Government proposals could see Sir Sadiq Khan having the final say on whether pubs and clubs can stay open late into the night. But will this help boost London’s night time economy or cause conflict between local councils and the London mayor? The Standard’s Transport and City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, is here to explain the situation. Plus, as we edge closer to the much-anticipated season finale of one of the most popular TV series in recent years, The Standard’s culture writer, Vicky Jessop, s...
Apr 04, 2025•15 min
US President Donald Trump unveiled a series of new tariffs today, potentially escalating a global trade war and reversing trade arrangements that have been in place for nearly eight decades. A 10% tariff has been placed on the UK, as a post-Brexit Britain escaped the far harsher tariffs levied on the EU. The London Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn talks through the responses and repercussions. In part two, which London neighbourhoods have gentrified the most rapidly? Local Democracy rep...
Apr 03, 2025•20 min
The Metropolitan Police is facing a £260million funding shortfall, prompting sweeping cuts across the force. 1,700 jobs are at risk , including officers, PCSOs and support staff. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has pledged to protect frontline response units and increase funding from City Hall, but public trust and service levels could be under pressure. The London Standard’s crime editor Anthony France joins us to explain how the Met’s finances reached this crisis point, which units are most vulner...
Apr 02, 2025•13 min
A three day hearing has commenced at London’s High Court as pupils, their parents and a collection of independent and faith schools appeal against Labour’s policy to impose VAT on school fees. In this episode, Tristan Kirk, the Court Correspondent for The Standard outlines who is bringing the challenge, explains why the hearing has been fast-tracked, and sets out the potential implications of a successful verdict. Plus, Sony Pictures has finally announced the cast for its biopic on The Beatles a...
Apr 01, 2025•15 min
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has opened a major summit on illegal migration, bringing together officials from over 40 countries at Lancaster House in London. In this episode we hear from The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford about Labour’s strategy to crack down on people smuggling and the role of social media in tackling online exploitation. Plus, as London prepares to open the £2.2 billion Silvertown Tunnel, we hear from Transport for London’s David Rowe and The Standard’...
Mar 31, 2025•13 min
The Chancellor has presented her first highly-anticipated Spring Statement to parliament. More extensive changes were made than expected , after Rachel Reeves' plans were blown off course by lower growth and higher government borrowing costs. Helena Wadia speaks to the London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford, about defence spending, welfare cuts, and Sabrina Carpenter tickets. In part two, H&M have announced they are creating AI model ‘twins’ - digital replicas of mo...
Mar 27, 2025•16 min
News broke late on Tuesday night that Prince Harry has stepped down from his role as co-founding patron of Sentebale , the charity he set up in memory of his mother. To find out more, we're joined by The London Standard's culture and lifestyle writer India Block. In part two, we join Emma Flynn who is currently starring as Cher Horowitz in the new West End musical, Clueless . We ask her what it's like to play such an iconic role, whether she's met Alicia Silverstone, what Cher would be like in 2...
Mar 26, 2025•16 min
The row over the Chancellor Rachel Reeves receiving tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert at London’s o2 Arena has grown on Tuesday, with Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook saying that he had never taken a free ticket for the flagship music venue in east London. Speaking to LBC Matthew said he personally did not believe it was “appropriate” to accept them. But what is the ministerial code, and have any rules been broken? We’re joined by The London Standard’s chief political corresponde...
Mar 25, 2025•14 min
As we approach this week’s spring statement we join The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford, who explains the government's plans to cut civil service running costs . Chancellor Rachel Reeves is now facing a war with unions amid claims as many as 50,000 people would lose their jobs. In part two we speak to historian Dr Leanne Langley as March 21st marked 200 years since Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony first premiered in the UK. The first performance took place at a popular ...
Mar 24, 2025•16 min
Restaurant critic David Ellis and food and drink writer Josh Barrie are back. This week they discuss why the upcoming spring statement is going to wreak havoc on London's nightlife industry . This concern comes at the same time as Westminster City Council’s recent proposal of “quiet nights” for pubs, clubs and bars to help curb resident complaints. Josh walks us through his recent article titled The suffocation of Soho: how London's creative rogue is being sanitised. Plus, how much bottomless la...
