Newscast

Today, we look at David Cameron’s rapid rise to Conservative leader in 2005.

This is the second of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British politics through six votes.

In this two part episode we tell the story of how after another damaging election defeat the Conservatives were once again looking for a new leader. After years in the political wilderness could the Tories elect someone who could end New Lab...

Today, an almighty bust up is happening in the world of football between Fifa and Uefa.

FIFA, who run the World cup, whose President Gianni Infantino recently announced a proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. UEFA, the governing body of European football, responded by calling an emergency meeting and the confederation unanimously voted in favour of a boycott should these plans go ahead.

Jane Dougall, BBC...

Today, a major incident has been declared in Suffolk where a wildfire the size of 140 football pitches is burning.

The fire is not yet under control, but Suffolk’s chief fire officer says it currently poses no risk to nearby nuclear power station Sizewell B. And, in the rest of the UK, drought has been declared in Wales and more than half of England.

Adam is joined by Anna Murgatroyd, lecturer in hydrology at Newcastle Univers...

Today, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants a major reform of the current social care system in England and set out his three-point plan to achieve it.

The prime minister has brought forward a review of social care by Baroness Casey, and has asked the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to work with him on his reforms.

But what does Andy Burnham mean by a ‘National Care Service’? Why have 22 previous reviews...

Today, secondary school pupils in England will be offered more technical subjects as part of education reforms led by the new Prime Minister.

The courses, which will be available from year 10 onwards will be linked to local industries in the hope of giving children a clearer pathway into work.

Andy Burnham says he’s keen to strengthen links between education and the workplace and these reforms come alongside a new bursary schem...

Today, intense and historic wildfires continue to burn in parts of Europe with more than 300,000 people having now been evacuated across France and Spain.

Adam is joined by Climate and Wildfire Scientist Theodore Keeping and Aitor Hernandez-Morales - Senior Reporter for Politico to discuss why these wildfires are so hard to control and what the political reaction to them has been.

Plus, in a recent interview with Laura, Andy Burnha...

What kind of prime minister will Andy Burnham be? Laura Kuenssberg has been behind the scenes with him during his first week in power. In his first major broadcast interview since taking office, she asks about his plans - and the challenges ahead.

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...

Today, Andy Burnham says he would be prepared to call out Donald Trump to defend Britain's "national interest before anything else" if it is the right thing to do, in his first major interview as prime minister.

Speaking exclusively to the Laura for the BBC, Burnham said he had had a good first exchange with Trump, finding him to be "really warm".

Adam and Laura dissect what the Prime Minister said.

You’ll be able to hear that ...

Today, we start the first of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British Politics through six votes.

We start in 1997, when the Prime Minister John Major called an election, hoping to extend 18 years of Conservative rule, and beat Labour’s Tony Blair .

To help us, we have two BBC legends who were there at the time. Jeremy Vine was the BBC's political reporter and Kirsty Wark was presenting Newsnight.

In this, ...

Today, we start the first of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British Politics through six votes.

We start in 1997, when the Prime Minister John Major called an election, hoping to extend 18 years of Conservative rule, and beat Labour’s Tony Blair .

To help us, we have two BBC legends who were there at the time. Jeremy Vine was the BBC's political reporter and Kirsty Wark was presenting Newsnight.

In this, ...

Today, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has officially opened up the doors to Number 10 North which he has described as the ‘best day of my life’.

Adam is joined by Lucy Fisher - Whitehall editor at the Financial Times and Patrick Maguire Chief Political Commentator at the Times, and they discuss how No 10 North is shaping up and whether it will be more than just a gimmick.

Plus, they look back at Andy Burnham’s annou...

Today, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced ‘no prisoners will be let out’ under early release scheme until he has conducted an ‘urgent review’.

The announcement comes after the widow of PC Andrew Harper described the possible early release of prisoners as ‘deplorable’, following reports that two of his killers could be freed early. Adam is joined by Dominic Casciani, home and legal corresponden...

Today, Andy Burnham has announced the return of the £2 bus fare cap in most of England - taking effect from January 2027.

Bus fares had initially been capped at £2 in 2023 by the Conservatives, and was later increased to £3 by Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham has reversed the Starmer policy, but how will it be funded?

And, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, one of the first and most senior Labour politicians to pubilicly call for Keir St...

Today, on the first full day of his premiership Prime Minister Andy Burnham has laid out plans for scrapping VAT on household electricity bills and has claimed he wants a ‘cost of living government’.

Burnham said he would scrap VAT on household electricity bills in October, saving a typical household about £45 a year. This will be paid for by scrapping Keir Starmer's digital ID scheme, No 10 says, but ex-minister Darren...

Today, in this extra helping of Newscast, we look at Andy Burnham’s cabinet - who's been called up and who's been sacked - as he assembles his team on his first day as prime minister.

Amongst the announcements, Adam and Chris discuss the surprise appointment of John Healey as chancellor – as well as Shabana Mahmood keeping her role at the Home Office and Ed Miliband moving to foreign secretary.

You can now listen to News...

Today, Andy Burnham has officially become Prime Minister, after meeting with King Charles this morning.

In a speech outside Downing Street, Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping and offer cost of living support as well as a new political and economic model. He promised to soon set out a ten year plan for the country and said politicians needed to be better.

Adam is in Downing Street with Chris, Faisal and Laura to unpack the s...

Today we look at what Number 10 has in store for Andy Burnham ahead of his first day as prime minister with two insiders who’ve been there with former prime ministers.

Lord Stewart Wood was an advisor to Gordon Brown and Lucia Hodgson was Boris Johnson’s deputy dire of communications.

They explain what the first day is like, what they expect from the new PM, and the unexpected quirks of the job.

We also look at plans to dr...

Today we look at how Andy Burnham is preparing for government on the weekend before he’s due to move into Number 10.

He’s still to make decisions around his cabinet public, but we reveal how he’s actually keeping a lot of Starmer’s staff.

Laura, Paddy and Hennry Zeffman discuss his plans for oil and gas after the BBC is told he’s planning to announce new drilling off the coast of Scotland and ask, does t...

Today, Andy Burnham is set to become Prime Minister - but who is he? And, how did he get here?

Adam and Chris are joined by special correspondent Judith Moritz and Burnham’s close friend Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor, to look back at his life and career.

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. Yo...