The Briefing Room

As the U.K. introduces more restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19, why are there such marked regional differences in the infection rate?Contributors: Greg Fell, Director of Public Health, Sheffield City CouncilWendy Burke, Director of Public Health, North Tyneside CouncilDr Susanna Currie, Clinical Director for Cumbria Sexual Health Services at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Dame Anne Johnson, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College LondonDr Michael Tildesley, University of WarwickProducers: Rosamund Jones, Bob Howard and Kirsteen Knight. Editor: Jasper Corbett

As the Home Secretary Priti Patel promises to fix a 'broken' asylum system, what measures could the government take to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel? Contributors: Professor Nando Sigona, Department of Social Policy, University of BirminghamKathleen Newland, co-founder of the Migration Policy InstituteRob McNeil, deputy director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, Producers: Ros Jones, Bob Howard, Kirsteen Knight Editor: Jasper Corbett

As more restrictions are put in place regarding who we can meet and where we can go, to what extent are we following the rules? Is there any evidence of fatigue among the British public when it comes to adhering to government guidance designed to stop the spread of Covid-19?David Aaronovitch looks at the latest restrictions put in place around the UK and maps our behaviour since lockdown was first introduced back in March.What determines whether someone complies with the guidance or not? Will bigger fines encourage more people to fall in line? And to what extent do we actually understand what is being asked of us?Contributors:Dominic Casciani, BBC Home Affairs CorrespondentProf Daisy Fancourt, University College LondonProf Jocelyn Raude, EHESP French School of Public Health, RennesProf Linda Bauld, the University of EdinburghTeam: Richard Fenton-Smith. Bob Howard & Kirsteen Knight Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar Editor: Jasper Corbett

Sweden decided not to lockdown like other countries - was it the right decision?David Aaronovitch explores the Swedish experience of the pandemic and reveals that, for a country which didn't officially lockdown, it still introduced significant changes to everyday life, from school closures to social distancing and the cancellation of theatre shows and concerts.He looks at how the country's economy has fared compared to similar countries, and investigates whether claims it is in a better position to generate 'herd immunity' are accurate. Contributors:Maddy Savage, journalist in StockholmDr Emma Frans, researcher in medical epidemiology at Karolinska Institute, StockholmRichard Milne, Nordic and Baltic Correspondent at The Financial TimesMarcus Buggert, assistant professor at the Centre for Infectious Medicine at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm,Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Team: Richard Fenton-Smith, Bob Howard, Kirsteen Knight Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar Editor: Jasper Corbett

It's been six months since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was introduced across the UK - what have we learned about Covid-19 in that time? David Aaronovitch explores what we now know about the science of the virus, the symptoms it produces, and the policies which have been developed to tackle its spread.Contributors: Ravi Gupta, Professor of Clinical Microbiology, University of CambridgeTim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology. King's College LondonThomas Hale, Associate Professor in Global Public Policy, University of OxfordKeith Neal, Emeritus Professor in the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham Team: Richard Fenton-Smith, Kirsteen Knight and Julie Ball. Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar Editor: Jasper Corbett

Allegations of potential postal voting fraud and voter suppression have raised questions about the fairness of November's US presidential election, but what evidence is there to suggest these fears will be realised and influence the vote?David Aaronovitch explores the prevalence of electoral fraud in America, and in a year when the polls suggest a tight race in several states, he asks what will happen if the election result is contested?Contributors: Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporterElaine Kamarck, director of the Center for Effective Public Management, Brookings Institution. Professor Carol Anderson, Emory University, AtlantaProfessor Jamal Greene, Columbia University, New YorkTeam: Richard Fenton-Smith, Julie Ball and Kirsteen Knight Studio Manager: James Beard Editor: Jasper Corbett

Like many other areas of life the pandemic has hit football where it hurts: revenues are down and there’s a danger that some clubs will go out of business. But if that were to happen, does it really matter? The Premier League has become a great British export and it generates billions pounds for the British economy. Beyond its monetary value, it is also something which millions of people enjoy watching and playing - but how important is it in the current crisis?Contributors: Kieran Maguire, Accountancy and finance Lecturer from the University of Liverpool.Alex Culvin, Senior Lecturer in Sports Business from Salford University. Stephan Uesrfeld, Germany correspondent from sports channel ESPN. David Goldblatt , Sociologist and Author. Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy, Cambridge University. Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Jim Frank and Ben Carter. Editor: Jasper Corbett

The EU has warned a trade deal with the UK now seems unlikely – is that just posturing to speed up negotiations or is ‘no deal’ now the most likely outcome? And how will Brexit affect you when the transition period ends – from the price of shopping, to pet passports and lorry parks, David Aaronovitch asks the experts:Katya Adler – BBC Europe Editor John Peet - Political and Brexit Editor, The Economist Maddy Thimont Jack - Senior Researcher. The Institute for Government Professor Anand Mennon – Director of the UK in a Changing Europe.Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis and Joe Kent Studio manager: James Beard Editor: Jasper Corbett.

Belarus is gripped by nationwide protests, triggered by what is seen as an unfair election, rigged in favour of the country’s authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko.Violent clashes have led to the arrest of more than 6000 people, with many reporting beatings and torture at the hands of the police. President Lukashenko has told protestors they would have to kill him before there was another election – but are the days numbered for the man described as Europe’s last dictator? Contributors:David Marples, professor of history, University of AlbertaBrian Klaas, associate professor in global politics, University College London Olga Dryndova, editor of Belarus-Analysen, University of Bremen Elena Korosteleva, professor of international politics, University of KentTeam: Richard Fenton-Smith, Beth Sagar-Fenton, Kirsteen Knight Studio Manager: James Beard Editor: Jasper Corbett

This week children start to return to school in Scotland, with the rest of the UK due to reopen schools in September. For most students this is the first time they'll be setting foot inside a school since March - the longest interruption to schooling in living memory. But with the number of coronavirus cases back on the rise, how should we balance the risks of reopening schools, against the risks of keeping them shut? Contributors:Professor Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London. Professor Jonas Ludviggson, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Karolinska Institutet, SwedenRussell Viner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health and is a scientific adviser to the government as a member of SAGEProfessor Anna Vignoles, University of CambridgeInès Hassan, researcher at the Global Health Governance Programme at the University of EdinburghProducers: Kirsteen Knight, Beth Sagar-Fenton and Rosamund Jones Studio manager: Neva Missirian Editor: Hugh Levinson