The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth.
Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.
Newscast is hosted by trusted politics and news journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell.
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Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer.
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Today, we look at the local authority elections in England. Adam, Chris and Alex explore the geography of the elections and who might do well where, the race for London’s councils and the challenges facing each of the parties as the campaigns enter their final week. 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 Ge...
Today, after a week of warning’s from the government over the financial impact of the war in Iran - is the reality starting to hit home? Adam, Chris and Faisal are joined by Ailbhe Rea Political Editor of the New Statesman to discuss how the financial effects could be felt all over the country? It comes after the Bank of England warns interest rates could rise this year following a “significant energy price shock”. And, with economic uncertainty looking set to continue - could this put off Labou...
Today, the King and Queen head to New York for the second part of their state visit to the US. We look at King Charles’ address to congress, what he said… and didn’t say, and if any of it is likely to have a lasting impact on US-UK relations. Adam is joined in the studio our diplomatic correspondent James Landale, and by Daniela Relph, senior royal correspondent who’s in New York with the King and Queen. Plus, business editor Simon Jack tells Adam why some big players in the world of finance are...
Today, MPs have voted that Keir Starmer should not face an inquiry into whether he misled Parliament over the appointment of Lord Mandelson. MPs vote 335 to 223 against a Tory-led motion. During the debate, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it's "very obvious" Starmer told the Commons things that were "not correct". No 10 accused the conservatives of a "desperate political stunt. Adam, Joe and Alex react to the vote. They also look back on Morgan McSweeney, a former chief of staff to Starmer, givin...
Today, the King has arrived to meet President Trump for the US state visit. His arrival comes as security concerns are heightened after a shooting during the White House correspondents dinner on Saturday. The visit is also happening at a time when the Prime Minister is having trouble at home. Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a vote by MPs on whether there should be an inquiry over his claims about the vetting of Lord Mandelson. What’s in store for the King and can the trip help ‘repair’ relations...
Recorded live at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios, Adam, Chris and Henry get grilled by the audience at Castfest. 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 newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480. New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for...
Today, Laura and Paddy talk about another incident where a gunman tried to enter an event attended by US President Donald Trump. A secret service agent’s bulletproof vest saved him from more serious injury, after he was shot. The president was quickly escorted to safety by the Secret Service, but questions have been raised about how he got so close, and about what it means for the King’s US visit next week. To help Laura and Paddy answer them, former British ambassador to the United States, Lord...
Today, we look at a report that suggests the US could review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands. An internal Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran. The options discussed also included seeking Spain's suspension from Nato over its opposition to the war. BBC News has not been able to review the email. In this special episode, five of the Newscast gang are together for ...
Today, Adam, Alex, James and Felicity look at the latest stories from the UK elections campaign trail. Why are public services at the top of the campaign agenda? What will it mean for Westminster if nationalist parties sweep the board? And why is Eluned Morgan explaining how to vote for her though the medium of canned cocktails? 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 N...
Today, Adam and Chris look back and assess how much danger Keir Starmer is in after another week of the Peter Mandelson saga? They are joined by Lara Spirit, deputy political editor of The Sunday Times and former civil servant Helen MacNamara who served as the deputy cabinet secretary. 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.i...
Today, Keir Starmer has sent a "real chill throughout the civil service." That’s according to a senior union official following his decision to sack the lead civil servant in the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins. James and Chris are joined by Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, Catherine Haddon, to discuss the recent turbulence in the relationship between the government and the Civil Service over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and whats next for the institution. And, economics editor ...
Today, Olly Robbins the sacked former Foreign Office chief, says number 10 had a “dismissive” attitude to the vetting of Lord Mandelson. Robbins told MPs when he took over the role there was "already a very very strong expectation" from No 10 that Mandelson "needed to be in post and in America as quickly as possible". Downing Street has denied showing a "dismissive" approach to the vetting, and says Robbins made an "error of judgement". So where does this leave the Prime Minister? Adam and Chris...
Today, the Prime Minister has faced questions from MPs over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite failing security vetting. Sir Keir Starmer accused officials in the Foreign Office of deliberately and repeatedly withholding the fact Lord Mandelson initially failed security vetting for the role. Giving a statement to MPs, the prime minister said if he had known, he would not have gone ahead with the appointment. Adam and Chris discuss where this leaves Starmer. And, on a day...
Today, Adam joined Laura and Paddy to chew over the latest news from Iran, Scotland, and Downing Street. Ahead of the Prime Minister’s appearance in parliament, they discuss what we’ve learned today about what Sir Keir Starmer knew, or did not know, about the Lord Mandelson’s vetting by the foreign office. Laura spoke to cabinet minister Liz Kendall, who backed the PM and said that Starmer would have blocked the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador had he known he failed security vetti...
