The schools closure crisis hitting London - and the UK

In The Standard’s latest special report, reporter Jacob Phillip has been investigating the capital’s vanishing schools, with more than 30 primaries in the capital set to shut or merge before the next academic year. He joins us to unpack the reasons behind this trend, which is also affecting other parts of the UK. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reviews Justin Bieber’s new surprise album, Swag - which the Canadian singer says is his most personal to date.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Today Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a policing blitz on London’s 20 most blighted town centres for shoplifting, robbery, knife crime and anti-social behaviour. The Standard’s Crime Editor Anthony Frances has the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, gives his verdict on the latest Superman film which is out in cinemas on Friday 11 July.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the first volume of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report delivered a devastating assessment of the damage done by the scandal, which is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history. It focuses on the “disastrous” impact of false accusations made against at least 1000 postmasters. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk has the latest.And in part two, The Standard’s Food and Drink writer Josh Barrie shares how NYC-style pizzas are taking centre stage in the capital, after more than a decade of floppy Neapolitan style pizzas - plus where to get a slice of the action. *This episode was amended on 09 July 2025 to change the reference to Kap and Jess running Chatsworth Bakehouse, which is incorrect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been 20 years since the 7/7 bomb attacks in the capital which killed 52 people and injured several hundred. The Standard is joined by Islamic scholar Thomas Small, and survivor Mustafa Kurtuldu, to discuss the aftermath. You can hear more from Thomas Small in Conflicted - 7/7 The Inside Story, produced by Message Heard for Wondery. And in part two, is Scandinavia the new Mediterranean? Travel writer Alicia Miller joins us to discuss where you might want to visit for a ‘coolcation’ this summer to escape the European heatwave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today marks one year since Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer entered No. 10 Downing Street, but it’s been a tricky start, as he faces plummeting polls, backbench rebels and sudden U-turns. The Standard’s reporter Fred Hood takes to the street to ask the public how they feel about his policies, and Chief Correspondent Rachael Burford explains the challenges that lie ahead - plus the latest on the news that Ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana will set up a new independent party with Jeremy Corbyn.And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, reports from Cardiff where Liam and Noel Gallagher are reuniting for the first time since 2009, kickstarting their long-awaited worldwide Oasis tour.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Hunter, Alex’s childhood friend, recounts the eerily similar death of another friend, Liam Anderson, in Sydney, Australia. Journalist Sacha Batthyany delves into the psychology of extreme wealth, exploring a self-help course designed for those born into unimaginable privilege. Then, a shocking revelation—a third death within this same social circle. We zoom out to examine the toxic mix of privilege, drugs, and the dangerous sense of invincibility that pervades this world of young, affluent men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, a new report from Britain's National Energy System Operator (NESO) has revealed that a power outage which shut Heathrow Airport earlier this year, causing travel chaos for more than 270,000 passengers, was caused by a ‘catastrophic failure’ of equipment in a nearby substation. The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest.And in part two, freelance journalist Edwina Langley shares what to eat, drink and wear if you’re heading to SW19 for this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transport for London has missed passenger targets, delayed the new Piccadilly line trains and caused chaos on the Central line, but 2,200 Transport for London staff earn six-figure sums, according to exclusive reporting by The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall. And in part two, The Standard’s sports writer Dom Smith explains why this year’s opening day at Wimbledon has been record-breaking for British players. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The problem of knife crime is usually viewed through the prism of tragedy. But after spending months reporting from inside the capital’s youth courts, The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk joins us to discuss his special report on the efforts being made to steer children away from crime before it’s too late. And in part two, journalist Alice Cockerell ventures behind the scenes at Wimbledon tennis tournament, with ball boys and ball girls being put through their paces, and bad behaviour both on and off court.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.