Episodes
Labour is no longer backing a candidate in the Rochdale by-election. Party spokespeople had been out to bat for local councillor Azhar Ali up until Monday afternoon - saying his comments about the Hamas attacks on Israel were informed by an online conspiracy theory and "didn't represent his view". By Monday evening, the full recording of his comments came to light - and Labour backtracked, saying he'd be on the ballot paper but no longer had its support. Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig reckons it's Sir Keir Starmer's "biggest crisis yet" - he joins Leah Boleto to explain why.A...
The UK says Israel should "stop and think seriously", the US wants to see a credible plan for civilians - but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists an offensive in Rafah is needed to defeat Hamas.As Israel rescued two hostages in the southern city, dozens were killed in the airstrikes that accompanied the operation.There are now more than a million people in the city - with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees saying conditions are getting worse.So can Israel be convinced to pause any ground offensive?On this Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to our correspondent in Jerusalem...
A new report has suggested the state retirement age may need to rise to 71 to maintain the number of people who financially support the pension system - and it adds that it might need to happen as soon as 2040. On this Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores what effect this would have with pensions expert and Conservative peer, Baroness Ros Altmann. Plus, economist and co-author of The 100-Year Life, Andrew Scott, discusses why our outlook on retirement might need to change sooner than we think. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast producer: Alex Edden Assistant producer: Iona Brun...
Joe Biden couldn't remember when he was vice president, according to a new report. And, according to the same investigation, he couldn't remember when his son died. Then, when trying to reassure everyone about the claims about his memory, he confused the presidents of Mexico and Egypt. Not ideal for someone who wants to run for president - and even worse for someone already doing the job. So what has the speculation done for his election chances this year - and for those of his rival, Donald Trump? Yalda Hakim presents this Sky News Daily with political strategist Hilary Rosen and pollster ...
After weeks of confusion, Sir Keir Starmer has finally announced a row back in Labour's pledge to spend £28bn a year on its flagship green prosperity plan. While the policy will not be completely scrapped, the climbdown comes in the form of the party's spending commitments. The party says the £28bn target will be dropped due to uncertain public finances, and comes a week after Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to commit to the green spending target ten times, in an interview with Sky's Beth Rigby. On Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores this latest backtrack with our deput...
Chants of 'shame' were heard during Prime Minister's Questions today, after Rishi Sunak made a cutting remark about trans-rights aimed towards Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer. The mother of Brianna Ghey was in Parliament today - just days after her daughter's killers were sentenced.Niall Paterson speaks to our political correspondent, Amanda Akass, about the prime minister's comments and the backlash. Also - should the government pay compensation to the thousands of victims who suffered injuries from pelvic mesh implants and the epilepsy drug, Valproate?It follows a new report calling on th...
In Buckingham Palace’s statement about the King’s cancer diagnosis, it said: “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.” Britain still lags behind comparable countries when it comes to improving cancer survival rates. So what’s a more typical NHS experience for the almost 400,000 cases diagnosed each year – including the wait between diagnosis and treatment. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores the issue with our data and forensics correspondent,...
Buckingham Palace has revealed King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. While it's not been revealed what type he's being treated for, we know it's not prostate cancer. The announcement marks a big shift in how much the public is being told about a British monarch's health. On this special episode of the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin takes a closer look at what we know so far, its significance and what might happen next with our royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills and Sky's royal commentator, Alistair Bruce. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Assistant podcast producer: Evan D...
Two years after power-sharing collapsed in Northern Ireland, Stormont is back in business with Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill becoming its first nationalist First Minister. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met leaders of the new restored devolved government, asking them to focus on day-to-day issues rather than the issue of Irish unity. On the Sky News Daily, Jonathan Samuels looks at how much closer we could be to a united Ireland. He’s joined by our senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins to explain the significance of Michelle O’Neill’s historic appointment, while Deirdre Heenan, professor of...
The names of two teenagers who murdered 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey have been revealed for the first time just hours before they were sentenced. Sixteen-year-olds Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who were both 15 at the time of the attack in Warrington, Cheshire, last February, were told they will spend a minimum of 22 and 20 years in prison respectively. Under-18s are not usually named in the UK criminal justice system for welfare reasons but judges can make exceptions if they think it is in the public interest. This case has reignited the debate over whether children who ki...
