Podcasts by Best of Today

Stuart Broad: After the Ashes from 2023-11-04T08:30

Stuart Broad announced his decision to retire following the 2023 Ashes.

Today's Simon Jack speaks to the England bowling ace about his new book 'Broadly Speaking', which takes a look insid...

'To see my mum again is an incredible thing' from 2023-10-24T07:38

The daughter of Yocheved Lifschitz, one of the hostages freed last night, has visited her mother in hospital in Israel and has told Today she "seems OK".

In an interview with Today presen...

Emma Raducanu on her return to tennis from 2023-10-20T11:02

Emma Raducanu burst onto the world stage back in 2021 when she went from being an almost unknown 18 year old tennis player to winning the US Open. She became the first British woman to secure a ...

An experiment in "open justice" in the family courts from 2023-10-16T14:00

Judgements made in the family courts can affect families forever, including placing children in care or for adoption.

After decades of calls for greater scrutiny of the family courts, at ...

Michael Caine: I'm retiring from film from 2023-10-14T07:27

In the summer of 2014, Bernard Jordan made global headlines. He had staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comr...

Why was my neighbour's body not found for two years? from 2023-10-02T09:28

Residents in a south London block of flats are considering legal action against a housing association, after their neighbour lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found, despite ...

How could Sheila Seleoane remain undiscovered for so long? from 2023-10-02T09:27

Sheila Seleoane lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found - despite repeated efforts to raise the alarm. Sheila was a 58-year-old medical secretary who died in her South London...

How can a death go unnoticed in modern society? from 2023-10-02T05:27

Sheila Seleoane was found in her Peckham flat in February 2022 and had to be identified by dental records.

Her neighbours initially made complains to their housing association, Peabody, ab...

The Today Debate: Drug deaths in Scotland - is decriminalisation the answer? from 2023-09-27T00:56

The Today Debate is about taking an issue and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the morning.

Join Today presenter Mishal Husain, as in front of a live audience...

Martha's Rule: Challenging culture will make our hospitals safer from 2023-09-04T07:41

Martha Mills was 13 years old when she died in hospital two years ago, after failures by doctors to spot and treat her sepsis.

Her parents are calling for hospitals to implement 'Martha's ...

'Life's Not Always a Beach' Guest Edit from 2023-09-03T10:30

Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.

Thousands of you applied and this summer we have been fe...

Sajid Javid: What can be done to help prevent suicide? from 2023-09-01T08:53

Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid lost his brother Tariq to suicide in 2018. It is the number one cause of death for young people and biggest killer of men under 50.

In a personal repor...

Friendly Neighbours Guest Edit from 2023-08-26T10:29

Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.

Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through Augu...

Concert Band Guest Edit from 2023-08-19T10:10

Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.

Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through Augu...

The Nicola Benedetti Interview from 2023-08-19T09:14

Our programme is guest edited by Moyra, Anne, Alan and Andrew, four members of the Dunbartonshire Concert Band.

For their programme they wanted to look at the contribution community music ...

Good Grief Guest Edit from 2023-08-12T09:17

Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.

Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through Augu...

Messy Fostering Guest Edit from 2023-08-05T08:47

Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.

Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through Au...

Today Debate: Is the housing market broken? from 2023-07-05T00:33

The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the programme in the morning.

Today presenter Mishal Husain is joined by a pan...

The Today Debate: Do we need a Monarchy? from 2023-04-25T20:27

The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the Today programme in the morning.

Today presenter Mishal Husain was joined b...

Björn from ABBA's Eurovision highlights from 2023-01-31T10:48

Björn Ulvaeus has guest edited BBC Radio 4's Today and his programme included a lot of insights and encounters about Eurovision.

Hear him talk to one of the British jurors who in 1974 gav...

Sir Jeremy Fleming Guest Edits Today from 2023-01-06T10:52

Today's fourth Christmas guest editor this year is Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, the UK's largest but probably least known intelligence agency.

Hear highlights from his programme ...

Dame Sharon White Guest Edits Today from 2023-01-02T12:39

Today’s final Christmas guest editor this year is Dame Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and former head of telecoms regulator Ofcom. She was named as the most powerful black ...

Anne-Marie Imafidon Guest Edits Today from 2022-12-31T10:13

Today’s sixth Christmas guest editor is Anne-Marie Imafidon – computer scientist, CEO and co-presenter of Countdown.

Hear highlights of her programme, whose central theme is opportunity. S...

Björn Ulvaeus Guest Edits Today from 2022-12-30T12:54

Today's fifth Christmas guest editor is Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA.

Hear highlights from his programme, which looks at the impact of Artificial Intelligence and technology on music, the futur...

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Guest Edits Today from 2022-12-28T13:22

Today's third guest editor this Christmas is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years in Iran - before being freed and coming home nine months ago. Hear highlights from her prog...

Jamie Oliver Guest Edits Today from 2022-12-27T13:14

Today's second guest editor this Christmas is Jamie Oliver, the chef, entrepreneur and campaigner. Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including interviews with form...

Lord Botham Guest Edits Today from 2022-12-26T09:52

Today's first guest editor this Christmas is Lord Botham, Ian "Beefy" Botham, former England all-rounder, now crossbench peer and UK Trade Envoy to Australia.

Hear highlights from his prog...

Joanne Harris: My winter walk from 2022-12-09T06:53

The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them at this time of year.

Author Joanne Harris, best known for her nov...

Hunter Davies: My winter walk from 2022-11-26T09:00

The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series. Author Hunter Davies, best known for th...

Jojo Moyes: My winter walk from 2022-11-22T10:23

The Today programme has asked some well-known voices to tell us about their favourite walks at this time of year.

Novelist and journalist Jojo Moyes - best known for 'Me Before You' - des...

Michelle Gallen: My winter walk from 2022-11-17T08:30

The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.

Author Michelle Gallen, who wrote...

Michael Morpurgo: My winter walk from 2022-11-11T08:00

The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.

Author Michael Morpurgo, best kno...

Gillian Clarke: My winter walk from 2022-11-10T07:30

The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.

The poet, who was National Poet o...

Kate Mosse: My winter walk from 2022-11-09T07:30

The Today programme invites some well known faces to speak about their favourite winter walk.

Novelist and history writer Kate Mosse describes her walk through Fishbourne Marshes, near Chi...

Simon Armitage: My winter walk from 2022-11-08T08:10

The Today programme is inviting some famous faces to speak about their favourite winter walk.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage describes his walks up Pule Hill, the high point above Marsden a...

Rory Kinnear: My winter walk from 2022-11-07T08:20

The Today programme is inviting some famous faces to describe their favourite winter walk.

Actor Rory Kinnear lovingly tells of walking his son and daughter to school.

(Image, Rory ...

CEO of Ryanair Group, Michael O’Leary from 2022-08-11T05:52

Michael O’Leary has been Chief Executive of Ryanair since 1994, and was appointed CEO of Ryanair Holdings, Europe’s largest airline group, in 2019.

He’s been speaking to Today’s business ...

Chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Dame Sharon White from 2022-08-09T05:25

Dame Sharon White is the Chairman of John Lewis Partnership.

Overseeing a team of 80,000 partners working at branches and offices of supermarket Waitrose and department store John Lewis a...

Roe v Wade: US Supreme Court may overturn abortion rights from 2022-05-03T10:23

Millions of women across the US could soon lose their legal right to abortion, according to a leaked Supreme Court document. The document, published by Politico, suggests the country's top court is...

Awards to showcase how space exploration makes life better on Earth from 2022-05-02T12:17

It's 50 years since Charlie Duke, the pilot of the Apollo 16 mission, became the youngest man at 36-years-old to walk on the Moon. Apollo 16 landed at Descartes Highlands on April 20th 1972. That l...

NHS England: '2.7 million people were referred for cancer checks in the last year'. from 2022-05-02T09:53

The latest figures from NHS England suggest that 2.7 million people, a record number, have been referred for cancer checks in the twelve months up to February this year. The pre-pandemic figure wa...

‘We have no capacity’, says Bristol GP from 2022-04-29T12:06

Getting through to a GP in England is becoming increasingly difficult. Demand has bounced back since the pandemic, and it’s getting harder to recruit new doctors. Staff in Bristol say they have nev...

