Newscast

Today, we look at big changes to the benefits system which the government say aim to save £5bn a year by 2030. They were announced in the House of Commons by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall who said the changes would create a more “pro-work system”. However, charities and some Labour MPs are worried benefit cuts will push disabled people into poverty. Alex and James talk through the changes with Chris, and then are joined by the pensions minister Torsten Bell. And, President Putin has agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine energy targets for 30 days after a call with President Trump. The two men spoke for around 90 minutes, and fresh Ukraine peace talks will also begin in the Middle East immediately, the White House says. Alex and James are joined by Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 James Cook and Alex Forsyth. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, President Trump has been speaking to journalists ahead of his phone call with Russia’s President Putin on Tuesday. Trump told reporters that the two men will discuss land and powerplants. James and Alex speak to BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale in Kyiv where Ukrainian officials will be waiting to hear if the phone call brings Russia any closer to agreeing to a 30 day ceasefire deal outlined with the US last week.Plus, as the government prepares to announce changes to the welfare system, James and Alex speak to Faisal Islam, BBC Economics editor about the underlying causes driving up welfare claims and what it has meant for the economy. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 Alex Forsyth and James Cook. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the news that ministers could abandon plans to freeze some disability benefits.Paddy, Laura and Henry discuss where the news came from, and what the plans were in the first place.And, after a week in which Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that he was getting rid of NHS England, they look at how he might be changing other parts of the health service.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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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/3ENLcS1Newscast 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 Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent virtual summit aimed at enhancing military support for Ukraine sparks intriguing discussions. The dynamics of a coalition without US backing raise questions about its effectiveness. Meanwhile, internal strife within the Labour Party looms as welfare reforms stir discontent among members. Emotional stories of those affected by these changes highlight the human impact behind policy decisions. The podcast balances serious political discourse with lighthearted musical reflections, creating a compelling blend of analysis and entertainment.

Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam and Henry discuss Starmer’s announcement to abolish NHS England, which handles the day to day running of the health service and has been described by the government as the “world’s largest quango”.Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also on to talk about the plans and what they mean for healthcare in the UK. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 Flynn with Shiler Mahmoudi and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium. Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and Canada, as well as Keir Starmer’s response. Plus, Russia is “studying” the proposed plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Chris Steele, former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, discusses how the Kremlin will approach any negotiation.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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 Miranda Slade and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Ukraine saying it is ready to accept a US proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire. The decision comes after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks. Washington will also immediately restore intelligence sharing and “security assistance” to Ukraine. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch - Former British Ambassador to the US and Former UK National Security.Plus, President Trump has ordered 50% tariffs on Canadian steel. It comes after the worst day of 2025 for US financial markets. Adam is joined by Faisal Islam, BBC economics editor to examine how the markets are reacting to the trade war, and why President Trump might be happy to take the risk. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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 Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who has vowed to win a trade war with President Trump. Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, will become the next Prime Minister of Canada after winning his party’s leadership contest. Carney will be sworn in, in the coming days and has vowed to win the trade war with US President Donald Trump. Adam speaks to Chris Giles, Economics Commentator at the FT and Jayme Poisson host of CBC’s Front Burner podcast.And, Adam is joined by Alex to discuss more changes to the planning system being announced by the government. Plus, news of a first by-election for Keir Starmer to face after former Labour MP, now independent, Mike Amesbury announced he will resign at the “earliest opportunity”.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://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew 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 Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris . The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we hear from Ukrainians as their leader gets ready for another big week of peace talks and diplomacy.Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss government plans to overhaul the civil service. Plus, they assess Reform UK’s “infighting” following the suspension of an MP.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://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew 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 Laura Kuenssberg, Paddy O’Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.