Scotland’s first minister says she will resign. Chris Mason (who was on a train en route to Edinburgh) gives his instant reaction to the decision... And we get more analysis about Sturgeon's resignation speech, her legacy and the future of Scottish and UK politics with the BBC’s Alex Forsyth (in Westminster), Scotland editor James Cook (in Edinburgh) and special correspondent Jim Naughtie (in the studio with Adam in London). Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by Tim Walkl...
Feb 15, 2023•36 min
Why are so many councils in England raising taxes? Adam and the BBC’s Alex Forsyth are joined by Conservative councillor David Shelvey and Labour councillor Bev Craig to look at the pressures on local councils. And Bake Off judge, Prue Leith, and her son, Conservative MP Danny Kruger, debate assisted dying ahead of a documentary they've made together. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by Tim Walklate with Cordelia Hemming, Chris Flynn and Miranda Slade. The technical pro...
Feb 14, 2023•32 min
Why is the White House shooting down flying objects? Adam is joined by the BBC’s security correspondent, Gordon Corera, and North America correspondent, Sarah Smith, to discuss the mystery that’s gripping America. After a weekend of showbiz news Radio 1 DJ, Jack Saunders, gives his take on the performances and pageantry at the Brits and the Super Bowl. And one week on from the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria, we get an update from Lyse Doucet who is in Turkey. Today's episode was presented...
Feb 13, 2023•32 min
The first aid deliveries has started to arrive in Syria after Monday’s deadly earthquakes. Adam speaks to Syrian director, Waad Al-Kateab, who directed of the award winning documentary ‘For Sama’, and her husband Hamza Al-Kateab, a doctor and human rights activist, who say much more support is needed. The UK has narrowly avoided a recession according to new statistics. Paul Johnson, director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies explains what that actually means for people’s daily lives. Today's e...
Feb 10, 2023•30 min
How are search and rescue teams saving people in Turkey and Syria? The BBC's Anna Foster describes how the relief effort is playing out on the ground in one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquakes. Baroness Amos, Labour member of the House of Lords, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, gives a bit of perspective on the situation in Turkey and Syria. And Lord Frost, former Conservative minister and chief Brexit negotiator talks Brex...
Feb 09, 2023•29 min
Ukraine’s President makes a surprise visit to the UK. We get reaction from one of the people who shared the stage with President Zelensky at Westminster Hall, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the House of Commons speaker. Chris and security correspondent Frank Gardner are also on hand to chew over what this means in foreign policy terms. And we discuss the latest on missing 45-year-old mother-of-two Nicola Bulley with Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent, and BBC reporter Nick Garnet...
Feb 08, 2023•33 min
Rescuers are desperately searching for survivors under the rubble of buildings in southern Turkey and northern Syria after two huge earthquakes on Monday. Adam and the BBC’s Lyse Doucet discuss some of the stories of hope and loss in the aftermath of the quake. They speak to one man from Manchester who’s helping to get aid out to the affected areas. Also, we get the latest on the mini-reshuffle with Chris and Alex Forsyth, host of the BBC’s Any Questions. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fl...
Feb 07, 2023•31 min
Rescue operations are under way across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria after huge earthquakes have left thousands dead. Kaled Jarkas joins us from Gaziantep, the Turkish epicentre of the tremors, as well as BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen, who gives the overview from London. And Spectator political editor Katy Balls speaks to Adam and Chris, after getting the first interview with Liz Truss since her resignation as PM. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by...
Feb 06, 2023•31 min
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his trip to China after an alleged Chinese spy balloon flew across the state of Montana. Adam speaks to BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera as well as Aaron Flint, host of the Montana Talks breakfast radio show. And as disgraced pop star Gary Glitter is freed from prison, we hear from BBC correspondent Sarah Campbell who covered his trial in 2015, and barrister Kirsty Brimelow KC who explains why he's served half his 16-year jail term i...
Feb 03, 2023•32 min
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, talks strikes, devolution and Beyoncé. And former MP, and serial cabinet minister, Justine Greening, is in the studio to talk about solutions to government's levelling-up policy, Raab bullying allegations, and whether the Conservatives have any chance at the next election. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason and was made by Chris Flynn with George Crafer. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Feb 02, 2023•32 min
On what’s thought to be the biggest single day of industrial action for a decade, we talk to Len McCluskey, the former leader of Britain’s biggest union, Unite. He tells Adam what he thinks Sir Keir Starmer should be doing differently in response, and how he’d be trying to use ‘leverage’ in negotiations. Adam also speaks to Americast presenter Sarah Smith about the funeral of Tyre Nichols, who died in Memphis last week after a beating by police. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and ...
