The latest evidence to the Covid Inquiry included the revelation that the former health secretary Matt Hancock wanted to decide “who should live or die” in the event of the NHS becoming overwhelmed. That was the testimony given by Sir Simon Stevens, who led NHS England until 2021. His was followed by the country’s most senior health official, Sir Christopher Wormald, who said that the government was “at least a week late” in imposing restrictions on society at the beginning of the crisis. Laura ...
Nov 02, 2023•34 min
It’s been another extraordinary day of testimony at the Covid Inquiry. Wednesday’s session began with Helen MacNamara, a top official at Downing Street during the height of the pandemic. She described a “macho” culture at No 10 in which women “became invisible overnight”. She also said she’d struggle to pick “a single day” in which Covid restrictions were followed and recalled meetings at which people were “laughing at the Italians” in the early days of the crisis. Adam’s joined once again by th...
Nov 01, 2023•36 min
Figures at the centre of the government decisions during the coronavirus pandemic give evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry. First up was Lee Cain, who was a senior aide to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Then it was Dominic Cummings, who was Mr Johnson’s chief adviser until he resigned in late 2020. The inquiry heard the pandemic was the wrong crisis for Boris Johnson’s skillset, the government had “no plan” to help vulnerable people in lockdown and diary entries also read out suggest Mr Jo...
Oct 31, 2023•40 min
It was a day of explosive evidence and revealing WhatsApp messages at today’s session of the Covid inquiry. First up was former senior civil servant Martin Reynolds, who apologised “unreservedly” for organising BYOB lockdown parties. He also faced questions on why messages in a WhatsApp group of government officials were ‘set to disappear’. He was then followed by another aide, Imran Shafi, who said he thought Boris Johnson had questioned why the economy was being destroyed "for people who will ...
Oct 30, 2023•34 min
Israeli forces continue moving troops into Gaza as bombing continues. And different positions have emerged in UK politics on what should be done to help civilians in the region. Political editor of Newsnight, Nick Watt helps us make sense of them, and Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international reporter, tells us how the politics of the conflict is playing out across the world. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was presented by ...
Oct 29, 2023•27 min
Paddy O’Connell is joined by the BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and special correspondent Fergal Keane to discuss the next chapter in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Israeli military says that its forces entered Gaza after heavy bombardment throughout the night. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was hosted by Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Mike R...
Oct 28, 2023•25 min
It’s a year since Elon Musk formally completed his acquisition of X, formerly known as Twitter. Since then the business has faced a number of challenges, including ongoing issues surrounding content moderation and a battle to make the platform profitable. To help us understand the business from all angles, Adam is joined by the BBC’s disinformation correspondent, Marianna Spring, and tech investor Ross Gerber. And, the BBC’s Leila Nathoo drops in to discuss tensions in the Labour Party after Sad...
Oct 27, 2023•36 min
The prime minister has outlined the potential risks of artificial intelligence, arguing we must not “put our heads in the sand”. His comments come ahead of a two-day AI safety summit at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire next week. Professors Hannah Fry and Gina Neff join us in the studio to discuss the event as well as the risks and opportunities presented by AI. And, Bastille singer Dan Smith takes a seat next to Planet Earth III director Kiri Cashell for a conversation about how they made the ...
Oct 26, 2023•36 min
Adam and Chris reflect on one year of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Sir Keir Starmer comes under pressure from his own MPs because of his position on the Israel-Gaza conflict. And there are plans to send an all-UK astronaut mission into space. BBC science correspondent Jonathan Amos and the first British astronaut Helen Sharman discuss whether the project is good news for space exploration. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscas...
Oct 25, 2023•34 min
After two Israeli hostages were released by Hamas last night, BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale joins Katya Adler, who’s in Jerusalem, to discuss how diplomacy is impacting the Israel-Gaza conflict. And, Adam is joined by BBC football correspondent John Murray to discuss how UEFA’s calendar shakeup could cause a significant increase in carbon emissions. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Flemi...
