The Leader | Evening Standard daily

 Boris Johnson has now been in hospital for a couple of days, and there’s no word on when he’ll be coming out. The government says he’s “stable and in good spirits”, but he’s suffered breathing difficulties and received what Downing Street calls “standard oxygen treatment.” Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is in charge for the moment – but what if this goes on longer? We speak to Lord Owen, the former foreign secretary under James Callaghan, to ask how governments work without a Prime Minister, and what lessons we can learn from history?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Her Majesty is being praised for an address to the nation that inspired memories of the united efforts the UK made to get through the Second World War. The Evening Standard's associate editor Julian Glover says she gave the country a sense that people remain in charge, and we can get through this crisis.  A new Labour leader: On Saturday Sir Keir Starmer was announced as the new Labour leader with a decisive 56 percent majority.  Under normal circumstances the new opposition leader might be expected to begin with a confident broadside against the government. Instead one of Sir Keir’s first acts was to speak to the Prime Minister and promise to work with him to get the country through the coronavirus crisis. Clearly these are not ‘normal circumstances’ so how does an opposition work during a pandemic? Ayesha Hazarika, former Labour speechwriter and Evening Standard Londoner’s Diary editor, joins the Leader podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London’s newest hospital, NHS Nightingale opened today after a heroic nine-day build. The field hospital, housed in London’s Excel Centre, will be the world’s largest critical care unit. NHS Nightingale opened with 500 beds with capacity for 3,500 more. It will be used to treat patients who have been transferred from intensive care units across the capital. Up to 16,000 staff could be working at the facility. These will include NHS nurses, doctors and volunteers from St John Ambulance. Prince Charles opened the hospital via video message from home, where he is himself recovering from coronavirus symptoms. He said, “Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp, brought hope and healing to thousands in their darkest hour. In this dark time this place will be a shining light." More hospitals are expected to be built across the UK in Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.  Today’s special edition of The Leader: Coronavirus Daily tells the story of this heroic project, with contributions from our reporters who have been inside the new Nightingale hospital.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As NHS England announces a record 561 deaths with coronavirus in a single day, the government faces relentless pressure to fix its testing ‘fiasco’. On Thursday the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced his five-point plan to “press the accelerator” on coronavirus tests. But is it enough, and can the government make good on their promises? The Evening Standard’s Health Editor joins The Leader podcast to discuss what the government’s plan means, and why increased testing is so vital. Big Issue Magazine A week ago, the government ordered local councils to house rough sleepers within 48 hours in response to the coronavirus crisis. But many are still living on the streets. Big Issue founder Lord Bird joins The Leader podcast to discuss why, despite the complexities that authorities now face, this could be the moment we end rough sleeping the UK for good.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London’s National Health Service has reached its “hour of need”. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has issued an appeal to businesses and organisations across the capital to lend vehicles, hotel rooms, and spare medical equipment. The NHS is under pressure for beds and staffing and people are starting to help. The London Fire brigade have offered staff as ambulance drivers and thousands of people have signed up to be NHS volunteers. Even 5* hotels such as Claridge’s are offering their beds and hot meals to doctors, nurses and other key workers. The Evening Standard's political editor Joe Murphy speaks to The Leader podcast on how vital it is that more of us provide support to those who ceaselessly care for us. UK pollution has fallen to its lowest levels during the coronavirus lockdown. The public are driving less, public transport services and commercial flights have either been reduced or cancelled. Data from the London Air Quality Network, run by Kings College, compared the current pollution levels with the average.  The Leader podcast speak to Simon Birkett, founder of Clean Air London, to find out how much of a difference there is and what the long term impact might be.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Metropolitan police have made hundreds of arrests after raiding homes of criminals in self-isolation. The Evening Standard's crime correspondent Anthony France tells the Leader: Coronavirus Daily podcast, it's an example of a police force acting properly, at a time when others are being criticised for clamping down on people going for walks or "driving to relieve boredom". There is no cure for coronavirus, but that doesn't stop some people from offering alternative medications. The Evening Standard's Liam Coleman tells us about the London church leader selling 'divine plague protection' for £91 per kit.  It’ll be a while before you hear a choir in full swing again, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t groups still going. Through online meet-ups people are enjoying singing with total strangers – in some cases hundreds of them at the same time. The Evening Standard’s Katie Strick’s been joining in, and tells the podcast why it's so popular.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why are countries like Germany able to test more people for coronavirus than the UK? Here, around 10,000 a day are being carried out, but over there it's around 500,000 a week. We speak to professor of microbiology Simon Clarke about what the tests actually are, and why he doesn't think they're a "silver bullet" that will halt the pandemic.  There are signs the stockpiling that came ahead of the UK coronavirus lockdown is coming to an end. The Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn has been talking to supermarkets who say the aisles are getting back to normal. He also tells us about the turmoil in the airline industry as easyJet grounds its entire fleet.  