Brexitcast

Adam, Chris, Laura and Paddy go through the biggest stories of 2025 with the help of economics editor Faisal Islam and international editor Jeremy Bowen.They also reveal what it was like to be on the inside as they happened, and discuss how Keir Starmer will reflect on his first full year as prime minister, how Donald Trump's tariffs reshaped the world's economy, and how a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached.And we look at where the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party have left politics in the UK.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssbe

Today, the US department of justice has released the largest amount of so-called “Epstein files” so far - but what exactly is in the latest batch? Among the latest files is an email from someone called ‘A’ from ‘Balmoral’ asking Ghislaine Maxwell for ‘inappropriate friends’. Adam is joined by Sumi Somaskanda, the BBC's Chief News Presenter in Washington D.C.Plus, the Government has watered down their inheritance tax plan for farms. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds says the government has “listened closely to farmers across the country” and that they want to support the farms and businesses “that are the backbone of Britain's rural communities.” Adam and Alex Forsyth discuss where this policy climbdown has come from, and why now? 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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc

Today, Adam is joined by Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell to reflect on her first few weeks in the role and what lies ahead for the Labour government in 2026.The pair also discuss Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s new comments on the UK’s relationship with the EU, his leadership ambitions, and the importance of the party sticking together and showing a united front.Plus, how will Labour take on the political challenge represented by the Reform party and Nigel Farage next year? And, crucially, does she think that Keir Starmer will still be Prime Minister by next Christmas?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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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, lis

Today, we’re bringing you some of the best bits from Newscast’s 25-hour Podcast-A-Thon!Back in November, Adam was challenged by Pudsey Bear to record a 25-hour long episode of Newscast in aid of Children In Need. Members of the Newscast family dropped by throughout the day and night to cheer Adam on. Including when Laura and Paddy met Pudsey, voice coaching with Chris and a midnight snack session with Lyse Doucet chatting about how she spends her down time with her family in Canada. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we’re bringing you some of the best bits from Newscast’s 25-hour Podcast-A-Thon!Back in November, Adam was challenged by Pudsey Bear to record a 25-hour long episode of Newscast in aid of Children In Need. Keeping Adam company were many friends of the podcast including paranormal podcasters Danny Robins and Tristan Redman, satirist Armando Iannucci, The Traitors star Alexander Dragonetti and Lisa Costello delivering a masterclass in the Shipping Forecast!You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Chris is joined by Ailbhe Rea from the New Statesman and Tim Shipman from the Spectator to review the year in politics and hazard a guess at what to expect in 2026.They discuss a shaky year for Keir Starmer’s leadership, the (almost) welfare rebellion and the rise of the “funky fringe”. Plus what can this year tell us about next years local elections?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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Chris Mason. It was made by Anna Harris and Miranda Slade. The social

Today, the Bank of England has cut interest rates to the lowest level since early 2023. Chancellor Rachel Reeves calls it "good news for families with mortgages and businesses with loans" - but says there's "more to do". Meanwhile, the Bank now expects no economic growth at the end of this year. Faisal is with Tristan in the studio to talk it through.And, tension is still building between the US and Venezuela. President Donald Trump has ordered "a total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela - a move denounced by Caracas as "warmongering threats". Tristan is joined by his global story host Asma Khalid and Vanessa Buschschlüter Latin America and Caribbean Editor for the BBC News website. 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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.c

Today, the UK government announced it is set to rejoin the Erasmus study scheme. Victoria is joined Joe Pike to discuss - and they speak to Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for EU relations about whether it’s worth the £570m cost.Plus, Andrea Egan becomes the new secretary general of the UK’s biggest union - Unison. We explain what that could mean for the Labour party and Keir Starmer’s leadership.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Victoria Derbyshire and Joe Pik

Today, the government has ordered an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics. The government say this is in response to what it called the “shocking” case of Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales. Gill was jailed in November, after admitting to taking bribes for pro-Russian interviews and speeches when he was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).Announcing the review, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said the government must "learn the lessons" from the case so "this can never happen again". Responding to Reed's statement in the Commons, Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice said his party welcomed the review but called on the government to also make sure it looked into the influence of China on the Labour Party. Victoria and Chris discuss what the review could meanPlus, President Trump has filed, what is being reported as, a $5 billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC. Caitríona Perry and the FT’s global media editor Daniel Thomas explain what’s in the lawsuit

Today, doctors in England have decided to strike for 5 days this week despite a new offer from the government. The British Medical Association said 83% of its members had voted to continue with the walkout in an online poll over the weekend, with a turnout of 65%.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "gutted" by the result, describing it as "irresponsible" given the rising pressure from flu.The BMA argues that, despite previous pay rises, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account. Adam and Chris are joined in the studio by BBC health editor Hugh Pym. Plus, we talk to BBC europe editor, Katya Adler about the seemingly positive peace talks today in Berlin.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send

Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry speak about the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plans to set up specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams in every police force in England and Wales by 2029.We also discuss her ambitions as conversations about Keir Starmer’s future continue.And as it’s the last time Laura, Paddy and Henry get together in 2025, the team have a look forward to 2026 to predict what they think the biggest stories of next year might be.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news storie

​​Today, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written in the Guardian Newspaper urging members of the British Medical Association to rethink planned strikes. ​​ ​​Possible strikes coincide with flu-related illnesses and hospitalisations at a higher rate than usual for this time of year, which have led to worries that a strike would lead to problems for the NHS. ​​ ​​Also, Laura has spoken to the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson. Since the Supreme Court ruling over the definition of a woman in April they have been working on new guidance on who can access single-sex spaces. So how might the guidance be implemented? ​​ ​​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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord ​​ ​​Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480. ​​ ​​New

Today, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting has given a very broad and far reaching interview to the New Statesman which some are seeing as an attack on Starmer’s leadership.Adam, Chris, Faisal and Alex discuss this, as well as the on going pressure on the PM. Plus, the team also pick out something we should be looking out for in 2026 in politics. 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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson.

Today, the number of people in hospital with the flu has risen by more than half this week.Doctors say an earlier start to the flu season plus an unexpected mutation in this years primary strain has led to a lower rate of immunity amongst the general public for this time of year. BBC health editor Hugh Pym and Doctor Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist from the UK Health Security Agency breakdown the data.Plus, US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in an escalation of the US government’s pressure campaign against Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. The news came as Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado collected her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, appearing despite a travel ban and a threat from the Venezuelan government that she would be labelled as a fugitiveBBC News presenter, Lucy Hockings and Latin America editor for BBC Online Vanessa Buschschlüter explain the situation in Venezuela and the story behind Miss Machado’s journey to Oslo. You can now listen to Ne

Today, Sir Keir Starmer and Danish leader Mette Frederiksen published a joint article arguing for urgent modernisation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which has an impact on how a country can tackle illegal migration.David Lammy is in Strasbourg with European counterparts, beginning negotiations to change how the continent’s main human rights treaty is interpreted by judges, following political pressure from right wing parties who are calling for a complete withdrawal from the treaty. This comes just after the Trump administration’s security strategy hammered Europe, calling it weak, and warning of European decline and “civilisational erasure.”Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent to discuss the domestic politics of revamping the treaty. Then, Tom Bateman, BBC state department correspondent joins for analysis of what Trump’s latest strategy means for European politics. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds

Today, a report into almost £11 billion of Covid scheme fraud has found that most of it is beyond recovery.Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe said that a lack of accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting during the pandemic had led to £10.9 billion being lost to fraud or error.Simon Jack joins Adam to explain where the money’s gone and what, if anything, the government can do to recover it.Plus Baroness Amos, who is leading a review into maternity care in England, has said that she has seen “much worse” things than she had anticipated. Her interim findings of a review launched by the Health Secretary last year, have found evidence of hungry mothers, dirty wards and poor care. Social affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan and lawyer and campaigner Suzanne White join Adam. 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://bbc.in/newsc

Today, we discuss President Trump’s new vision for global security, one that is creating a lot of criticism in Europe.The 33-page document called the National Security Strategy suggests Europe is facing "civilisational erasure" and does not cast Russia as a threat to the US. Russia says the strategy is “largely consistent” with their vision.Security correspondent Frank Gardner and former UK ambassador to the US Lord Kim Darroch join Adam to discuss what this means for Europe.Plus, we discuss what has happened in Syria a year after former President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Adam chats with Mina Al-Lami from BBC Monitoring.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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

Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by Joe Pike to look at government plans to offer young people on benefits taxpayer funded jobs in areas such as construction and hospitality. The goal is to tackle rising unemployment, with over 900,000 young people on Universal Credit looking for work. Plus, the team discuss Zarah Sultana’s interview with Laura on the bumpy establishment of Your Party as well as the latest defection from the tories to Reform.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The pr

Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan to discuss the future of the entertainment industry after Netflix agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72 billion. But with regulators and rivals still waiting in the wings, it might just be the start of the saga.And one of the biggest controversies in Eurovision history has been in the news. Four countries (Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia and Ireland) have pulled out over Israel's continued participation in the competition. Remaining countries have until next week to confirm whether they will participate but it raises some difficult questions for the BBC amidst petitions for the them to boycott too.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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a What

The Prime Minister backed Rachel Reeves’ budget on Monday. On the same day, Keir Starmer, not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions spoke about Brexit. We discuss what’s actually going on…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://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet 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://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack McLaren with Joe Wilkinson. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.