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Spring statement analysis: Labour rebels, welfare cuts, and defence
Season 1
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The Chancellor has presented her first highly-anticipated Spring Statement to parliament. More extensive changes were made than expected, after Rachel Reeves' plans were blown off course by lower growth and higher government borrowing costs. Helena Wadia speaks to the London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford, about defence spending, welfare cuts, and Sabrina Carpenter tickets.
In part two, H&M have announced they are creating AI model ‘twins’ - digital replicas of models to use for marketing campaigns. This comes despite acknowledging they don’t know the full impact of their approach. We sit down with London model, artist and writer Julia Campbell-Gillies to discuss the potential consequences on the wider fashion photography industry.
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Interest rates cut to 4% as UK inflation picks up
13:22||Season 1Millions of homeowners were handed a boost today when the Bank of England cut its interest rate from 4.25% to 4%. The reduction is the fifth over the past year, and brings borrowing costs down to their lowest since March 2023. Theo Harris, an economist at the New Economics Foundation joins us to discuss the news. And in part two, Nick Curtis, The Standard’s Theatre Critic and co-host of The London Theatre Review Podcast, reviews broadway show Good Night, Oscar, which features Will & Grace star Sean Hayes as troubled pianist Oscar Levant.
Half of police front desks set to be axed in London
14:56||Season 1The Metropolitan Police plans to close half of its front desk to save money. In a list published overnight, Scotland Yard confirmed it will break its pledge to have one accessible 24 hours a day, in each of the 32 boroughs. It comes amid an epidemic of knife crime, mobile phone snatches, shoplifting and bike theft across the capital. The Standard's Crime Correspondent Anthony France reacts to the news.And in part two, features journalist Katie Strick delves into the grim reality of modern dating, after the women's safety app Tea was targeted in a revenge attack by the right-wing anti-women group 4Chan.
How will the UK-France ‘one-in, one-out’ migrant deal work?
14:40||Season 1Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron's migrant deal comes into force today, with detentions set to begin from tomorrow. The ‘one in, one out’ pilot scheme allows the UK to send some people who have crossed the Channel back to France, in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. Daniel Sohege, a specialist in international refugee law and protection, and the director of human rights organisation Stand For All, joins us to discuss whether it will deter people from crossing the Channel. And in part two, The National Gallery has announced that a citizens’ assembly will help shape its future. The Standard’s columnist and arts critic, Melanie McDonagh shares her thoughts.
How will the police respond to mass Palestine Action protests?
16:38||Season 1The Met Police could be “tested to the limit” as hundreds have been urged to declare support for Palestine Action in central London this weekend. Protesters are being urged to turn up en masse to test whether the state can respond to such a big endorsement for the recently proscribed terror group, with organisers saying “there is safety in numbers”. Tim Crossland, a former government lawyer, who now campaigns with the civil liberties movement Defend Our Juries, has the latest. And in part two, freelance journalist Arielle Domb joins us to discuss the demise of late night dining.
Trump’s tariffs hit - plus, why so many New Yorkers are moving to London
16:03||Season 1Today US President Donald Trump has slapped steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners around the world. At 10 per cent, the UK has been promised the lowest US tariff rate so far. But what does this all mean? Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now - an organisation that campaigns for a fairer global economy - is here to unpack the news. And in part two The Standard’s Going Out Editor and Restaurant Critic David Ellis explains why so many New Yorkers are swapping the Big Apple for the Big Smoke.
The mysterious crime wave shattering London’s high street
13:40||Season 1The Standard’s special report this week examines a worrying pattern of crime taking place in the capital. Shops across London are repeatedly having their windows smashed - yet nothing is stolen. Is it just broken glass, or a shattering conspiracy? The Standard’s Claudia Cockerell has the latest. And in part two, if you’re still craving a summer holiday, freelance travel writer Alicia Miller is here with a roundup of some of the best trips to take before the season ends.
Where is London's worst area for knife crime?
16:23||Season 1Knife crime has soared by 86% in London in a decade, according to a report from the Policy Exchange think tank. Just 20 streets around Oxford Circus and Regent Street accounted for one in every 15 knife attacks across the capital, it found. Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer shares the findings and explains what needs to happen to tackle the capital's crime epidemic. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop shares her thoughts on the Channel 4 documentary about adult content creator and controversial figure Bonnie Blue - 1,000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story.
UK to recognise Palestine as a state in September unless Israel agrees to ceasefire
16:03||Season 1Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired an emergency cabinet meeting and announced that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, unless the Israeli government takes steps to end the "appalling situation" in Gaza. Before the announcement, Dr David Wearing, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex and an expert on UK foreign relations in the Middle East explained what needs to happen to resolve the conflict. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson shares the wild true story behind the new musical Brixton Calling, which is on at Southwark Playhouse.
Trump in Scotland: Gaza experiencing ‘real starvation’ says US President
14:17||Season 1Today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Donald Trump at his golf course in Scotland, Turnberry for talks.The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was top of the agenda, but the US President also doubled down on his controversial comments that an “invasion” of migrants is “ruining” Europe. And in part two, The Standard’s Football Writer Simon Collings shares what’s next for The Lionesses after the team won the Women’s Euro 2025 championship yesterday.