A great day for science, a bad day for Covid-19. As the first Pfizer vaccines are given to patients in the UK, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine publishes its data. Adam and Fergus chat to virologist Dr Elisabetta Groppelli about how the rollout might go - and learn some Italian while they're at it. Jenny Hill has the latest from the prosecutors in Berlin trying to build a case against the suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann. And in honour of William Shakespeare, whose namesake got the vaccine ...
Dec 08, 2020•31 min
Boris Johnson will head to Brussels this week to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a last ditch effort to salvage a post-Brexit trade deal. But is a breakthrough possible? Activate Brexitcast! And could snowy UK winters could become a thing of the past? Justin Rowlatt tells us how the UK’s climate could change where you live. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Alix Pickles Editor: Dino Sofos
Dec 07, 2020•35 min
The BBC's Dan Roan joins Adam to discuss the return of football fans to professional games in England as well as the Premier League rescue package for clubs in lower divisions. And James Gallagher provides the latest on testing. Where can people get a test and are rapid lateral flow tests all they’re cracked up to be? Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Dec 04, 2020•34 min
The chances of a breakthrough in the post-Brexit trade negotiations are “receding” according to Laura’s secret squirrel source - so we’ve sounded the Brexitcast klaxon! And Tony Blair joins us to talk Brexit, vaccines and why he doesn’t watch political dramas on TV - especially ones featuring Tony Blair. Studio Director: William Allott Producers: Rick Kelsey; Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofos
Dec 03, 2020•31 min
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been judged safe for use in the UK, and will start to be rolled out next week. Adam is joined by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym, Professor of Immunology Deborah Dunn-Walters and GP Dr Amir Khan to answer Newscasters’ questions. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Sej Asar and Harriet Noble Episode Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos
Dec 02, 2020•24 min
England's national lockdown was, in the end, replaced with the Government's tougher tier system of local restrictions. Restrictions called "stupid" and poorly-targeted by some of its own backbenchers. Vicki and Adam discuss why those rebels spoke up. Some of those politicians have been throwing around bed occupancy figures - but there are better ways to talk about how full a hospital is. Dr Coralie Carle explains. And as the BBC reveals that people in deprived parts of England were almost twice ...
Dec 01, 2020•30 min
On the day that Arcadia, the owner of Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, goes into administration, the BBC's Simon Jack discusses what went wrong. And with SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon addressing her party conference, the BBC's Sarah Smith joins Adam to talk about what 2021 could hold for the prospect of Scottish independence. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 30, 2020•31 min
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey pops in to explain why artists want a fairer slice of the streaming pie - and to discuss whether festivals are back for 2021. After exciting vaccine news earlier this week, some people had questions about the data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. Adam and Fergus try to answer some of them with help from Professor Jennifer Rogers. And legendary LGBT venue G-A-Y explains why it’s partnering up with McDonalds to keep its doors open in Tier 2. Studio Manager: Mike Reggard...
Nov 27, 2020•33 min
More than 23 million people in England will be placed in the highest tier 3 category of coronavirus restrictions, when the national lockdown ends next Wednesday. Adam, Laura and Chris talk through the new tougher tier system, and the government’s methods for choosing which areas move up and down the scale. And, former Conservative Education and International Development Secretary Justine Greening joins tells us why she believes not enough is being done to “level-up” the country, both at home and...
Nov 26, 2020•32 min
The economic battle after the Covid shock has only just begun. Richard Hughes from the Office for Budget Responsibility joins Laura and Adam to discuss the Spending Review. And after the death of Diego Maradona, we mourn the footballing legend with Mark Chapman and ex-England international Trevor Steven. Studio Manager: Emma Close Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Sej Asar, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 25, 2020•32 min
The news we've all been waiting for... three households can mix over Christmas in the UK. Adam, Vicki and Fergus take us through the festive yules... I mean rules. And Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, tells us why he thinks the stricter tiers system is a disaster for pubs, and why you might need a 'vaccine passport' to get into a festival next summer. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Rick Kelsey (new boy!), Jo Deahl, Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos...
Nov 24, 2020•29 min
The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is highly effective at stopping people developing Covid-19 symptoms, a large trial shows. And the Prime Minister announces that gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month. Adam is joined by Laura and Fergus to discuss the latest. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Frankie Tobi, Ben Weisz, Sej Asar Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos Got a question? Email n...
Nov 23, 2020•29 min
Adam is joined by the BBC's Sinéad Garvan to discuss the latest in the "Wagatha Christie" row. And Paul Johnson, from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, decodes next week's government spending review so you don't have to... Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 20, 2020•32 min
As Laura learns that Home Secretary Priti Patel appears to have been found in breach of the ministerial code - usually enough to quit Government - what will the Prime Minister do? Fergus is back - and while he might not be able to promise Adam and Chris the festivities they were hoping for this Christmas - he can bring more exciting vaccine news, this time about the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. And the gang are joined by former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, to talk leadership, lawsuits, and Chri...
