Sky News Daily

Water bills are to rise by an average of 21% over the next five years, the industry regulator Ofwat has ruled.  But with the impact of the cost-of-living, water companies spilling record amounts of sewage into our waters, and controversial bonuses for senior leaders, do we need a complete overhaul of the industry?    On this episode, Niall Paterson hears from our business correspondent Paul Kelso in Henley, on the impact for consumers, providers and our water ways.  Niall also speaks to Stuart Colville, deputy CEO of Water UK, which represents the water companies, asking why they disagree with Ofwat’s plans.  Plus, Feargal Sharkey, campaigner and former lead vocalist of The Undertones, joins Niall to share his reaction and the story behind his efforts to protect our rivers and seas. For further background from Sky News, you can read Paul Kelso’s further analysis of Ofwat's business plans for Thames Water’s survival here.   Producers: Soila Apparicio, Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku 

As the new prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer makes his international debut at the NATO summit in Washington – what does he need to do to make a quick impact with international colleagues?    On today's Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Tamara Cohen to discuss how Sir Keir is tackling his first international visit.    Plus, Lord Peter Ricketts, former diplomat and French Ambassador, joins Niall to take a look at Labour's wider foreign policy plans.   For further background from Sky News, you can read our political editor Beth Rigby’s analysis of Starmer’s plans to argue the case to NATO that all members should increase their defence spending here.   Producers: Rosie Gillott, Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth  Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku 

Ukraine has published what it says is "unequivocal" evidence a Russian missile hit Kyiv's largest children's hospital.   The Okhmatdyt hospital treats 20,000 people a year. A two-storey wing helping children with cancer was destroyed in the attack.   It's the deadliest airstrike in Ukraine for months - on the eve of a NATO summit and as China and Belarus start military exercises near the Polish border - what reaction can we expect?   Niall Paterson is joined by Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based journalist and defence analyst, to hear more about the damage and the reaction from those in Ukraine's capital. Plus, he speaks to our defence and security editor Deborah Haynes. For further background from Sky News, you can read more of Deborah’s analysis here, and our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennet’s on Putin’s power play here.  Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth Promotions producer: Jada Kai Meosa-John

The left-wing alliance in France has won the most seats in a dramatic election, dealing a surprise blow to the far-right party of Marine Le Pen.  Le Pen's National Rally was aiming to become the biggest party in parliament for the first time but was stopped by tactical voting and collaboration between her opponents.  On this episode, Niall Paterson speaks to Europe correspondent Adam Parsons about the shock result and to Philippe Marliere, professor of French and European Politics at University College, about far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon and whether he could be the new French prime minister.      Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont Promotions producer: Jada Kai Meosa-John 

Thursday’s election results have transformed Parliament. Not only do Labour have a huge majority but also the smaller parties, the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Greens made big gains.     There is also now a record number of women MPs, and first time MPs, many of them much younger than the MPs they are replacing.     Niall Paterson talks to Sky’s political commentator Adam Boulton about the new-look parliament and what it means for UK politics in the coming months.    Plus, our correspondents Greg Milam and Tom Cheshire join from Leicester South and Clacton respectively, on the part Gaza played in the election and the case for reforming the electoral system.  Producer: Soila Apparicio Editors: Wendy Parker, Paul Stanworth

US President Joe Biden has admitted he "screwed up" in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump, but has vowed to fight on until the US election in November.   Donald Trump has told reporters Mr Biden is quitting, while prominent Democrat figures, including Barack Obama, say the current president has their full support.     On today's Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our US correspondent James Matthews to assess the likelihood of President Biden withdrawing from the presidential race, and what it would mean for the Democratic Party - and the future of America - if he did.        Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse  Editor: Philly Beaumont  Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku

On the final day of campaigning, the Sky News correspondents who have followed party leaders to every corner of the UK reflect on the key moments.    From kayaking photo opportunities to people who bet against their own election chances – they tell Niall Paterson how the stories have cut through and the impact they could have on polling day.    Joining Niall are our political correspondents - Darren McCaffrey with the Conservatives, Serena Barker-Singh on the Labour bus, Matthew Thompson following the Liberal Democrats, Gurpreet Narwan from the Reform trail, and in Scotland Connor Gillies on the Scottish National Party.Producers: Rosie Gillott, Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth   Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku

The UK, US and Europe have sanctioned the importation of Russian oil and gas since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.   But from 2022, European nations have spent €10bn on Russian Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), and British companies are facilitating the trade.     Our economics and data editor Ed Conway sits down with host Niall Paterson to tell the story of how an obscure company based in an office block on a quiet street in Glasgow became an accessory in Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. Producer: Rosie Gillott  Editor: Paul Stanworth  Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says there's a "conspiracy of silence" at this election; that all of the major political parties aren't being honest enough about their fiscal plans.  The thinktank says all the major parties are avoiding discussion around the black hole in their spending plans for after the election - but what else are they not talking about?   On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by economics and data editor Ed Conway to look at why topics from tax to Brexit might be missing from the campaigning.     Plus, Ed explains how exit polls, the first and most accurate early indications of who might win the general election on voting day, are put together.   Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth Podcast promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John

Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced off in the first election debate of this year's US presidential campaign on Thursday night.   The president was seen to mumble and stumble his way through, while former president Trump repeated false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.   On this episode Niall Paterson unpicks the debate between the senior citizens, with our US correspondent James Matthews in Georgia on the hits and misses, and pollster Scarlett Maguire on how American voters are feeling about the upcoming election.  Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont