The Standard

The Government has slashed Sir Sadiq Khan’s affordable housing targets after the number of affordable homes being started in  London  last year was revealed to be the second lowest on record. Local democracy reporter Noah Vickers joins us to unpack the latest data from City Hall. And in part two, Chief Theatre Critic Nick Curtis tells us about the hottest theatre tickets in town this sum...

Chief political correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to discuss the backlash against Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s migration reforms, with his immigration speech likened by MPs to the rhetoric of Enoch Powell. And in part two, Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk brings us the latest from P Diddy’s trial in New York , where the music mogul is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitutio...

Chief political correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to discuss the secret underground world propping up some of the capital’s most-hyped restaurants , fuelled by illegal immigration. And in part two, Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop shares all the news, shocks and surprises from Sunday’s BAFTA TV Awards ceremony. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between 2023 and 2024, police recorded a record high of 37,959 blackmail offences in England and Wales but what’s behind the increase in this type of crime?   Alexandra McCready is Head of Reputation and Privacy for law firm, Vardags, and joins us to reveal what really goes on behind closed doors when it comes to dealing with blackmail and sextortion.    Plus, how and why the recent...

After several days of commemoration events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, culminating in a memorial service today at Westminster Abbey, we’re joined by Laura Clouting, Senior Curator at the Imperial War Museum, to explore why the historic event still holds importance in today’s society and what we can learn from those who endured the Second World War.   Plus, as Sir David Attenb...

Tensions are rising between two nuclear powers after India launched missile strikes into Pakistan-controlled territory . Pakistan’s calling it an “act of war”. The London Standard’s reporter Jacob Phillips joins us to explain what’s happened, why now, and what it means for the UK and wider world. Plus, we hear from James Ashton, co-founder of Oscar’s Book Prize. He tells us about this year’s winni...

The Home Office has announced plans to crackdown on VISA applications to the UK. Under the proposed crackdown, applications from people who fit the profile of someone who may claim asylum and who are from countries with high rates of asylum claims will be rejected. The London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford discusses the ins and outs of the plans, and considers whether the...

The Government has been urged to take action after new research has found that more than half of London’s short-term holiday let properties are rented unlawfully.   The London Standard’s Local Democracy Reporter, Noah Vickers, is here to explain the rules around these sort of property rentals and examine why they are causing issues. Plus, as part of The Standard’s Hidden London series, a...

The United States and Ukraine have announced an economic deal which will tie the two countries together in a joint reinvestment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction. But what are the finer points of the deal and how could it impact any peace plan with Russia? The London Standard’s Rachael Burford is here with all the latest. Plus, we’ll find out about a major new food hall which is set to open in the...

New research that reveals people hit by SUVs are 44 percent likely to die than if they were struck by a conventional car, while children are 82 per cent more likely to suffer fatal injuries. But SUVs are some of London's most popular vehicles. The London Standard’s transport editor Ross Lydall joins the podcast. (edited)  In part two, Hiroshige: artist of the open road, at the British Mu...

With firefighters in London battling a huge blaze at an electrical substation, just over a month since a similar incident brought Heathrow Airport to a standstill, how worried should we be about the frequency of these substation fires?    And, in light of the recent events in Spain and Portugal, are there greater concerns about the stability of the UK’s power network?    John L...

The NHS is set to overhaul how it supports young people with gender dysphoria, with new proposals to screen for autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Leaked plans suggest a move away from a purely medical model towards a more holistic approach to care. The London Standard’s Daniel Keane explains what’s behind the changes, how they link to the Cass Review, and the reaction from cam...

Cyclists who kill pedestrians by dangerous cycling could now face life imprisonment in England and Wales under proposed changes to the law which are currently going through Parliament.    The London Standard’s Melanie McDonagh, who has herself been knocked down by a cyclist in the city, is here to tell us how the law has been amended and whether she thinks there’s still more to be done w...

Hackney Council has agreed plans to close four schools in the borough at the end of the school year, and more boroughs look to be following suit including neighbouring Islington where parents are anxiously awaiting an update on the potential closure of a further two primary schools in the area.    We join the London Standard’s Jacob Phillips who has been reporting on the story plus we he...

After signs of recovery last week, new data is painting a far gloomier picture for the global economy . The London Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn explains how Donald Trump’s tariffs are sparking fears of a worldwide recession and what it all means for the UK. Plus, The London Standard’s features writer and columnist Maddy Mussen joins us to discuss the latest Beckham family drama being...

With the announcement that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place at the Vatican this Saturday, the London Standard’s Melanie McDonagh joins us to explain some of the customs and traditions which are taking place during this time and explore who could be named as the next pope. And in part two, as Beyoncé’s mum, Tina Knowles, releases her memoir, ‘Matriarch’, what will we learn about the root...

Although Sharia law councils, often referred to as courts, have no legal jurisdiction within the UK, many people of Muslim faith turn to them for guidance on aspects of their everyday lives. With their number in the capital on the rise, award winning journalist, David James Smith, joins us for an in-depth conversation about his special report for The Standard into how these councils operate and wh...

Astronomers believe they have discovered the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside our solar system. A group of scientists, led by the University of Cambridge, have published the results of their study in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. One of the co-authors is Dr Subhajit Sarkar, a lecturer and astrophysicist at Cardiff University, and he joins us to explain more about...

UK inflation has dropped to 2.6% - the lowest since December. The fall, driven by cheaper fuel and hotel rates, is being hailed as a sign of economic stability. But is this just a blip or a sign that we’re past the cost of living crisis? The Standard’s Business Editor, Jonathan Prynn, explains what it means for wages, interest rates, and the wider economy. Plus, Arsenal face Real Madrid in tonight...

Police have been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the felling of an ancient oak tree in North London. Reports were made to Enfield Council on the 3rd April that the tree, in Whitewebbs Park, had been damaged, sparking local outrage and immediate concerns by the council.   Local business owner and campaigner for woodland protection, Lawrence Thor Stephen, from  Thors...

Visitor numbers to the UK’s leading art institutions have fallen sharply since the pandemic - with the Tate galleries alone seeing a drop of more than two million visitors in the last five years. In this episode, we hear from Rosie Kay, co-founder of the campaign group Freedom in the Arts, about her opinion piece for The London Standard . She shares her concerns that ideological messaging is...

High prices, rising utility bills, rogue landlords and poor living conditions are all contributing to a growing crisis in London’s rental market and it is young people who are bearing the brunt. With 2.7 million people renting in the city, paying on average around 40% of their income on rent alone, does this make London the worse place to be renting? Jacob Phillips joins us to talk about the chall...

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a raging blaze that tore through a block of east London flats late last night. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but witness accounts suggest the fire was started by a faulty e-bike battery. It’s not a unique story - a Standard investigation found fires sparked by “dangerous” e-bikes and e-scooters in London have doubled in ju...

More than 11,000 millionaires have left London in the last 12 months . It’s the biggest exodus of the super-wealthy from any city in the world, second only to Moscow. In this episode, The Standard’s news reporter Bill Bowkett joins us to discuss what’s driving the trend and what it means for London’s economic future. Plus, cuts to the Metropolitan Police mean  the end of officers in schools ....

A baby girl has made history as the first child in the UK to be born from a womb transplant. Amy Isabel Davidson was delivered at the end of February after her mum, Grace, received the womb from her older sister, Amy, in 2023. The pioneering transplant procedure follows decades of work by surgeons Professor Richard Smith and Isabel Quiroga. Daniel Keane, Health Correspondent for the Standard joins...