Nov 19, 2020•32 min
Adam is joined by Chris Stark, from the UK's Climate Change Committee, to discuss the government's green plan. Can it actually be delivered? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 18, 2020•34 min
Jeremy Corbyn has been readmitted to the Labour Party he led until April. Iain Watson brings us up to speed with reaction from all sides. In other political news - time for a civics lesson for Laura and Adam from Scotland Editor Sarah Smith. The Prime Minister’s walked into another row over devolution - but what is it, exactly? And as the Government launches its post-Grenfell plan to make sure social housing residents don’t feel ignored again, Inside Housing’s Nathaniel Barker explains what it d...
Nov 17, 2020•37 min
Adam, Laura and James discuss the news that the Moderna vaccine has a nearly 95% efficacy rate. Nick Timothy, former joint Chief of Staff to Theresa May, joins us to dissect the latest Cummings and goings at 10 Downing Street. And get your shoulder pads at the ready! We talk the latest 80s-tastic season of The Crown with broadcasting legends Jennie Bond and Simon McCoy. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Jo Deahl Episode Editor: Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 16, 2020•40 min
Peter Sutcliffe, the serial killer who was serving a whole life term for murdering 13 women across Yorkshire and north-west England, has died. Adam is joined by Ex-police officer Bob Bridgestock, who worked on the Sutcliffe case. And the BBC's Sima Kotecha explains why Diwali celebrations may be difficult this year. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Alix Pickles, Georgia Coan, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 13, 2020•36 min
With a deadline looming for a deal with the EU, Adam is stalking Michel Barnier, Laura and Chris are avidly following the pandemonium in Downing St, while Katya is getting popcorn emojis from officials in Brussels...it’s just like old times! Brexitcast is back to explain what lies in the way of a post-Brexit trade deal, whether Joe Biden’s election makes it more or less likely to happen, and whether the pandemic is helping or hindering its chances of getting signed off. Studio Director: Gerard S...
Nov 12, 2020•31 min
Laura explains what's happening inside Downing Street on the day Boris Johnson's director of communications, Lee Cain, resigns. And Adam is joined by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex to talk about how he is preparing to roll out government’s plan to mass test students. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Jo Deahl, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 11, 2020•32 min
Adam and Fergus are joined by Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, to talk about distribution and regulation of the coronavirus vaccine. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 10, 2020•41 min
Preliminary analysis shows the first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting the virus. Fergus brings us his interview with the developers, Pfizer, and Professor of immunology, Peter Openshaw sets the news in context. And as hopes about the vaccine send global markets skyrocketing, Laura and BBC Business reporter Vishala Sri-Pathma help us understand who are the financial winners and losers. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi and Jo Deahl A...
Nov 09, 2020•39 min
Authorities in Denmark have found a mutated form of coronavirus in the country's mink farms. Should we be concerned? Dr Claire Standley joins James and Adam to explain the science behind mink and coronavirus. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Georgia Coan Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 06, 2020•30 min
As counting continues in the US presidential election, former politician and documentary maker Ed Balls shares the insights he learned meeting Trump supporters for his recent series. Chris and Vicki discuss the Government's about turn on the furlough scheme's return - responding to circumstance or last-minute decision? And if, like us, you've an ear for slide sass - you'll LOVE the latest from the Downing St press conference. Studio Director: Gerard Sudlow Producer: Ben Weisz, Patrick Baker, Sej...
Nov 05, 2020•30 min
The result of the US election will come down to the undeclared battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Anna Foster from Ohio to discuss the latest in the US election. And Heidi Larson, from the Vaccine Confidence Project, explains how to address concerns people have with the coronavirus vaccine. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Jo Deahl Output Editor: Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 04, 2020•34 min
Another terror attack on a major European city. This time it's Vienna, where a suspected islamist extremist opened fire. It's a city Katya Adler knows well - she joins Adam and Frank Gardner to discuss the apparent rise in these incidents, and the challenges facing Europe's leaders in deciding how to respond. Liverpool is to be the test case for mass testing - Mayor Joe Anderson explains how it's going to work, while Adam and Fergus pore through the new lockdown restrictions, hot off the press -...
Nov 03, 2020•37 min
Last week Fergus described the "positive" mood in a Newcastle Covid ward. Now, one week on, it’s a very different story in Liverpool as the intensive care units struggle to cope. And Johnny Depp has lost his libel case against the Sun newspaper over an article that called him a "wife beater". The BBC’s Helena Wilkinson talks Adam through the ruling. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Nov 02, 2020•35 min
On the day that the PM announces a four-week lockdown in England, Adam, Laura, Chris and Fergus discuss what we know and what it all means. Studio Director: Danny Cox Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Oct 31, 2020•33 min
Adam and James are joined by Dr Emma Hodcroft from the University of Basel to discuss the new coronavirus strain which was discovered in Spain. And the Castermind quiz returns for a second week. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Alix Pickles Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Oct 30, 2020•32 min
Labour has suspended Jeremy Corbyn from the party over his reaction to a highly critical report on anti-Semitism. Adam, Vicki Young and Nick Watt discuss what's in the long-awaited EHRC report. How did a party that prides itself on anti-racism ended up breaching the Equality Act? And is this the start of a civil war in the party? And how is France dealing with another grim terrorist attack and impending lockdown? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz and Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofo...
Oct 29, 2020•34 min