Feb 01, 2023•35 min
Everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday’s strikes with the help of Alan Jones, PA’s Industrial Correspondent. Stephanie Flanders, Head of Bloomberg News Economics, is also on to join the dots between the walkouts and the state of the UK‘s finances, as we learn that the UK economy is expected to shrink in 2023. Also on the podcast, Liverpool officially becomes the Eurovision host city… which also means the launch of Eurovisioncast! Adam is joined by all four of the podcast’s hosts. This ep...
Jan 31, 2023•33 min
Three years since the UK left the EU, talks are still going on over trading arrangements. Why are they happening and what has changed since Brexit? Adam is back in Brussels to mark the anniversary – and we’ve got the whole Brexitcast gang together! There will of course be cake, as well as analysis and memories from the BBC’s Europe editor Katya Adler, and political editors past and present, Laura Kuenssberg and Chris Mason. We’ve also finally caught up with Michel Barnier! The former EU chief ne...
Jan 30, 2023•46 min
Newsnight's economics editor Ben Chu discusses Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's strategy, and what all those Es stand for. Chris Packham also joins from Ken Hill Farm in Norfolk, where he's been filming a special Winterwatch in which he interviews Sir David Attenborough. And Josh Widdicombe tells Adam what it was like reporting for local papers across the UK with his friend Nish Kumar for a new TV show. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn with Miranda Slade and Amy Eliz...
Jan 27, 2023•33 min
As a HMRC boss says there are “no penalties for innocent errors”, Adam and Chris talk through the latest with Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs. They’re joined by shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, who sets out Labour’s view on the UK’s relationship with Europe. And Dame Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Ireland, talks about breaking the Brexit stalemate in Northern Ireland, and the state of the the Good Friday Agreement. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chr...
Jan 26, 2023•29 min
Is the West’s supply of tanks to Ukraine a game-changer? Adam is joined by Ukrainecast’s Vitaly Shevchenko and BBC Europe editor Katya Adler to discuss whether the delivery of battle tanks from Washington and Berlin to Kyiv will make any kind of difference in the war against Russia. And we perform a check-up on the health service with Chris Hopson, chief strategy officer for NHS England. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Rufus Gray, Daniel Wittenberg and...
Jan 25, 2023•30 min
A million people have signed up to a scheme with the National Grid which rewards them with discounts if they reduce how much energy they use. Adam finds out how one customer has already saved £35 after signing up to the scheme and Newsnight’s economics editor Ben Chu explains how it works and why it was introduced. The BBC’s Home Affairs correspondent, June Kelly looks at the future of the probation service, after a report highlighted a catalogue of failings that left a serial offender free to m...
Jan 24, 2023•33 min
Newsreader Huw Edwards is in the Newscast studio to discuss addressing the nation following the Queen's death, the annual BBC Young Reporter Competition and why podcasts maybe aren't his thing. Also, Adam and Chris are joined by tax expert Rebecca Benneyworth to crunch the numbers on Conservative party chairman Nadhim Zahawi's tax headache. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by Tim Walklate with George Dabby, Madeleine Drury, Annabel Dry, and Daniel Wittenberg. The techni...
Jan 23, 2023•35 min
The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast duo takeover Newscast. They chat to Laura Kuenssberg about strikes, Sunak’s seatbelt, and unpopular opinions. The BBC’s chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, speaks from Kabul after interviewing Amina Mohammed, who's leading the United Nations visit to Afghanistan. And Newscast adopts "Animal News" from Radio 1 , with reports of a giant toads, shouting dolphins, and busy beavers. Today’s episode was presented by Greg James and Roisin Hastie and was made by Chr...
Jan 20, 2023•37 min
With Conservative Business Secretary Grant Shapps, Labour's Bridget Phillipson and the SNP's Mhairi Black. Three of the country’s leading politicians are on the podcast talking through some of the biggest political issues right now, including the UK government blocking a Scottish bill for the first time ever. This episode of Newscast was presented by Chris Mason and James Cook and was made by Chris Flynn with Danny Wittenberg. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.
