Today, we look at the financial crisis at Birmingham City Council, which has led to the “largest” budget cut in local authority history + How is IVF impacting the US Presidential Race? The council is attempting to fill a £300m budget shortfall over the next two years after effectively declaring itself bankrupt in September. Plans to tackle the deficit over the next two years were signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday ahead of being voted on by the full council on 5 March. Adam speaks to BBC polit...
Feb 27, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at the continued row over Lee Anderson’s refusal to apologise for comments aimed at Sadiq Khan. The Ashfield MP has said his words were “clumsy”, but said saying sorry “would be a sign of weakness”. Rishi Sunak says the comments by Mr Anderson were “wrong” but fell short of describing them as Islamophobic. Plus Adam and Chris are joined by leader of the SNP in the House of Commons, Stephen Flynn who says the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is “pulling parliament into disrepute”. You can joi...
Feb 26, 2024•30 min
Today we look at the Conservative party’s response to Lee Anderson’s comments about the London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Laura’s been talking to the Deputy PM Oliver Dowden. Paddy’s interviewed the former justice secretary Robert Buckland. Newsnight political editor Nick Watt is also in the Newscast studio for analysis on the politics of it all, and he helps us get to the bottom of the row over whether the Speaker was threatened before his key Commons decision. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the ...
Feb 25, 2024•31 min
Today, we look at the reasons behind Lee Anderson’s suspension from the Tory party after "refusing to apologise" for comments aimed at Sadiq Khan. The London Mayor has accused Anderson of racism. Laura and Paddy also speak to Vadym Prystaiko, former Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, about the two year anniversary of the Russian full scale invasion of Ukraine, and about his sacking by Volodymyr Zelensky. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere News...
Feb 24, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at Shamima Begum losing her latest bid to regain UK citizenship, and the upcoming release of Keir Starmer’s political biography. Begum has lost an appeal against a decision to revoke her UK citizenship. The 24 year old travelled to Syria aged 15 to join Islamic State Group, with the government revoking her citizenship in 2019. Is this the end of her legal options? Adam is joined by Joshua Baker, creator of ‘I’m Not A Monster, The Shamima Begum Story’. To hear the full story, liste...
Feb 23, 2024•33 min
Today we look at the pressure building on Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and ask whether he could be replaced as speaker of the House of Commons? Rishi Sunak says Sir Lindsay Hoyle's decision to break with convention on a Gaza ceasefire vote is "very concerning". More than 60 MPs now say they have no confidence in Hoyle, who has apologised twice for making the "wrong decision". Adam speaks to defence secretary Grant Shapps about that, the anniversary of the war in Ukraine and the failed Trident missile laun...
Feb 22, 2024•36 min
Today we look at the chaotic scenes in Westminster over Gaza ceasefire votes. A row erupted after the Commons Speaker allowed MPs to vote on a Labour motion on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The SNP and Conservatives accused Sir Lindsay Hoyle of breaking with precedent for allowing the votes - and chaos ensued. Plus a row over who said what about government delays in payments to sub-postmasters. Adam is joined by the BBC’s business editor, Simon Jack and Newsnight’s political editor, Nick Watt to go...
Feb 21, 2024•41 min
Today, we look at Prince William’s calls to end the fighting in Israel and Gaza, as the US warn Israel not to invade the city of Rafah. The US has vetoed a resolution at the UN demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after proposing its own draft urging a temporary ceasefire. Plus Labour change their stance as they call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the first time. To find out why, Adam and Chris speak to international editor Jeremy Bowen. And Rishi Sunak announces support for far...
Feb 20, 2024•38 min
Today, we look at new guidance given to schools on mobile phones + whether citizens’ assemblies could help solve some of the big issues in our democracy. The government has announced new advice for schools in England to try to stop mobile phone use. To explain what difference it will make, Adam is joined in the studio by the BBC’s education editor, Branwen Jeffreys, former children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield and headteacher Becky Arnold. And Labour could implement citizens’ assemblies to pro...
Feb 19, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at where the Conservatives go now after big byelection losses in the week, and how the West might respond to the death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Laura and Paddy are joined by BBC chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman to discuss the challenges the Conservatives face from Reform and Labour’s divisions over a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. We also hear from the wives of two politicians in prison. The exiled Belrusian opposition politician Sviatlan...
