The Standard

“Staggering” official figures reveal how Covid-19 has impacted life expectancy in London -now at its worst since the Second World War.Data from PublicHealth England, analysed by the King’s Fund, shows life expectancy for Londoners has been seriously reduced - not just by a few months or even a year, but men have seen 2.5 years cut from their lives, and women will now live on average for 1.6 fewer years - and this is even worse for disadvantaged Londoners after suffering years of austerity policies.And a UCL investigation commissioned by Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL has revealed a spike in deaths among London’s bus drivers, as face masks look set to be the norm on public transport for a while. The Evening Standard’s Health Editor, Ross Lydall, who has been covering both stories, gives us his insight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Londoners are still processing the horrific disappearance and death of Sarah Everard, there is a renewed focus on what more can be done to keep women safe on the streets. As the inquest into Sarah’s death opened today, it’s been a particularly stressful time for teachers at secondary-age schools around Clapham in south-west London, where she disappeared. We speak to Gill Cross, Deputy Head Mistress at Streatham and Clapham High School, an independent girls’ school with over 500 pupils, where teachers have been supporting pupils and empowering them to report abuse.In Covid vaccine developments, as the Government admits there will be a delay in the vaccine rollout - but insists it’s on track - we speak to Danny Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, about the Indian government’s decision to hold back millions of doses from Britain, the ongoing row with the European Commission over jab exports and where all this leaves Boris Johnson’s roadmap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen's shocked the UK by appearing to threaten to cut off vaccine supplies from Europe if doses of AstraZeneca made in the UK aren't sent back to the continent. Boris Johnson's hit back, warning the bloc to “stand by its commitments” and not endanger the battle against Covid-19 by imposing jab export restrictions. The Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil joins the podcast to look at a surprising turn of events that's come in the same week countries like Germany, France and Italy said they were pausing use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. He also discusses the latest in the UK's vaccination programme, as the country passes the 25 million doses given landmark and extends invites for the injection to everyone over 50.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With countries across Europe suspending use of the AstraZeneca injection, we speak to Dr Will Budd, from Imperial College London, about claims that the vaccine may be causing blood clots in some recipients.He tells us there's no evidence to suggest a link, and that the jab is safe. He says countries like Germany, France and Spain are simply taking precautions, but he expects they'll re-introduce the vaccine soon.  Also, the Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn talks to us as the Duke of Edinburgh is finally released from hospital after nearly a month. Prince Philip was being treated at King Edward VII for an infection and a heart condition. He's now thought to be back at Windsor castle with the Queen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Evening Standard crime correspondent Anthony France takes us through the events that turned a peaceful vigil on Clapham Common into a violent protest with four arrests. Could Scotland Yard have done more to ensure the event took place as planned in the first place, and why did officers apparently switch strategies as evening fell and some of those still there became more angry?He also discusses the future of Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, who is under pressure to resign over what happened with politicians like the Lib-Dem's Sir Ed Davey saying she should quit. But Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel are giving her their full backing, and she insists she's the right woman to lead the force as London, and the UK, tries to reckon with violence against women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave has promised Scotland Yard's dedication to the people of London is "undiminished" after it was confirmed Sarah Everard's body had been identified. The Evening Standard's home affairs editor, Martin Bentham, tells us detectives are now trawling through the background of a serving firearms officer who has been arrested on suspicion of the 33-year-old's murder. He also says the Met is facing five investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, including one looking at whether an opportunity to arrest the officer earlier for a different alleged offence was missed.  And, our city hall editor Ross Lydall joins us to talk about his meeting with London Mayoral candidate Laurence Fox. The actor and "anti-woke" campaigner has sparked a backlash after saying that Britons had a “sovereign choice” to decide whether or not to get vaccinated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard's Helena Wadia speaks to one of the organisers of Reclaim These Streets, a series of vigils taking place across the UK following the disappearance of Sarah Everard.  Jessica Leigh is among those behind an event taking place at the bandstand in Clapham Common at 6pm on Saturday. She says they'll be calling for streets to be safe for women, regardless of what they wear, where they live or what time of day or night it is. A survey for UN Women UK, published this week, found that 97 per cent of women aged 18-24 said they have been sexually harassed. Similar vigils are due to be held across the UK.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's emerged the Duchess of Sussex did make an official complaint against Piers Morgan following the former GMB host's claim that she was "lying" during her interview with Oprah. Meghan is one of 41,000 to have raised an issue with ITV, but unlike the public's complaints, hers is reported to have gone straight to the channel's CEO. Piers Morgan insisted this morning that he "fell on his own sword", but the Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn says ITV bosses had to have taken Meghan's intervention into account. He also talks about how the interview is having impacts across the world, particularly in Commonwealth countries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We don’t know yet precisely how a year in lockdown has affected us, but we’re getting a pretty good idea. An Evening Standard survey found that 42% of our readers say their mental health has been hit by the Covid crisis. 27% don’t know what to do to improve their well-being.  On March 10th we’re launching London Minds, free online sessions involving inspiring speakers like Arianna Huffington, Dr Rupy Aujla, and Ben Bidwell from the Naked Professors podcast. Joining the Leader podcast are co-founder of the Movember campaign JC, and Power Hour podcast host Adrienne Hebert. They talk about the growing mental health crisis, and give simple advice on how to look after yours.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buckingham Palace is struggling to contain the fallout from a series of bombshell allegations from Harry and Meghan in their much-anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey. The monarchy has been plunged into crisis as the Duchess of Sussex alleged that a member of the royal family had raised “concerns” when she was pregnant about how dark her son Archie’s skin would be. Meghan also told how life as a working royal had taken her to the brink of suicide.Evening Standard columnist, and senior editor of the Economist, Anne McElvoy joins the podcast to talk about how damaging the allegations could be, and what Buckingham Palace needs to do next to recover? The interview was shown in the States on Sunday night and will be broadcast in the UK on ITV at 9pm tonight and ITV Hub.Clips in the podcast are courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.