What You Need To Know

ITV News

The quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories. Our team of specialist correspondents plus guests bring you information and analysis you can trust so you get What You Need To Know in minutes.

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705 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes705

Newest first

Sep 20, 2024 · 10 min
Who's behind the Lebanon pager attack?
In the latest episode, ITV News’ International Editor Emma Murphy tells Cari Davies what you need to know…. This week, hundreds of pagers and walkie talkies used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon, killing at least 30 people and injuring thousands more. With increasing rocket fire being exchanged between Lebanon and Israel there are growing fears of further escalation. So, is there any chance for a ceasefire?
Sep 18, 2024 · 19 min
Is the Single Justice Procedure unjust?
For nearly a decade, suspected lawbreakers have been prosecuted under the Single Justice procedure, which was brought in to speed up verdicts on “lower-level” crimes. But, a joint investigation between ITV News and the Evening Standard has revealed that this has meant people have been wrongly prosecuted. So what’s happening to stop it happening again? And can anything be done for the people already affected? ITV News’ Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith and Evening Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk tell Faye Barker what you need to know….
Sep 16, 2024 · 17 min
Is political violence the ‘new normal’ for America?
As if the build-up to the US presidential election hasn’t been dramatic enough, Donald Trump has been targeted in an alleged assassination attempt for the second time in just a matter of months. On a golf course on Sunday afternoon, gun shots were fired from the surrounding shrubbery towards the former president. But, after decades of no political violence towards presidential candidates, is this the ‘new normal’ for America? And how will this affect the election? ITV News Correspondent Robert Moore tells Tom Bradby what you need to know...
Sep 13, 2024 · 14 min
What's causing the 'childcare desert' crisis?
When it comes to childcare in this country, it’s a postcode lottery. With years of underfunding, finding affordable and available nursery places is a real struggle for most parents. And with nurseries closing at a faster rate than new ones are opening, there doesn’t seem to be much hope. So, what is the government planning to do? ITV News Social Affairs Correspondent, Sarah Corker, tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know…
Sep 11, 2024 · 8 min
What is the Lampard Inquiry and how much change could it bring?
It’s been compared to the Post Office and infected blood scandal. The Lampard Inquiry which began on Monday is the first British public inquiry to specifically investigate mental health deaths and is a watershed moment for many. For the families who lost loved ones, it’s been a long time coming. So, what does it hope to achieve? And when will the families get answers? ITV News Reporter Charlie Frost tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know...
Sep 9, 2024 · 15 min
Hidden in plain sight - How to spot the signs of modern slavery
It’s happening right here on our streets, in our communities and across the country. Modern slavery is not just an international issue, it takes place close to home, unfolding in every London borough and beyond. And yet, less than one in five Brits would know how to spot the crime itself. So, why is there a lack in understanding? And could you notice the signs of modern slavery? From the charity Hestia; the largest provider of modern slavery support across London and the South East, Chief Executive Patrick Ryan and Director of Modern Slavery Response, Alison Logier join Julie Etchingham...
Sep 6, 2024 · 16 min
Grenfell: What next and why are families still waiting for justice?
72 people died, over 7 years gone by, and more than a hundred million pounds spent on the police investigation and yet no one has been charged. The long-awaited inquiry report shows Grenfell was a disaster waiting to happen. And despite this week’s findings, the unbearable wait to bring those responsible to trial continues. So, why is the wait so long? And will the bereaved families and survivors ever get any justice? ITV London Reporter Rags Martel tells Yasmin Bodalbhai what you need to know…
Sep 4, 2024 · 17 min
After the riots: What sparked the Tamworth hotel attack?
A month ago today, on a sunny summer’s evening, fire and fury arrived in a quiet English market town. In Tamworth, a protest outside a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers, spiralled into a siege, following the misinformation that spread over the Southport attack. So, how did it happen? Why Tamworth? How much is social media to blame? And has the town recovered? ITV News Investigations Correspondent Daniel Hewitt tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know...
Sep 2, 2024 · 13 min
The Arctic: The frontline of climate change
It is the front line of climate change: the Arctic. Temperatures are rising at three times the global average - melting ice, damaging vital ecosystems and causing sea levels to rise. But it’s not just a problem for the region, it’s a problem for the whole planet. So, why is it melting so fast? And how can the Arctic be saved? From Svalbard, ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew and Producer Phil Sime tell Warren Nettleford what you need to know...
