Newscast
BBC News
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.Newscast is hosted by trusted politics and news journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell. 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.Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer. GET IN TOUCH:
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord
Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480
Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk
Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscastYou can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord
Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480
Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk
Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscastYou can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 24, 2022 • 35min
Rishi Whonak?
In his first speech since becoming Tory leader, Rishi Sunak warned that the UK faces a “profound economic challenge”. Faisal Islam, the BBC’s economics editor, is back with us to help profile our next PM and explore what ‘Sunakonomics’ might mean for the country and our finances.Chris, who’s in Westminster, and Alex, who’s been talking to voters in Wakefield, also look at what happens next in the turbulent world of British politics and whether Sunak can succeed in an area where Liz Truss failed – uniting the various factions in the Conservative party.Today’s Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Chris Flynn and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. Thanks to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Oct 24, 2022 • 20min
Prime Minister Sunak
Penny drops... Laura K gives us her instant take.The ex-Chancellor who lost to Liz Truss in the Tory leadership race just seven weeks ago now has the keys to Number 10, after Penny Mordaunt failed to secure the nominations she needed to set up a vote among Conservative MPs.How did Rishi Sunak get here, what will he actually do as PM and what challenges will be face? Laura Kuenssberg gives us her instant take.This emergency Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Oct 23, 2022 • 29min
The Leadership Race... What next?
Chris Mason and Alex Forsyth talk it all through with Adam Fleming. What will happen this week? How does the leadership race work? And how much support has each candidate got?Rishi Sunak says he is in the race to be the next Conservative leader (and prime minister), Business Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, tells the BBC that Boris Johnson "will clearly stand" and Penny Mordaunt (who had already declared she was going to run) says she regrets Liz Truss's mini-budget. This emergency Newscast was made by Sam Bonham. The studio manager was Matthew Cadman. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.
Oct 21, 2022 • 31min
The Leadership Race... Any Questions?
The Conservative leadership race is on, and rumours are swirling about which MPs will join Penny Mordaunt in putting themselves forward to become the next Prime Minister.Adam is joined by Rob Watson from the BBC World Service, and Will Walden, former communications director to Boris Johnson, to talk about the possible contenders - and ask whether Johnson could be eyeing up a return to Number 10 Downing Street.Stephen Jardine from BBC Radio Scotland , Trish Adudu from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, and Jack Murley from BBC Cornwall let us know how their listeners have reacted to the news, and share insights from their phone-ins.This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.
Oct 20, 2022 • 26min
A(nother) Leadership Race
Who could be the new PM, and how will they be chosen?Adam, Chris and Alex are back in the studio to look at how the leadership race will work, who might put themselves forward, and who might be in with a shout.This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming, the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason, and political correspondent Alex Forsyth.It was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The assistant editors were Sam Bonham and Alison Gee.
Oct 20, 2022 • 32min
The Liz Truss Resignationcast
Sir Keir Starmer is in the studio with instant reaction.He says he has a “ready-to-go” manifesto and defends himself from those who accuse him of being boring.This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming, the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason, and political correspondent Alex Forsyth.It was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The technical producer was Joe Leates. The assistant editors were Sam Bonham and Alison Gee.
Oct 19, 2022 • 34min
Another One Bites the Truss
Suella Braverman has resigned as home secretary and Grant Shapps has taken over. Adam and Chris are joined by Pippa Crerar, the Guardian’s Political Editor, who broke the story. And Frances O’Grady, the General Secretary of the British Trades Union Congress (TUC), talks through what’s been happening at the Brighton Congress and shares her perspective on working with Shapps. Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn. The producers were Miranda Slade and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Oct 18, 2022 • 35min
Castfest Live 2022
Adam is back from his holiday and behind the microphone at the BBC Radio Theatre for a live recording of today’s Newscast. He’s joined by Chris and BBC Economics Editor Faisal Islam to discuss the Prime Minister’s battle to regain authority amid Tory party unrest. Culture Editor Katie Razall is also on stage to say happy 100th birthday to the BBC.Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason and made by Tim Walklate. The producers were Chris Flynn and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Emma Crowe and Sam Bonham is the assistant editor.
Oct 17, 2022 • 20min
Chris's Liz Truss Interview
The PM apologises for her ‘mistakes’.Chris interviews Liz Truss about the U-turns she has made since sacking Kwasi Kwarteng and making Jeremy Hunt chancellor.Today’s Newscast was presented by political correspondent Alex Forsyth, BBC News political correspondent, and made by Tim Walklate. The producer was Miranda Slade. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Oct 17, 2022 • 30min
The Hunt Is On
The Chancellor ditches almost all of PM Liz Truss's tax cuts announced in the government's mini-budget three weeks ago. The BBC's Alex Forsyth hosts Newscast, and chats to the BBC's Ben Chu, as well as Charlotte Ivers from Times Radio, and Gavin Barwell, the former Downing Street Chief of Staff to Theresa May. Today’s Newscast was presented by Alex Forsyth, BBC News political correspondent, and made by Tim Walklate. The producers were Miranda Slade and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Russell Newlove. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
