Three is the magic number... Adam and James discuss the news that the UK's Covid-19 alert level has been reduced from four to three, which means there could be a "gradual relaxation of restrictions". Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Harriet Noble
Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos

Levelling Down

The UK’s flagship daily news podcast from the BBC, Newscast dives into the day’s big 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 developments in politics in Westminster and beyond, what the cost of living means for the money in your pocket and the impact of climate change.
 
Can Rishi Sunak turn the Conservatives fortunes around? Will Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party win the next general election? Newscast will give you all the best insights from BBC News so you’re across all the day’s top stories. 
 
Newscast is hosted by trusted journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. Joined by special guests, including Lyse Doucet, Katya Adler, Marianna Spring, John Simpson and Victoria Derbyshire among others. In this election year, Newscast will track all the developments from Westminster - as well as following all the big developments around the world, from the race to the White House, to the war in Ukraine. 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480
Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk
Or us #Newscast Newscast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Newscast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Americast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Newscast (and if you’re reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz
Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

News

Today we look at the political reaction to the weekend’s local election results. Henry joins Laura and Paddy to analyse as Transport Secretary Mark Harper tells Laura the government's plan "is working". Suella Braverman disagrees. We also hear from the newly re-elected Labour mayor for West Yorkshire, Tracey Brabin, who admits her party lost votes because of its stance on Gaza. And, why does Keir Starmer keep popping up at non-league football grounds? You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Josh Jenkins. The technical producer was Phillip Bull. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

Local Electioncast! The Reaction (part 4…)

Today, we look at a big result in the West Midlands as Labour's Richard Parker beat Conservative Andy Street in a mayoral vote that was too close to call until nearly 9pm. Laura and Paddy give their instant reaction. They also reflect on votes elsewhere, including London, where Labour’s Sadiq Khan was voted in for a third time. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Adam Chowdhury. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Local Electioncast! The BIG Result (part 3…)

Today, we look at the results that have come in throughout Friday in the local elections. Ben Houchen has won in the Tees Valley mayoral race, in some positive news for Rishi Sunak. Will this be enough to stop any challenges to his leadership from within his party? Overall, it continues to look a bad day for the Conservatives though. Labour have won 3 other regional mayor contests, as well as key councils like Redditch and Thurrock.  Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason and Faisal Islam. 
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Sam Mclaren. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham

Local Electioncast! The Results (part 2…)

Today we look at the results that have come in overnight in the local elections and the Blackpool South by-election. Labour has made gains in  councils in Redditch, Thurrock, Hartlepool, and Rushmoor in Hampshire as well as winning the Blackpool South seat with a 26% swing. With around a third of local council results in,  Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth, Henry Zeffman and Professor John Curtice to get the latest results and analysis. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Miranda Slade and Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Local Electioncast! The Results (part 1…)

Today, we look at who could be the next first minister of Scotland. And an exclusive report from the West Bank.  Right now, John Swinney looks set to become Scotland’s next first minister, as Kate Forbes confirms she will not challenge him. Swinney says he wants to "unite the SNP and Scotland for independence", but will he be able to? Adam speaks Scotland Editor James Cook. And, as violence in the West Bank escalates, the BBC have found evidence of potential breaches of international law by the Israeli military, including the death of an eight-year-old boy. The IDF say the circumstances of the death are “under review”. Adam is joined by the team who led the investigation, Isobel Yeung and Josh Baker, to hear about their new film ‘The Other War’.  You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Levelling Down

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