Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday and what we can learn from those who have been, and those who haven’t been, invited. And Paddy’s been speaking to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who gives his verdict on the state of the UK economy and tells him about the value of 'multibanks'. And Newscast turns 5! You can apply for tickets below for Newscast’s 5th birthday party live show. https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/newscast-birthday-5feb25 You can now list...
Jan 18, 2025•29 min
Today, Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss the government's plan for new inquiries into grooming gangs, how much we should read into some positive economic news this week and why politicians are talking about Brexit again. 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. And Newscast turns 5! You can apply for tickets below for Newscast’s 5th birthday party live show. https://www.bbc.co.uk/show...
Jan 17, 2025•29 min
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced five government-backed local inquiries and a new national-level "rapid audit" of grooming gangs. The government faced calls for a full national inquiry after interventions by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, and social affairs editor Alison Holt. And the ceasefire vote in Israel is delayed as airstrikes continue in Gaza. Adam also speaks to Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent. You...
Jan 16, 2025•33 min
Today, we look at the news that a deal has been reached to stop the fighting in Gaza and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. The ceasefire is set to begin on Sunday and will last six weeks. Adam and Chris are joined by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent and Sarah Smith, BBC North America editor. 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 on...
Jan 15, 2025•26 min
Today, the Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned after growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. The Labour MP last week referred herself to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus - but insisted she has done nothing wrong. She said in a letter today that whilst Sir Laurie found she had not breached by the Ministerial Code that "it is clear that continuing in my role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury is likely to be a distraction fr...
Jan 14, 2025•32 min
Today, we look at the announcement of a new AI Action Plan and the government’s hope that it will make the UK a world leader in AI In a speech Sir Keir Starmer laid out the government's plans to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s AI Correspondent, Marc Cieslak. Plus, we look at what today’s announcements mean for the NHS. Adam speaks to Dr Maxine Mackintosh, AI and health expert and Sana Khareghani, former hea...
Jan 13, 2025•36 min
Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss the government's plan on AI and how social media giants are impacting British politics. Also, why is Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq being asked to resign? 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/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news s...
Jan 12, 2025•29 min
Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart. But some of the opposition are saying she shouldn’t have gone at a time when soaring government borrowing costs threaten to squeeze UK public finances. And, after Meta announced it will no longer employ factcheckers and will boost political content, a grieving father - Ian Russell - tells Laura why this announcement will hurt children. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want...
Jan 11, 2025•26 min
Today, we look at Donald Trump avoiding jail, and any punishment, over charges of fraud relating to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Adam is joined by Caitriona Perry, the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington, and Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s senior North America correspondent. And, 2024 was the first year to exceed the key global warming threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. Adam talks to Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, which marks the UK gove...
Jan 10, 2025•36 min
Today, we look at the wildfires still raging across Los Angeles, where five people have been killed and more than 175,000 have been evacuated. Adam speaks with BBC’s Los Angeles correspondent Emma Vardy about the extent of the damage and the rescue operations. And Politico’s California environment reporter Camille von Kaenel explains why President-elect Donald Trump blames the Democrats for the damage caused. Plus, as the pound falls to its lowest level in over a year, at the same time UK borrow...
Jan 09, 2025•36 min
Today, we look at the debate over a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal playing out in the House of Commons. The issue was voted on because of an amendment to a Labour bill that will introduce changes to the education system. Chris unpacks the politics, education editor Branwen Jeffreys explains the changes, and political correspondent Tom Symonds talks about what victims are calling for. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sou...
Jan 08, 2025•34 min
Today, we look at why Meta is bringing to an end the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram - and replacing them with ‘community notes’. In a video posted online Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were "too politically biased" and it was "time to get back to our roots around free expression". Adam is joined by Vivian Schiller, vice president and executive director of Aspen Digital, and former head of news at Twitter. And, as Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to laun...
Jan 07, 2025•33 min
Today, we look at Keir Starmer’s response to what he calls “lies and misinformation” being spread over grooming gangs. It comes after multi-billionaire Elon Musk accused Sir Keir Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" during his time as director of public prosecutions (DPP) for failing to tackle grooming gangs. Adam and Chris discuss the PM’s response in a press conference on Monday, and reflect on what impact Musk and President-elect Trump are already having on world politics. Adam...
Jan 06, 2025•38 min
Today we look at Nigel Farage’s friendship with Elon Musk and what he wants to get out of it. Laura’s been talking to the Reform UK leader, who’s defended Musk after he attacked the government's response to grooming gangs on X. Paddy and Laura are joined by Gawain Towler, former director of communications for Reform UK. Plus, Laura has been speaking to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting about why the government has set such a long timescale on it’s proposed social care reforms. You can now list...
Jan 05, 2025•30 min
Today, we look a why tech multi billionaire Elon Musk, and friend of Donald Trump is getting involved in British politics. He’s been critical of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer and has formed an allegiance with Reform UK. But there’s a disagreement between Musk and its leader Nigel Farage over the anti Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. 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 mo...
Jan 04, 2025•24 min
Today, we look at the government’s plans for a new independent commission on the future of adult social care in England. It's due to start this April, but the final proposals are unlikely to be delivered before 2028. Adam is joined by Vicki Young, BBC’s deputy political editor, and Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, the association for all care providers in York and North Yorkshire. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds...
