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Vaccino (with an extra shot) Dec 08, 2020

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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 the case of Madeleine McCann. And in honour of William Shakespeare, whose namesake got the vaccine today, we've rewritten one of his great monologues for the Covid age.

Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Alix Pickles Editor: Dino Sofos

Brexitcast: Bitchy Corners Dec 07, 2020

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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 Noble and Alix Pickles Editor: Dino Sofos

Mask of the Day Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

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 Sofos

Brexitcast: Private Party Dec 03, 2020

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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 Sofos

VA Day Dec 02, 2020

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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

New Tiers' Eve Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

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 Coralie Carle explains.

And as the BBC reveals that people in deprived parts of England were almost twice as likely to die during the height of lockdown than people in richer areas, Ed Thomas and Father Alex Frost join us to reflect on how those pressures are being felt in Burnley.

If you've been affected by any of what you hear in this edition, help is available. Find out more at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Ben Weisz, Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

STopshop Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

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 Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Guy Garvey’s Glastonbury Taskforce Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

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 why it’s partnering up with McDonalds to keep its doors open in Tier 2.

Studio Manager: Mike Reggard Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Tier Drop Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

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 joins tells us why she believes not enough is being done to “level-up” the country, both at home and abroad.

Producers: Patrick Baker, Georgia Coan, Frankie Tobi, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

We’ve Only Just Begun Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

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 Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

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