The Standard

The Evening Standard’s Maddy Mussen takes us inside the ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy’ London Facebook group where women share dating notes on men - with more than 20,000 members and counting.  The main aim is to vet a man you’re interested in, even before you meet him. Flag toxic behaviour, identify potential ‘players’ and more than anything, keep women safe.  But, can all the information...

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ordered a security review after the US shot down four unidentified objects believed to be ‘Chinese spy balloons’. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned that fighter jets are on standby to be launched within minutes to take down any that enter our airspace.  The Evening Standard’s Political Editor, Nicholas Cecil, discusses the political significance of the...

Selina Webb is the EVP of Universal Music in the UK. A former journalist, she joined the company’s Polydor label as Press Director in 1998, rising up to take her current position in 2016. In this episode we discuss  Why it takes longer than ever for new artists to cut through, despite there being more ways to discover them Selina's route into the music industry The innovation teams tasked wit...

In this month’s special ‘Let Girls Learn’ episode, we’re finding out about life for pregnant teenagers in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Being a girl here can be tough, they can often be exploited for sex by men and boys offering them ways to jump the extremely long queue for the water pump line, something known locally as ‘water for water’.  Teenage pregnancy can be common here but the girls...

Fourteen charities have teamed up to fundraise for Turkey & Syria . Government’s pledge to match-fund up to £5 million. How Londoners have been “absolutely amazing” in offering donations. Our Political Correspondent Rachael Burford explains the details behind the earthquake appeal, and Mas Patel from Abdullah Aid discusses how they’re supporting survivors. In this episode: The Earthquake Appea...

Twelve days after the mum-of-two's disappearance, what has the investigation uncovered?  Head of SGI marine search team: “I don’t think she fell into the water” , Lancashire Police’s caution over harmful speculation, and a warning for ‘amateur vigilantes’ visiting the area. The Evening Standard's Crime Reporter John Dunne discusses: What we know about Nicola’s disappearance How police have us...

Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle: four new departments plus five MPs given new roles - but why now? And who is the new Conservative chairman Greg Hands ? Our Deputy Political Editor David Bond examines the motive behind Rishi Sunak’s mini cabinet reshuffle, and discusses whether the public will see any tangible changes as a result. In this episode: What are the biggest changes from this mini reshuf...

Did Happy Valley just pull off one of the best endings to a TV series of all time? Around 7.5million viewers tuned in, and there's been a wave of reaction on social media. Could the show and cast win Baftas this year? The Evening Standard’s Lizzie Edmonds discusses why fans of Happy Valley love the show. And our Deputy Culture Editor Nick Clark examines Sarah Lancashire’s performance as the show’s...

Wayne Ting is the CEO of Lime Bikes, a start-up that launched in San Francisco in 2017, before doubling its value in 2019 and now has bikes in cities in all over the world. In this episode, Wayne talks to us about:  •The race to raise emergency funding with 90% of Lime's revenue disappearing. •Why "management with optimism" is essential during a crisis. •The challenges of persuading cities to...

The world’s biggest music awards - now in its 65th year - are just around the corner. Insight with Evening Standard music reporter Jonathan Kanengoni. In this episode: Beyoncé on cusp of becoming most nominated artist in Grammys history Stars taking stage in Lose Angeles include Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Sam Smith Florence & the Machine, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys also representing British con...

The Bank of England heaps more misery on Londoners with mortgages and credit card debt as the interest rate hits its highest level since 2008 - when Gordon Brown was prime minister. In this episode: - Base rate jump to four per cent now, up 0.5 per cent - Tenth successive hike - Bank of England tries desperately to curb soaring inflation - What hike means for personal finances and food bills - Now...

Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers are striking in Britain’s biggest day of industrial action for over a decade. In this episode: - Many schools closed and railway stations deserted - Train and bus drivers join civil servants and teachers walking out in pay and pensions dispute - Widespread disruption caused - Lecturers on picket line after rejecting below-inflation pay offer - Evening...

