The Standard

The Government has officially announced its proposals to replace the Human Rights Act in the UK with a new bill of rights.The proposal has been described as a ‘blatant power grab’ by campaign groups, but the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab claims the new bill of rights will strengthen the ‘UK tradition of freedom of speech’, and ‘better protect the public from dangerous criminals’.The proposed bill has been in the works since 2019 when the government’s manifesto pledged to update the Human Rights Act.The announcement comes just days after a deportation flight taking asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights.The Evening Standard’s Home Affairs Editor Martin Bentham explains what the bill actually means, and Steve Valdez-Symonds from Amnesty International tells us why he’s against the proposed bill.Follow us on Twitter for more news @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The worst train strikes in 30 years are going ahead this week, as members of the RMT Union take industrial action against plans to cut more than two thousand jobs, while calling for better pay.It’s thought just one in five trains will run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in what’s been called the biggest outbreak of industrial action on the railways for a generation.Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested the strikes are a ‘stunt’ being carried out ‘for effect’, and claimed face-to-face discussions between the government and unions don’t lead to resolutions.We hear from Mick Lynch, Secretary General of the RMT Union about why they are striking, and the Evening Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn takes a look at how the strikes will hit London’s economy, and how much more travel disruption the capital can take.Follow us on Twitter for more news @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As London braces itself for an onslaught of industrial action across the transport network, what’s at stake, what is the Mayor doing — and will it continue for months? We speak to transport journalist, and author of British Rail: A New History, Christian Wolmar who tells us:  The inside story of why negotiations are so hardWhy both the government and unions see strikes as an advantage to themHow TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan are frustrated at being stuck in the middleHow the current action hasn't been seen since 1982What it will take to end negotiationsWhy you should expect more strikes through summer and into the winterYou can read more analysis from Christian Wolmar at standard.co.uk, and follow our live blog for up-to-the-minute news on the rail and tube strikes.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ella Mills is the founder of UK wellness brand Deliciously Ella - focused on plant-based food and improving health, which marks its ten year anniversary this year. In this episode Ella discusses how her business started as a health blog, and snowballed into a lucrative and varied business.Listen to the full episode of How to be a CEO here.In the full episode Ella talks about:Marking its ten year anniversary (1.19)How Deliciously Ella started as a blog (2.48)How Ella used plant-based food to recover from her illnesses (5.41)Managing to stick to a plant-based diet (8.12)Building a brand before building a business (10.04)What it's like running such a varied business (10.46)Ella's decision to buy out her investors (11.42)How Ella's been successful...despite doing some things backwards (15.32)Is the brand to blame for the growth in plant-based food? (16.04)Will there be exponential growth in the plant-based food market? (18.51)Might Deliciously Ella brand out into fake meat products? (21.27)What's next for the business? (23.01)Ella's hopes and wishes for 2022 (24.17)You can check out some of Deliciously Ella on Instagram.Remember to follow us on Twitter for more news from the Evening Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can London transform to an all electric vehicle infrastructure? Our City Hall editor, Ross Lydall tells us how the Evening Standard’s launched its Plug It In campaign to help Londoners better understand the electric vehicle landscape and drive forward the conversation on a policy level, and at global scale. And we talk about the upcoming rail strikes and how Londoners can get around the city.Also in this episodeSadiq Khan on why electric vehicles “aren’t a silver bullet” but still vital for London’s environmentThe costs of buying – and maintaining – an electric carWhy London has nearly a third of the entire UK’s electric vehicle charging points, but it’s still not enoughWhat’s happening with the rail and tube strikes next weekCan we expect more strikes in the summer months?To learn more about the Evening Standard’s Plug It In campaign click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has issued a white paper setting out what’s been described as "the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in 30 years". It said the changes will "redress the balance" between landlords and private tenants in England, and include a pledge to outlaw “no-fault” evictions (where landlords can end tenancies without giving a reason).The proposals also feature new rules making it easier to own a pet in rented accommodation, and a doubled notice period for rent increases.CEO of the National Residential