Episodes

  • Jonathan Powell – the UK’s bridge with Trump and Ukraine?

    Jonathan Powell – the UK’s bridge with Trump and Ukraine?
    Mar 14 2025
    Sir Keir Starmer appointed Jonathan Powell to be his national security adviser at one of the most critical points in European security since the Cold War.

    He has spent years at the heart of government, helping to broker the peace deal in Northern Ireland and more recently the controversial Chagos deal. Now he is being credited with being the architect of the peace deal plan between Ukraine and Russia and the bridge between the Trump administration, Europe and Ukraine.

    On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at the key role Powell is playing in working towards a lasting peace deal with political correspondent Rob Powell, and former national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts.

    Producer: Natalie Ktena
    Editor: Wendy Parker
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    16 mins
  • Will Reform's civil war hurt the party?

    Will Reform's civil war hurt the party?
    Mar 13 2025
    Reform UK has consolidated its gains at the general election, with recent polling suggesting that it is neck and neck with Labour and ahead of the Conservatives.

    But now a huge row has erupted between Nigel Farage and his fellow MP Rupert Lowe. Mr Lowe is currently suspended from the party after being reported to the police over alleged threats towards Reform's chairman. He has called the allegations "false" and says it's because he "dared to question Nigel Farage".

    On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at what's behind the row and examines how damaging it is for Reform with Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig and Gawain Towler, the party's former director of communications.

    Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena
    Editor: Wendy Parker
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    16 mins
  • The Danish group behind a children's home run like a cult

    The Danish group behind a children's home run like a cult
    Mar 12 2025
    The Red House was a children’s home in Norfolk which took in hundreds of students in care from across the UK between 1984 and 1998.

    It was run by a controversial Danish group called Tvind, operating an unconventional education system - most students from the Red House left without any qualifications. Now, over 40 former pupils have come forward with allegations of physical and sexual abuse they say they faced at the home.

    On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to correspondent Alice Porter about what has been uncovered, as she travelled to Denmark to track down the organisation behind the Red House and investigate claims it is a cult. And we hear from victims about the alleged abuse faced by students.

    Producer: Soila Apparicio
    Editor: Philly Beaumont
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    19 mins
  • What the North Sea crash could mean for the environment?

    What the North Sea crash could mean for the environment?
    Mar 11 2025
    More than 30 people have been rescued, and one remains missing, after a cargo ship struck an oil tanker in the North Sea on Monday.

    As one ship continues to burn, Niall Paterson is joined by our science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore to look at how the crash happened.

    Plus, David Craven, from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, tells us about the environmental impact the fire, and the leaking contents of the ships, could have on the birds, seals, and whales that live off England’s east coast.

    Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena
    Editor: Philly Beaumont
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    15 mins
  • How will Canada’s new PM take on Donald Trump?

    How will Canada’s new PM take on Donald Trump?
    Mar 10 2025
    He's guided Canada through financial crisis and the UK through Brexit, but has no government experience. So how will Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, tackle what could be the biggest challenge of his career, defending Canada from Donald Trump?

    On today's podcast, Niall Paterson talks to our data and economics editor Ed Conway, who interviewed Mr Carney during his time as governor of the Bank of England, about the experience he brings to his new role. Plus, Catherine Cullen, host of the Canadian Broadcasting Company's award-winning political program The House, looks at the challenges Mark Carney will face as he heads into office.

    Producer: Natalie Ktena
    Editor: Philly Beaumont
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    16 mins
  • Is Rachel Reeves giving clues about what's in the Spring Statement?

    Is Rachel Reeves giving clues about what's in the Spring Statement?
    Mar 7 2025
    Sky News political editor Beth Rigby has been to 11 Downing Street to talk to the Chancellor for Electoral Dysfunction.

    Rachel Reeves reflects on her first few months in the job, and hints on what might come in her Spring Statement with some strong words on the need for welfare reform.

    You can listen to the full interview on Electoral Dysfunction here.
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    12 mins
  • It's a critical time for the MoD - so who is Defence Secretary John Healey?

    It's a critical time for the MoD - so who is Defence Secretary John Healey?
    Mar 6 2025
    After just eight months in his role, Defence Secretary John Healey is dealing with one of the most challenging in-trays in the cabinet.

    He is meeting US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington on Thursday, as he works to bridge the gap on how to reach a Ukraine peace deal.

    On today’s podcast, Niall Paterson talks to ex-armed forces minister James Heappey who worked with Healey when he was in opposition, and to Malcolm Chalmers who focuses on UK defence and security at the think-tank RUSI about the challenges the defence secretary faces.

    Producer: Soila Apparicio
    Assistant producer: Millie Gibson
    Editor: Wendy Parker

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    17 mins
  • Are there signs that China is preparing for war?

    Are there signs that China is preparing for war?
    Mar 5 2025
    "If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end," wrote a statement by China's ministry of foreign affairs in Beijing yesterday, then shared by the Chinese US embassy on X.

    With the messy diplomacy of Trump's America and his impending tariffs on China, how will President Xi Jinping navigate the tit-for-tat on trade? More importantly, is he preparing for something much more dangerous?

    Nicole Johnston is our correspondent based in Beijing. She joins Niall Paterson to discuss.

    Producer: Soila Apparicio
    Editor: Philly Beaumont
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    15 mins