Professor tells of 85-year-old mother’s death in Mariupol from 2022-04-29T11:41

A Ukrainian professor at the University of Cambridge has described how his mother Svetlana was found dead by a neighbour in the besieged city of Mariupol. Andrei Kirilenko told Today’s Justin Webb ...

Rob Key on taking over as managing director of England men’s cricket from 2022-04-29T10:30

Rob Key says that it is an “absolute honour” to take up the role of managing director of the men’s team at the ECB. He was hired in mid-April and has now made his first big appointment in the role:...

UN chief visits destroyed town near Kyiv from 2022-04-28T11:45

Speaking to Today’s Mishal Husain, Red Cross Director of Operations Dominik Stillhart – who was in Ukraine last week – says it’s ‘absolutely urgent’ that humanitarian aid is delivered to Mariupol a...

Russia halts gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria from 2022-04-27T09:21

The Russian energy giant, Gazprom, says it has completely stopped gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland after they failed to meet a deadline to start paying in roubles. The two NATO countries get mos...

Spoonbills return from medieval times from 2022-04-27T09:00

Today's Martha Kearney visits Holkham on the North Norfolk coast where she meets Jake Fiennes, director of conservation and author of Land Healer, to discuss the return of the Spoonbills which were...

Should NATO be preparing us all to enter the war against Russia? from 2022-04-20T09:20

Military officials in Ukraine say their troops have so far 'held the line' against the Russian offensive in the east of the country. President Zelensky says Russian forces have significantly increa...

Zadie Smith: ‘The traffic between words and music' from 2022-04-19T10:43

Today's Mishal Husain speaks with author Zadie Smith about her upcoming performance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at London's Barbican Centre on Friday, April 22nd, an evening of reading and musi...

Shocking signs as energy costs rise excessively from 2022-04-19T09:55

The alarming increase in energy prices has impacted direct debit customers; bills are raising unnecessarily placing customers on tariffs that are not in their best interests. The regulator of OFGEM...

While the attention has been on the ground, there is a battle for control of the air. from 2022-04-18T12:17

Russian soldiers have attacked many Ukrainian cities, and for the first time since the war began, people have crossed the border between Poland and Ukraine to return home rather than flee, believin...

Russia loses iconic warship from 2022-04-15T09:26

Russia's flagship Black Sea missile cruiser has sunk after being "seriously damaged", according to Russian state media. Ukraine claims it struck the vessel with its Neptune missiles. The 510-crew w...

Emma Raducanu leads GB team in Billie Jean King Cup from 2022-04-15T08:03

British tennis player and world number 12 Emma Raducanu will lead Team GB in the Billie Jean King Cup which gets underway this weekend. The 19 year old and US Open champion assumes the role in a yo...

Should Boris Johnson call a confidence vote? from 2022-04-14T09:19

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have rejected calls to resign, despite being fined by police for breaking lockdown rules in Downing Street in June 2020. Their refusal to go led to the resignation of ...

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak apologise for breaching lockdown restrictions from 2022-04-13T11:29

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak have all received fixed penalty notices for attending a birthday gathering for the PM in No 10.As a result, Mr Johnson beca...

Russia's preparing new offensive in eastern Ukraine? from 2022-04-12T11:50

Russia's preparations for a new offensive in eastern Ukraine appear to have intensified.Officials in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk say Russian tanks have started advancing for a renewed a...

20th anniversary of the release of Bend It Like Beckham from 2022-04-12T11:43

It is 20 years since the release of 'Bend It Like Beckham'.The film won plaudits for its light touch in dealing with serious issues surrounding race, gender and sexualityMartha Kearney spoke to Mil...

Macron and Le Pen to fight for presidency from 2022-04-11T12:32

Emmanuel Macron has won the first round of the French election and far-right rival Marine Le Pen will fight him for the presidency for a second time. In the end, he won a convincing first-round vi...

Murdered teacher's family 'treated differently’ from 2022-04-11T12:27

The sister of murdered primary teacher Sabina Nessa said if their family was a "normal British white family" they would have been treated better. Her sister, Jebina Yasmin Islam, said newspapers h...

Interview: Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu from 2022-04-11T07:14

Paris has been the location for lots of recent TV shows, with some scepticism from people in the city. In Netflix's Emily in Paris, the young American heroine takes endless selfies in front of glam...

Voting for the first round of France's presidential election starts this weekend. from 2022-04-09T09:05

Voting for the first round of France's presidential election starts this weekend. President Macron and the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen are firm favourites among the twelve candidates to reach...

Ukraine: ‘This war is a war of aggression in the heart of Europe.’ from 2022-04-08T12:51

Today’s Mishal Husain speaks with Retired Former Senator of Canada Roméo Dallaire, Jens Stoltenberg Secretary General of NATO, and BBC’s Jeremy Bowen in Kyiv. (Image Credits:REUTERS/Zohra Ben...

'I was afraid we would all be shot' from 2022-04-07T09:11

Russian forces have now completely withdrawn from areas around Kyiv and the city of Chernihiv - close to the Belarussian border. The reality of what Ukrainians in those areas lived through has beco...

National insurance hike comes into effect despite cost of living crisis from 2022-04-06T08:56

The government’s proposal to increase national insurance contributions comes into effect today despite the hike breaking a manifesto commitment. Employees, businesses and the self-employed will pay...

No fault divorce arrives in England and Wales from 2022-04-05T10:13

Couples in England and Wales will be able to end their marriages more quickly without blaming each other. Until today, in order to start divorce proceedings immediately, one spouse had to allege ...

Ukraine: Zelensky orders investigation into alleged Russian war crimes from 2022-04-04T09:03

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said he will establish a special team of international experts, lawyers and judges, to start investigating alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. He has...

Evidence points to war crimes on outskirts of Kyiv from 2022-04-01T11:14

As Ukraine’s military efforts have pushed Russians out of the area surround Kyiv, the BBC's Jeremy Bowen has been to see the grim aftermath of their short-lived occupation. Evidence found so far co...

Festival marks 100 years since ‘The Wasteland’ poem from 2022-04-01T10:54

To mark the 100 year anniversary of ‘The Wasteland’ by T.S Eliot, a festival - Fragments - has been created in 22 of London’s most beautiful churches reflecting some of the geography of the poem bu...

Hungary prepares to go to the polls from 2022-04-01T10:40

In Hungary, voters will go to the polls on Sunday to decide whether to Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán gets a fourth consecutive term in office. It will be Europe’s first parliamentary electi...

Last day of free lateral flow tests in England from 2022-03-31T09:04

Despite increasing coronavirus cases and hospitalisations, today marks the last day you can access lateral flow tests for free in England. The change comes amidst a surge in cases, with approximate...

Ukraine: Lyse Doucet on 35 days of war. from 2022-03-30T12:56

BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet reports from the city centre in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. She meets Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion, as well as speakin...

Chernihiv – a city under siege from 2022-03-29T11:48

Chernihiv in northern Ukraine is now almost completely surrounded by Russian forces as the city is left without electricity, gas, or running water. Some citizens have managed to get out but the lac...

Biden and the Ukraine crisis from 2022-03-28T12:12

US President Joe Biden has made a series of unscripted remarks that have upped the temperature of US-Russia relations to near boiling point. Today's Nick Robinson spoke with Michael McFaul former U...

Chancellor accused of not understanding ‘the scale of the challenge’ from 2022-03-24T10:06

Yesterday, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled his ‘mini budget’ Spring Statement aimed at combatting the cost of living crisis. He had been under pressure to help households, with prices rising 6....

Sunak to unveil plans amidst cost of living crisis from 2022-03-23T09:28

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is unveiling his Spring Statement on Wednesday amidst soaring inflation and a cost of living crisis. It’s expected that he might cut fuel duty but stand by the government’s p...

Mariupol: 'We were hitchhiking on the road next to our house.' from 2022-03-22T13:33

The city of Mariupol has been decimated, as it lies in ruins after weeks of heavy bombing and missiles destroying and damaging almost every building in the strategically vital port city in southern...

