Newscast

Latest Episodes:

Is The Government Backing Down Over Benefits? Mar 16, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at the news that ministers could abandon plans to freeze some disability benefits.

Paddy, Laura and Henry discuss where the news came from, and what the plans were in the first place.

And, after a week in which Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that he was getting rid of NHS England, they look at how he might be changing other parts of the health service.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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 Flynn with Adam Chowdhury. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Starmer Starts Military Plans for Peace in Ukraine Mar 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, Laura and Paddy discuss UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s virtual summit with the ‘coalition of the willing’.

Downing Street say representatives from 26 countries joined the Prime Minister this morning to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine by moving military planning to an “operational phase”. But is Russia any closer to agreeing a ceasefire deal? And how strong is a coalition with no US backstop?

And, can Keir Starmer succeed in building coalition within his own party? Laura’s been looking at different Labour factions - and potential cabinet fall-outs - ahead of cuts to welfare spending to be announced next week.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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 Miranda Slade with Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The Week: NHS Reforms, Benefit Battles and Tariff Tactics Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Starmer Scraps NHS England Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Today, Adam and Henry discuss Starmer’s announcement to abolish NHS England, which handles the day to day running of the health service and has been described by the government as the “world’s largest quango”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also on to talk about the plans and what they mean for healthcare in the UK.

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 Flynn with Shiler Mahmoudi and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Trade Wars: EU Hits Back At Trump Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and Canada, as well as Keir Starmer’s response.

Plus, Russia is “studying” the proposed plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Chris Steele, former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, discusses how the Kremlin will approach any negotiation.

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 and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

30-Day Ceasefire For Ukraine? Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at Ukraine saying it is ready to accept a US proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire.

The decision comes after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks. Washington will also immediately restore intelligence sharing and “security assistance” to Ukraine. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch - Former British Ambassador to the US and Former UK National Security.

Plus, President Trump has ordered 50% tariffs on Canadian steel. It comes after the worst day of 2025 for US financial markets. Adam is joined by Faisal Islam, BBC economics editor to examine how the markets are reacting to the trade war, and why President Trump might be happy to take the risk.

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. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Trade Wars: The Return of Mark Carney Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who has vowed to win a trade war with President Trump.

Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, will become the next Prime Minister of Canada after winning his party’s leadership contest. Carney will be sworn in, in the coming days and has vowed to win the trade war with US President Donald Trump. Adam speaks to Chris Giles, Economics Commentator at the FT and Jayme Poisson host of CBC’s Front Burner podcast.

And, Adam is joined by Alex to discuss more changes to the planning system being announced by the government. Plus, news of a first by-election for Keir Starmer to face after former Labour MP, now independent, Mike Amesbury announced he will resign at the “earliest opportunity”.

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 . The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

State Reforms + the State of Reform Mar 09, 2025

Show notes

Today, we hear from Ukrainians as their leader gets ready for another big week of peace talks and diplomacy.

Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss government plans to overhaul the civil service. Plus, they assess Reform UK’s “infighting” following the suspension of an MP.

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, Paddy O’Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Is Trump the Best Thing to Happen to Starmer? Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Today, Laura and Paddy answer your questions about the war in Ukraine, President Trump’s tactics, and the possibilities of a peace deal.

We also discuss Keir Starmer’s approach to global politics, and whether his "statesman-like" appearances on the global stage have helped him back home.

You can now listen to Newscast on your 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://discord.gg/NbuxWnmY

New episodes are 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 Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The Week: Is Starmer’s Trump Strategy Working? Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Today, Adam, Chris, Caitríona and James discuss if Sir Keir Starmer’s strategy for President Trump is working? Plus, can the Prime Minister reconcile his international agenda with his domestic one?”

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