Labour’s Rachel Reeves wants to be the next chancellor. She’s used an event in London to try to convince hundreds of business leaders that her party is the best option for the British economy. The shadow chancellor said she’d cap corporation tax at 25% for five years if she’s the one moving into 11 Downing Street. But when asked by Sky News if Labour will drop plans to spend £28bn a year on green energy, she wasn’t so committed. On the Sky News Daily, Sophy Ridge sits in for Niall Paterson to discuss if Labour is convincing business with its message. She’s joined by economics and data edito...
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the COVID Inquiry: "I was the first minister when the pandemic struck and part of me wishes I hadn't been.” She denied that she used platforms including WhatsApp to have serious policy discussions. She said she'd deleted messages but relevant information was all on public records. On this Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson goes through her answers with Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies. They also talk about whether the pandemic claims have damaged her leadership legacy. Plus, with claims of key Tory cabinet names being part of an "Evil Plotters...
After nearly two years of political deadlock in Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agreed a deal on Monday to restore power sharing to the country, which will be subject to legislation by the UK government. The DUP walked out over post-Brexit trade arrangements that created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There's been a big impact on public services and a new power sharing government is being promised over £3bn to spend on them. And new post Brexit border controls coming in from 31 January could result higher prices and delays in fresh goods com...
Something a little different today from the Sky News podcast team: episode 1 of Patient 11, a new investigation from Sky News and the Independent.Young mother and former GB youth swimmer, Alexis Quinn, agrees to enter NHS England psychiatric care following a family tragedy. She could never imagine that her three-day admission will turn into a three-year ordeal. Then undiagnosed with autism, and often the subject of 24-hour surveillance as well as long periods in solitary confinement, Alexis descends to the darkest reaches of locked-in, psychiatric care. There, she encounters the kind of thr...
Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s longest serving prime minister but also one of the most divisive figures in Israeli politics. He was facing huge protests from Israelis against his government long before the October 7 terrorist attacks, and now he is under growing pressure from both inside Israel and from his international allies over his Gaza strategy. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson takes a closer look at the man himself, how he has managed to survive so long at the forefront of Israeli politics and whether Gaza could change that. Niall’s joined by our Middle East correspondent Alista...
The man who killed three people, and injured three others, has been sentenced to detention in a high-security hospital – with the judge saying he'll probably remain there for the rest of his life. Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed 19-year-olds Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates in Nottingham in June last year. Speaking outside court, relatives of the victims criticised police, prosecutors and the NHS – saying they felt "let down" as Calocane’s mental health issues were widely known. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at what more could have been do...
The head of the British Army has said we should "train and equip" a "citizen army" to prepare the country for any potential land war.The comments from General Sir Patrick Sanders, who stands down as chief of the general staff in six months, are being seen as a warning that British men and women could be called up to the armed forces if NATO was to go to war with Russia.On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson gets reaction from former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Sky's defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke as they examine the UK's military preparedness.Senior podcast producer: A...
A second major wave of airstrikes has been carried out by American and British forces on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the group's attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The first round of strikes did not deter the Houthis from continuing to attack shipping and the prime minister was pushed in the House of Commons today on what Britain's long-term strategy would be if the Houthis keep up their attacks. On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by military analyst Michael Clarke and Sky's international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to analyse the latest dec...
Throughout the 2000s, serious allegations of child sex abuse became known to Greater Manchester Police. Girls as young as 11 were identified as potential victims. An independent review covering a period between 2004 and 2013, which was published last week, detailed multiple failed investigations by police and an apparent indifference to the safety of the young girls identified as possible victims. Now, one anonymous whistleblower who resigned from GMP last year says the force has not changed and that failures have left a paedophile ring at large for at least seven years. On the Sky News Dai...
Former prime minister Gordon Brown told Sky News he was too old to be a politician in the UK but too young to be one in the US. He has a point, with Americans set to choose between 81-year-old Joe Biden or 77-year-old Donald Trump in November's presidential election, while here in Europe, France's new prime minister is 34-year-old Gabriel Attal. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson explores whether there is a perfect age for our politicians. He talks to Labour's Harriet Harman, who is the longest-serving woman MP and 'Mother of the House of Commons'. The 73-year-old representative for...