Bridgerton Series 2: 'I hope it brings love, humanity and joy' from 2022-03-22T11:37

Bridgerton returns for a second series on Friday. The hit Netflix period drama attracted millions of viewers throughout the world with a modern take on the Regency world. Today's Martha Kearney spe...

Ukraine: 'UK is desperate to help'. from 2022-03-21T13:19

The first phase of the Homes for Ukraine scheme began over the weekend with visa applications open for refugees who have named people in the UK that can sponsor them. Charities can support the sche...

The trauma of stillbirth from 2022-03-18T12:30

Dr Marija Pantelic lost her baby, Sasha, to stillbirth. She is not alone - one in 250 births in England is a stillbirth.Mishal Husain spoke to Marija about her experience – about going into hospit...

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe released from 2022-03-17T11:39

At just after 1 am on Thursday, a plane touched down at RAF Brize Norton – on board were some very special passengers: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe back on UK soil after six years detention in Iran. A...

How is Berlin responding to the Ukraine crisis? from 2022-03-16T09:58

Presenting from Berlin, Today’s Nick Robinson explores how the city is responding to the refugee crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. He reports from the Hauptbahnhof – usually a bustling train sta...

A turning point for Germany from 2022-03-15T20:00

The war in Ukraine is re-shaping the way Germany sees itself and its role in the world. The German government published its draft defence budget yesterday which will take defence spending to a re...

Delia Smith: You Matter from 2022-03-15T11:34

In a wide ranging interview the cookbook writer and football club owner asks us to step back and think more deeply about ourselves: about our own existence, the meaning of our humanity, and the imp...

Life during wartime from 2022-03-14T10:37

Perhaps only President Putin and his senior generals know Russia's battle plan for Kyiv. Is the current fighting in its north-western and eastern suburbs an attempt to encircle it, or break into ...

'Dance for Ukraine' from 2022-03-11T10:03

Martha Kearney discusses 'Dance for Ukraine,' a special benefit gala at the London Coliseum to raise funds for people in need in Ukraine, with former Royal Ballet stars and impresarios Ivan Putrov ...

Getting my grandmother from Ukraine to safety from 2022-03-10T10:35

Tanya Mulesa describes trying to get her Ukrainian grandmother a visa to Today's Mishal Husain. As bloodshed inside Ukraine continues, Today hears from Tanya Mulesa, who is trying to get her Ukrai...

Russian MP questioned over civilian casualties from 2022-03-09T08:19

CIA director Bill Burns has delivered a sobering assessment of Vladimir Putin's mood, saying the Russian President is angry&frustrated and is likely to double down with no regard for civilian casua...

Mass exodus continues for Ukrainian refugees from 2022-03-08T12:04

More than a million refugees from Ukraine crossed borders into other countries. The EU has warned there could soon be five million refugees if the war continues. Today's Mishal Husain reports fro...

How refugees are being welcomed by one Polish town. from 2022-03-07T13:39

Refugees from across Ukraine are being welcomed as they arrive in the Polish border town of Przemysl, but there are concerns about how the relief effort can be maintained if the war goes on, Over o...

Will sanctions work? from 2022-03-03T10:42

Western countries hope to confront Russian ambitions in Ukraine through sanctions rather than by force, but questions are being raised about their effectiveness. Targets so far have included Russia...

Can parallels with the 1930s helps understand Ukraine today? from 2022-03-02T10:44

In September 1941, the Nazis slaughtered nearly 34,000 Jews over a day and a half on the site of Babyn Yar in Kyiv. A memorial to those killed was erected in a park underneath Kyiv’s TV Tower. Yest...

Kharkiv: two friends' on their city's plight from 2022-03-02T10:34

There’s hardly an area of Kharkiv that an artillery shell has not hit. Ukraine’s second city has faced bombing for days, an attack on their main government HQ and is now seeing Russian paratroopers...

Satellite images show a huge Russian military convoy Advancing on Kyiv from 2022-03-01T11:32

Satellite images show that a huge Russian military convoy around 40 miles long is advancing on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The Today programme heard the latest from Kyiv, Kharkiv and around UkraineAm...

‘If I go now, it’s forever’ - Sofia’s decision to leave her country. from 2022-02-28T13:52

Today’s Nick Robinson has spent much of the last week in Ukraine. He was working alongside Sofia Koczmar, a Ukrainian journalist, who helped him and the team with him, leave Ukraine and cross the b...

Long queues at Polish border for fleeing Ukrainians from 2022-02-28T10:27

More than a quarter of a million Ukrainians are at the Polish border trying to flee the war in their country, according to Poland’s government. Today’s Nick Robinson speaks to some of those who que...

‘It’s my country, my land, my people’ from 2022-02-25T15:28

Russia is continuing its invasion of Ukraine. Over the last two mornings, air raid sirens and explosions could be heard as Today’s Nick Robinson presented from Kyiv. He spoke to Ukrainians preparin...

Covid: End to legal restrictions in England from 2022-02-21T09:39

Boris Johnson is due to set out his plans to scrap all remaining Covid legal restrictions in England, including the requirement to isolate. The Prime Minister will meet Cabinet on Monday morning be...

Doctor stabbed on doorstep tells attacker 'I feel bad for you' from 2022-02-18T10:25

Chanz Maximen has been sentenced to a minimum of 12 years imprisonment after being found guilty of dragging doctor Adam Towler out of his house and stabbing him nine times.

However in his...

Andrew Garfield on his Oscar nomination and Tick, Tick... Boom! from 2022-02-17T10:40

Andrew Garfield has received an Oscar nomination for his role as Jonathan Larsen in Tick, Tick... Boom! which is based on the stage musical of the same name and written by Larsen about his early st...

Russia’s claims of troop withdrawal from Ukrainian border are ‘false’, according to the UK and US from 2022-02-17T09:40

The Kremlin has released video which purports to show troops being withdrawn at the end of military exercises. However, the UK's head of defence intelligence says that Russia is actually building u...

Russian threat ‘far from over’ from 2022-02-16T09:21

In an address to the American people last night, President Biden said that a Russian attack on Ukraine is "still very much a possibility" and the human cost would be "immense". He concluded “If we...

Wages rise – but slower than prices from 2022-02-15T10:44

UK wage growth continued to lag behind the rising cost of living between October and December, figures show. Wages rose, but when taking inflation into account, pay showed a 0.8% fall from a year e...

Public inquiry begins into Post Office scandal from 2022-02-14T10:34

A public inquiry opened formally on Monday into the faulty IT system at the Post Office which led to the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history. More than seven hundred Pos...

Met Police chief exit was due to ‘broken system of political oversight’ from 2022-02-12T09:17

Dame Cressida Dick resigned as Metropolitan Police Commissioner this week after losing the confidence of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Justin Webb speaks to Ian Blair, who himself stepped d...

Stonewall on equality watchdog fears from 2022-02-11T08:34

Britain's human rights watchdog faces a legal challenge to its status over a row about transgender rights.

LGBT charities want the UN to revoke the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (...

PM signals end of all coronavirus rules for England from 2022-02-10T10:36

Yesterday the Prime Minister signalled his determination to lift all remaining COVID rules in England two weeks from today on February 24th. It would mean people wouldn't have to isolate if they ha...

Dame Cressida Dick has 'days and weeks' to address London Mayor's concerns from 2022-02-09T09:51

"Disgraceful" misogyny, discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment have been discovered within the ranks of the Met Police by the police watchdog.
Officers were found to have joked about ra...

Interview: Lin-Manuel Miranda from 2022-02-09T09:42

The Oscar nominations included one for Lin-Manuel Miranda for a song from the Disney animated film, Encanto. He’s also the man behind the musical 'Hamilton' who has just directed a film for the fir...

Starmer incident 'unintended consequence' of PM's remarks from 2022-02-08T11:10

Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls from Tory MPs to say sorry for his comments about Sir Keir Starmer's failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile, after the Labour leader was targeted by protestors near P...

