Today, we look at Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour Party conference. The prime minister promised light at the end of a tunnel, but of hard choices on the way. He also defended the cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners, and called for 'restraint and de-escalation' on the border between Lebanon and Israel. Adam, Chris, Henry and Alex chat it through. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest p...
Sep 24, 2024•36 min
Today, we look at Rachel Reeves’s first conference speech as chancellor, in which she stood by her winter fuel allowance cut, was heckled by a protestor, and said “Britain’s best days lie ahead”. Adam, Chris and Alex are there in Liverpool to go through what she said. Plus we hear from the woman herself. She spoke to Adam after addressing the audience. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest polit...
Sep 23, 2024•40 min
Today, we once again turn to the row over gifts given to Labour politicians. The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, tells Laura she doesn’t believe she broke any rules after accepting free outfits, and a stay in a New York apartment owned by a Labour donor. Meanwhile, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defends the use of her £14,000 donation from Labour donor Lord Alli. Will this story continue to dominate the narrative as the Labour party kicks off its party conference in Liverpool? ...
Sep 22, 2024•29 min
In this bonus episode we bring you Laura’s full interview with Vladimir Kara-Murza and his wife Evgenia. The Russian-British citizen was jailed in Russia after criticising President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. Evgenia has been fighting for his release ever since, and last month he was freed as part of the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. Another Newscast with Henry and Paddy, as usual, follows this one.
Sep 21, 2024•32 min
Today, the focus is once again on the Labour party which is having to deal with some difficult stories as it prepares to kick off its annual party conference in Liverpool. Laura is in Liverpool waiting for Labour conference to begin; she and Paddy discuss the news that the PM, Chancellor and Deputy PM will no longer accept donations for clothing. Will it be enough to draw a line under the row about donations that threatens to loom over Labour’s first party conference as the governing party in 15...
Sep 21, 2024•29 min
Today, we look at a tricky week for the Prime Minister where he has faced difficult questions over his judgement. Adam, Chris, Paddy and Alex are re-united in the studio for the return of the Newscast BBC 1 show. What have they all made of the row over the pay of Sue Gray? Is it a problem for Starmer that he's top of the freebie league table? What did Alex learn travelling with the PM to Italy? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to ...
Sep 20, 2024•31 min
Today, on Newscast’s 1500th episode, Chris and Alex join to mark the occasion, and talk about the politics of the day after the PM insisted he is “completely in control”. He made the comment after the BBC revealed a row within government over staff pay. Plus, the BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed sexually assaulted or raped them as part of a new podcast series and Panorama film called Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods. Its mak...
Sep 19, 2024•33 min
Today, we discuss what’s going on with exploding pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon. James Cook is joined by International Editor, Jeremy Bowen, and Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner, to discuss how the devices exploded, why Israel seems to have infiltrated Hezbollah’s communications network, and what this could mean for escalating tensions in the region. Plus, Chris joins James to discuss how a row has broken out in government over Keir Starmer’s top aide, Sue Gray, being paid more than t...
Sep 18, 2024•33 min
Today, we look at new measures that aim to protect teens on Instagram. Social media company, Meta, have announced "built-in protections" to teen accounts as well as greater controls for parents. But will it work? James is joined by the BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman plus disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring. And Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, joins James from the final day of the Liberal Democrats party conference, where Election Success, the NH...
Sep 17, 2024•34 min
Today, we look at the sentencing of former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards. He’s avoided prison, but has been given a suspended six-month prison sentence for child abuse image offences at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Adam is joined by the BBC’s legal correspondent Dominic Casciani, and media editor Katie Razzall. Support services can be found here https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ Plus, there are questions about security around former President Donald Trump, after an apparent second attempt in...
Sep 16, 2024•37 min
Today, at least eight people have died whilst trying to cross the Channel from France to England. Foreign secretary David Lammy spoke to Laura, with Keir Starmer’s upcoming trip to Italy where immigration has also been a key issue for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Laura and Paddy, joined by Newsnight’s Nick Watt, also react to Lammy speaking about the Western allies stance on allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia and his views on former US President Donald Trump and the misin...
Sep 15, 2024•28 min
Today, we look at what happens now with Ukraine’s use of long-rage missiles after Sir Keir Starmer failed to signal any decision over allowing Kyiv to fire the UK-provided weapons into the Russian territory. Plus, the prime minister says he will do the difficult things, but what are some of the issues that need fixing and are still ‘unsayable’ for the new government? 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 ...
Sep 14, 2024•30 min
Today, we discuss the Prime Minister’s visit to the White House to discuss the US and UK’s support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russia had started the war in Ukraine and could end it "straight away”. Adam is joined by Chris Mason, who is in Washington with the Prime Minister ahead of his meeting with President Joe Biden. We also speak to Emily Thornberry, the new Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. In her first interview since becoming Chair, she speaks about how ...
Sep 13, 2024•42 min
Today, we look at a damning report into the state of the NHS. The Lord Darzi review finds the NHS “is in critical condition”, with “ballooning” waiting times and delays in A&E and cancer care. Speaking after the report, the Prime Minister told reporters the NHS must “reform or die” and there will be no more money without reform. Adam is joined by health correspondent Cath Burns, chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust Matthew Trainer, and chair of the RC...
Sep 12, 2024•37 min
Today, we round up all the latest stories about the UK economy. Adam is joined by BBC Economics Editor Faisal Islam and Chief Economics Correspondent Dharshini David to dig into what the latest GDP figures tell us about the economy, as well as what Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Faisal about the decisions she has taken on Winter Fuel Payments and those still to come in the budget. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”....
