The Standard

The UK’s top health officials have warned that if the rate of coronavirus infections continues unabated, we could hit 50,000 per day by mid October. By mid-November, they say that could mean Britain recording 200 deaths per day. As we’re warned of new restrictions to come, the Evening Standard’s associate editor Julian Glover asks: what can we learn from last time around?And, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address the nation on Tuesday to outline a new set of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. Political editor Joe Murphy says he will have to strike the right balance between protecting the health of the nation, and the health of the economy. Meanwhile, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan is keen to introduce measures that’ll stop the virus in its tracks - will the capital be put under a different set of lockdown rules? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has put the country on notice for a national social lockdown, saying: “I fear more people will die.” But our political editor Joe Murphy says restrictions this time could be a lot different than before, with an emphasis on keeping friends apart. He also tells us about the crunch Downing Street meetings this week, where scientists called for the Prime Minister to force a "circuit break" but the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, warned about the "extremely worrying" forecasts for the economy if we go into any form of extended lockdown. Also, the Coram adoption charity is reporting a massive increase in the number of people looking to take in children during this pandemic. It says numbers are up 24% on last year, and it thinks it's down to people having time to reflect on what's important in their lives. We speak to the charity's Sue Lowndes who says the rising interest has taken them by surprise, but delighted children who feared their chances of finding a new home would be hurt in a time of social isolation. She also gives advice for those who are considering adoption themselves.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The full scale of the Covid testing crisis in London has been exposed by an Evening Standard investigation which found appointments were not available to book online. Our reporter Rachael Burford tried to arrange walk-in or drive-in slots in each of the 32 boroughs yesterday but every time received the message: “No test sites found.” Rachael tells the podcast how she also spoke to the mother of a six year old girl with a temperature who was told to go on a three hour round trip to get a test. Also, Under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith, JK Rowling has published her new novel 'Troubled Blood' and walked straight into another row over alleged “transphobia”. An early review claimed its moral is “never trust a man in a dress”. Miss Rowling has been a high-profile sceptic on transgender rights. But the book’s nearly 1,000 pages long, so is it really all about that? We speak to the Evening Standard's Vicky Frost, whose review, available on standard.co.uk, describes the book as "slow and clumsy". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ministers are under pressure to rethink the system of “outsourcing” for processing coronavirus tests as spare capacity in NHS laboratories goes unused. The chaos facing people trying to get Covid checks is understood to be a consequence of log-jams in the Lighthouse Laboratories set up by the Government at arms-length from the NHS to process swabs from drive-through and walk-in testing centres. The Evening Standard's health editor Ross Lydall says problems are being caused by a lack of staff, but the true scale of what's happening is shrouded in "secrecy". Also, the boss of British Airways has admitted the airline is “fighting for survival” as he defended the airline’s decision to cut up to 12,000 jobs in front of MPs. Alex Cruz told the Commons’ Transport Select Committee: “Fewer passengers means fewer flights, and fewer flights means fewer people required to actually service them." We speak to travel expert Paul Charles who says the threat against the UK's biggest airline shows how serious the dangers caused by coronavirus to the industry are, but there could be a way to get things to moving again.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With universities returning, joining the school pupils already back at classes, and the increasing numbers of those going to the office, the UK’s track and trace system is under strain. One expert’s told the Evening Standard it's nowhere near the 70-80% coverage the system needs to be effective and it's only going to get worse as winter arrives. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says schoolchildren with nothing more than the common cold are adding to the problems, as they're being made to get a test before they can go back to class. Meanwhile, he says the government has a problem with persuading people that it can get the job done. And, our Tech correspondent Mark Blunden tells us about the researchers recreating conditions on Mars at a lab in Dorking. They're part of an international project to send a rover to the planet and search for signs of life. Coming after the news that something may have been found in the atmosphere over Venus, Mark says there's a lot of excitement about what else might be out there.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of lockdown we stood with our neighbours and applauded key workers in the NHS. Now we are being told to report the people next door to the police. Policing minister Kit Malthouse says people should "absolutely" call police if there's a large social gathering in their street. Has the government created a snooper's charter with its new laws? Our court correspondent Tristan Kirk says the regulations have caused a stir in legal circles by banning "mingling" but not defining what that means. And he also says courts are not expecting to see many, if any, people convicted. David Cameron's become the fifth former prime minister to warn Boris Johnson not to break international law as up to 20 Conservative MPs threaten to join a rebellion in the Commons. The former Tory leader says defying the law us “the very, very last thing you should contemplate” and that he has “misgivings” about Mr Johnson’s tactics. Evening Standard political reporter Sophia Sleigh says Mr Cameron's words are more "measured" than those of other critics like John Major and Tony Blair, but the rising tide of rebellion appears to have Downing Street worried.