'I'm Sorry,' says the PM. from 2022-02-01T13:52

Today's Nick Robinson reports on the fallout to Sue Gray’s report criticising the culture in Downing Street. Leading Conservative critic Andrew Mitchell says the parties have been corrosive. Nick q...

Covid: 'We knew we were in for the long haul' from 2022-01-31T10:34

It was two years ago on Sunday that a 50 year old woman and her 23 year old son were admitted to the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary with symptoms of Covid. Two years and 691,000 hospitalisation...

The bond between a man and his dog from 2022-01-31T10:10

Over lockdown Rory Cellan Jones, the BBC's former technology correspondent, posted daily pictures of his dog Cabbage. The posts from his daily walks with the collie cross became an unlikely social ...

The Big Garden Birdwatch returns from 2022-01-28T10:07

The world's largest garden wildlife survey returns today and runs until Sunday. The Big Garden Birdwatch involves people birdwatching in their garden and counting the number of different species th...

Care home restrictions to be eased in England from 2022-01-27T10:03

Covid restrictions on adult social care will be eased in England from Monday, the government has announced. There will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed at care homes, self-isolation pe...

Interview: Liz Truss from 2022-01-26T12:41

The official inquiry into gatherings at Downing Street and in Whitehall during lockdown is believed to be complete. It's understood the senior civil servant, Sue Gray, has evidence including photog...

Is Russia headed for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine? from 2022-01-25T10:28

Western allies have warned that Russia will be hit with an "unprecedented package of sanctions" if it invades Ukraine. Speaking last night after a virtual meeting between President Biden and Europ...

PM orders inquiry into former minister’s Islamophobia allegations from 2022-01-24T10:28

Boris Johnson has ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate a claim by a Conservative MP that she was sacked as a minister, in part, because she's a Muslim. A Downing Street spokesperson said the P...

Jacky Wright’s Today Programme from 2022-01-03T10:55

Jacky Wright is the Chief Digital Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft US. For her Today guest edit, she asked whether young people are being taught the skills they need for the wor...

Mina Smallman’s Today programme from 2022-01-01T10:53

Mina Smallman, guest edited our first Today programme of 2022. Mina is a former Church of England archdeacon and school principal, who began campaigning on violence against women and equity in h...

Dr Jane Goodall’s Today Programme from 2021-12-31T12:53

Dr Jane Goodall is a primatologist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace. She is best known for revolutionising the world's understanding of chimpanzees.

She u...

General Sir Nick Carter’s Today Programme from 2021-12-30T15:03

General Sir Nick Carter is a retired senior army officer who served as the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff until November this year. He used his Today guest edit to focus on the fallout from the US...

Raheem Sterling’s Today Programme from 2021-12-29T11:50

The England and Manchester City footballer, Raheem Sterling used his Today programme guest edit to look at the issue of social mobility, after launching his own foundation earlier this year. His...

Raheem Sterling and Gareth Southgate in conversation from 2021-12-29T08:42

Today programme guest editor, the England and Manchester City player, Raheem Sterling wanted discuss what he, his team mates and the country had learned following the Euros this summer.

F...

James Rebanks’ Today Programme from 2021-12-28T13:50

James Rebanks is a Cumbrian sheep farmer and bestselling author. He used his Today programme guest edit to focus on the government's changes to farm subsidies and to look at whether urban farms ...

Michael Dobbs’ Today Programme from 2021-12-27T11:23

Lord Dobbs, Michael Dobbs, is a Conservative Peer and author. He has written more than 20 books, but is best known for his political thriller House of Cards. He used his Today Programme guest ed...

‘No evidence’ Omicron is less severe than Delta from 2021-12-18T09:15

Researchers at Imperial College have found there’s “no evidence” as yet that Omicron is milder than the Delta variant of coronavirus. There are concerns that the record-breaking infection levels fr...

Lib Dems deliver blow to the PM in North Shropshire from 2021-12-17T10:24

The Conservatives have lost the North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson. The former cabinet mini...

Professor Chris Whitty suggests scaling back socialising over Christmas from 2021-12-16T10:51

At the Downing Street press conference last night, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty told people that over Christmas they should prioritise social interactions that mean the most to them...

Omicron infections increasing 'quite dramatically' from 2021-12-15T10:09

Infections caused by the new variant Omicron are rising rapidly, doubling every two to three days. It is expected to become the dominant variant soon and then the UK is being warned to be braced fo...

Boosters: 'We're all in it together' from 2021-12-14T10:51

The Omicron variant is now estimated by government models to be at 200,000 infections per day and confirmed Covid cases are currently at around 54,000. People have had difficulty ordering the home ...

When a nativity play goes viral from 2021-12-14T10:08

The nativity play has traditionally been a highlight of the Christmas. A video originally filmed in 1996 of one particular village church nativity has been viewed over two million times but for all...

How long does booster jab protection last? from 2021-12-13T10:56

The government hopes to offer every adult in England the chance to book a Covid booster before the end of 2021. Booster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK, in response to worries ove...

AIDS: 'It crept in sideways silently as rumours and whispers' from 2021-12-13T10:29

Forty years ago the news came of the first reported AIDS case in the UK. Very few people had heard of the virus or had any sense of how dangerous it would become. Wild rumours spread about the new ...

Labour: No 10 parties 'distracting from public health message' from 2021-12-10T11:33

An investigation is currently being carried out by the Cabinet Secretary which will examine three allegations of gatherings last Christmas. These include two in Downing Street, despite Covid rules ...

Health Secretary: Mandatory vaccines are 'unethical' from 2021-12-09T10:30

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a toughening of Covid restrictions in England to slow the spread of Omicron variant. They include wearing a mask in theatres and cinemas from Friday, ...

Government has ‘lost its grip’ on dealing with Afghan refugees from 2021-12-03T10:46

Since the Taliban took hold of Afghanistan, the UK promised to help re-home Afghans who had worked with British forces. Out of the 15,000 who came to the UK, 12,000 people are still waiting to be g...

How should social media companies protect children online? from 2021-12-02T11:25

Next year the Online Safety Bill will come to parliament with the aim of improving safeguards for young people on social media. TikTok, Apple, Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and In...

When can I get my Covid booster vaccine? from 2021-12-01T11:03

The NHS in England is gearing up for a major expansion of the Covid-19 booster programme to tackle the threat posed by the omicron variant. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that vaccina...

MI6 chief Richard Moore's first live broadcast interview from 2021-11-30T09:53

It is not that long since the existence of the secret intelligence service, or MI6 as it is better known, was not publicly acknowledged. “C”, the codename for the service's chief, used to not to be...

Stephen Sondheim dies at the age of 91 from 2021-11-27T09:14

One of the greatest figures in the history of musical theatre Stephen Sondheim has died at the age of 91. Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects on the life of the American lyricist and composer.

(I...

Bill proposes recognising Down syndrome as a specific minority group from 2021-11-26T11:11

A new bill to recognise people with Down syndrome as a specific minority group has been proposed by former Conservative cabinet member Dr Liam Fox. The condition, caused by an extra chromosome, bri...

Could AI send human history in a dangerous direction? from 2021-11-26T10:35

In his new book with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt discusses the dangerous direction artificial intelligence could take human history in. The former chairman of Google ...

At least 27 people die in the Channel trying to get to the UK from 2021-11-25T10:50

At least 27 people have drowned in the English Channel near Calais after their boat sank. The International Organization for Migration said it was the biggest single loss of life in the Channel sin...

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriages from 2021-11-24T09:47

There's fresh hope for women who experience a number of miscarriages early on in their pregnancy. The health watchdog NICE is recommending the use of the hormone progesterone which helps strengthen...

AstraZeneca Boss: Jab limited UK Covid hospitalisations from 2021-11-23T11:05

The biggest science lab in the UK, which is also the biggest investment AstraZeneca has ever made, had its formal opening in Cambridge on Tuesday.

Today's Justin Webb went to Cambridge to ...

Should there be a diplomatic boycott of China’s Winter Olympics? from 2021-11-22T12:14

There are continued concerns about the Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, despite officials from the International Olympic Committee confirming they've had a video conversation with her. The IOC said...

