ITV News - What You Need To Know

ITV News

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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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444 episodes

Is Britain’s pest problem spiralling out of control?

From poison-resistant rodents to bedbugs and cockroaches, there’s a spike in infestations across the UK. More than 800 pest control callouts are made on average every day as lives are upturned by these most unwelcome of guests. So is Britain’s pest problem spiralling out of control? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent tells Cari Davies what you need to know...

14m
Mar 29
How far one man went to get a little bit taller

Rich Rotella was 5'5" when he decided to change his life. The budding actor had a procedure in Florida to add three inches to his height - before a year long recovery. The limb lengthening surgery Rich underwent is happening all over the world. But is it worth it - all for a couple of inches? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar tells Cari Davies what you need to know…

10m
Mar 27
Why are baby deaths in hospitals on the rise?

Having a baby should be a moment of pure elation but for too many families it’s becoming a time of grief and despair.    That’s because the number of neonatal and infant deaths in hospitals are rising, with London having the highest rate in the country. So, why is this worrying trend increasing? And how much does poor maternity care play a role in this? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Reporter Kaf Okpattah tells Faye Barker what you need to know...

9m
Mar 25
Why is the NHS spending millions on locking up autistic adults?

For the past 10 years, a young British woman has been locked up in hospital. Whilst she was born with a learning disability, there was no medical reason for her to be detained in hospital and her parents continue to fight every day for her release.     And she's not alone, as more than 2000 people with learning disabilities or autism remain stuck in hospitals across England, with little chance of escape. So, why can’t they bet set free?  ITV News Correspondent Peter Smith and Specialist Producer Reshma Rumsey tell Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...

13m
Mar 22
Should second homes be banned?

It’s a touchstone issue that affects beauty spots right across the country.  Second homes – with a 50% rise in ownership over the last decade, they’re driving out locals and hiking up house prices. And despite the Chancellor’s crackdown, campaigners are calling his solution a simple sticking plaster. So, do the Tories have the silver bullet? Or is the problem too big to fix? And how will housing impact your vote in the next general election? In a special live edition of the podcast, ITV Anglia’s political correspondent, Emma Hutchinson and ITV Tyne Tees’ and ITV Border’s political correspondent, Tom Sheldrick tell David Wood what you need to know....

13m
Mar 20
Putin wins: What next?

It’s no surprise that Vladimir Putin secured a landslide victory for a fifth term as Russian president. He’s ruled for nearly a quarter of a century and he’s not going anywhere soon – with any potential opposition either dead, jailed or exiled. But will this election bring any change? What’s next for Putin? And will he ever give up power? Europe Editor James Mates tells Julie Etchingham what you need to know...

16m
Mar 18
Sanitiser out, air fryers in: How Britain's shopping habits are changing

The record return of the vinyl has been made official today for the first time since 1992.  In Britain’s inflation basket this year, vinyl records are back in demand thanks to the soaring success of stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. The basket released by the ONS, is used to track inflation and find out what’s trending. So, what’s in? And what’s out?  Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Consumer Producer Hannah Kings tell Cari Davies what you need to know...

11m
Mar 15
Why are so many Brits pro assisted dying?

Nick Brown was told he has three months left to live. With a rare form of cancer, he’ll soon be paralysed. And yet his dying wish is to go peacefully, before he deteriorates.     But with no option for assisted dying in our country, Nick and his family are stuck and desperate. Now, thousands like Nick are calling for change - to legalise assisted suicide in the UK. So, should Nick have the option? And where do you draw the line?  UK Editor Paul Brand tells Charlene White what you need to know...

11m
Mar 13
How Kate's photoshop skills ramped up royal rumours

In a bid to end weeks of wild conspiracy theories, the Princess of Wales released a family photo to celebrate Mother’s Day. But the image, which was meant to quash speculation, turned out to do the exact opposite. As news agencies pulled a photo from the Palace for the first time over claims it had been photoshopped. And now, Kate’s even admitted to editing the picture herself. So, what’s behind all of this? And can Kate’s response finally stop speculation? ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know...

13m
Mar 11
Who are the lost children of Britain’s housing crisis?

Since 2019, 55 children have died unexpectedly living in temporary housing. 42 of them, not even a year old. These are the lost children of Britain’s housing crisis. And yet many families continue to live in cramp conditions like shipping containers, once built to carry cargo, but are the only option for a roof over their heads. So, why is this still happening today? And where can these helpless families turn to? ITV News Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt and Investigations Producer Mariah Cooper tell Yasmin Bodalbhai what you need to know...

