Newscast

Today, the government has ordered an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics.

The government say this is in response to what it called the “shocking” case of Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales. Gill was jailed in November, after admitting to taking bribes for pro-Russian interviews and speeches when he was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

Announcing the review, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said the government must "learn the lessons" from the case so "this can never happen again". Responding to Reed's statement in the Commons, Refo...

Today, doctors in England have decided to strike for 5 days this week despite a new offer from the government.

The British Medical Association said 83% of its members had voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend, with a turnout of 65%.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "gutted" by the result, describing it as "irresponsible" given the rising pressure from flu.

The BMA argues that, despite previous pay rises, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account. <...

Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry speak about the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plans to set up specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams in every police force in England and Wales by 2029.

We also discuss her ambitions as conversations about Keir Starmer’s future continue.

And as it’s the last time Laura, Paddy and Henry get together in 2025, the team have a look forward to 2026 to predict what they think the biggest stories of next year might be.

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​​Today, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written in the Guardian Newspaper urging members of the British Medical Association to rethink planned strikes. ​​ ​​Possible strikes coincide with flu-related illnesses and hospitalisations at a higher rate than usual for this time of year, which have led to worries that a strike would lead to problems for the NHS. ​​ ​​Also, Laura has spoken to the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson. Since the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman in April they have been working on new guidance on who can access single-sex spaces. S...

Today, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting has given a very broad and far reaching interview to the New Statesman which some are seeing as an attack on Starmer’s leadership.

Adam, Chris, Faisal and Alex discuss this, as well as the on going pressure on the PM. Plus, the team also pick out something we should be looking out for in 2026 in politics.

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Today, the number of people in hospital with the flu has risen by more than half this week.

Doctors say an earlier start to the flu season plus an unexpected mutation in this years primary strain has led to a lower rate of immunity amongst the general public for this time of year.

BBC health editor Hugh Pym and Doctor Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist from the UK Health Security Agency breakdown the data.

Plus, US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in an escalation of the US...

Today, Sir Keir Starmer and Danish leader Mette Frederiksen published a joint article arguing for urgent modernisation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which has an impact on how a country can tackle illegal migration.

David Lammy is in Strasbourg with European counterparts, beginning negotiations to change how the continent’s main human rights treaty is interpreted by judges, following political pressure from right wing parties who are calling for a complete withdrawal from the treaty.

This comes just after the Trump administration’s security strategy hammered Europe, calling it weak, and warning of E...

Today, a report into almost £11 billion of Covid scheme fraud has found that most of it is beyond recovery.

Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe said that a lack of accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting during the pandemic had led to £10.9 billion being lost to fraud or error.

Simon Jack joins Adam to explain where the money’s gone and what, if anything, the government can do to recover it.

Plus Baroness Amos, who is leading a review into maternity care in England, has said that she has seen “much worse” things t...

Today, we discuss President Trump’s new vision for global security, one that is creating a lot of criticism in Europe.

The 33-page document called the National Security Strategy suggests Europe is facing "civilisational erasure" and does not cast Russia as a threat to the US. Russia says the strategy is “largely consistent” with their vision.

Security correspondent Frank Gardner and former UK ambassador to the US Lord Kim Darroch join Adam to discuss what this means for Europe.

Plus, we discuss what has happened in Syria a year after former President Bashar al-Ass...

Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by Joe Pike to look at government plans to offer young people on benefits taxpayer funded jobs in areas such as construction and hospitality.

The goal is to tackle rising unemployment, with over 900,000 young people on Universal Credit looking for work.

Plus, the team discuss Zarah Sultana’s interview with Laura on the bumpy establishment of Your Party as well as the latest defection from the tories to Reform.

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Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan to discuss the future of the entertainment industry after Netflix agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72 billion. But with regulators and rivals still waiting in the wings, it might just be the start of the saga.

And one of the biggest controversies in Eurovision history has been in the news. Four countries (Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia and Ireland) have pulled out over Israel's continued participation in the competition. Remaining countries have until next week to confirm whether they...

The Prime Minister backed Rachel Reeves’ budget on Monday. On the same day, Keir Starmer, not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions spoke about Brexit. We discuss what’s actually going on…

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An inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, the woman who died after she came into contact with poison intended for a former Russian agent, has reached the conclusion that President Putin was “morally responsible for her death”.

Adam is joined by Marie Lennon the host of the BBC’s podcast Crime Next Door: The Salisbury Poisonings and news correspondent, Tom Symonds to explore what else the inquiry found out.

Plus, Alex drops by to unpack why the government has postponed four mayoral elections that were set to take place next year. They say they need m...

Today, NATO ministers have been meeting to discuss the US’s 28-point plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine after Russia rejected the plan and said it was “ready” for war with Europe.

Adam is joined by Europe editor, Katya Adler and the Economist’s defence editor, Shashank Joshi to discuss what President Putin’s statement means for a divided NATO.

