The Standard

We've all heard about the 'book bans' in US states like Florida, where schools and libraries are pulling titles from their shelves following complaints from parents about 'controversial' content. Could that happen in the UK? Ruth Anderson, CEO of Index on Censorship, tells us why she thinks "of course" it could. We also talk about cancel culture, freedom of expression in countries around the world, and how political division can erode free speech.

The Evening Standard's launched a major inquiry into the state of free speech in the UK. You can read more about that here.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the capital’s tourist economy is “roaring back” to life after Covid - but is it, and who’s paying a fortune for those inflated entry ticket, food and drink prices?

Research released by City Hall shows two million more international visitors are forecast to arrive in London in 2023, compared with last year, which is projected to produce an extra £674 million in revenue.

It comes after London’s music and film industry enjoyed a bumper July, with more than one million people attending live music shows or boosting cinemas’ busiest weekend in four years with the release of the Barbie and Oppenheimer films-.

Some of the biggest events to come this summer include Notting Hill Carnival, All Points East festival in Victoria Park featuring the likes of Stormzy and The Strokes, plus London Fashion Week.

And what about getting all these extra passengers around the capital? 

Transport for London is also testing in Germany new Piccadilly line train to replace rolling stock that’s been in service since 1975.

To find out more, The Leader podcast joined by Noah Vickers, the Standard’s local democracy reporter covering City Hall.

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A new poll suggests that three quarters of Britons say long NHS waiting lists, rising taxes, strikes and inflation fuelling the cost-of-living crisis are making the UK a “worse place to live”. 

The Ipsos survey for the Evening Standard will make uncomfortable reading for the Conservatives as Rishi Sunak receives his lowest satisfaction rating as Prime Minister.

The Government has also sunk to a record low on how its stewardship of the economy is perceived.

It also scored dismally on taxation, public expenditure, improving the health service, dealing with crime and managing immigration.

So, how do the Tories compare against Labour with an election on the horizon?

The Leader podcast’s joined by Keiran Pedley, research director at Ipsos.

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This is a bonus episode taken from the Evening Standard’s year-long series of specials called ‘Let Girls Learn’, we’re going to Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan.  

The Lotus Flower is a non-profit organisation that supports women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Their centres also offer classes such as; English, yoga, art and music.

The Evening Standard’s Charline Bou Mansour finds out how Yazidi girls are using activities such as boxing to recover from the trauma of ISIS brutality, defying some of the traditions of their community to build new futures.

In the #LetGirlsLearn series, we’re aiming to shine a light on innovations and solutions that are helping girls to fulfil their right to education and healthy, productive lives around the globe.

You can find out more online at www.standard.co.uk/optimist/let-girls-learn 

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Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand Ulez found to be ‘within his powers’. Five Tory councils vow to continue the fight against “tax on living in outer London”. How many people actually support the expansion? Why the Mayor’s plan does have its flaws. Our City Hall Editor Ross Lydall discusses the big win for Sadiq Khan, and what people really think about the expansion. In this episode:

• Why the ruling was a ‘comprehensive victory’ for Mr Khan
• What the latest polls show about public opinion on the Ulez expansion
• Why there’s an ‘almost 0% chance’ Sadiq will change the Ulez plan
• What precedent this ruling sets for councils and eco-measures
• The TfL research that shows Ulez expansion may not be the best way to cut air pollution
• Can the outer London councils still fight the expansion plans?

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reveals proposals to fix London's housing crisis. Is he right to blame Mayor Sadiq Khan for high house prices? Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil and our City Hall Editor Ross Lydall discuss the 'political attack' from Rishi Sunak, Mayor Sadiq Khan's response, and explain why the housing figures don't match up with the PM's criticism. In this episode:

• What is Rishi Sunak proposing?
• Should the PM be getting involved in the first place?
• Sadiq Khan’s response to ‘pathetic gesture politics’
• Why the PM’s plan could pose a risk to his reputation
• The London Mayor’s housing numbers explained
• Are more family homes needed in London?
• Why the PM’s criticism has left Ross puzzled

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Dame Alison Rose: the most powerful woman in UK banking resigns. Nigel Farage calls for more resignations at Coutts & NatWest. Should we have a right to a bank account in 2023? Our Financial Editor Simon English discusses Dame Alison Rose’s resignation, whether there will be more resignations, and what the debacle means for banks in general. In this episode:

• Dame Rose’s ‘rare mistake’ explained
• Will we see more resignations at Coutts & NatWest?
• How bank account closures are ‘more common than we realised’
• Banks will now ‘talk a lot less about social purpose’
• Does this mark the beginning of the end for Coutts?
• How Dame Rose was a ‘breath of fresh air’ for banking
• Did sexism in the city play a role in her resignation?

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Barbenheimer movies led to UK cinema’s biggest weekend since 2019. Why Barbie’s success wasn’t just down to marketing. What can Hollywood do to get us back to the cinema? Our Chief Film Critic Charlotte O’Sullivan dissects the success of Barbie and Oppenheimer and considers whether it will spark a comeback for UK cinema. In this episode:

• How Barbie and Oppenheimer both appeal to male & female audiences
• Why Barbie’s success isn’t down to marketing alone
• Double-header film clashes need to ‘have equal weight’
• How Barbenheimer beat Mission Impossible 7
• Why Mario Bros is getting ‘no credit’ for saving cinema
• Both movie's low budgets explained
• What upcoming 2023 movies is Charlotte excited about?

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Family describes ash falling in their drinks. Holidayers ‘stranded’ by airlines and travel firms. ‘Hundreds’ sent to sleep in sports centres and schools. Brits praise Rhodes locals for offering help. Our Senior News Correspondent Anthony France describes the story of Laura and Marc Hall who were evacuated from their hotel. Plus, our Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford explains who is more likely to get compensation, and how Brits can seek support. In this episode:

• Laura and Marc Hall’s anniversary holiday chaos
• How holiday makers have heaped praise on Rhodes locals
• Will people treat the wildfires as a ‘wake-up call’ on climate change?
• Repatriation flights explained
• Package holidays or individual bookings - which is better for compensation?
• Should Brits travel to Rhodes now?

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With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in full swing, the next generation of female footballers are set to be inspired by top athletes from around the globe. However, this isn’t the only way that the sport is making a difference to people’s lives.

In this special Let Girls Learn episode, we’re off to India, to one of Mumbai’s poorest districts where a football project is helping girls complete their education – something their mothers never got the chance to do.

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