File on 4 Investigates

BBC Radio 4
File on 4 Investigates

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

  1. The abuse survivors calling on archbishop of York to resign

    9 HR. AGO

    The abuse survivors calling on archbishop of York to resign

    The BBC's religion editor Aleem Maqbool hears from sexual abuse victims who say they were let down by senior church leaders for decades. Priest David Tudor was allowed to continue working within the Church of England - despite widespread concerns about his behaviour. Now there are calls for the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell to resign over his handling of the case. He is due to take temporary charge of the church in the New Year following the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The Church of England says File on 4's investigation into the case of David Tudor has 'revealed a catalogue of past safeguarding decisions, that allowed someone who was considered a risk in the 1980s to return to ministry in the 1990s.' This, they say, should never have happened. Reporter: Aleem Maqbool Producers: Steve Swann and Hayley Mortimer Technical producer: Craig Boardman Production coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    42 min

  2. DEC 3

    The International Student Scandal

    Universities in the UK are facing a financial crisis, and with fears some may become bankrupt many institutions are making savings by cutting courses and staff numbers. Falling numbers of international students, who pay higher fees than their domestic counterparts, is partly to blame for the funding gap. File on 4 investigates if universities have become too reliant on overseas students, in some cases favouring the ability to pay over academic ability and overlooking the poor English language skills of some of those they enrol - even ignoring concerns over cheating. It also hears from a whistleblower about the multi-million-pound recruitment industry that feeds students from abroad into universities here – all at a cost. Reporter: Paul Kenyon Producer: Fergus Hewison Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    43 min

  3. NOV 26

    The Asylum Business

    The government has pledged to stop using hotels to house asylum seekers. But in early November nearly three hundred people were moved into a hotel in Altrincham in Greater Manchester. The decision has provoked widespread concerns from the community and there are fears that far right protestors could target the premises. It follows violent demonstrations outside hotels in Rotherham, Hull, Tamworth, Manchester, Aldershot and Bristol in the summer. Hotel accommodation is often provided in some of the UK’s poorest communities where residents are already facing difficulties in accessing vital services. So what is the government’s plan to stop the use of hotel accommodation? And when will it end? File on 4 hears from some of those who live in the hotels – and from the communities who live nearby – and discovers who’s profiting from the asylum business. Reporter: Datshiane Navanayagam Producer: Vicky Carter Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinators: Tim Fernley and Ellie Dover Editor: Carl Johnston This programme contains descriptions of graphic violence. Details of organisations offering information and support are available at: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

    43 min

  4. NOV 19

    The Labour Market: Women who have babies outside the NHS

    A series of scandals involving babies and mothers being harmed in hospital have shaken some people’s confidence in NHS maternity care. As a result, many women are looking for alternatives when they give birth. Some are seeking help from outside of the NHS; including paying independent midwives, and even ‘freebirthing’, where they receive no medical support at all. But how safe is this, and is more regulation needed? Presenters: Rachel Stonehouse and Matthew Hill Producer: Fergus Hewison Production co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Technical producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Carl Johnson

    43 min

  5. NOV 5

    Back Street Beauty

    File on 4 investigates the cosmetic beauty trade after the first death in the UK following a liquid BBL procedure. Jane Deith meets women who have been disfigured by this and other cosmetic procedures, and considers why existing regulation is struggling to keep up with a growing industry. A beauty salon in Clapham, London is exposed for the first time in this programme by a trainee who is horrified by what she witnesses. Several women have complained, claiming they were injured and disfigured by the treatment they received there. . Reporter: Jane Deith Producer: Kate West Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Clare Fordham

    43 min

  6. OCT 28

    Gig Economy: The Ticketing Business

    When the rock band Oasis announced they were reuniting, 10 million fans from all over the world joined the queue for tickets. It was the UK’s biggest ever concert launch. Tickets quickly sold out and within hours, many were being offered for sale on secondary ticketing sites at vastly inflated prices. File on 4 investigates the online ticketing market to discover who's ahead of you in the queue - and how they're getting there. Reporter: Adrian Goldberg Producer: Hayley Mortimer Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    43 min

  7. OCT 22

    The rise in prison recalls

    The number of people being recalled to prison after they’ve been released has nearly doubled in recent years. It has come at a significant cost to the public – but has it made the public significantly safer? Most recalls aren’t for further offending. Could the gains made by the early release scheme be undermined by the huge number of people being recalled to prison? Former prisoner and filmmaker Chris Atkins investigates the opaque world of prison recalls. He speaks to prison reform charities who say arbitrary recalls drag many further into a cycle of crisis and crime and follows one troubled prisoner over five years, who is recalled four times despite never being charged with any new crimes. Reporter: Chris Atkins Producer: Alys Harte Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Clare Fordham

    38 min
  8. Lucy Letby: The Killer Questions

    OCT 1

    Lucy Letby: The Killer Questions

    File on 4 examines some of the most contentious statistical, scientific and medical evidence in the Lucy Letby trial. The programme reveals new concerns involving medical evidence presented in court where Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Reporter: Stephanie Hegarty Producers: Fay Nurse, Ben Robinson and Hayley Mortimer Technical Producers: Richard Hannaford and Nicky Edwards Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    38 min
See All (443)

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2024
  • Episodes
    443
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    File on 4 Investigates

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