

This Is Why
Sky News
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 1, 2023 • 16min
Greedflation: are businesses profiteering from the cost of living crisis?
As food inflation rises to 19.2%, its highest rate in 42 years, the European Central Bank has suggested that it could be down to, in part, businesses profiteering from the cost of living crisis by increasing their prices for larger margins, a term known as 'greedflation'. But what is the data behind the suggestion? On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by our economics and data editor Ed Conway, who helps to shed light on what greedflation is and how this term came about. He also shares data Sky News has calculated that breaks down what supermarkets spend their profits on. Producer: Soila Apparicio Junior Producer: Amy Lakin Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 31, 2023 • 17min
'I'm scared': What it's like to be LGBTQ+ in a country where you could be killed
New anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been passed in Uganda, expanding on rules which already criminalised same-sex acts and carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The new anti-homosexuality law now makes "aggravated homosexuality" - which is defined as sexual relations involving people infected with HIV, as well as with those under 18, and other categories of vulnerable people - punishable with prison sentences of up to 14 years. On the Sky News Daily, Kamali Melbourne speaks to Jay Mulucha, a human rights activist and executive director of Fem Alliance Uganda, who tells us what it's like to be LGBTQ+ in Uganda and to Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, Deputy Director of the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch, about the history of these laws. Producer: Soila Apparicio Junior Producer: Amy Lakin Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 30, 2023 • 19min
Migrant crisis: The people found at sea
Sky News has been on board one of the biggest-ever migrant rescue missions on the Mediterranean Sea. More than 600 people were spotted by rescue forces crammed on to an abandoned and overloaded fishing boat. The passengers left Libya, heading for Italy, but were abandoned by the captain after food and water started running out. The crossing is one of the most dangerous, with at least a thousand deaths already this year. Many of the survivors were seriously ill, injured and dehydrated. On the Sky News Daily, Liz Bates is joined by Sky's Europe correspondent Adam Parsons who witnessed the rescue operation and Sky's political correspondent Ali Fortescue to discuss how the issue of migration is shaping European politics. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 29, 2023 • 17min
Student loans in England: is the degree still value for money?
Changes to student finance this September will see future graduates paying back their university debts earlier and for longer than any generation before them.Some analysts say the changes which include 10 extra years on the life of the loan and a lower income when repayments start could see some graduates paying almost double over the course of their working lives. So, if you’re paying more for longer, is a degree still worth the cost?On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by money expert Greg Marsh, and social mobility professor Lee Elliot Major to discuss how the debt is changing and options young people have.And ahead of her exams, sixth form student Thea Roland talks about her future university plans.Producer: Sydney PeadEditor: Philly Beaumont

May 25, 2023 • 22min
Net migration: What it means for the UK
Net migration to the UK rose to 606,000 in the 12 months to December 2022, the highest number for a calendar year on record - despite a Tory 2019 manifesto commitment to "bring overall numbers down". The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics, show that most people arriving to the UK last year were non-EU nationals. The body attributed a "unique year" for migration to "world events" including the war in Ukraine and unrest in Hong Kong. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson breaks down the numbers with Sky’s data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire and picks through the fallout in Westminster with political correspondent Ali Fortescue. Plus, Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, explains how what the government says actually impacts the number of people that come to the UK. Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 24, 2023 • 20min
Ron DeSantis: The Republican rival who could trump Trump
There had been months of speculation, but Ron DeSantis has now officially launched his bid for the White House - filing a declaration of candidacy with the US federal electoral commission. He has been described as Trump 2.0 and has pitched himself as the more "credible" choice for the Republican nomination who could face Democrat incumbent Joe Biden in next year's US presidential election race. But who is Ron DeSantis? And can he rival Donald Trump? On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by our US correspondent Mark Stone in Florida and state government reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, Kirby Wilson, as they dive into DeSantis’ backstory and his politics – including his response to COVID and feud with Disney. Plus, they look at what a DeSantis White House would mean for the American people.Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Nelly Stefanova - archive researcherPhilly Beaumont - editor

May 23, 2023 • 23min
How 'fake' families are smuggled into the UK on skilled worker visas
Criminal gangs are exploiting Britain's need to fill jobs by using the skilled worker visa system as a route to traffic people into the country. Under the scheme, someone who has been offered a job in the UK is allowed to bring dependents with them, but Sky News has learned about several cases of abuse of the system. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson is joined by our communities correspondent Lisa Holland and producer Nick Stylianou who have uncovered the story to explain how 'fake' families are smuggled in. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 22, 2023 • 21min
Suella Braverman and the speeding ticket row
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been accused of breaking the ministerial code of conduct by asking civil servants to arrange a private speed-awareness course after she was caught speeding in 2022. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson asks Tim Durrant from the Institute for Government what breaking the ministerial code actually means and speaks to Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell about the political reasons this story may have broken now. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

May 21, 2023 • 22min
Trophy hunting: The row about conservation and colonialism
Earlier this year, MPs voted to stop trophy hunters bringing back the body parts of endangered animals – such as rhino horns - into Britain. However, not everyone agrees with a blanket ban. Some conservationists and local community leaders in parts of Africa warn it unintentionally risks reversing their efforts to grow populations of animals including elephants, lions and the critically endangered black rhino. They also worry bans like this could undermine the livelihoods of people in these rural areas. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to Jens Ulrik Høgh, who has hunted in Africa dozens of times, and conservationist Maxi Pia Louis, who talks about what communities in Namibia are doing to protect species and their relationship with hunting groups. Plus, Leah is joined by wildlife expert Professor Amy Dickman, from the University of Oxford, to discuss what evidence there is that trophy hunting supports conservation – and we hear from Henry Smith, the MP who put forward the import ban which is currently going through the House of Lords. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont – editor

May 18, 2023 • 20min
Could AI really take your job?
As BT announce they’re expecting to cut up to 10,000 jobs in the next decade due to advances in Artificial Intelligence, concerns remain over the country's readiness to deal with the new and surprisingly rapid evolution of AI. So how worried should we really be that AI could be coming for all our jobs? And what are our rights when it comes to AI in the office. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso who has been speaking to firms already integrating AI into their workforce, and Mary Towers, employment rights expert from the Trade Union Congress, talks about what rights we have already, and what more needs to be done. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont


