Diplomatic correspondent James Landale talks to Paddy and Laura about why Britain is considering working in tandem with the United States to deliver aid from a new sea route - and what problems it could throw up for the government before the next election. And there’s been a week of widespread American student protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Laura has spoken to the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who has urged protestors to direct their anger...
Apr 27, 2024•25 min
Today, we look at Humza Yousaf facing a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament. The First Minister says he won’t resign and is ‘very confident’ he’ll win the vote. The vote was triggered after he ended a power-sharing agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens, because of disagreements over climate policy and the use of puberty blockers for under 18s. Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg and BBC Scotland Editor James Cook. And Tim Shipman, author of All Out War and No Way Out, speaks ...
Apr 26, 2024•40 min
Today, we look at Labour’s plan to renationalise most rail services within five years, if it wins the next election. Labour say a new public body would take over current contracts when they expire, taking on the responsibility for running services. But transport secretary Mark Harper said the plans were "unfunded". Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh joins Adam and Alex to talk through the plans, and answers the question - why is wifi so bad on some trains? And, comedian and social ...
Apr 25, 2024•34 min
Today we look at a bill which would force TikTok’s owner to sell its US arm, or face being banned in the country. It’s driven by fears that user data is shared with the Chinese government. TikTok has called the law "unconstitutional" and says it will "challenge it in court”. Adam speaks to BBC technology editor Zoe Kleinman, and head of social media for German broadcaster DW, Johanna Rudiger. Plus we hear from Chris, who has been with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he met with German Chancellor O...
Apr 24, 2024•38 min
Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s promise to spend billions more on defence. Sunak said UK military spending would rise to 2.5% of national income by 2030. The prime minister was in Poland to pledge £500 million in extra support for Ukraine, but claimed the extra money for defence would put the UK’s defence industry "on a war footing". Adam is joined by former armed forces minister, James Heappey MP. And, the day after the government’s Rwanda policy passed through Parliament, BBC Home Affairs Corr...
Apr 23, 2024•33 min
Today we look at the Safety of Rwanda bill, which passed through parliament tonight after a back and forth with the Lords. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it will allow his government to put asylum seekers on flights in “10-12 weeks”. Chris joins Adam to discuss how we got here, and what happens next. And presenter Huw Edwards has resigned from the BBC on “medical advice from his doctors”. He has been off air since last July, after reports were published which claimed he paid a young person for ...
Apr 22, 2024•32 min
Today, we look at the US Congress approving $61 billion of funding for Ukraine. Laura and Paddy are joined by the political editor of BBC Newsnight Nick Watt to help unpick the day’s top stories. Paddy’s been speaking to the former Director-General of the Defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute, Michael Clarke, about the significance of the US military aid package for Ukraine. And the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho was on Laura’s show defendi...
Apr 21, 2024•31 min
Today we look at the apologies made by the Met Police after threatening to arrest an anti-Semitism charity leader for being near a pro-Palestine march. Gideon Falter, the Campaign Against Antisemitism chief executive was told by police his presence was causing a "breach of peace", in a video posted online. Laura and Paddy speak to former Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Zoe Billingham about policing protests and the pressures on the police. And Laura’s spoken to the outgoing C...
Apr 20, 2024•29 min
Today, we look at the mystery surrounding an apparent Israeli strike on Iran. Two US officials told the BBC's US partner CBS News that an Israeli missile struck Iran overnight. The Israeli government has not officially commented. Meanwhile Iran have downplayed reports of an attack. What is going on? Adam is joined by the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, James Landale. And, what political jargon leaves you confused? BBC Audiences have released an internal report on which political terms people hea...
Apr 19, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at the suspension of a Tory MP after claims he made a late night call to ask for money to pay off "bad people". Mark Menzies "strongly" disputes the claims, but has had the whip removed amid allegations that he misused party funds and abused his position. Adam and Chris discuss with Newsnight political editor Nick Watt and Bloomberg associate editor Ailbhe Rea. Plus, Josh Widdicombe tells Adam and Chris all about his experiences trying to become a local news reporter, for the seco...
