Today Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Donald Trump that "Putin is bluffing” as he discussed the obstacles to ending the war in Ukraine with the US President and other world leaders in a phone call . It comes ahead of this Friday's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Before the world leaders met, Dr Svitlana Romanko, the Ukrainian Executive Director of Razom We Stand, a climate campaign fighting to cut off the money fuelling Russia’s war, shared her thoughts about what lies ahead. And in pa...
Aug 13, 2025•17 min
The capital is experiencing its fourth heatwave of the summer, with amber warnings in place for parts of England until Wednesday, as temperatures are expected to hit 34 degrees . But housing in the UK isn’t designed for such heat, and residents of tower blocks are at particular risk. Experts say that many new homes being built in the UK are not designed to withstand extreme summer temperatures. To find out more, architecture writer Phin Harper joins us alongside Joshua Emden, a senior research f...
Aug 12, 2025•15 min
London’s disgusting Wet Wipe Island is finally set to be removed from the Thames, with work under way to excavate the estimated 180 tonnes of congealed waste near Hammersmith Bridge. We hear from John Sullivan, Thames Water’s Head of Tideway Integration Group, and Emily Carr, policy adviser at the independent think tank and charity Green Alliance, about how to prevent more waste from accumulating in the capital’s waterways. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson joins us...
Aug 11, 2025•14 min
Labour’s homelessness minister, Rushanara Ali, has resigned from government after it emerged she evicted four tenants from a property she owns - before re-letting it just weeks later and hiking the rent by £700 a month. The move would likely be prohibited under Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which introduces new protections for tenants. When Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill comes into force, this action will be illegal. We hear from The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford, and ...
Aug 08, 2025•16 min
Millions of homeowners were handed a boost today when the Bank of England cut its interest rate from 4.25% to 4% . The reduction is the fifth over the past year, and brings borrowing costs down to their lowest since March 2023. Theo Harris, an economist at the New Economics Foundation joins us to discuss the news. And in part two, Nick Curtis, The Standard’s Theatre Critic and co-host of The London Theatre Review Podcast, reviews broadway show Good Night, Oscar , which features Will & Grace ...
Aug 07, 2025•13 min
The Metropolitan Police plans to close half of its front desk to save money . In a list published overnight, Scotland Yard confirmed it will break its pledge to have one accessible 24 hours a day , in each of the 32 boroughs. It comes amid an epidemic of knife crime, mobile phone snatches, shoplifting and bike theft across the capital. The Standard's Crime Correspondent Anthony France reacts to the news. And in part two, features journalist Katie Strick delves into the grim reality of modern dat...
Aug 06, 2025•15 min
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron's migrant deal comes into force today , with detentions set to begin from tomorrow. The ‘one in, one out’ pilot scheme allows the UK to send some people who have crossed the Channel back to France, in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. Daniel Sohege, a specialist in international refugee law and protection, and the director of human rights organisation Stand For All, joins us to discuss whether it will deter people from crossing the Channel. An...
Aug 05, 2025•15 min
The Met Police could be “tested to the limit” as hundreds have been urged to declare support for Palestine Action in central London this weekend . Protesters are being urged to turn up en masse to test whether the state can respond to such a big endorsement for the recently proscribed terror group, with organisers saying “there is safety in numbers”. Tim Crossland, a former government lawyer, who now campaigns with the civil liberties movement Defend Our Juries, has the latest. And in part two, ...
Aug 04, 2025•17 min
Today US President Donald Trump has slapped steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners around the world . At 10 per cent, the UK has been promised the lowest US tariff rate so far. But what does this all mean? Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now - an organisation that campaigns for a fairer global economy - is here to unpack the news. And in part two The Standard’s Going Out Editor and Restaurant Critic David Ellis explains why so many New Yorkers are swapping the Big Appl...
Aug 01, 2025•16 min
The Standard’s special report this week examines a worrying pattern of crime taking place in the capital. Shops across London are repeatedly having their windows smashed - yet nothing is stolen. Is it just broken glass, or a shattering conspiracy? The Standard’s Claudia Cockerell has the latest. And in part two, if you’re still craving a summer holiday , freelance travel writer Alicia Miller is here with a roundup of some of the best trips to take before the season ends. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
Jul 31, 2025•14 min
Knife crime has soared by 86% in London in a decade, according to a report from the Policy Exchange think tank . Just 20 streets around Oxford Circus and Regent Street accounted for one in every 15 knife attacks across the capital, it found. Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer shares the findings and explains what needs to happen to tackle the capital's crime epidemic. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop shares her t...
Jul 30, 2025•16 min
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired an emergency cabinet meeting and announced that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September , unless the Israeli government takes steps to end the "appalling situation" in Gaza. Before the announcement, Dr David Wearing, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex and an expert on UK foreign relations in the Middle East explained what needs to happen to resolve the conflict. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Cultur...
Jul 29, 2025•16 min
Today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Donald Trump at his golf course in Scotland, Turnberry for talks.The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was top of the agenda, but the US President also doubled down on his controversial comments that an “invasion” of migrants is “ruining” Europe. And in part two, The Standard’s Football Writer Simon Collings shares what’s next for The Lionesses after the team won the Women’s Euro 2025 championship yesterday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
Jul 28, 2025•14 min
Today new measures as part of the Online Safety Act mean people will need to verify that they are over 18 to access harmful and toxic content online - with the intention of restricting children from accessing material such as pornography, and content referencing self-harm, suicide, hate speech and violence. Cyber security expert Chelsea Jarvie explores whether these ‘age gate’ measures go far enough. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, joins us ahead of tonight’s Oa...
