The UTV Podcast

So bad is the cost of childcare here that some women are choosing not to have a second child or return to work. Stewart Robson has a special report, and we'll be joined by Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses and Anna Mercer from Stratagem. Just what is the current state of Loyalism and where might it be headed. We'll be joined by Sandhurst Senior Lecuturer and author Dr. Aaron Ed...

Chris Quinn is Northern Ireland's new Commissioner for Children and Young People. He's the fourth person to hold the post since it was first created in 2003. Mr Quinn previously served as the director of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. Just five weeks into his new role, he spoke to UTV reporter Tori Watson about some of his key priorities.

Did the DUP Leader use his weekend party conference speech to begin laying a potential path for the DUP to return to Stormont? The DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tells his party conference at the weekend that a successful Stormont is 'an essential element' in building the case for the Union. Our Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne has that report. And we've analysis from Suzanne Breeen and P...

Former Ireland back row powerhouse Stephen Ferris, is the man who outmuscled Australia at the World Cup and he insists the team are determined to go all the way at this year's tournament. He spoke with UTV Sport Correspondent Ruth Gorman.

In this episode Carol Jordan sits down with UTV's Health Reporter Deborah McAleese to talk about a special edition of UTV Live airing on 13 October at 6pm which looks at the reasons why people travel abroad for medical procedures and the pros and cons of doing so.

What vision might Labour have for Northern Ireland if the party were to come to power after the next general election? Vicki Hawthorne will have the latest from the party conference in Liverpool, as well as an extended sit down with the Shadow Secretary of State Hillary Benn. Plus, will there be any agreement between the DUP and the government in their Windsor Framework talks? Eden Wilson will hav...

Our Political Editor has the very latest from the Tory conference in Manchester - as well as an extended sit down interview with the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris. He tells Tracey the government is in the final phase of talks with the DUP. Is there a crisis in special education provision here? Sarah McKinley investigates. We'll be joined by Rachel Hogan from the Childrens' Law Centre. Our...

The DUP may continue to oppose the Windsor Framework but in a few days it becomes reality here. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee will have the very latest on how it's likely to play out. We'll be joined by Nichola Mallon of Logistics UK as well as the managing director of Lynas Foods, Andrew Lynas and Tina McKenzie from the Fedation of Small Businesses. No end to the algal bloom crisis on Lough N...

Jordan Moore is joined on the latest edition of the UTV Podcast by sports journalists Mark McIntosh and Kevin McLaughlin to discuss the pros and cons of football in Northern Ireland switiching to a summer season.

We hear the concerns of local people over the state of Lough Neagh and the damage being done by toxic blue-green algae. As the government's hugely controversial legacy bill clears all parliamentary hurdles, what now for those who fear they may never get the justice they want. Eden Wilson has a special report. We talk to the legal expert Joshua Rozenberg. We'll also be joined by Sandra Peake from t...

On this episode of the UTV Podcast, Carol Jordan speaks to Anne Devlin from the Economic and Social Research Institute to discuss disability rates in Northern Ireland, the economic realities for those with disabilities and how they could be affected in this time of unprecedented budget cuts. UTV journalist Jordan Moore also also talks to Dermot Devlin a wheelchair user and disability activist who...

In this week's View From Stormont, after a very public slapdown from the Secretary of State, are relationships deteriorating between the British and Irish Governments? Our Political Editor Tracey Magee has an in-depth interview with Chris Heaton-Harris. Policing in crisis, where now for the PSNI and the Policing Board? Eden Wilson has a special report; and we'll be joined by security journalist Br...

A week on from the resignation of PSNI chief constable, Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates discuss who is running the crisis-hit organisation. They discuss how a court judgment rapidly led to turmoil at the top, the options facing the Policing Board and who would want the job. They also discuss how some in the PSNI may have been pleased to see the turnover of the past week.

UTV is at the heart of the Rugby World Cup bringing you a special programme previewing the tournament – ‘UTV in France’ which airs next Thursday 7 September at 10.45pm. Ireland are one of the favourites to lift the cup and with expectations soaring, we got the views of former Ireland captain Rory Best, on their chances. Rory has been to four World Cups and he talks about what Ireland need to do to...

Barbie has broken numerous box office records, including becoming the first film to be directed by a woman to earn over $1billion. In the latest episode of the UTV Podcast, journalist Tori Watson finds out how audiences have received the film on the big screen and she speaks to gender-equality expert Emma Rainey about its portrayal of gender roles.

August 8, 2023, will go down as a key date in UK policing history. That was when the PSNI, in answer to a simple question on the make-up of the organisation, released detailed information that has put at risk everyone of its officers and staff at risk. In this episode of the UTV Podcast, Carol Jordan discusses the security breach with Jordan Moates. They discuss the ramifications, they likely cost...

UTV's Gareth Wilkinson discusses the 25th anniversary of the Omagh bomb with Peter Moor and how the devastating attack helped bring the town together and instil some comfort. Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed by the bomb planted by the Real IRA, the worst loss of life in any incident in Northern Ireland’s troubled past. It came just months after the historic Go...

UTV Life presenter Pamela Ballantine is urging anyone who is called for a routine mammogram to make sure they attend the appointment. The call comes as the broadcaster revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer just days after Christmas last year. Speaking to friend and colleague Ali Fleming about her experience, Pamela spoke about the treatment she went through, losing her hair, and paid tribu...

Winnie M Li was visiting Belfast in 2008 when she was attacked by a stranger. Her attacker was recently jailed again for assaulting and robbing a 92 year old woman. With reports of sexual assaults at an all-time high, she has called on the criminal justice system to do more to support victims, and to stop repeat offenders. She spoke to UTV reporter and presenter Sarah Clarke about her experiences...

The secretary of state has said he is 'optimistic' about a return of Stormont, but he's refused to say when. As MPs went on summer recess, Chris Heaton-Harris was in Hillsborough to wrap up the latest round of political party talks aimed at ending the current deadlock. In an exclusive interview with UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee, he said there would be no further talks about financial suppor...

From the north-west to the world, Derry Girls became a worldwide TV hit. And the props, sets and memorabilia from the show are now part of an exhibition at the city's Tower Museum. In this next episode of the UTV Podcast, Rita Fitzgerald sits down with Shauna Bray and Aoife O'Neill - two original Derry girls who inspired some of the stories which made the show.

Hidden NI returned to UTV for a second series. Presenter Sara O'Kane uncovers some of the hidden gems some people may not know exist for the show. In this podcast the programme's senior producer Alison Fleming discusses with Carol Jordan the making of the programme - from kayaking and swimming with the dolphins to visiting the Moira Depot which looks after historic buildings. You can read Ali's bl...

With little sign of an Executive returning any time soon - and public services in crisis - we reflect on what's likely to happen in the weeks and months ahead with an expert panel. We're joined by Dr Clare Rice from the University of Liverpool, Dr David McCann from Slugger O'Toole, Professor Deirdre Heenan from Ulster University, Kevin Doyle from the Irish Independent and the commentator Alex Kane...

An academic has warned how devastating cuts to Northern Ireland's public services will last for years. Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, a social security researcher and lecturer at the Ulster University, was talking to Carol Jordan for the latest UTV Podcast. Her comments come after two university research reports found how woman have been forced to skip meals in order to feed their children and that cuts to...

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne is facing a huge task in maintaning his legal responsibilities in the face of huge budget cuts. In this podcsat he also discusses legacy, officer misconduct and his time as Northern Ireland's top police officer with Jordan Moates.