What You Need To Know

When it comes to childcare in this country, it’s a postcode lottery.   With years of underfunding, finding affordable and available nursery places is a real struggle for most parents.   And with nurseries closing at a faster rate than new ones are opening, there doesn’t seem to be much hope.   So, what is the government planning to do?     ITV News Social Affairs Correspondent, Sarah Corker, tells...

It’s been compared to the Post Office and infected blood scandal.   The Lampard Inquiry which began on Monday is the first British public inquiry to specifically investigate mental health deaths and is a watershed moment for many.   For the families who lost loved ones, it’s been a long time coming.   So, what does it hope to achieve? And when will the families get answers?   ITV News Reporter Cha...

It’s happening right here on our streets, in our communities and across the country.   Modern slavery is not just an international issue, it takes place close to home, unfolding in every London borough and beyond.   And yet, less than one in five Brits would know how to spot the crime itself.   So, why is there a lack in understanding? And could you notice the signs of modern slavery?   From the c...

72 people died, over 7 years gone by, and more than a hundred million pounds spent on the police investigation and yet no one has been charged.   The long-awaited inquiry report shows Grenfell was a disaster waiting to happen.   And despite this week’s findings, the unbearable wait to bring those responsible to trial continues.   So, why is the wait so long? And will the bereaved families and surv...

A month ago today, on a sunny summer’s evening, fire and fury arrived in a quiet English market town.   In Tamworth, a protest outside a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers, spiralled into a siege, following the misinformation that spread over the Southport attack.   So, how did it happen? Why Tamworth? How much is social media to blame? And has the town recovered?     ITV News Investigations Corre...

It is the front line of climate change: the Arctic.    Temperatures are rising at three times the global average - melting ice, damaging vital ecosystems and causing sea levels to rise.   But it’s not just a problem for the region, it’s a problem for the whole planet.    So, why is it melting so fast? And how can the Arctic be saved?   From Svalbard, ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew and...

In the latest episode of our quick briefing news podcast, Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker tells Faye Barker why, following an ITV News report last month, more and more women are coming forward to tell their shocking stories of forced adoptions. Warning: This episode contains details some listeners may find upsetting. 

In the latest episode of our quick briefing news podcast, Arts Editor Nina Nannar tells Lucrezia Millarini why Oasis have chosen 2025 for their long-awaited comeback and how much the UK and Ireland tour is likely to earn Noel and Liam.

As Taylor Swift brought the curtain down on the European leg of her Era’s tour, she wrapped what’s become the highest-grossing tour in history. Having boosted a jaw dropping 1 billion pounds to the UK economy alone, her tour’s generated so much money that it’s been coined ‘Swiftinomics.’ So, did you cash in? And what impact has it left behind? ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi and producer Rhian...

There’s long been a crisis in Scotland and it’s only getting worse. Drug related deaths have surged over the last year, making it the highest rate in Europe. And despite the government declaring a public health emergency five years ago, little progress has been made and those who have lost loved ones are desperate for change. So, why can’t the government bring the numbers down? ITV News Scotland C...

A public health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organisation over a new outbreak of Mpox. More than 17,000 cases have been confirmed across Africa and just last week the virus made its way to Europe. So, how worried should we be? How close is it to reaching the UK? And could this become a global pandemic?   ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew tells Cari Davies what you need...

Kaydell Brown had just celebrated her 38th birthday before travelling to Turkey for cosmetic surgery. After several tough years as a hard-working single mum of two, she hoped the surgery would boost her self-confidence, but instead it tragically killed her. Now, her family are using this as a warning to the 150,000 Brits who travel to Turkey for surgery every year. So, just what went wrong? ITV Ne...

There’s a new mystery drug that’s hitting the party scene in Ibiza. It’s called pink cocaine. Whilst the bright colour of the drug might remain the same, what’s inside the drug is a Russian roulette, changing from dealer to dealer and can even include the lethal drug, fentanyl. So, why is the popular party drug so unpredictable? And will it make its way to the UK? George Hancorn tells Lucrezia Mil...