Landlords Association Ben Beadle gives his reaction to the proposals, and explains how landlords are likely to respond to the changes.And Livi Elsmore from the Renters Reform Coalition gives the renters’ perspective on the shake-up, and explains how the proposals can benefit those in rented accommodation.Follow us on Twitter for more news @EveningStandard  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first flight due to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda under the government’s new deportation policy has been cancelled.It was called off because of a last-minute intervention from the European Court of Human Rights, blocking the removal of those who’d been scheduled to be on the plane.Ministers have described it as a ‘temporary set-back’ in their plans, and remain confident a second flight will leave the UK soon.We speak with Frances Swaine, a solicitor from Leigh Day representing one of the people due to fly out on the deportation flight about what happens next, and how her client is coping.Plus the Evening Standard’s Political Editor Nicholas Cecil examines what this latest drama means for the government, and considers what Boris Johnson’s next moves might be.Follow us on Twitter for more news and analysis @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As London marks five years since the Grenfell Tower Fire, we are looking back at the last half-decade to find out what lessons have been learned from the disaster, and what changes have or haven’t been implemented since.Campaigners claim there’s still work to be done to eradicate the cladding from buildings across the country, and get justice for the 72 that died.The Evening Standard’s Rachael Burford runs us through the history of the fire, what happened that day, and the revelations that followed the Grenfell Inquiry.Plus, Joe Delaney from Justice 4 Grenfell who witnessed the fire itself and has been taking part in the inquiry, talks to us about how it has impacted his life over the last five years, and what changes he wants to see from the government.And we speak with Emma Butt, Children’s Champion at the Nova charity about how children impacted by the disaster are still struggling with their mental health today.Follow us on Twitter @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following reports Google has developed a “sentient” artificial intelligence chatbot capable of reasoning and thinking, what is the future role of AI and the vast amounts of data washing around London?For a special edition, we’re at Westminster’s QEII Centre for the first day of London Tech Week, which has been rebranded for the week as a trendy “campus” for the leading lights in technology to get together.We ask City Hall’s Chief Digital Officer Theo Blackwell about the practicalities of using data as a tool to address violent crime and poverty, and whether blockchain’s actually viable for running city services.Plus, is there enough oversight to stop the machines taking over?We also look at what role AI might actually have in our working and personal lives in the near future.To answer these questions, we hear from David Guile, Professor of Education and Work at UCL, who discusses the role of humans in the 21st Century workplace, and how to work out if you’re speaking to a human or a chatbot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Murray Ellender is CEO and co-founder of eConsult, an online consultation system for GPs currently in use in more than 3,200 practices around the country.Disrupting tradition and work practicesThe methods eConsult used to set a price point for something didn’t existThe dilemmas faced by doctors during the Covid-19 pandemicTo hear the full episode from our How to be a CEO podcast click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s been a tale of woe for Londoners trying to go about our daily business - those Tube strikes left more people cramming on buses, trying our best to keep calm and carry on. As the summers temperatures rise, there’s more industrial action on the horizon - but how about the future?In 2050, the population’s is predicted to have risen by well over a million people. So how will the road and TfL’s Tube and rail networks cope, and how is planning for freak events, such as pandemics, undertaken?It’s not all flying taxis - although that could be part of the solution.The answer begins with your “digital twin” making up a “synthetic population” of Londoners zipping around a computer doing virtual tasks and errands - just like humans would. The Leader’s joined by Dr Aruna Sivakumar, a reader in consumer demand modelling and urban systems at Imperial College London’s Centre for Transport Studies.Dr Sivakumar’s also director of the Urban Systems Lab, and is a research expert on smart cities of the future.We break down why “microsimulation” mapping is critical to stop the capital grinding to a halt in the future, discuss grid demand from electric vehicles and flying taxis.You can hear us discuss the controversial per-mile charging and whether the capital’s olde worlde streets are fit for purpose in the second half of the 21st Century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson is hoping that housing can save him. The Prime Minister is counting on his new policy to win over the rebel Tory MPs who voted to oust him earlier this week.Under the plans, lower-paid workers will be able to use housing benefits