Plus Faisal Islam, BBC Economics Editor, joins the conversation to discuss the UK’s possible involvement in a new European defence fund and the government’s latest suggestions it could be looking to get closer to the...

Today, David Lammy has confirmed plans to get rid of jury trials for crimes with sentences of less than three years.

The reforms to the justice system include creating "swift courts" under the government's plan to tackle unprecedented delays in the court system. Serious offences including murder, robbery and rape will still go before a jury. Lammy has said the reforms were “bold” but “necessary”. Adam is joined by home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani.

And, amidst all the noise around last week’s budget you may have missed the Prime Ministers suggestion that he will accep...

Today, the Prime Minister has defended Reeves saying she did not mislead the public.

Pressure has been building over the chancellor this weekend after Reeves was accused of misleading the public and the cabinet, something she denied. She is accused of of not giving the upsides to forecasts in a speech on 4 November. Adam and Chris is joined by Dharshini David deputy economics editor.

And, the UK and US have agreed a deal to keep tariffs on pharmaceutical shipments from the UK to America. Under the agreement the UK will pay more for medicines through...

Today, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves responds to claims she lied about the state of the public finances in the run up to her Budget.

Laura speaks to Paddy and chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman about her interview with Reeves, in which she also faced questions about whether her policies matched up with Labour’s manifesto promise, and ultimately, whether she could be trusted.

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Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

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Today, Laura and Paddy look at claims that Rachel Reeves misled the public after it emerged that she knew the outlook for the government’s finances had improved before giving a downcast pre-Budget speech.

Downing Street has denied the allegations.

Luke Sullivan, Keir Starmer's former political director, is also in the Newscast studio to give his assessment on those accusations, and how the budget has been received inside the Labour Party.

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Today, are the changes to Send funding the big change from the budget that not enough people are talking about?

Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss some of the big consequences of the news this week which may have been initially missed. What do the changes to Send funding mean for children across the country? Are Labour giving themselves the room to cancel some of the tax rises later in the parliament? And, what does the big drop in legal migration mean?

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Today, Adam is joined by Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times and Helen Miller, Director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies to unpack how the budget will impact you.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the government's tax-raising budget, saying it will help lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty - with the IFS saying households face a ‘truly dismal’ rise in their spending power.

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Today, Adam and Chris are joined by Ben Chu, Policy and analysis correspondent BBC Verify, and Dharshini David, Deputy Economics Editor, to discuss the budget.

This afternoon, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a ‘smorgasbord’ of tax increases. Announcements also included a cap on pension salary sacrifices, and abolishing the two child benefit cap.

What do today’s measures mean for people’s pay packets? How has this gone down with the other parties, and what challenges still remain for the Chancellor?

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Today, with rumours circulating about the budget, what are the changes that could impact you?

On the eve of the budget it has confirmed that more drinks will be included in the so called “sugar tax” and there will be an increase in the minimum + living wage. But what other changes could happen?

Will there be changes to the way you can save into an ISA? Could a “tourist tax” be introduced in some cities? And, will there be changes to council tax?

Adam and Chris are joined by Claer Barrett, consumer editor at the F...

Today, after President Trump hints at “big process” in Ukraine talks, are we actually any closer to peace?

The US and Ukraine have held weekend talks in Geneva over a possible peace plan. European leaders criticised the 28-point peace plan when it emerged last week, saying it was too favourable to Russia. Since then the US has said “revisions and clarifications” were made. Adam is joined by diplomatic correspondent James Landale and chief presenter Caitriona Perry.

And, just days before the budget Adam speaks to president of the British Polling Council Professor Jane Green about what the...

Today, Laura and Paddy speak to a packed sofa of financial experts ahead of the government’s crucial budget announcement.

Former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, General Secretary of Unite the Union Sharon Graham, and former Chief Economist at the Bank of England Andy Haldane are in the Newscast studio to assess the runners and riders of economic policy that could be announced by Rachel Reeves on Wednesday.

Plus, how much of a moment of political jeopardy is this for the government? And what happens if they don’t pull it off?

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Today, the former deputy cabinet secretary, Helen Macnamara, speaks to Newscast about the findings of the recent module of the covid inquiry which found that the UK did "too little, too late".

Helen had a front seat for those momentous decisions that shaped the direction of the country during the pandemic, and has previously told the inquiry herself that a "toxic" environment affected decision-making during the crisis.

She gives her reflections on life inside Downing Street at the time, the inquiry’s findings, and how much has changed 5 years on.

Warning: this podcast co...

Today, the home secretary makes second big change to migration policy in a week.

Shabana Mahmood has announced the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five to 10 years, and will apply to the estimated 2.6 million who arrived since 2021. The changes will not apply to people who had already obtained settlement. Adam, Joe, Faisal and Sarah Montague, presenter of the World at One, discuss this plus more Labour leadership questions and preview the budget.