‘My incredible doctor brother’ from 2021-11-22T12:11

Dr Irfan Halim took ill in September, after spending much of the last 18 months on the NHS frontline during the pandemic. Nine weeks later, he died after contracting Covid-19. He had dedicated 25 y...

Keir Starmer on standards, HS2 and migrant boats from 2021-11-19T11:12

The Labour Party this week recorded its first poll lead over the Conservatives for almost a year in the wake of the row over Tory sleaze and second jobs. The government’s decision on Thursday to di...

Azeem Rafiq: 'I had a dream. It wasn't to be' from 2021-11-18T07:43

Former professional cricketer, Azeem Rafiq addressed a group of MPs on Tuesday about his experiences of racism as a player at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. His emotional testimony has rocked the s...

Zadie Smith on her first play from 2021-11-17T10:31

The multi-award winning, best-selling novelist Zadie Smith's first play makes it's world premiere on Wednesday. The comedy, The Wife of Willesden, is an adaptation of The Wife of Bath's tale from G...

NHS Boss: Pressures 'significant' as winter approaches from 2021-11-16T10:54

After a difficult eighteen months for the NHS, hospitals throughout the UK have been bracing themselves for what could be the toughest winter in living memory.

Today's Martha Kearney visit...

The eyes in the room at COP from 2021-11-13T07:36

While there are 200 countries present at COP26, they aren’t the only delegates at the summit. Many critical groups have been given observer status and they’ve been able to sit in and watch negotiat...

COP26 reaches its final stages in Glasgow from 2021-11-12T10:52

The largest climate summit the world has seen so far is meant to come to a close this evening. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to those at the COP26 climate conference about how successful the summit h...

Richard Ratcliffe's Hunger Strike from 2021-11-11T10:14

Nick Robinson speaks to Richard Ratcliffe on day 19 of his hunger strike. Also to Jeremy Hunt about the Iranian Regime

Sajid Javid: We need compulsory vaccines for health workers from 2021-11-10T09:47

Sajid Javid talks to Justin Webb about NHS and Health and Social workers in England requiring a vaccination from April to keep their jobs. Javid also discusses some Conservative MPs having second j...

Afghanistan: 'We're on the very edge' from 2021-11-09T10:49

Three months after US forces pulled out of Kabul, millions of people in Afghanistan are facing starvation.

Today's Amol Rajan speaks to John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor who is in Bam...

Press intrusion after terror attacks ‘endemic’ from 2021-11-08T10:15

The Survivors Against Terror group has released recommendations for the press when it comes to reporting on victims of terror attacks. Many families say that their loss is made even worse by the be...

Sir John Major: This has been shameful and wrong from 2021-11-06T09:36

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major accuses the government of trashing Parliament in the way it handled the standards watchdog report into Owen Paterson.

He tells Today’s Nick Robinson t...

Amor Towles and the American road trip from 2021-11-06T09:17

The novel A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles struck a chord with readers over lockdown. Towles’ latest book The Lincoln Highway has also shot to the top of the best seller list. He spoke to Today...

Bank of England governor ‘very sorry’ for impact of rising inflation from 2021-11-05T10:45

Inflation is currently ahead of the Bank of England's 2% target at 3.1%. There are expectations it could rise to 5% by next April. Today’s Justin Webb speaks to Bank of England governor Andrew Bail...

Pope: Climate talks must offer hope from 2021-10-29T06:46

Pope Francis has used Thought for the Day on the Today programme to urge world leaders at next week’s UN climate conference in Glasgow to respond to the environmental crisis and offer what he calle...

"I plead with people, take it seriously" from 2021-10-26T10:08

Today's Nick Robinson visits Royal Preston Hospital a year on from his last visit, when the city in Lancashire was the country's COVID hotspot. He speaks to doctors at the hospital about the situat...

Should terminally ill people be permitted to end their own life? from 2021-10-22T10:36

Draft legislation on assisted dying is being debated in the House of Lords on Friday. The bill would give terminally-ill patients of sound mind, who have six months or less to live, the right to en...

Vaccines vs Virus: “We’re still winning the race, but it’s narrowing.” from 2021-10-21T10:10

The British Medical Association has accused the government of "wilful negligence" for refusing to reimpose coronavirus restrictions in England, intensifying the pressure ministers are under over th...

How can the UK become carbon neutral? from 2021-10-20T10:55

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has laid out plans to reduce the UK’s emissions sharply by 2035 and take the country towards being a zero carbon economy by 2050. These include more electric cars, plan...

The government to fund low carbon heating alternatives from 2021-10-19T09:49

The government has announced its intention to try to end the sale of gas boilers by 2035 as part of a strategy to tackle climate change. Grants of £5,000 will be offered to people in England and Wa...

'Togetherness, not division' from 2021-10-18T10:21

Tributes will be paid in parliament today to the Conservative MP Sir David Amess who was killed in his constituency on Friday. The MP, who had five children, was attending a constituency surgery in...

Business reacts to PM’s economic plans from 2021-10-06T09:27

Lord Wolfson, chief executive of Next and Sir Howard Davies, chairman of NatWest, speak to Today about the government’s plans to deal with stock and labour shortages. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to Today from 2021-10-05T08:57

The majority of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s two year premiership has been dominated by the coronavirus crisis. With food, fuel and driver shortages now facing the UK, another crisis could lie ah...

Rishi Sunak will set out UK’s economic future from 2021-10-04T09:06

With a backdrop of food and fuel shortages, the Conservative Party conference is taking place in Manchester this week. The government says it’s up to businesses to ensure they have enough stock and...

How can the police win back the trust of women? from 2021-10-01T10:58

A former serving officer with the Metropolitan Police, Wayne Couzens, has been given a whole-life prison term for kidnapping, raping and killing the marketing executive, Sarah Everard, in March. S...

Children and Facebook from 2021-10-01T10:00

Facebook's head of safety Antigone Davis has testified to the US Senate about Instagram, which is owned by the company, and its impact on children. The Wall St Journal reported in recent weeks that...

Sarah is gone and I am broken-hearted from 2021-09-30T10:35

As Wayne Couzens is sentenced for the murder of Sarah Everard, the court heard a victim statement from Sarah’s mother Susan. The statement is read by an actor and may be distressing to some listene...

Reflecting on Starmer’s conference speech from 2021-09-30T09:07

Nick Robinson speaks to the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, after his first in-person conference speech. The address, at around 90 minutes long, set out his vision for the UK and attr...

Labour conference: what will Starmer set out? from 2021-09-29T09:31

After a conference in which others have dominated the headlines, Keir Starmer has quite a challenge to make his slogan 'Stronger Future Together' seem credible and to make himself look like Britain...

Labour row over minimum wage from 2021-09-28T09:43

The Unite union is putting forward a motion, for Labour to back increasing the minimum wage to £15 an hour, to a vote at the party's conference. The former shadow cabinet minister, Andy McDonald, s...

Rachel Reeves: Free movement is not the answer to lorry driver shortage from 2021-09-27T10:26

Today's Nick Robinson is at the Labour Party conference in Brighton and speaks to the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves about the lorry driver shortage and how Labour would tackle the petrol crisis, ...

Life in Afghanistan from 2021-09-27T09:18

The heartland of the Taliban is in southern Afghanistan. It was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the twenty year war. British troops were deployed to Helmand Province in the south,...

Johnson and Biden: What did the leaders talk about? from 2021-09-24T10:50

Boris Johnson met US President Joe Biden in the White House for the first time on Tuesday.

The prime minister was in the US meeting other global leaders at the UN to talk about what needs...

Government will 'plan for the worst' to support energy customers from 2021-09-23T09:33

Nearly 1.5 million customers have been affected by energy firms collapsing under soaring gas prices. Avro Energy and Green ceased trading on Wednesday and their 830,000 combined customers face bein...

M25 protests put lives of police officers and public 'at risk' from 2021-09-22T09:33

On five separate occasions in the last few days the M25 motorway around London has been closed on both carriageways by protesters from the climate change activist group called Insulate Britain.
Listen

The government could subsidise CO2 producers from 2021-09-21T09:53

There have been warnings of empty shelves in supermarkets, because of the shortage of carbon dioxide. A joint statement last night from the government and the energy regulator, Ofgem, said the ene...