13m
Mar 08
Who's more likely to win the Biden vs Trump rematch?

It’s back to the future for Americans as they brace themselves for another Joe Biden-Donald Trump slugfest. But who’s most likely to prevail? In our latest quick briefing podcast, US Correspondent Dan Rivers tells Tom Bradby what you need to know…

15m
Mar 06
Is now the time to switch energy supplier?

Energy bills are finally falling. From April 1st, annual bills will drop to the lowest they’ve been since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But, despite the reduced-price cap, energy debt remains at an all-time high as households across the country remain badly behind with their bills. So, how much of a difference will the drop actually make? Should you be switching energy supplier? And if so, when? ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Consumer Producer Hannah Kings tell Faye Barker what you need to know...

12m
Mar 04
Could your council be going bust and how will it impact you?

From potholes to uncollected bins, it’s no surprise that councils across the country are running out of cash. But new analysis has laid bare that councils in the North are suffering more than in the South of England. And despite a huge injection of cash from the government, many councils are at a tipping point. So, why is there such a regional divide? And where will the cuts hit most? Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...

10m
Mar 01
What's got Welsh farmers so frustrated?

Across Europe, frustrated farmers have been fighting back. But now, protests are travelling across the channel, as Welsh farmers are up in arms over post-Brexit plans and proposals. Farmers on the brink are flocking to protests to stop the Welsh government reforms. So, what are the new plans? And why have they caused such a backlash? ITV News Wales Reporter Rhys Williams tells Charlene White what you need to know...

10m
Feb 28
Why girls in gangs are on the rise

When you think of gangs, you might imagine young men proving their loyalty through violence, coercion and bravado. But now the number of girls in gangs is rising, leaving thousands in the hands of male leaders and drug dealers. So, why are gangs recruiting more girls? What are they being forced to do? And what’s being done to stop it? ITV Anglia's Tanya Mercer tells Faye Barker what you need to know...

13m
Feb 26
Could AI be a game changer for America's gun violence epidemic?

Joaquin Oliver was just one of the 17 victims who were murdered at Parkland, Florida back in 2018 – one of America’s deadliest school shootings. But now, through the magic of AI, the victims’ voices are being brought back to life. Lobbying from beyond the grave, Joaquin’s voice is being used to pressure politicians to tighten gun laws. So, could this be a game changer for America’s gun violence epidemic? US Correspondent Dan Rivers tells Tom Bradby what you need to know

12m
Feb 23
Why do domestic violence murderers get shorter sentences than other killers?

If a woman is stabbed to death in the street by a stranger the starting sentencing point for murder is 25 years. Yet if a woman is stabbed and killed in her own home by her partner - it's fifteen. So, why is there such a disparity? And is it any wonder some are campaigning for change? Julie Etchingham is joined by ITV's Tonight programme producer, Anna Manton and the Chair of charity Refuge, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton.

19m
Feb 21
Could you claim compensation from car finance?

Did you buy a vehicle on car finance before 28th January 2021? Well, like millions of other car loan customers across the country, you might be able to join what could be the largest compensation pay out since the infamous PPI scandal. So, could you have you overpaid without knowing? And what might you be entitled to? Consumer Editor Chris Choi and producer Hannah Kings tell Sangeeta Kandola What You Need to Know…

15m
Feb 19
Who is Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner?

It’s been 16 years since 3-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing. Today, the man who remains the prime suspect of her disappearance goes on trial. But, for unrelated charges. Christian Brueckner will take to the stand in Germany for multiple cases of sexual assault and rape. But can this trial bring us closer to what really happened to Madeline McCann back in 2007 in Portugal? And what can we expect? From outside the court house in Germany, ITV News correspondent Emma Murphy tells Charlie Frost what you need to know...

9m
Feb 16
Inside the scamming networks trafficking grads to South East Asia

Sarah thought she’d landed her dream job in a tech firm in Thailand, having applied online. But instead, upon arrival, she was kidnapped and trafficked to a mysterious compound, where she was trapped for months. She’s just one of many graduates from across the globe who are falling victim to forced scamming - one of the fastest-growing forms of modern slavery today. And in South East Asia, it’s rife. So, how is it thriving in plain sight? Having just returned back from Thailand, Lucy Watson tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...

