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The Standard episodes

April 28, 2021 Why Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment is being investigated
Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us why the Electoral Commission’s launched a “bombshell” investigation into the redecoration of 11 Downing Street. The watchdog says it’s “now satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred.”

The announcement came shortly before Prime Minister’s Questions, during which Boris Johnson was also asked again if he said he’d rather “let the bodies pile high” than have a third lockdown. The Prime minister gave a strong denial in the Commons, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appeared to suggest he would return to it later saying: “I’ll leave that there for now.” Joe tells us that’s sparked speculation the Labour party has more information that’s not yet been revealed to the public.
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10 min
April 27, 2021 Why is Boris Johnson so broke?
Susannah Butter joins the podcast to look at Boris Johnson’s finances. As the cost of the Prime Minister’s flat refurbishment comes under scrutiny - why can’t he afford to pay for it? We learn how the UK PM’s salary is much lower than some other countries’ and Mr Johnson has actually taken a considerable pay cut to take over at Downing Street. But he also has considerable outgoings, including the cost of a divorce estimated at £2 million, and childcare costs.

We also look at the Evening Standard’s exclusive poll showing Boris Johnson is regarded as “untrustworthy” by six in 10 Britons. The Ipsos Mori survey suggests Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is regarded as trustworthy by 42 per cent and not to be trusted by 41.
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9 min
April 26, 2021 Another anti-knife crime operation in London, will this one work?
Scotland Yard’s launching Operation Sceptre in another attempt to tackle London’s horrific knife crime problem.

The Evening Standard’s John Dunne details how it will use technology, like knife detectors at train stations, as well as sending officers into schools to educate young people about the dangers of blades. The operation comes after a weekend of violence in which Fares Maatou, 14, was stabbed to death in Newham and a 16-year-old-girl suffered life-changing injuries after a double knife attack in Lambeth.

Columnist Natasha Mwansa tells us how growing up in Newham she saw friends of friends get caught up in gang culture and very little seems to have changed. She says the issue is a city-wide one, and increased police patrols will not be enough to beat it.
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9 min
April 23, 2021 Who has the PM’s mobile number? And the countries you may be able to fly to this summer
Deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil discusses the Downing Street lobbying row that won’t go away. One of the government’s own ministers, Caroline Dinenage, revealed she doesn’t have Boris Johnson’s mobile phone number, saying it’s not given out “willy-nilly”. But that’s led to some asking why a businessman like Sir James Dyson has the ability to text the Prime Minister when some ministers themselves can’t. He also discusses speculation that former advisor Dominic Cummings is behind the leak of the text conversation between the billionaire businessman and Mr Johnson.

Elsewhere, international travel will be legal again from the middle of next month, but where will you be able to go? Travel consultant Paul Charles joins us from a major tourism summit in Mexico, and reveals the 30 destinations that are believed to be on the so-called “green list”.
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12 min
April 22, 2021 London Mayor Election: A day of Battle Busses and Bunnyhops
The Evening Standard’s City Hall editor Ross Lydall joins the podcast with two weeks to go until London hits the ballot box for the mayoral election. He’s been speaking to both Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey who have been campaigning in the city, with the Conservative candidate making up some ground in the polls although the Labour incumbent is far ahead. We also hear from the Greens’ Sian Berry and Lib Dems’ Luisa Porritt who are trying to pick up votes as the big day looms. And Ross tells us what happened when both Mr Khan and Mr Bailey asked to borrow his bike.
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13 min
April 21, 2021 The Queen’s 95th birthday: a unique occasion for the Royal family
The Queen has thanked people around the world for their “support and kindness” following the death of Prince Philip as she marked her first birthday without her “strength and stay”. In a statement the monarch, who turned 95, said that the Royal Family were in a period of “great sadness” but that she had “received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate”. The Evening Standard’s Lifestyle editor Suzannah Ramsdale joins the podcast to talk about how her Majesty spent the day with her family, Prince Harry’s involvement before heading back to the States, and plans for a four day bank holiday next year.
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5 min
April 20, 2021 £15bn: Is that the real cost of getting Generation Covid's education back on track?
Children are returning to school following the Easter break, following a long stretch of being taught at home. For some families, those lockdown kitchen classrooms became quite chaotic, and there are concerns the upheaval left a student generation behind in their education. Now the government’s put a price tag of £1.7 billion on helping their academic recovery. But a report by the Education Policy Institute think tank says up to £15 billion is needed. The EPI believes that without significant policy interventions and funding, there could be severe consequences for young people’s mental health, future earnings and life chances. The Evening Standard’s Education Editor Anna Davis examines the report's findings and Covid’s academic impact.
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8 min
April 19, 2021 Will London’s WFH boom be over by Christmas?
Are you among the legions of employees who have spent this pandemic year wedged in a spare bedroom or camped out with your laptop at the kitchen table? The Office for National Statistics kicks off this week with research showing that nearly half of London’s employees have been working from home since Covid struck - that’s far more people avoiding the daily commute than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. But has this cultural shift meant working habits are changed for good, or will it all be back to normal by Christmas? The Standard’s Consumer Business Editor Jonathan Prynn analyses the ONS data to decipher what it means for the future of commuting and the knock-on financial impact for London’s retail sector. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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9 min
April 16, 2021 Why Prince Philip’s funeral is “exactly what he wanted”
Prince Philip’s biographer, Philip Eade, joins the show to discuss the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral at Windsor Castle. He tells us the stripped back event is “exactly the sort of funeral he would have chosen for himself,” with a guest list strictly limited to just 30 people and much of the ceremony cut down.

The funeral’s taking place at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, with guests being told to socially distance and wear face masks, including the Queen. But Philip Eade tells us the smaller, more intimate gathering of close family and friends may suit her Majesty more, as she mourns the loss of her husband of 73 years.
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10 min
April 15, 2021 What does London really think of Covid passports?
Health editor Ross Lydall explains the results of an exclusive poll for the Evening Standard showing London would support controversial Covid passports if they meant being able to go out again. Some 67 per cent say they would personally take them up, boosting hopes that Covid certificates are the key to filling the West End, nightclubs and Wembley Stadium this summer. In a survey of 1,100 people in the capital for the Standard, pollsters Opinium found only 21 per cent would refuse to carry them, meaning support of more than three to one.
We also hear from mayor Sadiq Khan, who reveals his worries about coronavirus mutations as surge testing continues in four boroughs following the discovery of the South African variant.
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8 min