Chickenpox vaccine to be made available on NHS

An NHS vaccine for chickenpox will be rolled out in England from January, in the biggest expansion of the childhood immunisation programme for a decade. It will be offered as part of a new combined MMRV vaccine, for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, by GPs. Professor Helen Bedford, from the UCL Institute of Child Health joins us with the latest.And in part two, The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block joins us to discuss pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, Man’s Best Friend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been accused of running “the economy like Baldrick”, from the Blackadder sitcom, and risking rising rents, amid reports that the Treasury is considering hiking tax for landlords. Ahead of this autumn’s budget, Reeves is desperately trying to find ways to raise revenue and improve the UK’s public finances. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, freelance writer Kyle MacNeill joins us to discuss the growing popularity of sumo wrestling in the capital, ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament being hosted at London’s Royal Albert Hall this October.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaigners are calling for free public transport in London, as travel fares are set to rise above inflation until 2030 - but is it feasible? The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall joins us to discuss the issue, alongside his latest reporting on the worrying rise of fare evasion across London’s transport network.  And in part two, why the Bifana, a traditional Portuguese sandwich, is proving popular with diners in the capital. Sandwich aficionado and food writer Sam Wilson offers a tantalising glimpse into the latest food trend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, a record 6.5 million Britons are claiming out of work benefits - a jump of 500,000 since Labour came to power. It comes despite Sir Keir Starmer’s election campaign promise to “get Britain working” and achieve the highest employment rate in the G7. In some parts of the UK, like Blackpool, Liverpool and Glasgow, more than a quarter of working-age adults are now on out-of-work benefits. The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest. And in part two, freelance entertainment editor Lisa McLoughlin joins us to discuss the key takeaways from series two of With Love, Megan which is streaming now on Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.