Apr 18, 2024•35 min
Today, we look at how a BBC report could lead to a change in the law around paedophiles' access to their own children. Adam is joined by Sanchia Berg, the BBC reporter who covered the story of a mother who paid £30,000 in legal fees to remove her ex-husband's parental rights to their daughter after he was convicted for child sexual abuse. Labour MP Harriet Harman is also in the studio to talk about how it prompted her to introduce a law change after hearing Sanchia’s report in November last year...
Apr 17, 2024•36 min
Today, we look at the reaction to the Newscast interview with Former Prime Minister Liz Truss, and the commons vote to ban anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes. After yesterday’s interview with Liz Truss, we put your questions to Chris Mason, and get his reaction to what the former Prime Minister said. And MPs have voted to ban the sale of tobacco products to people born after 2009. A number of leading Tories opposed the bill, including Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch, but with Labour’s sup...
Apr 16, 2024•36 min
Today, the 49-day Prime Minister Liz Truss sits down for an extended chat with Chris Mason. Truss speaks to Chris about how she looks back on her time in Downing Street, why she wouldn’t call her experience ‘humiliating’ and the institutions she blames for their part in her downfall. She shares her fears for the West, as well as her support for Donald Trump and… her favourite Taylor Swift song. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast br...
Apr 15, 2024•47 min
Today, we look at what might happen next after Iran attacked Israel overnight. More than 300 drones and missiles were fired but nearly all were shot down, according to Israel. Iran says it was retaliation for a strike on its consulate in Syria two weeks ago which killed seven of its officers. BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen is in the studio to take Laura and Paddy through what we know, the context, and what could come next. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.c...
Apr 14, 2024•28 min
Today, we look at new revelations about the former PM’s 49 days in office. Details from her soon-to-be-released book Ten Years to Save the West include her thoughts of "why me, why now?" when she was told that Queen Elizabeth II had died. Comedian and Liz Truss impressionist Nerine Skinner brings the words to life. Laura and Paddy also discuss Labour’s strategy around allegations that the party’s deputy leader Angela Rayner broke electoral law. She denies any wrongdoing. You can join our Newscas...
Apr 13, 2024•31 min
Today, we look at the police launching an investigation into Angela Rayner over the accusation she broke electoral law. The deputy leader of the Labour Party is accused of giving false information about her main residence in a row about who lived in her former council house. In a statement, she said she was "completely confident I've followed the rules at all times". Newsnight political editor Nick Watt joins Adam to discuss. And after a week where we have heard from some former Post Office boss...
Apr 12, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at President Joe Biden’s warning that Iran is threatening to launch a “significant attack” on Israel. Tensions have risen following what is believed to be an Israeli attack on an embassy in Syria, which killed senior Iranians. America has promised “ironclad” support for Israel. Will this be enough to deter the Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, or are we about to see the US enter into another conflict in the Middle East? Adam is joined by chief international correspondent, Lyse D...
Apr 11, 2024•30 min
Today, we look at the Cass Review: a report by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass which found that children had been let down by “remarkably weak” evidence on medical interventions in gender care. Adam is joined by Health Editor Hugh Pym, and together they talk to Dr Cass in more detail about her review, her recommendations for the future of gender care and the response to today’s publication. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings yo...
Apr 10, 2024•34 min
Today, we look at Lord Cameron’s trip to the US - including his meeting with Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch, Former British Ambassador to the United States, to discuss what Lord Cameron is up to in the US and how he’s getting on as Foreign Secretary. And, research finds only 3 in 10 working age autistic people are in employment, when the vast majority want to be in work. Adam is joined by, author of a recent government review on autism and employment, Sir Robert B...
Apr 09, 2024•35 min
Today, we look at the phishing plot targeting people who work in and around Westminster. Journalists, including Newscast’s own Henry Zeffman, and MPs have received flirtatious messages and explicit pictures from unfamiliar WhatsApp profiles. No one yet knows who are behind the WhatsApp accounts - or how they are choosing who to target. Henry speaks to Adam about his experience of receiving suggestive messages from the unknown WhatsAppers. And Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Bosworth, talks ab...
