The Standard

The Evening Standard's revealed how thousands of Londoners are missing urgent checks for cancer as the full impact of the coronavirus lockdown emerges. Those seeking a two-week hospital referral from their GP fell by almost 18,000 in May — 53 per cent lower than the same month last year, and worse than the rest of the country. The number of Londoners starting life-saving or life-extending treatment also fell by about 1,000 — 35 per cent lower than last year. Health editor Ross Lydall tells us how health campaigners fear cancer has become "the forgotten C" during the Covid-19 pandemic. And, Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird is turning 60, but is the race relations story told through the eyes of young white girl still relevant in a Black Lives Matter world? We speak to best-selling author Lauren Wilkinson, whose novel American Spy, about a black female FBI agent in a white male dominated field, was named by Barack Obama as one of the best of last year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government's announced that gyms and swimming pools will reopen within weeks, but office blocks around the country remain empty as the coronavirus lockdown limps on. It follows the Chancellor unveiling a discount meal scheme, and help for homebuyers. Our associate editor Julian Glover asks if ministers are doing what's popular instead of making the hard decisions that will restart an economy lumbering towards recession. Also, Labour's Jess Phillips speaks to the Leader podcast about a gap in the new Domestic Abuse Bill. It's being hailed as "landmark legislation" after passing the Commons earlier this week, but Ms Phillips says it doesn't cover migrant victims who are being denied public money and shelter support. She tells us why that's putting people's lives at risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak's given everyone in Britain a discount voucher for half price meals at restaurants, pubs and cafes during August in an unprecedented move to boost the battered economy. He's also slashed VAT from 20 per cent to just five per cent on leisure and nights out and cut Stamp Duty. We ask city journalist Mark Shapland and Prudence Ivey from the Evening Standard's Homes and Property if the Chancellor's done enough to get the economy moving. Also, Lauren Bravo, writer of How to Break Up with Fast Fashion joins us to talk about Boohoo. The retailer's launched an independent investigation after one of its suppliers was accused of paying staff below the minimum wage, and allegedly making them work in unsafe conditions during the coronavirus lockdown. But is Boohoo the only player in the fashion industry with questions to answer over how workers are treated? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has been blasted for an "absolute travesty of leadership" after saying that "too many" care homes did not properly follow procedures during the coronavirus pandemic. Care providers have branded his comments as "cowardly" while the head of the National Care Forum said they were "frankly hugely insulting". But Downing Street's neither apologising nor backing down. Instead, our political editor Joe Murphy says Number 10's claiming the PM's words "didn't mean what we think they mean”. Three pubs which reopened their doors for the first time on Saturday have had to close again after customers tested positive for coronavirus. The Evening Standard's Go London editor, David Ellis, says it proves landlords are taking the Covid-19 threat seriously, and it shouldn't put people off heading out at the weekend.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Headteachers have been telling the Evening Standard how the coronavirus lockdown is having a "severe impact" on the country's children.  Sleep loss, silence, and appearing withdrawn or sad are just some of the manifestations of the mental strain that has been placed upon some, while teachers say that others had not even picked up a pen or book since their schools were shut. Our education editor Anna Davis talks to us about her investigation, and why the government needs to intervene to help the most vulnerable. Also, one of the country's top west end producers joins the podcast to talk about the £1.5bn lifeline the government's giving the arts industries. Sonia Friedman, whose company is behind hits including the Book of Mormon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, explains why she's "immensely grateful" for cash she hopes will save the culture sector, but also reveals concerns over how and when it will be handed out.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London is set to reopen but London mayor Sadiq Khan warns this isn’t a time to celebrate. He tells The Leader podcast that while Londoners should go out and enjoy the city on Saturday, it's crucial to remember that the threat of Covid-19 is still very real and social distancing must be respected. What will happen if we don’t? We also speak to Professor Karol Sikora who tells us exactly what the consequences will be.And, Ghislaine Maxwell is facing charges over allegations she helped Jeffrey Epstein 'identify and befriend and groom girls’. Evening Standard columnist and former acquaintance Anne McElvoy says she remembers Ghislaine in the 80s a British socialite withbullet-proof confidence. She tells us whether there was any sense then that Ghislaine was wrapped up in another world with Epstein. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard’s new editor, Emily Sheffield, Boris Johnson warned Britain: the furlough scheme cannot go on. He said an extension to the scheme, which is keeping 9.3 million people in ‘suspended animation’, wouldn’t be healthy for the economy - or for us. But Ms. Sheffield tells The Leader podcast the PM revealed there’s more big spending to come as the country emerges from the pandemic. And, we introduce you to the Evening Standard’s new editor. Emily Sheffield is returning to the paper after a period as British Vogue’s deputy editor and launching female-led digital news brand ThisMuchIKnow. She says this is a period of great innovation and change and she’s here to make the most of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If a Leicester-style Covid-19 outbreak hits London, town halls are warning they need more information on how they could enforce a local lockdown. Mayor Sadiq Khan says London isn’t ready for a second surge, and if one hits, more people could lose their lives. The Evening Standard’s Nicholas Cecil has pieced together what plans are in place to stop a surge spiralling out of control, but tells us public health chiefs are operating in the dark.And, a list of air bridges with the UK is set to be released this week and airlines are already ramping up their flight schedules. So does this mean summer is saved? Abta’s Sean Tipton tells us we’re likely to see a boom in out-of-season travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leicester became the UK’s first city to experience a local lockdown just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his ‘New Deal’ plan to soften the blow to Britain’s economy post-pandemic. What does a new surge in coronavirus cases meanfor the heath of the Midlands city’s businesses? We spoke to local hair salon owner Barrie Stephen who says after weeks of intense preparation and thousands of pounds spent, the news is devastating.And, the National Gallery is set to re-open its doors - the first of the museums and galleries to do so as lockdown measures in England begin to ease. Director Gabriele Finaldi says this is a big moment not just for him, but for the recovery of the nation. Arts editor Nancy Durrant spoke with him for a piece in today’s Evening Standard, she tells us what visitors can expect when they visit next week.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The city of Leicester is facing two more weeks of lockdown as the rest of England prepares to head to the pub this weekend. Boris Johnson says this is part of the government’s new ‘whack-a-mole’ approach to deal with local flare ups of coronavirus. But if London’s hit, what would a lockdown look like? The Institute for Government’s Alex Thomas tells us it's complicated. And, Sir Mark Sedwill, the government's top civil servant and National Security Advisor has been forced out of both his roles.Chief Brexit negotiator David Frost has taken up position as NSA, which the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy says has some former top mandarins worried - but who will fill his spot at the heart of Number 10? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.