Jan 19, 2023•34 min
Why is UK inflation dropping... while some food prices are still rising? Newsnight's Sima Kotecha is in the hotseat for today’s episode, and she’s joined by the BBC’s Evan Davis and Claer Barrett from the FT, to chew over the latest economic trends. Also, after the head of the food watchdog suggested that it’s unwise to bring cake into the office, The Great British Bake Off winner and Today programme host, Martha Kearney, tells us whether she’ll be taking on that advice. Today’s episode was pres...
Jan 18, 2023•33 min
As the Radio 2 legend announces he’s hanging up his BBC boots, Adam challenges Chris Mason to Newscast’s version of ‘Popmaster’. Chris discusses the ongoing row over Scotland's gender reforms. And, with China facing an historic population decline, the BBC’s Jeremy and Cindy Yu from the Spectator join Adam to analyse what this could mean for the world's most populous nation. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Josh Jenkins, George Dabby, and Rufus Gray. The...
Jan 17, 2023•34 min
What could the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents? Adam is joined by Mary Bousted from the National Education Union and the BBC’s Branwen Jeffreys to discuss the upcoming industrial action. Also, former police watchdog Zoë Billingham joins the BBC’s Helena Wilkinson to explore police reform after an officer pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including dozens of rapes. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, George Dabby, Miranda S...
Jan 16, 2023•33 min
Happy Valley star James Norton talks about the success of the show, helping Ukrainian friends caught up in the war, and how a health breakthrough could improve his life. Plus, the government’s net zero strategy is put under the spotlight by Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK's Climate Change Committee and Sophie Eastaugh from the BBC’s The Climate Question podcast. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and was made by Chris Flynn with Ivana Davidovic, Miranda Slade, Cecelia ...
Jan 13, 2023•33 min
The Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan tells Adam and Chris that she’s disappointed with Scotland’s Gender Recognition Bill. She also says she’s "not ruling out" the idea of sending social media bosses to prison if they fail to protect children from damaging content online. The head of the TUC Paul Nowak says the unions still have public support as we face more strikes. Plus, stick around for a taste of his musical talent. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason an...
Jan 12, 2023•33 min
Who is the self-proclaimed misogynist and why are people worried about his influence over young boys’ behaviour? Adam talks to the BBC’s Marianna Spring and Michael Conroy, founder of Men at Work, about the controversial British-American influencer who is in custody in Romania. And Josh Baker from the new podcast, The Shamima Begum Story, tells us about his interviews with Shamima Begum. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madeleine Drury, Chris Flynn, Ver...
Jan 11, 2023•32 min
Talking strikes, pay negotiations and GPs with Labour’s Wes Streeting. Adam and Chris sit down with the shadow health secretary to discuss what Labour would be doing differently if they were in government. Plus, Tim Harford from More or Less brings his spreadsheet for some NHS number crunching. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Madeleine Drury, Danny Wittenberg and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor was Veri...
Jan 10, 2023•36 min
What did we learn from Prince Harry’s round of interviews? Before shoppers queue up to buy his new book, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond, and culture editor Katy Razzall join Adam to discuss the Duke’s relationship with his brother, allegations about the Queen Consort, and his facial hair. Also, 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell and Radio 4’s Alex Renton discuss their experiences of child abuse. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Verity Wilde, Chris Flynn, Mad...
Jan 09, 2023•35 min
How worried should we be about the spread of coronavirus abroad? Restrictions are about to ease in China and there’s a new strain of Coronavirus in the USA. James Gallagher, presenter of Radio 4’s Inside Health and Kerry Allen, the BBC’s China media analyst put Covid back on the agenda. How to Fail podcast presenter Elizabeth Day also joins Adam to talk about New Year’s resolutions, and Radio 4’s Just One Thing host Dr Michael Mosley shares his top tips for sticking with them. Today’s episode wa...
Jan 06, 2023•30 min
Duke of Sussex accuses his brother William of physically attacking him. Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond reveals details of a stream of sensational claims and accusations from Prince Harry's new memoir, Spare. And Lord Mandelson, Labour’s election campaign director under Tony Blair, joins Adam and Chris to give his assessment of Sir Keir Starmer’s speech today, and of the state of the party as a whole. Today’s episode was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, Josh ...
Jan 05, 2023•31 min