Dr Anthony Fauci on America Opening Up from 2021-09-21T09:49

The US is easing its coronavirus travel restrictions, reopening to passengers from the UK, EU and other nations. The precise new rules have yet to be announced with the US Centre for Disease Contro...

Rosie Duffield: “I think it’s really necessary that we talk about this subject.” from 2021-09-20T11:08

Labour MP Rosie Duffield will miss her party's conference this week because of fears about her safety. She has been criticised previously for views she's expressed about transgender women.
Listen

Why are energy prices rising? from 2021-09-20T11:01

The government is considering offering emergency state-backed loans to the energy sector, in an attempt to deal with a crisis caused by soaring wholesale costs that could see dozens of suppliers go...

‘You think it’s not worth ringing the police because they won’t do anything.’ from 2021-09-17T10:04

A major review of policing has concluded that violence against women and girls should be considered as much of a priority as counter terrorism. Following a spike in reports of domestic abuse during...

The UK, US and Australia announce historic security pact from 2021-09-16T10:18

The defence partnership between Australia, the UK & the UK, known as Aukus, will cover AI and other technologies. It will let Australia build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using te...

Answering children's questions about the Covid jab from 2021-09-15T10:55

All children aged 12 to 15 in the UK will soon be offered one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab. We invited three 12-year-old pupils from Wales High in South Yorkshire, which we've been followi...

Stewart Copeland's 'Electric Saint' opera from 2021-09-15T10:21

The story of two great pioneers of electricity, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, has become an opera. 'Electric Saint' is the latest work from Stewart Copeland, who first made his name as the drumme...

How will we deal with Covid in winter? from 2021-09-15T09:59

Measures to deal with rising Covid cases in England over the winter have been announced - with a contingency "Plan B" if things get worse.

Mishal Husain speaks to Professor Andrew Hayward ...

Does my child need the vaccine if they've recently recovered from Covid? from 2021-09-14T09:07

In the next week, 12 to 15-year-olds in England will begin receiving their vaccine invitations, and booster jabs for over-50s are expected to be announced soon.

Today's Justin Webb and Mis...

Emma Raducanu wins Grand Slam from 2021-09-13T09:54

The fairy tale of New York, as the papers have been saying, is the story of Emma Raducanu who at the weekend became the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam singles title - and did i...

Afghanistan two decades since 9/11 from 2021-09-11T09:44

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Lyse Doucet speaks to Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, as well as Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesman.

Lyse also discusses the last two decades...

MI5 boss and former PM Tony Blair on 9/11 anniversary from 2021-09-10T09:11

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Director General of the security service MI5 Ken McCallum spoke to Mishal Husain about the event and its impact on the world. Today's Justin Webb is in N...

9/11: ‘Survivor’s guilt can bring you to your knees’ from 2021-09-09T09:17

Janice Brooks had been living in New York for three weeks, when the hijacked aeroplanes struck the Twin Towers where she had just started working.

After the events of that day, Janice mov...

Reflecting on 9/11 twenty years on from 2021-09-08T09:03

BBC correspondent Stephen Evans was sitting in New York's World Trade Centre on the morning of September 11th 2001 awaiting a meeting when two hijacked planes crashed into the twin towers. Twenty y...

Should parents or children decide on having the vaccine? from 2021-09-06T10:16

Millions more pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are returning to school today. Chief Medical Officers are still considering whether teenagers should be vaccinated against coronavirus. T...

‘I am afraid Afghanistan will soon be forgotten’ from 2021-09-02T08:17

In 1990 an Italian physiotherapist arrived in Kabul to work at the Red Cross orthopaedic centre. Then - as now - the country was in a state of transition and insecurity - there were battles for con...

What will happen to Afghanistan's media under the Taliban? from 2021-08-20T12:50

Mishal speaks to Saad Mohseni, Chair of Afghanistan's most watched network Tolo TV

Dominic Raab under growing pressure about the response to events Afghanistan from 2021-08-20T12:45

Chair of Defense Select Committee and former solider Tobias Ellwood speaks to Mishal

What should the International Communities do about Afghanistan? from 2021-08-20T12:12

Martha speaks to Afghanistan's Ambassador to the UN Dr Nasir Andisha

"Will I be alive tomorrow? It's not a guarantee." from 2021-08-18T09:11

The government has unveiled plans for up to twenty thousand refugees from Afghanistan to be resettled in the UK, in the wake of the Taliban takeover. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has said Brita...

Khaled Hosseini: Afghans are right to be scared from 2021-08-17T09:41

President Biden has said he stands "squarely" behind his decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan in a speech a day after the Taliban seized control of the country.

Videos an...

The Taliban take Kabul from 2021-08-16T10:04

The Taliban have seized control of Afghanistan and declared that the war in the country is over, after their forces swept into the capital, Kabul. President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country. Hundr...

Exam results day 2021 from 2021-08-10T10:49

Hundreds of thousands of school leavers across the UK have received their exam results after another year of uncertainty and disruption.

Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Gavin Williamson, t...

Alan Ayckbourn: Scarborough’s “magic place” from 2021-07-20T11:17

: The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough has been central to the work of one of our greatest living playwrights. Alan Ayckbourn came to Scarborough in the 1950s and was employed as an acting sta...

European floods and climate change from 2021-07-16T09:01

At least 80 people have died and hundreds more are unaccounted for in Germany after some of the worst flooding in decades.

Record rainfall in western Europe caused rivers to burst their ba...

The salt and sugar reformulation tax from 2021-07-15T12:40

Sugar and salt should be taxed and vegetables prescribed by the NHS, an independent review of the food we eat has suggested.

The report, led by businessman Henry Dimbleby, said taxes raise...

Afghanistan withdrawal from 2021-07-09T16:51

The Prime Minister confirmed on Thursday UK troops would be leaving Afghanistan. Nick Robinson discusses the country’s future with General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Kate Clar...

Labour on Batley and Spen victory from 2021-07-02T11:49

Labour narrowly won the Batley and Spen by-election holding off the Conservatives after a bitter campaign.

The new MP Kim Leadbeater took 13,296 votes - 323 more than the Tories.

...

Saskia Jones: Organisers 'should stand down' from 2021-07-02T09:17

The family of Saskia Jones, who was killed by a convicted terrorist at a prisoner education event at Fishmongers' Hall in London, has called on the leaders of the organisation which hosted it to st...

Covid: How will autumn booster jabs work from 2021-07-01T09:30

The group that advises the government on vaccinations - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) - has released interim guidance about Covid booster jabs in the coming winter.
Listen

Euro 2020 England v Germany reaction from 2021-06-30T09:59

England struck twice late on to end a 55-year wait for a knockout tie victory over Germany as the men's football team reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, where they face Ukraine in Rome, Italy.
Listen

Winston Marshall on leaving Mumford and Sons from 2021-06-29T13:07

The band Mumford and Sons has been together since 2007 but guitarist Winston Marshall has just left them because of a row sparked when he tweeted approvingly about a book by Andy Ngo about the far ...

Should Matt Hancock have been sacked? from 2021-06-28T10:14

Matt Hancock has resigned as health secretary over an affair with his aide Gina Coladangelo, but questions still remain for him and the government. Nick Robinson asks Justice Secretary Robert Buckl...

Summer holidays uncertain, warns travel bosses from 2021-06-25T10:23

An expanded green list including a green watch list now sees 16 destinations opened up for travel without quarantine on return. While the UK government may be easing up on restrictions for holiday ...

‘Whoever you vote for will not change ordinary people's lives’ from 2021-06-24T08:41

Justin Webb visits the constituency of Batley and Spen ahead of the upcoming by-election and speaks to residents and business people about what they think are the important issues in the local area...

Prof Cecilia Rouse: ' US economy recovery will be bumpy' from 2021-06-23T10:21

Top economic adviser at the White House, Professor Cecilia Rouse, has played down concerns that President Biden's huge stimulus programme is driving up inflation.

In a rare interview, Prof...