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's facing two significant revolts from within his own ranks over coronavirus and Brexit. Some backbenchers want under-12s exempt from the new 'rule of six' regulations on social gatherings. But our political editor, Joe Murphy, says it's the second rebellion that's causing the most problems for the PM: Major figures in the Tory party, like Lord Howard and Theresa May, are calling for a re-think over a bill that would overwrite a treaty already signed with the EU. We hear how that's making some MPs nervous, and why pressure from politicians in the US is also bearing down on the Cabinet. Also, we hear from an Oregon woman whose home town is being ravaged by wildfires. Half a million people have been evacuated in the State, and at least 10 have died. Vanessa Lamers describes how flames are destroying the area she grew up in, and why the air is becoming toxic. She also says that even when people return, there may not be much left for them to come back to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's "moonshoot project" would see billions of pounds spent on testing kits that can deliver results that day, but his optimism has been met with scepticism and some scientists say the tech doesn't exist. Columnist Ayesha Hazarika tells us she thinks the scheme sounds like a fantasy, and what people really want are the hard facts. A former government advisor herself, she says Downing Street's communications are confusing the public, and it's time to get real. Also, the Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil explains why a government minister's telling students to "take responsibility" in the bedroom during Freshers' Week. Health minister Lord Bethell's given the warning as universities open their doors, amid concerns it could lead to a further spike in coronavirus cases. But the NUS says students are being made "a scapegoat".  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Evening Standard revealed the government's bringing in restrictions to limit social gatherings to six, it's now reported pubs may have a 10pm curfew. Meanwhile, the foreign travel quarantine rules, which vary across the United Kingdom, are still confusing passengers and putting people off holidays. Our associate editor Julian Glover says the situation has got too complicated for everyone, including ministers, and it's time for a reset... but he wonders if there's anyone in the cabinet who can do it? Also, last year Amazon’s revenues in the UK went up from £10.9bn to £13.7bn.  It's tax bill on all those billions is £293m pounds. MPs like Labour’s Margaret Hodge say that’s unacceptable. Evening Standard business journalist Mark Shapland explains how the company's accounts actually work, and why Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos, who is worth around £150bn himself, is getting little sympathy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's warning against “complacency” about Covid-19 among young people as he prepares the ground for a major crackdown on people holding parties in defiance of social distancing. The Standard understands that minsters are deeply concerned about gatherings held by young people, particularly as students head back to university in coming weeks. Our political editor, Joe Murphy, says Mr Johnson may announce moves to cut the legal maximum size of a gathering from 30 to possibly as few as six.Also, a stage adaptation of the cult classic film Back To The Future is set to open in the West End — with original film actor Christopher Lloyd helping launch the show by picking up a copy of the Evening Standard. Back to the Future, The Musical will open at the Adelphi Theatre in The Strand on May 14 next year. We ask the show's producer, Colin Ingram, if Marty and Doc Brown can save the day for London theatre? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Hancock's dramatically raising hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine within months. The Health Secretary says it's “looking up” that a drug being developed by experts at the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca would be granted approval for use soon after trials in several countries, including the UK, US and Brazil. But the Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says we've yet hear confirmation from the medical community, and with coronavirus cases rising again the government needs to deliver on its promises to retain public confidence. And, bust up or brinkmanship? Our associate editor Julian Glover looks at what's going on with Brexit. The Prime Minister's vowing he "won't back down" as alarms sound following reports the government's planning to overwrite parts of the Withdrawal Agreement. It could lead to trade talks collapsing in mid-October, and a "no deal" scenario returning to discussions. Could the UK really "prosper mightily" as the Prime Minister claims? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard's learned millions of people could get free rides into London under bold plans to fight the slump caused by coronavirus. Free tickets for trains, buses and the Tube are being discussed as a radical way of getting the public to see for themselves that it is safe to go back to offices and to enjoy shops, restaurants, museums and galleries. The story was broken by our political editor Joe Murphy who says government and businesses are backing it, but they still have to work out which side's going to pay for it. Also, even Transport Secretary Grant Shapps thinks airport quarantine rules are confusing after some parts of the UK added Portugal and parts of Greece to their 'red lists' while England didn't. Meanwhile, with people abandoning their holidays the travel industry's being bit with another blow as Virgin Airlines announces 1,150 job losses. Travel journalist Simon Calder tells us the situation is a shambles, and predicts the entire system will be scrapped within a week.