Oct 24, 2023•32 min
Several government ministers have called for tougher policing of protests after a row over the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests at the weekend. Adam and Chris discuss how the day unfolded after the prime minister committed a further £20 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. And we’re joined in studio by Jonathan Wittenberg and Ibrahim Mogra, the rabbi and imam who are working together to unite their communities during the Israel-Gaza conflict. You can join our Newscast ...
Oct 23, 2023•29 min
The Israeli military says it was a targeted attack against Hamas. Paddy and Victoria talk about the operation with chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet. And chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman assesses the Conservatives’ electoral prospects after two by-election defeats. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was presented by Paddy O’Connell and Victoria Derbyshire. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper....
Oct 22, 2023•27 min
WhatsApps seen by the UK’s Covid-19 Inquiry have given us an insight into the different opinions inside government during the pandemic. Health reporter and host of The Covid Inquiry Podcast Jim Reed has been closely following every day of evidence. He’s in the studio with Dr. Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government to look at what we’ve learned. Marianna Spring is also in to help with tips on how to recognise disinformation online, as claim, counterclaim, and straight up lies swirl on...
Oct 21, 2023•32 min
Labour win two by-elections and we record one podcast on TV! Newscast was live early this morning to analyse and react to the results of the Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire by-elections. Adam Fleming and Paddy O’Connell chat through Labour’s historic double by-election win with help from Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth, Henry Zeffman, Professor John Curtice, Jeremy Vine and Labour MP Peter Kyle. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere T...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Vehicles carrying aid are waiting to be allowed into Gaza to bring in vital supplies. International editor Jeremy Bowen and chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet join Chris from Israel to discuss. The three of them also talk about Rishi Sunak’s visit to the country, and the different allegiances in the middle east. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Chris Mason and Lyse Doucet. It was made by Chris ...
Oct 19, 2023•26 min
Hundreds of people are known to have died in a blast at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday. Hamas blames Israel for the attack, while Israel has insisted it is not to blame. BBC Verify’s Shayan Sardarizadeh joins Adam in the studio to discuss what we know so far. And, on the day that US President Joe Biden flew to Israel in an attempt to calm tensions, we’re joined by former CIA director David Petraeus and US special correspondent Katty Kay to assess the bigger picture for the US as they attempt to dees...
Oct 18, 2023•38 min
A huge blast at a hospital in Gaza City is reported to have killed hundreds. In this emergency episode recorded at 10pm tonight in Israel, host of The Conflict podcast, BBC International Correspondent Lyse Doucet, and her colleague Anna Foster, grapple with the breaking news and the claims and counter claims as protests break out across the region. This episode was made by Clare Williamson and Joe Kent in London and Alex Lederman and Naomi Scherbel-Ball in Israel. The technical producer was Mike...
Oct 17, 2023•29 min
Wage growth has overtaken inflation for the first time in two years, in a sign that cost of living pressures may now be starting to ease. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned, however, that the UK remains stuck in a bind between high inflation and weak economic growth. Their director, Paul Johnson, joins Adam alongside the BBC’s chief economics correspondent, Dharshini David, to unpack the day’s economic headlines. And it’s the final day of SNP conference as Humza Yousaf delivers a closin...
Oct 17, 2023•32 min
Adam and Chris are joined by BBC world affairs editor John Simpson to discuss the potential implications of Israel’s expected ground invasion of Gaza. Rishi Sunak set out the UK government’s response to the situation in Parliament and announced an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza by £10 million. And Europe editor Katya Adler analyses the results of the Polish elections as exit polls suggest that the governing right-wing Law and Justice party won the most seats but will lose its majority in p...
Oct 16, 2023•31 min
Tanks and troops gather for an expected offensive into Gaza. Paddy and Victoria discuss new details about the planned attack, and the British government’s position on the conflict. Chris Mason and James Cook are at the SNP annual conference in Aberdeen. They explain the SNP’s new strategy for a second referendum on Scottish independence. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was hosted by Paddy O’Connell and Victoria Derbyshir...
