Newscast

On the day that Boris Johnson called for a shorter and smaller Christmas, Laura and Fergus explain why the government's message is both the same and also different to what they said before. And we dispel some anti-vax myths after one Newscaster got in touch about a leaflet she got through her door. Studio Director: Russell Newlove Producers: Georgia Coan, Rick Kelsey Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham E...

With calls for tighter coronavirus restrictions over Christmas, plans for the UK’s four nations to allow three households to meet are coming under strain. BBC Wales’s political editor Felicity Evans explains why there’s pressure in both directions. Branwen Jeffreys is back to tell us about the row over schools staying open before the holidays. And John Sudworth talks us through his latest investig...

Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg and Hugh Pym to chat the ins and outs of London's move into England’s highest Covid tier this Wednesday. Dr Naomi Forrester-Soto assures us we probably don't need to worry about the “new variant” of coronavirus. And as blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men are to be relaxed across the UK, Dr Joseph Heskin explains why this is a big moment - both as a doct...

It’s been a year where many of us have lost a loved one. How do you deal with grief, or start to talk about it? Griefcast’s Cariad Lloyd joins Adam to guide us through. Meanwhile, James drops by with new tier rumours, vaccine news, and the truth about whether Russians are being asked to choose their shots. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Ben Weisz Output Editor: Rick Kelsey Ed...

Boris Johnson says there is now a "strong possibility" of a no-deal. The Brexitcasters are back AGAIN, this time joined by former International Trade Secretary, Dr. Liam Fox. Studio Director: Ged Sudlow Producers: Rick Kelsey and Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos

As Boris Johnson's dinner with Ursula von der Leyen risks turning into a Last Supper for UK-EU trade talks, the Brexitcast gang reunite to discuss whether a deal is salvageable. And as the vaccine rollout continues with new warnings for those suffering severe allergies, Sir Bob Geldof drops in to explain why he's an evangelist for the jabs. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben...

A great day for science, a bad day for Covid-19. As the first Pfizer vaccines are given to patients in the UK, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine publishes its data. Adam and Fergus chat to virologist Dr Elisabetta Groppelli about how the rollout might go - and learn some Italian while they're at it. Jenny Hill has the latest from the prosecutors in Berlin trying to build a case against the suspect in...

Boris Johnson will head to Brussels this week to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a last ditch effort to salvage a post-Brexit trade deal. But is a breakthrough possible? Activate Brexitcast! And could snowy UK winters could become a thing of the past? Justin Rowlatt tells us how the UK’s climate could change where you live. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet...

The BBC's Dan Roan joins Adam to discuss the return of football fans to professional games in England as well as the Premier League rescue package for clubs in lower divisions. And James Gallagher provides the latest on testing. Where can people get a test and are rapid lateral flow tests all they’re cracked up to be? Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sof...

The chances of a breakthrough in the post-Brexit trade negotiations are “receding” according to Laura’s secret squirrel source - so we’ve sounded the Brexitcast klaxon! And Tony Blair joins us to talk Brexit, vaccines and why he doesn’t watch political dramas on TV - especially ones featuring Tony Blair. Studio Director: William Allott Producers: Rick Kelsey; Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino S...

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been judged safe for use in the UK, and will start to be rolled out next week. Adam is joined by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym, Professor of Immunology Deborah Dunn-Walters and GP Dr Amir Khan to answer Newscasters’ questions. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Sej Asar and Harriet Noble Episode Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

England's national lockdown was, in the end, replaced with the Government's tougher tier system of local restrictions. Restrictions called "stupid" and poorly-targeted by some of its own backbenchers. Vicki and Adam discuss why those rebels spoke up. Some of those politicians have been throwing around bed occupancy figures - but there are better ways to talk about how full a hospital is. Dr Corali...

On the day that Arcadia, the owner of Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, goes into administration, the BBC's Simon Jack discusses what went wrong. And with SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon addressing her party conference, the BBC's Sarah Smith joins Adam to talk about what 2021 could hold for the prospect of Scottish independence. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Ben Weisz Assistant Edito...

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey pops in to explain why artists want a fairer slice of the streaming pie - and to discuss whether festivals are back for 2021. After exciting vaccine news earlier this week, some people had questions about the data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. Adam and Fergus try to answer some of them with help from Professor Jennifer Rogers. And legendary LGBT venue G-A-Y explains...

More than 23 million people in England will be placed in the highest tier 3 category of coronavirus restrictions, when the national lockdown ends next Wednesday. Adam, Laura and Chris talk through the new tougher tier system, and the government’s methods for choosing which areas move up and down the scale. And, former Conservative Education and International Development Secretary Justine Greening...

The economic battle after the Covid shock has only just begun. Richard Hughes from the Office for Budget Responsibility joins Laura and Adam to discuss the Spending Review. And after the death of Diego Maradona, we mourn the footballing legend with Mark Chapman and ex-England international Trevor Steven. Studio Manager: Emma Close Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Sej Asar, Jo Deahl Assistant Edi...

The news we've all been waiting for... three households can mix over Christmas in the UK. Adam, Vicki and Fergus take us through the festive yules... I mean rules. And Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, tells us why he thinks the stricter tiers system is a disaster for pubs, and why you might need a 'vaccine passport' to get into a festival next summer. Studio Direc...

The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is highly effective at stopping people developing Covid-19 symptoms, a large trial shows. And the Prime Minister announces that gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month. Adam is joined by Laura and Fergus to discuss the latest. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Frank...

Adam is joined by the BBC's Sinéad Garvan to discuss the latest in the "Wagatha Christie" row. And Paul Johnson, from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, decodes next week's government spending review so you don't have to... Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

As Laura learns that Home Secretary Priti Patel appears to have been found in breach of the ministerial code - usually enough to quit Government - what will the Prime Minister do? Fergus is back - and while he might not be able to promise Adam and Chris the festivities they were hoping for this Christmas - he can bring more exciting vaccine news, this time about the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. And t...

Adam is joined by Chris Stark, from the UK's Climate Change Committee, to discuss the government's green plan. Can it actually be delivered? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Jeremy Corbyn has been readmitted to the Labour Party he led until April. Iain Watson brings us up to speed with reaction from all sides. In other political news - time for a civics lesson for Laura and Adam from Scotland Editor Sarah Smith. The Prime Minister’s walked into another row over devolution - but what is it, exactly? And as the Government launches its post-Grenfell plan to make sure soc...

Adam, Laura and James discuss the news that the Moderna vaccine has a nearly 95% efficacy rate. Nick Timothy, former joint Chief of Staff to Theresa May, joins us to dissect the latest Cummings and goings at 10 Downing Street. And get your shoulder pads at the ready! We talk the latest 80s-tastic season of The Crown with broadcasting legends Jennie Bond and Simon McCoy. Studio Director: Emma Crowe...

Peter Sutcliffe, the serial killer who was serving a whole life term for murdering 13 women across Yorkshire and north-west England, has died. Adam is joined by Ex-police officer Bob Bridgestock, who worked on the Sutcliffe case. And the BBC's Sima Kotecha explains why Diwali celebrations may be difficult this year. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Alix Pickles, Georgia Coan, Frank...

With a deadline looming for a deal with the EU, Adam is stalking Michel Barnier, Laura and Chris are avidly following the pandemonium in Downing St, while Katya is getting popcorn emojis from officials in Brussels...it’s just like old times! Brexitcast is back to explain what lies in the way of a post-Brexit trade deal, whether Joe Biden’s election makes it more or less likely to happen, and wheth...