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Today, the latest report from the covid inquiry has found that the government did “too little, too late” to prevent deaths during the pandemic.

Chair of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett acknowleged that Boris Johnson’s government faced “unenviable choices” but said that 23 000 deaths could have been potentially avoided and added that regular rule breaking by officials undermined the public’s trust.

BBC health reporter Jim Reed and Dr Catherine Haddon programme, director at the Institue for Government, join Adam to unpick the report.

Plus, Adam is joined by Rachel Kyte UK special representative for climate...

Today, John Healey joins the podcast after a Russian ship suspected of mapping undersea cables pointed lasers at RAF pilots tracking its activity near UK waters. The Defence Secretary gave a speech at Downing Street that morning describing the move as “deeply dangerous.” It comes on the same day that a report from MPs says that the UK lacks a plan to defend itself from a military attack.

Adam and Chris speak to John Healey about the escalating threat to the UK, lifting the lid on what conflict looks like in a world of undersea drones and cabl...

Today, the CEO of Google gives a rare interview to discuss AI, economic risk, climate change and much more.

Faisal Islam has been speaking to Sundar Pichai, the head of Google’s parent company Alphabet, about the future of the AI bubble.

The tech boss warned that “no company is going to be immune” if the AI bubble bursts after its current period of boom. This comes as some analysts expressed fear that stock markets are heading for a repeat of the dotcom bubble burst of the late 1990s.

They also discussed the enviro...

Today, the home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping changes to the UK's asylum policy, including plans to return asylum seekers to their home country if it is deemed safe.

Under the new plans, most people will have to wait 20 years to apply for settled status, and the deportation process will be sped up for failed cases, including for families with children. The reforms have recieved tentative support from the oppostion but will likely face resistance closer to home, with a number of Labour MPs publicly criticising them.

Adam and Chris break down the politics and...

Today, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaks to Laura about the government’s new immigration plans.

Under the plans, people who are granted asylum will need to wait 20 years before they can apply to settle permanently. Plus, refugee status will be cut from five year to two-and-a-half years and then regularly reviewed thereafter.

Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss the new proposals, plus the ongoing rumours about the Labour leadership.

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Today, Laura and Paddy discuss President Donald Trump’s decision to continue with legal action.

The BBC apologised to the president, saying it had unintentionally given "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action" and said it would not be broadcast again. However, they would not pay financial compensation.

Chief North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue joins us to talk about where we are with the legal proceedings, how much Americans care about this issue, and the political impacts after Trump said that Sir Keir Starmer was “embarrassed”.

You ca...

Adam is joined by Chris, Faisal and Ailbhe Rae, Political Editor of The New Statesman to wrap up the week.

This episode of Newscast was recorded as part of our 25-hour Podcast-a-thon for Children in Need.

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Joe Wilkinson. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today we look at the latest in claims of briefings coming out of Number 10.

The prime minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney was not involved "directly or indirectly" in briefings against cabinet ministers and will not be leaving his job, sources have told the BBC.

Some in government have blamed McSweeney for being the source of the briefings.

McSweeney has not responded to calls for comment but people who have spoken to him have told the BBC: "He's done absolutely nothing wrong. He's not going anywhere."

To discuss it, Adam is...

Today, there has been extensive speculation about the extent to which Sir Keir Starmer was aware of the anonymous briefings attacking potential leadership challengers in his own party. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he has "never authorised" attacks on his cabinet ministers, calling briefings against them "unacceptable".

Adam and Chris are joined by Alex Forsyth to discuss why this could be a sign of deeper problems for the Labour government, rather than just Westminster bubble gossip.

Plus Adam and Alex give an update on Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC, after Ed...

Today, will the BBC actually end up in court against President Trump?

Where would a potential lawsuit by President Trump against the BBC take place? Is $1 billion dollars a realistic figure? What are the calculations both sides are making? Adam discusses with BBC home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani.

And, the rate of UK employment has risen to 5%, the highest level since the pandemic. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has dropped the biggest hint yet he is about to scrap the two child benefit cap. Adam is joined by Henry and Dharshini.

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Today, President Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn.

In a latter to the corporation Trump’s legal team demands the BBC “immediately retract” a Panorama programme which edited a speech he made calling it “false and defamatory”.

It comes as BBC chair Samir Shah apologised for an "error of judgement" over the edit, and said the BBC was considering how to respond to Trump.

BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of BBC news Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday night, after a leaked memo criticised a 2024 Panorama programme about the US preside...

Today, Laura spoke to the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has said she retains confidence in the BBC’s leadership, as the corporation prepares to apologise over the way it edited a Donald Trump speech.

Adam and Henry discuss the political ramifications of that interview, as well as other accusations made in the letter by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee.

BBC chair Samir Shah will provide a response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday.

Plus, we learned today that UK m...

​​Today, the BBC announced that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is to unveil a major shake-up of the immigration and asylum system modelled on the Danish system, which is seen as one of the toughest in Europe. ​​ ​​Political correspondent Iain Watson joins Laura and Adam in the studio to tell them about his trip to Denmark where he’s been speaking to the people responsible for, and affected by, those reforms. ​​ ​​Also, Laura has interviewed the mother who is taking legal action against the company behind a chat bot which, she says, encouraged her 14 year old son to take his own life. We discuss s...

Today, after another two prisoners were mistakenly released from prison - why is the justice system failing and who is to blame?

Justice Secretary David Lammy is under increasing pressure after details have emerged that two more prisoners have been wrongly released. Why didn’t Mr Lammy explain the situation when he was speaking during PMQs? And what has gone wrong?

Plus, after a week where it has become increasingly clear more tax rises are expected at the budget - what is the chancellor’s plan?

Adam and Chris are joined by the head...

Today, Adam is joined by the BBC’s climate editor Justin Rowlatt, and Daniela Relph royal correspondent, to discuss Keir Starmer and Prince William’s speeches at COP30.

The Prince and the Prime Minister gave speeches that were slightly at odds with each other as Prince William called upon “the power of urgent optimism” whilst the PM warned that the “consensus is gone” on climate change.

Plus Adam is joined by Alex who’s been deep diving into Reform led local councils and what their first six months of governance can tell us about what a Reform led U...

Today, news that two prisoners were wrongly freed broke after the Conservatives' James Cartlidge pressed deputy PM David Lammy in the Commons on whether any asylum seekers had been mistakenly released since Hadush Kebatu last month.

Adam and Chris chat to home affairs commentator Danny Shaw on what we know about the release, the individuals involved and the political ramifications.

Then Adam speaks to Sir Charlie Mayfield, lead of the 'Keep Britain Working' review and former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership to discuss his report into ill-health and employment.

We talk about...

Today, Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out tax rises in a speech laying the groundwork ahead of the budget.

The Chancellor told gathered journalists “the world has thrown even more challenges our way” in a speech which seemed to confirm tax rises on 26th November. Labour had previously pledged not to hike income tax, VAT or National Insurance in it’s general election manifesto. Adam and Chris are joined by deputy economic editor Dharshini David.

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Today, Kemi Badenoch joins Newscast to mark 1 year since she became Conservative Party leader.

What has she made of her first year? Has she had to re think her approach to PMQs? Is Reform an existential threat to her party? And, will she stay on as leader regardless of the results in May’s elections?

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Today, Alex joins Laura to discuss what we know about a stabbing attack that took place on board a Doncaster-London train on Saturday evening.

The police have said "there's nothing to suggest" it was a terrorist incident. Two British nationals are being held in custody on suspicion of murder.

Plus we continue yesterday’s conversation about politicians weighing into royal affairs, as the Defence Secretary, John Healey, tells Laura that the King wants Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to lose his military titles.

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Today, we discuss how the saga the led to Prince Andrew becoming Andrew Mountbatten Windsor might have led to a shift in the relationship between politicians and the Palace.

Pressure is also mounting on Andrew from politicians in the US as members of a congressional committee investigating the Jeffrey Epstein case have intensified their calls for Andrew to answer questions about his links to the late sex offender.

Alex steps in for Paddy who’s away.

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Today, why did the King choose now to strip Andrew of his titles?

Adam, Alex, Ben Chu of BBC Verify and Matthew Doyle the former Downing Street communications director react to the news that Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Will we see him in public life again?

The panel also discuss the possibility of tax rises in the upcoming budget. And whether the labour government have backed themselves into a corner with their tax promises.

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Today, Buckingham Palace has announced it has stripped Andrew of his title of “Prince”.

He will be now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - effective immediately. He will also have to leave his official residence, Royal Lodge.

Adam is joined by Victoria Derbyshire, Newsnight Presenter and BBC Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph.

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Today, Rachel Reeves rental arrangements came into question, after it emerged her rental property didn’t have the correct licence required by the local council.

Adam is joined by Newsnight’s Nick Watt to discuss how the story about the Chancellor’s rental property has unfolded throughout the day. Later on Thursday, Rachel Reeves's letting agent released a statement apologising for not getting the necessary licence for her property - but does the Chancellor still have questions to answer? Adam and Nick pick through the statements and emails that have emerged.

Plus, Adam is joined by BBC...

Today, President Trump has arrived in South Korea ahead of his meeting with President Xi Jinping at APEC.

The two are set to discuss a possible trade deal which could bring the US and China back from the brink of a global trade war.

Adam is joined by China correspondent Laura Bicker and Americast host Anthony Zurcher, both in South Korea, to discuss TikTok, tariffs and soybeans, as they analyse how the two countries might finalise a deal. Plus, climate editor Justin Rowlatt joins Adam to explore the role climate change is playing in making...

