We look at how Westminster is reacting to the US and UK airstrikes in Yemen. Laura and Paddy discuss why the UK got involved, Sunak’s decision not to ask Parliament first, and Labour backing the military action. Laura’s got Sir Keir Starmer on her BBC One show on Sunday, and the Sunday Times’ Gabriel Pogrund is currently writing a book about him. Gabriel joins to give Newscasters the inside track on what’s going on inside the Labour party. You can join our Newscast online community here: https:/...
Jan 13, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at why the UK and US have launched airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes were "necessary and proportionate" to protect the global shipping routes in response to a series of attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis say they have been supporting Hamas by targeting ships on route to Israel. Meanwhile, the UK have announced a £2.5bn aid package to Ukraine with Rishi Sunak visiting Kyiv. This weekend als...
Jan 12, 2024•34 min
Today, we look at the return of the Rwanda Bill as the Prime Minister faces a significant potential rebellion from his own side. More than 40 Tory MPs on the right of the party, including Liz Truss, argue the legislation must be toughened up. But former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, from the centrist One Nation group of MPs, has backed three changes which would tone down some measures. James and Chris talk to Robert Jenrick the former Immigration Minister who resigned over the policy in...
Jan 11, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s plan to bring in a new law that will overturn convictions for victims of the Horizon IT scandal. James and Chris talk to Rebecca Thomson, the journalist who first broke the story back in 2009. Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee is also on, after having grilled Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, over the UK’s approach to the war in the middle east, as well as military support for Ukraine. You can join our Newscast online community here: ...
Jan 10, 2024•34 min
Today, we look at why Paula Vennells, ex-boss of the Post Office, is handing back her CBE. After the broadcast of ITV drama - Mr Bates vs The Post Office - pressure has mounted on Ms Vennells to return her honour following the IT scandal, with more than a million people signing a petition for it to be stripped. In a statement Ms Vennells says she has “listened” and is “truly sorry”. James and Chris speak to West Midlands Mayor and former John Lewis boss Andy Street. They also talk devolution, co...
Jan 09, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at how Covid-19 continues to affect people’s lives after the death of author and political adviser Derek Draper, husband of Kate Garraway. The TV presenter announced on Friday that the 56-year-old had died after living with extreme complications from Covid, and released a video message today thanking people for their support. Is this the most high profile case of long covid? And how many people across the UK have the condition? To answer these questions, James Cook speaks to a suf...
Jan 08, 2024•35 min
Today, we hear Laura’s interview with the prime minister in which he confirmed he’s looking at a review of Post Office prosecutions. He’s also pressed on immigration and NHS strikes. To help unpack what Sunak said, chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman joins Laura and Paddy. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunity here Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Clare Williamson. The ...
Jan 07, 2024•40 min
Laura’s preparing for an interview with Rishi Sunak on Sunday. She and Paddy are joined by political journalist and documentary maker Michael Cockerell, who’s interviewed nearly every prime minister from 1963 onwards. And, the government is facing another by-election after Tory MP Chris Skidmore announced he’ll be resigning earlier than already planned. Laura also talks about documents she’s seen showing Rishi Sunak’s doubts over the Rwanda scheme while he was chancellor. You can join our Newsca...
Jan 06, 2024•23 min
Today we look at the Post Office Scandal, where over 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were wrongly prosecuted due to a flaw in a computer system. Adam is joined by former sub-postmistress, Jo Hamilton, the writer of the ITV drama ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ Gwyneth Hughes and former Government minister for postal affairs, Paul Scully. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political n...
Jan 05, 2024•38 min
Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s hints of an autumn election and Keir Starmer’s New Year’s speech. Did the prime minister steal the Labour leader’s political thunder with his election announcement? Adam and Chris discuss Keir Starmer’s plan to convince people that change is possible and what Rishi Sunak’s ‘working assumption’ really means. And Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle MP talks about Labour’s plans for the economy, AI and the Post Office scandal. ...
Jan 04, 2024•28 min
Today, we look at the junior doctors strike, a teenage darting sensation and the return of the Traitors. As Junior doctors begin the longest strike in NHS history Adam is joined by Dr Adrian Boyle, president of Royal College of Emergency Medicine, to find out what the 6-day walkout means for NHS services. And at the age of 16, Luke Littler is now the youngest person ever to make the final of the World Darts Championship. What makes him so special? And what does a teenager do with hundreds of tho...
Jan 03, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at the government’s claim that it has cleared the backlog of older asylum cases. The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has said that “every single” legacy application has been processed, meeting one of Sunak’s pledges, but is that the case? To delve into the numbers, Adam is joined by Madeleine Sumption from The Migration Observatory, and Nick Eardley from BBC Verify. And, after criticism following the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry, Ofsted announced that inspectors will receive...
Jan 02, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at the big stories that will dominate the headlines in 2024. What’s going to happen with the conflict in Israel-Gaza? Will the stalemate in the Ukraine war be broken? Can Donald Trump become the Republican nominee and regain the White House or will Joe Biden retain the presidency? And what impact is AI and social media going to have in 2024? Adam is joined by Marianna Spring and Justin Webb from Americast, Vitaly Shevchenko from Ukrainecast and the BBC’s chief international corres...
Dec 29, 2023•35 min
More than two billion people go to the polls next year in elections across the world. So, with that in mind, Adam catches up with political scientist Ben Ansell. Professor Ben Ansell delivered this year’s BBC Radio 4 Reith Lectures, following in the footsteps of Robert Oppenheimer, Hilary Mantel and Stephen Hawking. They’re called: Our Democratic Future and in this episode, Adam and Ben discuss how we can make politics work for all of us in the 21st century. Listen to all the Reith Lectures here...
