Brexitcast

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

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