Newscast - podcast cover

Newscast

BBC Newswww.bbc.co.uk

The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's big 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 developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.

Follow the new Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer. How will Kemi Badenoch do as leader of the Conservative party? Newscast will give you all the best insights from BBC News so you're across all the day's top stories.

Newscast is hosted by trusted 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480 Email [email protected] Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscast

Newscast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Newscast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Americast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Newscast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Episodes

Migration: Labour Put A Number On It

Shadow cabinet minister Darren Jones has told Laura that his party would bring down net migration to ‘normal levels’ of ‘a couple of hundred thousand a year’, by the end of a Labour government first term. And we hear from the families of newly released hostages in Israel, who Paddy’s been talking to. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Sam...

Nov 26, 202326 min

Immigration: How high is too high?

We try to answer some of the questions that politicians can’t. And Paddy goes to Stockton to find out what people in the constituency think of “s**tgate”. With thanks to Richard Drake at Drake The Bookshop in Stockton. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The senior news editors are...

Nov 25, 202326 min

Israel-Gaza: Hostages and detainees released

13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino hostage have been released by Hamas and are back in Israel. 39 Palestinian have been freed by Israeli authorities. The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet joins Adam in the studio to explain how these landmark releases played out. And the special envoy on Covid-19 for the World Health Organisation, Dr David Nabarro swings by to analyse another eventful week in the Covid-19 inquiry. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tin...

Nov 24, 202330 min

How Much Will Energy Cost Next Year?

Energy bills are on the up and Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is on the pod to chat to Adam and Chris about what you can do about it. He also shared his thoughts on the Autumn Statement And as we find out that net migration - the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK and those leaving - hit 745,000 last year, Adam speaks to Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's ...

Nov 23, 202332 min

Autumn Statement: Are Taxes Really Getting Cut?

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced ‘the biggest tax cut in British history’ for businesses and the ‘largest ever tax cut for workers’ in today’s Autumn Statement. But are these tax cuts all they seem? How come overall the tax burden will rise to the highest level since the Second World War? And did the Chancellor hint at a spring election? Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam and the chief executive of the CBI Rain Newton-Smith to talk this all through. You ca...

Nov 22, 202332 min

How Did the Police Handle the Nicola Bulley Case?

A damning report into the Nicola Bulley case finds that the release of sensitive personal information was “avoidable and unnecessary”. On the release of personal information, Lancashire Police's Deputy Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett said: "We worked proactively with the Information Commissioner's Office immediately after the disclosure was made and they concluded that no action was required against the force.” Following the disappearance which sparked a TikTok frenzy, what can we learn from the ...

Nov 21, 202337 min

Covid Inquiry: Diary of a CSA (Sir Patrick Vallance)

In today’s session at the Covid Inquiry, more of chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance’s diary was revealed. He described Boris Johnson as ‘weak and indecisive’ and being ‘clearly bamboozled’ by Covid science. Adam and Chris talk to health correspondent, Jim Reed, to understand what we can learn from the evidence. And staff at OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, demanded the return of their former boss, Sam Altman, after he was unexpectedly fired. Adam is joined by the BBC’s technology edito...

Nov 20, 202331 min

Are Tax Cuts Coming?

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is finalising spending plans ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Statement. Laura’s been speaking to him this morning, as well as his opposite number from Labour, Rachel Reeves. And Paddy’s been hearing from people across the country who’ve told him what they would like to hear from the chancellor. Economics editor Faisal Islam is in the studio to talk it all through. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast wa...

Nov 19, 202332 min

Making an Autumn Statement: What could we hear from the chancellor next week?

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is considering cutting inheritance and business taxes, the BBC has been told. He will present new economic policies in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday. Former Treasury minister, David Gauke, gives Laura and Paddy an inside look into how Autumn Statements are made. And they unpack another busy week of Westminster politics. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and P...

Nov 18, 202331 min

Israel-Gaza: Is The Aid Enough?

Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and international editor Jeremy Bowen to discuss the latest from the Israel-Gaza conflict. As Israel agrees to allow more fuel into Gaza, the IDF try to prove that Al-Shifa Hospital was a key Hamas command centre. Why has Israel let in aid now? How could the US influence Netanyahu to call a ceasefire? And how is this conflict different to other recent wars? You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscas...

Nov 17, 202329 min

A Week is a Long Time in Politics

Eight shadow ministers have resigned or were sacked from Labour’s frontbench after voting for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. And new foreign secretary David Cameron makes his first visit to Ukraine. Adam and Chris talk over the huge political stories of the week with Ava-Santina Evans, political correspondent at PoliticsJOE, and Patrick Maguire, columnist at The Times. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was ...

Nov 16, 202335 min

Rishi, Rwanda and Human Rights (Plus a Labour Rebellion)

Rishi Sunak says he will introduce emergency legislation to “confirm Rwanda is safe” but with pressure mounting from his party, how far will he actually go? Home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani joins Adam and Chris. And as UK inflation drops to its lowest rate in two years, the government says its pledge to halve inflation has been met early. Adam talks to economics correspondent, Dharshini David to find out more. Plus, immediate reaction as Sir Keir Starmer suffers a major rebellion ov...

Nov 15, 202333 min

Rwanda Flights CANCELLED

The Supreme Court has ruled that the government’s Rwanda asylum plan is unlawful. But Rishi Sunak says the government are not giving up on the plan. How did the Supreme Court reach this ruling? And what could Rishi Sunak do next? Adam and Chris are joined by political correspondent Alex Forsyth and home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani to talk it all through. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam ...