Is lab-grown meat the future? Find out how it’s made, what it tastes like and when it might be available at a restaurant near you as we tour the lab at Ivy Farm Technologies . In this episode: How Ivy Farm select and grow animals’ muscle and fat cells Why growing cultivated meat is similar to brewing beer How does a lab-grown meatball cook? Why cultivated meat can be suitable for vegetarians and v...

It’s the day after Rishi Sunak sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman for a “serious breach of the ministerial code” as an ethics investigation ruled ex-Chancellor Zahawi failed to declare an HMRC probe into his tax affairs. Now the PM’s battling a ratings slump just over three months into the top job. According to exclusive Ipsos polling for the Evening Standard, Labour leader Sir Ke...

Marvin Berglas founded Marvin's Magic in the UK 35 years ago. It's now in 60 international markets. This is a bonus episode cut down from our How to be a CEO podcast, to listen to the full episode click here . In this episode: The story of how they got into FAO Schwarz in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza Their role in innovating "retail theatre" and experiential shopping  How QVC and TV shopping...

Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has given a speech outlining his plans for UK economic growth - but it’s got many people asking where is the detail?   Mr Hunt said reducing inflation is the priority over tax cuts, that he intends to utilise opportunities from Brexit and increase investment outside of London. In part one, David Bond, the Evening Standard’s deputy political editor, looks at how t...

A major review has been ordered of passenger safety and the number of train services at London Bridge station, after dangerous levels of overcrowding left commuters in fear of being crushed. Passengers reported people being "kettled," having panic attacks and needing assistance to get out by station staff. In part one, Ross Lydall, the Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor & Transport Editor, di...

Pressure is growing on Nadhim Zahawi - and the Prime Minister - over calls for the Conservative party chairman to step aside.  Mr Zahawi’s political life is hanging in the balance amid claims over his tax affairs. Rishi Sunak faced tough questions over the controversy at PMQs - but the Prime Minister says the investigation he’s ordered from ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, will provide the...

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued a high air pollution alert for the capital and urged people to “be careful”.  Londoners have been told to avoid unnecessary journeys in a bid to help lessen pollution levels.  It comes after the Mayor has faced criticism over his plans to widen the Ultra Low Emission Zone across the whole of the capital.  In part one, Frank Kelly is profes...

Ambulance workers are striking again - for the third time in five weeks - as the dispute over pay and staffing rumbles on.  In part one, we speak to London paramedic and Unison representative, Steve Johnson, about why they are striking for the third time in five weeks - and their plans for any possible future action. In part two, the Evening Standard’s health reporter, Daniel Keane, explains...

John Hitchcox is the founder and chairman of Yoo, a global real-estate and development company, and the world’s largest non-hotel residential brand. He's also one of those behind a £1bn regeneration of Olympia in London. In this episode we talk about: How he's inspired by "things that I need and the things that I want" Why he created the enormous Lakes estate in the Cotswolds  His plans for O...

In this month’s special ‘Let Girls Learn’ episode, we’re talking about periods in El Salvador. Menstruation is viewed here as a subject only for women, it’s seen as dirty and believed that when someone is experiencing one, they should hide themselves away.  Local journalist, Julia Gavarrete, takes us to ‘the Power of the Red Butterflies’ project in Chalatenango, where they are aiming to dispe...

The mystery and search continues for 35-year-old former It-girl and aristocrat Constance Marten, her partner Mark Gordon and their newborn baby who've been missing since January 7th . It emerged this week that Gordon is a convicted sex offender who spent 20 years in US jail. Manchester Police are leading the investigation into their disappearance. Katie Strick , the Evening Standard’s feature writ...

Nurses using food banks and working second jobs to stay afloat. Royal College of Nursing union’s 48-hour strike begins . Will the government back down over the pay rise dispute? Natalie Brooks, a Nurse and RCN member, explains why she’s taking strike action. Plus our Health Reporter Daniel Keane discusses the politics around the industrial action, and how the government is dealing with the dispute...

The ‘political statement’ behind new ITV drama Maternal . Why don’t we talk about the tough return to work post-maternity leave? Does the system need to change? Maternal writer Jacqui Honess-Martin discusses her decision to highlight the struggles of a post-pandemic NHS, and her ‘political statement’ around the realities of women returning to work from Maternity leave. In this episode: What was th...