The Standard

Feel like you’re going nowhere? That’s because London remains the most traffic-congested city in Europe and the third worst globally, according to an annual survey.Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall reports the Inrix 2023 global traffic score found speeds in central London fell 10 per cent in a year to an average of 10mph.Ross joins Mark Blunden to discuss the capital’s most congested routes, TfL’s gridlock management strategies and how Londoners’ on-demand shopping habits are fuelling the problem.Plus, make sure to stay tuned for part two, where we’ll analyse ‘Brat summer’ - a phenomenon that fuelled by Charli XCX’s new album that’s seen social channels overrun with low-res green squares inspired by the cover artwork.Rachelle Abbott joins features writer Maddy Mussen to discuss her piece on Brat summer as the singer prepares to play a Glastonbury DJ set.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has left London after agreeing a US plea deal that will see him plead guilty to a spying charge and go free.Assange was locked in a lengthy legal battle over his extradition with American authorities, including years living in London’s Ecuadorian Embassy from 2012 before detention in HMP Belmarsh.He was sought by the US since Wikileaks published hundreds of thousands of secret documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.Assange left Britain on a charter flight to plead guilty on a single spying charge at court in a US Pacific territory.Evening Standard home affairs editor Martin Bentham examines what’s next in the legal case and Assange’s timeline of being locked up in London.Plus, in part two, we look at the increasing price of a pint of beer in London - which has reached, on average, a frothy £6.75.Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn discusses the soaring costs hitting the capital’s hospitality sector.

Polling day is nearly here - and the prime minister has set out sweeteners he hopes will woo Londoners to vote Conservative on 4 July, rather than backing Labour - or switching to Reform, the Liberal Democrats or Greens.In a wide-ranging interview with the Evening Standard’s political editor, Nicholas Cecil, Sunak teased future interest rate cuts, vowed war on post-Brexit red tape, discussed the future of the City and civil service reform.Plus, Taylor Swift played the finale of three shows at Wembley Stadium on her Eras tour, before returning to London in August.Evening Standard commissioning editor and writer El Hunt, who was at Wembley, joins Mark Blunden in the newsroom to discuss the concerts.

Episode 2 of A Week's a Long Time in Westminster: A betting scandal, Starmer struggles to shake off Corbyn’s legacy, Boris returns and Ed Davey’s latest antics. Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra Joshi and Rachael Burford discuss the latest drama in the run-up to the general election. In this episode:Conservatives forced to delete ‘gambling’ post on XSuella Braverman’s embarrassing TikTok postsThe latest Ipsos survey sheds light on London’s intentionsWhy a local Labour leader was found hiding in a hedgeFollow us on X or on Threads.

In this preview of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev speaks with Ryan Holiday about the modern media landscape, echo chambers and the value of Stoic leadership.To hear the episode in full just search Brave New World Evening Standard.

Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil discusses Rishi Sunak’s LBC appearance, the poll that shows a potential Tory wipe-out in London, and more drama over Labour taxes. Plus, food & drink writer Josh Barrie talks us through the best beer gardens in the capital.Follow us on X or on Threads.

Our Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford dissects Keir Starmer’s performance on LBC, and considers whether Boris Johnson’s set to make a comeback. Plus, Senior Feature Writer Katie Strick talks us through the juiciest revelations from Tom Bower’s House of Beckham book.Follow us on X or on Threads.

Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil discusses whether the Conservatives will reap the benefits of their tax war on Labour. Plus, in part two,  features journalist Maddy Mussen discusses the rise of ‘spot stickers’ across London, and whether they’re better than concealer.Follow us on X or on Threads.

Episode One: Three weeks to go until July 4 polling day...Ahead of Euro 2024 kicking off, it's a game of two halves on the campaign trailLabour, the Tories, the Lib Dems and Greens publish their manifestosHas Rishi Sunak recovered from his D-Day blunder?Sir Keir Starmer’s party still on the back foot over tax plansOr is it really potholes and NHS waiting lists voters are most concerned about?With Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil, deputy political editor Jitendra Joshi and chief political correspondent Rachael Burford.