This Is Why

Sky News

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why  takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.

Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.

Available every weekday afternoon.

This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk

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1,002 episodes
Updated Today

Episodes1002

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Nov 24, 2025 · 16 min
Why David Cameron’s calling for more cancer screening
Is it time for an NHS screening programme for prostate cancer? The disease is the most common cancer affecting men in the UK and kills more than 12,000 men every year. A decision is expected to be made by the National Screening Council later this week. Now, former prime minister Lord Cameron has become the latest high-profile figure to reveal his own diagnosis and has called for a national programme to target the groups most at risk. But could an increase in overdiagnosis do more harm than good? Niall is joined by Sky’s science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore to discuss. You can find out more information on prostate cancer at www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/ Producer: Araminta Parker Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 24, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | Budget looms, Ukraine peace talks, Eze hat-trick
Two days out from Wednesday's big budget, Sophy and Wilf talk through what they're looking out for. Ukraine peace talks in Geneva continue today. David Cameron reveals he's been treated for prostate cancer. And - a big London derby game ends in tears for Tottenham, as Eberechi Eze scores a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Arsenal. Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.
Nov 21, 2025 · 17 min
Michael Gove: Shabana Mahmood will lead Labour... but not yet
She’s the Labour home secretary winning praise from the Tories and Reform UK – no wonder Shabana Mahmood’s crackdown on immigration has grated with some of her own backbenchers. But what is driving Mahmood's stance on small boats, and can her ideas land for Labour? Niall is joined by the former Conservative cabinet minister turned Spectator editor, Lord Michael Gove, who talks of his admiration for Shabana Mahmood. They also discuss her approach to politics and immigration policy as well as her leadership ambitions. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 21, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | Trump's plan for peace in Ukraine, energy bills cap, The Ashes
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's ready to work on a peace plan put together by just the US and Russia. UK drugs could be funding Russia's war effort. Plus, energy bills will rise by 0.2% in January, 35% higher than they were before the Ukraine war. And the Ashes are off to a worrying start for England, but there's still hope yet. Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne have the day's news in just 10 minutes.
Nov 20, 2025 · 17 min
Is Trump using Ukrainian corruption to force a peace deal?
It's perhaps no coincidence that Trump's latest peace plan has dropped just as President Zelenskyy is having to deal with the biggest corruption scandal his government has faced so far. The latest plan was drawn up in secret with Russia and depends on huge concessions from Ukraine. Joining Niall is our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to discuss what's in the 28-point plan and whether a perceived weakness of Zelenskyy's position is why it has come out now. Plus, Jaroslava Barbieri, research fellow at the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House on the details of the growing corruption scandal engulfing the Ukrainian government. Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Wendy Parker
Nov 20, 2025 · 9 min
Cheat Sheet | Russian spy ship, secret Ukraine peace deal and the AI nightmare for novelists
Defence Secretary John Healey sent a direct warning to Russia after a ship was spotted off the north coast of Scotland. US special envoy Steve Witkoff's post on X has suggested the US and Russia may be forming a secret plan to end the war in Ukraine. And authors say they fear AI replacing them entirely. Plus - why are MPs reading dad jokes in the Commons? Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.
Nov 20, 2025 · 9 min
Russian spy ship, secret Ukraine peace deal, AI nightmare for novelists - Cheat Sheet with Ridge & Frost
Defence Secretary John Healey sent a direct warning to Russia after a ship was spotted off the north coast of Scotland. US special envoy Steve Witkoff's post on X has suggested the US and Russia may be forming a secret plan to end the war in Ukraine. And authors say they fear AI replacing them entirely. Plus - why are MPs reading dad jokes in the Commons? Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.
Nov 19, 2025 · 16 min
The Punch: The killing of an innocent man and the wait for justice
When a British father, Matt Jeffrey, was killed by a single punch during a stag do on the Greek island of Zante, two men were convicted. But now a Sky News investigation has identified a new suspect - a man who has potentially evaded justice for years. In this episode, Niall speaks to Jason about the devastating impact of ‘one-punch’ violence, the emotional toll on Matt’s family and the complexities of an international legal battle. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 19, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | Scottish football victory, the president and the prince, UK defence warning
Scotland have secured their place in the football World Cup for the first time in 28 years. In the US, politicians have voted to approve a bill forcing the release of files relating to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And we explain why President Trump's hosting of the Saudi Arabian crown prince is controversial. Plus, could the UK defend itself in an attack? A new report suggests not. Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.
Nov 18, 2025 · 16 min
Consumer confidence: Knowing your rights
More than 100 companies are being warned by the competition watchdog in a crackdown on online pricing. If you’re not on your toes, it can be a tricky and expensive world to navigate for consumers at a time when money is tight and many are feeling the squeeze. Fortunately, the Sky News Money blog has launched its Consumer Rights Week - where the team is helping customers with disputes and offering tips to save your hard-earned cash. Do you know your rights and are you getting bang for your buck? Niall is joined by the Money blog’s Jess Sharp. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 18, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | Mahmood defends asylum reforms, UN backs Trump's Gaza plan, ticket touting banned
