The Standard

As Sir Keir Starmer jets to Washington for Nato’s 75th anniversary, his armed forces minister said the government will aim to complete a defence review in less than a year.

It comes amid warnings from former military chiefs that Britain is unprepared for the threat of war. 

Minister Luke Pollard said the new government would work “at pace” to finish the assessment - which the prime minister said needs to happen before decisions are made on raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

Now, the prime minister is in Washington to meet US President Joe Biden and other Nato leaders at a summit to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary.

Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil has the latest.

In part two, we’ll examine new tolls being levied at two Thames crossings, Blackwall Tunnel and the under-construction Silvertown Tunnel - which Transport for London has confirmed will be up to £4 each way.

Analysis from City Hall with Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall.

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Hybrid vehicles of a different kind will soon be seen on London’s roads - behold the era of the ‘tram-bus’.

Officially called ieTrams, they will ply one of the capital’s longest routes, the 15-mile 358 line from Crystal Palace to Orpington.

The striking new vehicles might look like a rounded single-decker with covered wheels, but the hardware includes a pantograph overhead fast-charging system used in electric trams

Mark Blunden speaks to Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall about this new age for the capital’s public transport.

In part two, a look at what public art’s in store for London this year - as a giant polka-dotted pumpkin by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is installed in Kensington Palace - and we’re joined the Royal College of Art’s head of programme for MA sculpture, Sarah Staton.

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Britain’s newly-minted chancellor Rachel Reeves gives her first major speech at the Treasury with the hope of boosting investment in Britain after years of post-Brexit economic turbulence.

The fledgling Labour government is making growth its number one priority as it seeks to bring in extra billions to improve public services.

Speaking to business chiefs at the Treasury, Reeves explained how she wants to rev up Britain’s economy domestically, including by planning reforms, as she sought to boost shaken investor confidence.

For the latest, we’re joined by Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil. 

Plus, the countdown is on for England’s semi-final clash with the Netherlands - with one match ticket being offered for £16,000.

With just days to go, Evening Standard reporter Robert Dex discusses the demand for Euros tickets in host city Düsseldorf and hopes for London ‘fan zones’ to watch the action.

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The Standard’s Jon Weeks met with Nicola Hodson, the UK and Ireland CEO of multinational corporation IBM.

On this special cut-down episode Jon and Nicola discuss AI and how IBM is helping companies from all sectors to incorporate the technology into their business.

To hear the full interview just search How to be a CEO Nicola Hodson.

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It's Election Results Day.... Episode 4 of A Week’s a Long Time in Westminster: Labour's historic victory, broken down by our politics team - Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra Joshi and Rachael Burford. In this episode:

• How London's political landscape has changed
• Why Keir Starmer's now facing the 'hard part'
• What's next for the Conservative party?
• Did Reform UK and the Lib Dems do as well as they hoped?

Find more general election reaction here.

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In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev talks to physician and longevity expert Mark Hyman. The two discuss the rise of functional medicine and what lifestyle changes we can make to enhance our healthspan.

To hear the full interview just search Brave New World on your podcast provider.

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The pros & cons of immigration, the main parties’ proposals, and how to tackle an influx of migrants. Madeleine Sumption, the Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford discusses the current state of immigration in the UK, how migrant numbers impact the economy, and why evidence suggests the Rwanda scheme might not be an effective deterrent against illegal migration.

Follow us on X or on Threads.

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This week in the run-up to election day, we’re taking a deeper look at three of the biggest issues for voters: taxes & the economy, immigration - and today, it’s the turn of the NHS. 

Strikes, waiting lists, lack of funding, not enough GP appointments, dentists appointments, or mental health services - they’re all issues that never seem to be out of the news. 

Experts have been sounding the alarm that the NHS is in crisis for years now, so what will whoever wins the general election and makes up the next government, do to improve the situation for our much-loved health care system? 

The Standard’s Health Reporter, Daniel Keane, shares his insight. 

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The countdown to polling day is on, and in a special miniseries of the Standard podcast ahead of 4 July, we’re taking a deeper look at three of the hot topics on the 2024 general election campaign trail - tax and the economy, the NHS and immigration.

In this first special episode, we’ll examine the critical of issue the pound in our pocket and which of the parties can be trusted to steward the economy.

While both the Conservatives and Labour have unanswered questions about funding specifics for spending commitments.

Plus, Sir Keir Starmer’s careful wording over tax plans, City of London's mood for Labour and what is Rishi Sunak’s political legacy?

From the newsroom, join Mark Blunden in conversation with Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn.

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• Did the PM do enough in his final debate with the Labour leader?
• Just how bad was Joe Biden’s own debate with Donald Trump?
• Ipsos polling finds 72% of voters dislike the Tories.
• Sir Keir Starmer admits remarks about Bangladesh were ‘clumsy’

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