The Standard

Today Labour’s Davy Russell narrowly defeated the SNP to win the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, with Reform coming a close third. The Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford has the latest. And in part two, Rachelle Abbott meets the founder of hip hop band Cypress Hill, B-Real, to discuss the band’s new album with the London Symphony Orchestra, which was recorded at London’s Royal Albert Hall and was inspired by an episode of The Simpsons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katja Faber is a former barrister and journalist who has lived through every parent’s worst nightmare—the death of her 23-year-old son, Alex Morgan. In our opening episode, Katja takes us back to 2014, introducing us to Alex and the glamorous, globetrotting world he was part of before his tragic killing later that year. We explore the circumstances surrounding his death and how he and his killer ended up taking drugs together in a Swiss villa on that fateful night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed what to expect in the upcoming spending review - including that winter fuel payments will be restored to some pensioners this year, in a government u-turn on the allowance cuts.To run us through the latest, we're joined by The Standard's Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford.Plus, in part two, we’ll be exploring whether monogamy is still a realistic, with culture writer Claudia Cockerell. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/pensioners-winter-fuel-payments-reeves-spending-review-b1231164.html https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-monogamy-modern-relationships-b1230343.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the New York private equity firm KKR dramatically pulled out of a financial rescue plan for the heavily indebted Thames Water. Eleanor Shearer, a senior research fellow at the Common Wealth think tank, joins us to ask what happens next. Plus, the Standard’s showbiz correspondent Tina Campbell, is here to discuss the latest development in the continuing feud between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.https://www.standard.co.uk/business/new-york-private-equity-kkr-thames-water-rescue-ofwat-b1230923.htmlhttps://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-medical-records-b1230950.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The London Standard’s defence editor Robert Fox joins us to discuss the government’s newly released strategic defence review.And in part two, he explains the latest on peace talks in Istanbul following Ukraine’s long-range drone attack on Russia on Sunday.https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/defence-review-keir-starmer-spending-donald-trump-b1230498.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is behind the red paint attacks both in and outside the capital? Journalist David James Smith reports on the latest, as Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, urges the Met Police to treat the repeated vandalism with the seriousness it deserves.And in part two, journalist Lucy Pavia shares how you can bring the cottagecore garden trend to your own urban outdoor space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashok Kumar, an American associate professor of political economy at Birkbeck University, shares how the action of the US federal court has scuppered Trump’s tariff plans, and impacted global trade relations.The Court of International Trade found the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from US trading partners.And in part two, The Standard’s review of Kylie Minogue at London’s O2 with culture writer and commissioning editor Vicky Jessop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Mayor of London urges the government to consider decriminalising possession of small amounts of cannabis, Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst for Transform Drugs Policy Foundation, unpacks the findings of the London Drugs Commission.And in part two, The Standard’s culture writer Claudia Cockerell questions the power and popularity of the slogan t-shirt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is positioning his party against Labour, with policies that will allegedly be funded by axing net zero projects, saving up to £225 billion. The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford explains more.And in part two, news reporter Megan Howe tells us why one London borough is seeking independence to rejoin Essex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Ofgem announces the latest energy price cap, we’re joined by Emily Seymour, from consumer champion Which? to unpack today’s facts and figures.And in part two, The London Standard’s lifestyle and culture writer India Block reveals the winning songwriters of the Ivor Novello awards - and the state of the music industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.