The Standard

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 public funding was also pledged for the NHS, schools building, the national minimum wage, GB Energy, HMRC reform, cladding removal, defence and compensation for victims of the infected blood and Post Office Horizon scandals.In a boost for London, the Chancellor confirmed that HS2 would be extended via tunnelling to London Euston.It is all part of the government’s plan to tackle the so-called “£22bn black hole” in the public finances.But the opposition Conservatives accused Labour of breaking manifesto pledges. We’re joined by Parliament by The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil.

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 London’s famed “Blackhorse beer mile” be at risk?The London Standard’s City Hall editor Ross Lydall reports on the fate of two breweries run by The Wild Card Brewery, which were shuttered after bailiffs arrived over apparent rent arrears with Waltham Forest council.Now there are concerns for other local businesses, which also have the council as their landlord.

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 for London’s lost property office, and the weird and wonderful things commuters have left behind. 

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 the power of travel to connect with people around the world and emphasises the importance of immersing ourselves in other cultures through fiction, her latest novel is There are Rivers in the Sky.And Doug Lansky - of ReThinkingTourism on YouTube - brings the series to a poignant end with his concept of 'sustainable-ish’. Find out what else we're exploring as part of our Sustainable Travel campaign here.Follow us on X or on Threads, or have a look at Juliet’s Instagram @JulietKinsman

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 until November 22nd. The Standard podcast is joined by former alumnus of The Royal Ballet Choreographic Residency, Joseph Toonga, who discusses the world premiere his new work at the Royal Opera House, called Dusk, which combines classical ballet and hip hop.

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 doesn’t.So, how was negotiation key to securing the Good Friday Agreement, devolution and London mayoralty, and what would the former prime minister have done differently?You’ll also hear discussion on digital ID, the Middle East crisis and if Sir Tony would offer Sir Keir Starmer any advice.

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 White House.In part two, our crime correspondent Anthony France reports on the ‘wine detectives’ combating an illegal trade in counterfeit luxury wines flooding London, the international gangs involved and how experts spot the fake stuff.

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 24-year-old Kaba’s family described feeling a “deep pain of injustice” following the verdict.We’re joined from the Old Bailey by The London Standard’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk.In part two, our business editor Jonathan Prynn on the latest plans for 1 Undershaft - the Square Mile’s tallest skyscraper - how objections have changed this lengthy project and demand for space in the capital’s new-build office blocks.