File on 4 Investigates

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.3 (34)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

News-making original journalism documentary series, investigating stories at home and abroad.

  1. 1D AGO

    Fight on the Right: The MAGA Civil War

    President Donald Trump won multiple elections thanks to support from the Maga movement - but cracks have begun to emerge in the broad coalition of America's political right. The schism first emerged online as Maga supporters-turned-detractors began to criticise President Trump, saying he has failed to deliver on campaign promises they voted for. Maga congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene - once one of President Trump's most vocal supporters - quit Congress last year after becoming increasingly critical of the president over issues such as continued US involvement in foreign wars, the failure to tackle the cost of living in America - and failure to release all of the FBI's files on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. But two months prior to her quitting, it was the murder of conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk, which really sent a shockwave through the movement. A power vacuum at the top has been filled by some curious characters, as other activists have fought for control of the space Kirk once dominated. And when former Fox News host Tucker Carlson - perhaps the most influential thought leader in conservative America - invited Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes onto his podcast, a vicious debate kicked off which continues to this day. Some Maga influencers say they'll welcome anyone into the fold, but more mainstream Republicans continue to call for the rejection of these elements - and are concerned they could cost the party votes in November's midterm elections. Warning: This programme features and discusses some anti-Semitic and racist points of view. Presenter: Mike Wendling Producer: Lucy Proctor Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

    38 min

  2. MAR 3

    Bogus self-employment - who pays the price?

    As the government’s flagship Employment Rights Act (2025) comes into force, File on 4 Investigates a loophole worrying experts: bogus self-employment. We discover hundreds of workers on government contracts are said to be wrongly classified as self-employed. This we are told is the tip of the iceberg as more employers increasingly choose to put workers on self-employed contracts rather than employing them as staff, without all the rights, bolstered under the new laws. Some are suggesting that recent changes to National Insurance have meant more business owners are keeping workers off payroll to keep running costs down. We will look at small businesses where it’s become increasingly difficult to employ staff in the traditional way and find that some workers in hospitality for example like the flexibility that job apps can give them when picking up casual freelance work. Presenter: Tom Wall Producer: Rob Byrne Technical producer: Cameron Ward Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott

    37 min

  3. FEB 24

    No CCTV: When train attacks go unrecorded

    Sexual harassment and assault on the rail network is on the rise across England, Wales and Scotland but a lack of CCTV evidence is preventing justice for victims in some cases. Claire Jones examines how broken cameras and train companies not retaining CCTV footage for long enough has been hampering police investigations. She goes on patrol with British Transport Police on the London Underground, speaks to police and victims about how frustrating it can be when key evidence cannot be accessed and sees some of the newest surveillance technology, currently not available on trains, in action. Details of organisations offering help and support for anyone affected by sexual violence are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Reporter: Claire Jones Producer: Nicola Dowling Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott

    38 min

  4. FEB 17

    Can boxing look after its own?

    Boxing is on the rise with streaming giants now broadcasting major fights and heavy investment from Saudi Arabia reshaping the sport. But for boxers facing money or health problems out of the ring, help is not always easy to come by. As File on 4 Investigates discovers, some in boxing are now working towards a unified approach across the sport, which would help fighters throughout their careers, but can they make it work? Reporter: Kal Sajad Producer: Ashley Kennedy Additional research: Clive Hammond Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Co-ordinators: Ellis Goodwin & Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott Details of organisations offering help and support for the issues raised are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    37 min

  5. FEB 10

    Is the answer to the NHS bed crisis virtual?

    Virtual Wards, where patients receive hospital care at home, were heralded as one solution to help deal with the bed crisis in NHS hospitals. The system is popular with patients and has had successes, but some health boards in England have put the brakes on and the number of virtual beds has stalled in the last 12 months. Jane Deith meets the doctors on the front line of providing care to patients with acute conditions in their own homes and the people who benefit from being able to stay out of hospital. Supporters of virtual wards or hospital at home say it's better for patients, saves money and prevents a significant number of hospital admissions. But some doctors question whether the system can make much difference unless it is introduced at scale. District nurses are the original method of keeping people well and out of hospital. But in the last fifteen years, their number in England has almost halved - down 43 percent. Jane goes out with one nurse on a shift to see the work they do and hears from nurse leaders about concerns that district nurses are overstretched, leading to concerns about patient care. Reporter: Jane Deith Producer: Paul Grant Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott

    38 min

  6. FEB 5

    Missing Billions

    File on 4 Investigates: Missing Billions examines the changes to the financial system over the past ten years, including bank branch closures and the digitisation of the finance industry which has led to many financial assets being lost, mislaid or forgotten. It examines the scandal of £100 billion belonging to you and me, but kept by Britain's trusted financial institutions. The documentary solves the mystery of some missing church silver, helps a frustrated ambulance worker hunt an elusive pension and hears from the valiant individuals leading the charge to make changes to the finance industry. Featuring contributions from: Steve Webb (Former Pensions Minister), Helen Boyd (Reclaim Fund Ltd), Derek French (Campaign for Community Banking Services), Duncan Stevens (Asset Tracing Service Gretel), Tom Storey (Vaults Group), Les Clarke (Assets Recovered Ltd) plus responses from the NHS, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Santander UK and Lloyds bank. Presenter, Simon Barnes Readings, Russell Bentley, Olivia Mace Research, Bethanie Depreaux Editor, Ross Burman Producer, Ashley Golder Executive Producer, Kris Dyer A Rakkit production for BBC Radio 4

    37 min

  7. JAN 27

    I accused a policeman of rape but I ended up on trial

    When a woman reported an allegation of rape against a serving police officer, she found herself in the dock, charged with perverting the course of justice. File on 4 Investigates hears how she went from being a potential victim to a suspect accused of lying. Over the past decade, hundreds of rape complainants in England and Wales have been investigated for making false allegations. The programme examines when and why the justice system turns on those who come forward, and asks whether the safeguards meant to protect potential victims are being properly applied. Producer: Hayley Mortimer Presenter: Rebecca Woods Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott Details of organisations offering help and support for the issues raised are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    38 min

  8. JAN 20

    Thin on Information? Hair loss drug Finasteride

    File on 4 Investigates whether the risks associated with the popular hair loss drug Finasteride are understood, after a 2024 review by UK drug safety regulator the MHRA prompted by a lack of awareness of the drug’s side-effects. Finasteride’s most common side effects are reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, affecting more than one in a hundred patients. Some people also report low mood and suicidal thoughts. As Johnny I'Anson discovers some hair loss clinics are failing to adequately warn customers at the consultation stage of the sexual side effects assocated with Finasteride. The drug, which is highly effective at halting hair loss, is only available by private prescription for hair loss purposes. But File on 4 Investigates discovers influencer accounts on the social media site TikTok promoting finasteride, also offering discounts for Finasteride with Manual, a popular UK men's health company. A lawyer expert told us that the videos we found constituted advertising. As a prescription-only medicine, it’s illegal to advertise finasteride to the public like this. This programme flagged the videos to TikTok, and they have since been removed. The company has also banned three of the accounts promoting the drug, saying they breached its rules. Manual said it was not involved in the making of the influencers’ videos. Presenter: Johnny I'Anson Producer: Rob Byrne Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott Details of organisations offering help and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    38 min
See All (490)

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

News-making original journalism documentary series, investigating stories at home and abroad.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    490
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    File on 4 Investigates

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