The Standard

The Metropolitan Police is facing a £260million funding shortfall, prompting sweeping cuts across the force. 1,700 jobs are at risk, including officers, PCSOs and support staff. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has pledged to protect frontline response units and increase funding from City Hall, but public trust and service levels could be under pressure.The London Standard’s crime editor Anthony France joins us to explain how the Met’s finances reached this crisis point, which units are most vulnerable, and what it all means for policing in London.Plus, Hollywood star Val Kilmer has died aged 65. From Top Gun’s Iceman to Batman and Heat, we reflect on his iconic screen moments and lasting legacy with The London Standard’s celebrity correspondent Lisa McLoughlin.

A three day hearing has commenced at London’s High Court as pupils, their parents and a collection of independent and faith schools appeal against Labour’s policy to impose VAT on school fees.In this episode, Tristan Kirk, the Court Correspondent for The Standard outlines who is bringing the challenge, explains why the hearing has been fast-tracked, and sets out the potential implications of a successful verdict.Plus, Sony Pictures has finally announced the cast for its biopic on The Beatles and the Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, is here to give his views on the ambitious project and how the casting choices might be key to attracting new generations to the story of one of the biggest influences in British music.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has opened a major summit on illegal migration, bringing together officials from over 40 countries at Lancaster House in London.In this episode we hear from The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford about Labour’s strategy to crack down on people smuggling and the role of social media in tackling online exploitation.Plus, as London prepares to open the £2.2 billion Silvertown Tunnel, we hear from Transport for London’s David Rowe and The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall on what the new river crossing means for commuters, congestion, and tolls.

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.

News broke late on Tuesday night that Prince Harry has stepped down from his role as co-founding patron of Sentebale, the charity he set up in memory of his mother. To find out more, we're joined by The London Standard's culture and lifestyle writer India Block.In part two, we join Emma Flynn who is currently starring as Cher Horowitz in the new West End musical, Clueless. We ask her what it's like to play such an iconic role, whether she's met Alicia Silverstone, what Cher would be like in 2025's society, plus much more. 

The row over the Chancellor Rachel Reeves receiving tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert at London’s o2 Arena has grown on Tuesday, with Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook saying that he had never taken a free ticket for the flagship music venue in east London.  Speaking to LBC Matthew said he personally did not believe it was “appropriate” to accept them.But what is the ministerial code, and have any rules been broken? We’re joined by The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford.In part two we head over to The Museum of Brands for this week’s London’s Hidden Gems and speak to Museum Director Paul Botje and Museum Curator Alice Kain.The full Hidden Gems video was produced by The London Standard’s deputy head of video, Albert Evans.

As we approach this week’s spring statement we join The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford, who explains the government's plans to cut civil service running costs.Chancellor Rachel Reeves is now facing a war with unions amid claims as many as 50,000 people would lose their jobs.In part two we speak to historian Dr Leanne Langley as March 21st marked 200 years since Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony first premiered in the UK.The first performance took place at a popular music venue on London’s Regent Street called the Argyll Rooms.We chat about the history behind Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiere, the composer's ties to the London Philharmonic Society, plus the significance of the Argyll Rooms at that time.

Restaurant critic David Ellis and food and drink writer Josh Barrie are back. This week they discuss why the upcoming spring statement is going to wreak havoc on London's nightlife industry. This concern comes at the same time as Westminster City Council’s recent proposal of “quiet nights” for pubs, clubs and bars to help curb resident complaints. Josh walks us through his recent article titled The suffocation of Soho: how London's creative rogue is being sanitised.Plus, how much bottomless lasagne can one man eat? David reviews his recent trip down to Senza Fondo.

The 76-minute-long season two finale of Severance is almost here, to close what’s been another highly acclaimed series. The London Standard’s culture & lifestyle writer India Block speaks to star of the show, Dichen Lachman, about the chilling finale, technology fears, the writer's strike, and what Ben Stiller is like as a director. To read the full interview click here.In part two, Helena Wadia sits down with Met Office Presenter and Meteorologist Clare Nasir, to discuss London’s soaring temperatures on the first day of spring.