor and Kerry Allen, the BBC’s China media analyst to discuss what’s happening, what it’s like to be arrested as a journalist in China, and whether state media there is censoring images of maskless fans at the World Cup. I’m a Celebrity campmate and TV presenter Scarlette Douglas reveals what it was like living with Matt Hancock in the jun...
Nov 28, 2022•32 min
The largest nursing strike in NHS history is set to go ahead in December. Adam is joined by the BBC's Hugh Pym and Newscaster (and former NHS nurse) Ruth Harrison to discuss why staff are walking out. The World Cup is in full swing and Piers Morgan joins Adam from Qatar to talk about the fall out around his interview with Cristiano Ronaldo. And Historian Dan Snow presents: The History Of Newscast This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn with Amy Elizabeth, C...
Nov 25, 2022•34 min
As net UK migration hits its highest ever yearly figure at 504,000, Labour MP Diane Abbott is in the studio to talk about her party’s attitude to more people coming to the country. Also, Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservative party, joins Adam and Chris, after a court blocked a bid for a second independence referendum. And Europe editor Katya Adler talks about her recent trip to a major gas pipeline between Russia and Europe, after it was blown up. This episode of Newscast is presente...
Nov 24, 2022•30 min
The Scottish government loses its case for a second independence referendum. Scotland Editor James Cook and Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark are in Edinburgh. They join Adam and Chris to assess what Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, might do next. Also on the podcast - the head of the RMT union, Mick Lynch. He explains why there are more rail strikes coming down the track and reveals what he’s going to say to the transport secretary at their first meeting. And what is happening with Manche...
Nov 23, 2022•36 min
Rail passengers face disruption in the festive period. Adam talks it through with Chris, who is travelling on a train from Birmingham, where he was quizzing the Labour leader on his immigration policy. Madeleine Sumption, from the Migration Advisory Committee, climbs aboard too and assesses how Labour's approach could work. And the Newscast World Cup sweepstake intensifies after the tournament sees some surprising results. We chat to Steve Crossman, from the World Cup Daily Podcast. This episode...
Nov 22, 2022•35 min
Post-match political analysis from the Newscast line-up. As the World Cup opens in Qatar, Adam is joined by a line-up of correspondents to analyse events on and (mainly) off the pitch. Jack Murley, host of the BBC’s LGBT Sport podcast, talks about the decision for England and Wales not to wear the OneLove armband promoting diversity and inclusivity. 5 Live’s Rick Edwards, who went to the England game in Qatar, gives us his first impressions of how supporters are experiencing the tournament. And ...
Nov 21, 2022•33 min
