Episode notes
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has consistently talked about what he sees as the wrong direction the country has been taken over the last 40 years. So as the new Chancellor John Healey prepares a speech for tomorrow setting out his plans for growth, we look at whether this government will be as different as it is being presented as. The new Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is also trying to distance himself from the past. We compare the two approaches. And after more difficult questions for Reform UK and Nigel Farage over money, we ask where he goes from here and whether can…
Podcast
Newscast
The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth. Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.
More from Newscast All episodes →
-
11 Sep 2026 · 33 min
MPs Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill
Today, MPs have voted against a fresh move to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill would have allowed adults with fewer than six months to live to apply to be given help to end their life. It followed hours of debate and the result was close with 286 against and 270 in favour. Adam is joined by Ailbhe Rea, Political Editor of the New Statesman and Lara Spirit, Deputy Political editor of the Sunday Times to unpack the politics of the result and to reflect on the other big events in Westminster this week. Including the moment the new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a…
-
10 Sep 2026 · 42 min
Trump's $5,000 Payout Promise
Today, US President, Donald Trump, has said he will offer every adult American $5,000 (£3,700) if the Republican party wins the midterms. President Trump gave no detail on how it would work or how he would fund it. Speaking at the party's first-ever convention in the middle of a US presidential term. He also said that the country’s war with Iran would not end until after the midterms. James is joined by Caitriona Perry and Faisal Islam to unpack these latest statements. Plus, is there a more than 10% chance AI could kill all humans within a decade? The ‘Godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton says…
-
9 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Is This The Biggest Row Between Israel And The UK?
Today, we look at Israel’s reaction to UK sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The foreign minister Gideon Saar announced retaliatory counter-measures, including the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem. Meanwhile in the UK, Ed Miliband has disagreed with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis who described the move as a "truly dark day" that put British Jews in greater danger. Adam discusses the continued fallout between Britain and Israel with chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet and Panorama filmmaker Jane Corbin. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart…
-
8 Sep 2026 · 39 min
Why Has The UK Government Changed Its Approach to Israel?
Today, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has told Parliament the UK would ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank. In the speech, he said the UK government "agrees" there is ethnic cleansing in areas of the West Bank, and that the Israeli government is turning a “blind eye”. Israel has responded by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem and banning 11 left-wing MPs from entering the country. How much is this a change in UK policy toward Israel? Adam and Chris discuss with BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen. Plus, a spokesperson for Prince Harry…
-
7 Sep 2026 · 42 min
Can The Chancellor's Positive Vibes Limit Tax Rises?
Today, John Healey delivered his first major speech as chancellor, aiming to boost confidence in the economy with a positive message. The chancellor set out his intentions for growth, investment and more jobs. But midway through, Jaguar Land Rover announced they would be making thousands of job cuts after struggling with competition from China and falling behind in the electric vehicle race. Economics editor Faisal Islam and business editor Simon Jack explain what it means for the country, and they chat through Healey’s new ‘Make Great Britain Growth Britain Again” And we've had a weekend of…
-
5 Sep 2026 · 34 min
How Damaging Is Reform's Donations Row?
Today, we look at how much damage the Reform donations report will do to the party. Nigel Farage has said he "frankly wasn't listening" during the conversation with his former chief of staff and an undercover reporter discussing what appears to have been a scheme to funnel foreign money to Reform UK. The row has overshadowed the party’s conference in Birmingham, where Laura, Chris, and Joe got together to discuss Farage’s response. They also look at whether cultural issues are partly to blame for controversies for the party to do with money. And we look at the policies coming from the event.…
-
4 Sep 2026 · 19 min
The Undercover Reform Investigation
Today, two senior officials have stood down from Reform UK after a Channel 4 News report prompts the party to investigate claims about funding. Nigel Farage's senior aide Dan Jukes and Reform's head of policy James Orr have both stood down pending the outcome of the internal probe. The undercover filming was done by Verbatim Investigations and broadcast by Channel 4 News. Reform UK has denied wrongdoing and Nigel Farage describes the operation as entrapment. The footage appears to show an attempt to secure funding from someone they believed to be a foreign donor. Electoral law prohibits UK…
-
3 Sep 2026 · 40 min
Burnham’s Big Economic Choices
Today, we discuss the economic challenges Andy Burnham is facing ahead of his first budget. The economic backdrop has left the prime minister and his Chancellor John Healey with big decisions to make about defence spending, as pressure increases on the government to raise it. Adam Fleming is joined by economics editor Faisal Islam and Helen Miller, director at the IFS to discuss the options for the government. Plus, the BBC’s technology and AI editor Zoe Kleinman is the first British journalist to hail a self-driving Uber in London. She’s in the studio to debrief on what the journey was…
-
2 Sep 2026 · 28 min
How Did Andy Burnham Do In His First PMQs?
Today, Andy Burnham faced his first PMQs, and Nigel Farage has told Chris the UK is a "complainants' society" after questions about Reform’s funding. Adam and Chris unpack Chris’ first interview with Nigel Farage after he returned to parliament as the re-elected MP for Clacton on Tuesday. They discuss his response to continuing questions about the £5m he received from a crypto billionaire before becoming an MP, plus whether Andy Burnham’s premiership is a threat to Reform. Farage has said the £5m was a personal gift and did not therefore require registration under the rules. And Andy Burnham…
-
1 Sep 2026 · 33 min
Keir Starmer Resigns (Again)
Today, after standing down as Prime Minister earlier this summer, Keir Starmer has decided to announce his resignation as MP for Holborn and St Pancras. It comes on Andy Burnham’s first day addressing MPs in the House of Commons as Prime Minister. Was the timing deliberate, or coincidental? Prime Minister Burnham has returned to the House of Commons after Summer Recess promising to 'unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility' - but what issues are awaiting the new-ish prime minister? Adam and Chris are back together on Newscast to unpack it all. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart…
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
