Newscast

Today, Labour confirms 75% of pensioners will keep their winter fuel payments, reversing a widely criticised policy.

Nine million pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less will now be eligible. The payment, worth up to £300 to help with energy bills during the coldest months, was paid only to those on pension credit last year. Alex and Chris discuss the chain of events that have led to this moment, and what it says about the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

Also, a yacht carrying 12 pro-Palestinian activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by the Israeli navy while sailing toward Gaza with aid. Alex speaks to the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen about what happened and the state of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

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Today, we’re looking at what’s going on in the Treasury as the final decisions are being made ahead of the government’s Spending Review on Wednesday.

The home secretary and deputy prime minister are both still in dispute with the department over the amount of cash they'll have to spend.

Business editor Simon Jack and Paul Johnson, director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies join Laura to look at the numbers and the politics.

And we look at Zia Yusuf’s return to Reform just two days after quitting.

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Today we hear from the woman who was the UK’s only transgender judge.

Laura speaks to Victoria McCloud, who stepped down from the job last year, about her challenge to overturn the Supreme Court unanimous ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law.

In an extended interview, Victoria talks about why she thinks she could succeed, and about the ruling’s consequences.

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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

How did one of the most powerful alliances in American politics blow up? The falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has been playing out very publicly on social media, with back and forth insults and threats.

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, Alix Picikles, Rufus Gray, Grace Reeve and Tom Gillett. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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The Spending Review looms large - with Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing some difficult choices in the upcoming Spending Review, which sets the budgets for all government departments over the next few years.

Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss that and what next for Reform UK after Zia Yusuf quit as party Chairman.

This episode was recorded on Thursday evening.

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.

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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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Joe Wilkinson and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Zia Yusuf has resigned as the chairman of Reform UK, posting on X: "I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time".

What does that mean for Nigel Farage and the future of his party? Adam and Alex discuss.

And former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt joins Adam to discuss his new book, Mel Stride distancing the Tories from Liz Truss’ Mini Budget and his reaction to the breaking news about Zia Yusuf's resignation.

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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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, Rachel Reeves has announced a multi billion pound investment for transport projects across the country.

The money will be spent on tram, train and bus projects in mayoral authorities across the Midlands, the North and the West Country. But how different is this to money previously announced under the last Conservative government? Adam is joined by the Mayor of the North East of England Kim McGuinness.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed more people will get the winter fuel payment this winter. Adam, Chris and Faisal discuss that, and more tariff turmoil.

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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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, authorities start a new search for Madeleine McCann in Portugal, nearly two decades after her disappearance.

On Monday, Portuguese police confirmed the search is taking place across 21 different plots of land between the resort where Madeleine went missing, and where the German investigators' prime suspect had been staying at the time. Adam speaks to BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford and Jane Hill, the 6 and 10 presenter who has covered the case extensively.

And, Katya reunites with Adam to discuss the collapse of the Dutch government after the far-right Freedom Party pulled out of the governing coalition. Plus, the election of Poland’s new right-wing president.

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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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, the Prime Minister says the UK military is moving to “war-fighting readiness”.

The government is setting out the aims of its strategic defence review, or more simply how Britain should get ready for war. Starmer told the BBC that the world has changed and "if you want to deter conflict, then the best way to do that is to prepare for conflict."

Plus, James Waterhouse, the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent, discusses a massive drone attack in Russia.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, we look at what Defence Secretary John Healey has called the UK’s “message to Moscow” as he announces investment in weapons and factories to make them.

Laura, Paddy and Henry also talk about how much it’s going to cost, whether it’s affordable, and whether NATO thinks it’s enough.

They also talk about Robert Jenrick, after a week of the justice secretary making headlines.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1