Aug 30, 2024 · 11 min
Will the government apologise for historic forced adoptions?
In the latest episode of our quick briefing news podcast, Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker tells Faye Barker why, following an ITV News report last month, more and more women are coming forward to tell their shocking stories of forced adoptions. Warning: This episode contains details some listeners may find upsetting.
Aug 28, 2024 · 10 min
Why are Oasis reuniting and how much could it earn them?
In the latest episode of our quick briefing news podcast, Arts Editor Nina Nannar tells Lucrezia Millarini why Oasis have chosen 2025 for their long-awaited comeback and how much the UK and Ireland tour is likely to earn Noel and Liam.
Aug 26, 2024 · 13 min
What is ‘Swiftonomics’ and how did it boost the British economy?
As Taylor Swift brought the curtain down on the European leg of her Era’s tour, she wrapped what’s become the highest-grossing tour in history. Having boosted a jaw dropping 1 billion pounds to the UK economy alone, her tour’s generated so much money that it’s been coined ‘Swiftinomics.’ So, did you cash in? And what impact has it left behind? ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi and producer Rhiannon Hopley tell Rishi Davda What You Need to Know…
Aug 23, 2024 · 17 min
Why are Scotland’s drug deaths still the worst in Europe?
There’s long been a crisis in Scotland and it’s only getting worse. Drug related deaths have surged over the last year, making it the highest rate in Europe. And despite the government declaring a public health emergency five years ago, little progress has been made and those who have lost loved ones are desperate for change. So, why can’t the government bring the numbers down? ITV News Scotland Correspodent Peter Smith tells Lucrezia Millarini What You Need to Know…
Aug 21, 2024 · 7 min
What is Mpox and how worried should we be about it spreading to Britain?
A public health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organisation over a new outbreak of Mpox. More than 17,000 cases have been confirmed across Africa and just last week the virus made its way to Europe. So, how worried should we be? How close is it to reaching the UK? And could this become a global pandemic? ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew tells Cari Davies what you need to know...
Aug 19, 2024 · 13 min
Tragedy in Turkey: How one British mum died during “BBL” surgery
Kaydell Brown had just celebrated her 38th birthday before travelling to Turkey for cosmetic surgery. After several tough years as a hard-working single mum of two, she hoped the surgery would boost her self-confidence, but instead it tragically killed her. Now, her family are using this as a warning to the 150,000 Brits who travel to Turkey for surgery every year. So, just what went wrong? ITV News Correspondent Rachel Townsend tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know...
Aug 16, 2024 · 11 min
Why is the popular party drug pink cocaine so unpredictable?
There’s a new mystery drug that’s hitting the party scene in Ibiza. It’s called pink cocaine. Whilst the bright colour of the drug might remain the same, what’s inside the drug is a Russian roulette, changing from dealer to dealer and can even include the lethal drug, fentanyl. So, why is the popular party drug so unpredictable? And will it make its way to the UK? George Hancorn tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...
Aug 14, 2024 · 12 min
Is the tide about to turn for the Russia-Ukraine war?
A second Russian region has declared a state of emergency, following attacks by Ukraine forces. First Kursk, now Belgorod. It's the first time since World War Two that Russia has lost territory to a foreign army. So, can Ukraine maintain its advance? And how will Putin respond? ITV News Correspondent John Ray tells Mary Nightingale What You Need to Know…
Aug 12, 2024 · 11 min
Is this heatwave the last of the summer sun?
Today is set to be the hottest day of the year, as Brits prepare to scorch in the summer sun. But, with thunderstorms ever present, this short intense spell of heat won’t be around for long. So, what makes this heatwave so short? And could this be the last of the summer sun? Senior Meteorologist Craig Snell tells ITV Weather presenter Becky Mantin what you need to know...
Aug 9, 2024 · 17 min
Why the E-Bike boom is sparking fire fears
Instead of bringing in the New Year with her family in 2023, Maria discovered that her 21-year-old daughter, Sophia, had died. She was fast asleep in her London flat when the battery of her boyfriend’s E-Bike exploded, causing a raging house fire. Sophia’s just one of many whose lives have been tragically taken by E-bike or E-scooter fires. So, why are the regulations lacking? And how can E-bikes be made safer? Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Producer Sophia Ankel tell Sangeeta Kandola What You Need to Know…
Aug 7, 2024 · 12 min
Gay animals: Have same sex couplings in nature been underreported?
Are some animals gay? It’s a question that’s been highlighted by new research from the Natural History Museum, which has found same sex couples in more than 1,500 different specifies. But is it appropriate to describe animal behaviour through human terms? And what can we learn from this? Charlie Frost is joined by Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Zoologist from the Natural History Museum, Josh Davis.