Today, hundreds of asylum seekers could be housed in two military sites in Inverness and East Sussex as the government seeks to end the use of hotels.

Ministers are considering housing 900 men in the Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex. There are around 32,000 asylum seekers currently being housed in hotels. Adam and Chris discuss whether this will help with government’s pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.

And, there are fears of mass killings as Sudan’s civil war appears to have reached a significant turning poin...

Today, the government has announced an independent investigation into how a migrant sex offender was released from prison.

Speaking in the House of Commons the Justice Secretary David Lammy told mps that the release appears to have been “human error”. The Conservatives have called the mistake a “national embarrassment”. Adam and Chris are joined by HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

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Today, we look at the rearrest of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu, and discuss what his mistaken release means for confidence in the government.

Kebatu had been mistakenly released on Friday from HMP Chelmsford, where he was serving a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex.

We also discuss an apology from Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin, after she said: “it drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”.

Labour cabinet minister Wes Streeting has called the comment racist. Poch...

As promised, this is the full length interview that Laura Kuenssberg did with the former US Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Harris makes her strongest suggestion to date that she will make another presidential bid in 2028 after losing to Donald Trump last year.

She also said she believed predictions she made about Donald Trump behaving as a fascist and running an authoritarian government had come true. Something the White House has called ‘lies’.

And she’s questioned on whether her old running mate and former president, Joe Biden, dropped out of the race too late for he...

Laura and Paddy reflect on Laura’s interview with Kamala Harris, in which she gives the biggest hint yet that she might run for president again. She also calls Donald Trump a “tyrant”.

They discuss the White House’s response to her comments. It has said “people don’t care about her absurd lies”.

Laura also shares thoughts on Harris’s memoir and the differences between political interviews in the US and UK.

Chris Mason also joins to discuss the Labour deputy leadership result, as Lucy Powell is elected over Bridget Phillipson. They consider what th...

Today, Plaid Cymru have won a by-election in an area Labour haven’t lost in for 100 years.

Adam and Chris discuss what it means for Welsh Labour, and for Reform who came second.

Plus they are joined by Alex and Joe to round up the political week. Is the political pressure on Prince Andrew’s living situation sustainable? Is Keir Starmer re-thinking how to sell digital id? And, Newscast welcomes a major celebrity into the studio.

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Today, ‘Soldier F’ a former member of the Parachute Regiment has been found not guilty of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland in 1972.

The judge, Patrick Lynch, found that the evidence presented fell “well short” of what was needed for a conviction. However, he said that members of the Parachute Regiment had shot dead unarmed civilians and that those involved should “hang their heads in shame”. Adam is joined by Ireland correspondent Sara Girvin, who has been reporting on the trial and the verdict.

Plus, BBC News chief presenter Sumi Somaskanda and Russia edito...

Today, concerns are growing over the government’s handling of the set up of a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Two potential candidates to chair the inquiry have withdrawn their names from the process and four survivors have quit the panel assisting it.

Adam and Chris are joined by special correspondent Judith Moritz to discuss why this has become such a challenge for the government.

Plus, economics editor Faisal Islam explains why the price of orange juice has risen by 134% in the last 5 years and what it tells us about today’s inflation figures.

Yo...

Today, details have emerged about how Prince Andrew can afford his Windsor mansion as pressure builds over whether he should be allowed to keep it.

The new document reveals that instead of paying annual rent, Prince Andrew made large lump sum payments up-front, including for renovations. Adam is joined by politics and investigations correspondent Joe Pike to discuss whether political pressure is building for him to give up the property.

And, Boris Johnson has been giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry about the impact of the pandemic on children and young people. He told the...

Today, we discuss the allegations made in Virginia Giuffre’s memoir against Prince Andrew.

Virginia Giuffre passed away in April after taking her own life, but finished writing the book before her death. The book goes into detail about the allegations she has made against Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell. Prince Andrew denies all of the allegations made against him, but gave up his royal titles on Friday.

What does Giuffre say in the book, and how have the Royal Family responded? Adam is joined in the studio with BBC Newsnight presenter Victoria De...

Today, new allegations against Prince Andrew have appeared in the Sunday newspapers, accusing him of asking his police protection to investigate Virginia Giuffre just before the newspaper published a photo of her alleged first meeting with the prince. Prince Andrew has not commented on the reports, but consistently denies all allegations against him

Victoria Derbyshire and Simon Jack stand in for Laura and Paddy, joining Henry to discuss the latest accusations as well as what options are left for politicians, and the Royal Family, as Giuffre’s brother asks for the King to strip Andrew of his ti...

Today, we look at Prince Andrew’s announcement that he is giving up his titles. He has recently come under increased scrutiny over his ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after new allegations about his behaviour have emerged. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

Laura and Paddy are away, so Americast’s Marianna Spring and Justin Webb discuss the events leading up to this decision and whether or not this will be the end of the heightened attention towards the former duke.