Jul 25, 2025•15 min
Anti-migrant protests have continued to erupt this week. The Met Police have responded to a second consecutive night of anti-migrant protests outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, following confirmation that asylum seekers will be accommodated there. Meanwhile, Epping Forest District Council has asked for the immediate and permanent closure of two local asylum hotels, citing a series of “serious incidents” in the area. To unpack these protests and how authorities are reactin...
Jul 24, 2025•15 min
England’s Lionesses have clinched their place in the Euro 2025 final , after winning yesterday’s semi-final match against Italy. Teenage striker Michelle Agyemang scored in the 96th minute, to take the game to extra time, before Chloe Kelly sealed the victory by driving home the rebound from her saved penalty. The Standard’s Sports Writer Dom Smith has the latest. And in part two, Will Hosie, Lifestyle Editor of Country Life magazine, and a contributor to The Standard, shares his experience of m...
Jul 23, 2025•14 min
The government has stepped up its crackdown on anyone involved in assisting illegal migration in the UK. Foreign secretary David Lammy described the new sanctions, which will be implemented tomorrow, as ‘world first’ measures to tackle people smuggling. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford joins us with the latest. And in part two, John Darlington, director of the World Monuments Fund, explores the history of the Ragged School Museum in the capital’s East End, which is th...
Jul 22, 2025•16 min
Ofwat is to be scrapped as part of a radical overhaul of a “broken” water regulatory system Environment Secretary Steve Reed confirmed today, following the publication of a major report from the Independent Water Commission. Giles Bristow, CEO of the campaign group Surfers against Sewage, responds to the news - and Paul Powlesland, Barrister at Lawyers for Nature, explains why he decided to become a guardian of the River Roding in East London, to spot illegal sewage leaks. And in part two, Sadiq...
Jul 21, 2025•16 min
A major data breac h which led to thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK became public knowledge for the first time this week. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reviews Apple TV’s The Studio, the must-watch, Emmy-nominated satirical show from Seth Rogen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 18, 2025•16 min
Today unemployment rates have risen to 4.7% , which is the highest rate since the second lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. But what’s the truth behind the figures? Professor Ashwin Kumar, Director of Research and Policy at the Institute of Public Policy Research, is here to unpack the data. And in part two, The Standard’s dance critic David Jay explores the uncertain landscape of youth dance , ahead of Sadler’s Wells and Sadler’s Wells East YFX festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
Jul 17, 2025•14 min
The UK rate of inflation has increased to an 18-month high of 3.6% to the shock of economists - and households are facing a new squeeze, with accelerating food, drink and fuel prices. The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s comedy critic, Bruce Dessau is here with a preview of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 16, 2025•15 min
In an unprecedented trial at The Old Bailey, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, who went on the run with their newborn daughter , have been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk has the latest. And in part two, writer Charlotte Ambrose explores the enduring appeal of Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City fashion , which is now reaching new Gen Z audiences via social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 15, 2025•16 min
Treasury minister Darren Jones has left open the prospect of freezing the thresholds for paying income tax beyond 2028 , as the government scrambles to balance the public finances. Pranesh Narayanan, a research fellow within the Institute for Public Policy Research, explains what the impact of this would be, and explores other ways to raise tax revenues. And in part two, lifestyle journalist Jessica Salter reveals why London gym Before the Lights has become a celebrity hangout. Hosted on Acast. ...
Jul 14, 2025•13 min
In The Standard’s latest special report, reporter Jacob Phillip has been investigating the capital’s vanishing schools , with more than 30 primaries in the capital set to shut or merge before the next academic year. He joins us to unpack the reasons behind this trend, which is also affecting other parts of the UK. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reviews Justin Bieber’s new surprise album, Swag - which the Canadian singer says is his most personal to date. Hosted...
Jul 11, 2025•14 min
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Jul 10, 2025•38 min
Today Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a policing blitz on London’s 20 most blighted town centres for shoplifting, robbery, knife crime and anti-social behaviour. The Standard’s Crime Editor Anthony Frances has the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, gives his verdict on the latest Superman film which is out in cinemas on Friday 11 July. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 09, 2025•14 min
Today, the first volume of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report delivered a devastating assessment of the damage done by the scandal, which is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history . It focuses on the “disastrous” impact of false accusations made against at least 1000 postmasters. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk has the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Food and Drink writer Josh Barrie shares how NYC-style pizzas are taking centre stage in the...
Jul 08, 2025•15 min
It’s been 20 years since the 7/7 bomb attacks in the capital which killed 52 people and injured several hundred. The Standard is joined by Islamic scholar Thomas Small, and survivor Mustafa Kurtuldu, to discuss the aftermath. You can hear more from Thomas Small in Conflicted - 7/7 The Inside Story , produced by Message Heard for Wondery. And in part two, is Scandinavia the new Mediterranean? Travel writer Alicia Miller joins us to discuss where you might want to visit for a ‘coolcation’ this sum...
Jul 07, 2025•15 min
Today marks one year since Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer entered No. 10 Downing Street, but it’s been a tricky start, as he faces plummeting polls, backbench rebels and sudden U-turns. The Standard’s reporter Fred Hood takes to the street to ask the public how they feel about his policies, and Chief Correspondent Rachael Burford explains the challenges that lie ahead - plus the latest on the news that Ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana will set up a new independent party with Jeremy Corbyn. And...
Jul 04, 2025•15 min
Sam Hunter, Alex’s childhood friend, recounts the eerily similar death of another friend, Liam Anderson, in Sydney, Australia. Journalist Sacha Batthyany delves into the psychology of extreme wealth, exploring a self-help course designed for those born into unimaginable privilege. Then, a shocking revelation—a third death within this same social circle. We zoom out to examine the toxic mix of privilege, drugs, and the dangerous sense of invincibility that pervades this world of young, affluent m...
Jul 03, 2025•30 min