Mar 21, 2025•17 min
The 76-minute-long season two finale of Severance is almost here , to close what’s been another highly acclaimed series. The London Standard’s culture & lifestyle writer India Block speaks to star of the show, Dichen Lachman, about the chilling finale , technology fears, the writer's strike, and what Ben Stiller is like as a director. To read the full interview click here. In part two, Helena Wadia sits down with Met Office Presenter and Meteorologist Clare Nasir, to discuss London’s soaring...
Mar 20, 2025•17 min
Following on from our recent feature about the Netflix show, Adolescence, The London Standard’s columnist and Features Writer, Maddy Mussen joins us to take a deeper look into the language which is being used within the online culture of incels, explaining the word itself and concepts such as the manosphere, sigmas and looksmaxxing. In part two, The London Standard’s Transport and City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, is here to set out the findings of a recent report which reveals that London’s iconic...
Mar 19, 2025•15 min
As part of this week’s The London Question , we’re joined by The London Standard’s Transport and City Hall editor, Ross Lydall, who’s been writing about the safety of our capital’s buses . Why have the numbers in serious injury or fatality not improved, and what can be done to make journeys safer? Plus in part two: a new Netflix series has been creating headlines, earning praise for not only its hard-hitting storyline but also its captivating filming technique. Told across four-parts, each filme...
Mar 18, 2025•14 min
Sweeping changes to the welfare system are putting Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure . In this episode we hear from The London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford on what cuts to the Personal Independence Payment and other benefits could mean for some of the most vulnerable in society. We also hear from The Standard’s food and drink writer Josh Barrie about the hidden gem in Holborn where retro arcade games are going from seaside sideshow to centre stage. Hosted on ...
Mar 17, 2025•13 min
Trump’s Trade war is escalating - tariffs on steel and aluminium are in place and key trade partners are hitting back. We hear from The London Standard’s Business Editor, Jonathan Prynn, about the impact of this uncertainty on the markets and how it's being felt by the tech tycoons. Also in this episode we hear from Homes and Property Editor Prudence Ivey on the secret lives of London’s mega mansions . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 15, 2025•13 min
In today’s episode, Nicola Barron from Masterclasses for The London Standard is joined by journalist and author Erica Buist . Erica has written for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and Newsweek, covering everything from death festivals around the world to the internet’s strangest subcultures. With AI reshaping the media landscape and the future of journalism under scrutiny, Erica makes the case for why quality reporting matters more than ever. She shares insights on pitching, storytelling, and st...
Mar 14, 2025•14 min
The Prime Minister plans to abolish NHS England to 'cut bureaucracy' and bring the health service under government control , promising better patient care. To find out more Helena Wadia joins The London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford. In part two, can Sir Sadiq Khan clean up the capital’s rivers and make waterways swimmable? We’re joined by The London Standard’s Local Democracy Reporter Noah Vickers, after his walk through Walthamstow Wetlands with the Mayor of London....
Mar 13, 2025•16 min
Although discussions around climate change, with a focus on global warming, have been on-going for decades, there is a scenario which could see London facing extremely cold weather as the norm. So what happens to the capital if climate change gets out of control? Joining the podcast is climate scientist James Stewart, who has been writing about this very scenario for The London Standard. Plus, The London Standard's City Hall and Transport Editor, Ross Lydall, reveals the best and worst commuter ...
Mar 12, 2025•15 min
A US military fuel tanker and a cargo ship that collided off the coast of England, setting both vessels ablaze and spilling jet fuel into the North Sea, has raised concerns about the environmental impacts . How bad is the damage, and what happens next? Helena Wadia speaks with Marine Conservation Society CEO Sandy Luk about the potential risks to marine life and protected waters. In part two, we join The London Standard’s Crime Editor, Anthony France, to discuss the shocking rate of phone snatch...
