Newscast

Latest Episodes:

The End Of Year Political Report Card Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry look back at the last parliamentary year with the summer recess on the horizon.

How have the main political parties fared a year on since the general election? And which of them would be top of the class in their school report cards?

You can watch every episode of Newscast on the YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS3XGZxi7cBU_AtRadnVPJPRC6LHrexaF You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Rufus Gray with Josh Jenkins. The social producers Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Who Is Actually In Charge Of The Country? Jul 19, 2025

Show notes

Today, Laura and Paddy ask who in charge of the country as the Prime Minister’s authority is again in question.

From backbenchers, to ministers to the markets - who is actually driving this government? Laura and Paddy look to find the answers.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Josh Jenkins. The social producers Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaarrd. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

More River Pollution, More Anger Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Today, the Environment Agency reported a 60% rise in serious pollution incidents by water companies within a year. There were 2,801 pollution incidents in England in 2024, the highest on record, up from 2,174 in 2023. The cross-party Public Accounts Committee called the situation “woeful” and said regulators were “missing in action.” The data comes ahead of a landmark review of the water industry, to be published on Monday. Adam is joined by Esme Stallard, Climate and Science Journalist, and Joe Crowley, Investigative Journalist who has made three BBC Panorama documentaries on the industry. Also, doctors say eight UK babies have been born using genetic material from three people to prevent devastating and often fatal conditions. Adam discusses this with James Gallagher, Presenter of Inside Health on Radio Four.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gabriel May. The social producers were Grace Braddock and Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Votes for 16 Year Olds & Abbott Suspended Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Today, the voting age at the next general election will be lowered across the UK to 16 for the first time.

Labour's election manifesto last year pledged to lower the voting age to 16 - in line with Scottish and Welsh elections. The Prime Minister has said 16 and 17-year-olds are "old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes". The policy has been criticised by the Conservatives and Reform. Adam and Chris are joined by Professor Jane Green - Director of Nuffield Politics Research Centre and President of the British Polling Council.

And, MP Diane Abbott has been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation into comments she made about racism, the BBC understands. Labour said it would not be commenting "while this investigation is ongoing".

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast". It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producers were Joe Wilkinson and Jada Meosa John. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

What Do We Know About The Afghan Data Breach? Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Today, Keir Starmer told the House of Commons the previous government had ‘serious questions’ to answer about a major data breach from the Ministry of Defence.

On Tuesday, a major data breach which led to thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK became public knowledge for the first time. Chris joins Adam to discuss the former government’s account of events, as well as what could happen next.

And, Adam speaks to Larisa Brown, Defence Editor at The Times, about how she broke the story.

Meanwhile in the US, Donald Trump is being pushed by fellow Republicans to follow through on promises he made during the election to release records relating to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Caitriona Perry calls in from Washington to explain why Trump is facing a growing backlash from MAGA supporters, and examines how the president’s rhetoric has changed.

Tickets for Newscast at the Edinburgh Fringe are available here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bbc-newscast-podcast

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producer was Jada Meosa John. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Trump Calls The BBC Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, President Trump gives an exclusive interview to the BBC

Adam speaks to BBC chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue about his call with President Trump, a year on from the Trump shooting that Gary witnessed.

Gary was woken up by a call from President Trump on Monday, where he spoke candidly about whether he trusts Russia’s President Putin.

President Trump also spoke about Brexit, his upcoming UK visit and whether he still thinks about the attempt on his life.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producers were Joe Wilkinson and Jada Meosa John. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

What Went Wrong With The BBC Gaza Documentary? Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Today, we discuss the findings of a BBC report which found that the documentary Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone had breached editorial guidelines.

The BBC previously pulled the documentary from iPlayer after it was uncovered that the 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The report says the production company Hoyo Films bears most of the responsibility for the failures. Hoyo Films said it took the reviews findings "extremely seriously" and said it "apologises for the mistake that resulted in a breach of the editorial guidelines".

Another report looking into BBC show MasterChef has found that 45 allegations against presenter Gregg Wallace have been upheld. Wallace said in response that some of his humour and language "missed the mark", but added: "I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off." Adam is joined by BBC News Culture and Media editor Katie Razzall and Culture reporter Noor Nanji.

And, President Trump has threatened “very severe” tariffs against Russia if there is no Ukraine deal within 50 days. Adam speaks to Caitriona Perry, Chief Presenter for BBC News.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

To get your tickets for Newscast live in Edinburgh - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bbc-newscast-podcast You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The social producers were Jada Meosa John . The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Will The Plan To Keep Kids Safe Online Work? Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

Today, the chief executive of Ofcom, Dame Melanie Henrietta Dawes sat down with Laura to discuss the Online Safety Act.

In just under two weeks time, specific child safety measures, including changes to algorithms to filter out harmful content, will be enforced for a number of different tech platforms and companies.

And we find out about the latest development in the upcoming strikes from resident doctors in the NHS.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Paddy O’Connell, Laura Kuenssberg and Joe Pike. It was made by Chris Gray with and Josh Jenkins. The social producers were Sophie Milward. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Labour v The Unions Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, the leader of the Unite union says Labour is not defending working people and they are turning away from the party "in droves".

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was yesterday suspended by the union - and Unite’s General Secretary Sharon Graham says Labour should be ‘seriously concerned’ after the union voted to potentially rethink its relationship with the party, which could result in it formally cutting ties and funding.

And Paddy and Laura give an update on what we know what happened to the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people in June.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Gray with Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producers were Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Why Is It So Hot? Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Today, as the UK faces the third heatwave already of the summer - is this the kind of summer we should expect in future?

Adam is joined by Jordan Dunbar, one of the hosts of the Climate Question podcast and Sarah Keith-Lucas lead weather presenter for the BBC. They discuss when hot weather becomes a heatwave, how prepared the UK is and whether travel habits will change as a result.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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