Plus, Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse joins to look at Volodomyr Zelenksy’s fail...

Today, President Trump says he will meet President Putin in Hungary for Ukraine talks after “very productive” phone call.

The conversation comes a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to visit Trump in Washington DC on Friday. Adam and Chris are joined by Caitriona Perry, chief presenter for BBC News in Washington, and Jane Corbin, Panorama presenter.

They also discuss the Gaza ceasefire deal and the collapsed China spy case.

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Today, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned the Chancellor she’s risking being stuck in ‘Groundhog Day’ when it comes to her upcoming Autumn budget.

Adam is joined by Faisal, who’s been speaking to Chancellor Reeves at the IMF summit in Washington DC, and Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who have published their Green Budget document today. They discuss why Rachel Reeves should fear being stuck in an economic doomloop, the taxes that could rise in November’s budget, and what the chancellor has said to Faisal about ‘targeted action’ on inflation and...

Today, the government has  published witness statements related to a collapsed case against two people accused of spying for China. They deny all of the allegations against them.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was questioned by Kemi Badenoch, who accused the government of “a cover-up”. Starmer pointed to the fact the Conservatives were in power during the period concerning the case. Adam and Chris discuss what’s in the statement, and what this means for the Prime Minister.

Plus, The Climate Change Committee has sent a letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State saying...

Today, serious cyber attacks are on the rise and the government is telling businesses to make pen and paper plans to help them prepare. Adam is joined by BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy and Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and co-founder of the Global Signal Exchange, to discuss why more serious attacks are on the rise and what else can be done.

Plus, Chris and Adam are reunited to talk about the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as well as the controversial collapse of the...

Today, President Trump has said that “war is over” as the final twenty living Israeli hostages and almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

The president flew to Israel and then Egypt to discuss the next stages of his plan for peace with world leaders at a Gaza summit.

What’s being discussed and are things really ‘over’? Adam is joined in the studio by the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner and down the line with the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitríona Perry.

Plus, Adam sp...

Today, we hear more detail about the hostage release, which a Hamas official says will take place on Monday morning, and we talk through what to expect from an international peace summit in Egypt led by US President Donald Trump and Egypt.

Over 20 world leaders, including Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to be in attendance at Sharm El-Sheikh.

A spokesperson for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the summit is intended to "end the war in the Gaza Strip, strengthen peace and stability efforts in the Middle East, and open a...

Today, we look at the progress of the Trump peace plan for Israel and Gaza as Hamas recalls 7,000 fighters to reassert control over Gaza amid fears of renewed internal violence.

The Hamas mobilisation had been widely anticipated amid growing uncertainty about who will govern Gaza once the war ends.

The ceasefire appears to have held but Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are yet to be released.

Laura and Paddy speak with international editor Jeremy Bowen about the latest.

Plus, Laura explains how the contest to become deputy leader of the Labour...

Today, the Israeli military says the ceasefire in Gaza is now in effect.

Troops have positioned themselves along the lines agreed under the Trump plan, the IDF says - but will continue to "remove any immediate threat". It comes after the Israeli government approved a deal with Hamas which will also see the release of hostages.

Hamas now has 72 hours to release all Israeli hostages, while Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent.

And Adam, Chris and Dharshini are joined by Sarah Montague, presenter...

Today, Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have "signed off on the first phase" of the 20-point peace plan for Israel and Gaza he unveiled last week.

Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, who has been stood in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square where celebrations have been taking place. They discuss the substance of the ceasefire agreement, as well as what’s not yet clear.

Plus Sumi Somaskanda, Chief Presenter in Washington, and Jane Corbin, Panorama presenter and Middle East expert, unpack how Donald Trump’s so-called ‘peace plan’ has gained momentum.

And A...

Today, Kemi Badenoch gave a speech at the Conservative party conference. Adam, Chris, and Henry Zeffman were listening and give their immediate reaction.

She announced a flurry of new policies, including abolishing stamp duty and introducing a fiscal “golden rule”.

Did she manage to silence her critics? And is her job as party leader, at least for now, safe?

She also attacked Labour for the collapse a case of two men accused of spying for China, which they deny. But is she right to accuse the government of “sucking up to Beijing?”

You ca...

Today, how much political danger are the Conservative party in?

Adam and Chris are at Conservative party conference in Manchester where some comments from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have dominated the headlines.

In a recording reportedly made during a dinner and published by the Guardian, Jenrick said he had not seen "another white face" in the hour-and-a-half he spent in the Handsworth area of Birmingham filming a video about litter. Jenrick has defended the comments. Adam and Chris discuss this and the general state of the Conservative party.

Adam is also joined...

Today, negotiators from Israel and Hamas head to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to start indirect talks over an end to the Israel-Gaza war.

It appears this is the closest both sides have come to a deal since the war began two years ago. But Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan - which Israel has agreed to and Hamas has partly agreed to - is really just a framework, only a few pages long. So will the talks survive the detail? Adam talks to Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent, about how the next few days could play out?