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Hancock's defended Tony Abbott as “an expert in trade” after being quizzed over allegations that the former Australian Prime Minister is a "homophobic misogynist". But others in the Conservative party and beyond are questioning why Mr Abbot's being tipped for an advisory role to help secure post-Brexit deals around the world. Our political reporter Sophia Sleigh says the potential appointment is a controversial one, but the government doesn't look like it's going to change its mind for now. And, adverts for Dettol suggesting people miss "wearing a tie" and "proper bants" in the workplace are being mocked on social media. The posters on the underground are trying to encourage people to go back to the office, but reaction includes one person saying they're "firmly on the side of the 0.1% of bacteria" the disinfectant doesn't kill. The Evening Standard Susannah Butter says the public just wants to know if it's safe to get on the tube, and doesn't need "banter" to get them back behind a desk.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can Londoners be expected to get on public transport when political leaders aren't being seen doing it themselves? The government's repeatedly called for people to go back to work, but commuter numbers on trains and busses don't seem to be rising. Meanwhile, car use does appear to be on the up. We speak to the Evening Standard's Sam Fishwick, who interviewed recently appointed TFL chief Andy Byford, who says he needs people like Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan to make it clear that the tube, busses and trams are safe to use. Also, just after being roasted in Parliament by Sir Keir Starmer for several government U-turns during the pandemic, Boris Johnson made another one. Following pressure from councils in Bolton and Trafford plans to ease restrictions there have been dumped. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells us the repeated reversals are causing disquiet on the Tory back benches, and endangering public confidence in Downing Street's handling of the coronavirus crisis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of school children are returning to classrooms, but huge numbers of adults are still working from home. How do we get those people to return to a city centre that's at risk of dying? We speak to the Evening Standard's associate editor Julian Glover about the newspaper's call for Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan to show more leadership for the capital's 9 million residents. He says many are still afraid of covid-19 despite encouraging figures on infection rates and hospital admissions. And he asks how hard is it for the Prime Minister and Mayor to get on a tube and show public transport is safe? Also, Extinction Rebellion captured headlines around the world when they brought London to standstill last year with marches and  a pink boat on Oxford Street. But the campaigners also struck the wrong note when they attempted to disrupt trains, and some of their stunts, such as an attempt to shut down Heathrow with drones, have fallen flat. As they return to the city for 10 days of protest, our features writer Sam Fishwick says leaders know the campaign needs a reboot to recapture the public's imagination.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grant Shapps says it is “safe” for the public to return to work and he stands ready to put on extra trains as people head back to offices and workplaces. The Transport Secretary's been doing interviews saying getting back to the camaraderie of office life is vital to the mental health of some people. But are company bosses being creative enough in ways of encouraging staff to return to their desks, and if there is a rush to the office can public transport take it - especially with schools also returning? We speak to Transport for London's surface transport MD Gareth Powell who explains how an innovative new school bus system will relieve pressure on roads, and help maintain social distancing. Also, Donald Trump's formally accepted the Republican Party's nomination to run for President with a speech that mentioned Joe Biden 40 times by name but didn't include the words 'coronavirus' or 'covid-19' even once. He closed the GOP's national convention last night, while still trailing in the polls to his Democrat rival. His address was filled with claims a vote against him will bring turmoil and violence to the US, and our Stateside correspondent David Gardner says the incumbent has set the tone for the final stretch until the election itself.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock's under fire after admitting he has “absolutely no idea” how many of his own staff are working from home or coming into the office. In an interview with Times Radio he suggested it doesn't matter if civil servants work from home and stay away from central London, saying: “What I care about is how effectively people work.” Evening Standard political editor Joe Murphy says the comments could undermine government calls for people to go back to their desks after lockdown, and they've also shone a spotlight on just how many civil servants are still working from home. Also, Hurricane Laura's forced thousands to flee their homes after battering the United States' Gulf Coast with ferocious wind and torrential rain.Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate ahead of the hurricane, but not everyone fled from the area, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005. We speak to Jeff Palermo from the Louisiana Radio Network who says there's been "severe" damage and at least one fatality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After this year's exams mess, a group of headteachers is calling for next year's A-levels and GCSEs to be postponed by up to six weeks. They say pupils due to take them in June have already had their lessons disrupted by coronavirus, and it's only fair to allow more classroom time to help them make up for it. Some, though, are concerned it will lead to a rush to grade exams, with a knock-on effect on universities who have to allocate places. The Evening Standard's Rachael Burford tells us the government is considering the delay, while other parts of the UK have already introduced similar measures. And, Christopher Nolan's Tenet is so important to the entire movie industry even Tom Cruise, who has nothing to do with the film, has been promoting it. The potential blockbuster is the first big hit since the pandemic forced cinemas to shut down, and Hollywood's nervously waiting to see if people will return to theatres after months of watching movies at home. We speak to the BFI's head of UK audiences, Ben Luxford, who says it'll take more than one hit to guarantee the survival of cinema.