Today Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given the clearest sign yet that she will break Labour’s manifesto promise not to raise taxes on workers, after delivering an unusual pre-Budget speech at Downing Street this morning. She said that after years of so-called economic mismanagement, the budget will focus on “getting inflation falling” and “creating the conditions for interest rate cuts”. But she hasn’t ruled out raising income tax. Stephanie Brobbey, a former private wealth lawyer and founder and CEO of the Good Ancestor Movement, shares her perspective. 

And in part two, the build-up to the festive season is here. The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block joins us to discuss this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert.  

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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