A second Russian region has declared a state of emergency, following attacks by Ukraine forces. First Kursk, now Belgorod. It's the first time since World War Two that Russia has lost territory to a foreign army. So, can Ukraine maintain its advance? And how will Putin respond? ITV News Correspondent John Ray tells Mary Nightingale What You Need to Know…

Today is set to be the hottest day of the year, as Brits prepare to scorch in the summer sun. But, with thunderstorms ever present, this short intense spell of heat won’t be around for long. So, what makes this heatwave so short? And could this be the last of the summer sun? Senior Meteorologist Craig Snell tells ITV Weather presenter Becky Mantin what you need to know... 

Instead of bringing in the New Year with her family in 2023, Maria discovered that her 21-year-old daughter, Sophia, had died. She was fast asleep in her London flat when the battery of her boyfriend’s E-Bike exploded, causing a raging house fire. Sophia’s just one of many whose lives have been tragically taken by E-bike or E-scooter fires. So, why are the regulations lacking? And how can E-bikes...

Are some animals gay? It’s a question that’s been highlighted by new research from the Natural History Museum, which has found same sex couples in more than 1,500 different specifies. But is it appropriate to describe animal behaviour through human terms? And what can we learn from this? Charlie Frost is joined by Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Zoologist from the Natural History Museum, Josh Davis...

In the latest episode, Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen tells Cari Davies what you need to know... ‘This is not protest, this is pure violence’ are the words from the Prime Minister today following days of widespread unrest across the country. It started after the fake news that spread over the Southport stabbings one week ago today. And now Sir Keir Starmer has vowed that those involved will f...

Have you ever been contacted out of the blue by your bank and asked to share your personal details? Well, you could have been just one of thousands whose been targeted by a fraudster.   And as technology gets more sophisticated, the scammers are getting smarter and savvier. So, how can you spot a scam? What’s being done to stop this? And how can we better protect ourselves? ITV News Reporter Kaf O...

The death of Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, is one of the most significant moments in the Middle East since the October 7 attack on Israel. In the early hours of this morning, he was killed inside Iran. And now, Iran’s supreme leader has vowed ‘severe punishment.’ So, is the Middle East on the verge of an all-out war? And what does his death mean for the conflict in Gaza? ITV News Internationa...

In an Instagram age where tourists are searching for the perfect selfie – the idyllic island of Santorini has become the perfect backdrop. And as more and more flock to the holiday hotspot, they’re causing chaos and driving out locals. But, with the island lacking power to impose restrictions, what can be done? And can anything stop them? Europe Editor James Mates tells Cari Davies what you need t...

We've seen countless stories of failures in the system designed to help our most vulnerable children - those with special educational needs and disabilities. This week ITV News journalists - both nationally and in all our regions - will be putting an even bigger spotlight on the real life impact of the SEND crisis. Neil Barbour from ITV Anglia, Jonny Brown from ITV Calendar and Katie Cole from ITV...

Strictly Come Dancing has been dominating the headlines as claims mount over abusive treatment of the show’s celebrity contestants. The nation’s beloved BBC programme, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, risks losing its reputation, or even more. So, as the allegations rise, could this year’s show be Strictly's last dance? And what's being done to resolve the crisis?  ITV News Enterta...

New research reveals that markers of Motor Neurone Disease are more likely to be found in the blood of retired sportsmen who have suffered several concussions, offering hope of early diagnosis and possibly earlier treatment. It also adds more weight to growing evidence of the link between contact sports and brain conditions. So, where does this leave sports like rugby? Martin Stew tells Lucrezia M...

As he raised his fist in defiance, the image of Donald Trump smeared in blood, is one that will shape the US election campaign and history. The iconic image has sent shockwaves on social media, sparking several conspiracy theories – with some wondering if it was an order from the US President himself. So, how do you spot the fact from fiction? And how will the assassination attempt change the camp...