Michael Holding on racism from 2021-06-23T09:00

Former West Indes cricketer Michael Holding has spoken passionately about the impact of racism.

While working as a pundit for Sky Sports the former fast bowler – widely regarded as one of...

Royal Academy removes artist’s work from its gift shop from 2021-06-21T13:39

If you go on to the Royal Academy's website you will no longer find work by the textile artist Jess de Wahls in the shop - in fact you will find no mention of her.

It was last week that t...

Where is the social care plan for England? from 2021-06-21T10:10

Boris Johnson said nearly two years ago that he had a clear plan to "fix the crisis in social care once and for all". No plan has been forthcoming.

The Prime Minister was due to meet with...

Met Police ‘not institutionally corrupt’ – former chief from 2021-06-16T10:47

In 1987, private investigator Danial Morgan was found dead with an axe in his head in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London. The final report into his death has been pu...

Gabby Logan: My brother and his passion for football from 2021-06-16T07:30

Danish football player Christian Eriksen has posted a picture from his hospital bed with a thumbs-up and has made his first comments since suffering a cardiac arrest during the Euros.

BBC...

‘If we are better than the very best case scenario, how much better do we have to be?’ from 2021-06-15T12:54

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he is confident July 19 will be the “terminus date” for all remaining COVID restrictions.

Justin Webb hears how the delay in re-opening is a “di...

'It is a race between the vaccination and the virus' from 2021-06-14T11:18

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce today that the government are delaying plans to remove COVID restrictions on June 21.

BBC R4’s Martha Kearney speaks to Health Minister...

Biden and Johnson: A special relationship? from 2021-06-10T12:27

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson are meeting on Thursday ahead of the G7 summit.

Nick Robinson looks at how the relationship will unfold.

(Photo: Joe Biden. ...

Why is sexual harassment normal in schools? from 2021-06-10T12:21

Mishal Husain hears about how to address sexual harassment and abuse in schools

Kate Winslet on Mare of Easttown from 2021-06-08T09:56

Nick Robinson speaks to actor Kate Winslet in her first broadcast interview about her role as Pennsylvania detective Mare Sheehan in HBO's Mare of Eastown. Winslet spoke about her love of playing a...

Rakie Ayola on her BAFTA TV award from 2021-06-07T09:50

Rakie Ayola won Best Supporting Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards for her portrayal as Gee Walker in 'Anthony', a BBC drama about the life of Anthony Walker, who was killed at the age of 18 in a racia...

What does the G7 tax deal mean? from 2021-06-07T09:26

The G7 group of advanced economies has reached a "historic" deal to make multinational companies pay more tax in the countries where they do business. Justin Webb speaks to the BBC's economics edit...

What electric vehicles mean for consumers from 2021-06-04T12:39

Henry Ford's first production line marked the biggest revolution in motoring since 1913.

Now many industry observers believe we have already passed the tipping point where sales of electri...

Portugal travel list and the Delta variant from 2021-06-04T12:18

Portugal has questioned the UK's decision to remove it from the travel green list to the amber list from Tuesday. This means UK tourists should not visit the country and returnees must self-isolate...

What Israel's coalition deal means for Benjamin Netanyahu from 2021-06-03T10:00

Israeli opposition parties have reached an agreement to create an eight-faction coalition to form a new government that would end Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year tenure as prime minister.

How...

Should England's roadmap be delayed on 21 June? from 2021-05-28T10:49

There is no data to suggest England's end to lockdown on 21 June might be delayed, the business secretary has said - but he cannot give a guarantee. A final decision about the 21 June date will be ...

Dominic Cummings wrong to say tens of thousands died unnecessarily, says govt from 2021-05-27T10:09

Boris Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings has made a series of claims about mistakes made by the government during the Covid pandemic including an assertion that tens of thousands of pe...

Gareth Southgate on the Euro, fans and waistcoats from 2021-05-27T09:18

England men’s football manager Gareth Southgate is preparing his squad for next month’s Euros 2020 tournament, having taken his team to the semi-finals of the last World Cup.

Amol Rajan s...

Amol Rajan: 'I had a panic attack' from 2021-05-26T10:36

After presenter Amol Rajan finished his first shift presenting the Today programme, he revealed he had suffered from a panic attack. He tried reading, meditation and even having three rums to calm ...

Tim Davie: how the BBC needs to change after Diana interview inquiry from 2021-05-25T16:34

BBC Director General Tim Davie talks to Justin Webb about how the BBC needs to change its culture in the wake of the inquiry into Panorama's Princess Diana interview.

He explains why he d...

'I’ve had at least ten therapists but I’m still far, far away from the type of person I feel I have the potential to be' from 2021-05-25T13:18

Former Lieutenant Colonel Martin Wade has suffered from complex PTSD since serving in Afghanistan from 2006-2007. He told Martha Kearney that his condition makes life “a daily struggle” and he “jum...

Outrage at Belarus plane 'hijacking' from 2021-05-24T13:13

The EU is discussing action against Belarus for diverting a plane flying over its territory to arrest a Belarusian opposition journalist.

The incident has been branded a "hijacking". The T...

Schools: Are timed assessments exams by another name? from 2021-05-14T12:52

Teachers across the UK are in the last few weeks of assessing the work of pupils, who would have sat public exams this summer.

The system of teacher assessed grades is happening slightly d...

Israeli-Palestinian violence: Two mothers on different boarders from 2021-05-13T12:31

At least 67 people in Gaza and seven people in Israel have been killed after weeks of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem.

The escalation, which began on Monday, has trigg...

Adoption: 'They've turned our sons against us' from 2021-05-12T09:45

A couple we’re calling Ed and Claire adopted two brothers aged two and three - after they had been taken into care. Their sons are now 15 and 16 but the adoption has broken down.

Ed and C...

England and Harlequins star Joe Marler calls for mental health support for players from 2021-05-11T12:29

England prop Joe Marler has called for mental health support for British and Irish Lions players on this summer's tour of South Africa.

Marler, an extrovert in looks and character, is als...

A return to normality? from 2021-05-11T09:48

Boris Johnson has announced a significant opening up of society will come on Monday 17th May with the return of both indoor hospitality and household mixing. And the Prime Minister also suggested y...

What next for Scottish independence? from 2021-05-10T11:53

Scotland's first minister has told Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a second independence referendum is "a matter of when - not if".

The BBC’s Scotland editor, Sarah Smith, speaks to form...

Northern Ireland marks centenary from 2021-05-03T11:54

Martha Kearney presents from Titanic Belfast to mark 100 years since the passage of the Government of Ireland Act and is joined by Sir Hugh Orde, former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Nor...

Scottish election 2021: Meet the party leaders from 2021-04-30T13:35

There's less than a week to go before voting begins in the Scottish Parliament election 2021, as voters prepare to elect a fresh batch of MSPs to Holyrood on 6 May.

In this election, the e...

N Ireland: 'DUP need to go down pragmatic path' from 2021-04-29T11:35

Arlene Foster will step down as Democratic Unionist Party leader on 28 May and as first minister at the end of June. She was the first female leader of the DUP.

Now that the DUP has begun ...

BJP Narendra Taneja on India Covid crisis from 2021-04-28T13:12

India has seen more Covid cases in the last seven days than any other country as people die waiting for beds, oxygen supplies run low and hospitals crumble under the strain.

The official d...

Will Tokyo Olympics 2021 be cancelled? from 2021-04-14T11:35

The countdown to the delayed Tokyo Olympics has begun with only 100 days until the opening ceremony on 23 July.

However, as for plans for how the Games might look like are drawn out, vario...

Vaccine vs the virus from 2021-04-13T17:14

Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, Dr Anthony Fauci, has said that the world is in a race between vaccinations and another surge of the virus. He tells Today that we should be careful not to...

The Today Programme Choir from 2021-04-13T12:02

How choirmaster, Carrie Grant, conducted a choir of 150 people singing remotely.

The side effects of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine from 2021-04-08T12:54

All adults under 30 should be offered the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna coronavirus vaccine due to a potential link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab and extremely rare blood clots.

The UK's...