Mar 11, 2025•18 min
It’s Commonwealth Day and King Charles III has turned music show host to mark the occasion. Presenting an hour-long show on Apple Music 1, the King is showcasing music from around the Commonwealth as well as some of his personal favourites. But what is Commonwealth Day and what does this 21st-century celebration say about today’s monarchy? On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr Ed Owens, historian of the modern British monarchy, royal commentator and author of After Elizabeth, Can the Monarchy S...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min
The London Standard is the media partner for this year’s Space-Comm Expo at the ExCel, which takes place between the 11th and 12th of March. Science and technology reporter Will Rogers-Coltman joins The Standard podcast to discuss the future of British space technology . Plus, we hear from Castrol on their AstroAnt robot: an exciting project that on Thursday, was set to become the first miniature robotic mission on the moon's surface. We caught up with Nicola Buck, CMO at Castrol, who designed t...
Mar 07, 2025•13 min
In today’s episode , Nicola Barron from Masterclasses for The London Standard is joined by Johannes Cullberg – entrepreneur, food industry expert, and author of Unprocess Your Diet in 30 Days . They discuss the rise of ultra-processed foods and how they’ve taken over our diets. Johannes offers practical advice on making small, sustainable changes to improve your health without drastic restrictions or extreme diets. Johannes’s session from The Bigger Life Festival is available to watch until 17 M...
Mar 06, 2025•12 min
The London Standard’s business editor, Jonathan Prynn, joins us to discuss this year's remarkable rise in the FTSE 100 . For an hour or so, the City’s famous index of shares in leading British listed companies grew for the first time in history, above the 8900 mark. So, what has driven this sudden reappraisal of the UK and the London stock market? In part two, we’re joined by award-winning children’s author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce to discuss this year’s London Book Fair, could AI w...
Mar 05, 2025•15 min
The fallout from Friday's public disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued, with the US pausing military aid to Ukraine. As Europe reels from Donald Trump’s decision, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has insisted the Prime Minister will not be “blindsided or bounced” from the pursuit of peace. But how long could Ukraine hold out without US support? We’re joined by The London Standard’s political editor, Nicholas Cecil. ...
Mar 04, 2025•13 min
Restaurant critic David Ellis and food writer Josh Barrie take over the podcast to celebrate British Pie Week (March 3-9). This year’s celebration comes with a twist as ministers recently urged the government to grant pies protected status. David and Josh discuss whether some restaurants are cashing in on nostalgia, the closure of traditional pie and mash shops, and how modern interpretations are reshaping the scene. Plus, they reveal their favourite pies and go-to spots for the best in London. ...
Mar 03, 2025•16 min
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan meets city hall and transport editor Ross Lydall to discuss the news of a public consultation and his plans to take control of Oxford Street. CALM CEO Simon Gunning joins us to discuss recent figures revealing that 50% of London-based adults believe the government should do more to prevent youth suicide. Plus, lifestyle and culture writer India Block visits Dennis Seevers' House in Shoreditch—a theatrical reimagining of Georgian-era living. If you have been affected b...
Feb 28, 2025•17 min
This episode includes explicit language. Our restaurant critic David Ellis interviews the famed chef Gordon Ramsay at the glass-walled dining room of Lucky Cat , his new restaurant on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate - London’s highest dining spot. Gordon discusses pricing, breaking America, and his reputation in the UK. To read the full interview, pick up a copy of this week’s edition of The London Standard or click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 27, 2025•15 min
Following Wednesday’s PMQs, the Government has responded in full to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out what they call tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability. 58 recommendations made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick when he published his long-awaited report in September are to be accepted in full. Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing some of the bereaved, said it will be ‘paying close attention to these words and intentions’. To walk us through their pledge we’r...
Feb 26, 2025•11 min
Was T.S. Eliot telling the truth when he wrote “April is the cruellest month”? Perhaps he had foreseen today, as news broke that millions of people are facing a perfect storm of rising bills on or around April 1 - including energy, water, council tax, train fares, mobile, and broadband bills. Helena Wadia is joined by The London Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn, to explain the predicted energy bill rises for millions of households. In part two, Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vi...
Feb 25, 2025•16 min
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, millions of children have had their education disrupted. To mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine , we’re joined by Sarah Brown, Chair of charity TheirWorld, to discuss how the organisation is supporting education and children throughout the conflict. Sarah has been working at Ukrainian President Zelensky's request directly with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as well as First Lady Olena Zelenska’s Foundation. H...
Feb 24, 2025•11 min