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is under growing pressure to u-turn on guidance for face mask wearing in schools in England. A large number of headteachers are ignoring official advice and telling students and staff they must have them in crowded spaces like corridors. Scotland's First Minister's also ruled secondary schools there must use masks from Monday. Will Westminster follow, just as it did with the exam result fiasco? We speak to Julie McCulloch from the Association of School and College Leaders who says if a change is coming it better be soon, because some schools are preparing to open within days. And the Republican National Convention continues in the States with speakers including Donald Trump's son Eric and daughter Tiffany. That follows last night's addresses from Donald Trump Jr, his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle and the President himself. Our US correspondent David Gardner says the GOP's big event's been wholly taken over by the Trump family, and planned messages about "a land of promise" thrown out in favour of apocalyptic doom warnings if Joe Biden wins. Mr Trump also claims the Democrats are trying to "steal" the election. Is it working on voters as polls consistently show the President trailing his rival for the White House? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has told the Evening Standard that opening schools in September is a "moral imperative". Where does that leave parents who are unsure about the risks, or children who haven't seen a classroom since March? Child psychologist Emma Kenny gives advice on how to talk to young people who may be worried about the health and social risks of going back to school, and warns that we cannot raise a generation that doesn't understand how to take risks. Also, Kellyanne Conway, the White House adviser who invented the phrase "alternative facts", has quit just as Donald Trump's election campaign ramps up ahead of the November vote. She says she needs to spend more time with her family, as her own husband leads a Republican revolt against the President and her 15-year-old daughter says she wants emancipation from her parents. Columnist Matthew D'Ancona tells us her declared reasons for leaving may not be "the whole story" and she will be remembered not as the mastermind behind an extraordinary election win, but as the woman who ushered in the post-truth era.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The opening of Crossrail has been delayed yet again until the first half of 2022 with at least another £450 million added to the total bill. In yet another “deeply disappointing” setback, the team responsible for the 60-mile east-west route across London said social-distancing rules meant only half the normal number of workers could be on site. Conservative London Mayor candidate Shaun Bailey tells us Sadiq Khan needs to take control, and the new TfL Commissioner should be "put on blast". The “breathtaking” £2,000,000,000,000 landmark was passed last month when the Treasury borrowed a further £26.7 billion to support the economy with emergency coronavirus measures such as the jobs furlough scheme. But the Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn says the problems have been building for more than a decade.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GCSE and A-level pupils are celebrating record grades, but half a million BTec students are still awaiting results and thousands of young people remain in the dark over places at sixth forms and universities. The Evening Standard's education editor Anna Davis says it'll be at least until next week before the results fiasco starts to clear up. Meanwhile, teachers have been telling her they just want to make sure the schools can re-open in September so none of their pupils have to go through this again.  And, live theatre has returned to London with the first performance of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park. In his review for the Evening Standard, our critic Nick Curtis says it felt like the "blood was flowing back into the capital's cultural veins". He joins the podcast to reveal what it's like sitting in an audience again, but warns other shows will still be impossible to put on while social distancing restrictions are in place.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A decision to hike train fares by 1.6% in January has been greeted with dismay by those who have been trying to encourage commuters to get out of their houses and back into offices. But the pandemic's led to a massive fall in the number of people using rail and that's caused millions of pounds to be lost from the network. Is there an alternative that will encourage people to get on trains, and not leave the system strapped for cash? We speak to Mike Hewitson from the Transport Focus watchdog, which wants new types of tickets created that will let people travel for the days they need without having to but weekly or annual season tickets. And, Heathrow's to trial a coronavirus testing centre which the airport claims could end the need for people to quarantine for 14 days if they enter from a country off the UK's 'safe list'. There are already similar schemes running in places like Italy and Hong Kong, but will it work in the UK and should passengers have to foot the £150 bill to take the test? Travel consultant and commentator Paul Charles says it could make a massive difference to the struggling travel industry, but it will need government support to make it work. He also warns that at least one more country will be struck off the safe list this week.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marks and Spencer is to cut 7,000 jobs over the next three months, and customers working from home is one of the reasons why. The company says there's been a "material shift" in trading, with its once strong sales in office wear taking a hammering because so few people are going back to their desks. Evening Standard city journalist Mark Shapland says it's not the only retailer to be hit hard by the change in working patterns caused by coronavirus, and warns a move towards home delivery of food with Ocado will face fierce competition from Amazon. And, some analysts are saying Michelle Obama "stole the show" at the Democratic Convention last night. Her pre-recorded video streamed to audiences in the virtual event criticised Donald Trump by name, saying he's "in over his head" as President. Our comment editor Susannah Butter's been analysing the campaign strategies for both parties, and says deploying Miss Obama is a "smart move" by Joe Biden because she's mostly stayed out of politics since her family left the White House.