The Standard

Headteachers have been telling the Evening Standard how the coronavirus lockdown is having a "severe impact" on the country's children.  Sleep loss, silence, and appearing withdrawn or sad are just some of the manifestations of the mental strain that has been placed upon some, while teachers say that others had not even picked up a pen or book since their schools were shut. Our education editor Anna Davis talks to us about her investigation, and why the government needs to intervene to help the most vulnerable. 

Also, one of the country's top west end producers joins the podcast to talk about the £1.5bn lifeline the government's giving the arts industries. Sonia Friedman, whose company is behind hits including the Book of Mormon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, explains why she's "immensely grateful" for cash she hopes will save the culture sector, but also reveals concerns over how and when it will be handed out. 

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London is set to reopen but London mayor Sadiq Khan warns this isn’t a time to celebrate. He tells The Leader podcast that while Londoners should go out and enjoy the city on Saturday, it's crucial to remember that the threat of Covid-19 is still very real and social distancing must be respected. What will happen if we don’t? We also speak to Professor Karol Sikora who tells us exactly what the consequences will be.

And, Ghislaine Maxwell is facing charges over allegations she helped Jeffrey Epstein 'identify and befriend and groom girls’. Evening Standard columnist and former acquaintance Anne McElvoy says she remembers Ghislaine in the 80s a British socialite with

bullet-proof confidence. She tells us whether there was any sense then that Ghislaine was wrapped up in another world with Epstein.

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In an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard’s new editor, Emily Sheffield, Boris Johnson warned Britain: the furlough scheme cannot go on. He said an extension to the scheme, which is keeping 9.3 million people in ‘suspended animation’, wouldn’t be healthy for the economy - or for us. But Ms. Sheffield tells The Leader podcast the PM revealed there’s more big spending to come as the country emerges from the pandemic. 

And, we introduce you to the Evening Standard’s new editor. Emily Sheffield is returning to the paper after a period as British Vogue’s deputy editor and launching female-led digital news brand ThisMuchIKnow. She says this is a period of great innovation and change and she’s here to make the most of it.

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If a Leicester-style Covid-19 outbreak hits London, town halls are warning they need more information on how they could enforce a local lockdown. Mayor Sadiq Khan says London isn’t ready for a second surge, and if one hits, more people could lose their lives. The Evening Standard’s Nicholas Cecil has pieced together what plans are in place to stop a surge spiralling out of control, but tells us public health chiefs are operating in the dark.

And, a list of air bridges with the UK is set to be released this week and airlines are already ramping up their flight schedules. So does this mean summer is saved? Abta’s Sean Tipton tells us we’re likely to see a boom in out-of-season travel.

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Leicester became the UK’s first city to experience a local lockdown just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his ‘New Deal’ plan to soften the blow to Britain’s economy post-pandemic. What does a new surge in coronavirus cases mean

for the heath of the Midlands city’s businesses? We spoke to local hair salon owner Barrie Stephen who says after weeks of intense preparation and thousands of pounds spent, the news is devastating.

And, the National Gallery is set to re-open its doors - the first of the museums and galleries to do so as lockdown measures in England begin to ease. Director Gabriele Finaldi says this is a big moment not just for him, but for the recovery of the nation. Arts editor Nancy Durrant spoke with him for a piece in today’s Evening Standard, she tells us what visitors can expect when they visit next week. 

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The city of Leicester is facing two more weeks of lockdown as the rest of England prepares to head to the pub this weekend. Boris Johnson says this is part of the government’s new ‘whack-a-mole’ approach to deal with local flare ups of coronavirus. But if London’s hit, what would a lockdown look like? The Institute for Government’s Alex Thomas tells us it's complicated. 

And, Sir Mark Sedwill, the government's top civil servant and National Security Advisor has been forced out of both his roles.

Chief Brexit negotiator David Frost has taken up position as NSA, which the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy says has some former top mandarins worried - but who will fill his spot at the heart of Number 10?

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More than 140 police officers have been injured in the last three weeks trying to break up massive illegal street parties across London. They're struggling to control the crowds of hundreds gathering in places like Brixton, Streatham and Notting Hill to party until the early hours of the morning. Met Commissioner Cressida Dick's warning people to "cool it," but Evening Standard journalist John Dunne says that will be difficult as the sun comes out and lockdown restrictions ease.

Also, Labour's at war with itself again following the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey. Leader Sir Keir Starmer's had a tense confrontation with left-wingers including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, who are calling for the former shadow education secretary to be reinstated. A petition supporting Ms Long-Bailey's also passed its 10,000 signature target. Evening Standard columnist Ayesha Hazarika tells us why Sir Keir is standing firm in his decision.

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A trove of documents, emails and text messages that was supposed to clear Robert Jenrick of allegations he did billionaire Richard Desmond a favour over a planning decision has done anything but. Questions are being raised about the Housing Secretary’s relationship with the businessman, who was complaining about “Marxists” plotting against his plans to build 1,500 homes at Westferry in East London. 

The Evening Standard's political editor Joe Murphy joins the podcast to talk about new documents he's seen covering the affair. 

Also, holiday operators are reporting a sudden surge in bookings for Mediterranean villas offering “privacy and space” following reports that air bridges to leading European destinations will be available from next week. A scramble to save a peak summer season worth up to £20 billion is under way ahead of an expected formal announcement on Monday that the much criticised quarantine rules for travellers returning to Britain will start to be eased. Travel journalist Simon Calder, though, says it's too little too late. 

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After the big announcement, the government’s now delivering the details on how lockdown will be eased on July 4th. Guidance has been dispatched to businesses affected , including things like telling pubs to warn customers police can be called if they’re not socially distancing. But as the advice was being delivered, some of the country's top health bosses released a letter warning the UK needs a review of preparedness for a second peak of the infection. We speak to BMA chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul who says around 40% of doctors say they couldn't cope with having to do it all again.

Also, parts of the UK have seen temperatures above 30c as a heatwave spreads around the country. Could it last until the lockdown restrictions are lifted, or is there stormy weather ahead? Forecaster Jo Farrow, from Netweather, tells us what's happening and how long it will last for.

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MPs were so excited to hear Boris Johnson say pubs will re-open, they shouted "Hallelujah" in the Commons. Museums and art galleries have the green light too. But after more than three months in lockdown, how many will be ready to welcome people by July 4th, and how many people will actually go? The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds says many of London's top tourist attractions are worried the pandemic's effects will last even longer than lockdown itself. 

Also, it can't be said for certain that coronavirus came from a wet market in Wuhan but most scientists have it at the very top of a short list of suspects. The trade is supplied by a huge international operation, much of it run by organised crime, making large amounts of money from cruelty to animals. The Evening Standard's begun a campaign to end the illegal wildlife trade, and teamed up with conservation group Space for Giants. Their CEO Dr Max Graham tells us how the supply chain works, and the global effort that will be needed to stop it. 

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