to buy their homes and there will be an extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants. Sounds like a good idea on paper right? Well, it might not be that simple, as Dr Niko Szumilo, Associate Professor at University College London and Director of The Bartlett Real Estate Institute explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest rail strike since 1989 is imminent unless an agreement can be reached. It comes as the RMT union has announced a new Tube strike that will coincide with it, adding to what is already set to be major disruption.The union confirmed 10,000 of its members are set to walk out on Tuesday, 21st June as part of a dispute over pensions and job losses. Workers are already preparing to shut down the country’s rail network with strikes on 21st, 23rd and 25th June.The Evening Standard’s Political Reporter Rachael Burford explains just how bad this could all be for London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson won the no-confidence vote but not by as much as he thought he would. Meaning there’s more MPs in his own party who want him out of office than he’s actually aware of…The Prime Minister hasn’t got too long to recover either, there are by-elections on the horizon and his next steps are being watched closely. The Evening Standard’s Deputy Political Editor, David Bond, discusses the PM’s strategy moving forward, whether or not he can bounce back or if his days at number 10 are numbered.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even when they win, Tory party leaders should be wary of confidence votes.Much of the process is done in secrecy. We don’t know the names of those who hand in their letters to the chair of the 1922 committee, calling for a vote.Some of those who publicly support a Prime Minister could be privately plotting against them. Meanwhile, negotiations take place in quiet offices. Deals are made. Promises, too. And sometimes not just by the person in charge. Challengers can be negotiators as well.The Evening Standard’s Political Editor, Nicholas Cecil, joins us from our Westminster office, to explain how it works, the significance of this one in particular and what this means for the future of the Conservatives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode we're giving you an interview with Fiona Cannon OBE from the Lloyds Banking Group.Fiona is the Director for Sustainable Business at Lloyds and she's responsible for inclusion and diversity.To hear the full episode from our business podcast How to be a CEO, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, becoming the first British monarch to mark 70 years on the throne, we are taking a look back at her reign, and exploring the significance of this jubilee.We speak with Royal Historian and Author Dr Edward Owens about Queen Elizabeth’s history, significant moments during her reign, and what she’ll be remembered for.Historian and Curator Charles Farris from Historic Royal Palaces takes us through the history of jubilees, and how this platinum event will compare to those throughout history.Also, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Tim Waters discusses Her Majesty’s relationship with the attraction, and how her models were created.And we hear from the CEO of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant Rosanna Machado about what is in store for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London.In this episode:A look back at the Queen's 70-year reign (1.13)Cultural changes over the last 70 years (2.17)Queen Elizabeth's role in keeping the Commonwealth going (5.21)The history of Jubilee celebrations (7.24)How will today's jubilee compare to those of the past? (9.28)PART TWOQueen Elizabeth's relationship with Madame Tussauds (11.28)The process of modelling royalty (12.40)The royal family models coming together for the Jubilee (15.03)What's in store for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant? (15.58)How the pageant has been put together (16.48)Remember to follow us on Twitter for more news @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of teaching unions and other organisations are calling on the government to expand the free school meals scheme.The group, claiming to represent one million school staff, have sent a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi asking for an “urgent” expansion, to include all children in families receiving universal credit or equivalent benefits.  It’s as recent figures from the Office For National Statistics show the lowest priced items at UK supermarkets went up by around 6 or 7% in the year to April.Richard Bettsworth from the Association of School and College Leaders explains why they're asking the government for an expansion of free school meals, why it would be a 'modest' investment, and how families, including those not on universal credit, are struggling.In this episode:How the current free school meals scheme works (1.27)What’s prompted calls for an expansion of the free school meals scheme? (2.07)Levels of poverty in schools (3.28)Is there a case for all children to get free school meals? (4.43)PART TWOWill the government bow to the pressure and expand the scheme? (6.15)Is the government’s current support enough? (7.19)Some families who don’t quality for universal credit are struggling (7.58)How free school meals can benefit children’s education (8.59)Follow us on Twitter for more news