The Standard

Our political editor Joe Murphy on the Brexit negotiations: what's real and what's just "theatre" at the roundtable in Brussels. He also discusses what's going on outside the room, with France and Germany bearing down on the talks. And he tells us why he believes it'll be Boris Johnson who will make the compromises needed to get a deal done. 

Also, people getting the first covid-19 vaccinations will also receive a card confirming they've had it. That's led to claims of a covert passport operation beginning, where those who have had the jab will get preferential treatment over others. But the Evening Standard's Nicholas Cecil says the cards are just reminders to make another appointment, and any kind of passport system would be impractical to put in place anyway. 

And, what's it really like on the royal train? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting to use it for the very first time as they begin a whistlestop tour of the country. Royal editor Robert Jobson says the inside is a lot more "practical" than you might think, but he suspects there's a subtle significance to William and Kate being given permission to use the carriages normally reserved for the Queen and Prince of Wales. 

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A public health chief's warning of the risk of London being plunged into Tier 3 restrictions as the squeeze on Covid-19 cases appears to be faltering. Professor Kevin Fenton, London director for Public Health England, has told the Evening Standard people must stick to social distancing and self-isolation rules ahead of the first weekend since lockdown was lifted. The Leader podcast talks to Dr Paul McKay, from Imperial College London, who warns that young people in particular appear to be being complacent about the disease, and may not appreciate just how badly it can affect even the healthy. 

Also, theatre critic Nick Curtis tells us about being in a live audience again, after seeing a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre. He also talks about his delight that some, although not all, of London's Pantomime's will be going ahead under Tier 2 restrictions, saying it's one of this county's "only indigenous art-forms". 

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International organisations involved in distributing Covid-19 vaccines have been targeted by possible state-linked cyber spies, according to IBM. The US tech giant says it's uncovered a “global phishing campaign” it believes started in September. We speak to security expert Professor Alison Wakefield who says there's been a rise in hacking attempts during the pandemic, and this latest one looks like it came from a nation state. 

Also, the Evening Standard's launched its Shop London campaign to encourage our readers to support our great city by shopping local this Christmas. Shopping editor Ellie Davis joins the podcast to explain what we're doing, and how to get up to fifty percent off participating brands. Find out more here. 

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A Covid-19 jab has been approved in Britain. The UK is believed to be the first country in the world to give the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approval and it will be available across the country from next week. Our health editor, Ross Lydall, says it's going to be a "challenge" to get the injection to everyone who wants it, but hospitals in London are being prepared right now. He also says doctors and government ministers are insisting "no corners have been cut" in ensuring the safety of the vaccine, despite the speed in which it's been prepared. 

And, London has sprung back to life on a frenzied “Wild Wednesday” of shopping and eating out after the four-week lockdown to control Covid-19 infections ended at one-minute past midnight. The capital returned to Tier 2 status that allowed “non-essential” retailers to open again as well as restaurants and pubs that serve drinks with a “substantial meal”. We speak to the editor of the Evening Standard's Reveller pages, David Ellis, who says people have been missing the "sense of occasion" that going out can bring, but warns even with a busy few weeks ahead some establishments may still close in the spring. 

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In four weeks, new laws will end the decades-old duty free regime for travellers from outside the EU. The result will be to make shopping here 20 per cent more expensive for them. Our city editor Jim Armitage has written an open letter to Rishi Sunak, urging the chancellor to drop the plans. He argues they will wreck the hospitality and retail sectors at a time when they need customers most.

Also, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' is as much a Christmas classic as Jingle Bells, but it's never been to number 1 in the UK charts. This year, it looks like it will finally hit the top spot, but what's the story behind it. We speak to the Evening Standard's Jochan Embley who reveals the heart-breaking reason the singer loves the Festive season so much, and why the song is so important to her.

