Newscast

Today we look at the latest in claims of briefings coming out of Number 10.

The prime minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney was not involved "directly or indirectly" in briefings against cabinet ministers and will not be leaving his job, sources have told the BBC.

Some in government have blamed McSweeney for being the source of the briefings.

McSweeney has not responded to calls for comment but people who have spoken to him have told the BBC: "He's done absolutely nothing wrong. He's not going anywhere."

To discuss it, Adam is joined by chief political correspondent, Henry Zeffman and Tom Baldwin, former senior Labour adviser and author of ‘Keir Starmer: The Biography’.

This episode of Newscast was recorded as part of our 25-hour Podcast-a-thon for Children in Need.

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 with Anna Harris and Shiler Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, there has been extensive speculation about the extent to which Sir Keir Starmer was aware of the anonymous briefings attacking potential leadership challengers in his own party. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he has "never authorised" attacks on his cabinet ministers, calling briefings against them "unacceptable".

Adam and Chris are joined by Alex Forsyth to discuss why this could be a sign of deeper problems for the Labour government, rather than just Westminster bubble gossip.

Plus Adam and Alex give an update on Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC, after Ed Davey questioned Keir Starmer on the matter at PMQs.

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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

Today, will the BBC actually end up in court against President Trump?

Where would a potential lawsuit by President Trump against the BBC take place? Is $1 billion dollars a realistic figure? What are the calculations both sides are making? Adam discusses with BBC home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani.

And, the rate of UK employment has risen to 5%, the highest level since the pandemic. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has dropped the biggest hint yet he is about to scrap the two child benefit cap. Adam is joined by Henry and Dharshini.

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Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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

Today, President Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn.

In a latter to the corporation Trump’s legal team demands the BBC “immediately retract” a Panorama programme which edited a speech he made calling it “false and defamatory”.

It comes as BBC chair Samir Shah apologised for an "error of judgement" over the edit, and said the BBC was considering how to respond to Trump.

BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of BBC news Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday night, after a leaked memo criticised a 2024 Panorama programme about the US president.

Adam and Chris are joined by Chief Washington Presenter Caitriona Perry and Media and Culture Editor Katie Razzall.

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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

Today, Laura spoke to the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has said she retains confidence in the BBC’s leadership, as the corporation prepares to apologise over the way it edited a Donald Trump speech.

Adam and Henry discuss the political ramifications of that interview, as well as other accusations made in the letter by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee.

BBC chair Samir Shah will provide a response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday.

Plus, we learned today that UK military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it bolster its defences after drones were spotted near the main airport, Zavantem. But how much do we know about the drones and their origin?

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You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Laura Kuenssberg and Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

​​Today, the BBC announced that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is to unveil a major shake-up of the immigration and asylum system modelled on the Danish system, which is seen as one of the toughest in Europe.

Today, after another two prisoners were mistakenly released from prison - why is the justice system failing and who is to blame?

Justice Secretary David Lammy is under increasing pressure after details have emerged that two more prisoners have been wrongly released. Why didn’t Mr Lammy explain the situation when he was speaking during PMQs? And what has gone wrong?

Plus, after a week where it has become increasingly clear more tax rises are expected at the budget - what is the chancellor’s plan?

Adam and Chris are joined by the head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Helen Miller and Luke Tryl from More in Common.

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 [email protected] 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

Today, Adam is joined by the BBC’s climate editor Justin Rowlatt, and Daniela Relph senior royal correspondent, to discuss Keir Starmer and Prince William’s speeches at COP30.

The Prince and the Prime Minister gave speeches that were slightly at odds with each other as Prince William called upon “the power of urgent optimism” whilst the PM warned that the “consensus is gone” on climate change.

Plus Adam is joined by Alex who’s been deep diving into Reform led local councils and what their first six months of governance can tell us about what a Reform led UK government could look like.

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Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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

Today, news that two prisoners were wrongly freed broke after the Conservatives' James Cartlidge pressed deputy PM David Lammy in the Commons on whether any asylum seekers had been mistakenly released since Hadush Kebatu last month.

Adam and Chris chat to home affairs commentator Danny Shaw on what we know about the release, the individuals involved and the political ramifications.

Then Adam speaks to Sir Charlie Mayfield, lead of the 'Keep Britain Working' review and former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership to discuss his report into ill-health and employment.

We talk about his plans to get employees, employers and the Government working together to prevent economic inactivity due to people not working for health reasons.

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 [email protected] 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 Rufus Gray with Shiler Mahmoudi and Kris Jalowiecki. The social producers were Sophie Millward and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out tax rises in a speech laying the groundwork ahead of the budget.

The Chancellor told gathered journalists “the world has thrown even more challenges our way” in a speech which seemed to confirm tax rises on 26th November. Labour had previously pledged not to hike income tax, VAT or National Insurance in it’s general election manifesto. Adam and Chris are joined by deputy economic editor Dharshini David.

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 [email protected] 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