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is defending asylum reforms some Labour MPs are calling "cruel and inhumane". Also, the UN has passed Trump's peace plan for Gaza. And the government is set to ban ticket touts reselling tickets way above face value. Sophy and Wilf talk about how that's happened following a Competition and Markets Authority report which said Ticketmaster "may have misled Oasis fans" with unclear pricing. Although not about reselling, it did lead to promises to make sales more transparent. Everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.
Nov 17, 2025 · 15 min
Is the Danish immigration model right for the UK?
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a radical overhaul of the UK's immigration system, by copying a model that has been seemingly successful in Denmark. That, of course, depends on how you define "successful". Although asylum claims are down, many feel the country's tough approach raises moral and legal questions. Labour hopes Denmark's tried and tested method will help it win over anti-immigration voters here, but what about the social and economic consequences? Is the Danish model right for the UK? Gareth Barlow is joined by Michelle Pace, a professor in global studies at the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University in Denmark. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 17, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | Asylum reform, Trump Epstein u-turn, house prices fall
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is announcing some of the biggest reforms to the asylum system since WWII. Trump has U-turned on the Epstein files, calling for Republicans to vote for their release. And house prices have fallen below their expected level. Sophy and Wilf explain the reforms, give their take on Trump and discuss why house prices are one to watch in today's episode of cheat sheet - all you need to know, in under 10 minutes.
Nov 14, 2025 · 12 min
Why does BBC board’s Robbie Gibb keep getting criticised?
Who is Sir Robbie Gibb and is he the most influential figure at the BBC? In a week marred by controversy, the organisation has seen the departure of two senior figures and has made an apology to the US president over an edited clip of a speech to his followers on 6 January. There are rumours that the BBC's director general and chief executive were brought down as part of an "inside job" centred around one man – Sir Robbie – a non-executive director at the BBC. However, a friend of Sir Robbie has hit back at such suggestions, describing them to Deadline as "absolute nonsense". In this episode, Niall is joined by Jake Kanter, the international investigations editor at Deadline to discuss Mr Gibb’s role at the BBC and why it is seen as controversial. Producer: Tom Gillespie & Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont
Nov 14, 2025 · 11 min
Cheat Sheet | Reeves's income tax U-turn, renting reforms and Ariana Grande ambushed
Reports say income tax won't increase in Rachel Reeves's budget - but where will the chancellor find the money for government spending shortfalls? The BBC responds to Donald Trump's threat of a $1bn lawsuit as the US president's deadline looms. Plans are laid out for renters and landlords under huge reforms. And an intruder gets onto the Wicked 'yellow carpet' premiere in Singapore. He's been charged with being a public nuisance by a Singapore court. Anna and Kamali get you up to speed on all the day's news, in just 10 minutes. Tap to never miss an episode: 'https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/ 'Follow Cheat Sheet here
Nov 13, 2025 · 15 min
Is the NHS in good health under Wes Streeting?
A tricky week for Wes Streeting was eased ever so slightly by the news NHS waiting lists have shrunk – if not by much. But the health secretary will still be nursing his bruises a day after having to deny he was plotting to oust the prime minister. If he really is in the waiting room hoping to enter Number 10 it would help if his NHS record was given a positive diagnosis. Mr Streeting talks a good game – so what’s the true state of the NHS under his leadership? Niall is joined by former NHS Trust chairman Roy Lilley and health correspondent Ashish Joshi. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 13, 2025 · 10 min
Cheat Sheet | The president and the paedophile, children vaping and toy sales boom
New emails and documents provide an insight into the relationship between Donald Trump and the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge about Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Meanwhile, research shows children are using e-cigarettes more than adults and are even skipping school to vape. And toy sales are up as 'kidults' buy Minecraft and Lego. Sophy and Wilf get you up to speed on all the day's news, in just 10 minutes. Tap to never miss an episode: 'https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/ 'Follow Cheat Sheet here
Nov 12, 2025 · 17 min
Is Rachel Reeves' black hole ‘made up’?
Sir Keir Starmer is standing on the edge of a black hole. The budget is looming and Downing Street believes some of the prime minister’s own MPs may move against him if it is badly received. Much of the jitters within Labour swirl around the filling of a black hole in the public finances that may actually be self-imposed and self-inflicted. Niall is joined by our data and economics editor Ed Conway - who explains everything you need to know about a fiscal black hole that might not actually really exist. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 11, 2025 · 20 min
Unseen: The ‘invisible girl’ abandoned by the state
Nonita had a voice, but nobody heard it. Aged just 18 and in care, Nonita was hit and killed b y a moving train – despite repeatedly warning the professionals responsible for her that she planned to take her own life. Shocked by Nonita's untimely death, Katharine Bryson - a volunteer who had worked with her - became determined to find out who knew what, and when. What she uncovered horrified her – and it's a story the state never wanted to be told. Niall is joined by Sky's people and politics correspondent Nick Martin. Warning: this podcast contains descriptions of suicide and self-harm. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help and support is available. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 anytime day or night. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find support online. For more on this story, you can watch the full documentary on the Sky News website. Producers: Tom Gillespie & Araminta Parker Editor: Mike Bovill
Nov 10, 2025 · 15 min
Why does Donald Trump want to sue the BBC for ‘$1bn’?
The row over how President Trump was portrayed in a Panorama programme has proved to be a scandal too far for embattled BBC bosses. Director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness have both resigned. Mr Trump's lawyers are demanding the BBC retracts the "false" statements in the documentary or face legal action for $1bn (£760m) in damages. Many will feel their departures were inevitable after questions over the way a Trump speech was edited sparked concerns about the corporation's impartiality. Niall is joined by former Panorama editor and host of the Beeb Watch podcast Roger Bolton to discuss the fallout. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill