The Standard

Millions of British workers are expecting a pay rise in 2023, with nearly a quarter of respondents to a recent recruitment survey hoping for at least 10 per cent extra.It comes as nurses are negotiating for a 19.2 per cent increase, while unions recently secured 10 per cent plus a £2,000 bonus for workers at Rolls-Royce.So, as the cost of living crisis bites and the recession’s forecast to last until 2024, are union demands realistic and what’s the best strategy for squeezing a few more pounds from your boss, particularly if they have a “high ego”?Meanwhile, if you’re struggling this Christmas then please spare a thought for those hard-up bankers, who could soon receive unlimited bonuses after the Bank of England announced plans for a consultation on scrapping the so-called ‘bonus cap’.To examine how wages are looking into 2023 and tips for handling those awkward money conversations with the boss, The Leader’s joined by Dr Grace Lordan, a labour economist at the London School of Economics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Golden Globes winner Emma Corrin’s captivating role in this bold, tricksy adaptation of Orlando. Why this Virginia Woolf story about gender-fluidity is a Christmas hot ticket in the West End.Plus, we take you inside the 66th Evening Standard Theatre Awards, with winners including Killing Eve's Jodie Comer and James McAvoy.This is the Evening Standard's Theatre Review.In this episode:Part 1: Orlando at the Garrick TheatreWhat is this adaptation of Orlando by Virginia Woolf all about?Directed by Michael Grandage - who recently worked on the West End’s adaptation of FrozenEmma Corrin, who has been Lady Diana and Lady ChatterleyWhy you’re asked to contemplate gender, sexuality and social attitudes towards womenHow Corrin anchors the show but it felt like the production's emotional stakes weren’t very highThe nine diverse actors playing versions of author VirginiaWhy Deborah Findlay as servant Mrs Grimsditch borders on pantoWho was Virginia Woolf?Part 2: Inside the 66th Evening Standard Theatre AwardsAn emotional affair after a two-year break due to covid-19Killing Eve star Jodie Comer wins the Natasha Richardson Award for Best ActressJames McAvoy wins the Best Actor Award for Cyrano de BergeracLynette Linton secures Milton Shulman Award for Best Director for Blues for an Alabama SkyLynette becomes the sixth woman, and the first woman of colour, to win in the directing category since 1981Patrick Vaill wins Best Musical Performance for OklahomaFormer Evening Standard editor Charles Wintour created the Theatre Awards in 1955.To read all from the big night itself click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TS Anil is the CEO of Monzo, one of the neobanks taking on the established players in the financial sector. It’s grown to have around 6 million customers, but now faces new challenges as the UK wades through a cost-of-living crisis, and recession looms. To hear the full episode of How to be a CEO with TS Anil click here.The Evening Standard's SME Expo is back in 2023 and is being held at ExCel London - on April 25-26. Go to https://smexpo.co.uk/ for more information and to register for tickets.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirteen years after the original, Avatar is back. The second film in the franchise cost $250 million and is this year’s Christmas blockbuster. Writer & director James Cameron, has already shot a third movie and hopes to make at least another two… but that all depends on how this one goes down with audiences. Charlotte O’Sullivan, Chief Film Critic for The Evening Standard, gives her verdict on 'Avatar: The Way of Water' and thoughts on the future of the franchise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The season of strikes is in full swing and on Thursday it’s the turn of nurses and postal workers. The Royal College of Nursing say they’ve been left with no alternative but to hold the biggest industrial action in NHS history. Linda Tovey, a critical care nurse at St Thomas' Hospital, London, reveals what led her to strike and her worries over the quality of care patients will receive.  In part two, Katie Strick, commissioning editor and senior feature writer at the Evening Standard, meets postal workers Vinny and Hannah on the picket line to hear about their concerns for the future of Royal Mail. You can read more from Katie on the strikes here: https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/strikes-walkouts-nurse-paramedic-postwoman-firefighter-b1046563.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s been yet another English Channel crossing tragedy. At least four people have died and 40 more have been rescued after a migrant boat capsized in sub-zero temperatures in the early hours of the morning.The Evening Standard’s Deputy Political Editor, David Bond, explains what is known so far, the reaction and how important it is for the government to tackle these issues moving forward.In part two, Beth Gardiner-Smith, CEO of the charity Safe Passage International, gives her reaction to the PM’s migration plans and shares her views on how we can prevent these tragedies from happening again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first day of a series of strikes where 40,000 rail workers will walk out across the country until the weekend. Britain’s train services have effectively been brought to a standstill while Transport Secretary Mark Harper and RMT leader Mick Lynch continue to publicly point the finger at each other over who is to blame for the disruption. The Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor & Transport Editor, Ross Lydall, asked Lynch on the picket line about whether there is any hope of resolution.In part two, Jack Stein, Chef Director of Rick Stein Restaurants explains the impact the strikes are already having on the hospitality sector as the industry faces one of its toughest winters yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snow, ice and freezing fog has brought the capital to a halt. Drivers have been left stranded on the M25, flights cancelled, there’s mayhem on the rails and school closures a plenty.Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor and Transport Editor of the Evening Standard, gives you a definitive guide to the travel chaos and looks ahead to the rail strikes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Terera in Othello at the National Theatre leads a cast giving landmark performances. Plus, why Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre had the rare ingredients for five stars.The Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis is joined by culture editor Nancy Durrant to discuss this week’s extraordinary treats.Get ready for the 66th Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which returns after a two-year hiatus as the capital begins its Covid recovery. An exciting roster of winners will be announced on Sunday.Part 1: Othello at the National TheatreClint Dyer’s production of Othello is the first major version of the play by a black director at the National Theatre.Hamilton star Giles Terera is an “extraordinary actor” who shows the “humanity” of Shakespeare’s Moor.Why it’s a difficult, moving and complex play to watch but you’ll be glad to have seen it.“Particularly stark and harsh” with a “singular focus on Othello’s race”, compared to recent productions.Rosy McEwen’s stellar, strong performance as Desdemona displays an “intelligent woman who knows what she wants” and Paul Hilton presents an “almost carnivalesque” interpretation of Iago.“Pretty damn close to perfect” but listen to the end to discover Nick’s criteria for awarding that hallowed fifth star.Part 2: Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward TheatreJames Graham’s “tighter, richer and deeper” play transferred from the Young Vic traces back our modern adversarial climate of political debate to the 1968 American TV discussions - often explosive exchanges - between right-wing polemicist William F. Buckley Jr. and liberal left commentator Gore Vidal.Explores the political bubble and how a news network failed in its bid to “elevate boring” current affairs during presidential candidate debates.“Riveting” and “hugely enjoyable to watch”, Homeland and Supergirl star David Harewood continues in his Young Vic role of Buckley, while “excellent” Zachary Quinto is new to the Gore Vidal role, played as “serpentine” and “ghastly”.As a black actor, Harewood “wields the pompousness” of white Buckley, sending up the “flag and scotch” Republican.Why this is the show to watch this Christmas.For all the latest visit www.standard.co.uk/culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Graff is Linkedin's MD for EMEA and LATAM. He joined the company 11 years ago, and has seen it evolve into one of the biggest, and most influential platforms in the world.In this bonus episode we talk about: What is the perfect LinkedIn profile? How the site's changed over the last decade Why, as a member of the LGBT+ community, Josh felt he “didn’t belong” in business How coming out “made work a Hell of a lot more fun” How LinkedIn users changed their thinking during the lockdown. You can listen to the full episode with Josh Graff here.Head to standard.co.uk/business for the latest news, interviews and analysis, or pick up the Evening Standard newspaper.New episodes of How to be a CEO drop first thing every Monday morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.