The Standard

Around 1,700 prisoners were being freed on Tuesday in the first wave of early release to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails despite new warnings that some are certain to reoffend.Evening Standard home affairs editor Martin Bentham reports each of the inmates being released will have served only 40 per cent of the prison term they were handed by the courts in an emergency measure ordered by the Government to stop jails running out of space for new suspects and convicts.In part two, the Princess of Wales has been praised by charities for giving “hope to many others” with a heartfelt video explaining progress in her cancer treatment.Evening Standard reporter Robert Dex discusses Kate’s use of the professionally-shot short film also featuring her husband and children, and its public relations context, to announce completion of her course of chemotherapy.

London MPs have joined a Commons movement challenging the axing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil has Monday morning's details on an early day motion calling for the Starmer government’s hugely controversial cuts to be postponed.In part two, a look at how construction of the huge new HS2 station at Old Oak Common will see years of Christmas closures and diversions for passengers using at Paddington.Transport editor Ross Lydall discusses the logistics of moving services temporarily to Euston and its impact on timetables.

Nicola Barron (Masterclasses) is joined by Mark Channon, productivity coach and World Memory Grand Master no less, to explore ways in which we can stay focused and get things done. Plus, boost your power of recall with Mark’s memory technique.For all listeners we’re running a special 15% discount across all our classes this month, when you enter the promo code BACKTOSCHOOL.To hear our previous episode on how to thrive as an introvert, click here.

The UK government is reportedly considering sending offenders to serve sentences in Estonian prisons to ease overcrowding in Britain’s jails. Although it’s not officially been confirmed, cabinet minister Angela Eagle says ‘anything’ is being considered to ease the prisons crisis.Our Courts Correspondent, Tristan Kirk, reveals what we know so far about this potential option, and discusses the urgent issues facing our country’s prisons.In part two, film critic Jo-Ann Titmarsh joins us from the Venice International Film Festival to give her verdict on Joker: Folie à deux, all the very long standing ovations, and the movies that should be on your list to go see.

Bereaved families of victims who died in the Grenfell Tower fire say those complicit in the 2017 disaster must face justice - but face waiting at least a further two years for any charges to be brought.It came as PM Sir Keir Starmer issued an apology from the British state to families and survivors following the publication of a damning public inquiry report - amid growing calls to overhaul fire safety and building cladding laws.Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil discusses reaction to the public inquiry’s scathing report, next steps for the criminal investigation and the outlook for new building safety legislation.In part two, Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall has details of the expansion of contactless train payments to include dozens of commuter towns for the first time, and how it could see fewer passengers caught out with fines for buying the wrong ticket.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has delivered a damning final report into the disaster that claimed 72 lives.It found the west London tower was turned into a death trap in June 2017 by “dishonest” construction firms, architects and negligent politicians who ignored fire safety for decades.Bereaved families and survivors vowed to continue their fight for justice, with Wednesday's report paving the way for criminal prosecutions over one of the worst disasters in modern British history.A seven-year public inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, exposed how refurbishment prior to the devastating fire left the North Kensington block coated in cheap, highly flammable cladding and foam insulation - while warnings of impending disaster from Grenfell residents were ignored.We’re joined from the inquiry in Paddington by Evening Standard courts correspondent Tristan Kirk.

The UK Defence Secretary has told his Israeli counterpart that the British government is ‘following the law’ with its decision to suspend around 30 arms export licences over the Gaza conflict.The Government says that humanitarian concerns and the treatment of detainees were among the reasons why they suspended some arms sales to Israel, amid concerns a “clear risk” exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.Nicholas Cecil, the Standard’s Political Editor, explains the decision and potential repercussions. In part two, our features journalist, Maddy Mussen discusses the rumours that there could be a potential plot to reintroduce Prince Harry back into the royal family… and why she’s all for the idea. 

It’s been announced that the one and two-word Ofsted ratings for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect. The Government said the change, which follows the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023, was needed to reduce the high stakes for schools and give parents a better picture.Darren Northcott, National Official for Education at NASUWT, gives his reaction and discusses whether the changes go far enough. In part two, the Standard’s culture writer, Vicky Jessop, joins us to discuss why Oasis fans across the country have been left feeling outraged over dynamic ticket pricing.  

We're treating you to an episode from London Love Stories. What’s that they say about buses and two coming at once? Perhaps the same can be said of bus-related love stories, too. Host Katie Strick meets Rory and Charlotte, another couple who have a lot to thank the number 17 bus route for...