Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced £40billion of tax rises in Labour’s first budget for nearly 15 years. In a 77-minute speech before a packed House of Commons, the UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer announced massive tax hikes to help “fix the foundations” of the economy. Reeves plans to raise £25 billion from employers’ national insurance contributions plus increases to capital gains tax, while also making changes to inheritance tax and stamp duty. Billions of pounds in...

With the Budget on Wednesday getting us more focussed about stretching the pennies - who’s splashing out on £1,000-a-night on London’s new five-star hotel suites, amid a building boom?  It seems there’s plenty of business at the top-end, with The London Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn reporting the capital is on the brink of a new luxury hotel “gold rush”, with destinations offering hundreds of five-star rooms and suites due to open over the next 18 months. In part two, could east...

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has given a speech to prepare the ground for the Budget, saying Britain "must embrace the harsh light of fiscal reality". Elsewhere in the Labour party, Mike Amesbury MP has been suspended after CCTV appears to show him repeatedly punching a man.  Our Political Editor, Nicholas Cecil, shared his insight.  In part two, we have a special preview of The Standard’s series on London’s hidden gems. In this episode we get an exclusive peek inside the Transport...

Why is traveling off-season the best way to go? Sustainable travel expert Juliet Kinsman and journalist Jon Weeks transport us to Turkey, and we meet two inspiring guests who bring to life why so much good can come from our travels.  Selina Pirinccioglu from Alavya hotel tempts us to Alaçati on the Çeşme peninsula, as they reflect on how traveling off-season is better for visitors and locals, and where else she’d like to explore across Turkey. Award-winning author Elif Shafak reminds us of...

Lorry ‘blind spots’ continue to present serious hazards for London’s cyclists.  The London Standard’s transport editor Ross Lydall examines why haulage companies have been given more time by TfL to tackle vision issues and install camera tech in HGVs being driven in London, despite concerns expressed by cycle campaigners. In part two, The Royal Ballet is currently showcasing a mixed programme of works by 21st century choreographers titled ‘Encounters: Four Contemporary Ballets’, which runs...

In this special episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a conversation between the London Standard’s Editor in Chief, Dylan Jones, and former UK Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair. He discusses themes in his book, On Leadership: Lessons for the 21st Century (which is published by Penguin), and the lessons that can be learned from executive action in government. The book looks at the importance of assembling the right team, effective implementation of policy, and what works and what...

Donald Trump’s claim that the “far-Left” Labour Party in Britain is interfering in the US elections was slapped down by a Cabinet minister on Wednesday. Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted it was people linked to Labour acting as individuals going out to campaign for Democrat Kamala Harris, not any action organised by the party. The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil discusses Trump’s allegations and Labour’s response, with less than a fortnight to go in the race for the...

A murder plot targeting a rival gang member allegedly involving Met Police shooting victim Chris Kaba was among revelations about his criminal record that emerged on Tuesday. Kaba's convictions included prison sentences for weapons possession, as well as being subject to a domestic violence order, which surfaced following the judge’s lifting of reporting restrictions. Police firearms officer Martyn Blake was cleared of murder following the fatal shooting in a ‘hard stop’ in south London, but...

A government minister has left open the door to big tax hikes in next week’s Budget hitting high-earners on more than £100,000 - as he refused to say if these high earners were “working people” under Labour’s definition. Care minister Stephen Kinnock was repeatedly asked on Sky News, but gave no clear answer, whether or nor people earning six figures were classified as “working people” by the government. We’re joined by The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil from Parliament to...

In the fifth episode of our six-part travel series, we visit Marrakech, Fes and Chefchaouen, as sustainable travel expert Juliet Kinsman and journalist Jon Weeks discuss how small-group trips allow for immersive experiences. And they explain how responsible tourism can be a great way of supporting the empowerment of women. Experience the magic of a home-made breakfast in a private home in Marrakech's medina, appreciate the charm of a small family-owned hotel in Fes, explore the souks, and get...

It’s what everyone in the UK wants to know, what is going to be in the Budget?  Rumours have been swirling around what Chancellor Rachel Reeves has in store with potential tax rises, including inheritance tax, and National Insurance for employers.  The jobs minister, Alison McGovern, has said publicly that benefits are set to be cut. With the welfare bill in Britain set to spiral in coming years and decades, the Chancellor is reported to be seeking billions of pounds in benefits savings. Our...

On this preview of Brave New World, host Evgeny Lebedev is joined by Jim Poole, chairman, president and chief executive of Solace Life Sciences. The neuroscience company owns NuCalm, a technology designed to reduce stress and improve sleep without recourse to drugs. You may have even spotted the Duchess of Sussex wearing one of their stress relief patches. In this episode, Evgeny and Jim explore the evolution of the human brain, anxiety and how to deregulate the amygdala, a small,...