Nov 15, 202330 min

Braverman's Revenge

Suella Braverman launches a full-scale attack on her old boss Rishi Sunak, a day after he sacked her as home secretary. In a blistering letter to the prime minister, she said he had repeatedly failed on key policies and broken pledges over immigration. Adam and Chris are joined by former BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw and former special advisor at the home office Salma Shah to discuss what it all means. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommu...

Nov 14, 202338 min

The David Cameron Interview

The new foreign secretary speaks. Chris talks it through with Adam, and they reflect on a day of changes in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Sam McLaren and Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Nov 13, 202334 min

David Cameron Returns

The former prime minister is in government, and Suella Braverman isn’t. David Cameron is foreign secretary and James Cleverly has been moved to the Home Office after Rishi Sunak’s latest cabinet reshuffle. Cameron, who was prime minister from 2010 to 2016, isn’t a sitting MP but has now been appointed to the House of Lords. Adam and Chris are joined by chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman and Cameron’s former deputy chief of staff Baroness Kate Fall to discuss his return. You can join our...

Nov 13, 202336 min

London Protests: Braverman on the Brink?

There’s pressure on the home secretary after protest violence at the weekend and Laura’s been talking to defence secretary Grant Shapps about whether she could lose her job. Laura and James are joined by chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman to talk all this through. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and James Cook. It was made by Chris Flynn and Joe Wilkinson. The technical produce...

Nov 12, 202326 min

London Protests: What Happened?

Arrests in London as thousands attend pro-Palestinian march and counter-protest. Home editor Mark Easton has been on the street and in the Metropolitan Police’s control room - in a secret underground location. He’s in the Newscast studio. And Laura gives her take on whether Rishi Sunak is being made to look weak by Suella Braverman. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and James Cook. It was ...

Nov 11, 202326 min

The Protests and the Police

The police prepare for an unprecedented security operation ahead of a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London. James talks to home and legal affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani and former Met Police Chief Superintendent, Dal Babu, about how to police a protest. And Alex Forsyth gives us the latest updates on how members of the Cabinet have responded - or avoided responding - to Suella Braverman's comments. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityh...

Nov 10, 202335 min

Suella Braverman: Home Secretary Under the Hammer?

Suella Braverman is facing questions about her future. Adam and Chris talk with GB News’ Christopher Hope, Politico’s Rosa Prince, and the Daily Mirror’s John Stevens. Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Chris Flynn with Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Ged Sudlow. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Nov 09, 202336 min

Covid inquiry: Talking "chickenpox parties"

Ex-civil service chief apologises for suggestions made during the pandemic. To help analyse the latest at the Covid inquiry, Adam is joined by health correspondent Jim Reed and Emma Norris from the Institute for Government. And Adam talks to Professor Ed Hawkins, who's on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, about why this year is set to become the hottest year on record. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere. Today's Newscast was pr...

Nov 08, 202332 min

Three King’s Speech Takeaways

King Charles has set out the government’s agenda for the year. We look at what it could mean in practice. Adam and Chris are joined by Danny Shaw to discuss plans to bring in tougher sentences on some serious crimes. There were also housing policy plans announced, making it harder for landlords to evict tenants and changes to the leasehold system England and Wales. Vicky Spratt helps make sense of what it means. And, Adam talks to Financial Times technology reporter Cristina Criddle about a new ...

Nov 07, 202334 min

Marching Orders: Met Police Urges Demo Delay

The Metropolitan Police has urged the organisers of pro-Palestinian marches to call off their planned demonstration on Armistice Day. The home secretary, Suella Braverman, said there was a “risk of serious public disorder” if the marches went ahead. To help understand the challenges and complexities of policing these events, Adam is joined by former Met detective superintendent Shabnam Chaudhri and the BBC’s home affairs correspondent, Dominic Casciani. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described a...

Nov 06, 202334 min

Covid Inquiry Consequences

Evidence at the Covid inquiry has shown there were huge tensions within Number 10 during the pandemic. But is what we're hearing damaging the reputation of the current government? Laura’s been talking to the Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden about it. We also discuss the political and policing challenges of plans for a mass rally next Saturday on Armistice Day. Laura and Paddy are joined by chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman to talk this all through. You can join our Newscast online c...

Nov 05, 202327 min

Sunak’s 2024 plans and his ‘bromance’ with Musk

King Charles will outline the government's law-making plans in Parliament on Tuesday. All the expected announcements, including plans to ban no fault evictions for renters, and to restrict the use of tents by homeless people. Was Sunak's chat with Elon Musk the start of a new 'bromance'? Plus Paddy and Laura's tribute to actor Matthew Perry and what Friends means to them. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by ...

Nov 04, 202329 min

In the room with Sunak and Musk

The prime minister has been speaking to tech billionaire Elon Musk, who said that at some point all jobs would be redundant because of artificial intelligence. Technology editor Zoe Kleinman was in the room, and is on Newscast. Correspondent Daniel De Simone is also on, discussing the latest evidence he’s found in the murder case of Stephen Lawrence, which raises further questions about a 6th suspect in the case. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommun...

Nov 03, 202333 min

The Covid Inquiry Enquiries

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, 202334 min

Why Were Women 'Invisible' During Covid?

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, 202336 min

Covid Inquiry: Government Short Cummings?

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, 202340 min

WhatsAppening at the Covid Inquiry?

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, 202334 min
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