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File on 4 Investigates

BBC Radio 4
Mental Health
NHS
Ketamine
Domestic Abuse
Climate Change
Church Of England
Addiction
Brianna Ghey
United Kingdom
Burnley
Drugs
Homelessness
Liverpool
UK Government
Carbon Offsetting
Compensation Claims
Asylum Seekers
Employee Assistance Programmes
Mobile Phone Theft
Child Welfare

News-making original journalism documentary series, investigating stories at home and abroad.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes515Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for File on 4 Investigates

Latest Episodes

The number of children taken into care before they reach their first birthday is at a worryingly and persistently high level, according to new figures. In many of those cases it is unsafe for parents to look after their children - but experts believe... more

"Tinderbox"conditions created by a long, hot, dry summer brought a record number of wildfires in 2026. Dozens of homes were destroyed or damaged, huge areas of land burned, and one man died. But experts are warning there may be worse to come in futur... more

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light moved into a former orphanage in Crewe in 2021. It’s American-born leader Abdullah Hashem has declared himself the Madhi or saviour. But earlier this year, 500 police officers raided the organisation's headquart... more

In October 2015 President Xi Jinping was welcomed to Britain on a state visit, the event was seen as the pinnacle of the so called 'Golden Era' of warm relations between the UK and China. Over a decade later, and despite a cooling of that relationshi... more

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Recent Guests

Baroness Brown
Chair of the government's independent climate change committee
Climate Change Committee
Episode: Tinderbox Britain - Are we ready for more wildfires?
Tim Law
Former UK defense attaché in Beijing
UK Ministry of Defence / UK government
Episode: China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Dr. Ron Black
Tech executive involved with Imagination Technologies
Imagination Technologies
Episode: China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Garrick Heilman
Expert on blockchain and dual-use tech (interviewee)
Independent researcher
Episode: China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Prof. Bill Roscoe
Professor at University College, Oxford (Blockhouse Technology Limited)
University College Oxford
Episode: China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Xi Fengli
Investigator of Chinese hybrid warfare research
Independent researcher
Episode: China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Simon Cowie
Family friend of a doctor who died by suicide, featured to illustrate the pressures leading to tragedy
Family of a doctor, Doctors in Distress (context)
Episode: Medical Emergency
Joe Hacking
Well-being retreat organizer and contributor to the retreat described in the episode
NHS/Medical wellbeing space
Episode: Medical Emergency
George Julian
Journalist who covers inquests into deaths of people with learning disabilities
Independent journalist
Episode: The Coroners Question

Host

Use Most Common Full Names From Transcripts
Home Affairs correspondent, program presenters, and series hosts guiding investigative episodes across criminal justice, public safety, and policy.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 391 ratings
  • Proper investigative journalism

    Clever and incisive. Highly recommend for anyone interested in grown up public service journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RadioHead84!
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Inside Migrant Hotel

    Sue Mitchell is an investigative journalist I really admire. She is fair & puts all points of view. I felt bad for the Iraq family - 9 years & no settlement. They sound a good family, I think they would be an asset for the UK. They should be given asylum status & allowed to stay. The taxi situation is truly shocking. What are the Home Office doing. Can’t even give figures on how much this is all costing the tax payer & no figures on babies born in hotels. They just don’t care. Shows th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lynettelilac
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Awful background music playing in many episodes, while people are presenting

    There is absolutely no need to have music for paying while people are speaking and giving information. It makes so many episodes unbearable and I’m sure inaccessible for many people to. Please stop, the music adds nothing and really should not be done in podcasts - music should only be used as an interlude or while no one is speaking.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sghftp
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Appalling lack of balance

    In a programme about obstetric alternatives and modern obstetrics never once a mention of the changes in infant mortality between era of all free birth and the modern system. A hundred years ago infant mortality was ~20% now it is ~1%. The hatred of expertise is fatal and the BBC has a long track record of damaging public health having embraced Wakefield In the anti-vac early days.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    regattaguru
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The Organ Harvesters

    There are many good episodes in this series. The organ harvesters was particularly good and if you are new to this podcast, this is a very good place to start.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James99999
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the rigorous investigations and clear, balanced storytelling.
Some listeners note inconsistency in pacing or production elements across episodes.
Fans highlight strong, diverse guest lineups that bring multiple perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Q: What role did individuals like Tim Law and Kerry Brown play in framing the debate on China-UK relations?
Tim Law provided historical context from his experience in the UK defence establishment, while Kerry Brown offered expert analysis on the nuances of China's influence and the long arc of engagement versus risk, helping ground the discussion in real-world policy implications.
China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Q: How did security concerns about technology transfer surface in the Imagination Technologies case?
Executives faced direct approaches from Chinese state-linked entities to relocate or transfer critical GPU technology, which could have military applications; this prompted warnings, board-level resistance, and eventual actions to protect sensitive IP.
China and the UK... after the 'Golden Era'
Q: What did the so-called Golden Era actually involve in terms of collaboration and investment?
It involved large-scale collaborations between UK universities and Chinese investors that brought significant funding, partnerships, and prestige, but over time these ties created vulnerabilities as Chinese state interests and military applications became more evident, leading to tighter controls and new scrutiny.
Tricked into pregnancy? The Liv Nervo story
Q: Do you think this qualifies as reproductive coercion?
Experts and Liv describe reproductive coercion as deliberate attempts to dictate reproductive choices; the episode argues that coercion through deception can be a form of abuse and aims to push for legal reform.
Adding Up: How Councils meet the costs of Special Educational Needs
Q: What's helped you in school?
A combination of inclusive practices, local support, and targeted funding that allows the student to participate in various activities and programs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About File on 4 Investigates

What is File on 4 Investigates about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This investigative documentary series focuses on high-stakes public-interest stories, often examining the intersections of crime, policy, and accountability. Episodes frequently feature law enforcement perspectives, investigative journalism, survivor or insider testimonies, and expert analysis from academia and governance bodies. The show tends to dissect complex systems—justice, policing, healthcare, finance, and immigration—while weighing enforcement against prevention, reform, or support-based approaches. Notable strengths include in-depth, archival-style storytelling, diverse guest lineups, and a willingness to tackle controversial topics with a data-driven, human-centered lens that can illuminate underreported issues. For potential lis... more

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Which podcasts are similar to File on 4 Investigates?

These podcasts share a similar audience with File on 4 Investigates:

1. The Slow Newscast
2. The Crime Agents
3. The Story
4. Shadow World
5. Intrigue

How many episodes of File on 4 Investigates are there?

File on 4 Investigates launched 21 years ago and published 515 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact File on 4 Investigates?

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What guests have appeared on File on 4 Investigates?

Recent guests on File on 4 Investigates include:

1. Baroness Brown
2. Tim Law
3. Dr. Ron Black
4. Garrick Heilman
5. Prof. Bill Roscoe
6. Xi Fengli
7. Simon Cowie
8. Joe Hacking

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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