The Standard

Anti-migrant protests have continued to erupt this week. The Met Police have responded to a second consecutive night of anti-migrant protests outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, following confirmation that asylum seekers will be accommodated there. Meanwhile, Epping Forest District Council has asked for the immediate and permanent closure of two local asylum hotels, citing a series of “serious incidents” in the area. To unpack these protests and how authorities are reacting, we speak to The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford.

In part two, we reflect on the life and legacy of a rock icon, Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy passed away on Tuesday morning, surrounded by family at home. The Standard’s celebrity correspondent, Lisa McLoughlin, joins us to look back at the remarkable career of the Prince of Darkness.

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England’s Lionesses have clinched their place in the Euro 2025 final, after winning yesterday’s semi-final match against Italy. Teenage striker Michelle Agyemang scored in the 96th minute, to take the game to extra time, before Chloe Kelly sealed the victory by driving home the rebound from her saved penalty. The Standard’s Sports Writer Dom Smith has the latest. 

And in part two, Will Hosie, Lifestyle Editor of Country Life magazine, and a contributor to The Standard, shares his experience of meeting the ‘hot vicar of Notting Hill’, Pat Allerton, who is part of a growing number of clergymen making Christianity ‘cool’.

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The government has stepped up its crackdown on anyone involved in assisting illegal migration in the UK. Foreign secretary David Lammy described the new sanctions, which will be implemented tomorrow, as ‘world first’ measures to tackle people smuggling. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford joins us with the latest. 

And in part two, John Darlington, director of the World Monuments Fund, explores the history of the Ragged School Museum in the capital’s East End, which is this week’s Hidden London feature. 

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Ofwat is to be scrapped as part of a radical overhaul of a “broken” water regulatory system Environment Secretary Steve Reed confirmed today, following the publication of a major report from the Independent Water Commission. Giles Bristow, CEO of the campaign group Surfers against Sewage, responds to the news - and Paul Powlesland, Barrister at Lawyers for Nature, explains why he decided to become a guardian of the River Roding in East London, to spot illegal sewage leaks. 

And in part two, Sadiq Khan has called London ‘the undisputed capital of music”, but are this summer’s huge gigs the full story? The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson questions whether it’s good for the music industry.

*This episode contains one example of mild explicit language

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A major data breach which led to thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK became public knowledge for the first time this week. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk is here with the latest. 

And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reviews Apple TV’s The Studio, the must-watch, Emmy-nominated satirical show from Seth Rogen.

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Today unemployment rates have risen to 4.7%, which is the highest rate since the second lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. But what’s the truth behind the figures? Professor Ashwin Kumar, Director of Research and Policy at the Institute of Public Policy Research, is here to unpack the data. 

And in part two, The Standard’s dance critic David Jay explores the uncertain landscape of youth dance, ahead of Sadler’s Wells and Sadler’s Wells East YFX festival. 

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The UK rate of inflation has increased to an 18-month high of 3.6% to the shock of economists - and households are facing a new squeeze, with accelerating food, drink and fuel prices.

The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest. 

And in part two, The Standard’s comedy critic, Bruce Dessau is here with a preview of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

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In an unprecedented trial at The Old Bailey, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, who went on the run with their newborn daughter, have been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk has the latest. 

And in part two, writer Charlotte Ambrose explores the enduring appeal of Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City fashion, which is now reaching new Gen Z audiences via social media.

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Treasury minister Darren Jones has left open the prospect of freezing the thresholds for paying income tax beyond 2028, as the government scrambles to balance the public finances. Pranesh Narayanan, a research fellow within the Institute for Public Policy Research, explains what the impact of this would be, and explores other ways to raise tax revenues. 

And in part two, lifestyle journalist Jessica Salter reveals why London gym Before the Lights has become a celebrity hangout.

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In The Standard’s latest special report, reporter Jacob Phillip has been investigating the capital’s vanishing schools, with more than 30 primaries in the capital set to shut or merge before the next academic year. He joins us to unpack the reasons behind this trend, which is also affecting other parts of the UK. 

And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reviews Justin Bieber’s new surprise album, Swag - which the Canadian singer says is his most personal to date. 

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