In British political journalism, a few reporters become familiar faces because they consistently appear where the biggest political stories are happening. One of those figures is Vicki Young, a respected BBC journalist known for her clear reporting style and long experience covering Westminster politics.
Over the past two decades, Young has reported on some of the most important events in modern British politics, from general elections to major international summits. She is currently one of the most senior political journalists at the BBC and, more recently, the presenter of the political debate programme Politics Live.
Because she works in such a high-profile role, many viewers want to know more about her life and career. Questions like “Where is Vicki Young now?” or “What happened to Jo Coburn’s Politics Live?” appear frequently online. To understand the answers, it helps to look at the career path that led Young to the top of British political broadcasting.
This article explores Vicki Young’s background, her rise within the BBC, her role on Politics Live, and what she is doing today.
Who Is Vicki Young?
Vicki Young is a British journalist who works for BBC News as Deputy Political Editor and presenter of the BBC political programme Politics Live.
She has spent most of her career reporting on UK politics, particularly events inside Westminster. Over the years she has become known for her ability to explain complex political developments in a way that ordinary viewers can understand.
Her work often appears on major BBC news programmes including:
- BBC News at Six
- BBC News at Ten
- BBC Radio 4 political programmes
- BBC News Channel political coverage
Because politics affects every part of public life—from the economy to social policy—journalists like Young play a crucial role in helping audiences understand what is happening behind the scenes in government.
Early Life and Education
Vicki Young was born in 1971 in the United Kingdom and grew up in Cornwall.
She attended Truro High School for Girls, where she eventually became Head Girl, an early sign of the leadership and confidence that would later shape her journalism career.
After finishing school, Young went on to study at Cambridge University, where she focused on subjects that helped prepare her for a career in reporting and media.
Like many successful journalists, she developed an early interest in politics and public affairs. University provided the opportunity to refine her analytical thinking and writing skills—both essential for political reporting.
Starting Her Career in Journalism
Young began her journalism career working as a reporter for BBC Wales, gaining experience in broadcast reporting and news production.
Starting in regional journalism is common in the industry because it allows reporters to:
- learn how to investigate stories
- build interviewing skills
- report live on breaking news
- understand the structure of broadcast journalism
Her early work quickly demonstrated her ability to handle political stories, and she soon moved into a national role covering Westminster politics.
Moving to Westminster Reporting
Young later joined the BBC parliamentary team, where she began reporting on events in Westminster.
Political correspondents working in Westminster report on:
- government policy decisions
- debates in Parliament
- elections and leadership contests
- international political meetings
This environment is fast-paced and competitive. Political journalists must interpret complex policy announcements while also reporting quickly and accurately.
Over time, Young developed a reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable political reporter.
Becoming BBC Chief Political Correspondent
In 2015, Young was promoted to Chief Political Correspondent at BBC News.
This role placed her among the BBC’s most senior political journalists. She covered major stories including:
- general election campaigns
- Brexit negotiations
- UK government leadership changes
- international political events
During her career she has reported on multiple UK general elections, helping viewers understand the impact of political decisions on everyday life.
Political correspondents often work long hours during election periods, reporting live from campaign trails, party conferences and parliamentary debates.
Promotion to Deputy Political Editor
In October 2020, Young was appointed Deputy Political Editor of BBC News, one of the highest positions in the BBC’s political reporting team.
The Deputy Political Editor works closely with the BBC’s Political Editor to oversee coverage of major national political stories.
Responsibilities typically include:
- analysing government policy announcements
- coordinating political reporting teams
- conducting high-profile interviews
- appearing regularly on television and radio
By the time she received this promotion, Young had already spent more than two decades reporting on politics.
Becoming the Presenter of Politics Live
One of the biggest recent changes in Young’s career came in 2025, when she became the presenter of the BBC political programme Politics Live.
The show is a weekday lunchtime programme on BBC Two that focuses on the biggest political stories of the day.
Each episode typically includes:
- debates between political commentators
- interviews with politicians
- analysis of government policy
- audience participation
Young took over the role after long-time presenter Jo Coburn stepped down from the programme in 2025 after many years with the BBC.
Her appointment was widely seen as a natural progression because of her experience covering Westminster.
What Happened to Jo Coburn’s Politics Live?
Jo Coburn had been the main presenter of Politics Live since the programme launched in 2018.
However, in 2025 she decided to step down after nearly three decades working for the BBC.
After leaving the BBC, Coburn moved on to other broadcasting work, including presenting on Times Radio.
The BBC then selected Vicki Young as the new presenter of the show starting in June 2025.
For viewers, the transition meant the programme continued with the same format but with a new host bringing her own style and analysis.
Personal Life
Although Young is frequently seen on television discussing political issues, she tends to keep her personal life private.
She was married to Scottish journalist Rae Stewart, and the couple had two children together.
Stewart had a long career in journalism and later worked in communications and government advisory roles.
He sadly passed away in 2023 after an illness, prompting tributes from colleagues and friends across the media industry.
Despite these personal challenges, Young continued her work at the BBC, maintaining her reputation as one of the corporation’s most respected political reporters.
Where Is Vicki Young Now?
As of today, Vicki Young continues working at the BBC as Deputy Political Editor and presenter of Politics Live.
Her responsibilities include:
- presenting the lunchtime political debate programme
- reporting on major political developments
- providing analysis for BBC News programmes
Because British politics remains highly active—with frequent debates about economic policy, international relations and elections—Young’s role remains central to BBC political coverage.
Where Is John Pienaar Now?
Another well-known BBC political journalist often mentioned alongside Vicki Young is John Pienaar.
Pienaar previously served as BBC Deputy Political Editor and also presented political analysis programmes.
In recent years, he moved away from the BBC and joined Times Radio, where he presents political commentary and analysis programmes.
Like Young, Pienaar is known for explaining political events clearly to audiences, which has helped him remain a prominent voice in British political broadcasting.
Why Political Journalism Matters
Journalists like Vicki Young play an important role in democracy.
Political reporters help citizens understand:
- government decisions
- election campaigns
- policy changes
- international political relationships
Without experienced reporters analysing these issues, it would be much harder for the public to stay informed about how politics affects everyday life.
FAQs
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Where is Vicki Young now?
Vicki Young currently works for BBC News as Deputy Political Editor and became the presenter of the BBC programme Politics Live in 2025.
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What has happened to Jo Coburn’s Politics Live?
Jo Coburn stepped down from presenting Politics Live in 2025 after nearly three decades at the BBC. She later joined Times Radio, and Vicki Young replaced her as presenter of the programme.
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Where is John Pienaar now?
John Pienaar, formerly BBC Deputy Political Editor, now works in political broadcasting and commentary, including presenting programmes on Times Radio.
