The Standard

Health editor Ross Lydall joins us to explain how two major milestones in the fight against coronavirus are about to converge on a single day.1.5 million people from London’s most at risk groups should have been vaccinated by February 15, which is also the day the government will start putting UK arrivals into quarantine hotels. But those strict border rules are coming under criticism, with some hotels unhappy about being forced to take people in and at the same time turn other customers away. Labour’s also accusing the government of being too slow to implement the changes, which come 50 days after the ‘South Africa’ variant was first discovered.Also, the Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis gives us his five star review of 2021’s first theatrical blockbuster: ‘Handforth Parish Council’. He tells us how the cast of unknowns have made a “supreme” drama with their Zoom call set to the backdrop of a meeting in a small Cheshire town. He also predicts “You don’t have the authority, Jackie Weaver!” will become the catchphrase of video conferencing for the remainder of lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tells us how the coronavirus pandemic has “exposed the institutional racism” in the city, with BAME communities hardest hit by the infection. In an interview with Ayesha Hazarika, he describes how he recognised something was wrong as he wrote letters to grieving families and realised so many names were from ethnic minority backgrounds.He also calls for greater cross-party collaboration to beat the bug, citing the a video featuring MPs from all parties encouraging Black and Asian people to get the vaccine as an example of what can be done.Mr Khan also says he fears a mental health crisis is unfolding in London, comparing the trauma some are experiencing to that faced by the public during the Second World War. And he talks about how he’s using music, zoom calls and walks with the dog to help him get through an extraordinary time.The interview is adapted from the Evening Standard’s Lockdown Sessions series. The full-length video is available on our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London’s public health director, Professor Kevin Fenton, reveals the findings of his study into the spread of coronavirus in London through the pandemic so far. He’s discovered that the capital’s Asian community was hardest hit in the second wave of the infection’s spread, and in this special edition of the podcast he explains why that may have happened.Speaking to our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, he also reveals that more cases have been found in women than men, and discusses the ‘South African’ and ‘Kent’ variations of Covid-19.He also tells us about when he hopes lockdown restrictions might start to be lifted, and pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War Veteran who raised millions for the NHS and has died after testing positive for Covid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political reporter Sophia Sleigh joins the podcast as scientists warn there may be other versions of coronavirus emerging. The Government’s former chief scientific adviser has said he is "more worried" about the South American covid variant than the one from South Africa. Professor Sir Mark Walport, who held the top advisory post from 2013 to 2017, warned that different variants were “cropping up” around the world. Also, John Arlidge tells us about the one thing Joe Biden and Donald Trump agree on: ‘Big Tech’ should have its powers curbed. But how can that be done? He explains the difficulties in tackling social media such as Facebook, and the overwhelming dominance of firms like Apple and Amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political editor Joe Murphy’s back on the podcast as it’s revealed the more contagious ‘South Africa’ variant of coronavirus has been found in parts of London and Sussex. More than 100 cases have been discovered so far and surge testing is underway in eight postcodes, with everyone over the age of 16 being encouraged to get one whether they’re showing symptoms or not. It comes as the government announces its secured 40 million doses of a vaccine from French firm Valneva. Joe says the Prime Minister’s confident the UK will be the first country in the world to stockpile jabs for use next year.Also, our home affairs editor Martin Bentham discusses his interview with the Met’s deputy commissioner Stephen House, who says officers will continue “disproportionate” stop and searches of young black Londoners in an attempt to save lives. The robust defence of the Met’s approach came during a chat in which he also disclosed that around 300 knives a month were being seized during searches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil joins us as the EU dramatically ramps up a vaccines row with demands jabs made in the UK are sent to them. It follows European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen demanding AstraZeneca publish its contract with the EU to deliver 300 million doses. The company’s done that, with redactions, but Nicholas tells us the fine print contradicts Ms von der Leyen’s claim that the agreement was “crystal clear.” He also says the UK government’s trying to stay out of the battle, which Brexiteers claim shows the country was right to leave Europe.Also, economist and former trader Gary Stevenson explains what’s happening with Wall Street after struggling US retailer GameStop suddenly saw its share price rocket. He tells us how investors have been hit by a “classic short squeeze” and warns it will happen again as the effects of the covid pandemic start to hit economies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all struggled with being confined to our homes for the past year. But what has it been like for Carrie and Boris? Freddy Gray joins the podcast to talk about the inside scoops he picked up for his article on life behind Britain’s most famous door for the Evening Standard. Learn all about the cabin fever, opaque political machinations and Rishi Sunak’s disapproval of his next door neighbour’s dog, Dilyn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special edition of the Leader looking at the decisions made by the government and others that have taken the UK past the 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths figure. Adapted from an Evening Standard article by Jonathan Prynn, we use interviews and archives to piece together what happened over the last 12 months and where things went wrong.From face mask controversies to the country’s obesity problem, we uncover a litany of issues that conspired together to pass that grim milestone. But we also highlight the progress being made including the new vaccines and the effect of the most recent lockdown to show there may be signs of hope emerging.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi advised millions of us to delay booking a summer holiday, the Leader podcast speaks to travel consultant Paul Charles about the state of the industry. He tells us there is “no plan” from the government to help a sector already struggling after last season was cancelled by Covid, and predicts more airlines and travel agencies will collapse.Paul also says so-called ‘quarantine hotels’ will be less effective in the UK than they have been in other countries and could lead to hundreds of millions of pounds being lost to the economy.Also, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, joins the show as pressure grows on the government to deliver a blueprint on how schools will re-open. He says there appears to be a division between the Department for Education and Downing Street over the best way forward, which is causing confusion for teachers and parents.And he warns further delays risk harming young people’s confidence, as they wonder if there will be any classes at all this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy tells us what the government’s planning with proposed ‘quarantine hotels’. Under plans being decided by ministers over the next 24 hours, some travellers will be put on buses and driven directly to isolation centres where they’ll stay for 10 days. Joe says there are divisions within the government over how stringently the rules should be applied, with some ministers wanting a blanket ban on all countries but others arguing it should only be applied to places known to have new dangerous mutations of the virus.It comes as Boris Johnson warns he’s concerned about as yet undiscovered “vaccine-busting” variations of Covid making their way into the UK.Also, the Michelin Awards are being held… but why? With restaurants across the country closed because of lockdown restrictions, some are wondering if the prestigious ceremony’s been rendered pointless by the pandemic.But our chief food critic, Jimi Famurewa says the prizes could bring a welcome spotlight to a beleaguered industry.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.