The Standard

Britain’s crippled lockdown economy smashed all records in April when the nation’s output plummeted by more than a fifth. The remarkable 20.4 per cent dive in GDP — even deeper than most City forecasts — came in the month when Boris Johnson’s strict “stay at home” order was in force for all 30 days. But our consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn tells us there is some hope for a recovery as the number of covid cases in the country starts to fall. And, the Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council tells our digital fashion and beauty editor Chloe Street how London Fashion week is transforming itself into an online event because of the pandemic. How hard has the industry been hit by covid-19, and what's happening to help? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of pleading from restaurants, bars, theatres and cinemas, the government could be about to reduce the two metre social distancing rule. Communities minister Simon Clarke's been giving interviews suggesting it's under review. Some other countries have set the distance to as little as one metre, so why can't the UK? Restaurateur Jack Stein, son of celebrity chef Rick Stein, tells us how cutting the gap by even just half a metre could make the difference between successfully re-opening and going bust. Also, as UK singles get ready for their "social bubble" time this weekend, we look at how Holland saved sex during the pandemic. Dutch writer Linda Duits talks to us about the way lockdown rules there encouraged people to find "sex buddies", and the difference that made to the country.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coronavirus has never been so prevalent. Although cases are dropping in Europe, they're soaring in both north and South America, while Africa is struggling to control the infection. Data suggests the peak of the global pandemic is still to come. Among those battling Covid-19 across borders is Save the Children. Their executive director of global programmes Gwen Hines tells us about the challenges being faced in places like Yemen, where a civil war is hampering efforts to keep people safe. Prince Philip's turned 99 with a celebration at Windsor Castle with the Queen. A new photograph of the couple has been released to mark the occasion. We ask the Evening Standard's Insider editor Lucy Pavia what else the Duke of Edinburgh will be doing on his special day. We also ask if it's true, as one royal commentator has claimed, that lockdown's meant he's never spent this much time alone with his wife before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government's announced all primary school children in England will not be sent back to classes before the summer break. It follows a backlash from teachers and unions who warned it would be impossible due capacity issues, staff shortages and social distancing requirements. In this episode of the Leader Podcast we look at an alternative to using classrooms for pupils with the launch of a new forest school in London, where children are taught outside. London Mayor Sadiq Khan's ordered a commission to review statues, street names and public buildings that may have a connection to slavery. It could lead to places like the Tate and Sloane Square getting a name change. But should we tear down our past? The Evening Standard's associate editor Julian Glover argues it's better to reset the balance by finding ways to remember the history people have forgotten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand is declaring itself covid-19 free and lifting almost all of its lockdown restrictions. It follows the recovery of a woman in her 50s who was the last known person in the country to have the infection. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admits she "had a little dance" when told the virus appeared to have cleared, 101 days after the first case was reported. We speak the New Zealand Herald political journalist Amelia Wade to find out how the country did it? Met police commissioner Cressida Dick has written for the Evening Standard to describe the "disgraceful criminality" during Black Lives Matter demonstrations that led to 49 of her officers being injured, several seriously. There were more than 60 arrests at the protests in London which saw statues defaced and government buildings damaged. The Evening Standard's home affairs editor Martin Bentham tells us about the difficulties of policing a mass protest during a pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has it taken the UK so long to introduce mandatory face mask wearing on public transport? In this special edition of the Leader podcast, we speak to a physician who has been campaigning for the change since the pandemic began, Dr Babak Javid. The Evening Standard's health editor, Ross Lydall, tells us how the law will be enforced, and we hear from Kerry Macphee, the Commonwealth Games competing cyclist who has joined a cottage industry of face mask makers around the United Kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police have identified a new suspect in the disappearance. The man, known only as Christian B, is currently in jail in Germany for the rape of a woman in the same Portuguese resort where Madeleine vanished when she was just 3 years old. Her parents have welcomed the development. The Evening Standard's home affairs editor Martin Bentham tells us how the new suspect was identified, and why it's taken so long. As Chernobyl, the drama based on the nuclear plant explosion in 1986, has been nominated for 14 Bafta television awards we look at how TV audiences have been affected by the pandemic lockdown. We ask our digital showbiz editor Rachel McGrath if the judges were influenced by current events when making their decisions, and what sort of shows viewers are turning to at a time when there's not much else to do.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite thousands packing into Hyde Park organisers of the Black Lives Matter protest tried to enforce social distancing measures, aware of concerns about the virus' spread in a mass gathering. Yet, around the UK many appear to be ignoring the rules, with a poll suggesting one in five gave up on them after the Dominic Cummings affair. Labour says the government is losing the people's trust. Meanwhile, the Home Secretary has announced her much-criticised international quarantine laws. We speak to Chris Goater from the International Air Transport Association who says they won't be effective and will hurt an already wounded airline industry further.  How did Zoom go from a tiny start-up with barely $200,000 in profit, to a global video conferencing giant projecting revenue of $1.8 billion? The Evening Standard's Mark Shapland tells us that great design, and failures by rivals like Skype, led to an enormous success story during a pandemic that's sent other companies to the wall. We also reveal the Evening Standard's offering up to £150,000 for great start-up ideas in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are concerns US police tactics against George Floyd protesters is increasing the risk of coronavirus infecting demonstrators. The use of tear gas on mass gatherings is being highlighted, because it causes coughing which can spread the bug. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's threatening to send the army into cities to "dominate the streets". Evening Standard columnist Philip Delves Broughton is in New York, where the Governor's warning people to take care, but not stop protesting. Public Health England has published a review which has confirmed that black, Asian and minority ethnic people are more likely to die from Covid-19. It found that those of Bangladeshi ethnicity had around twice the risk of death than those from a white British background. We speak to Dr Chandra Kenneganti, chair of the British International Doctors Association, who tells us the figures only confirm what they already knew, and what's needed is swift action.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schools are re-opening for more pupils in England, but many classes are all but empty. It's thought around half of parents have decided to hold off on sending their children back to their teachers. That's despite schools implementing social distancing measures, including keeping desks apart and enforcing more hand washing. Warnings from some scientists that the lockdown is being lifted too early may have put some people off, but our education editor Anna Davis says it's expected the number of kids going to classes will rise over the week. The UK’s quarantine laws were only announced last week and are supposed to come into force on Monday. But already the Evening Standard has learned a rebellion by MPs has seen Downing Street aides draw up plans to ease them. It follows the aviation and tourism industries saying the rules as they stand would ruin any hope of recovery during the summer. Jonathan Prynn tells us what's wrong with the laws, and whether they'll be scrapped soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.