The Standard

A headteacher warns school closures are creating “ghost areas” across London and destroying communities as so many families leave the capital.The Evening Standard’s education editor Anna Davis joins us in the studio after interviewing Helen Connor, executive head of Rhyl Community Primary in Camden, who says London risks “dying from its roots” as growing numbers of families cannot afford to stay in the city.It comes after research revealed 8,000 fewer children will need school places in London over the next four years.London Councils - the parent body for the capital’s local authorities - blames a falling birth rate, Brexit, the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and lack of affordable housing.Plus, latest on the government’s classroom mobile phones crackdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s one of the glitziest weeks in London’s style and entertainment calendar - as this year’s Bafta awards ceremony dovetails with the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week.On Sunday night, celebrities headed to the annual gala at the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall.But who were the sharpest dressed stars on the red carpet - and what are the trends to look out for later this year?Plus, as the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week kicks off, hold on to your loafers and suits for the post-pandemic return of “officecore”.Insight with Evening Standard fashion director Victoria Moss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special cut is taken from The Standard Theatre Podcast, our chief theatre critic Nick Curtis meets former Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman to discuss her role in Hir at the Park Theatre. To hear the full episode click this link, or search for The Standard Theatre Podcast.For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk, or pick up a paper! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a double by-election bloodbath for the Conservatives as the party suffered defeats at the ballot box just months before Britain goes to the polls.Rishi Sunak lost both the Kingswood and Wellingborough constituencies in a humiliating night for the Conservatives - with celebrations for Labour as Sir Keir Starmer’s party scooped both seats.To analyse what this means for the parties’ general election strategy as we hurtle towards May, we’re joined by the Evening Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could psychedelics be used to help tackle mental health issues like depression and addiction? In this preview episode of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev speaks to Professor David Nutt, one the leading researchers in this controversial field. He also speaks to Buzzfeed journalist Lara Parker who used ketamine assisted therapy to treat clinical depression. To hear the whole interview, including additional interviews with pioneers Robin Carhart-Harris and Amanda Feilding, search 'Brave New World Evening Standard' on your podcast provider. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special Valentine’s Day cutdown episode from our sister podcast, London Love Stories with Katie Strick. Featuring an exclusive interview with none other than the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Listen to the full episode here: https://pod.fo/e/21d28e Find more episodes of London Love Stories with Katie Strick here: https://podfollow.com/london-love-stories-with-katie-strick Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s judgement has come under fire over a delay in withdrawing his party’s support for its Rochdale by-election candidate, Azhar Ali, over remarks he made about Israel.It comes as The Standard reveals Labour faces a “brutal” battle in the party’s new London heartlands amid growing “movement” of local independent candidates enraged at the response to Gaza - with shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting’s Ilford North seat top of the list of targets.The Standard’s chief political correspondent, Rachael Burford, shares her analysis.Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to investigate the controversial single justice procedure, as The Standard uncovers more criminal cases brought against sick and vulnerable people.Our courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk, discusses our long-running investigation into this ‘behind closed doors justice’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out The Standard Theatre Podcast's review of Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, it's the show we've all been waiting for...Click here to find the full episode which includes their interview with Ola Ince for Othello at The Globe and a review of Till the Stars Come Down at The National Theatre.For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk/news, or pick up a paper! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tube staff report more than 756,000 fare dodger cases in 2023. TfL reveals 56% rise in fare dodger prosecutions compared with 2022…but 10,000 fewer are prosecuted each year than at pre-pandemic levels. Fare evasions cost TfL £130m a year in lost income. Our Transport Editor Ross Lydall discusses the TfL figures, and explains why fare dodging is still a big problem. Plus Ross reveals the tube line with the highest dust levels on the underground. In this episode:Why TfL’s prosecution figures aren’t all they’re cracked up to beHow tube staff use tech to report fare dodgersBusiest train stations ‘notorious’ spot for fare dodgingWhy dust levels on the underground are improvingFollow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.