Today, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announces new police powers to restrict protests.

Plus Tory leader Kemi Badenoch talks about her plan to remove 750,000 illegal migrants over five years, saying those who come to the UK without permission should "go back to where they came from".

And how much closer is a resolution of the conflict in Gaza?

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Today, Laura has visited the scene of the Manchester synagogue attack and spoken to members of the local community.

Paddy and Laura discuss the political reaction to Thursday’s attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

Plus, Kemi Badenoch has arrived in Manchester for her first Conservative party conference as leader. What’s at stake for her? And are we about to see her vision of Badenochism?

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Today, we discuss the aftermath of the Manchester synagogue attack as Greater Manchester Police say that one of the victims killed in yesterday's attack was hit by police gunfire as they shot the attacker. It’s not yet clear whether this was the cause of death.

Two Jewish men were killed when a man, who police believe to be Jihad Al-Shamie, drove a car at members of the public before stabbing people.

Three people remain in hospital, with one also being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, police say. Adam speaks to Danny Savage who ha...

Today, an attack on a synagogue in Manchester has been declared a terrorist incident by counter-terror police.

Members of Manchester’s Jewish Community were worshipping at the Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the attacker rammed a car and carried out a knife attack. Adam is joined by BBC News Correspondent Danny Savage, who has been on the scene in Manchester today.

Plus, Adam speaks to Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, ahead of their party conference in Bournemouth this weekend.

...

Today, a company linked to Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman has been ordered to pay £122m in damages after a judge ruled it breached a government contract for the supply of PPE during the Covid pandemic. A spokesperson for Mr Barrowman has described the ruling as "a travesty of justice". In December 2023, Baroness Mone, a former Conservative peer and lingerie tycoon, admitted to the BBC that she stood to benefit from tens of millions of pounds of profit from the contracts.

Adam is joined by Newscast’s own Laura Kuenssberg who interviewed the pair at the...

Today, Keir Starmer has used his conference speech to attack Nigel Farage saying he “doesn’t like Britain”.

The Prime Minister warned against “the politics of grievance” and said that the UK is at a “fork in the road”. In response Nigel Farage has accused Starmer of being an unfit PM.

Adam, Chris and Alex discuss this, as well as two policy announcements from the speech surrounding further education and the creation of NHS Online.

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Today, the Home Secretary has told Labour conference that migrants will have to prove they are contributing to society to earn the right to remain in the UK.

Under the proposals, legal migrants will have to learn English to a high standard, have a clean criminal record and volunteer in their community to be granted permanent settlement status. Meanwhile, earlier in the day the chancellor Rachel Reeves warned of harder choices to come when it comes to economic choices. Adam, Alex and Chris explain the significance of both speeches.

Plus, Adam is joined by chief...

​​Today, Keir Starmer has told Laura he thinks Reform’s policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain is "racist" and "immoral". ​​ ​​The policy, which could effectively lead to hundreds of thousands of people who are here legally being deported from the UK, was announced by party leader Nigel Farage last week. ​​ ​​Speaking on Laura’s on her BBC One Sunday show, the prime minister was anlso questioned on asylum hotels, the government’s new digital ID proposals, tax, and questions over leadership pressure from Andy Burnham. ​​ ​​We play the interview in full and Laura and Paddy are joined by chief political correspondent Henr...

Today, the prime minister warned that Reform UK “will tear this country apart” ahead of the Labour party conference. Sir Keir Starmer said the conference would be an opportunity to show Labour's alternative to the "toxic divide and decline" offered by Nigel Farage’s party. But he faces mounting pressure, with polls showing Labour trailing Reform UK, alongside speculation that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could mount a leadership challenge. Laura and Paddy are joined by former pollster to Clinton, Blair and Mandela, Stan Greenberg, to discuss Starmer’s strategy.

He also explains in what direction he thinks t...

Today, Keir Starmer is to announce plans for a digital ID scheme.

Number 10 say it would help crack down on illegal working and modernise the state. The previous Labour government's attempt to introduce ID cards was ultimately blocked by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

Adam, Chris, Vicki and Joe discuss this and Boris Johnson coming out against Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

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Today, Andy Burnham has said he’s ready to support the Prime Minister and the government in forming a “proper plan to beat Reform”. His latest comments follow several interviews over the last few days which have been taken as a sign that he might be interested in challenging Sir Keir Starmer for labour party leadership and Prime Minister.

Adam is joined by Henry and Tony Diver, associate political editor at the Telegraph who spoke to Andy Burnham yesterday.

Plus, the government says it has yet to decide if and how it will help Jaguar Land R...

Today, Russia has reacted to comments from Donald Trump claiming that Russia is a “paper tiger”, whose weak economy leaves them exposed to a Ukrainian counter offensive retaking all of their lost territory. It’s a huge shift from the president, but how seriously can we take his words? Catriona Perry and Vitaly Shevchenko join Adam to answer that question, and more.