Feb 18, 2024•28 min
Today, we look at the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and speak to the youngest peer ever to be appointed to the House of Lords. Laura and Paddy are joined by Marina Litvinenko, the wife of Alexander Litvinenko whose killing in London is suspected to have been carried out by Russian agents in 2006. She discusses how Alexei Navalny’s death reminds her of the murder of her husband. When asked about how he died, Dmitry Peskov, Mr Putin's spokesman, said "medics must somehow figure...
Feb 17, 2024•24 min
Putin’s main rival, opposition politician Alexei Navalny, is dead according to the Russian prison service. This is today's Ukrainecast episode, and we thought you might want to listen to it. BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford, who was herself expelled from Russia, explains what we know so far - and if the Kremlin could face any consequences. And Georgian-Russian writer Boris Akunin, a long-standing critic of Putin and personal friend of Navalny, gives his reaction to the news....
Feb 16, 2024•21 min
Today, we look at the results from a double by-election day in a special live version of Newscast. Labour has won two by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood, overturning big Conservative majorities in the process. Where does this leave the government? How well did Reform do? Adam and Paddy are in the studio, Chris is in a messy bedroom, and they are joined by pollster, Scarlett Maguire, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Peter Kyle. Plus chief political correspondent, Henry Zeffman and...
Feb 16, 2024•48 min
Today, we look at whether the UK could have been prevented from falling into a recession? Official figures show people spending less, doctors' strikes and a fall in school attendance dragged the UK into recession at the end of last year. The figures raise questions over whether Rishi Sunak has met his pledge made last January to grow the economy. Adam and Chris speak to BBC Chief Economics Correspondent Dharshini David and Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation Torsten Bell. Plus, after ta...
Feb 15, 2024•31 min
Today, we look at whether Nato can survive another Trump presidency, and an investigation into the deepfake of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Nato defence spending has hit a record, as members of the defensive alliance are faced with rising Russian aggression and the potential election of Donald Trump. At a rally in South Carolina, Mr Trump said he would "encourage" Russia to attack any Nato member that did not meet its defence spending quota. Can Nato survive a Trump presidency? To find out, Adam spe...
Feb 14, 2024•32 min
Today, we hear tributes to the DJ Steve Wright. We also look Labour’s suspension of a second parliamentary candidate after allegations he made comments about Israel. Steve Wright, who presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, has died at the age of 69. We hear from his friends and former colleagues: fellow DJ Tony Blackburn and presenter Nicky Campbell. Also Labour withdraws support for their candidate in the upcoming Rochdale by-election, Azhar Ali who claimed...
Feb 13, 2024•37 min
Adam is back from his holiday and in classic Newscast fashion, there's some breaking news just before we hit publish. But earlier, we looked at warnings the NHS is unprepared to offer two breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs. Medical editor Fergus Walsh and Dr Susan Kohlhaas from Alzheimer's Research UK join Adam to discuss whether medical science could be overtaking the health system. And, Israel’s military focus has turned to the southern Gazan city of Rafah. International editor Jeremy Bowen explai...
Feb 12, 2024•36 min
The Conservatives first promised to end the right of landlords to evict tenants without a reason in 2019. Now, five years later, the Housing Secretary reveals on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that it’ll become law in time for this year’s election. Paddy has been speaking to Post Office campaigner Alan Bates after it was revealed that Fujitsu UK paid its top executives more than £26m in the 25 years since the controversial Horizon contract with the Post Office started. And, we hear from Ralph Fien...
Feb 11, 2024•29 min
Today we look at why Labour has U-turned on £28 billion of green spending ahead of the next general election and how attitudes towards climate policies have shifted in recent years. Paddy and Laura also discuss the upcoming by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough and what voters in both constituencies are most concerned about. And, why has Labour leader Keir Starmer appeared on the cover of Vogue? You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Tod...
Feb 10, 2024•28 min
Today, we look at whether Joe Biden is too old to run for President again? Biden’s competency is under scrutiny after an investigation into the handling of classified documents found him to be ‘a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory’. In fiery exchanges with reporters last night the President said “My memory is fine. Take a look at what I’ve done since I’ve become President”. James is joined by the editor in chief of the Wall Street Journal Emma Tucker and North American Correspondent Jo...
Feb 09, 2024•40 min
Today, we look at Labour ditching it’s £28bn green investment pledge. The spending, announced in 2021, had been a key part of the party's plans to reach climate targets and secure green jobs. The U-turn has already faced criticism from within Labour. Chris has been speaking to Keir Starmer, who's blaming the Conservatives. James and Chris are also joined by the Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast ...
Feb 08, 2024•31 min
Today, we look at calls for the PM to apologise after joking about Labour's position on trans people when the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey - who was transgender - was in Parliament. Brianna’s father has told Sky News the comments were “degrading”. Chris talks James through the controversy. And, the government has announced a package aimed at sorting problems in dentistry. Health correspondent Dominic Hughes explains the measures. Dentist Brenda Macmillan explains the problems. Patient S...
Feb 07, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at the return of Liz Truss and talk about online safety with the children’s commissioner for England. Former prime minister Liz Truss launched the Popular Conservatism movement today alongside Tory backbench MPs including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson. James Cook is joined by LBC’s Iain Dale and the political editor of Tortoise, Catherine Neilan, to discuss what the new faction means for Rishi Sunak. And after Laura Kuenssberg’s interview at the weekend with Esther Ghey, mo...
Feb 06, 2024•32 min
Today we look at the news that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. Buckingham Palace announced that he began “regular treatments” on Monday. The statement also said that the King “remains wholly positive about his treatment", but has stepped back from public duties. Royal correspondent Daniela Relph talks us through details we know and don’t know about his condition. Political editor Chris Mason explains how this will affect the business of state. Health correspondent Dominic Hughes...
Feb 05, 2024•22 min
In an emotional interview the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey says she is "open" to speaking to the mother of one of her daughter's killers. Esther Ghey has also called for the government to stop children having access to social media apps on smartphones, calling the internet the "Wild West". You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Feb 04, 2024•14 min
Today, we look at a campaign from the mother of murdered teenage Brianna Ghey to stop children having access to social media apps on smartphones. Speaking for the first time since the killers’ sentencing Ms Ghey called for the government to stop children having access to social media apps on smartphones, calling the internet the "Wild West". Esther Ghey also told Laura Kuenssberg she wanted the mother of Scarlett Jenkinson, one of Brianna’s murderers, to know she did not blame her for what happe...
Feb 04, 2024•27 min
Today, we look at the success of a campaign by parents of children who may have died due to online harms to get more information from tech companies. Coroners will be able to demand data from firms when holding an inquest into the circumstances of a child's death. Campaigners have been pushing for new powers to get information from companies after the difficulties the coroner faced dealing with social media firms in the case of Molly Russell. Also Paddy and Laura are joined by Julian Smith, Cons...
Feb 03, 2024•28 min
Today we look at why a convicted sex offender, now wanted for an attack involving a chemical, was given permission to stay in the UK in 2020. Abdul Shokoor Ezedi is alleged to have thrown an alkali onto a woman and her two children, injuring them and nine others in the process. James is joined by BBC London reporter, Matt Graveling and immigration lawyer, Jacqueline McKenzie. And big tech is under the spotlight as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other tech bosses gave evidence to the US senate abou...
Feb 02, 2024•31 min
Today, we look at the government’s budget plans, after the chancellor said there is likely to be less scope for tax cuts in the March Budget than there was last autumn. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott is in the studio to discuss. Also joining James and Chris are former Conservative cabinet minister David Gauke, and Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was pr...
Feb 01, 2024•32 min
Today we look at the Covid Inquiry, where former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave evidence, and we bring you the detail on Northern Ireland’s new Brexit deal. An emotional Nicola Sturgeon also defended deleting all her WhatsApp messages during the period saying that all “relevant” information was provided to the inquiry. BBC Scotland‘s Lorna Gordon and David Wallace Lockhart update James on a busy day at the inquiry. On Wednesday afternoon we got the details of the deal that’s set to send a p...
Jan 31, 2024•34 min
