Household budgets squeezed as food prices surge

Food and drink prices are rising at their fastest rate since January last year, whilst the overall headline rate of inflation remains unchanged at 3.8 per cent. Food prices are expected to peak in December as hot weather has led to a poor harvest and higher industry costs. According to ONS figures, the biggest price rises in food and drink include beef and veal, butter, coffee, chocolate and milk. Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, and an arable farmer in Cambridgeshire, joins us to discuss how the current challenges mean consumers are paying more for everyday essentials. And in part two, The Standard’s Chief Theatre Critic, and host of The London Theatre Review podcast, Nick Curtis, joins us to discuss his five star review of The Producers musical at the Garrick Theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the UK for his unprecedented second state visit to the country. The trip has sparked controversy and thousands are expected to take part in a series of anti-Trump protests. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks on trade, investment, Ukraine and Gaza. Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now and spokesperson for the Stop Trump Coalition is here to discuss what’s at stake for the UK.And in part two, Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating 125 years of the Central line with a treasure hunt open to all on Saturday, at this year’s Open House Festival. We’re joined by Ann Gavaghan, Customer Experience Manager at Transport for London, to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that he will be ousted unless he changes course. Labour MPs are reeling over high-profile sackings and resignations in recent weeks, including Angela Rayner who quit as Deputy Prime Minister following a tax scandal and Peter Mandelson being fired a British Ambassador to the US over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. It comes as Labour is trailing behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in opinion polls. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson joins us to review the Tate Modern’s new exhibition, Theatre Picasso, which sheds new light on the artist’s work and his fascination with performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord Peter Mandelson has been sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US.Mandelson was sacked on Thursday after emails emerged showing he offered support to Jeffrey Epstein even as the financier faced jail for sex offences against minors.Why was he seen as important for UK relations — and who will replace him?To walk us through the fallout, we’re joined by the Standard’s chief political correspondent, Rachael Burford.In part two, the Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis reviews Cow/Deer at London’s Royal Court. With no speech or sound effects, is it a bold hit — or a quiet miss? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s special report, journalist and editor Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff reports on the IUIC religious organisation, thought to be the the largest Hebrew Israelite group in the world. Despite being described as a cult, the group still operates as a church in Ilford, east London. In 2019, an innocent black woman named Joy Morgan was murdered by a fellow member of this radical religious group, at the age of just 20 - and Joy’s story is the subject of The Missing Sister, a new six-part investigative podcast. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop joins us to discuss the new David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse, where 90,000 objects from the late singer’s archive are on display for the public to peruse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poland is the closest to open conflict it has been since World War Two, the country’s Prime Minister has warned after the country shot down drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine. Defence Secretary John Healey accused President Vladimir Putin of ‘testing’ Western allies with the attack, and said UK Armed Forces are looking at options to bolster NATO’s air defence over Poland. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent is here with the latest. And in part two The Standard’s restaurant critic and Going Out Editor, David Ellis, joins us to discuss some of the best restaurants in London’s galleries, which are fine dining destinations in their own right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

League tables of the best and worst-performing NHS trusts in England have been published by the Department of Health and Social Care for the first time. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the tables would help inform the public and allow them to exercise choice, but critics are less certain. Sebastian Reese, Head of Health at the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank, is here to discuss the pros and cons. And in part two, as Prince Harry visits the UK, speculation mounts over whether he will reconcile with the estranged royal family, particularly King Charles. Freelance journalist Alice Cockerell has spoken to insiders and joins us with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today London’s tube workers are on strike. Thousands of commuters in the capital have experienced nightmarish journeys during rush hour, in the first of four days of staff walkouts, with hardly any London Underground trains operating. The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall has the latest from the RMT Union picket line.And in part two, The Standard’s Food and Drink Writer Josh Barrie joins us to discuss the opening of the new restaurant Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern, which will serve recipes from the 1600s in celebration of East London’s meat and fish traders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the Reform Party Conference kicked off in Birmingham, just as Angela Rayner quit as Deputy Prime Minister following an investigation into tax dealings surrounding the purchase of her new home. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford joins us from the conference itself to discuss Nigel Farage’s speech. And in part two, The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block is here to analyse the new trailer from Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights film, which is released on Valentines Day next year. The movie stars Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi and Owen Cooper, but has proved controversial with die-hard Emily Bronte fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Standard’s Campaigns Editor David Cohen joins us on the launch of Destination Unknown, a new campaign in partnership with The King’s Trust to tackle London’s youth unemployment crisis. With one in six young Londoners unemployed, The Standard wants to get young London working again - and CEO of The King’s Trust, Jonathan Townsend, is here with the latest. Click here to donate. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson joins us to discuss the return of Radiohead, who have announced their first live shows in seven years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.