Sky News Daily

Thousands of prisoners remain incarcerated on open-ended prison sentences under a now defunct scheme, known as IPP sentencing. The no-maximum prison sentences, some of which were given to offenders of low-level crimes, have been compared to ‘psychological torture’. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson speaks to Anthony Hipkiss who was in prison for 16 years despite only being sentenced to 15 months. He tells us how the strict licensing rules he has to live under for 10 years means he can’t even stay overnight at his partner’s. Plus, Ian Acheson, former prison governor speaks about how to fix a system of justice that keeps people indefinitely – even when they’re not a threat to society. While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click here. Producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Editor: Wendy Parker

When it was first given the go-ahead back in 2012, Britain's new high-speed rail line connecting the south, the Midlands and the north of England was predicted to cost £32.7bn. Now, after delays and inflation fuelled by Brexit, Covid and the invasion of Ukraine, this figure is closer to £100bn. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also avoided answering questions on whether the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the route will go ahead, leaving the future of the project shrouded in uncertainty. So why was the initial cost estimate so different to what the final number will be? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson sits down with our business correspondent Paul Kelso to discuss the problems with the way the UK plans major infrastructure projects and asks whether any of these projects ever come close to what they are predicted to cost. While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click here. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Podcast promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Archive researcher: Simon Windsor Editor: Paul Stanworth

Scotland will be home to the UK’s first so-called ‘consumption rooms’ where drug users will be able to get their fix more safely. Recent stats showed that despite a fall this year, Scotland still has the highest number of drugs-related deaths per million population in Europe. Now, plans have been approved for a £2.3 million facility at Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow – despite opposition from Westminster. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies who talks about the unit itself and reaction to it. Plus, Niall speaks to Andrew Cowan, whose son Daniel died after taking a fatal drug concoction, and Annemarie Ward, from the charity Faces and Voices of Recovery UK. While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click here. Podcast producer: Alex Edden Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Podcast promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Paul Stanworth

The Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth saw leader Sir Ed Davey hinting that his party would be prepared to do a post-election deal with Labour to prevent the Conservatives from forming a government. Of the 91 seats in which the Lib Dems finished second in 2019, 80 are held by Conservatives. After recent by-election victories, could the Lib Dems be looking like kingmakers once more? To answer this question, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates who has been at the conference. And Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke looks ahead to the next election after her big by-election win in Somerton and Frome. Plus, Carol Vorderman talks about her message to the Lib Dem conference, where she called for electoral reform and tactical voting. While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click here. Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Podcast promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Wendy Parker

Ian Harrison is 33 and has spent his adult life on the streets. He's among more than an estimated 270,000 homeless people in England. Sky News has been following Ian's journey as a government promise - to end rough sleeping by next year - looks in serious doubt. It was a target set by the Conservatives in their 2019 election manifesto - but a report by the Kerslake Commission is warning it will be missed, blaming "chronic and unresolved" issues in the housing system as it reports a 26% rise in rough sleeping compared with last year. The commission was set up in 2021 to learn lessons from the response to homelessness during the COVID pandemic - the same year, an estimated 741 homeless people died in England and Wales. Most were men and drugs, alcohol and suicide were the likely related causes. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood speaks to our producer Sarah O'Connell, who first met Ian when he was a teenager, to find out about the challenges he has faced over the years. Plus, Sally is joined by Emma Haddad, chief executive of the homelessness charity St Mungo's - the secretariat of the Kerslake Commission, as they discuss the wider problems and what they think is needed to end rough sleeping. While we've got you... please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - click here. Podcast producers: Soila Apparicio and Alex Edden Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

It seems everything is moving online these days, so it’s perhaps no surprise that kids TV is too. CITV, ITV’s children’s channel, is no longer; it’s moving to the company’s streaming service, ITVx. Its BBC equivalent, CBBC, is expected to also be online-only in the next few years. Many children now, though, just go to YouTube to watch their shows. But with an ongoing decrease in funding for kids’ TV and the move to the less regulated streaming platforms there are concerns about the impact the quality of programmes and online safety. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores the issue with former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, and Jon Hancock, who’s company Three Arrows Media makes shows for Sky Kids and BBC Childrens. If you like your arts and entertainment, why not subscribe to the Backstage podcast? And, if you're a parent, you can find Sky's ad-free, 24-hour Sky Kids channel on Sky Q, Stream, Glass, and NOW. Podcast producer: David Chipakupaku Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Wendy Parker

The King and Queen are on a state visit to France this week, which includes stops in Paris and Bordeaux. The three-day trip would have been Charles’ first royal visit abroad as King back in March – but it was delayed due to the violent protests taking place over President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by François-Joseph Schichan, former French diplomat and political adviser to the French ambassador in the UK, to explore how our closest ally views both the King and the UK’s current politics. Plus, former Labour foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett takes us through her assessment of the current strength of Anglo-French relations. Producer: Soila Apparicio Senior Producer: Annie Joyce Interview Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Promotion Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

The reaction - to a move by Rishi Sunak to delay the government’s green policies – has been mixed to say the least, with opposition parties slamming the prime minister’s leadership as “weak” and the decision “damaging” for the climate. As net zero sceptics cheered there was criticism from some in the car industry and the more environmentally minded Conservative politicians. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our science correspondent Thomas Moore and Politico’s UK editor Jack Blanchard for their analysis and a deeper look at what it all means politically, as well as for voters, industry and climate change. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

Sky News has uncovered how online streamers may be breaking UK gambling laws by promoting crypto casinos - and there are questions over whether the casinos are doing enough to monitor this. Crypto casinos are similar to 'normal' online casinos, offering virtual versions of popular games like slot machines. The difference is they use digital currencies: players convert pounds, euros and dollars into virtual cash such as Bitcoin to gamble with. This type of casino is illegal in the UK, with the Gambling Commission taking a hardline stance against any operator that accepts cryptocurrency as a direct method of payment. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood explores crypto casinos with our investigative reporter Sanya Burgess, and what harms they could cause. Podcast producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Brand says he "absolutely" denies the allegations. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Head of Investigations at The Times, Paul Morgan-Bentley, about the allegations Brand faces and the latest on the investigation. Plus, Alice Enders, head of research at Enders Analysis, discusses if the entertainment industry is being held accountable for protecting women in the workplace. A warning that on this podcast we discuss the details of the sexual assault and rape claims. *While we've got you...please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey - Click here Podcast producer: Alex Edden and Emma-Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Adam Jay

Rescuers are calling for more body bags to be sent to a Libyan city hit by catastrophic flooding - as fears of waterborne diseases grow. More than 11,300 people are known to have died - and this could reach up to 20,000, with a further 10,100 missing. Meanwhile, attempts to coordinate humanitarian aid have been hampered by Libya's fractured government - caused by years of political instability and civil unrest. Today on Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks with Sky News Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir from the port city of Derna, which was devastated when two dams collapsed, unleashing a tsunami that washed entire city blocks into the Mediterranean Sea. Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford also joins Niall from Derna, as rescue teams scramble to find survivors in the rubble. This podcast contains graphic descriptions. *While we've got you...please take a few moments to let us know your thoughts on our podcasts and your listening preferences by filling in a short survey. Click here Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Adam Jay

Important figures on employment, wages, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) have been released this week; all tell a story about how the UK economy is performing. The Sky News Daily's Niall Paterson sits down with our economics and data editor Ed Conway to find out what the numbers mean. Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Adam Jay

