Best of Today

BBC Radio 4

3.9 (643)
DAILY NEWS

Listen to selected highlights from the Today programme.

26/12/2024

I have terminal cancer but 'I'm as happy as ever’

Former aid worker Simon Boas, whose essays about his feelings towards life and death went viral, died in July aged 47. He was told he had terminal throat cancer in 2023 and began writing about his experiences in his local newspaper, the Jersey Evening Post. This inspired readers across the country. His book, A Beginner's Guide to Dying, will be posthumously published in September. If one of his final interviews before his death, Simon spoke to Emma Barnett on Radio 4's Today programme in June 2024 ahead of being moved to a hospice. Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.

9 min
11/10/2024

Best of Today: What should children learn?

The government has started a major review of the curriculum and assessment in England's schools, chaired by education policy expert Becky Francis. But how could we rethink England's curriculum and assessment? Today hears from schools across the country trying new ways of doing things from using AI in classrooms to a more skills based approach and looking at why the 'exam season' might cease to exist. The series hears from: former Conservative Schools Minister Nick Gibb; Jill Duffy from the OCR exam board; Jason Arday, former guest editor of the Today Programme and professor of the sociology of education at Cambridge University; Sir Ian Livingstone, a giant of modern British business and the man behind the Livingstone Academy; and Claire Heald, CEO of the Cam Academy Trust. Producer: Sareen Bains Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.

40 min
19/09/2024

Today Listener Series: Young people and politics

Earlier this year, the Today programme gave our listeners the chance to look at an issue that matters to them. Herbie and Ayesha both voted for the first time this year. They wanted to look at the disconnect they believe exists between young people and politicians. Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.

9 min
18/09/2024

Today Listener Series: NHS Forensic Psychology centre in Liverpool

All this week we've been hearing stories brought to us by Today listeners. Dr Lisa Wright and Dr Mark Walton are both clinical psychologists, who work on Merseyside in the only NHS unit of its kind - where they are trying to cut criminal offending rates using therapy. It's not an alternative to prison - the NHS Forensic Psychology centre in Liverpool works with people who have served custodial sentences who might be at risk of re-offending. Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.

14 min
17/09/2024

Today Listener Series: Is university worth it?

Earlier this year, the Today programme gave our listeners the chance to look at an issue that matters to them. Anna and Chloe - along with Chloe's 19 year-old daughter Pearl - wanted to ask "University: Is it worth it?" and interrogate the value of a university education in 2024. As part of our coverage, Today has exclusively seen a blueprint for the future of universities in England. Universities UK, which represents 142 universities, is calling for a rise in tuition fees linked to inflation and more government support for students. Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.

17 min
16/09/2024

Today Listener Series: Where's my bus?

Earlier this year we gave listeners the chance to ask us to look at an issue for them. Martin and Sandra from Macclesfield, in East Cheshire called their application Where’s my bus? They both rely on the buses to get around and met on a Facebook group dedicated to their local bus service. The new government has plans to give local authorities more power to take control over bus services, for example through a ‘franchising’ arrangement. Our Transport Corr Katy Austin took a look at whether this plan will help listeners like Martin and Sandra and Today presenter Nick Robinson spoke to Graham Vidler, Chief Executive, Confederation of Passenger Transport.

16 min
16/09/2024

Today Listener Series: The disappearing children

All this week the Today programme is looking at stories that have been brought to us by our listeners. Vanessa and Toby are parent governors at a secondary school in South London. They have noticed far fewer children and families where they live, and primary schools closing down as a result. Exclusive research for Today has shown that primary school numbers have fallen by 5% in London in the last five years. And they are projected to continue falling at double the rate of the rest of England. Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.

12 min
09/09/2024

Garry Richardson's 50 years at the BBC

Garry Richardson has finished his last sports bulletin on Radio 4's Today programme - 50 years to the day since he started at the BBC. Garry is best known for his sporting interviews, but his career has ranged from climbing towers for Radio Oxford to singing with the great Buddy Greco. James Naughtie picks some of the highlights from Garry's half century.

8 min

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Justin Webb

Host
Martha Kearney

Host
Mishal Husain

Host
Nick Robinson

Host

3.9

out of 5

643 Ratings

Used to be routinely 5 Star but barely clinging on to 4 stars these days

17/05/2021

Sam IX

I've been listening to Today for more years than I care to remember. The halcyon days were undoubtedly those of Brian Redhead and John Humphrys. After Brian Redhead died the torch was passed to John Humphrys alone to truly challenge those in power to clarify & justify their policies, and what a fine job he did at it. Now we are in the post Humphrys era where there is no longer a successor to conduct pin-point accurate forensic questioning of these charlatans who govern us. The Today programme has, hopefully only temporarily, lost the tin-opener to open the cans of worms that we all know politicians seek to hide from us; politicians these days are lightweights who are consistently let off the hook by timid interviewers who seemingly recoil from asking THE difficult question. Today needs another Redhead or another Humphrys to TRULY CHALLENGE those in power again.
Fine

08/06/2024

Jr1564367

It is ok
Replace Nick Robinson, for goodness sake

12/05/2023

Anon67544357754

Like the program and format, dislike the ugly interviews led by Nick Robinson. He hasn’t any talent or professional technique, preferring to attack and speak condescendingly to anyone being interviewed. Ugly, cheap and doesn’t get to the truth of the matter - only serves his ego.
Hurrah for Amol and Lord Hennessy

05/03/2023

Roboprop100

Just listened to Amol’s fabulous interview of Lord Hennessy: absolutely golden radio, thanks so much. We need less on one hand and then on the other and more reasoned, disinterested, thoughtful commentary. Please excuse the first name familiarity but you are in our homes most mornings!