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A Scotch egg may amount to a “substantial meal” so ordering one in a pub or restaurant could entitle people to drink alcohol under Covid-19 rules.  Environment Secretary George Eustice has said provided it was served as part of table service, he believes it would meet the criteria to be allowed to drink alcohol in pubs or restaurants in Tier 2. But our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil says Downing Street doesn't seem so certain. Meanwhile, he also tells us why the latest figures for coronavirus infection in London appear to how the city's heading in the right direction.

Also, shops could stay open 24 hours a day in the run-up to Christmas in a Government bid to boost England’s ailing high street. We speak to the CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association, Andrew Goodacre, who says even though smaller stores don't have the resources to stay open all night, extra hours might help some of them get through 'the most important December ever'. 

And, Rita Ora has apologised for “breaking the rules” to attend a “small gathering with some friends” to celebrate her 30th birthday. The pop star reportedly held a private event at Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, west London, on Saturday. The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds says Rita's also volunteered to pay the maximum possible fine for breaking lockdown rules, despite not being charged with anything.

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Health experts and community leaders are joining forces to urge Londoners to get the Covid-19 jab after a shocking poll suggested a quarter of Londoners are unlikely to have it. The YouGov survey for the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London, asked more than 1,000 Londoners in mid-November how likely or unlikely they were to have the Pfizer vaccine, which the pharmaceutical giant had recently announced was effective. We speak to Sophie Harman, professor of international politics specialising in global health at Queen Mary University, who tells us vaccines are safe and more must be done to ensure people trust them. 

Also, it's reported Arcadia Group, behind high street chains including Topshop and Burton, is facing collapse within days and is preparing to appoint administrators from Deloitte. Our deputy business news editor Joanna Bourke says the company's issued a statement saying it intends to open its stores next week, but has been hurt badly by lockdowns. She also says this year's Black Friday may not have been the revenue bonanza some retailers had been hoping for. 

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London has escaped the toughest Covid-19 restrictions with cases now falling in more than two-thirds of boroughs, according to official figures. But our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says it was a "borderline decision" that politicians and health officials debated until the last moment. He takes us behind closed doors to reveal what was behind the judgement call, and just how close the capital was to being put into Tier 3.

And, the Evening Standard has joined forces with TikTok to launch a £120,000 fund to support the next generation of theatre stars, who are struggling under the impact of Covid-19. Our arts editor, Nancy Durrant, tells us high-profile figures including award-winning actress Helen McCrory, theatre supremo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Young Vic boss Kwame Kwei-Armah have joined the panel to help decide who receives the 12 grants, each of £10,000. 

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The Duchess of Sussex has described her “unbearable grief” after she suffered a miscarriage. In a moving account written for the New York Times, Meghan reveals how she lost her unborn baby in July while she and husband Harry were living in Los Angeles. We talk to Ruth Bender Atik, National Director at the Miscarriage Association, who tells us why it's important to break the taboo of talking about miscarriage, and praises the Duchess for coming forward. 

Also, our political reporter Sophia Sleigh on the "ominous" spending review announced by the Chancellor. Rishi Sunak's unveiled his vision for post-Covid Britain with a £4 billion "levelling-up" fund — but warned unemployment could first hit 2.6 million and borrowing more than £760 billion over four years.

And, Katie Rosseinsky gives us her top tips to watch Netflix as the streamer announces its Christmas line-up, including Chadwick Boseman's final movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. 

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Politicians and business leaders are pleading for London to stay out of Tier 3, as the number of covid-19 cases falls in the city as a whole. The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds explains the "crippling" effect it could have if the capital faces the highest post-lockdown restrictions. She talks about the devastation live performance would face, with indoor events continuing to be banned.

Also, football correspondent Dan Kilpatrick tells us why clubs are celebrating fans being allowed back into the grounds, even though the limited numbers will mean bigger teams could face financial losses. The new tier system will allow up to 4,000 people into stadiums, and is being seen as the first step towards larger groups of spectators at sports events, as the Evening Standard has been campaigning for. 

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