Brexitcast

As Boris Johnson announces another national lockdown for England, Laura, Adam and Fergus discuss the latest measures, the impact on schools, and the new vaccine. And we hear from Dr Coralie Carle about the current pressure on NHS hospitals. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Alix Pickles Episode Editor: Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Adam, Chris, Laura and Katya weigh up the UK's post-Brexit trade deal after MPs approve it in a parliamentary vote. And Fergus joins us, on the day the UK approves the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford.Producer: Rick Kelsey Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

In January this year, Brexitcasters packed out the BBC's Radio Theatre as Britain left the EU. Who'd have thought that eleven months later, we'd all be Newscasters, experts in the R number, PCR testing and Tiers?It's also been the year of Black Lives Matter, long drives to Barnard Castle and Hugh Bonneville dramatically reading out Girls Aloud lyrics. So join Adam, Fergus and Laura as we take one last look - and bid good riddance - to 2020. Thank you for listening, and we wish you all a Happy New Year! Studio Director: Emma Crowe Episode producer: Ben Weisz Newscast production team: Sej Asar, Georgia Coan. Jo Deahl, Rick Kelsey, Natalie Ktena, Harriet Noble, Alix Pickles, Frankie Tobi, Ione Wells Assistant Editors: Sam Bonham and Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

1,645 days after the UK voted to leave the EU and 328 days after we actually departed, a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU has finally been agreed. Adam, Laura, Chris and Katya gather on the night before Christmas to talk through how the months of disagreements over fishing rights and future business rules ended.By the way… there’s still so much we don’t know. We’ll be back. Merry Brexmas!Studio Director: Mike Regaard Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Our studio might be in Tier 4 but no one can stop us having a virtual Newscast Christmas party! Emily Maitlis and Nigella Lawson are here to help with Christmas dinner for one and Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw joins us to share his favourite Covid-secure party songs of 2020. BYO // Christmas hats compulsory // RSVP to newscast@bbc.co.uk Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Alix Pickles Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

As lorry drivers learn they'll be allowed to cross the Channel into France with a negative Covid test, the gang asks if lateral flow tests are fit for that purpose. Professor Jon Deeks is on hand to explain the evidence. And Dr Adler drops in with an update on Brexit talks - will they ever end?Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Ben Weisz Editor: Dino Sofos

More than 40 countries have banned flights from the UK as we learn more about the new variant of coronavirus that's spreading. There's disruption at Dover, and yes, somebody mentioned the B-word... Thank goodness for the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, James Gallagher and Simon Jack who’ve joined Adam to talk it all through. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Christmas rules are tightened in England, Scotland and Wales - and a new tier four will be introduced in areas including London, Kent, Essex and Bedfordshire. Boris Johnson announced the changes for England at a Downing Street briefing as scientists warn that a new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly. Chris, Laura and Fergus get together for this emergency episode.

On the day new long Covid advice comes out, we talk with Dr. Elizabeth Kendrick, who runs a specialist clinic. As Northern Ireland heads into the strictest UK lockdown yet, Stephen Nolan explains what’s different. And it’s Jon and Jan giving their favourite impressions of 2020.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coen, Alix Pickles Output Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

As the Home Secretary Priti Patel tells us to not to travel for Christmas, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford joins us for a frank conversation about the difficulties Wales is having getting Coronavirus under control. And of course there's another Brexit update...and no, this one isn't decisive, either.Studio Director: Ged Sudlow Producers: Ben Weisz, Lucy Boast, Frankie Tobi, Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos

On the day that Boris Johnson called for a shorter and smaller Christmas, Laura and Fergus explain why the government's message is both the same and also different to what they said before. And we dispel some anti-vax myths after one Newscaster got in touch about a leaflet she got through her door.Studio Director: Russell Newlove Producers: Georgia Coan, Rick Kelsey Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

With calls for tighter coronavirus restrictions over Christmas, plans for the UK’s four nations to allow three households to meet are coming under strain. BBC Wales’s political editor Felicity Evans explains why there’s pressure in both directions. Branwen Jeffreys is back to tell us about the row over schools staying open before the holidays. And John Sudworth talks us through his latest investigation, which raises the worrying prospect that clothes in our shops could contain cotton picked by forced labour in China.Studio Director: Jonathan Greer Producers: Ben Weisz, Georgia Coan Output Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg and Hugh Pym to chat the ins and outs of London's move into England’s highest Covid tier this Wednesday. Dr Naomi Forrester-Soto assures us we probably don't need to worry about the “new variant” of coronavirus. And as blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men are to be relaxed across the UK, Dr Joseph Heskin explains why this is a big moment - both as a doctor, and as a new potential LGBT donor. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Georgia Coan Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

It’s been a year where many of us have lost a loved one. How do you deal with grief, or start to talk about it? Griefcast’s Cariad Lloyd joins Adam to guide us through.Meanwhile, James drops by with new tier rumours, vaccine news, and the truth about whether Russians are being asked to choose their shots.Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Ben Weisz Output Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

Boris Johnson says there is now a "strong possibility" of a no-deal. The Brexitcasters are back AGAIN, this time joined by former International Trade Secretary, Dr.Liam Fox.Studio Director: Ged Sudlow Producers: Rick Kelsey and Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos

As Boris Johnson's dinner with Ursula von der Leyen risks turning into a Last Supper for UK-EU trade talks, the Brexitcast gang reunite to discuss whether a deal is salvageable.And as the vaccine rollout continues with new warnings for those suffering severe allergies, Sir Bob Geldof drops in to explain why he's an evangelist for the jabs.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

A great day for science, a bad day for Covid-19. As the first Pfizer vaccines are given to patients in the UK, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine publishes its data. Adam and Fergus chat to virologist Dr Elisabetta Groppelli about how the rollout might go - and learn some Italian while they're at it. Jenny Hill has the latest from the prosecutors in Berlin trying to build a case against the suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann. And in honour of William Shakespeare, whose namesake got the vaccine today, we've rewritten one of his great monologues for the Covid age.Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Alix Pickles Editor: Dino Sofos

Boris Johnson will head to Brussels this week to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a last ditch effort to salvage a post-Brexit trade deal. But is a breakthrough possible? Activate Brexitcast! And could snowy UK winters could become a thing of the past? Justin Rowlatt tells us how the UK’s climate could change where you live.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Alix Pickles Editor: Dino Sofos

The BBC's Dan Roan joins Adam to discuss the return of football fans to professional games in England as well as the Premier League rescue package for clubs in lower divisions. And James Gallagher provides the latest on testing. Where can people get a test and are rapid lateral flow tests all they’re cracked up to be? Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

The chances of a breakthrough in the post-Brexit trade negotiations are “receding” according to Laura’s secret squirrel source - so we’ve sounded the Brexitcast klaxon!And Tony Blair joins us to talk Brexit, vaccines and why he doesn’t watch political dramas on TV - especially ones featuring Tony Blair.Studio Director: William Allott Producers: Rick Kelsey; Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofos