The Standard

Leading West End bar and restaurant operators warn they won’t survive the winter after a ‘horrendous’ first weekend of Tier-2 Covid-19 restrictions in the capital. Normally heaving streets were left desolate and ‘no mixing’ laws triggered tens of thousands of cancellations. The Evening Standard’s consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn spoke with restaurateurs and bar owners, saying the weekend was ‘as bad as anyone had feared’.And, President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are just over three weeks away from the November 3 US Presidential Election. Both have hit the campaign trail hard over the weekend as they try to flip key battleground states. Lecturer at the UCL centre for US politics Dr Julie Norman tells us what to expect this week ahead of Thursday’s debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has dramatically told Britain to prepare for a No Deal Brexit after a bust-up with Brussels on trade talks. The Prime Minister put the country on notice that its EU departure at the end of the transition period on December 31st could be without a trade deal with the European bloc. The Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells the podcast why the fallout happened, and what to expect next.Also, restaurants, pubs and bars across London are scrambling to be ready for the new “high alert” restrictions coming into force as economists warn the measures would cost the capital an extra £10 billion. Hospitality industry leaders say the Tier 2 status ordered by Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday would be the “final nail in the coffin” for many venues. Our consumer business editor, Jonathan Prynn, says one industry boss is warning of up to 200,000 job losses this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tighter Tier 2 restrictions are being imposed in London to stop the Covid-19 epidemic worsening. But the government announcement hasn't stopped speculation that a much tougher 'circuit breaker' is still around the corner. Our education editor Anna Davis says the rumours have got headteachers worried that an effective 'lockdown 2' is on its way, with no way to prepare. Anna tells us how teachers are concerned another extended break could harm children who have already had a disruptive year. And, Donald Trump has threatened to remove protections for tech companies after Twitter and Facebook censored a story about Joe Biden's son, Hunter. The New York Post story claims Hunter Biden introduced his father to a top executive at a Ukrainian energy firm before the former vice president lobbied for the firing of a prosecutor who had investigated the company. It's been denied by Joe Biden and the Democrats. The story's the latest in a long line of what's called "October Surprises" in US elections. We speak to US politics historian Christopher Phelps on when they started and whether they ever have any effect on the result Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's insisting his three-tier approach to tackling coronavirus just needs time to prove it works, but told the Commons earlier that he's "ruling nothing out" as pressure bears down on him to impose a "circuit breaker" approach. Some scientists, including the government's own SAGE advisors, say the draconian lockdown would be the most effective way to halt the infection's spread, but economists are warning it could have a catastrophic effect on businesses. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells us why the PM faces a difficult balancing act, and why Sir Keir Starmer's calls for a circuit breaker are making it harder for the government to do it. Also, MI5 is having to protect research into a coronavirus vaccine from interference by saboteurs. Britain's top spy, Ken McCallum, also says the agency has been helping with building hospitals, and repurposing research originally done on toxic chemicals to help understand how Covid in droplets might disperse  The Evening Standard's Martin Bentham joins the podcast to talk about the new role the service finds itself working within in a post-pandemic world.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the law making it mandatory, it's not uncommon to find people wandering around supermarkets without wearing a face mask. Now the big store bosses are being summoned to a meeting with government officials and the police to discuss why. An agenda for the meeting seen by the Evening Standard says it will be an  attempt to find ways to “collectively promote compliance” with the rules. Our city editor, Jim Armitage, tells us retailers say they don't have the powers to "put shoppers in a half nelson and march them out the store" if they don't wear a mask. But as the sector is one of the few making large profits during the pandemic, some are asking if shops are putting profits before safety? Also, the first black male chief crown prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service’s history has told the Evening Standard he does not want to be perceived as a “poster boy” and is vowing to bring about real change. Lionel Idan, whose team convicted two of Stephen Lawrence’s racist killers in 2012, grew up in Ghana where his father lectured in art and literature. He's spoken to our crime correspondent Anthony France, who says the appointment comes not a moment too soon amid calls for compulsory anti-racism training at every level of our legal system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government's describing how the new lockdown system will work, with areas being placed under three different types of restrictions. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, tells us how the rules will operate and why some leaders in the north think they favour the south. He also reveals that a worrying rise in coronavirus cases in London means the city is likely to be put under Tier 2 limits, and why those will be imposed across the capital despite varying infection rates in different boroughs. Also, #Fatima has been trending after many working in the arts took offence to an advert encouraging a ballet dancer to retrain in cyber security. It's overshadowed the government launching its £1.57bn Cultural Recovery Fund, and reinforced concerns among some in the industry that their livelihoods aren't being taken seriously. The Evening Standard's Hattie Brewis explains how the advert was created in the first place, and why both the culture secretary and Prime Minister have condemned it as "crass" and "unacceptable". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new furlough scheme for areas affected by local lockdowns, paying two thirds of workers’ wages in businesses forced to close, is expected from Chancellor Rishi Sunak. But the Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn says "son of furlough" will only be available to limited sectors in very few areas. Meanwhile, it looks like the Eat Out to Help Out scheme didn't bring the economic bump it was expected to. Jonathan tells us why surprisingly low GDP figures have got some economists worried about when a financial turnaround for the country might come. Also, The Evening Standard’s launched a campaign to get sports fans back in stadiums. Backed by England and Arsenal football legend Ian Wright, it comes as our investigation reveals London alone has lost close to 1 billion pounds because the spending power of thousands of fans on football match days has vanished. Meanwhile, technology bosses tell us crowds of around 30 percent capacity could return safely with systems monitoring and controlling crowds. Sports journalist Marc Webber, from FC Business and BBC Final Score, tells us what it's like going to games without crowds, and how people could be allowed back in with safety measures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Commission on Presidential Debates says the next round between Donald Trump and Joe Biden will be held 'virtually;' but Mr Trump's refusing to have anything to do with it. He told Fox News the idea of the candidates being in separate locations is "not acceptable". It has, though, been done before when John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced off for the third time in 1960, 3, 000 miles apart. Julie Norman, from UCL's Centre on US politics tells us how a Zoom debate could work, and why it might be in Donald Trump's best interests to change his mind and take part. Also, EasyJet's posted its first ever financial loss and asked the government to help the aviation industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The group warned it was likely to make a loss in the year to 30th September of £815 million to £845 million compared to last year's pre-tax profit of £427 million. Travel journalist Simon Calder says the entire industry is calling on Downing Street to do something. He also talks to us about the final flight of BA's 747 fleet, saying it's time for the "gas guzzlers" to go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London’s hospitality industry has lashed out at Boris Johnson’s ‘misguided’ 10pm curfew, saying it's causing huge damage to the economy without the scientific evidence to back up the health benefits. The industry’s most influential leaders say that a staggered system of rolling closing times would be safe and give venues a better chance at operating profitably. The Caterer’s deputy editor Emma Lake says they want the government to work with the industry to plan a safer, longer-term approach, rather than enforcing a blanket rule. And, MPs have come under fire from virus experts for raising hopes that a Covid-19 vaccine will be a ‘one-shot wonder’ that will swiftly allow millions to return to normal life. The Evening Standard’s health editor Ross Lydall says they’re warning the government not to ‘overblow’ the impact, and say that a vaccine may not be widely available for another 18 months.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson promised to rebuild the nation from the ‘darkest moments’ of the Covid-19 pandemic as he addressed the Conservative Party conference. Following his huge election in, his speech should been the equivalent of a Roman triumph - instead the PM faced MPs who may be wondering if he is the man to lead them to the 2024 election? Our political journalist Sophia Sleigh says this is the time for him to lead the country through the crisis and while his speech was filled with hope, it was light on detailed policies. And, the UK’s 10pm curfew introduced to curb a second wave of coronavirus has seen thousands flood the streets as bars, restaurants and pubs close their doors for the night. As Boris Johnson faces a Conservative party rebellion over the measure, the Tory leader of the Westminster council has now ordered an investigation into its impacts. The Evening Standard’s consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn says there may be legitimate grounds for their concern. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.