Newscast

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.

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.

Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer.

GET IN TOUCH: You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480 Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscast

Last refreshed: June 15th, 2026 at 4:12 PM

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Episodes

Social Media Ban For Under-16s

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 Marines Take Control Of Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker

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

By-Electioncast: Could Restore Britain Help Andy Burnham Win?

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

The Keir Starmer Interview: The Analysis

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

The Keir Starmer Interview

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

Why Has Defence Secretary John Healey Resigned?

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

Who’s Causing The Violence In Belfast?

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

What We Know About The Belfast Knife Attack So Far

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

Jess Phillips On The Explicit Image Ban For Children

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

David Lammy Tells JD Vance He's Wrong Over Immigration Comments

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

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