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With mounting anger from the public, and criticism from within the Tory party, is the education secretary's job at risk following the exams crisis? Gavin Williamson's being attacked by some for taking too long to resolve the problem, with two ministers among those raising concerns over how it's being dealt with. Our political editor Joe Murphy says Mr Williamson has Boris Johnson's support for now, but there are rumours a cabinet re-shuffle is on its way sooner rather than later. And, Al Murray joins the podcast to tell us about how he and Jayde Adams compered the first major comedy gig to be held indoors since lockdown began. The show in Camden's been described as "magical" in the Evening Standard's review, but how was it put together and did acts like Shappi Khorsandi have any material after spending so long in their houses?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 150,000 holidaymakers are scrambling back to Britain from France before tough new quarantine restrictions come into force. From 4am om Saturday, the new rules mean anyone returning from the UK's second most popular holiday destination must stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days. We speak to Abigail Thomas who has cut short her holiday in Avignon and is in a car, trying to get to Calais as quickly as she can in the hope of catching a ferry home. The Evening Standard's Naomi Ackerman examines why the decision's been made, and what advice there is for travellers.Also, Rishi Sunak's issued an appeal to millions of Londoners to “do our bit” to revive the capital’s powerhouse economy while remaining on guard to keep coronavirus at bay. Speaking to the Evening Standard, the Chancellor's urging more people to return to offices or other workplaces and enjoy the capital’s restaurants, pubs and bars, as well as get back into shops. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil tells us ministers are hopeful lower coronavirus rates will give the city the courage to get out of the house again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Headteachers from across the country are scrambling to launch thousands of appeals against “unfair” A-level results as a storm over the exam system grows. Many students have been left distraught after about 280,000 entries were downgraded from teacher assessments. But the Evening Standard's education editor Anna Davis says the appeals will have to wait because authorities can't agree on how the procedure should work. Meanwhile, universities are being urged to be lenient towards applicants, but it looks like many hopefuls won't get the places they wanted. Anna tells us what's gone wrong, and the desperate efforts to put it right.Also, the world famous Oxford Street Christmas lights could sparkle a little earlier this year. Businesses in the West End are considering an October switch on to encourage people back to the shops. Jace Tyrell, the CEO of the New West End Company, which represents 600 firms in the area, says it "could be the earliest Christmas ever" but it's needed after coronavirus virtually wiped out trading in the summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an exam result shambles in Scotland, it's England's turn - but lessons don't appear to have been learned. The government's u-turned on using a similar algorithm to standardise marking A-levels and GCSEs that caused chaos north of the border. Yet, the so-called "triple-lock" guarantee is only causing more confusion. How will the tests be graded, and what can pupils who have already had a year of disruption do if they think they've been treated unfairly? We talk to Evening Standard columnist, and senior editor of the The Economist, Anne McElvoy whose own 15 year old is waiting for their results. And, who is Kamala Harris have we really all been pronouncing her name wrong? The former California prosecutor's just been picked by Joe Biden to be his Vice President in what's shaping up to be a brutal US election this November. The chair of Democrats Abroad UK, Inge Kjemtrup tells us why she thinks Ms Harris will be the decisive factor in the race to the White House. And also explains how so many people have been saying the candidate's name wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 102 days with no locally transmitted infections, coronavirus is back in New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed four cases have been found in Auckland, the country's biggest city, which has now been put into lockdown. Restrictions are being increased in the rest of the country, with people being asked by the government to wear masks for the first time. Radio New Zealand host Karyn Hay joins the podcast and tells us how shops had to shut their doors to protect their staff after panic buyers descended on them almost immediately after the news broke.Also, almost three quarters of a million jobs have been lost in the British economy since the start of the coronavirus lockdown. The Office for National Statistics says  730,289 fewer people were receiving a wage from an employer in July than in March, when Boris Johnson issued the “stay at home” order. The Evening Standard's consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn says the figures are the worst since 2009, and could get higher still as the furlough scheme comes to an end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson says the country has a "moral duty" to get children back in school this September. But with scientists debating the safety of it, how does the government plan to re-open classrooms without increasing the risk of coronavirus spreading? The Prime Minister says he has a plan, but there doesn't seem to be much detail being released to the public. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil reveals what ministers have been telling him, and how encouraging more pupils to walk or cycle will be a key part of the strategy. Also, one of Britain's finest actors Simon Callow's written for the Evening Standard about the loss of live performance and the tragedy of theatres being wiped out by covid-19. He joins the podcast to tell us why London will not be the same without its vibrant performing arts sector. Also, on the day four of the city's major pantomimes say they won't be going ahead this year, Simon explains how panto is essential to bringing young people into theatres and developing a life-long love of the stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special Evening Standard investigation has found thousands of vulnerable young people weren’t visited by children's services during lockdown. In the three months to June 30, face-to-face visits by children’s services plummeted 75 percent in some boroughs compared with the same period last year. Our investigations editor David Cohen tells us how serious the risk is to these services when they can’t physically meet with at-risk children.And, an exclusive Ipsos MORI survey for the Evening Standard has found that if US President Donald Trump and his democratic rival Joe Biden were going head-to-head in the UK, Mr Biden would win by a landslide. But of those surveyed, far fewer think he’ll actually reach the White House. Our deputy political editor Nic Cecil tells us how this compares with the last election race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the legacy of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bomb attacks? 75 years on, survivors have contributed to an oral history of that's being exhibited at the Imperial War Museum, with a message that governments must to do more to ban nuclear weapons. We speak to nuclear strategy expert Sophie McCormack, who tells us how modern missiles are much more powerful today, and explains what could happen if one fell on London. Also, Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism chief has told our home affairs editor Martin Bentham how lockdown has made it harder to catch terrorists in London. Commander Richard Smith says confinement's meant people at threat of being radicalised aren't being spotted by those who could notice the change. He also reveals they're investigating 800 leads into possible plots.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's anger on the streets of Beirut after an explosion with a quarter of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb's power ripped apart the port area of the city. From there, journalist Nada Homsi tells us blame appears to be focusing on a welder who may have ignited a fire that reached thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate being unsafely stored in a warehouse. She says people have been holding protests outside a government building, furious it could be allowed to happen. Meanwhile, Save the Children's Ahmed Bayram tells us about the recovery operation that's underway, and how he thought an earthquake had hit when the blast rocked the building he lives in. Also, Tik Tok may be looking at London to build a new global headquarters. The social media platform's thought to be looking for a base outside the US, where it's been threatened with a ban because of its Chinese ownership. Evening Standard tech journalist Amelia Heathman says the UK could make a good home for the company, but Britain is having problems of its own with Beijing.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's opponents have seized on a television interview in which the US President struggles to defend the country's record on coronavirus. He's also been criticised for dismissing civil rights leader John Lewis' legacy, and trying to explain why he wished Jeffrey Epstein's former partner Ghislaine Maxwell "well". The Evening Standard's Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika, a former adviser to Labour, tells us why Mr Trump didn't look like he'd done enough prep, and why politicians even put themselves in front of interviewers at all. Also, the Evening Standard's consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn tells us why there's just four weeks to save summer for London after lockdown. He's seen figures showing that last week there were 63 per cent fewer people in the West End than last year, during what is normally the peak of the tourism season with central London full of visitors and office workers. He tells the podcast businesses will need a huge Christmas to get through the year, but there's little sign of that coming.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Health Organisation's Dr David Nabarro's told the Evening Standard London is "at a critical time" in its battle against coronavirus. He's spoken to our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil, who says the warning comes as infection rates rise in two thirds of the city's boroughs. Meanwhile, the government appears to be considering strict lockdown procedures if there's another spike, including closing off the Capital inside the M25. Nicholas tells us doctors still hope it won't come to that, but they're worried about people getting complacent with social distancing. Also, Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out is launching in restaurants across the UK. But will the discounts of up to 50% be enough to save an industry that's been almost crushed by the pandemic? We speak to Ed Sandeman, from the Made of Dough Pizzerias, who tells us how they're readying to relaunch their two sites, and says he's nervous that despite bookings no-one will turn up.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has cancelled major moves out of lockdown including the reopening of wedding parties and casinos in response to a rise in coronavirus cases. The Prime Minister called a press conference to announce that he was “squeezing the brake” on the reopening of the economy and society in order “to protect those we love”. It follows the health secretary imposing lockdown on parts of the north, saying people weren't following social distancing. Our political reporter Sophia Sleigh tells us how the move came as a shock, with just three hours notice. Also, Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple have revealed their financial results, showing all of them made big money during the pandemic lockdowns across the globe. The figures come after bosses from the tech firms appeared before the US congress, where they were grilling on their size and influence. We speak to New York-based tech expert Joshua Lowcock, who says the industry needs a regulator.