Oct 15, 2023•24 min
Israel appears to be preparing for a ground invasion into Gaza. Paddy’s joined by Lyse Doucet as they get detail on what that could look like from defence correspondent Jonathan Beale. They also discuss the underground network set up by Hamas in Gaza. We also answer some of your questions, in this collaboration with The Conflict podcast. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was hosted by Paddy O’Connell and Lyse Doucet. It wa...
Oct 14, 2023•26 min
The Israeli military has ordered around 1 million people in northern Gaza to move to the south within 24 hours. BBC documentary and podcast maker, Josh Baker is on the podcast from Jerusalem, to help explain the difficulties that civilians will have following that order. He also talks about the aftermath of attacks on civilians by Hamas. Yesterday, David Baddiel mentioned a group that helps maintain safety at synagogues and Jewish schools in the UK called the Community Security Trust, so we thou...
Oct 13, 2023•35 min
As Israel’s siege of Gaza continues, the UN has warned that Gaza is in a ‘dire situation’. Joining us in the studio is the writer and comedian, David Baddiel, who talks about what the past week has been like for British Jews. Following the end of their party conference, Pat McFadden, who’s in charge of Labour’s electoral strategy, also stops by to talk to us about the party’s game plan ahead of the next general election. And, Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson join Adam to talk about their latest epis...
Oct 12, 2023•36 min
As the Labour Party Conference draws to a close, Chris joins Adam to discuss his interview with Sir Keir Starmer, in which the Labour leader reiterated his pledge to build 1.5 million homes. And the chair of the British Palestinian Committee, Dr Aimee Shalan, speaks to Adam about the situation in Gaza after Israel cut off its access to electricity. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was mad...
Oct 11, 2023•31 min
Sir Keir Starmer sets out his plan for government at the Labour Party Conference. Adam is joined by Chris Mason to discuss the speech, where the Labour leader laid out promised a "decade of renewal under Labour” Adam also chats to shadow health secretary Wes Streeting. And, Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely speaks to Adam about the UK’s support for Israel and why she feels these attacks are comparable to the Holocaust. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl....
Oct 10, 2023•43 min
Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and world affairs editor John Simpson to discuss the events in Israel, as Benjamin Netanyahu warns the country will use “enormous force” against Hamas. And as the world reacts to the events, Lyse and John focus on how the conflict will affect other countries in the Middle East, such as Lebanon and Iran. The essential background you need to understand the conflict can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-670399...
Oct 09, 2023•35 min
Hundreds of people have been killed and kidnapped as fighting in Israel and Gaza continues. The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner is on to discuss what we know about the situation. And after Sir Keir Starmer’s Sunday morning interview, Victoria and Paddy chat to chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman about Labour’s ideas for the NHS and housing. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was hosted by Paddy O’Connell ...
Oct 08, 2023•27 min
Paddy and Victoria catch up with international editor Jeremy Bowen as he heads to Israel to cover a major new crisis in the Middle East. And, on the eve of Labour conference, Lord Mandelson talks through how Sir Keir Starmer should now redefine himself. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today’s Newscast was presented by Paddy O'Connell and Victoria Derbyshire. It was made by Tom Smithard with Arsenii Sokolov. The senior news editors are Jo...
Oct 07, 2023•33 min
Starmer tells campaigners they "blew the doors off" in Friday's by-election. Adam is joined by Scotland editor, James Cook, and political scientist, Professor Sir John Curtice, to analyse the results in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. And, on its 10th birthday, the National Crime Agency’s director general, Graeme Biggar, is in the studio talking about illegal migration, organised crime, and fraud. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's N...
Oct 06, 2023•33 min
As the dust settles after Rishi Sunak’s conference speech, Adam and Chris focus on the fallout from the biggest talking points, including the prime minister’s plans to ban smoking for younger generations. They’re joined by doctor and TV presenter Alexander "Dr Xand" van Tulleken to hear the medical profession’s reaction and whether it’s true that there’s no safe level of smoking. And to help analyse the wider political context of the speech, we’re joined in the studio by former special adviser A...
Oct 05, 2023•37 min
