It's a controversy which has been hanging over the SNP for years - but on Monday former chief executive, Peter Murrell, admitted to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. On this episode of Newscast, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon sits down with Laura for her first interview since her estranged husband pleaded guilty. Sturgeon, who was earlier arrested and released without charge, discusses what she knew, defends her handling of concerns about party finances, and describes how the ...
May 31, 2026•57 min
Today, the week that the words flew - after Tony Blair wrote an essay saying Labour was "playing with fire" over the UK’s future and Starmer hit back in a Substack article. Laura and Joe are joined by James Lyons, the former Director of Communications to Keir Starmer, to discuss his time in Downing Street, the essays and articles published by leading Labour figures this week and what could happen following next month’s by-election. A full list of candidates and loads more information about the M...
May 30, 2026•29 min
Today, we find out more about Reform’s candidate Robert Kenyon back story and why his old posts on social media are making headlines. Plus, what impact could Restore Britain have on the Reform UK vote and how Andy Burnham has outgrown Mayor of Greater Manchester. Adam is joined by Annabel Tiffin, political editor for BBC Northwest, Lara Spirit, the Deputy Political Editor for The Sunday Times, and More in Common’s Luke Tryl. A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfie...
May 29, 2026•32 min
Today, in his long awaited report, former minister Alan Milburn has said job and career opportunities for young people are ‘not growing, they’re shrinking’, with one in six set to be out of work, education or training in five years unless action is taken. He concluded that the education, health and welfare systems are no longer fit for purpose in preparing young people for adult life - with the risk of a ‘lost generation’ and young adults facing a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges. Adam is joined by...
May 28, 2026•35 min
Today, Sir Tony Blair has spoken to the Today programme about an almost 6,000 word essay in which he criticises the Labour government for focusing on politics rather than policy. Adam, Alex and Faisal discuss the arguments made by the former Prime Minister, plus how two would-be leadership contenders Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham (who still needs to fight and win a by-election if he wants to challenge Keir Starmer) have pushed back. And energy bills will rise for millions as Ofgem raise the pri...
May 27, 2026•34 min
Today, the family of a teenage rape victim whose attackers were spared jail have told the BBC they hope the "correct outcome will prevail" -- after it was announced the sentences would be referred to the Court of Appeal. There was widespread criticism after three boys were handed youth rehabilitation orders in connection with the rape of two teenage girls in Hampshire. Sentencing guidelines state that rehabilitation should be prioritised for youth offenders. The Prime Minister confirmed on Tuesd...
May 26, 2026•40 min
The former SNP chief executive has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party between August 2010 and October 2022, using the money to buy jewellery, cosmetics and a motorhome. Adam Fleming and Alex Forsyth chat it all through with Patrick Maguire from The Times, in front of an audience at Hay Festival. 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 ...
May 25, 2026•34 min
Today, Baroness Casey tells Newscast that the judge in the case of two boys who were spared jail after being found guilty of rape was "wrong". The boys were not given custodial sentences following their convictions for raping two girls in separate attacks in 2025 and 2024. Speaking to Adam and Alex at the Hay Festival, Louise Casey also discusses her career at the helm of some the UK’s biggest inquiries and reviews, including the ongoing adult social care commission and last year’s grooming gang...
May 24, 2026•58 min
Today, Newscast is looking reports that the UK proposed establishing a single market for goods trade with the EU as part of the next phase of its Brexit reset. Plus, two weeks on from the results, what have the elections meant for Wales? Adam is joined by Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor of the Economist and Felicity Evans, host of Walescast live at the Hay book festival. Plus Emma Freud, host of The Archers Podcast drops by to compare shows. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you...
May 23, 2026•52 min
Today, the Makerfield by-election has been confirmed for June 18th 2026, and this is the first episode in a new mini-series following the contest as it gets underway. Adam is joined by Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, and Kevin Fitzpatrick, political reporter for BBC Radio Manchester, to delve deeper into Makerfield, and to look at how the race is shaping up with the candidates who have been announced so far. A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-e...