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain suffered the worst excess death rate in the whole of Western Europe during the coronavirus pandemic. Official statistics lay bare what many experts suspected, that the UK’s mortality rate was raised cumulatively higher by the end of May than even Italy and Spain, which were hit earlier. The details come as health secretary Matt Hancock announces an extension in how long people with the bug in England will have to self-isolate. Our political editor Joe Murphy tell us why. Also, police are vowing a new clampdown on dangerous drivers who put the cyclists’ lives at risk on London’s roads. Officers are encouraging cyclists to wear head cameras to help prosecute motorists who drive over the speed limit, aggressively, too close or overtake in hazardous places. Home affairs editor Martin Bentham tells us how the Metropolitan force expects the use of cameras to be "game changing" as the number of people taking to the roads on two wheels surges following the pandemic.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ministers are on standby to impose quarantine measures on more countries amid fears that a second wave of coronavirus cases could undermine the reopening of schools in September. But is the government making up its Covid-19 counter-strategy "on the hoof" and possibly in danger of losing the public's trust? Travel journalist Simon Calder tells us about the chaos that flip-flopping over quarantine rules is causing for holiday makers and airlines. Also, comment editor Susannah Butter joins us to explain why she thinks the Instagram #ChallengeAccepted trend is just "selfish narcissism". Women are being encouraged to post black and white photos of themselves in the name of female empowerment. But is it a powerful statement, or just an excuse to show off a nice picture? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will a £50 bicycle repair voucher, or even one on prescription from your GP, be enough to get you cycling? Boris Johnson's calling his £2bn package to get people onto two wheels "the most ambitious ever" but campaigners say it pales in comparison to the money going on roads. We speak to London Cycling Campaign's Simon Munk, who's welcoming the investment but warns it's not enough to lure people away from cars. Also, Design Museum director Tim Marlow tells us why there's "always pressure to put on a banger" as it re-opens with a blockbuster exhibition charting the history of electronic music. He explains how they've recreated the nightclub atmosphere at a time when clubs are closed, and why the stakes are higher when making a comeback after the coronavirus shut down. The Evening Standard's given the exhibition a five star review, calling it a "rallying cry for clubbing."  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard's Amira Hashish was one of thousands of tourists caught out when the government suddenly decided to impose lockdown restrictions on travellers returning from Spain and the Balearics. She joins the podcast to tell us how the news went down where she was staying in Ibiza. She also gives us the latest advice from Downing Street as senior minister Helen Whately tells people to "look very carefully" before going abroad. Also, a new book about Harry and Meghan, which claims a rift between the couple and William and Kate, is reported to have upset the Queen. The Sussex's have denied any involvement with the publication, but our Insider editor Lucy Pavia says it's causing consternation in the palaces, and has overshadowed Prince William's work highlighting mental health awareness.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer KT Tunstall joins the Leader for a special episode looking at the resurgence of culture as lockdown eases. Along with the Evening Standard's showbiz journalist Lizzie Edmonds we ask does the launch of Taylor Swift's new album and the opening of the Tate galleries next week show that the arts are coming back alive after months of lockdown? We also talk about Kanye West's controversial Presidential run and his own apparently delayed new record. KT also tells us how the loss of live gigs is damaging emerging bands, and her own attempts to keep fans engaged despite having to cancel a string of concerts this year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The full scale of the battle to save central London’s economy has been laid bare with an Evening Standard survey finding many workers in Britain’s top companies are set to stay away from the office for months. We've spoken to FTSE 100 firms and found a series of the UK’s largest listed businesses have no immediate plans to return many staff to offices. City journalist Simon English says tens of thousands of employees will continue to work remotely, with some not going back at all this year. But how will that affect the city centre's crumbling economy?Also, they resent wearing masks, think lockdowns are unlawful, and say that safety measures are an attack on their civil liberties.The Covid Contrarians are a wide group of virus refuseniks, who say their numbers are growing as pandemic politics divides the country. Feature writer Katie Strick's taken a deep dive into the community, and tells us what she found.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour Party has agreed to pay "substantial damages" to seven ex-employees following a BBC Panorama investigation into anti-Semitism within the party. The whistleblowers, who were responsible for the probe into alleged misconduct by party members, sued Labour over “defamatory and false allegations”. Evening Standard columnist Ayesha Hazarika tells us why it's an important move for Sir Keir Starmer, but reveals Jeremy Corbyn's not thought to be backing down.Also, driving tests have re-started and used car sales are back to pre-lockdown levels. Are commuters being driven back to cars as offices prepare to re-open? How do we encourage people onto trains and busses after months of messaging telling us to stay off them? We speak to environmental psychologist Dr Ian Walker who fears the beginnings of a "green recovery" are in jeopardy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A long-awaited report into Russian interference in the UK has made a bombshell claim: the Government ‘actively avoided looking for evidence’ of a threat from the Kremlin. MI5 is also criticised for its response to the Intelligence and Security Committee as it investigated whether Moscow sought to sway the outcome of the 2016 Brexit vote. The Evening Standard’s Julian Glover says the big question now is: whose decision was it not to look for Russian influence?And, Boris Johnson has assembled his Cabinet face-to-face for the first time since Spring. Ministers were socially distanced and had easy access to hand sanitiser - measures we’ve become familiar with to stop the spread of Covid-19. But they were under no obligation to wear face masks, despite them becoming mandatory in shops and on public transport. Oxford University