Sep 11, 2024•27 min
And why is "THEY'RE EATING DOGS" trending on X? Kamala Harris and Donald Trump meet for the first time on a debate stage in Philadelphia, sparring over key issues and exchanging deep personal attacks. The momentous meeting was marked by question dodging, finger pointing… and pet-eating! The Americast Team analyses the night from the heart of the action. Who will go viral after tonight? Did Trump stick to his messaging? And will there be a second debate?! HOSTS: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter *...
Sep 11, 2024•34 min
Today, we look at what was billed as one of the first big tests for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons, the vote over winter fuel. Adam is joined by Chris and Alex to look at the result of the vote in Parliament, and they discuss the next round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest. Plus, around 1700 offenders have been released from prison early to help ease overcrowding. Adam speaks to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor about the situation i...
Sep 10, 2024•43 min
Today, we look at an update on the recovery of Catherine, Princess of Wales. The Princess of Wales has released a video saying that she has completed chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Adam is joined by BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph to discuss her health and this new style of royal communication. And, more councils are to be given powers to take control of bus services under a franchising system, but how will it work? And will it create a better service for travellers? Adam speaks to May...
Sep 09, 2024•36 min
Today, we’re going through the PM’s first major television interview since getting the job. He defended his decision to cut winter fuel payments for most pensioners, and said his government is "going to have to be unpopular" to deliver change. Paddy’s also been talking to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who says he’ll call in the private sector to get NHS waiting lists down. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to p...
Sep 08, 2024•30 min
Sir Keir Starmer has sat down with Laura for his first major TV interview as PM, so as well as it going out on BBC One, we thought we'd put it in you Newscast feed too. She spoke to him on Saturday morning in the Downing Street Cabinet Room. Another Newscast with Henry and Paddy, as usual, follows this one. Enjoy!
Sep 08, 2024•28 min
Today, we’re looking at what Keir Starmer has to say about the state of the NHS and its future. Laura sat down with the PM for his first major television interview since getting the job. He told her the previous government ‘broke’ the NHS in ways which were ‘unforgiveable’. She chats it through with Paddy. We'll be dropping the full interview next in your Newscast feed. Plus, they take a look at how big a rebellion could be over winter fuel payment cuts that could affect around 10 million pensio...
Sep 07, 2024•26 min
Today, we’re recapping a busy first week back in Westminster - and hearing from the Green Party conference in Manchester. Adam is joined by Matt Chorley at the end of his first week on 5 Live to chat about how the Labour government is disciplining potential rebel MPs, the latest dispatch from the Conservative leadership contest and the number of Parliamentary pets he’s spoken to on his show so far. And, Dr Ellie Chowns MP speaks to Adam from the Green Party Conference in Manchester, she explains...
Sep 06, 2024•34 min
Today Adam and Chris talk to Eluned Morgan, the new first minister of Wales, about her upbringing at the heart of Welsh politics, the working relationship with a new Westminster government, 20mph speed limits and the tough job of uniting Welsh labour after a tumultuous year. 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. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/news...
Sep 06, 2024•38 min
Today, we look at Michel Barnier’s surprise selection as French Prime Minister, and a “historic success” for the far-right in Germany. The EU’s former Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has been named as the new French prime minister in a surprise announcement by Emmanuel Macron. But will this finally break the deadlock in Paris? And, Germany’s anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won the election in the eastern state of Thuringia. But how much of a threat are they to the current g...
Sep 05, 2024•26 min
Today we look at the publication of the report into the Grenfell Tower fire. The chair of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick concluded all 72 deaths “were all avoidable”. Adam and Chris speak to Kate Lamble, presenter and producer of the BBC’s Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast and BBC London presenter Eddie Nestor. 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. You can join o...
Sep 04, 2024•34 min
Today the Scottish government has confirmed up to £500 million of spending cuts to help balance the books ahead of the autumn statement. Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robinson said financial mismanagement of the previous UK government and continuing Labour austerity are to blame for the pressures. But could the SNP have done more to prevent the cuts? And will there be more to come when the full Scottish budget arrives in December? Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s Scotland Editor James...
Sep 03, 2024•29 min
Today we look at what’s on the political agenda as Parliament returns. Adam and Chris discuss the government’s decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel and explore the introduction of a new system for grading schools in England. Plus are the Labour backbenches gearing up for a rebellion? An early day motion has been tabled proposing delaying changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. And, there are growing concerns about violent and hateful content being pushed into the social media feeds of you...
Sep 02, 2024•34 min
Today we speak to Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, former presidential adviser to George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump and Labour’s new defence adviser. Fiona Hill was born in Bishop Auckland in County Durham before studying Russian at university and moving to the US. She testified during Trump’s first impeachment trial and is now advising the Labour government on their Strategic Defence Review. You can submit evidence to the Strategic Defence Review here: https://w...
Sep 01, 2024•57 min
Today, we relive a week in the life of Keir Starmer. Adam and Paddy are joined by Politics Live presenter Jo Coburn, to discuss the Prime Minister’s movements this week - and what they tell us about the direction he may lead his government in when Parliament returns. What can we expect from October’s budget? Why has Keir Starmer taken aim at smoking areas? And could the Labour government take lessons from Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If...
Aug 31, 2024•30 min
Today, we look at Kamala Harris’ first big interview in her presidential campaign. Why did she wait for so long? Why was her VP pick, Tim Walz also there? Did she impress? Adam speaks to presenter of the Coming Storm podcast, Gabriel Gatehouse, and BBC News’ chief presenter, Caitríona Perry. Plus, the SNP are kicking off the conference season with the big question seeming to be what went wrong for them at the election? Adam is joined by MP Stephen Gethins. You can join our Newscast online commun...
Aug 30, 2024•39 min