May 22, 2026•33 min
Today, the chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a series of measures aimed at reducing the costs for families in the summer holidays. Ticket prices for families at various attractions such as theme parks, zoos and museums will be cheaper during the summer holidays through a cut to VAT, the chancellor has said. The government didn’t however announce any major package of support aimed at energy costs. On Thursday it was also revealed that UK migration had dropped to 171,00 almost half of 2024’s ...
May 21, 2026•29 min
Today, the government announced a watering down of Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise from Iran war. Adam is joined by Chris and Faisal to discuss that, as well as the cut in fuel duty and Wes Streeting’s resignation speech in the House of Commons. And Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, speaks to Adam about a new report on climate adaptation in the UK. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It...
May 20, 2026•43 min
Today, its been revealed HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first planned. It has been revealed trains will not start running until between 2036 and 2039, up to six years later than the most recent official target of 2033. As of March 2026, £44.2bn has already been spent on the programme. Adam and Faisal discuss how we have got to this point. And, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that up to 57 individuals and 20 companies could face criminal charges over the Grenf...
May 19, 2026•29 min
Today, we look at why the subject of Brexit is awkward for Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor who wants to be the Makerfield MP. He was doing a speech today in which he clarified his position on the issue. And Keir Starmer’s been out in front of the camera today with the same message - I’m not going anywhere. Adam and Chris are joined by political correspondent Alex Forsyth, and diplomatic correspondent James Landale, who’s been looking at the question: Is Britain ungovernable? You can n...
May 18, 2026•36 min
In a speech at which he confirmed he would run to become Labour leader, Wes Streeting has said that he would ‘one day’ like the UK to rejoin the EU. Greater Manchester Mayor, who also wants to run, Andy Burnham has said similar things in the past, he’d first have to win a by-election in Makerfield - an area that voted to leave. So, are Labour going to go to war over the issue again? Does it put Burnham in a tricky position? And is it what the public wants? You can now listen to Newscast on a sma...
May 17, 2026•29 min
Today we look at two Labour leadership hopefuls setting out their visions for the UK ahead of a Labour leadership contest that hasn’t even begun. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC he’d 'save' Labour, and Wes Streeting has confirmed that he would run in the event of a formal challenge to Keir Starmer. Before Burnham can run for leader, and therefore PM, he’s got to win the Makerfield by-election first. Laura and Paddy answer Newscasters’ questions on the subject and look at a pot...
May 16, 2026•38 min
Today, we’re looking back on a week of Keir Starmer fighting for his job as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour party. Will Andy Burnham win his Westminster seat? What’s going on behind the scenes in Number 10? And who are the other Labour hopefuls eyeing a place in an eventual leadership race? Adam is joined by Ailbhe Rea, Political Editor at the New Statesmen, and Sienna Rodgers, Deputy Political Editor at the House Magazine, to look at how we got here and what might happen next. You can n...
May 15, 2026•34 min
Today, pressure is mounting on the PM as Wes Streeting resigned from his role as health secretary, and Josh Simons announced he would stand aside for Andy Burnham to have his seat. There are still some steps ahead before that happens. The National Executive Committee must select him as the candidate, and he would need to go ahead and win. Nonetheless, the party is in chaos and Starmer is facing the biggest rebellion against his premiership to date. What happens now and if there is to be a leader...
May 14, 2026•34 min
Today, the government has laid out their plans for new legislation in the King’s speech, amid speculation that Wes Streeting is going to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday. It’s rumoured that Streeting wanted to wait in order to not distract from the speech, but the rising speculation has dominated headlines and the commons. What was actually in the King’s speech? And what might lay ahead for the PM and the Labour party? Adam is joined by Chris and Faisal. You...