and interviews @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend there are fears holidayers will be hit with travel problems, after a series of delays and cancellations to flights and ferries abroad.Hundreds of flights were cancelled in airports across the UK over the weekend, while passengers travelling abroad via Dover have reported being ‘stuck for hours’.We speak with the Evening Standard’s Crime Correspondent Anthony France about what problems passengers have been facing, and why there have been so many issues.Plus Travel Journalist Lisa Francesca Nand explains what compensation is available to travellers hit by disruption, and how to claim it.Remember to follow us on Twitter for more news and interviews @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erik Torstensson, co-founder and creative director of denim designers FRAME, invites us to their brand new store in London.To hear this episode in full click here.In this episode we talk about FRAME's 'pure' range, the issue with making Jeans, producing sustainable and environmentally-friendly fashion, and behind the scenes of their flagship store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’ve already taken you on the first passenger journey on Crossrail, but what else is going on beneath us in the capital?London's new £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel, or ‘super sewer’, is due to open in 2025 to help cope with capital's overflowing waste water.With the existing system, when there’s heavy rain, sewage overflows into the River Thames, polluting the water and killing marine life, which happens up to 60 times a year.We take a trip down into one of the 70-metre deep project’s cavernous bores, at its Battersea riverside access shaft, to meet project manager Ignacio Tognaccini - and hear some surprising subterranean music.In today’s episode we’ll also be looking at the challenges of digging through London’s damp clay while avoiding hundreds of years of other infrastructure projects, and making sure these huge bores don’t collapse in on themselves.Plus we’ll look at the top secret stuff below the pavements, where maps show only a grey void and government telephone number.The Leader speaks with Martin Knights, a tunnelling engineer who chairs construction firm London Bridge Associates, about modern digging processes and the challenges of avoided existing, centuries-old buried infrastructure.We also meet infrastructure expert Liz Reynolds, an urban planner for Hackney-based studio called Tapestry and former town planning advisor for Crossrail’s central stations.She discusses why it’s so tricky to find the best spot to dig and looks at early tunnels, such as the Brunel-built Thames Tunnel linking Wapping to Rotherhithe in the early 1800s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As America reels from yet another devastating school shooting, what can be done to convince politicians and the public to give up their deadly weapons?Nineteen children aged seven to 11 years old and two adults are dead following the massacre in Uvalde, Texas.It is the 20th US school shooting this year - one of the worst in the country’s history, and the deadliest attack since Sandy Hook in 2012. As a community mourns, investigators are trying to piece together events at Robb Elementary School after the gun rampage by 18-year-old Salvador Ramos.  Here in the UK it was two gun massacres, in Hungerford in 1987 and Dunblane in 1996, that sparked serious reform to our gun laws.Subsequently, the UK’s Gun Control Network - a collective of campaigners and victims’ relatives - successfully lobbied to ban handguns in 1997. But still, such tragedies keep happening here, including last year in Plymouth and in Cumbria in 2010. Gill Marshall-Andrews, from Richmond, chairs the network and joins the Leader to discuss what more can be done to convince US authorities to get a grip on gun violence.She discusses the network’s successful campaign, and shares her views on what strategies could help convince and cajole America to lay down its guns - a monumentally hard task given the right to bare arms enshrined in the US constitution.We also talk about the continuing challenges of gun reform here in the UK and, following last year’s shotgun murders in Plymouth, whether the government is doing enough to improves safety around firearms ownership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sue Gray’s report into Downing Street partying during Covid lockdowns has finally been published, and it’s left the Prime Minister battling for political survival.We’d already seen that fuzzy shot of Boris Johnson with a glass held aloft, and now there’s more images featuring convivial drinks and food, one of which features Chancellor Rishi Sunak.The top civil servant’s report criticises what’s described as an “excessive” drinking culture in Whitehall, which often broke lockdown rules when the rest of Britain was under house arrest, as well as other revealing shocking treatment of cleaning and security staff.The report will make galling reading for many Britons, particularly those prevented from seeing sick relatives because of the rules.At PMQs Mr Johnson repeated his apologies, and said he took responsibility, while Scottish National Party leader Ian Blackford led calls for him to resign. The Evening Standard’s political reporter Rachael Burford has been covering developments as they happened.She