The Standard

Ahead of the autumn budget, support for Labour in London is at a record low, according to a new poll, as Rachel Reeves is set to clobber the capital with a wave of tax rises. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has surged to 23 per cent in the capital, ahead of the Tories on 20 per cent, with Labour on 32 per cent. The Chancellor faces a backlash from voters, particularly those on high and middle incomes, ahead of London local elections next May. London has for many years been a Labour stronghold but the party’s support has plunged since the general election last July, according to the latest Savanta poll for Centre for London. The Standard’s Political Editor Nic Cecil is here with the latest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re tackling one of the capital’s talking points - should kids be allowed in pubs? The William the Fourth pub in Leyton, East London, announced a policy change on social media, barring children from 7pm, saying that the move was necessary to maintain a “comfortable and enjoyable environment” for everyone as it had recently come to “resemble a creche”. The new rules mean the pub will be an “adults-only space” from 7pm onwards.The move has proved somewhat controversial, with comments on the pub’s social media announcement switched off.Whether pubs should ban children has been a long-running debate, and we’re joined by The Standard’s News Reporter Megan Howe, and The Standard’s Food & Drink writer Josh Barrie, to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mandelson recently made headlines after being caught urinating against a wall, having spent the evening at George Osborne's Notting Hill home. But is it any wonder, when so many public loos are being sold off for profit, for example in West Norwood and the Isle of Dogs?Last year, Age UK’s Lifting the Lid report found that in the last decade at least 97 council-run toilets have shut across the capital, and closures outnumber openings three to one. Seven London councils now manage fewer than ten public toilets in their entire borough. With the public loo under threat, John Darlington, Director of Projects for the World Monuments Fund, joins us to discuss the origins and history of the toilet - and argues that unlike other infrastructure, it still serves a much-needed and essential purpose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give the go-ahead for an extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead in her Budget next week.London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has described the news as a “win-win” as it will improve transport links in a poorly connected part of south-east London and should “unlock” thousands of new homes and jobs.But what does it mean in practice? Where will the new stations be built, what difference will it make to commutes – and does it mean that other London transport schemes such as the Bakerloo line extension will be less likely to happen? The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Darfur, at least twice as many people have been killed than in Gaza since 2023. As the crisis looks likely to worsen, one nation has questions to answer over its links to the atrocities. In this week’s special report, The Standard’s Defence Editor Robert Fox shines a light on the situation in Sudan - and specifically how the United Arab Emirates is involved in its  war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s predicted to be the movie event of the year, and this Friday 21 November, Wicked: For Good is finally released in cinemas - the follow-up to last year’s Oscar-nominated first film, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. We’re joined by The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block, who gave the sequel a five star rating, and said if it doesn’t get more Oscar nominations, she’ll eat her witch's hat! Plus, India is joined by Paul Tazewell, the costume designer behind the epic outfits of the show, who offers a glimpse inside the visual world of Oz…and have you spotted the London destination that has been given a Wicked makeover? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched a crackdown on illegal migration, with new reforms aimed at stopping the UK being seen as a ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers. They include fast-tracking the deportation of illegal migrants, an overhaul of human rights law and changes to refugee status. The Home Secretary’s proposals are based on those adopted by Denmark, which has seen the number of illegal arrivals in the country plummet in ten years. The plans have been billed as the most radical since World War II, but have proven controversial, especially with backbench Labour MPs. As ministers face a growing revolt over the sweeping immigration changes, The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been confirmed that the long-awaited Renter’s Rights Act will come into force next year on May 1, with the government setting out a staggered timeline for sweeping renters' reforms. As the biggest shake-up to private renting in a generation, the lobbying organisation Generation Rent described it as a “vital first step in righting the power imbalance between landlords and tenants”. But critics are concerned it will prompt more landlords to sell up.  We’re joined by Matt Hutchinson, Communications Director of flat-sharing site SpareRoom, who shares his perspective on the capital’s housing market, whether landlords will be deterred by the new housing regulations, and what further action the government should take. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 5th November, Ugandan-born Zohran Mamdani secured an astounding, against-the-odds victory in the New York mayoral election, becoming the youngest person in over a century to lead the largest city in the US. It was Mamdani’s message about affordability and the high cost of living that resonated with voters in the Bronx and other underserved areas of New York, but now he has to actually deliver on this mandate for change. But can he actually run New York successfully, and how might the capital be impacted by his election win? We’re joined by Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting, in New York City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refugees and people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity are London’s most disadvantaged groups. To support them, The Standard is launching our Winter Appeal with the backing of Rita Ora - and in collaboration with Comic Relief, who have pledged £500,000 to get us underway. We’re joined by The Standard’s Campaigns Editor David Cohen, and CEO of Comic Relief, Samir Patel, to discuss how you can help the most vulnerable people in society - those who are homeless, struggling with food insecurity or who have been forced to flee their homes and are seeking asylum in the UK.Click here to make a donation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.