The World Tonight

Why are so many adoptive families being broken apart?

As a BBC investigation reveals how many adoptions break down, we ask whether the system gives adoptive parents enough support. Also: We ask a Labour MP whether the Chancellor misled the country over the state of the public finances - and ask our live political panel where her budget has…

28 Nov 6PM 37 min

Government backtracks on day-one unfair dismissal right

The government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to offer all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Ministers now plan to introduce the right after six months instead, after business groups voiced concerns it would discourage firms from hiring. The government argued…

27 Nov 6PM 41 min

Chancellor raises taxes by £26 billion in second Budget

The Chancellor announced major tax increases amounting to £26 billion in her second Budget, as well as ending the two-child benefit cap from April next year. We broadcast from the political bellwether town of Northampton, to get local reaction from business and townspeople, as well as the local MP Lucy…

26 Nov 6PM 40 min

Chancellor announces minimum wage rise ahead of Budget

Millions of people are set to get a pay rise from April due to an increase in the minimum wage, the government has announced ahead of Wednesday's Budget. The hourly rate for over-21s will rise by 50p to £12.71, with workers aged 18-20 seeing an 85p rise to £10.85, and…

25 Nov 6PM 38 min

BBC chairman faces MPs after high-profile resignations

The chairman of the BBC, Samir Shah, faced scrutiny in the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee over his handling of the recent crisis over Panorama's edit of US President Donald Trump's speech, as well as other allegations of bias. The chair of the committee told us…

24 Nov 6PM 41 min

Putin backs US plan for ending Ukraine war

Vladimir Putin says the White House plan can “form the basis of a final peace settlement”. President Trump believes Thursday is an appropriate deadline for Kyiv to accept the proposals. But Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley tells us “if this is what the President is really proposing, I’m honestly embarrassed for…

21 Nov 6PM 41 min

Covid Inquiry releases damning report into government decision-making

The UK response to Covid was "too little, too late" and led to thousands more deaths in the first wave, an inquiry into government decision-making has found. The report said lockdown may have been avoided if voluntary steps such as social distancing and isolating those with symptoms along with household…

20 Nov 6PM 42 min

Reports of US peace plan for Ukraine

The White House and Moscow have reportedly drawn up a 28-point peace plan that crosses many of Ukraine’s stated red lines. Could Kyiv ever accept it? Also on the programme: the Oxfordshire fly-tipping scandal is raised at Prime Minister's Questions - we ask how big the problem is nationwide; and…

19 Nov 6PM 36 min

Trump defends Saudi crown prince over murder of Jamal Khashoggi

During a visit to the White House, Donald Trump said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ‘knew nothing’ about the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. We hear reaction from Khashoggi’s former editor, Marty Baron. Also on the programme: Poland’s foreign minister on suspected Russian sabotage of his…

18 Nov 6PM 41 min

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood lays out asylum overhaul

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood laid out a string of reforms to the asylum system that would see refugee status become temporary, guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers end and new capped "safe and legal routes" into the UK created. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood told MPs the…

17 Nov 6PM 37 min