Jan 03, 2025•26 min
Today, we look at the latest developments in the New Orleans attack that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more on New Year's Day. The FBI says 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsu-Din Jabbar, posted videos online proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State group. Adam speaks to Justin Webb, host of our sister podcast, Americast, and Marianna Spring, BBC’s social media investigations correspondent. And Adam is joined by Alex, as 20 councillors in Nottinghamshire quit Labour, after critici...
Jan 02, 2025•29 min
Today, we look at how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could impact events around the world. Adam speaks to Chris about Keir Starmer’s foreign policy priorities and working with the incoming Trump administration. Plus Senior North America Correspondent Gary O'Donoghue discusses what we know about Trump’s foreign policy. And Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joins from Syria to talk about what might happen next in the country and across the Middle East. You can now listen to N...
Dec 31, 2024•39 min
Today, Adam, Sumi, Caitriona and Justin talk through their stand out moments of the US election campaign. Could the Democrats have done anything to rescue their campaign after Joe Biden dropped out? Or was Trump 2.0 a done deal? We relive all the major twists and turns of an unprecedented presidential race. Plus they share their thoughts on what to look out for in 2025. 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 ...
Dec 30, 2024•39 min
Today, we look back at the big moments from the 2024 general election campaign. Why did Rishi Sunak decide to hold the election in July? Why did his team decide to send him out into Downing Street in the rain? And looking back, were there any moments that could have changed the final exit poll? Adam, Chris and Laura reminisce about covering the general election, tell us about their most memorable behind-the-scenes moments, and talk about the moments of the campaign they keep revisiting. You can ...
Dec 27, 2024•45 min
Today, we’re answering your questions about Christmas, politics and what goes on behind the scenes at Newscast HQ. Adam, Paddy, Alex, Henry and Marianna cram into the Newscast studio for a Newscast Christmas party. What’s on Henry Zeffman’s Christmas list? Is Die Hard a Christmas film? And where does the Prime Minister spend Christmas Day? Newscast answers all this and more. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It w...
Dec 24, 2024•35 min
Today, Adam is joined by Laura and Chris to talk about the events in British politics that dominated the headlines this year. They look back at the Rwanda bill, the Conservative leadership election, Labour’s freebies row and the summer riots. And they talk about the political leadership changes across the UK with new first ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It wor...
Dec 23, 2024•36 min
Today, we catch up with three newly-elected parliamentarians about their first terms. Adam is joined by Rosie Wrighting, Labour MP for Kettering, Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon and Pippa Heylings, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire. Adam finds out how their election campaigns went, what missteps they’ve made in Parliament so far and what really goes on behind the scenes in the House of Commons. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, j...
Dec 20, 2024•33 min
Today, we discuss Gisèle Pelicot, whose ex-husband has been jailed for 20 years after drugging and raping her, and inviting dozens of strangers to also abuse her over nearly a decade. Dominique Pelicot, 72, was found guilty of all charges. He was on trial with 50 other men, all of whom were found guilty of at least one charge, although their jail terms were less than what prosecutors had demanded. Outside the courtroom, Gisèle gave her "profound gratitude" to supporters and said she believes in ...
Dec 19, 2024•25 min
Today we look at Nigel Farage’s meeting with Elon Musk. Adam and Chris discuss the significance of the Reform leader’s trip to Mar A Lago to meet Elon Musk and whether he’ll be allowed to donate to them under election spending rules. They also talk about the WASPI women who have been campaigning for compensation over pension changes as they say they were not were not properly informed of the rise in state pension age. And, Adam speaks to Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at the Un...
Dec 18, 2024•42 min
Today, we look at the assassination of a Russian general in Moscow. Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was at the entrance to a residential block on Tuesday morning when a device hidden in an electric scooter exploded and killed him. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the attack. Adam is joined by James Waterhouse, BBC Ukraine Correspondent and Chris Steele - the former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, Author of “Unredacted: Russia, Trump and the Fight for Democracy” and a director of Orbis Business Intell...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min
Today, we look at the naming of the alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew. Sources have told the BBC that Prince Andrew will not be at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas this year after the alleged spy was named as businessman Yang Tengbo. Mr Yang has responded in a statement saying it was “entirely untrue” that he was a spy. Prince Andrew previously said in a statement that he had "ceased all contact" with the Chinese businessman, with all meetings having been...
Dec 16, 2024•34 min
It’s the last weekend edition of Newscast of the year, and the government have decided to do their media round on migration. Laura’s been speaking to the Yvette Cooper, and her Conservative counterpart Chris Philp to find out how the main parties want to tackle the issue. Paddy, and Henry convene to chew through how migration has, and continues to be, a dominant issue in British politics - and how it could shape the future of Westminster. And, as we hurtle towards Christmas, we discuss our favou...
Dec 15, 2024•32 min
In this continental edition, Laura speaks to Paddy from Rome, where she’s been talking to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who will meet her Italian counterpart for diplomacy on migration. She’s also been asking her about the connection between Prince Andrew and an alleged Chinese spy. The Duke of York’s judgement is being questioned after the government advised him to cease all contact with the enigmatic individual known only to the public as ‘H6’. And the developing situation in Syria has ca...
Dec 14, 2024•25 min
Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss why sandwiches have become the hot topic in Westminster, what the UK’s future relationship with the EU could look like, and planning reforms. 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/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from th...
Dec 13, 2024•30 min