Professor Melinda Mills and director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science says these confusing messages could lead to a second spike in cases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against coronavirus, the UK has secured 90 million ‘promising’ Covid-19 vaccine doses being developed globally. That’s on top of 100 million doses of a vaccine developed by Oxford University, that today announced its phase 2 trials had been successful. The Evening Standard’s Nicolas Cecil says now we need an army of 500,000 to put their hand up for further trials so we can find out whether any of them will work. Kanye West kicked off his presidential campaign with a chaotic rally in Charleston, South Carolina. But, nothing at the unconventional event clarified whether his bid for the Oval Office is genuine. While it's unlikely he’ll be the 46th President of the United States, could hehave an impact on the election result? Natasha Lindstaedt from the Department of Government at the University of Essex tells us what we can expect from West as the election nears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's told the UK he hopes the country will return to "normality" by Christmas. But the Prime Minister's also admitting it's a "hope" and he has to prepare for the worst. Mr Johnson's been outlining the further lifting of restrictions, including allowing theatres to stage indoor performances with live audiences. He also revealed draconian new laws that will allow ministers to impose stay at home order. Our political editor Joe Murphy says behind the scenes, there are doubts over whether Mr Johnson will hit his targets, and concerns we will be dealing with coronavirus for years to come. Also, it was a unique ceremony for a unique man. Colonel Sir Tom Moore has been knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle. But what challenges did our 94 year old monarch face in honouring the 100 year old veteran? Was she able to tap him on the shoulder with her sword, as is tradition, while still keeping 2 metres apart from him? The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds tells us about that and other complications that come with a knighting ceremony during lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost a third of London commuters who are working from home say they do not expect to return to their offices before Christmas, according to poll findings seen by the Evening Standard. The results suggest that the struggling central London economy faces a huge challenge for the rest of the year and beyond, with tens of thousands fewer workers spending their wages in shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs. It comes as Boris Johnson's expected to announce that people should return to their desks after months at home. But our consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn says that's going to be easier said than done. Also, was the Twitter hack an inside job? Evening Standard tech journalist Amelia Heathman talks to us about rumours one of the company's employees was allegedly paid to change the passwords of major account holders like Kim Kardashian, Barack Obama and Bill Gates. They were among several high profile users who found their feeds hijacked with posts asking followers to send them bitcoins. Despite a rapid response from Twitter, it looks like a lot of people were duped in what's being called a "smash and grab raid".  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wildlife experts have alerted the Evening Standard that a global conservation “crisis” is unfolding as the disruption caused by Covid-19 causes a surge in the poaching of species for the illegal wildlife trade. India, Nepal, Pakistan and several African countries have all reported a poaching spike. A number of wildlife protection programmes have been curtailed due to the abrupt halt of tourism revenue as a result of Covid-19, leaving endangered animals more vulnerable to slaughter. In this special edition of the Leader podcast we speak to some of the world's leading conservation experts, who also warn that the booming poaching trade may have been the cause of coronavirus - and could do it again. You can also find out about the Evening Standard and Independent's joint Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign, which you can donate to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day the government announced it's introducing mandatory face masks in shops, Michael Gove's been seen walking into a coffee shop without one. Meanwhile, his cabinet colleague Liz Truss had one on when she went into the same place. Is the message getting muddled already? And why is the law not going to come in effect for another 10 days? We get answers from the Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil. Also, unemployment could soar to more than four million by the end of the year as “disappointing” GDP figures dash hopes of a rapid V-shaped recovery. Britain’s economy watchdog,the Office for Budget Responsibility, has laid bare the damage being wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in a major new report. Economist Stephen King takes us through its findings, and warns uncertainty over Brexit could make things worse.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Central London is facing the biggest economic crisis in generations with tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses at risk of being wiped out in Britain’s most vibrant economic powerhouse. An Evening Standard investigation has unearthed the true scale of the problem, revealing predictions that 50,000 jobs in the vulnerable retail, tourism and hospitality sectors could disappear in the West End alone this year with total spending down by half — a loss of revenue of about £5 billion — as a direct result of the coronavirus lockdown. Our consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn tells the podcast why it's the worst outlook since the Second World War.Also, Andy Byford earned the nickname "Train Daddy" when he turned around New York's failing transit system. Now he's back in London, where he started as a trainee on the underground, having been picked as TfL's commissioner by Sadiq Khan. The Evening Standard's City Hall editor Ross Lydall takes him for a walk around the city to find out what the new boss's plans for the future are. Is Crossrail among them? And how will he get reluctant commuters back on the tube? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.