The Home Office says it has closed 50 hotels to asylum seekers - something it had pledged to do by the end of this month with a promise to house them in cheaper types of accommodation like the Bibby Stockholm barge. But Sky News has found that asylum seekers are simply being taken from taxpayer-funded hotels and moved to other hotels. Our reporters have seen taxis full of migrants leaving one hotel only to arrive at another 70 miles away. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to our communities correspondent Becky Johnson and her producer Nick Stylianou who have been investigating. P...
Rishi Sunak has faced the toughest test of his premiership as MPs voted to save the government's Rwanda policy. The measures aimed at tackling the small boats crisis form the core of Mr Sunak's election strategy.On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at the fallout of the vote with our deputy political editor Sam Coates, as they discuss what it means for the prime minister's political future. Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles Promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Philly Beaumont
The man who has led fellow former sub postmasters in their campaign to overturn wrongful convictions, Alan Bates, was among those giving evidence to MPs today. The bosses of the Post Office and Fujitsu also faced the committee for the first time with the Post Office chief executive, Nick Read, admitting that it was possible that money paid by victims of the Horizon IT scandal may have been paid to Post Office executives.On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at what else we learned from the exchanges, as he is joined by journalist Nick Wallis, who wrote the book The Great Post Office S...
Iran is a key player in the Middle East – the country supports extremist Islamic groups across the region, notably the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Following UK airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen last week, defence secretary Grant Shapps on Monday gave a major speech on his vision for UK defence, when he said the government would "consider" further action against the group in the Red Sea if needed. On this edition of the Sky News Daily, lead politics presenter Sophy Ridge looks into Iran's position as allies of the group - and the country's play for power in the Middle East...
In this episode, Sky News' new international presenter Yalda Hakim gets time with defence and security editor Deborah Haynes and special correspondent Alex Crawford to talk about the airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen - why they happened, how they happened and what could happen next. Alex has covered Yemen for years and has interviewed Houthi leaders. Deborah says the action is a "high-risk balancing act". Her analysis is it "could yet trigger a regional war". :: Our new primetime foreign affairs show, The World with Yalda Hakim, launches on Sky News on 22 January, airing Monday to Thursday fro...
Nearly half of the world’s population could vote in elections in 2024 – but some are more important than others when it comes to global security. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to Sky’s Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith as Taiwan goes to the polls this weekend, to find out why China and others will be watching closely. Plus, our deputy political editor Sam Coates and US correspondent Mark Stone join Niall to look at the importance of other key elections taking place this year, including in the UK and America. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Melissa Tu...
Rishi Sunak's promised a new law to exonerate and compensate Post Office branch managers who were wrongly prosecuted in the Horizon IT scandal. But those seeking payouts will have to sign a statement of truth to say they didn't commit the crimes they were accused of. Lee Castleton - who was played by Will Mellor in ITV's drama about their plight - is back on the Sky News Daily with his reaction as he talks to Niall Paterson about the government's response alongside Bryan Glick, editor of Computer Weekly, which first exposed the story in 2009. Plus, Niall looks at what's happening in Ecuador...
United Airlines has found loose bolts on plug doors on Boeing 737-9 Max aircrafts during inspections. These checks follow the Federal Aviation Administration's announcement that all 171 Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft will remain grounded after a window and fuselage parts blew out of an Alaska Airlines passenger plane in mid-air. On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, Flight Radar 24’s director of communications and AvTalk host Ian Petchenik explores the Alaska Airlines incident and what it means for Boeing. Plus, recent polling suggested that one in three parents believe the COVID pandemic s...
More than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in what's been deemed the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history. They were accused of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a faulty software system called Horizon. Many lost jobs, homes, faced court battles and some took their own lives. So far, fewer than 100 have had their convictions quashed. In 2023 an independent inquiry began, and the Horizon scandal story has been serialized in a TV drama on ITV, boosting renewed interest in their fight for justice. On the Sky New Daily, host Jonathan Samuels he...
Sarah-Jane Mee is joined by Sir David Nicholson, who used to run the NHS in England, as they explore ‘How to fix the NHS’ - a new mini podcast series for 2024 from the Sky News Daily. On this week’s final episode, Sarah-Jane and Sir David look at the work going on in public health – which spans everything from preventing disease to giving people the tools and information to make healthier lifestyle choices. They’re joined by Greg Fell, who’s director of public health in Sheffield and chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health, as they discuss areas including the ‘nanny state’ de...