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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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September 9 · 16 min
Why does air traffic control keep failing?
Less up, up and away... more stuck on the tarmac. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded after yet another critical collapse of the country’s air traffic control system. While a cyber-attack has been ruled out, it’s still the third time in four years severe disruption has affected airlines and travellers because of problems at NATS – a public-private partnership and the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services. Why do these issues keep happening? Should the government intervene? And is it only a matter of time before passenger safety is compromised? Niall Paterson speaks to aviation expert and former air traffic controller, Doug Maclean. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
September 8 · 21 min
Why are NHS staff targeting terror attack victims?
Imagine your child has been the victim of a terror attack. Then imagine the most intimate details of their injuries being viewed and shared without your permission or knowledge. A Sky News and Health Service Journal investigation has uncovered the extent to which NHS staff are accessing patients’ medical records. High profile cases include the victims of the Nottingham and Southport attacks. But information was also accessed to carry out coercive control and domestic abuse. Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s health correspondent, Ashish Joshi, and Zoe Tidman – senior correspondent for the Health Service Journal. NHS England has issued a response to the investigation, saying: “All NHS trusts are required to maintain audit logs of access to patient information as well as having controls in place to prevent and identify unauthorised access – and must take action in cases where staff have abused the trust of patients by accessing personal records without good reason.” Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
September 7 · 19 min
Why anti-migrant protests are getting more ‘professional’
We have become used to seeing protests against small boat arrivals in the UK, but the speed and size of those in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend felt like something new. The demonstrations were led by a group founded by Daniel Thomas - a friend of far-right activist Tommy Robinson - who described the protests as "only the beginning". Local authorities were seemingly caught out by events. So, will we now see more similar demonstrations? And what can the police do? Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky's Data and Forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire. Have you got a question for This is Why? Email us: why@sky.uk
September 4 · 19 min
Why Farage is courting rising star of the French far right
Lots of 30-year-olds are career-driven, ambitious types - but perhaps none more so than French far-right politician Jordan Bardella. The sharp-suited, clean-cut leader of France’s National Rally party is tipped as a future prime minister – or even president – of one of the UK’s closest allies. He’s also been the star of the show at the Reform party conference in Birmingham – signing a deal on small boats with his admiring counterpart, Nigel Farage. So, who is Bardella? And why would a party like Reform – that denies being far right – consummate such a close relationship? Niall Paterson is joined by Dr Philippe Marliere, a professor in French and European politics at University College London.
September 3 · 15 min
Why driverless taxis still need a human (for now)
Most taxi drivers tell tales about who they’ve had in the back of their cab. But how would you feel about catching a cab that doesn’t have a driver in the front? Autonomous taxis can now be ordered on London’s streets – in a move many would liken to something out of a sci-fi movie. In reality, the cars currently arrive with a human “safety” driver - but the plan is that fairly soon they won’t. So, how safe are these vehicles? And what does the move mean for real-life cabbies who might be fearing for their jobs? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe, who had an eventful journey in an autonomous taxi in central London. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
September 2 · 17 min
Why borrowing costs are Burnham’s biggest problem
Governments often tell people to live within their means - but can the new prime minister? Andy Burnham will need to try hard after the UK's long-term borrowing costs reached a 28-year high. It's a serious headache for a prime minister who faced his first PMQs on Wednesday. So why are the costs so high? And how will this impact chancellor John Healey's first Budget next month? Niall Paterson sits down with Sky's economics and data editor, Ed Conway. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
September 1 · 18 min
Why Germany's far right is on the verge of its biggest win since WW2
The leader of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt has been called "the most dangerous man in Germany". Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old former perfume salesman, is on course to be elected as leader of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. His victory would be the biggest win for a far-right party since the Second World War. So who is he and what does the AfD stand for? And what would a state election win for the party mean for Germany and for Europe? Niall is joined by Sky’s Europe’s correspondent Alistair Bunkall, who tracked down Siegmund at an AfD rally in Saxony-Anhalt. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
August 28 · 19 min
Why Bumble's boss hopes AI is the future of dating
Could artificial intelligence provide the key to finding true love? The chief executive of Bumble certainly hopes so as she plans to introduce an AI feature to the popular dating app. Whitney Wolfe Herd has already changed the world of dating by co-founding both Bumble and Tinder - so who is she? And why is she banking on AI being the future of matchmaking? Niall is joined by Mashable's associate editor Anna Iovine for the last episode in our series profiling the biggest names in the tech industry you might have never heard of. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us at: why@sky.uk. You can also watch This Is Why on YouTube.
August 27 · 17 min
Why Sudan's horrifying war is being ignored
Three years into Sudan's war, millions face hunger, displacement and violence. It was triggered by a power struggle between the army and a paramilitary organisation known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Britain could have a key role in ending the war as its ally the UAE has been accused of backing the RSF. Dominic Waghorn speaks to Sky's Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who has recently returned from Sudan where she visited El Obeid, a city where thousands of civilians have sought shelter. It is facing siege-like conditions, and she tells us about what life is like there and what hope people have that the war will end. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 26 · 22 min
Bob Harris: Why Dolly Parton was loved by all ages
Bob Harris joins This Is Why to remember Dolly Parton. He interviewed her many times during her decades-long career and explains why she meant so much to people from every generation. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 25 · 19 min
Why isn't there more help for teenagers leaving care?
