Best of Today

BBC Radio 4
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Best of Today

Listen to selected highlights from the Today programme.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    'Buffer zones' come into effect around abortion clinic

    Buffer zones will come into force around abortion clinics in England and Wales from 31 October. It will make it illegal to hand out anti-abortion leaflets within 150m of a clinic or obstruct anyone using or working at an abortion clinic. It will also be illegal to stand and silently pray within the same zone. Emma Barnett reported for Today from an abortion clinic in South London. She spoke to protesters outside and staff at the clinic about the law change. She also spoke to the Labour MP Stella Creasy who has long campaigned for protection zones. The change in the law follows similar bans in Northern Ireland in 2023 and in Scotland in September earlier this year. Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.

    11 min

  2. OCT 22

    Officer who shot Chris Kaba did 'nothing wrong' - colleague

    A former colleague of the firearms officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba told Today that he should not have been put on trial for his murder. Metropolitan Police Officer Martyn Blake, shot and killed Mr Kaba – who was unarmed – during a vehicle stop in South London in September 2022. Mr Blake denied killing the 24 year old. The unnamed colleague, who was at the scene immediately after the shots were fired, said: "At no point was there any evidence that Martyn Blake had done anything wrong or at least deviated from his training or indeed the law." Mr Kaba’s family have said they are "devastated" by the outcome. "The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn't just a failure for our family but for all those affected by police violence," his cousin said. "Despite the verdict, we won't be silenced." Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.

    9 min

  3. OCT 15

    David Cameron: The medical change which might have helped my son

    After serving as foreign secretary in the Conservative government until July, Lord Cameron has a new role at the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, which aims to find cures for rare, genetic conditions like the one his son Ivan was born with. In his first interview with Today since the election, Lord Cameron also urged the government to consider sanctioning two Israeli ministers as a way of "putting pressure" on the country to act within international law. He said the Foreign Office, when he was in charge, had been "working up" plans to put sanctions on Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The BBC has contacted Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for a response. Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.

    16 min

  4. OCT 11

    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

  5. OCT 9

    Miranda Hart: I was left bed-bound by Lyme disease

    Miranda Hart, best known for her self-titled sitcom and her role as Chummy in Call the Midwife, has revealed her battle with chronic fatigue after being diagnosed with Lyme disease. In her new book, I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You, the comedian discusses her symptoms, telling Today's Emma Barnett she was "basically bed-bound". She also reveals she married a man she met during the pandemic, calling her new husband her "best friend". Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.

    12 min

  6. SEP 19

    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

  7. SEP 18

    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

  8. SEP 17

    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
See All (79)

Hosts & Guests

4.2
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About

Listen to selected highlights from the Today programme.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2024
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    Best of Today

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