Brexitcast

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been judged safe for use in the UK, and will start to be rolled out next week. Adam is joined by BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym, Professor of Immunology Deborah Dunn-Walters and GP Dr Amir Khan to answer Newscasters’ questions.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Sej Asar and Harriet Noble Episode Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

England's national lockdown was, in the end, replaced with the Government's tougher tier system of local restrictions. Restrictions called "stupid" and poorly-targeted by some of its own backbenchers. Vicki and Adam discuss why those rebels spoke up. Some of those politicians have been throwing around bed occupancy figures - but there are better ways to talk about how full a hospital is. Dr Coralie Carle explains.And as the BBC reveals that people in deprived parts of England were almost twice as likely to die during the height of lockdown than people in richer areas, Ed Thomas and Father Alex Frost join us to reflect on how those pressures are being felt in Burnley.If you've been affected by any of what you hear in this edition, help is available. Find out more at bbc.co.uk/actionlineStudio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Ben Weisz, Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

On the day that Arcadia, the owner of Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, goes into administration, the BBC's Simon Jack discusses what went wrong. And with SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon addressing her party conference, the BBC's Sarah Smith joins Adam to talk about what 2021 could hold for the prospect of Scottish independence. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey pops in to explain why artists want a fairer slice of the streaming pie - and to discuss whether festivals are back for 2021. After exciting vaccine news earlier this week, some people had questions about the data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. Adam and Fergus try to answer some of them with help from Professor Jennifer Rogers. And legendary LGBT venue G-A-Y explains why it’s partnering up with McDonalds to keep its doors open in Tier 2. Studio Manager: Mike Reggard Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

More than 23 million people in England will be placed in the highest tier 3 category of coronavirus restrictions, when the national lockdown ends next Wednesday. Adam, Laura and Chris talk through the new tougher tier system, and the government’s methods for choosing which areas move up and down the scale. And, former Conservative Education and International Development Secretary Justine Greening joins tells us why she believes not enough is being done to “level-up” the country, both at home and abroad.Producers: Patrick Baker, Georgia Coan, Frankie Tobi, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

The economic battle after the Covid shock has only just begun. Richard Hughes from the Office for Budget Responsibility joins Laura and Adam to discuss the Spending Review. And after the death of Diego Maradona, we mourn the footballing legend with Mark Chapman and ex-England international Trevor Steven. Studio Manager: Emma Close Producers: Rick Kelsey, Ben Weisz, Sej Asar, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

The news we've all been waiting for... three households can mix over Christmas in the UK. Adam, Vicki and Fergus take us through the festive yules... I mean rules.And Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, tells us why he thinks the stricter tiers system is a disaster for pubs, and why you might need a 'vaccine passport' to get into a festival next summer.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Rick Kelsey (new boy!), Jo Deahl, Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos

The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is highly effective at stopping people developing Covid-19 symptoms, a large trial shows. And the Prime Minister announces that gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month. Adam is joined by Laura and Fergus to discuss the latest. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Frankie Tobi, Ben Weisz, Sej Asar Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino SofosGot a question? Email newscast@bbc.co.uk...

Adam is joined by the BBC's Sinéad Garvan to discuss the latest in the "Wagatha Christie" row. And Paul Johnson, from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, decodes next week's government spending review so you don't have to... Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

As Laura learns that Home Secretary Priti Patel appears to have been found in breach of the ministerial code - usually enough to quit Government - what will the Prime Minister do? Fergus is back - and while he might not be able to promise Adam and Chris the festivities they were hoping for this Christmas - he can bring more exciting vaccine news, this time about the Oxford-AstraZeneca study. And the gang are joined by former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, to talk leadership, lawsuits, and Christmas card lists.Studio director:

Adam is joined by Chris Stark, from the UK's Climate Change Committee, to discuss the government's green plan. Can it actually be delivered? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Jeremy Corbyn has been readmitted to the Labour Party he led until April. Iain Watson brings us up to speed with reaction from all sides. In other political news - time for a civics lesson for Laura and Adam from Scotland Editor Sarah Smith. The Prime Minister’s walked into another row over devolution - but what is it, exactly? And as the Government launches its post-Grenfell plan to make sure social housing residents don’t feel ignored again, Inside Housing’s Nathaniel Barker explains what it does and doesn’t achieve. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Jo Deahl and Ben Weisz Editor: Dino SofosGet in touch: newscast@bbc.co.uk

Adam, Laura and James discuss the news that the Moderna vaccine has a nearly 95% efficacy rate. Nick Timothy, former joint Chief of Staff to Theresa May, joins us to dissect the latest Cummings and goings at 10 Downing Street. And get your shoulder pads at the ready! We talk the latest 80s-tastic season of The Crown with broadcasting legends Jennie Bond and Simon McCoy.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Jo Deahl Episode Editor: Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofos

Peter Sutcliffe, the serial killer who was serving a whole life term for murdering 13 women across Yorkshire and north-west England, has died. Adam is joined by Ex-police officer Bob Bridgestock, who worked on the Sutcliffe case. And the BBC's Sima Kotecha explains why Diwali celebrations may be difficult this year. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Jo Deahl, Alix Pickles, Georgia Coan, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

With a deadline looming for a deal with the EU, Adam is stalking Michel Barnier, Laura and Chris are avidly following the pandemonium in Downing St, while Katya is getting popcorn emojis from officials in Brussels...it’s just like old times!Brexitcast is back to explain what lies in the way of a post-Brexit trade deal, whether Joe Biden’s election makes it more or less likely to happen, and whether the pandemic is helping or hindering its chances of getting signed off. Studio Director: Gerard Sudlow Producers: Ben Weisz, Frankie Tobi, Patrick Baker Editor: Dino Sofos

Laura explains what's happening inside Downing Street on the day Boris Johnson's director of communications, Lee Cain, resigns. And Adam is joined by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex to talk about how he is preparing to roll out government’s plan to mass test students. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Jo Deahl, Ben Weisz Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Adam and Fergus are joined by Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, to talk about distribution and regulation of the coronavirus vaccine. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

Preliminary analysis shows the first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting the virus. Fergus brings us his interview with the developers, Pfizer, and Professor of immunology, Peter Openshaw sets the news in context. And as hopes about the vaccine send global markets skyrocketing, Laura and BBC Business reporter Vishala Sri-Pathma help us understand who are the financial winners and losers. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi and Jo Deahl Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Authorities in Denmark have found a mutated form of coronavirus in the country's mink farms. Should we be concerned? Dr Claire Standley joins James and Adam to explain the science behind mink and coronavirus.Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Ben Weisz, Georgia Coan Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos

As counting continues in the US presidential election, former politician and documentary maker Ed Balls shares the insights he learned meeting Trump supporters for his recent series. Chris and Vicki discuss the Government's about turn on the furlough scheme's return - responding to circumstance or last-minute decision? And if, like us, you've an ear for slide sass - you'll LOVE the latest from the Downing St press conference.Studio Director: Gerard Sudlow Producer: Ben Weisz, Patrick Baker, Sej Asar Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino SofosGet in touch - newscast@bbc.co.uk