It’s official, England’s new manager is Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss reportedly signed a contract with the FA last week which will see him receive a salary worth around £5 million.  Tuchel, who is German, will be just the third foreign manager to become England coach, after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson of Sweden and the Italian manager Fabio Capello.  The Standard’s football reporter, Dom Smith, gives his verdict on the appointment, analyses the new manager’s...

On this very special episode, The Standard podcast’s Rachelle Abbott is in conversation with the producer, rapper, singer/songwriter and entrepreneur, will.i.am. Plus, they’re also joined by FYI.AI’s Fyilicia.  To hear the full extended interview search Tech & Science Daily on your podcast provider, or click here. FYI.AI, which stands for ‘Focus Your Ideas', is a messaging and productivity tool for creatives, founded by will.i.am and software developer, Sunil Reddy. In this...

The Mayor of London sits down with London Standard Editor, Dylan Jones, to talk about all things politics. Sadiq Khan discusses the exodus of the capital’s rich, his goals for his unprecedented third term as mayor, the plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, as well as issues surrounding housing and traffic. In part two, the Gaza marches, his message to London’s Jewish community, and who he would choose as his successor when he eventually steps down.  To read Dylan’s full article click here ...

Incredible natural environments, cycling through the trees and living among the clouds. Sustainable travel expert Juliet Kinsman and journalist Jon Weeks discuss the beauty of Ecuador, and how it's a great example of an economy that relies on Tourism. Learn how Ecuador's 'eternal spring' makes the best tasting fruit, and why you should think twice about negative headlines about a destination. Roque Sevilla, former Mayor of Quito, explains how tourism protects the country's biodiversity and...

Britain’s economy made a welcome return to growth in August after a pick up on the high street and in factories helped drive overall GDP. The London Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn reports that output was up by 0.2 per cent in the month following two months of flatlining in June and July, that’s according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. It comes a fortnight before Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils the Labour government’s first budget.  Jonathan joins us...

The Conservative leadership race has been narrowed to Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, after once-favourite James Cleverly was squeezed out of the contest - to considerable surprise. Badenoch won 42 votes, Jenrick secured 41, but Cleverly took just 37, with 120 Tory MPs having taken part. So, what’s next, who is best to hold Sir Keir Starmer to account at the dispatch box - and how did James Cleverly’s leadership bid come unstuck? The Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil has the...

Flights from Britain to Florida have been cancelled as the US state braces for what President Joe Biden warned could be the worst storm in a century. Approaching Category Five Hurricane Milton - just a fortnight after Category Four Hurricane Helene - has brought widespread disruption to the Sunshine State as officials urge residents to follow evacuation orders and airports, including Tampa International and Orlando, have temporarily closed. As this episode of The Standard podcast went live,...

Transport secretary Louise Haigh has signalled the HS2 high-speed line will terminate in central London. She told Times Radio on Tuesday an announcement would be made soon on the controversial under-construction route from Birmingham into the capital - that’s expected at the Budget on October 30. There was uncertainty over HS2’s final stop amid funding worries and whether it would instead be at Old Oak Common further to the west of London. We’re joined by The Standard’s political editor...

This October 7 marks one year from devastating terror attacks on Israel that set in motion a series of events plunging the Middle East into crisis. Hamas gunmen launched surprise cross-border raids from the Gaza Strip during the Jewish new year holiday of Rosh Hashanah, leaving with more than 1,200 Israelis killed and at least 250 hostages taken. Hostilities mushroomed to claim over 40,000 Palestinian lives, with Hezbollah in Lebanon and then Iran pushing into the conflict. In Britain, the 7...

Why fly when you can take the train? In this episode Sustainable travel expert Juliet Kinsman and journalist Jon Weeks explore the best places to travel to by train and why, including Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden & Scotland. Find out when trains truly are the best option for your trip, and why the pros of travelling along the tracks often outweigh the cons of flying. Tine Murn the former director of the Slovenian tourism board explains his romantic view of train travel, and...

Rising tensions in the Middle East are adding new global economic uncertainties.  The pound, while recovering slightly on Friday, remained set for its worst week in more than a year - as oil heads for the biggest weekly price increase since 2023. It came as Israel intensified strikes on Lebanon following Iran’s missile barrage and ongoing Hezbollah rocket attacks.  The Standard podcast is joined by Dr James Meadway, economist at the Progressive Economy Forum, to examine the financial...

On this preview of Brave New World….Why AI is the future of medicine. Alternative medicine advocate and best-selling author Deepak Chopra joins host Evgeny Lebedev, to discuss why artificial intelligence is the key to unlocking both personal and spiritual growth, and why humanity is at a crucial crossroads with technology. The health and wellness expert has been at the intersection of science and spirituality for nearly 50 years and recently released his 95th book, titled Digital...

As the world awaits Israel’s response to rocket attacks by Iran, what role did British forces play defending the country? In this episode of The Standard podcast we’ll also look at the UK government’s handling of the crisis, with Britons told to leave Lebanon as Israel continues to pound Tehran-backed Hezbollah and ground operations begin. Around 180 Iranian rockets were fired on Tuesday night as Iran’s response to Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, and...