112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 died last year, according to a government-commissioned review – that's three to four times the rate of their peers. Nick Martin, our people and politics correspondent, has been following the journeys of people leaving the care system for many years. Joining Niall, he shares the stories of those who have lived in care. He tells us about the challenges young people face and the changes that could help them when leaving the system. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 24 · 21 min
Why can't TikTok just get rid of 'joyriding' videos?
The "glorification of dangerous driving for clicks and entertainment" was "utterly disgraceful" and such content should be removed, a spokesman for the prime minister has said. This weekend, five young men died in a car travelling down on the wrong side of the A66; two policemen also died in the collision. In Ireland, just a week before, five boys died in a crash after their car was driven the wrong way down a motorway. Niall speaks to Dr Mary Aiken, a Professor of Forensic Cyberpsychology at the University of East London, and tech journalist Will Guyatt about what is driving young people to risk their lives in this way? And are social media companies doing enough to take down the content? Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 21 · 18 min
Why the NHS is working with ‘the world’s scariest CEO’
With his fuzz of chaotic grey hair and love of philosophy, Palantir boss Alex Karp isn’t your average tech bro. Not least because he recently published a pro-West manifesto that has been described as the “ramblings of a supervillain”. His highly-controversial data analytics firm is known by critics as “the world’s most dangerous tech company” - so what does it actually do and why does it sit right at the heart of the NHS? Niall is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe, for the latest episode of our series looking at the most important people in tech that you might have never heard of. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 20 · 19 min
Why now? Inside Harry and Meghan’s UK return
Six years after stepping back from royal life to live in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to the UK this month. After years of public rows, explosive interviews and a bitter rift with his father and brother – King Charles and Prince William – could this be a chance for Prince Harry to rebuild relations? In this episode of This is Why, Tom Cheshire is joined by Sky News’ royal correspondent Laura Bundock to unpack the Sussexes’ dramatic return and consider whether more is at play.
August 19 · 17 min
Why Trump’s split with South Korea is damaging his allies
Donald Trump is threatening to scale back US military commitments in South Korea - at the risk of wider instability across Asia. At the same time, the US president reaffirmed his “good relationship” with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. So, why is Washington apparently willing to change its approach to diplomacy and security in the region? In this episode of This Is Why, Niall Paterson is joined by Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo to examine the shifting balance of power on the Korean Peninsula and what a reduced US military presence could mean for their allies across the Asia-Pacific. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.
August 18 · 19 min
Why Russia is threatening the UK... again
"London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer." This was the short and not-very-sweet response from the Russian Embassy, after it was confirmed British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia. Drone strikes have been used to great success by Ukraine recently, causing serious damage to military, economic and industrial infrastructure in Russia. The Ministry of Defence defended the use of its weaponry, claiming the UK will continue to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine against "Russian aggression". It’s not the first time Russia has used this sort of threat – so how seriously should we take it this time? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.
August 17 · 16 min
Why the government defended its wildfires alert
Where were you at 7pm on Friday? Wherever you were, it’s likely you heard a loud alert activated on millions of mobile phones. It was the biggest use yet of the government’s emergency alert system, warning of the dangers posed by wildfires across England and Wales. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the use of the measure, encouraging the public to take it seriously. But was it more red herring than red alert? Should the system only be used if there is an imminent threat to life? Did it expose vulnerable people to potentially more danger? And what does it tell us about the way the Burnham government communicates? Niall is joined by Jo Tanner, a former adviser to Boris Johnson and now a director at PR firm Rud Pedersen.
August 14 · 15 min
Why we should all be worried about wildfires
If you thought wildfires were confined to the countryside, it's time to think again. Several homes have been destroyed across the West Midlands and Staffordshire as the country swelters in yet another heatwave. Scorching temperatures and a lack of rain mean most parts of the UK are at threat of fires. So what can you do to stay safe? And are the emergency services suitably prepared to deal with sustained infernos? Niall Paterson is joined by retired London Fire Brigade commander Steve Dudeney, who now works as a fire and resilience consultant.
August 13 · 17 min
Why record A-Level results won’t stop universities from struggling
As envelopes were ripped open up and down the country, university vice-chancellors were as eager to find out the results as hundreds of thousands of anxious students. So, a record number of undergraduates heading to campus this autumn might seem like good news for the higher education sector. But do frozen tuition frees, rising costs, and reduced investment for universities tell a different story? And with the prime minister encouraging more teenagers to take up vocational training, what does the future look like for universities? Niall Paterson is joined by Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
August 12 · 20 min
Why early prison release is an increasing burden for Burnham
You do the crime, you do the time… or a third of it if you’re part of the early release scheme. The move has been controversial since it was first introduced two years ago - but public anger has been reignited over the scheduled release of two men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is now under huge pressure to ensure they remain behind bars - but is there anything he can actually do? And why was this scheme introduced in the first place? Niall Paterson is joined by home affairs commentator and former adviser to Yvette Cooper, Danny Shaw. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk For more from our Insider podcasts such as Electoral Dysfunction – including ad-free listening, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more – become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction

Showing 21–40 of 65 episodes