Laura and Paddy are back! Today, they’re discussing the key questions facing Sir Keir Starmer over the latest revelations about Lord Mandelson Sir Olly Robbins, the former chief Foreign Office official, was ousted by Starmer on Thursday after it was revealed that Mandelson had failed the foreign office vetting programme. The key questions are still to be answered formally over who knew what, and when. The PM is set to appear in the Commons on Monday, and Olly Robbins is expected to be grilled by...
Today, Keir Starmer says it's "staggering" he was not told Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador. Speaking from a summit in France, the prime minister says he's "absolutely furious" and will update MPs in Parliament on Monday. Opposition leaders are calling on Starmer to resign, accusing him of "catastrophically poor judgement" and of being "incompetent, gullible or a liar. Adam and Chris go through the details and discuss how damaging this could be. And...
Today, the Prime Minister has denied knowing that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador until earlier this week. Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to resign over allegations he misled Parliament and MPs when he claimed "full due process" was followed during the appointment. It came after the Guardian newspaper reported, external that Lord Mandelson was initially denied security clearance in late January 2025 but this was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure the...
Today, an undercover BBC investigation has found evidence of law firms and legal advisors helping migrants pretend to be gay to get asylum. Migrants were advised to take staged photos at nightclubs, attend LGBT events and to go to GPs pretending to be depressed to obtain medical evidence to support their cases. Adam and Chris are joined by BBC politics investigation correspondent Billy Kenber, who uncovered the story. In response to our findings, the Home Office said: "Anyone found trying to exp...
Today, a former Nato chief has said that the UK's security and safety is "in peril" and Sir Keir Starmer's government has shown "corrosive complacency" towards defence. In a directly political intervention, Lord Robertson - who is now a key government adviser - says "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget." It comes on the day the IMF has warned the energy shock from the Iran war will hit the UK the hardest of the world's advanced economies. Adam and Chris are joined by B...
Today, an inquiry has found the Southport murders “could have been prevented” if the killer’s parents and authorities had done more in the years leading up to the attack. The inquiry’s report lists factors such as a "misunderstanding of autism" and “failure in information sharing” as examples of the “systematic failures”. Adam is joined by Judith Moritz, special correspondent and Daniel Sandford home Affairs correspondent who have been covering the story. Adam also catches up with Americast host...
This episode delves into the aftermath of failed US-Iran negotiations, exploring each side's demands and the implications for Middle East peace. It examines Donald Trump's public 'victory' rhetoric versus underlying diplomatic realities and the UK's challenging role, including Keir Starmer's firm stance on US military operations. Additionally, the podcast covers the strategic Chagos Islands deal's shelving and critical Hungarian elections, highlighting global geopolitical shifts.
There are two massive stories to chat through today - the start of direct trilateral talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan, and the return of Nasa's Artemis II crew. Paddy and Laura are on holiday so Newsnight’s Victoria Derbyshire and Nick Watt host. To chat through news from Pakistan, they’re joined by Panorama filmmaker and foreign affairs and peace talks specialist Jane Corbin. And to explain what it’s like to return to earth from space, British astronaut Tim Peake. You can now listen to...
Today, Adam is joined by Felicity Evans from Walescast, Alex Forsyth, political correspondent and Luke Tryl pollster and director of More in Common to take a deep dive into the elections for the Welsh Senedd. They look at the big issues on the agenda, and why polling numbers don’t always reflect how people vote on election day. 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 Ne...
Today, the defence secretary has revealed the British military has responded to a month-long Russian submarine operation over cables and pipelines north of UK. John Healey says he deployed a warship and aircraft in response, and the Russian vessels were "monitored 24/7". He says there is "no evidence" of any damage to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic. Why are the cables so important? What was Russia trying to achieve? Are the UK able to stop them from doing this again in future? Adam is joined ...
Today, we discuss the ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran. The deal was agreed last night just hours after President Trump had threatened Iran’s ‘civilisation will die.’ But Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, with the US saying it’s not included in the ceasefire deal. And, Vice-President JD Vance will lead US negotiating talks aimed at the war with Iran in Pakistan on Saturday. Adam is joined by BBC News chief presenter Caitríona Perry, chief international correspondent Lyse...
Today, President Donald Trump has warned "a whole civilisation will die tonight" unless Iran reaches a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's threats come as we near a deadline he's imposed on the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by midnight on Tuesday. Adam is joined by chief presenter Caitriona Perry and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. And, Wireless Festival is cancelled after the government stops headline act Kanye West from entering UK. In recent years, West has...
As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”. She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who fir...
As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”. She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who fir...
As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”. She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who fir...
Electioncast is back! Adam is joined by senior correspondent Joe Pike, Scotland editor James Cook, and host of Walescast and BBC Wales’ money editor Felicity Evans to break down everything you need to know about the May elections. Elections for the Senedd, Holyrood and local councils across England will take place on the 7th May. Today, we look at what’s up for grabs and what’s at stake. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Ne...
