Share
The Standard
What would you do with a free £1,600 monthly?
Season 1
•
Universal basic income is the levelling up trial that’s been getting some considerable attention.
Now, after projects testing the social welfare scheme in other parts of the world, two similar experiments for here in England are being drawn-up, one in north London’s East Finchley and the other in Jarrow, South Tyneside.
In the capital, it would see 15 participants given £1,600 per month for two years - just over £575,000 in total - in the hope it can help alleviate poverty for some of the worst-off Londoners so they can pursue studies and work.
The idea is that automatically giving trial participants the same amount of cash could also reduce the cost to taxpayers of running a complex means-tested benefits system.
But the controversial scheme’s critics say it’s costly, unproven and gives people money for nothing.
To find out more, The Leader podcast’s in East Finchley, where volunteers are working with the think-tank Autonomy to bring the scheme to life, subject to a considerable funding boost.
We’re at the Grange Big Local resident-led, lottery-funded community project, with Julia Hines, a board member and volunteer who’s helping facilitate the universal basic income trial.
More episodes
View all episodes
Rishi’s rating slumps to ‘worst ever for a major party leader’
10:19An exclusive poll by Ipsos for The Standard has revealed Rishi Sunak’s rating as Prime Minister has slumped to the worst ever for a leader of a major party.It comes as pressure piles on the PM to call a date for the next general election, with the survey finding more than half of Britons want one held by the end of the summer. Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos, explains the key findings from the poll and gives his analysis.
Entries open for the Standard’s New Homes Awards
12:46This year marks the 33rd edition of the awards, with categories ranging from best house and best flat, through to best regeneration projects and low carbon homes. The longest serving judge on the panel, Stephen Lee, explains what the awards are all about, which categories he’s most looking forward to this year, and describes some of his favourite entries from previous years.You can enter this year’s New Homes Awards here.Follow us on X or on Threads.
Headteacher’s prayer ban ‘lawful’ & London primary school places
11:27A high court judge has ruled that a prayer ban at one of the highest-performing state schools in England - run by ‘Britain’s strictest headteacher’ - was not unlawful.Following the decision, Katharine Birbalsingh, who founded Michaela Community School, a free school in Brent, posted on social media saying it was a "victory for all schools".It comes on the same day that primary school places are announced. Almost 10,000 children failed to get a place at their first choice primary school despite a drop in applications partly caused by families fleeing London.The Evening Standard’s Education Editor Anna Davis shares her insight & analysis.Follow us on X or on Threads.
London's Ulez battle at 2024 Mayoral election
12:35Sadiq Khan’s expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone out to the capital’s outer roads is one of his most controversial policies.The Mayor says the charging scheme will improve air quality and health, but critics claim it's a stealth tax on Londoners hampering their choice to drive.In this episode of the Standard’s series focussing on the 2024 race for City Hall, Hamish MacBain explores both sides of the argument at two of London’s busiest traffic locations.Hear interviews with Imperial College London pollution expert Professor Frank Kelly by the A501, Marylebone Road, and motoring journalist Shahzad Sheikh - AKA YouTuber the BrownCarGuy, by the A10, Shoreditch High Street.
The Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau (How to be a CEO)
13:13In a special episode taken from our business show, How to be a CEO, the Evening Standard's business editor Jonathan Prynn speaks with 2011 The Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau, whose business is thriving, 13 years later.To hear the full interview just search How to be a CEO wherever you find your podcasts, or via this link: lnk.to/TAWjEL
London’s chaotic mayoral hustings explained
13:14Independent candidate Andreas Michli evicted from hustings. Disruption halts debate for 20 minutes. Sadiq Khan & Susan Hall’s feisty exchanges. Our City Hall Editor Ross Lydall explains the drama at the first hustings in the race for City Hall, and discusses which of the candidates came out on top.Follow us on X or on Threads.
Wim Hof & Rita Ora: Braving the Ice (Brave New World Preview)
19:40In this preview edition of our Brave New World series, Evgeny meets Wim Hof to learn more about the Dutch athlete’s ‘Method’; a combination of breathing and cold-water immersion that he claims can have health and psychological benefits. Rita Ora also joins the show and talks about her own experience using Wim’s techniques as part of her wellness routines.To hear the whole show, and listen to previous episodes, search 'Brave New World Evening Standard' in your podcast provider.
Cass Report ‘watershed moment’ for children's gender care
12:35Report finds children have been let down by NHS care and have been receiving treatment that’s not based on evidence. Dr Hilary Cass calls for long-term research into use of hormone treatments. How Dr Cass received abuse from both sides during the review. Our Health Reporter Daniel Keane explains the Cass Report’s key recommendations for the NHS. In this episode:Why was the Cass Report commissioned?The need for more research & studies into gender careReport highlights a need to ‘dial down’ anger in gender debate, and put children firstHow soon will the NHS implement the report’s recommendations?Follow us on X or on Threads.
Will David Cameron’s US visit be successful?
12:59The foreign secretary’s ‘surprise’ visit to see Donald Trump. Calls for $60billion of extra aid for Ukraine. What else is Lord Cameron hoping to achieve in the US? Our Deputy Political Editor Jitendra Joshi discusses the foreign secretary’s plan to secure more cash for Ukraine, and what else he plans to gain from his trip over the pond. In this episode:David Cameron & Donald Trump’s history explainedHow Lord Cameron will ‘appeal to Trump’s vanity’Trump’s attempts to undermine Joe Biden in the run-up to the US electionHow $60billion funding will help Ukraine “go on the offensive” in 2025Follow us on X or on Threads.