The Standard

The Evening Standard

From our headquarters in the heart of London, The Standard podcast sets the agenda. Top news insiders discuss the pressure-points of the day’s topics. Hear unrivalled insight on politics, culture, going out, sport, and fashion, with award-winning journalists and celebrity guests. Join us Monday to Friday at 4pm.

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1,794 episodes
Updated April 29

Episodes1794

Newest first

Nov 3, 2025 · 16 min
Why is Dubai such a magnet for Londoners?
The Standard’s latest special report reveals the dark truth behind Dubai, as thousands of Londoners are flocking to the Middle East city each year. Ninety per cent of its residents are from elsewhere, and the Gulf expert Christopher Davidson referred to it as the “ultimate liberal economic city state”, which offers the allure of low taxation and cheap labour. But what lies beneath the wealth and glamour? Mustafa Qadri, founder and chief executive of the human and labour rights organisation Equidem, investigates modern slavery in a global economy. He joins us to discuss the human rights violations that underpin this polyglot city. Podcast image by HIT&RUN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 31, 2025 · 15 min
The Duke of York's fall from grace
Prince Andrew will be stripped of all his titles, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, and will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. King Charles made the unprecedented statement last night, that he will no longer be able to live on the crown estate, and instead will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate. It follows mounting pressure over a string of scandals, the most damaging being Andrew’s relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and alleged sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre. Freelance journalist Alice Cockerell is here to discuss the fallout. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson joins us to review Florence & The Machine’s new album Everybody Scream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2025 · 16 min
Will the Chancellor be sacked over her rental rules breach?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for an investigation into Chancellor Rachel Reeves, after it emerged she did not obtain the required “selective” rental licence for her £3,200-a-month Dulwich home when she moved into No 11 Downing Street following the election. In a letter to the prime minister, Reeves “sincerely” apologised for her “inadvertent error”, but the Tories have said she should be sacked. They cited Starmer’s argument after Boris Johnson’s fine for breaching Covid rules that “lawbreakers cannot be lawmakers”. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two The Standard’s Chief Theatre Critic and host of The London Theatre Review podcast, Nick Curtis, is here to review Ella Hickson’s adaptation of Peter Pan, from the Royal Shakespeare Company, which is showing at The Barbican Centre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2025 · 16 min
How will Rachel Reeves fix the budget black hole?
Today Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted Britain can “defy” economic forecasts as she prepares to deliver another tough budget next month. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is expected to deal the Chancellor a further blow in November by downgrading its productivity forecasts for the British economy, leaving her trying to fill a gap in her plans of more than £20 billion. Some top economists have warned Reeves that increasing income tax or reducing public spending is her only option for balancing the books. We’re joined by Chaitanya Kumar, Head of Economy and Environment at the New Economics Foundation. And in part two, The Good Food Guide has named the Pelican as London’s best pub. The Standard’s Restaurant Critic and Going Out Editor David Ellis is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2025 · 15 min
Asylum system shake up as migrants moved to military sites
Today it’s been announced that hundreds of asylum seekers are to be moved to military sites as the Government aims to end the use of hotels to house small boat migrants. However, defence minister Luke Pollard admitted that using military sites could cost the taxpayer more than asylum hotels. Yesterday Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “frustrated and angry” about the soaring cost of the asylum system, after a damning inquiry by the home affairs committee found that Home Office mismanagement had “squandered” billions on housing migrants in hotels. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Food & Drink Writer Josh Barrie joins us to discuss London’s best old school Italian restaurants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 27, 2025 · 15 min
Billions squandered on migrant hotels due to Home Office ‘incompetence’
A parliamentary report has sharply criticised the Home Office's management of the asylum system that has led to "billions" of pounds being wasted. It said the government has repeatedly cut corners and wasted taxpayers’ money with its “failed, chaotic and expensive” system. It comes as the Housing Secretary has said that progress on ending the use of hotels for asylum accommodation will be announced “within weeks”. Daniel Sohege, a specialist in international refugee law and protection, and the director of human rights organisation Stand For All, is here to discuss the news. And in part two, The Standard’s Entertainment Editor Lisa McLoughlin joins us as it’s been revealed that Hollywood A-list couple Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have moved to the leafy north London suburb of Hampstead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 24, 2025 · 16 min
Where are London’s violent crime hotspots?
