What You Need To Know

For 20 years people wishing to settle in the UK and gain British citizenship, have had to pass the Life in the UK test, alongside steps including living here for 5 years and proving knowledge of English, Welsh or Scots Gaelic.Its questions span history, politics and culture but are they the right ones? Lucy Watson speaks tries them out on Political Editor Robert Peston, who explains why the test was introduced in 2005 and the current context.Sunder Katwala is the Director of think-tank British Future and shares some suggestions of how the test and awarding citizenship could be reimagined.

Shoplifting in England and Wales is at a 20 year high.But while you might have heard of the wave of criminal gangs looting shops, one police force has told ITV News it is now dealing with a rise in quite different culprits: middle class shoplifters.The thieves are stealing high end goods and keeping them for themselves.Officers have a bold way to deal with them, which doesn't involve prison, but is it fair?ITV News Anglia's Katie Ridley tells Faye Barker what you need to know. Watch Katie's full report: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-09-29/the-rise-of-middle-class-criminals-stealing-for-the-thrill-of-it

Warning: contains details and themes some listeners may find distressing.On Thursday 24 October, Colombian porn star Yostin Mosquera will be sentenced for the double murder of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso, whose body parts he dumped in a suitcase on Bristol Suspension Bridge in July 2024 before disappearing into the night.ITV West Country's Robert Murphy tells Lucrezia Millarini how police tracked Mosquera down and the disturbing details of his victim's deaths.You can watch Robert's documentary 'Suitcase Murders: Manhunt to Catch a Killer' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3iqa2npvOo

The scenes in Israel were of pure joy and relief as Hamas released the last 20 living hostages, and they were returned their families.But after the celebrations, they now face the task of rebuilding their lives?And with the ceasefire already faltering under more strikes in Gaza, what hope is there that the bodies of the dead hostages might be returned. And what about the return of the Palestinians who were detained in Gaza during two years of fighting ?Geraint Vincent is joined by Londoner Emily Cohen, who has been supporting hostages' families for the last two years and correspondent Rachel Younger who has been reporting from Tel Aviv and the West Bank.

The wildfires that engulfed Los Angeles earlier this year looked like something you'd expect to see in a Hollywood disaster movie.But new data shows they're becoming an increasing reality across the world and the UK has now had its first 'megafire'.Martin Stew tells Lucy Watson exactly what damage all that burning is doing to the planet

An extra border security step has begun for travellers to Europe - and it affects all British passport holders. But the EU’s new Entry/Exit System comes with the warning to expect more delays while going through passport control. ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi tells Sally Biddulph how it works and how your data is stored.

Finally, after two years of bombardment, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal - bringing joy and relief to survivors in Gaza and hostages' families in Israel. President Trump has predicted lasting peace in the middle east. So what else needs to happen, to make that a reality? International Editor Emma Murphy tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.

The Manchester synagogue attack left a city in shock and for Jews across the country, their sense of safety has been shattered. Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed in the terror attack and the Prime Minister has called antisemitism a hatred that Britain must defeat "once again". So what is life like for British Jews in 2025 and with the government already under pressure for its handling of pro-Palestine protests, how will it respond? UK Editor Paul Brand tells Nina Hossain what you need to know.

Unidentified drone sightings and violations by Russian jets in the skies over European nations in recent weeks have rattled NATO allies. Europe’s answer is to build a “drone wall”It's essentially a defense system along the bloc’s eastern flank to repel unmanned aircraft from Russia, using British-made drones. So would it work? And how close are we to a full on NATO military confrontation with Russia?Europe Editor James Mates tells Julie Etchingham what you need to know.

The UK is in a child poverty crisis...Medical professionals say they are seeing the return of the physical signs of poverty, and are warning of the lifelong impact these may have.Rising inflation, cuts to essential services, and the 2-child benefit cap all mean that families across the nation are struggling.ITV News Correspondent Peter Smith and Producer Steph Docherty tell Daniel Hewitt what you need to know...Remember you can subscribe to the What You Need To Know wherever you get your podcasts.Inside Britain's child poverty crisis | ITV News - YouTube-----------------------------------------------If you've been affected by the topics discussed in the episode, support services are available below:Samaritans operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, by calling 116 123. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.orgPapyrus offers support for children and young people under the age of 35 over the phone on 0800 068 41 41 between 9am and midnight every day of the year. If you would rather text you can do so on 07786 209697 or send an email to pat@papyrus-uk.orgMind also offers mental health support between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can call them on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463. There is also lots of information available on their website.

Foreign national offenders are having their sentences cut short and being paid up to £2,000 to leave the country voluntarily.ITV News has filmed the money being handed over on cards - on the first deportation flight to be filmed.The Home Secretary said "Out of context, it's not great, it doesn't look good' but she says it saves the British taxpayer money. But how? And does it matter what crimes they committed? UK Editor Paul Brand tells Faye Barker what you need to know.Full report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vLs808pl0s

"Terrifying" and "massively overwhelming". That's how one mum described the prospect of taking her council to court to get the special educational needs support she thinks he needs.She also had to sell her car to fund the fight.In 99% of cases, councils lose. ITV Anglia's Neil Barbour tells Lucy Watson why so many councils still face off with parents, at significant costs to them too.Lucy and Neil are also joined by Claire Rooney, the founder and CEO of EHCP.org.uk - a new platform, launching soon, to help parents through the process of applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan. 

Takeaway food, coffee, ice lollies - you name it - can be delivered to your back garden in minutes at the press of a button.It won't come by road, where it might get stuck in traffic, but by air - arriving at your door still piping hot. This isn’t science fiction, it's everyday life in parts of Dublin.Drones take off on their own, fly on their own, and deliver on their own.So, how do they work, and who controls them?And what's stopping them from landing in the UK right now?Our Science correspondent Martin Stew saw the drones in action and tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.

Up to 150,000 people are thought to have descended on London to hear Tommy Robinson and a number of his like-minded guests - including Elon Musk - speak.An outbreak of violence was perhaps to be expected as their followers fought with police separating them from anti-racism protesters in Whitehall.But it was the overall scale of Saturday’s Unite The Kingdom rally that clearly took the authorities by surprise. So how significant a moment was this for the far right? And what are the repercussions for Britain and our politics?Our correspondent John Ray was on the ground at the march and tells Daniel Hewitt what you need to know.

WARNING: This podcast contains details of the Southport stabbing attacksThe attacks in Southport last year on young, defenseless, innocent children horrified and upset the whole country.Children and adults stabbed, many more traumatised - and three girls: little Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar, murdered in a holiday dance class. Now their grieving parents, alongside victims and families are having to describe the impact of that horrific summer's day.It is all for an inquiry to determine if Axel Rudakubana - the killer - could have been stopped long before he even got to the door of that dance workshop.And now for the first time, we've heard one of the children - who was stabbed in the attack - describe the horror in her own words.ITV Granada Reporter Anna Youssef has been at the inquiry and tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.

A survey for ITV News has revealed just how much abuse women and girls are facing in the street.So with the risks going up as the nights draw in, what is being done to stop it?Reporter Helen Keenan has been out speaking to women on nights out in London's Soho, where she herself was harassed while filming. Lily White is the founder of the all-women night running club The Night Club. They join Lucrezia Millarini to discuss what you need to know.

It's been described as the scariest grouping of nations. Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un shoulder to shoulder as China shows off its supreme military power.So how dangerous is this alliance? How will Donald Trump and the West react? And how could it reshape the world order as we know it?Debi Edward and Rageh Omaar tell Daniel Hewitt what you need to know.

You can buy anything online can't you?Well you might be surprised to learn that you can buy a child's skull for thousands of pounds, or a wallet made of human skin. And you may be amazed to learn it's not illegal.Why not? And is anything being done to stop this multi-million pound industry?Sam Holder and Lois Smith tell Faye Barker what you need to know.

He didn't accept the election result and was accused of being part of an attempt to overthrow his successor.Now with Ex-Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro's trial nearing its end, could he be saved from decades in jail by his most significant ally Donald Trump?Reporter Will Tullis tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know.

It's believed to be the longest cold case to have ever been cracked in the UK, and today we'll hear how the 92 year old Ryland Headley was finally convicted for Louisa Dunne's rape and murder, almost 60 years on. ITV West Country Correspondent Robert Murphy tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know. Robert's documentary Cold Case Justice: Solving the Murder of Louisa Dunne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yy3A8j_uN0&t=5s