Newscast

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… 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:...

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...

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...

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”....

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 a...

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. You can join o...

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...

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 parli...

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 t...

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 pa...

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 c...

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 diplom...

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...

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-mak...

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...

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. B...

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...

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...

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 tent...

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 ru...

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'Donoghu...

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 Grac...

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 b...

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...

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. Mea...