• Migrant hotels brace for weekend of protests - plus Notting Hill Carnival is here
    Aug 22 2025

    A wave of protests outside hotels used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers is set to take place over the weekend. It comes as the latest figures showed there were more than 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels, marking a rise of 8 per cent during Labour’s first year in office. Kolbassia Haoussou, Director of Survivor Empowerment at Freedom from Torture shares his own experience of fleeing from Chad to the UK as a refugee.


    And in part two, Londoners are welcoming the 58th edition of Notting Hill Carnival this bank holiday weekend. Ahead of the celebrations, we hear from CEO of Notting Hill Carnival, Matthew Phillip, founders of food truck Sun Valley Jerk, Michelle and Omar, and regular carnival attendee Soleil.

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    16 mins
  • London leads on GCSE Results Day
    Aug 21 2025

    It’s GCSE Results day - and London is further ahead of any other region in the country, when it comes to students achieving at least a 7 or an A grade. We’re joined by Efua Poku Amanfo, a researcher at The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) to discuss.


    And in part two, freelance writer and editor Olive Pometsey joins after interviewing the South African pop superstar Tyla, who is performing at this weekend’s All Points East festival in the capital.

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    15 mins
  • Why is the UK so badly affected by inflation?
    Aug 20 2025

    UK inflation has risen more than expected to 3.8 per cent today, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. It’s the highest since January 2024, and when Labour came to power last summer, inflation was just 2.2 per cent. We’re joined by Jaya Sood, a senior economist at the New Economics Foundation to discuss.


    And in part two, The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block joins us to talk about the frenzy caused by Labubu collectibles - and the growing backlash against blind box toys.


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    17 mins
  • How would a new property tax impact Londoners?
    Aug 19 2025

    Today the Treasury is considering a new tax on the sale of homes worth more than £500,000 as a step towards a radical overhaul of stamp duty and council tax - although no final decision has been made. With half of all home sales over £500,000 in London, it would have a disproportionate impact on the capital. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford has the latest.


    And in part two, male-scepticism is rife among straight female daters, with many women giving up on relationships entirely. But do they really have the worse end of the stick, or is it just as hard for guys? Freelance journalist Arielle Domb joins us to share her findings after interviewing some of London’s bachelors about the state of modern dating.

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    16 mins
  • Gaza children to be brought to UK 'in coming weeks' for medical treatment
    Aug 18 2025

    The Government is working “at pace” to bring sick and injured children from Gaza to the UK for urgent medical treatment, Downing Street has said. We’re joined by Dr James Smith, a British emergency physician and expert in humanitarian studies based at University College London. He worked in Gaza for 2.5 months, and assisted with the medical transfer and evacuation of patients.


    And in part two, author Julia Smith joins us to share her favourite walks which are close to the capital, from her book ‘Walks for each season: 26 great days out in the countryside near London’.

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    15 mins
  • Trump and Putin to meet for 'high stakes' summit on Ukraine
    Aug 15 2025

    Later today US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska for a highly anticipated summit on the Ukraine war. Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was "counting on America” and Trump has called the summit “high stakes”. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to explain more.


    And in part two, The Standard’s Comedy Critic Bruce Dessau shares his top recommendations so far from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

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    16 mins
  • A-level results: London thrives but North-South divide worsens
    Aug 14 2025

    Today A-Level results have reached record highs since the Covid pandemic, with London students achieving the best grades in the country. However, experts say the gap between the best and worst performing regions appears to be widening, with the North-South divide becoming further entrenched. Efua Poku-Amanfo, a researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), joins us to discuss.


    And in part two, John Darlington, director at the World Monuments Fund, joins us to explore the history of Kirkaldy’s Testing Works museum in Southwark, which features as this week’s Hidden London destination.

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    15 mins
  • Zelensky meets with Trump and EU leaders ahead of US-Putin summit
    Aug 13 2025

    Today Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Donald Trump that "Putin is bluffing” as he discussed the obstacles to ending the war in Ukraine with the US President and other world leaders in a phone call. It comes ahead of this Friday's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Before the world leaders met, Dr Svitlana Romanko, the Ukrainian Executive Director of Razom We Stand, a climate campaign fighting to cut off the money fuelling Russia’s war, shared her thoughts about what lies ahead.


    And in part two, freelance journalist Sophie Peachey joins us to discuss why Gen Z are so lonely and how to overcome social anxiety to make new connections.


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    17 mins