The Standard

The former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has written in the Evening Standard warning the UK needs to “massively speed up” its coronavirus testing system. He says it needs to be a 24 hour turnaround time, it’s currently of median of 48, and he’s been told a care home in his constituency had to wait a week for results for some of its residents. It comes as the country prepares to ease out of lockdown with new rules allowing up to 6 people to meet in open spaces. Our comment editor Susannah Butter asks if the UK's ready to leave the house, and where is the world-class testing Boris Johnson promised us?The National Trust is to begin re-opening some of its parks and gardens, although you won't be able to go into any of its stately homes just yet. The Trust had to furlough 80 percent of its staff and reportedly faces a £200 million deficit because of the pandemic. Its spokesman Simon Toomer joins the podcast to tell us what's involved in opening up the spaces, and what people will and won't be able to do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dominic Cummings "might" have broken lockdown rules when he visited Barnard Castle, according to Durham Police. They're not taking any further action for what they're calling a "minor breach", but their conclusion is fuelling further calls for the Prime Minister's adviser to resign or be fired. Downing Street says that's not going to happen, but our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says there's already a swell of senior Tory MPs who think Boris Johnson should take action before the affair undermines efforts to keep the UK safe from coronavirus. Live music is returning to the UK. The BBC's announced the Proms will go ahead, with a mix of archived and live performances which could see at least a small audience at the Albert Hall. The Evening Standard's associate editor Julian Glover says it's a huge boost for a country that needs cultural events to come back, and the government should give music as much attention as it does football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson calls it the “whack-a-mole” strategy. An enormous operation to test and trace everyone in the UK showing symptoms of coronavirus, as well as those they have been in contact with. Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us how it’s supported by an army of 50,000 doctors and data gatherers, and why the government changed the name from “track and trace”. But the Evening Standard’s editorial asks how it can work if no-one knows what the self-isolation rules are anymore?It was predicted that the lockdown would lead to great works of literature, or at least the DIY getting done. But figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed what the UK public have really been up to. The Evening Standard’s Naomi Ackerman has been reading the report. She joins The Leader podcast to tell us what the top activities have been - and who’s been doing the most housework. She also discusses what she’s been up to, including launching her own podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a rose garden Downing Street press conference, Dominic Cummings remains a special adviser with the backing of Boris Johnson. But now approval polls show the public is unhappy with the Prime Minister, and a junior minister's resigned, can the architect of the Conservatives' election win really hold on much longer? In this special edition of the Leader podcast, the Evening Standard's political editor Joe Murphy reveals his conversations with Tory MPs who fear public anger is only going to grow. And the Evening Standard's Londoner editor, Ayesha Hazarika, tells us how Labour could take advantage of Boris Johnson's apparent vulnerability.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three months late and riddled with exemptions, the government is introducing quarantine rules for those who fly into the UK. They'll force people to self-isolate for 14 days, with exceptions including fruit pickers and possibly racing car drivers. Those who break the rules could be fined up to £1,000, but the Metropolitan police say it's not their job to enforce them. Our associate editor Julian Glover tells us why the Evening Standard's calling the laws "silly tokenism" and makes suggestions for how the government can safely allow people to take foreign holidays again. What are the rules for going outside this bank holiday, and is it alright to buy a pint? The Evening Standard's Amira Hashish has been out in Notting Hill, where some bars and restaurants are offering takeaway services. She tells us how there's confusion about what you can and cannot do, but also excitement about being able to buy a drink from a real pub again. You can find lots of ideas for the bank holiday, both indoors and out, on the Evening Standard's website.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS surcharge that sees some non-EU migrant health and care workers paying £400 for access to services, whether they use them or not, is supposed to go up this year, but could it instead be scrapped? Several Tory backbenchers are joining calls for the government to dump the fee as the country recognises the importance of overseas staff in the health system. Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us Boris Johnson's own praise of the migrant workers who saved the Prime Minister's life is putting him in an awkward position in trying to defend the charge. More than 60,000 new Covid-19 infections are happening a week in England. The number from the Covid-19 Infection Survey, which is led by the Office for National Statistics, is far higher than the number of confirmed positive tests announced by the Government daily. Health authorities are now claiming Downing Street is in a race against time to get its delayed track and trace system up and running. The Evening Standard's Nicholas Cecil says it may have to go ahead without the app that was supposed to be the centrepiece of the entire thing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK's track and trace app, which was due to launch around now, appears to be being delayed. It's supposed to form a major part of the country's fight back against coronavirus, by alerting people who have come into contact with someone infected by Covid-19. But following trials on the Isle of Wight, the government now says it could be "several weeks" away from being rolled out nationwide. We speak to Isle of Wight resident Richard May who is one of those who have been using the app, and ask what experience he's had with it. Professor Erin Bromage's advice on how to survive the coronavirus pandemic at the start of lockdown was read by 13 million people in a week. As countries all over the world now begin easing restrictions, he gives the podcast his advice on how to minimise risk in the workplace and classrooms. Why do people need to avoid shouting in the office, and should schools really ban singing at end of year concerts? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Standing on the South Bank, the Globe theatre is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, as well as being an international cultural giant. Now it’s under very real threat. It says the coronavirus pandemic has left it “critically vulnerable” and urgently needs 5 million pounds just to keep running. Evening Standard Arts Editor Nancy Durrant joins the podcast to explain what is at risk.Air BridgesIt may be very different, but the summer in the UK could have at least a familiar feel. The Environment Secretary has hinted that pubs could open in July – with social distancing in place - and the Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given his backing to so-called Air Bridges, which could allow travel between countries with low Covid-19 rates. That idea was first floated by conservative MP Huw Merriman, who is the chairman of the Commons Transport Select committee. He joins The Leader podcast to explain the idea - and why it means you could take a summer holiday without the need to quarantine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Law was a 17th century banker who murdered a rival in London, escaped jail and ended up in Paris where he bankrupted France, arguably causing the revolution. How can his story influence decisions over the UK economy as the country attempts to recover from coronavirus? Economist Stephen King tells the podcast about the lessons still being learned from that fiasco, and explains how a "bad bank" that takes on British company debts in exchange for the government taking a stake in the firm, could be a good idea.  Horse-drawn carriages in London's streets and skateboarding commuters are some of the ideas being floated for getting people back to work. There have been more trains running, but fewer people seem to be using them, as fears over the continuing spread of Covid-19 prove difficult to beat. Evening Standard features writer Sam Fishwick gives advice on alternative ways to get to the office, from walking and cycling to more creative suggestions.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horrific figures revealing 12,000 deaths from coronavirus in care homes in England and Wales since the crisis began have re-ignited appeals for staff and patients to get better protection from the infection. The numbers are from the Office for National Statistics who are warning they're still "looking into" it and could announce an even higher figure soon. The Evening Standard's deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says Number 10's promising action, but Labour says it's far too late. The covid-19 infection rate in London appears to be falling to just 24 new cases a day, but that's not releasing the pressure on mayor Sadiq Khan. A £1.6 billion bail-out deal with the government's rescued Transport for London, but come with several strings attached. There'll be a review of finances, a commitment to run a 100% service as soon as possible, and government public health warnings will replace the mayor's own ones in stations. Fares are to go up, and free travel be slashed back. Comment editor Susannah Butter interviewed Mr Khan while was waiting for the government's deal, and she tells us how difficult the mayor's future looks.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.