The Leader | Evening Standard daily

Universal Basic Income is the levelling up trial that’s been getting some considerable attention.Now, after projects testing the social welfare scheme in other parts of the world, two similar experiments for here in England are being drawn-up, one in north London’s East Finchley and the other in Jarrow, South Tyneside.In the capital, it would see 15 participants given £1,600 per month for two years - just over £575,000 in total - in the hope it can help alleviate poverty for some of the worst-off Londoners so they can pursue studies and work.The idea is that automatically giving trial participants the same amount of cash could also reduce the cost to taxpayers of running a complex means-tested benefits system.But the controversial scheme’s critics say it’s costly, unproven and gives people money for nothing.To find out more, The Leader podcast’s in East Finchley, where volunteers are working with the think-tank Autonomy to bring the scheme to life, subject to a considerable funding boost.We’re at the Grange Big Local resident-led, lottery funded community project, with Julia Hines, a board member and volunteer who’s helping facilitate the trial.

Apple says its eye-tracking Vision Pro mixed reality headset heralds the “era of spatial computing” to browse and game with a digitised version of the world overlaid onto actual reality.The tech giant's boss Tim Cook promises the nearly £3,000 Mac for your face will “unlock experience like nothing we’ve ever seen” in a new metaverse.But what are the risks to young minds from this increasingly immersive computing experience that cuts users off from the physical realm?This episode of the Leader podcast sought out two psychologists expert in the impact of VR on child mental health. In part one, we’re joined by Dr Elena Martellozzo, associate professor of criminology at Middlesex University and associate director of the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies, who’s specialises in issues around online harm and is currently researching the metaverse.Then in part two, we speak with Sonia Livingstone, a professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics, who researches children’s digital lives.We discuss the impact of VR on the brain, harassment risks, gamification and how cooking can help children stay grounded in the real world.

It’s day one for Prince Harry giving evidence in his claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror - the first British royal to give court testimony in more than 130 years.This episode of the Leader podcast is brought to you, in part, from outside the Rolls Building of the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of London, where the Duke of Sussex is suing Mirror Group Newspapers for damages.He’s claiming journalists at its titles – which also include the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People – were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception and use of private investigators for unlawful activities. MGN denies all allegations against it.Revelations from Harry’s much-awaited witness box appearance at courtroom 15 and in his 55-page witness statement cover royal family members, the government and close friends as he continues a personal crusade against the tabloid media.For the latest, plus the wider context of Harry’s multiple civil claims, we’re joined by Evening Standard courts correspondent Tristan Kirk.

Thousands of London households are being hit with a fresh property squeeze as lenders hike interest rates again.Now, according to financial data firm Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage deal costs £35 more per month than it did a couple of weeks ago, following successive Bank of England base rate rises.It comes after TSB withdrew its ten-year fixed-rate, while Coventry Building Society is set to increase prices for two, three and five-year deals.The hikes are being fuelled by inflation figures stuck stubbornly at 8.7 per cent.Meanwhile, a record fifth of first-time buyers signed up to 35-year mortgages - so will be paying off property debt past retirement and into their 70s.The Leader podcast’s joined by Dr Jeevun Sandher, who's head of economics at the New Economics Foundation and Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Loughborough.

This is a bonus episode taken from our business podcast, How to be a CEO.Recorded live at the Evening Standard’s SME EXPO at ExCel London, Casyo ‘Krept’ Johnson - one half of the hip-hop duo Krept & Konan - and influencer, Sasha Ellese Gilbert, share the story of how they co-founded the sell-out brand Nala's Baby.Originally devised in lockdown as a solution to their daughter's eczema, the company is skincare and haircare free from toxins, chemicals and parabens. It is also cruelty and tear free, vegan, eczema-friendly and fully recyclable.To hear the full episode click here.

Pride month is officially here. Taking over the calendars every June, there’s events, festivals, exhibitions and even more, all celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. El Hunt, feature writer for the Evening Standard, explains the importance of Pride and gives you her top picks on the best things to see and do. In part two, we look at why we’re in the midst of a noughties revival with music journalist Jonathan Kanengoni.

After warnings from experts that artificial intelligence could lead to extinction, the Evening Standard’s senior feature writer and commissioning editor, Katie Strick, takes us on a deep dive into the risks of the technology. What the research suggests, the predictions from leading figures, and ultimately, just how worried we should all be about AI.You can read more on this story here: https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/ai-apocalypse-life-robots-take-over-elon-musk-chatgpt-b1078423.html

It’s the first of three days of industrial action affecting trains this week. Unions are being accused of targeting big events as the latest action comes at half term and with the FA Cup final at Wembley.Rachael Burford, the Evening Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, explains everything you need to know about the latest round of rail strikes.

Warning, this podcast episode contains strong language as well as major spoilers for the last episode ever of Succession. We now know the identity of Waystar Royco’s next CEO, the actual successor. Four seasons, 39 episodes, umpteen brutal insults, thousands of f-bombs and countless amounts of family backstabbing… have amounted to this final decision.  The Evening Standard’s Elizabeth Gregory and Hamish MacBain are here to review the last ever episode of Succession. We unpack everything from the show as a whole, give our verdict on the ultimate victor and discuss how the ending compares to others in TV history.Succession is available to watch in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW.