Newscast

Today, we’re recapping a busy first week back in Westminster - and hearing from the Green Party conference in Manchester. Adam is joined by Matt Chorley at the end of his first week on 5 Live to chat about how the Labour government is disciplining potential rebel MPs, the latest dispatch from the Conservative leadership contest and the number of Parliamentary pets he’s spoken to on his show so far...

Today Adam and Chris talk to Eluned Morgan, the new first minister of Wales, about her upbringing at the heart of Welsh politics, the working relationship with a new Westminster government, 20mph speed limits and the tough job of uniting Welsh labour after a tumultuous year. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It wor...

Today, we look at Michel Barnier’s surprise selection as French Prime Minister, and a “historic success” for the far-right in Germany. The EU’s former Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has been named as the new French prime minister in a surprise announcement by Emmanuel Macron. But will this finally break the deadlock in Paris? And, Germany’s anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) has wo...

​​Today we look at the publication of the report into the Grenfell Tower fire. ​​ ​​The chair of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick concluded all 72 deaths “were all avoidable”. ​​ ​​Adam and Chris speak to Kate Lamble, presenter and producer of the BBC’s Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast and BBC London presenter Eddie Nestor. ​​ ​​You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to list...

Today the Scottish government has confirmed up to £500 million of spending cuts to help balance the books ahead of the autumn statement. Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robinson said financial mismanagement of the previous UK government and continuing Labour austerity are to blame for the pressures. But could the SNP have done more to prevent the cuts? And will there be more to come when the fu...

Today we look at what’s on the political agenda as Parliament returns. Adam and Chris discuss the government’s decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel and explore the introduction of a new system for grading schools in England. Plus are the Labour backbenches gearing up for a rebellion? An early day motion has been tabled proposing delaying changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. And, there ar...

Today we speak to Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, former presidential adviser to George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump and Labour’s new defence adviser. Fiona Hill was born in Bishop Auckland in County Durham before studying Russian at university and moving to the US. She testified during Trump’s first impeachment trial and is now advising the Labour government on the...

Today, we relive a week in the life of Keir Starmer. Adam and Paddy are joined by Politics Live presenter Jo Coburn, to discuss the Prime Minister’s movements this week - and what they tell us about the direction he may lead his government in when Parliament returns. What can we expect from October’s budget? Why has Keir Starmer taken aim at smoking areas? And could the Labour government take less...

Today, we look at Kamala Harris’ first big interview in her presidential campaign. Why did she wait for so long? Why was her VP pick, Tim Walz also there? Did she impress? Adam speaks to presenter of the Coming Storm podcast, Gabriel Gatehouse, and BBC News’ chief presenter, Caitríona Perry. Plus, the SNP are kicking off the conference season with the big question seeming to be what went wrong for...

Today, we look at the government considering banning smoking outdoors in public places. Sir Keir Starmer says that the government is looking at stopping smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, outside hospitals and sports grounds. Adam is joined by Newsnight political editor Nick Watt and 5Live presenter Nicky Campbell. And, did you see Oasis at Warwick University in 1993? We want to hear fro...

Today, Adam dusts off his Brexitcast binders as we look at Keir Starmer’s trip to Berlin and his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Adam chats to Henry about travelling with the prime minister, and what’s in his proposed treaty with Scholz, as well as the snacks he’s been enjoying on the plane. What does Keir Starmer mean when he says ‘reset’? And will a charm offensive with other Europea...

Today, we look at a gloomy warning from Keir Starmer, and the return of Oasis. The PM cast a shadow across the Downing Street Rose Garden this morning, warning that the October budget will be painful. Starmer called on the country to accept short term pain for long term good. But are the new government right to be spending so much time levelling blame on the previous administration? Deputy Politic...

Today, it’s a Bank Holiday so we’re answering your questions! Adam is joined by Paddy and Henry to chat through the big events to look out for before the end of the year. And they answer your questions about Rachel Reeves’ first budget, who the ‘teacher’s pet’ of the House of Commons might be and how low turnout at the 2024 election could continue to shape the political landscape. Newscast brings...

Today we speak to David Harewood, actor and the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. David has starred in shows like Homeland and Line of Duty and will soon be appearing in season two of Sherwood. In February 2024 he was appointed President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art which he first attended as a student. Adam speaks to David about his role as president, what the recent riots t...

Today, we take a look at the race for the White House, following the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Did Kamala Harris do enough to connect with the voters this week? Will Trump’s attacks on her work? And what impact will Robert Kennedy JR’s decision to drop out have on the race? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BB...

Kamala Harris closed the DNC with a speech that she hopes will sway voters to the Democrats. The day began with speculation over whether she might be joined on stage by Taylor Swift or Beyoncé. In the end, Harris took to the stage alone and focused on her upbringing and a pitch to America’s middle class. The team assemble on the final night of the convention to analyse whether she did enough to wi...

Today we look at celebrity political endorsements, and whether they make a difference at the polls. At the Democratic National Convention last night, Hollywood stars took to the stage to endorse Kamala Harris for President, but will their support actually change the results of the election? Adam’s joined by Marianna and John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times. And, the first...

Today we look at who was involved in organising the riots across the UK. Adam is joined by Investigations Correspondent Daniel De Simone and Chief Political Correspondent Henry Zeffman to chat about what the riots across the country tells us about the far right. And, what the latest government borrowing figures might mean for Rachel Reeves’ first budget as Chancellor. You can now listen to Newscas...

Today, we look at the rescue operation following the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast off Sicily. Six people are still missing, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, after the Bayesian sank on Monday. Why are rescue divers struggling to reach the yacht’s cabins? What freak weather conditions caused the ship to sink? Mark Lowen, BBC Rome correspondent, joins Adam from Sicily where he’s r...

Today, we look at Kamala Harris taking centre stage at the Democratic National Convention, as she is poised to become presidential nominee. With just 11 weeks until the American people go to the polls, Kamala Harris will be nominated as the official Democrat presidential nominee on Thursday at the DNC in Chicago. Will we learn more about Harris’ policies? What will President Biden Say? Could Beyon...

Today we speak to the first British astronaut Helen Sharman. Helen went to space in 1991 after responding to a radio advert calling for people to apply to become Britain’s first astronaut. After 18 months of intensive training she spent eight days in space conducting experiments. Adam and Helen talk about living in the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War, whether humans really will make it to...

Adam Fleming and friends discuss the week's biggest stories.

Today, we look at the pay-outs to victims of the infected blood scandal. The government has pledged to push ahead with compensation payments from the end of 2024, and announced that victims will receives payments for life. Adam is joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds, Paymaster General, to discuss the scandal and how the government will pay for it. Plus, are there more rail strikes on the way? What about...

Today, thousands of students receive their results from A-level, T-level, BTec Nationals and other Level 3 qualifications. Adam is opening Newscast University for one day only! He’s joined by BBC education editor Branwen Jeffreys, who tells us what today’s results reveal about the state of higher education in the UK. And the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an mpox outbreak a public he...

Today, we look at the latest inflation figures and how Russian state media are covering Ukraine’s continuing advance into Russia. James Cook is in for Adam, and he’s joined by political correspondent Alex Forsyth and chief economic correspondent Dharshini David to discuss the rise in the rate of UK inflation. They also talk about the Scottish government’s spending cuts, which include no longer pro...