Every day more than 3000 pupils miss school because they have been suspended. It’s a record number that has shot up since the pandemic, especially for girls, who are being sent home at twice the national rate. It’s raised concerns these suspended students are slipping through the cracks, but leading teachers say a national shortage of alternative forms of education is putting unprecedented demand on the system. Today’s Sky News Daily episode features Nick Martin on his investigation into this growing educational crisis, a head teacher trying to provide a new path for troubled children and a mother who fears her child will get left behind. Podcast Producer: Alex Edden Interviews Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Editor: Wendy Parker

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has crossed the border into Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. This is the first time since 2019 that Kim has left North Korea – and a lot has changed since then. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson sits down with security and defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke and Sky’s Moscow correspondent Diana Magnay to unpick what each leader is looking to gain from this meeting, plus how their alliance will impact global security. Producer: Alex Edden Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

The emergence of a new COVID variant, BA.2.8, has pushed forward the winter vaccination programme, with the rollout starting on Monday in England for older adult care home residents and immunosuppressed people. All over-65s will be offered the jab during the next few weeks. The other nations are also beginning their vaccination programmes this month. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), to discuss the new variant, and the importance of getting vulnerable people vaccinated. Plus, our chief correspondent Stuart Ramsey talks to Niall from the epicentre of the earthquake in Morocco, which has killed 2,500 people so far. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

It's been one year since King Charles took to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In this episode of the Sky News Daily podcast, royal correspondent Laura Bundock takes to the presenter chair to reflect on the first year of King Charles's reign. She is joined by the broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, a close friend of the King, plus historian Sir Anthony Seldon, the headmaster of Epsom College. Producer: Alex Edden Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

Terror suspect Daniel Khalife's escape from HMP Wandsworth – believed to be by strapping himself underneath a delivery lorry - led to a police manhunt involving all 43 forces in England and Wales. The 21-year-old ex-soldier was on remand charged with collecting information which might be useful to an enemy, understood to be Iran. The justice secretary, Alex Chalk, has told MPs that an independent investigation will take place, while suggestions have been made that cuts to the Prison Service and overcrowded conditions at Wandsworth prison are partly to blame. But what does his escape tell us about the state of the prison system in England? On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson speaks to David Shipley, a former inmate at HMP Wandsworth, and Professor John Podmore, an ex-prison governor and inspector, about what's wrong with Wandsworth prison and others across the country? Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

Birmingham City Council, Europe's largest local authority, has effectively declared bankruptcy, confirming in a statement that all new spending except for protecting vulnerable people and statutory services, must stop immediately. But how does a council go bust? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our politics and business correspondent Mhari Aurora, as well as Iain Murray from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, who explains how a council can run out of money. Plus, Sarah Hayward shares her experiences working as part Slough Council's senior leadership team, a role she came into a year after its recovery from bankruptcy. Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

China's economy has slipped into deflation as consumer prices declined in July for the first time in more than two years. Ballooning local government debt, weak import and exports, challenges in the housing market, and growing youth unemployment are all contributing to the country's downturn. On the Sky News Daily Dominic Waghorn speaks to our Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith about why China's economy is running out of steam. Plus, George Magnus, economist and associate at Oxford University's China Centre talks about the potential impacts for the global economy ahead of the G20 summit. Podcast producers: Emma-Rae Woodhouse, Sydney Pead and Soila Apparicio Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Paul Stanworth

MPs returned to Westminster after their summer break, but the same can't be said for thousands of children expected in classrooms for the Autumn term – due to the crumbling concrete crisis. More than 100 schools stayed shut on Monday due to safety fears about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete - or RAAC – while the education secretary Gillian Keegan was caught on camera complaining about not being thanked for doing a "f***ing good job" over it all. On the Sky News Daily, Rob Powell speaks to Adrian Tagg, Building Surveying lead at the University of Reading about how far the crisis may spread. Plus, Sky's Sophy Ridge joins Rob to talk about the political fallout of the RAAC crisis, Labour's reshuffle and the possibility of a new by-election, as her new show The Politics Hub begins on Monday evening. Podcast producer: Emma-Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce ​​​​​​​Editor: Wendy Parker