Plus, Faisal Islam is in the studio to tell us about a big news story that’s coming down the track; an OBR forecast on productivity that could prove to be a great big thorn in the s...

Today, Ed Davey has vowed to lead the fight against Nigel Farage in his speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference.

Davey argued that the Lib Dems had a "moral responsibility" to challenge Reform and urged his party to embrace patriotism to speak for "Britain's decent silent majority".

Adam speaks to Chris from the conference in Bournemouth, and also interviews the Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader Daisy Cooper.

Plus, Adam is joined by Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s international editor, to discuss his new Panorama - Gaza: Dying for Food. In it, Jeremy looks at the...

Today, what does recognising a Palestinian state actually mean?

More countries are preparing to join the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as a state as world leaders meet in New York for the United Nations.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said recognition gives "a huge reward to terrorism" - he also says a Palestinian state "will not happen". Adam is joined by the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitriona Perry and diplomatic correspondent James Landale.

Plus, in a press conference the Reform party have announce they would abolish the rights of...

Today, we look at what Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to recognise a Palestinian state means. Laura and Paddy are joined by political correspondent Joe Pike to discuss the arguments for and against the move.

And we discuss the Liberal Democrat’s party conference, and whether Ed Davey’s stunts are playing well with voters and members.

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Today, we look at whether Russia is deliberately testing Nato, after three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonia’s airspace.

Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse joins Laura and Paddy from Kyiv to discuss the how Europe is responding.

Laura and Paddy also discuss an early rift in the leadership of Your Party, the new political party set up by former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.

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Today, Adam sits down with former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss his time in office, how he became the leader of Ireland and his new book Speaking My Mind.

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Today, Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer faced questions from the press on everything from Gaza to Lord Mandelson.

The press conference at the PM's country residence Chequers, lasted just under an hour.

After a difficult few weeks today was seen as the moment of most jeopardy for the Prime Minister, so faced with the press, did the two men avoid flash points? Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss.

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Today, King Charles has rolled out the red carpet for President Trump at Windsor Castle on his second state visit to the UK.

BBC Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph and Chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue join Adam to explore all the pomp and ceremony and what both nations want to get out of this vist.

Plus, the government has announced a new UK-US tech deal which will see major US tech companies invest £31 billion into the UK AI sector. BBC Economics editor Faisal Islam joins Adam to explain how the money will be spe...

Today, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

A new report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war with Hamas in 2023. Israel's foreign ministry said it categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as "distorted and false". Adam is joined by John Simpson - BBC World Affairs Editor and Presenter of Unspun World.

And, an emergency debate has been held in the House of Commons...

Today, Danny Kruger the Conservative MP and shadow minister has defected to Reform.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage, Kruger said “the Conservatives are over” and confirmed he would not be triggering a by-election.

In response Kemi Badenoch says she is “not going to get blown off course” - Adam and Chris discuss this, and the Prime Minister’s comments today that he would “never” have appointed Mandelson had he known full Epstein links.

Plus, Adam is joined by Panorama presenter Jane Corbin ahead of President Trump’s state visit. They discuss the hist...

Today, we hear from the family of Virginia Giuffre, who became the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein.

In an interview with Laura, they said that Lord Mandelson should never have been given the position of UK ambassador to the United States.

And Business Secretary Peter Kyle told her it was "highly unlikely" Lord Mandelson would have been appointed if the extent of his relationship with Epstein was known to those in government.

We unpack the interview, the government response, and what it means for Keir Starmer.

We also look ahead...

Today, we look at how Bloomberg broke the story of Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein that got him sacked as US ambassador. And we hear new information about the investigation Keir Starmer carried out into the relationship before appointing him.

Laura and Paddy are joined by Alex Campbell who led the Bloomberg team.

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Today, we look back at a very difficult week for Keir Starmer and the Government. Lord Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to the US comes only days after the Prime Minister reshuffled his cabinet and the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. Starmer sacked Lord Mandelson after new information emerged about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – a week before US President Trump’s visit to the UK. Where does this string of trouble leave the party? And, why is there so much focus on one of Keir Starmer’s main advisors?

Adam is joined in the s...

Today, Keir Starmer sacked US Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson following the publication of messages he exchanged with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Adam and Chris discuss how the ambassador’s position became untenable, and what this means for questions around Starmer’s leadership plus Trump’s planned state visit next week.

And Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah. But who was Charlie Kirk? And what do we know about the ongoing hunt for his killer? Marian...

Today, politicians across the House of Commons have called for Lord Mandelson to resign as UK ambassador to the US over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson acknowledged that there could be more "embarrassing" exchanges to come from his correspondence with Epstein who he described as his "best pal" in a letter for his 50th birthday.

He likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar".

Adam and Chris discuss what the revelations mean for...