May 13, 2026•38 min
Today, Keir Starrmer has said he will “get on with governing” despite another day of increasing pressure on him to resign from the Labour party. Four ministers resigned on Tuesday, and more MPs have called for the Prime Minister to stand down. But so far no formal leadership contest has been triggered. Meanwhile more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a statement backing the PM, saying "this is no time for a leadership contest". Adam, Chris and Alex reflect on whether Starmer can survie ...
May 12, 2026•34 min
Today, more Labour MPs have called for Keir Starmer to step down, but is an actual leadership challenge imminent? In a speech on Monday morning Keir Starmer vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong, but the number of Labour MPs calling him to go continues to rise. Dozens of MPs have urged Starmer either to step down immediately or set out a timetable for his departure. Adam, Chris and Alex discuss. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to p...
May 11, 2026•27 min
Today, we look at a surpirsise move from Labour MP Catherine West. She’s called for cabinet ministers to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership - threatening to do so herself if they don't. Laura and Paddy are joined by Henry to discuss she is, why she’s doing it, and how dangerous it could be for the prime minister. They also look ahead to next week as the prime minister prepares to make a speech tomorrow, and what we could hear at the state opening of UK Parliament by King Charles on Wednesday. Y...
May 10, 2026•34 min
Today, we look at what Labour’s pasting in the May elections means for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He’s been out in London talking to Chris and insisting he’s not going anywhere but with more and more of his own party calling on him to resign, can he really stay? Chris joins Laura and Paddy to talk about their conversation and to give his assessment on the results now they’re in They also look at Starmer’s appointment of former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global fin...
May 09, 2026•35 min
Today, Labour suffered a historic loss in the Welsh Senedd elections coming in third behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. In Scotland, the SNP held onto it’s majority with second place too close to call between Labour and Reform as Newscast began recording. And in England, a bruising run of results continued for Labour, who lost more than a thousand council seats. Reform won more than 1400 councillors and the Greens made gains. Adam, Chris and James break down the results. You can now listen to New...
May 08, 2026•37 min
Today, the first results from the English local elections have been declared, with Reform UK surging and losses for Labour - with many more results still to come. Adam, Chris and Alex were joined by Luke Tryl, UK Director of More in Common, live on BBC Sounds to analyse the political picture that has emerged overnight. Counts in both Scotland and Wales are taking place on Friday. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”....
May 08, 2026•47 min
Today, we are live as we count down to the Senedd, Holyrood and English local elections happening on Thursday. With less than 24 hours to go until the polls open, the parties are making their final efforts to win over voters across the UK. Adam, Chris, Laura, Felicity and James put their heads together to give a rundown of what’s dominated the campaign trails and how that might shape the next few days. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC So...
May 06, 2026•46 min
Today, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US-Iran ceasefire "is not over", despite attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" aims to use the US military to guide stranded cargo ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. But, Iran insists that it controls the strait - and yesterday fired missiles and drones at military and commercial ships, according to the US. Adam is joined by chief presenter Caitriona Perry and business editor Simon Jack. And, Prime Minister S...
May 05, 2026•41 min
In today’s episode, first recorded live at Castfest, Adam and Chris turn back the clock to 2016 and the lead up to the Brexit referendum. They discuss how the referendum came about, and their memories from the campaign trail. Plus Dr Katya Adler sends a special dispatch from a cake stand in Brussels! 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...
May 04, 2026•47 min
Today, we look at the biggest set of elections in the UK since the 2024 General Election. Laura and Paddy run through what the polls tell us, how insiders are feeling, and the challenges each of the parties face in different parts of Britain. Political correspondent Joe Pike joins to help, as well as reveal the insights you can gather from looking inside a communal bin. 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 ...
May 03, 2026•42 min
Today we look at how safe Jewish people feel and the political response to a string of violent incidents in which they’ve been targeted. It’s prompted a national conversation about antisemitism in the country among politicians and the public. Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday and there have been multiple cases of arson on Jewish properties in recent weeks. Special correspondent Judith Moritz is on to talk about what the community has been telling her, and P...
May 02, 2026•33 min