The Standard can reveal a new interactive map that pinpoints London’s violent crime hotspots, as latest figures show the capital still accounts for almost a third of knife offences in England and Wales. Billy Gazard, of the ONS, said the data for police-recorded crime “paints a mixed picture”, adding: “Homicide and offences involving knives and guns have all fallen in the past year. While shoplifting continues to rise year on year, there are signs the rate of increase in reporting of these offences is slowing.” The Standard’s Crime Correspondent Anthony France is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block joins us to discuss Lily Allen’s new album, West End Girl. It’s the pop star’s first album in seven years and offers a lyrical takedown of her ex, David Harbour, that does not pull any punches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2025 · 16 min
Flooding fears as Storm Benjamin hits
Storm Benjamin hit the UK with gale force winds causing travel disruption, and serious flooding feared. Yellow weather warnings were put in place for London, the south of England, and the east Midlands, Yorkshire and parts of Wales. The Met Office said flooding, damage to buildings and travel disruption was likely throughout the day. It comes as a new report has revealed the London boroughs most likely to be impacted by flood damage. Louis Ramirez, Managing Director and Co-founder of Flooded People is here to discuss how these weather events are becoming more common and what action should be taken to mitigate the risks. And in part two, freelance journalist Arielle Domb joins us to discuss what the 6-7 meme is and why teachers are fed up of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2025 · 16 min
Inside London’s grooming gang shame
The Standard’s exclusive investigation on London’s harrowing grooming gang epidemic uncovers the repeated story of vulnerable youngsters let down by the authorities there to protect them. The Standard has spoken to social workers, charities, experts and survivors who all say sexual abuse by gangs is ubiquitous across the capital. Previously, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was accused of “stonewalling” questions about whether London has a problem with so-called “grooming gangs” - whilst today Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government’s grooming inquiry. From police failure to institutional cover-up and establishment silence, The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2025 · 15 min
Virginia Giuffre's book, Nobody's Girl: the most staggering revelations
We speak to Melanie McDonagh, who has reviewed Virginia Giuffre's memoir, Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice. Giuffre's book gives an account of her two-year ordeal as a sexual victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Melanie walks us through the memoir and reveals whether it shares new revelations on Epstein and Ghislaine's case, and what specific claims Virginia makes about her alleged encounters with Prince Andrew. To read Melanie's full review, click here. In part two, is £3.95 pasta worth twirling your fork for? Pastino is expanding with a new venue opening next month, offering some eye-catching prices. But does the quality match the price? We find out more from The Standard's food and drink journalist, Josh Barrie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2025 · 16 min
How Starmer’s Chagos fiasco sent a London council into meltdown
As the Chagos Islands deal returns to the Commons, the Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford, joins us to explain how the influx of islanders from the remote archipelago has left Hillingdon council in crisis. The Chagos Islands have been the subject of a long-running legal dispute between the UK and Mauritius. This week’s special report explains how in 2022, those born on Chagos and their children were offered full British citizenship, as a small gesture towards acknowledging historical wrongs. But with more families expected to arrive in the capital, the financial strain is forcing difficult choices. And in part two, The Standard’s Chief Restaurant Critic and Going Out Editor David Ellis is here to reveal this week’s Hidden London destination - the cigar merchant JJ Fox, which for more than 240 years has drawn the great and the good, from Winston Churchill to Oscar Wilde. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 18, 2025 · 14 min
Leading the Charge: Electric London – People, Policy and the Price of Change
Londoners have been told for years to go electric – and many listened. Families swapped their cars for EVs on the school run. Small businesses invested in electric vans. Thousands of Uber drivers made the switch to cut emissions and costs. But with the Cleaner Vehicle Discount ending this Christmas, those same drivers and households will soon face new daily charges of up to £13.50 to enter central London. For many, that feels less like progress and more like punishment. The Electric London coalition, following The Standard’s Leading the Charge campaign, is calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to reverse the decision to scrap EVs’ exemption from the congestion charge. In this final episode, The Standard's Business Editor Jonathan Prynn speaks with Andrew Brem, UK General Manager at Uber, and Steve Garelick from the GMB Union, to hear how professional drivers, small businesses and ordinary Londoners will be affected – and what this policy shift means for trust, fairness, and the future of London’s clean air. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 17, 2025 · 16 min
The Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban
Today discussions to resolve the ban on fans of an Israeli football club attending a match against Aston Villa are happening “at pace, across government”, Downing Street has insisted. Sir Keir Starmer was “angered by the decision” to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from next month’s Europa League game in Birmingham amid public safety fears, and linked it to antisemitism. But West Midlands Police said it supported the decision, saying it had classified the fixture as “high-risk”. Emily Hilton, International Policy Director for the Jewish led organisation Diaspora Alliance, joins us to discuss. And in part two, The Standard’s Nick Kimberley is here to review the English National Opera’s Albert Herring by Benjamin Britten, which is the first show to be staged since the company’s new ‘twin city’ existence between London and Manchester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2025 · 15 min