11m
Feb 14
Why is our special educational needs system spiralling out of control?

12-year-old Sonny has been waiting 3 years for an Education, Health and Care plan. He’s autistic and without this plan, he can’t access the education he needs. And he’s not alone, as millions of children like Sonny, are losing out on formal education, through no fault of their own. So, why is the system so broke? And what needs to be done? Social Affairs Correspondent Stacey Foster tells Cari Davies what you need to know...

13m
Feb 12
Will the XL Bully ban work?

The highly anticipated XL bully ban has come into full force. Following a series of fatal attacks involving the dog, a new law will now make it a criminal offence to own the pet without a certificate. But as the ban gets underway, there are concerns that thousands of XL bullies are still unregistered across the country. So, will the ban actually work? And would you report on those in breach of the ban? ITV News consumer editor Chris Choi and consumer producer Hannah Kings tell Faye Barker what you need to know...

12m
Feb 09
Who is the real Rishi Sunak?

With a general election pending, Rishi Sunak is determined to stay on in Number 10. But with rumours of plots against him coming from the inside and attacks certainly coming from the outside, can he survive? Our Deputy Political Editor, Anushka Asthana spent months following the Prime Minister just to find out. So, can he defy the polls predicting a Labour Landslide? Anushka Asthana tells Tom Bradby what you need to know... For more on this, tune in to ITV1 on Thursday 8th February at 20:30 to watch or head to ITVX to watch it on catch up.

13m
Feb 07
Breaking news: King Charles diagnosed with cancer

In this special briefing, Mary Nightingale and ITV News correspondents bring you the latest on King Charles’ cancer diagnosis.

18m
Feb 05
The murder of Brianna Ghey: How did two teens become such callous killers?

It’s almost a year since 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was stabbed to death in a park in Warrington. She’d been lured there by two 15-year-olds - Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe - who carried out the most brutal and bloody attack. They’ve now been jailed for life. But how did two seemingly innocent teenagers become utterly callous killers? From ITV Granada, Rob Smith tells Gamal Fahnbulleh What You Need to know…

14m
Feb 02
Is the West helping or hindering conflict in the Middle East?

The US says the threat from Iran is at its highest in a decade. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have paralysed global shipping. And all while war rages on between Hamas and Israel. So, with the Middle East in such a perilous state - can the West do anything to stop rather than stoke the conflicts? ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore and ITV News Correspondent John Ray tell Rageh Omaar what you need to know...

15m
Jan 31
Could robots save our pothole pandemic?

From burst tyres to breakdowns and twisted ankles, potholes plague our roads. And now the damage done is at a 5-year high, costing us up to half a billion pounds. But with new technology, robots could pave the way to fill in the cracks. So, can AI save our streets and end years of neglect? ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Consumer Producer Hannah Kings tell Yasmin Bodalbhai what you need to know...

12m
Jan 29
Could the Nottingham attacks triple killer have been stopped?

“Justice has not been served” – that was the judgement of the families torn apart by the fatal killings in Nottingham, last June. The triple killer, Valdo Calocane, has now been sentenced to a high-security hospital. But for the victims’ families, their fury remains, blaming the police, CPS and NHS. So, should Calocane have been free to roam the streets? And will the families ever get justice? From Nottingham Crown Court, ITV News Midlands Correspondent Ben Chapman tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...

8m
Jan 26
How the Post Office tore families apart

Broken trust, marriages and families – the ripple effect of the Post Office scandal is still being felt, years on from the convictions. These are the years that families can’t take back, once torn apart by lies and deceit. And now although closer to justice, the pain and suffering of the victims can’t be undone. So, can anything heal the victims of the Post Office scandal? Having spoken with families impacted by the scandal, ITV News correspondent Sangita Lal tells Julie Etchingham what you need to know...

11m
Jan 24
Why are there so many storms and is the worst yet to come?

Chaos strikes again as the UK has been hit with its ninth named storm this season. Storm Isha has left thousands of homes powerless, brought commuters to a standstill and caused widespread disruption. And it’s not the only storm we’ll be weathering this week, as Storm Jocelyn arrives in full force tomorrow. So why are we getting so many storms? And how prepared are we? ITV Weather Presenter and meteorologist Becky Mantin tells Faye Barker what you need to know...

12m
Jan 22