This Is Why

Sky News
This Is Why
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  • This Is Why

    Why the King's tax return leaves unanswered questions

    2026/06/26 | 15 mins.
    The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so.
    The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture?
    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases.
    They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why we're in the dark on defence under Andy Burnham

    2026/06/25 | 17 mins.
    It's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.
    But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.
    The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Healey - recently held talks with Burnham.
    But what do we know about our expected new prime minister's position on military spending? Will he prove to be more of a hawk or a dove when it comes to the defence of the realm?
    Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell and military analyst Sean Bell.
  • This Is Why

    Why is the UK feeling the heat more than ever?

    2026/06/24 | 22 mins.
    When an event discussing extreme heat at London Climate Week is called off due to... extreme heat, you know things are bad. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “London is cooking.”

    Yes, it’s summer and heatwaves are hardly a rarity. But as record temperatures in June follow record temperatures in May – it's the frequency and severity of these weather events that are frightening forecasters and climate scientists.

    With a rare red heat warning in place across much of England and Wales, hundreds of schools have closed, travellers have been warned to avoid public transport and there are threats of power cuts.

    But as our summers become ever hotter, are we doing enough to adapt national infrastructure? And why are politicians so hesitant to take transformative climate action?

    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why Brexit will define Burnham’s relationship with Europe

    2026/06/23 | 20 mins.
    A decade to the day since the Brexit referendum, the European Union has postponed a proposed summit to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe.
    Following the fall of the Starmer premiership, Brussels will now wait and see what a new Labour leader – likely to be Andy Burnham – wants to achieve from any potential EU negotiation.
    But as every prime minister over the past 10 years has discovered, trying to reshape those relations from outside the union is fraught with political danger.
    Will a Burnham Number 10 seek to strengthen ties with Europe? Could he call for a customs union - and be willing to pay the price? And how will it be viewed by the Leave-supporting voters of Makerfield and the rest of the so-called “Red Wall”?
    Niall Paterson is joined by Anne McElvoy, executive editor of POLITICO Europe and co-host of our sister podcast, Politics at Sam and Anne’s.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why did Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister?

    2026/06/22 | 22 mins.
    It's become a familiar sight in British politics - the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, ready for another resignation speech.
    On Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer became the sixth prime minister to stand down in almost a decade, despite on paper commanding a huge Labour majority.
    So, why was his departure inevitable? And what will be the Starmer legacy following his two years in office?
    Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell.
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About This Is Why
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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