Starmer under pressure as China spy case row escalates
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh questions over the China spying case after several newly released key witness statements raised further concerns about national security. The case in question relates to Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, two suspected spies accused of allegedly passing sensitive data to Chinese intelligence. Meanwhile, the MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned that ‘Chinese state actors’ present a national security threat to the UK every day. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn is here to discuss the return of carvery trolleys to London’s fine dining scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2025 · 15 min
Tube drivers set for £80,000 salary in TfL bid to stop strikes
Tube drivers have been offered an enhanced pay deal that could take their salaries to around £80,000 a year, The Standard can reveal. The proposal, which TfL describes as a “full and final offer”, will be available to all 16,500 London Underground staff, and would mean their wages will rise faster than the cost of living. The Standard’s City Hall Editor and Transport Editor Ross Lydall is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Food & Drink Writer Josh Barrie joins us to taste test Subway’s new “breakwich” jacket potato, which combines two classic British dishes - a full english breakfast, and jacket potato with beans and cheese. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2025 · 16 min
Is there a jobs apocalypse?
The latest unemployment figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the jobless rate has risen to its highest level since the pandemic in 2021 - but analysts also say the jobs market is stabilising after a year of volatility. Meanwhile, wage growth in the UK cooled slightly over the summer, from 4.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent. Does this mean that getting a job is becoming harder? And how do these statistics play out in the capital? Joe Evans, a researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank, is here to help us unpack the figures. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop joins us to review Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein film, which is in cinemas from October and on Netflix from November 7. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 13, 2025 · 15 min
Donald Trump hails 'historic dawn of new Middle East'
Today Israeli families are welcoming home hostages as hundreds of Palestinian detainees are freed, following Friday’s ceasefire agreement in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump addressed Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, and said that the “the war is over”, with today marking “a new beginning”. He then headed to Egypt for a peace summit with world leaders. Meanwhile, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris said the horrors, genocide and famine in Gaza cannot be forgotten, as he announced an additional five million pounds for aid organisations in Gaza. Palestinian political commentator and writer Ahmed Najar, who has family in Gaza, is here with his reaction to the news. And in part two, The Standard’s Food & Drink writer Josh Barrie joins us to discuss how AI is being used in the ancient craft of beer brewing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 10, 2025 · 16 min
London gets £36.5 million boost to tackle homelessness as council costs soar
On World Homeless Day, the government has announced a new £36.5 million funding package to help Londoners facing homelessness this winter. The money will be directed towards supporting families in temporary accommodation, and comes after London boroughs revealed they were collectively spending a staggering £5.5 million a day to tackle homelessness. The New Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern is here to discuss today’s announcement. And in part two, John Darlington, Director of Projects at the World Monuments Fund, joins us to talk about this week’s Hidden London destination, St Dunstan in the East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2025 · 16 min
Rogue trader: On the hunt for London's Wolf of Wall Street
Today, a story of murder, fraud and a fugitive on the run. This week’s special report explores the fascinating tale of city poster boy Anthony Constantinou, who became known as London’s Wolf of Wall Street. Despite amassing a huge fortune with all the trappings of success, he was charged with financial malpractice and sexual misconduct - a spectacular fall from grace. He appeared in the dock for the start of his trial, but then suddenly disappeared. Now he's at the centre of a worldwide manhunt, and is attempting to evade a 28-year prison sentence in the UK. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk joins us with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 8, 2025 · 15 min
Kemi Badenoch vows to abolish stamp duty in conference speech
Today Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has promised to abolish stamp duty tax if the Tories form the next government, which will be welcomed by many London buyers. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, the embattled Tory leader thanked party members for ‘standing by’ her amid dire poll ratings, and announced a host of new proposed policies. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop joins us to discuss the first episode of tonight’s Celebrity Traitors on BBC One. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.