examines what the Gray report means for the PM’s political future and how Downing Street is trying to deflect attention away from the scandal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a huge day for improving the ease of travelling through London as the first passenger section of the Elizabeth Line, AKA Crossrail, opened for business.While it wasn’t all plain railing - a fire alert sparked the evacuation of Paddington station - there were plenty of enthusiasts from London and beyond eager to try out the £20 billion purple line.By 10am, 130,000 journeys had been clocked and the Standard was there from the very early start.And what about those future fares?Hear expert analysis, the thoughts of passengers travelling on the purple line for the first time on the open stretch from Paddington to Abbey Wood, and make sure you stay tuned until the end to hear Mayor Sadiq Khan discuss the project’s handover from previous City Hall incumbent Boris Johnson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Figures set to be published later on Monday will show an increase in the number of confirmed viral cases in England.The UK Health Security Agency is advising people at high risk of catching the disease to self-isolate for three weeks, and call NHS 111 before seeing a doctor.This is the advice for anyone having sexual or household contact with a monkeypox-infected person.Symptoms include unusual rashes, lesions and swollen lymph nodes.Over the weekend, Belgium introduced 21-day quarantine, following this new outbreak of a viral disease first identified in the 1950s.So what is monkeypox, what about vaccines and how worried should we be?The Leader is joined by Keith Neal, emeritus professor at the University of Nottingham and a 30-year veteran of studying epidemiology and infectious diseases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus episode taken from our business show 'How to be a CEO'.As a passionate video gamer, Damian Burns has his dream job: EMEA SVP of streaming platform Twitch. It's a job that didn't even exist when he was a kid, and as a pioneer in streaming he's often venturing into areas where the rules haven’t been set.Hear the full interview HEREFind us on Twitter #HowToBeACEO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an 11-year hiatus N-Dubz have reformed, announcing a national arena tour and releasing a new single to boot. But times have changed since the Camden-born band first burst onto the scene, music has evolved and each member has had their fair share of controversy in the media through the years. So, is there still a place for N-Dubz in 2022?The Evening Standard’s Vicky Jessop explains the band’s popularity, cultural significance and shares her views on whether there will be just as much success for the trio the second time around.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The legal teams have made their final statements; the judge has left the building to consider her verdict. Vardy vs Rooney, better known as the Wagatha Christie libel trial is over. In this episode of the Leader the Evening Standard's Courts Correspondent talks about how the trial will be long remembered for its drama, and explains the evidence heard at the High Court. Also, our Features Editor, Phoebe Luckhurst, and Insider Editor Suzannah Ramsdale dissect the juicy bits of what's become a major cultural event.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s all happening on the tube. As passenger numbers appear to return to normal following the pandemic lockdown, we’ve now got clarity on how much the new Crossrail will cost us to use… and it looks like it’ll be popular with those heading to and from Heathrow. The Evening Standard’s revealed fast train travel will cost almost 60 percent less on the new line than on the Heathrow Express. Meanwhile, as a few of you may have noticed, the underground’s getting busier again. Research is suggesting it’s just about back to what it was before Covid-19.The Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, explains everything you need to know.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Daniels has made history by becoming the first openly gay male professional footballer in 32 years. The Blackpool forward released a statement yesterday and has been praised by the likes of Harry Kane, Gary Lineker and even the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.Daniels is the first active male footballer to come out in the UK since Justin Fashanu in 1990 and at just 17 years old, he’s set to be a role model for many years to come.We speak to Joe White, the co-chair of Pride in Football, a network of UK LGBT+ football fans. They tell us what this means for the community, whether they think any Premier League players will follow in Jake’s footsteps and we look ahead to the issues around the Qatar World Cup later this year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard reports Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s troops have captured so much territory they’ve now reached the border with Russia. Vladimir Putin’s soldiers have been pushed back north east of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city. Ukrainian forces have also been retaking territory in north-eastern areas in recent days, as Russian forces focus on the Donbas region further south.In part one, we put the most recent developments into context with our Defence