- 40 minutes 17 secondsBurnham Wins in Makerfield - So What Happens Now?
Today, Labour’s Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by election - so how could we see a challenge to Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader?
Burnham won almost 25,000 votes, beating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes. In his victory speech Andy Burnham said "Everyone knows that politics isn't working, and has previously said he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest.
So what happens now?
Adam and Chris are joined by Kevin Fitzpatrick political reporter for Radio Manchester and Luke Tryl Director of More in Common.
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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 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. The social producer was Jem Westgate and Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
19 June 2026, 7:16 am - 41 minutes 54 secondsWho Won The US-Iran Deal?
Today, the US and Iran have an agreement which extends the ceasefire between the two countries, and is now signed by US President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet talks us through what the deal includes, what it means for the strait of Hormuz and oil prices, and where the sticking points may be. Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue explains how the deal has been spun and how it has been received in the US. And, we continue digging into the proposed social media ban with a special guest from Australia. Australian Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie had been calling for this ban since her maiden speech in 2022, she explains how it actually works and what it could take to change how the tech companies protect young people online.
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
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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 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 Bethan Ashmead . The social producers were Joe Wilkinson and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
18 June 2026, 4:31 pm - 32 minutes 15 secondsStarmer’s Warning To Andy Burnham
Today, Keir Starmer returns home from the G7 with a warning to Andy Burnham not to rush into triggering a leadership contest if he wins in Makerfield tomorrow.
In an interview with Chris, the Prime Minister said that a leadership contest would be bad for the country but reaffirmed his intention to fight any challenges to his leadership.
Tomorrow’s by-election in Makerfield still stands in the way of any move Burnham could make to trigger a by-election. Alex is there on the ground and brings us the latest from Burnham’s competitors, including Robert Kenyon of Reform UK.
Adam, Chris and Alex discuss what it all means.
A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o
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
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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 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Bethan Ashmead and Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
17 June 2026, 4:16 pm - 32 minutes 8 secondsHow Will The Social Media Ban Change Children’s Lives?
Today, what difference will banning social media make to children’s lives?
Speaking the day after the announcement of a ban on social media for under-16s the education secretary speaks to Adam in the Newscast studio.
They discuss; if children need to be bored more whether it’s OK for parents to watch youtube with their children and whether the school day should be longer?
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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 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 Bethan Ashmead and Anna Harris. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
16 June 2026, 3:13 pm - 43 minutes 58 secondsSocial Media Ban For Under-16s
Today, the prime minister has announced under-16s will be banned from social media.
Speaking at Downing Street Keir Starmer announced if passed in parliament the ban will come into force by spring 2027. Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among the platforms affected - but not WhatsApp or Signal.
So will the ban achieve what the government says it will? Adam and Henry are joined by Zoe Kleinman, BBC technology editor.
And, the US and Iran have agreed a deal to the end the war. Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened and the US naval blockade of Iran will end. Details remain scarce about what any potential deal may look like in practice. Adam speaks to 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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord
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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 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 Bethan Ashmead. The social producer was . The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
15 June 2026, 3:15 pm - 33 minutes 36 secondsRoyal Marines Take Control Of Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker
Royal Marine Commandos have boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Marines, joined by National Crime Agency officers, with the support of the RAF, intercepted and boarded the vessel in a six-hour operation - the first operation of its kind by UK armed forces.
The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD said.
Joe Pike joins Laura and Paddy to go through what we know about the operation, and put it into context in light of a week of resignations over the government's defence investment plan.
A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o
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 are 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 Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
14 June 2026, 12:47 pm - 40 minutes 13 secondsBy-Electioncast: Could Restore Britain Help Andy Burnham Win?
Paddy is back from holiday and he’s also back from Ashton-in-Makerfield.
He joins Laura to discuss a new poll that suggests Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain could steal enough votes from Reform UK to hand Andy Burnham a win.
Luke Tryl from More In Common - the pollsters behind the research - also joins with Joe Pike who’s sat in on a focus group they ran.
A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o
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 are 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 Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Frank McWeeney. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
13 June 2026, 6:26 pm - 33 minutes 6 secondsThe Keir Starmer Interview: The Analysis
Today, Adam and Chris discuss Chris’ interview with the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister sat down for an extended conversation with Chris following the resignation of his defence secretary John Healey yesterday over disagreements about the government’s new Defence Investment Plan.
It’s the latest blow to the Prime Minister following several high profile cabinet resignations last month and the possibility of a leadership contest in the near future.
Adam and Chris breakdown what it all means.
A full list of candidates and loads more information about the Makerfield by-election is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrp1z8n4w2o
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
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New episodes are 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 Anna Harris with Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
12 June 2026, 3:19 pm - 25 minutes 5 secondsThe Keir Starmer Interview
Today, Chris speaks to Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, about the resignation of his defence secretary John Healey, his plans for the Defence Investment Plan, and whether or not he’ll fight a potential leadership election.
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 are 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 Anna Harris with Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
12 June 2026, 12:47 pm - 31 minutes 25 secondsWhy Has Defence Secretary John Healey Resigned?
Today, the UK Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned.
In his resignation letter to the PM, Healey set out his reasons for leaving, telling the PM the defence investment plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”.
The sixth minister to resign for Starmer’s cabinet in a month, and one of its most loyal, the question will now turn to what lies ahead for the PM.
Adam and Chris are joined by Shashank Joshi Defence Editor of the Economist
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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 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 Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was . The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
11 June 2026, 6:49 pm - 37 minutes 28 secondsWho’s Causing The Violence In Belfast?
Today, extra police are brought into Belfast and public transport is closing early, after a night of violence.
The violence erupted after a knife attack in the city on Monday. The suspect has appeared in court charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody for four weeks and is due to re-appear in court via video-link in July.
The family of Stephen Ogilvy, the victim in Monday night's knife attack in Belfast, say "unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward”. Meanwhile the Chief Constable of the PSNI has sworn to prosecute those involved in spreading misinformation online.
Adam and Chris are joined Ciarán Dunbar, BelTel podcast presenter, to discuss.
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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 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 and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
10 June 2026, 7:16 pm - More Episodes? Get the App