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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Leslie Griffiths, Methodist minister and life peer in the House of Lords.

At a hearing held by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commitee secretary of state Michael Gove says a new criteria for farm payments will be announced in January. Show more

Alison Steadman provides a seasonal offering from Tweet of the Day for the Christmas period. Show more

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rise of Beethoven, from Bonn to Vienna, where he became one of the great composers, despite his growing deafness. Show more

Laurie Lee's writings bringing to life landscape and traditions of England in the last century. Read by Derek Jacobi. Show more

The increasing number of women and children having a 'foodbank' Christmas. Plus two actors reveal how a Christmas play in London is mirroring the stresses of the festive season. Show more

There’s been a burglary and Tina has a lightbulb moment as to who may have committed the crime. Stars Susan Wokoma. From 2017. Show more

There are 33 ways to dispel a mistress according to one of China's top love detectives. Ed Butler explores an unusual new industry that has arisen in some of China's top cities. Show more

Mark Lawson continues to examine how technology is affecting modern stories by showing how it has rendered scores of narrative tropes redundant and forced writers to work harder. Show more

On this day in 1917, hundreds of striking munitions workers at Beardmore's factory in Paisley returned to work, and in Tynemouth too, it is the first shift back after the strike. Show more

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The government accepts a critical report into disability benefits. Plus the tyres that have plenty of tread but are too old to be safe. Show more

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Analysis of news and current affairs.

Celebrating the winter solstice with mid-winter poems for the year's turning point, Anton Lesser reads Out of Danger by James Fenton. Show more

Cerys Matthews and Tris Penna explore the legacy of early UK gramophone records: a visit to the EMI Archive Trust. From 2015. Show more

Alan attempts to take control, and there is good news at Bridge Farm. Show more

When lightning strikes the apple tree outside the Druid's Rest, an ancient spirit is unleashed. Meanwhile, Gareth and Diane struggle with the demands of a new baby. Show more

Writer and walker Linda Cracknell joins Helen Mark along North Devon's rugged coast to seek out her maritime roots. Her family sailed out of Braunton on the Torridge and Taw. Show more

Comedian and writer Robert Webb makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of First Story. Show more

News and features from the world of books, presented by Mariella Frostrup. Literary Christmas gifts and crowd-funded publishing. Show more

Celebrating the winter solstice with poems for the year's turning point, Sir Derek Jacobi reads Winter Song by Katherine Mansfield. Show more

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh is joined by Clare Binns and Tim Robey as they look back at the best films of 2017 and look forward to things to come from 2018.

Adam Rutherford looks at the class of therapies hailed as a possible turning point in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingdon's. Show more

Celebrating the winter solstice with poems for the year's turning point, Siobhan Redmond reads Travelling in a Comfortable Car by Bertolt Brecht. Show more

Senior Tories have condemned former police officers whose actions contributed to the sacking of the First Secretary of State. The prime minister has called for an investigation.

Susan Calman tries to learn how to unwind, by learning to bake with The Great British Bake Off's Selasi Gbormittah. From 2017. Show more

Justin's evening takes a surprising turn, and Harrison smells a rat. Show more

Arts news, interviews and reviews. Jodie Foster on directing Black Mirror, The Hamilton phenomenon, Molly's Game reviewed and films to see this Christmas. Show more

There’s been a burglary and Tina has a lightbulb moment as to who may have committed the crime. Stars Susan Wokoma. From 2017. Show more

David Aaronovitch examines some of the promises made by Donald Trump during the campaign trail and whether he has delivered on them as US President. Show more

Imagine you are a refugee in Uganda with no money. How on earth do you start a business? John Murphy finds out. Show more

Adam Rutherford looks at the class of therapies hailed as a possible turning point in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingdon's. Show more

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rise of Beethoven, from Bonn to Vienna, where he became one of the great composers, despite his growing deafness. Show more

The UN votes against the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. President Trump threatens to cut off aid to countries supporting the motion. Show more

Humiliated by her childish infatuation with Johnnie Lomond, Eleanor seeks help. Read by Tracy Wiles. Show more

Andrew Maxwell brings you stand-up from around the world with Saudi-born Omar Ramzi and Kampala’s Kansiime Anne. From 2017. Show more

Susan Hulme reports from Westminster on MPs' worries about Russian interference in the UK political system and delays to a new system to tackle harassment at Westminster.

Celebrating the winter solstice. Traces, Gerda Stevenson; Snowdad, Jacob Polley; What My Lips Have Kissed, Edna St Vincent Millay; My Sad Captains, Thom Gunn. Show more

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.

Laurie Lee's writings bringing to life landscape and traditions of England in the last century. Read by Derek Jacobi. Show more

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