Editor, Robert Fox, who explains where we go from here. In part two, we look at Ukraine’s Eurovision win with Jochan Embley from the ES Culture Desk. Finding out what this means not only for them as a country but for the competition next year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you cope with workplace stress, and what can companies do to help employees?Professor Sir Cary Cooper is the founding director of workplace wellness specialist RobertsonCooper and 50th Anniversary Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at the University of Manchester.Cary’s appearing at the Watercooler event at London Olympia on May 25th and 26th. For more info and free tickets  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been 35 years since Terry Waite was kidnapped while trying to negotiate the release of British hostages in Lebanon.In this special edition of the Leader he joins psychologist Dr Wolfgang Seidl to talk about how he coped in solitary confinement.They also discuss the pandemic, workplace wellbeing and the power of a simple gesture.Mr Waite and Dr Seidl are appearing the Watercooler event in association with the Evening Standard on May 25th. It’s being held at the Olympia London, for details on other speakers and how to get free tickets click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We might be one step closer to cannabis becoming legal in London. Whilst on his trip in the US, the Mayor of London has said he is appointing a drugs tsar to explore the potential benefits of legalising marijuana. Sadiq Khan has asked Lord Falconer, formerly Lord Chancellor in Tony Blair’s government and a current member of Labour’s shadow cabinet, to lead the review.Our City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, has been following Sadiq Khan on his American tour and was there as he made the announcement from a cannabis factory in Los Angeles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s that time of the year again, where acts from all over the continent - and elsewhere in some cases - compete in Eurovison. The competition always gets political but this time around there’s a clear favourite that everyone can get on board with, Ukraine.Now, the UK hasn’t got the best track record in the competition. Despite last year’s entry James Newman’s best efforts, we finished dead last and with no points. But, could this year be different? The man hoping to change our luck is none other than TikTok star Sam Ryder with ‘Space Man’.We speak to the Evening Standard’s Jochan Embley about Eurovision politics, the competition’s rise in popularity and whether or not the UK can avoid ‘nul points’ this time around. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Queen’s speech… but with someone very important missing. It was the first time her majesty had missed the State Opening of Parliament for 59 years, following a decision taken by the monarch and her doctors. The Prince of Wales read on her behalf, resulting in a historical moment that gave us a taste of what the future might look like.The speech outlined 38 Bills, including seven measures scrapping EU regulation – covering areas from data reform to gene-editing to financial services.We speak to the Evening Standard’s Royal Editor Robert Jobson about the significance of this moment and the paper’s West End Final writer Jack Kessler about the political implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week our City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, is following the Mayor of London on his tour of the US. Sadiq Khan is on a mission to bang the drum for our incredible city in an attempt to attract more tourists from across the pond following the pandemic. Today Mr Khan launches London’s biggest-ever tourism campaign in Times Square – a £10million promotions package with £7m targeting international visitors and £3m the domestic market. He’ll also meet a series of VIPs in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Hollywood.The Evening Standard has been granted exclusive access behind the scenes during this epic five-day trip and Ross Lydall takes The Leader along for the ride… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you create an icon? In this episode, we talk to David Abrahamovitch, CEO of Grind, the coffee company behind those now famous pink tins and pods that are popping up in kitchens everywhere.Listen to the full episode here.We talk about:•How the company turned the pandemic into an opportunity•Why they chose pink for a beverage more often packaged in brown tones•Advice on how to use crowdfunding to get secure money for your business•The future of Grind and its international expansionDavid’s also appearing at the Evening Standard’s SME EXPO, where he’ll be talking about crowdfunding. The event’s being held at Olympia London on May 25th and 26th, for more info – and free tickets – head to the website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something unusual happened across London in the early hours of Friday.Three of the capital’s flagship, long-held Conservative councils were seized by Labour in the UK local elections.Wandsworth went red for the first time in 44 years and so did Barnet - but the biggest shock was the flagship council of Westminster, which is under new management as Labour took control after the Conservatives ruled since 1964.Although Sir Keir Starmer’s party failed to make larger