Dec 28, 2023•26 min
It’s nearly the end of 2023, so time to take a stroll down memory lane and look at what happened in politics over the past year. Adam Fleming is joined by all the Newscast hosts: Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper and Chris Flynn. The techn...
Dec 27, 2023•35 min
Christmas has come early for Adam as he unwraps three Christmas presents. Each present contains a story and a special guest! You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham
Dec 23, 2023•30 min
Today, we look back at the past 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Newscast’s Adam Fleming and The Conflict’s Lyse Doucet discuss the challenges and considerations facing BBC journalists while they report on the war. Revisiting powerful moments from interviews with the BBC’s Gaza Correspondent, Rushdi Abualouf, Anna Foster, Middle East Correspondent and International Editor, Jeremy Bowen - they describe events as they unfolded. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news s...
Dec 22, 2023•29 min
Today, we look at Donald Trump’s disqualification from the Colorado ballot. The state’s Supreme Court has ruled him ineligible because of his actions in the run up to the US Capital riot in 2021. Americast’s Sarah Smith and Justin Webb join to discuss whether this could be the beginning of the end for his 2024 bid. And the departing First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, is in the studio to talk about his political legacy, as well as really liking cheese. You can join our Newscast online commu...
Dec 21, 2023•36 min
Today we look at the verdict in the trial of the murder of Brianna Ghey. The 16 year old, who was transgender, was stabbed 28 times in a “ferocious” attack in a park in Cheshire. Girl X and boy Y, who can’t be named for legal reasons, were found guilty of murder after the jury deliberated for 4 hours and 40 minutes. Adam is joined by the BBC’s North of England correspondent Judith Moritz and BBC North West reporter Katie Barnfield to discuss the case. You can join our Newscast online community h...
Dec 20, 2023•25 min
Today we look at the transgender guidance for schools released by the Department of Education. The guidance focuses on a number of areas including the role of parents in social transitioning, single sex spaces and fairness in sport. The BBC’s education Branwen Jeffreys and the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Geoff Barton join Adam to breakdown what this guidance means for pupils, parents and teachers. And a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland has eru...
Dec 19, 2023•33 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at BP’s decision to pause all Red Sea shipments after rebel attacks. The firm blamed the "deteriorating security situation" in the region as Iran-backed Houthis target ships they believe are bound for Israel. Adam speaks to Diplomatic correspondent James Landale and John Stawpert from the International Chamber of Shipping to find out what it means and how it could affect prices here. And, the gov...
Dec 18, 2023•31 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. In this episode, Laura and Paddy bring you the reaction to the interview with Baroness Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman. They’re also joined by chief political correspondent, Henry Zeffman, as the government and Labour respond. Hear the extended interview with Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h02s78 This episode of Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell...
Dec 17, 2023•24 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. In this special episode, we bring you an extended interview with Baroness Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman. She admits that she stands to benefit from tens of millions of pounds of profit from PPE that was sold to the UK government during the pandemic by a company led by her husband. The couple also accept that they lied to the press about their involvement with the firm. This episode of Newscast was presented by Lau...
Dec 17, 2023•50 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. Today, Laura and Paddy preview an interview with Baroness Mone, the Tory peer and entrepreneur at the center of a PPE scandal during the pandemic. Extended interview out tomorrow. They also talk about the possible return of a devolved government return in Northern Ireland, and give their political predictions for 2024. Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with...
Dec 16, 2023•24 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at the High Court ruling that Prince Harry was the victim of phone hacking by Mirror Group Newspapers. MGN issue a statement saying the group “apologises unreservedly”. What does this mean for the future of the Royal Family, and for the press in this country? Adam is joined by media editor Katie Razzall, home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds, and royal commentator Peter Hunt. You can join our Newscast onl...
Dec 15, 2023•32 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at the big questions hanging over Westminster as MPs prepare to break for Christmas recess. What next for the Rwanda Bill? When might we see a General Election? and who’s favourite flavour of ice cream is vanilla? Adam is joined by Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans, Labour MP + Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire and SNP Cabinet Office Spokesperson Kirsty Blackman You can join our Newscast on...
Dec 14, 2023•34 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at the deal that’s been agreed at COP28. Climate editor Justin Rowlatt goes through the detail, and Nigel Topping from the Climate Change Committee tells us what it means. And Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced he will be stepping down in March. Former Wales political editor and host of Walescast, Felicity Evans, explains why. You can join our Newscast online community here: https...
Dec 13, 2023•32 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at vote on the Rwanda Bill. After a charm offensive to his back bench MPs, the Prime Minister managed to shore up enough support for his Rwanda bill. Adam and Chris look at what happened today in the Commons and whether the real test is yet to come? Meanwhile, climate talks run into the night at COP28 as countries try to salvage a deal to prevent it from being seen as a failure. Adam is joined by...
Dec 12, 2023•26 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at what’s happening with the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Conservative MPs met throughout the day to discuss the plan ahead of crunch vote for Rishi Sunak. Adam is joined by Chris Mason and former No10 communications director Craig Oliver. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister spent the day giving evidence to the Covid inquiry and defended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Adam speaks with BBC He...
Dec 11, 2023•35 min
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest news stories from the BBC. Today, we look at the divisions within the Conservative Party. Laura’s been talking Robert Jenrick who resigned as immigration minister this week, as well as the levelling up secretary, Michael Gove. Former No. 10 advisor and founder of the blog site Conservative Home Tim Montgomerie is in the Newscast studio reacting to what they had to say. And we look ahead at Rishi Sunak’s evidence at the Covid inquiry on Monday. You...
Dec 10, 2023•30 min