Hunter Biden opens up about drug and alcohol addiction to the Today Programme from 2021-04-06T10:58

Hunter Biden's business dealings and personal life were frequently used by the Trump campaign against his father US President Joe Biden. To mark the publication of his memoir 'Beautiful Things', he...

Care homes: Is it illegal to discriminate by age? from 2021-04-02T11:09

On 12 April, restrictions in England are due to ease further but John's Campaign, who supports residents and their loved ones, have begun legal action against the government over guidance which ban...

Lord Woolley: ‘I feel anger, despair and above all sadness’ from 2021-04-01T13:28

The prime minister’s senior adviser on ethnic minorities, Samuel Kasumu, will be stepping down in May. He had previously handed in his resignation in February, before retracting it.

His an...

Covid: How to prevent a future pandemic from 2021-04-01T11:53

The UK government has set up the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which began it's work on Thursday. It brings together Public Health England (PHE), NHS Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurit...

Met police chief: People should ‘stop and think before they judge’ from 2021-03-31T13:10

A police watchdog found the Metropolitan Police acted "appropriately" at a vigil for Sarah Everard in south London earlier this month after the force came under intense criticism over women being h...

No ‘actual evidence of institutional racism’, report says from 2021-03-31T11:25

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities said that while there was anecdotal proof, there was no actual evidence of institutional racism. The report found social class and family structure had...

Wednesday's business with Dominic O'Connell from 2021-03-31T07:59

How have the first three months post-Brexit been for UK businesses? Plus, prospects for the first day’s trading in Deliveroo, and other markets news. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tuesday's business with Dominic O'Connell from 2021-03-30T08:00

What UK goods could the US put tariffs on in retaliation for taxes on tech companies? Plus youth unemployment during and after the pandemic, and the markets. (Photo: Getty Images)

Everyone's Invited: Testimonies of abuse in schools from 2021-03-29T11:27

More than seven thousand young people including many school pupils have posted their experiences of sexual assault on the website Everybody's Invited.

Martha Kearney spoke to Simon Bailey,...

Mina Smallman: 'I am broken beyond words' from 2021-03-26T11:47

Mina Smallman believes the police "made assumptions" about her daughters and was slow to investigate when Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were reported missing.

The two sisters w...

Friday's business with Rob Young from 2021-03-26T08:23

What might be the effect of a treasury ban on Covid-related business rates appeals? Also, how might the blockage in the Suez Canal affect supply chains? (Photo: Getty Images)

Sir Jeremy Farrar on EU vaccine exports, UK summer holidays and Covax from 2021-03-25T11:21

As European Union leaders hold virtual talks on how to boost coronavirus vaccine supplies, the European Commission will seek to tighten controls on vaccine exports.

The UK has warned that ...

Asylum seeker system to crack down on criminal gangs from 2021-03-24T11:19

People who enter the UK illegally to claim asylum will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive legally, under new immigration plans.

But Labour said the plans would do "ne...

How families deal with grief after a public loss from 2021-03-19T12:47

Following the Sarah Everard case, what is it like for families who experience the pain of a loved one's death which is highly publicised?
Nina Gross, whose sister Alice Gross was murdered seven...

What kind of economic recovery can the UK expect? from 2021-03-15T14:47

It is a year since Andrew Bailey took over as Governor of the Bank of England ... and what a year. Because of the pandemic, the UK economy plummeted over the last twelve months with its biggest con...

UK foreign policy review: how to deal with a rising China? from 2021-03-15T13:48

It has been billed as the most significant overhaul of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policies for a generation. What the government has called its Integrated Review will be pu...

Budget 2021: Who will be affected? from 2021-03-04T13:13

Rishi Sunak has rejected claims his plans to recover back the cost of coronavirus support will hit the poorest hardest as he set out measures to protect business in Wednesday's Budget.

Tod...

Could Salmond row provoke resignations? from 2021-02-25T12:51

Today programme's Nick Robinson speaks to Alex Neil, SNP MSP and ally to Alex Salmond, about the fallout between the former First Minister and Nicola Sturgeon.

(Image: Alex Salmond Credit:...

Paul McCartney's life in lyrics from 2021-02-25T12:43

Paul McCartney has always resisted the idea of an autobiography but is now going to publish the story of his life through his lyrics. It's based on conversations over five years with Paul Muldoon, ...

Lockdown learning: View from schools from 2021-02-10T18:36

With millions of students remote learning, we heard from two schools in Rotherham and East London to see how the pupils, teachers and parents are coping

(Image: Classroom desk; Credit: Reu...

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin’s Today programme from 2021-01-01T13:36

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, presents the highlights from her guest edit of Today. The South African concept ‘Ubuntu’ or “I am because you are” is at the heart of her programm...

Evan Spiegel’s Today programme from 2021-01-01T12:02

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel presents all the highlights from his guest edit for Today, on the theme of the future of the USA. He looks at what big ideas have shaped modern America and what will contin...

Margaret Atwood’s Today programme from 2020-12-31T12:51

Twice Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood guest edits Today, looking at the theme of change. She interviews climate activist (and 2019 Today guest editor) Greta Thunberg and speaks to Th...

Lewis Hamilton’s Today programme from 2020-12-30T11:23

Record-breaking Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton guest edits Today, looking at black British history, the environment, and the power of sport. Lewis speaks to historian Professor David Olusog...

Sir Jeremy Farrar’s Today programme from 2020-12-28T13:09

Sir Jeremy Farrar, the director of the health research foundation Wellcome Trust, guest edits Today along the theme of uncertainty and clarity in complex times. Sir Jeremy speaks to Dr Anthony F...

Prue Leith's Today programme from 2020-12-24T15:46

Highlights from Prue Leith's guest edit, presented by Prue herself. Including... a discussion of the issue of assisted dying and how hospitals are trying to improve their food. Also - two cherri...

Rory Kinnear: Tribute to my sister Karina from 2020-12-22T08:20

Karina, 48, died from the coronavirus in May 2020. As a child, she suffered brain damage and was paralysed from the waist down after an operation she had as a teenager.

Her brother the ac...

Sir Paul McCartney on the vaccine, lockdown music and fears for Glastonbury 2021 from 2020-12-18T08:20

Sir Paul McCartney speaks to John Wilson for the Today programme about this new album, McCartney III. He encourages people to take the Covid. vaccine and fears Glastonbury 2021 will be cancelled. <...

Dr Katie Sanderson: A sense hope from 2020-12-16T09:07

Junior doctor Katie Sanderson survived working on Covid ward at the height of the pandemic.

Several months later, she sensed hope and less chaos despite the challenges she and her colleagu...

Michael Blakstad: Spending Christmas Day alone from 2020-12-15T17:24

Michael Blakstad, 80, and his wife Tricia, 79, who met in North Yorkshire and have been married for 55 years, with three children.

But since the coronavirus pandemic Trisha developed demen...

Today guest edits: George the Poet from 2019-12-31T09:59

All the highlights from podcaster and spoken word artist George the Poet's guest edited programme, including a reflection of identity in Uganda, DJ Target on the development of grime music, Zigg...

Today guest edits: Greta Thunberg from 2019-12-30T11:07

All the highlights from climate activist Greta Thunberg's guest edited programme, including Mishal Husain interviewing her father Svante Thunberg and Greta speaking to Sir David Attenborough for...

Today guest edits: Charles Moore from 2019-12-28T11:24

All the highlights from Margaret Thatcher biographer and former Telegraph editor Charles Moore's guest edited programme. It includes US Special Representative on Iran Brian Hook on violent prote...

Today guest edits: Baroness Hale from 2019-12-27T11:31

All the highlights from Supreme Court President Baroness Hale's guest edited programme, including Baroness Hale in conversation with US Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clive Coleman goi...

Today guest edits: Grayson Perry from 2019-12-26T11:22

All the highlights from artist Grayson Perry's guest edited programme, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams on faith and political myths, how tinnitus affects singer-s...

Martha in Antarctica: a look at climate change from 2019-12-04T13:26

Martha Kearney spent a week with the British Antarctic Survey, finding out what rising temperatures are doing to both the landscape and the creatures that live there.

(Image: Martha Kearne...