Apr 08, 2024•33 min
Today, six months after the Hamas attacks on Israel, we look at the obstacles to peace in the region. International editor Jeremy Bowen joins Laura and Paddy, and tells them about visiting the homes of people caught up in the attacks, as well as warnings of famine in Gaza. He also gives his view on the response from the international community after Laura questioned the Deputy PM this morning on whether Israel is acting in accordance with the law. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest...
Apr 07, 2024•26 min
Today, we look at an intervention from the ex-PM over UK arms sales to Israel. Boris Johnson has said it’s "shameful" to call for the UK to stop sending weapons, and called out Foreign Secretary David Cameron for not being more outspoken on the subject. And, Laura’s been talking to the outgoing head of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, who's said the West is facing an "alliance of authoritarian powers". Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented ...
Apr 06, 2024•29 min
Today, we look at why it has been raining in England and Wales so much recently - and how UK infrastructure copes during unusually wet periods. Why is this happening? What effect does heavy rainfall have on our industries and environment? And how can we adapt buildings and transport to better suit the UK’s changing climate? Adam is joined by Countryfile and Farming Today presenter, Charlotte Smith, BBC weather presenter, Simon King and Chief Executive at the UK Green Building Council, Smith Mord...
Apr 05, 2024•24 min
Today, we look at a new report which says the NHS cannot meet “avalanche” of demand for autism and ADHD services. Why has there been a five-fold rise in people waiting to see an autism specialist? Why has there been a 51% increase in prescriptions for ADHD medication? Adam is joined by Access All presenter, Emma Tracey, Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust, Thea Stein and autistic and ADHD creator, writer and consultant, Ellie Middleton. And US President Joe Biden tells Israeli Prime Minister B...
Apr 04, 2024•36 min
Today, foreign ministers are gathering at NATO HQ in Brussels to mark 75 years of the military alliance and discuss how the member states will continue to support Ukraine and deter Russia. James Cook is joined by the Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to discuss efforts to support Ukraine, whether NATO members need to step up their spending and what he thinks about a potential return of President Trump. And BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale and head of foreign policy at Policy Ex...
Apr 03, 2024•30 min
Today, we look at the new hate crime law in Scotland and the killing of three British aid workers in Gaza. Police Scotland say that comments made on X by JK Rowling about Scotland’s new hate crime law are not being treated as criminal. The author described several transgender women as men in a challenge to the new crime of "stirring up hatred" against protected characteristics such as transgender identity. But what does the new law actually mean? James Cook is joined by political correspondent, ...
Apr 02, 2024•33 min
Today, four of the BBC’s top political brains preview the local elections coming up on May 2. Adam and Chris are joined by Alex Forsyth and Henry Zeffman to chat about what they will be looking out for in the lead-up to the local elections, how the results could shape the political landscape for the general election and nerd out about a weekend of “rolling psephological fun”. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. I...
Mar 30, 2024•27 min
Today we look at the price of chocolate and why it has increased so much this year. Earlier this week the price of Cocoa hit $10000 per metric ton - the highest level ever. This is being felt in the price of Easter eggs, with some products going up in price by over 50%. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Faisal Islam alongside Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Associate Director for Responsible Business at the Fairtra...
Mar 28, 2024•27 min
Today we look at the increase in sewage spills into England’s waterways and how the Competition and Markets Authority is trying to prevent ‘greenwashing’ by fashion companies. Adam is joined by BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard to help explore these two stories. BBC Panorama and Countryfile journalist Joe Crowley speaks to Adam and Esme about the amount of sewage in Britain’s rivers and seas. And BBC Newsbeat’s Pria Rai, explains why fashion companies are promising to change the way they presen...
Mar 27, 2024•26 min
Today, Adam discusses the news that 3.8 million smart meters in Great Britain are not working properly. BBC Breakfast Business presenter Nina Warhurst and CEO of Energy UK Emma Pinchbeck join Adam to talk about the customers who’ve received wrong readings, how suppliers should respond and how far the UK’s energy infrastructure is from being truly ‘smart’. And International Editor Jeremy Bowen is in Jerusalem and speaks to Adam about diplomatic relations between the US and Israel, following the U...
Mar 26, 2024•30 min