gains outside of the capital, the Liberal Democrats also enjoyed a strong night.Now there remains a single blue redoubt in the centre of the capital and that’s Kensington & Chelsea, while the Tories also held Bexley, Hillingdon and many commuter belt councils neighbouring the outer boroughs.So what does it mean for services and council tax in the likes of Wandsworth, always trumpeting its status as the council with England’s lowest rates.To examine what all this means for the country’s political map - and the prime minister's future - we’re joined by the Standard’s deputy political editor, David Bond, who's been on the election trail speaking to voters in Wandsworth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shell has announced a shock jump in its profits - nearly triple what it was last year, which has sparked calls for a windfall tax on oil and gas giants to help families struggling with the cost-of-living squeeze.The Standard reports on Thursday how Royal Dutch Shell published underlying profits of $9.1 billion (£7.2 billion) for the first financial quarter of this year.The biggest shock is the size of the profits, which are up 43 per cent thanks to soaring oil and gas prices.Now, there are calls for a one-off tax on the likes of BP and Shell, suggesting a windfall payment could bring in £9 billion for the Treasury’s covid-ravaged coffers and help households .It comes after BP announced another huge earnings jump to $6.2 billion.Back in February, both BP and Shell were among multinational companies exiting the Russian market.But is there a moral argument that some corporations could still be war profiteering as a knock-on effect of the invasion of Ukraine?It comes as the Bank of England raises interest rates and warns of a recession.To examine today’s developments, by the Evening Standard’s City Editor, Oscar Williams-Grut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The long-awaited £19 billion Elizabeth Line will start running through central London later this month.Despite falling years behind schedule and going billions of pounds over budget, Transport for London says Crossrail will add 10 per cent capacity to the capital’s travel network.But the newly-opened central section of the line will close on Sundays for several months to allow further testing and upgrades, except for the jubilee bank holiday weekend.Construction of Crossrail began on May 15, 2009, when then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and then mayor Boris Johnson oversaw the start of piling work at Canary Wharf station.To find out more about the significance of TfL’s announcement about the opening, we’re joined by the Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As celebrities glammed up for New York’s Met Gala, there was a stand-out star - Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 dress with six thousand crystals, which is worth nearly $5 million and was given a new lease of life by reality star Kim Kardashian.Would you rent out your clothes instead of buying new? Meet the London-based technology companies hoping to save the planet and your bank balance.We speak with Sacha Newall, founder of My Wardrobe HQ, and Eshita Kabra, founder of By Rotation.The CEOs tell us what’s hot on their designer clothes rental platforms - and how to make the most of what you already own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fans of the Crawleys, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ is officially out in UK cinemas. The second film of the franchise sees the aristocratic family go on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess's newly inherited villa. Also, this time around the family find themselves dealing with financial difficulties and need to find a way to make money. Creator Julian Fellowes who wrote the script for the previous installments returned to pen this outing too. Charlotte O’Sullivan is the Chief Film Critic for The Evening Standard and went to the movie’s  premiere in London. She gives her review and explains whether in the changing world of costume dramas there’s still a place for Downton Abbey. Today we talk about:Charlotte’s review of the film (02:17)The secret to Downton Abbey’s success (03:30)Whether there’s still a place for Downton Abbey in the changing world of costume dramas (04:47)For the latest news follow us on Twitter @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Russian energy giant Gazprom suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, the Standard’s Consumer Business Editor Jonathan Prynn discusses whether there will be knock-on effects for UK homes.Also, how will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impact the cost-of-living crisis and what’s the risk of a recession later in 2022?While the UK relies on just four per cent of its liquefied natural gas from Russia, the interlinked complexities of Europe’s energy market means prices can be influenced by what happens on the Continent.Gazprom halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland after they failed to pay in roubles.In a statement, the firm said it had “completely suspended gas supplies” to the countries, which both border Ukraine.The decision followed Poland’s announcement that it was imposing sanctions on 50 individuals and companies, that included Gazprom.Russian President Vladimir Putin last month warned the world’s largest natural gas producer would require