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Newscast

BBC Newswww.bbc.co.uk

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

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Episodes

Ukraine in ‘mortal danger’ without aid: First Lady Zelenska with Laura in Kyiv

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at the war in Ukraine. In an exclusive interview Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska warns of “mortal danger” if financial support to her country isn’t continued. 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 Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Jonny Hal...

Dec 09, 202320 min

What Next For Ofsted?

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at what’s next for Ofsted. This follows an inquest into the death of head teacher Ruth Perry which ruled that Ofsted contributed to her death. The BBC’s education editor Branwen Jeffreys, professor of Sociology of Education at UCL Institute of Education, Alice Bradbury, and executive principal of Passmores cooperative, Vic Goddard, join Adam to discuss the future of the schools regulator. And the sports mi...

Dec 08, 202334 min

Sunak defends Rwanda plan

The prime minister has defended his Rwanda bill at a press conference in which he described the plan as the “toughest immigration law ever”. But his own party is split over it. It came the morning after the resignation of immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who said the new law wasn’t tough enough. And former Prime Minister Boris Johnson finishes his evidence at the Covid inquiry after being asked about partygate, Eat Out to Help Out and his time in hospital. Adam and Chris are is joined by Bor...

Dec 07, 202333 min

Boris Johnson at Covid Inquiry + SURPRISE Government Resignation

Today on Newscast, the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives evidence to the Covid inquiry in the first of a two-day questioning of his government’s handling of the pandemic. Adam is joined by the BBC’s health reporter Jim Reed as well as Alex Thomas from the Institute for Government and The FT’s Lucy Fisher to unpack the key issues and what we’ve learnt from his evidence. And, the government has published emergency Rwanda legislation which makes clear that in UK law, Rwanda is a safe countr...

Dec 06, 202333 min

Rwanda Plan Takes Flight?

The home secretary, James Cleverly has signed a new asylum treaty with the Rwandan government in an attempt to address the concerns of the Supreme Court. Adam is joined by former home office advisor Claire Pearsall and the BBC’s West Africa correspondent Mayeni Jones to unpack what’s in the treaty and why it matters. And what’s happening at COP28? The BBC’s climate editor Justin Rowlatt and former political strategist to the UNFCC Tom Rivett-Carnac explain what has been going on at the climate c...

Dec 05, 202335 min

How much is too much legal migration?

The home secretary, James Cleverly, has announced a five-point plan aimed at delivering the “biggest ever cut” in net migration to the UK. James looks at how different sectors might be impacted. We hear from Lord Bilimoria, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer, Crossbench Peer and Vice President of the CBI who thinks this is an “economically illiterate” plan. And Nadra Ahmed, Chair of the National Care Association, who insists this will only heighten staff shortages. You can join our Newscast onli...

Dec 04, 202332 min

Keir Starmer’s Maggie Thatcher Splash

The Labour leader has said the former Tory leader effected "meaningful change” in the Sunday Telegraph. Paddy’s been speaking to him about why. Also, as we head into the winter, Laura has been talking to the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins about whether the NHS is ready. Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg, Paddy O’Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Chris Flynn with Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspin...

Dec 03, 202329 min

What’s Boris Johnson going to say at the Covid inquiry?

Former PM Boris Johnson will appear at the Covid inquiry next week, and journalists are being told what to expect. Laura and Paddy talk about his media management. They also look back at a week in which Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with the Greek PM. We hear from Greece’s former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis on the issue at the heart of it - the Pantheon Sculptures. And former Australian PM Julia Gillard is on from COP28 in Dubai to talk about what’s happening there, and her climate legac...

Dec 02, 202334 min

Royal Ties

Buckingham Palace says it's considering all options, after the King and Princess of Wales were identified as two members of the Royal Family who allegedly discussed the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan's son. The names appeared in a Dutch translation of a book which the author insists was an error. Adam speaks to BBC Royal Correspondent Jonny Diamond. And King Charles is currently is at a major climate gathering in Dubai, where he’s warned COP28 delegates that the world is far off track fr...

Dec 01, 202330 min

Sadiq Khan on Alistair Darling, COP and Xmas Trees

Adam chats to Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan about Alistair Darling, COP28, Ulez and the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. And as Matt Hancock faces the Covid inquiry, Chris and former civil servant Jill Rutter give their analysis. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham....

Nov 30, 202334 min

COP28: A Guide to the Climate Change Conference

The 28th Climate Change Conference starts on Thursday in Dubai, and we’re giving you all the information you need to make sense of it. To guide us through: - Nigel Topping, business champion at the Climate Change Committee - Vanessa Nakate, climate activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador - Jordan Dunbar, host of BBC’s The Climate Question podcast You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made ...

Nov 29, 202333 min

Is Rishi Sunak Losing his Elgin Marbles?

Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at short notice after an argument over the Parthenon Sculptures aka the Elgin Marbles. To unpack this disagreement Adam and Chris are joined by historian and comedian Natalie Haynes. And an inquest into the death of Ruth Perry, a primary school headteacher who took her own life following an Ofsted inspection started today. Adam speaks to the BBC’s education editor Branwen Jeffreys. You can join our Newscast online ...

Nov 28, 202330 min

Fair COP?

Documents obtained by the BBC show the UAE wanted to discuss new fossil fuel projects with a number of countries at COP28. The BBC’s climate editor and the journalist who got the scoop, Justin Rowlatt and Professor of Political Economy at University of Sheffield, Michael Jacobs joined Adam to discuss what this means for this week’s climate conference. And a new pay offer has been made to consultants in England. The deputy chair of the BMA consultants committee, Dr Shanu Datta says this doesn’t m...

Nov 27, 202329 min

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
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