what he called “unfriendly” countries to pay for fuel in roubles via special bank accounts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Her Majesty’s Passport Office is suffering huge delays following Brexit and the pandemic.Now amid the cost-of-living squeeze, the prime minister is threatening to privatise the service if bosses can’t get a grip on the backlog.Passport Office phone lines are jammed, and even its £142-a-go fast-track website has crashed - so holidaymakers are understandably getting very nervous their travel documents will be returned in time.So what is the solution for getting the service back on an even keel?The Evening Standard’s deputy political editor, David Bond, joins the Leader to discuss the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twitter has a new boss… none other than the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk.With the $44 billion takeover confirmed, it has many people concerned about the ethical issues involved with a man of Musks’ power owning such an influential platform. Also, there are worries about the Tesla and SpaceX founder being a self proclaimed ‘free speech absolutist’ and what that could mean moving forward. Professor Charlie Beckett, Director of Polis, the independent journalism think tank at the London School of Economics explains what the future of Twitter could look like. Today we talk about:Should the richest man in the world be able to own one of the most influential social media platforms (01:44)What are some of the biggest ethical issues involving this takeover (03:04)What does the future of Twitter look like? (07:25)For the latest news follow us on Twitter @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Misogyny in Parliament… it's still happening. An anonymous Tory MP has made an outrageously offensive allegation to the Mail on Sunday that Labour front bencher Angela Rayner ‘crossed and uncrossed her legs’ during PMQs, in an attempt to ‘distract’ the Prime Minister. The PM himself has written to Rayner and posted on social media condemning the outrageous allegation and showing his support for her. Claire Reynolds, Director of the Labour Women’s Network, gives her reaction and tells us exactly what women are still dealing with in Westminster. Today we talk about:Claire’s reaction to the allegation in the Mail on Sunday article (00:58)What the Labour Women’s Network did to help prepare Angela Rayner for public life and the training it offers members (03:26)How often are there reports of misogyny in Westminster? (04:23)How should the situation be handled now (07:20)For the latest news follow us on Twitter @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk to Andy Shovel, co-founder of vegan food brand THIS about his business, and how he swapped a burger brand for his new plant-based venture.THIS has become one of the fastest-growing vegan brands in the UK, and this year it’s targeting £20 million pounds in annual revenue and launching what a “huge” range of products.Andy discusses why he swapped a beef burger business for a plant-based brand, what life is like going up against other plant-based food brands, and the future of vegan food.You can listen to the full interview in our An Invitation To Meet series here.For more business news, interviews and analysis go to standard.co.uk/business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show online shopping has taken a hit, as the cost of living crisis worsens.Online sales dropped by 7.9% in March according to the ONS, following on from a 6.9% fall in February.Meanwhile fuel sales volumes fell by 3.8% as petrol and diesel prices remain high.Rachael Burford, the Evening Standard’s political reporter discusses the drop in online shopping sales, how the cost of living crisis is changing people's behaviours, and what impact it will have on the economy.In this episode:Why figures are worse than some had expected (0.47)Are people cutting down on trips in the car? (1.50)Cost of living crisis impacting all business (2.42)Will people give up their subscriptions? (3.51)How will the economy cope? (5.02)Inflation rising and risk of energy price gap rising (5.56)How can the government ease the crisis even further? (7.13)Follow us on Twitter for more news, features and interviews @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has accused Piers Morgan of “doctoring” footage from their latest interview, to make it look like he stormed out.The TV presenter posted a dramatic trailer for his interview with Mr Trump, which is part of a new talk show called Piers Morgan Uncensored.In a statement, Mr Trump alleged the clip was doctored to make him look bad, which Piers denied.The row caused quite a stir in the press and on social media.The Evening Standard’s Arts Correspondent Robert Dex discusses the ‘beef’ between Piers Morgan and Donald Trump, and explains why the publicity is only a good thing for both parties.In this episode:How the Piers/Trump row started (0.50)What to expect from the full interview (2.15)How will this row impact Trump's re-election hopes? (3.01)Who got the better deal out of the interview? (4.07)Nigel Farage's role in the row (5.20)How will Piers be received by the UK on his return to TV? (6.52)Will people continue to buy into publicity stunts in future? (8.08)Follow us on Twitter for more news, interviews and features @EveningStandard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.