Prince Charles is out of self-isolation, and Clarence House says he's in good health. But Evening Standard Insider editor Lucy Pavia says there are still concerns about the Queen and Prince Philip. She also reveals what Charles may have been up to while in seclusion at Birkhall Cottage in Scotland.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard is with you through this coronavirus crisis. That's why we're re-focusing our daily podcast to bring you the best news, analysis and advice on the latest developments - to help you make sense of this fast-changing situation. Every weekday at 4pm, 'The Leader: Coronavirus Daily’ is packed with the latest information from trusted sources on Covid-19, as well commentary and insight from the Evening Standard's journalists and editors.  Join us by subscribing through Acast, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, has tested positive for Covid-19. He announced the news himself via a personal video message on his twitter account. The PM explained that he was suffering from mild symptoms and took a test on the advice of Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.  Mr. Johnson is in self-isolation and says he will continue to lead the UK’s effort against Coronavirus from home. The UK’s Health Minister Matt Hancock has also tested positive for the virus. What’s next for the UK Government? The Leader podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s Londoner Editor, Ayesha Hazarika. Food for London Now The Evening Standard and The Independent have launched a campaign to feed vulnerable Londoners during the coronavirus crisis. The appeal will deliver food to the poor, elderly and those most at risk. As part of The Food Alliance, three charities - The Felix Project, Fair Share and City Harvest - have teamed up to deliver the produce to community hubs in every London borough.   Evengy Lebedev, Proprietor of the Evening Standard, wrote for the paper today on why this is happening and why London needs to stand together to help fight this crisis.    Investigations Editor David Cohen is co-ordinating the campaign and tells The Leader podcast why coronavirus is leaving people so vulnerable.  Donate to the campaign here.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can London's hospitals cope with what doctors are calling a 'tsunami' of coronavirus cases? The Evening Standard's Jonathan Prynn has been speaking to medical workers who talk of exhaustion, stress and an alarming lack of equipment. He speaks to the Leader Podcast as a campaign is launched for the public to show their support for the NHS   Fines for breaking distancing rule The Evening Standard today broke the news that there will be a £60 on-the-spot fine for those who break the government's rules on social gatherings. This would double for subsequent offences. The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy joins The Leader podcast to discuss the impact of these fines. He also explores the complexities of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s financial “rescue plan” for the self-employed, due to be announced Thursday evening.     Artists in trouble What is it like to be a performing arts professional during this crisis? Many venues have closed which has left artists without work. The Leader podcast speak to pianist and composer Stephen Hough who reveals his suddenly empty diary of performances - and explains the knock-on effect this is having on him as a self-employed person.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Prince Charles has tested positive for Coronavirus and is working from home following his diagnosis. The Queen last saw the prince on March 12th and is said to be in “good health”.  The Evening Standard’s Royal Editor Robert Jobson spoke to The Leader podcast about what else Clarence House have said. Donald Trump’s Easter plans The US president has speculated that most families will be able to visit church on Easter Sunday.  Despite the virus spreading fast in the United States the president has suggested relaxing the boundaries already. This discussion comes just one week into their 15-day social distancing plan. Does Donald Trump understand the science behind the disease? The Evening Standard’s New York-based columnist Philip Delves Broughton reports on what we know of Trump administration’s changing strategy.   Rainbow of Hope Sir Peter Blake who famously designed the cover for The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album, has created an image of hope for London.  The Evening Standard commissioned Blake to create an image to represent the capital at this time. We are encouraging Londoners to download the image for free HERE, and post in your window to show our strength a city.  Art’s correspondent Rob Dex joins The Leader podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are Londoners following the government’s instructions? Some parts of London have been pictured eerily deserted, but on Tuesday morning the trains were packed with commuters. The Evening Standard’s Barney Davis has been - safely - cycling around the capital, and joins The Leader podcast to describe what he observed - including how the police have been immediately cracking down on shopkeepers who remained open following the Prime Minister’s announcement. 2020 Olympics cancelled The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed due to Covid-19 - the first time in Olympic history that the games have been delayed. With more than 600,000 expected to travel to the games, organisers agree it wouldn't be safe. Sports correspondent Matt Majendie joins The Leader podcast and talks about the enormous logistical challenges the Olympic committee - and hopeful athletes - now face.  Keep fit with Joe Wicks Every morning at 9am Joe Wicks is providing free home work-outs, live-streamed via social media. Joe cancelled a physical tour due to coronavirus, but the livestreams have been so popular that he broke his own Instagram channel from the sheer amount of people tuning in. Does this open the way for more lockdown stars? The Evening Standard’s features writer Katie Strick interviewed the nation’s new favourite PE teacher, and joins The Leader podcast to share what she learned.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Over the weekend UK parks and outdoor spaces were packed with people apparently defying the government advice to socially distance. Is Boris Johnson making a mess of the government's coronavirus messaging? Former Downing Street political aide, Alistair Campbell, tells The Leader podcast what he thinks the Government should do next. Stranded in Goa In the early hours of Monday morning, India’s 1.3 billion people were put into coronavirus lockdown. The measures vary according to different parts of the country, but the national rail system has been shut, so has public transport. And the borders are closed - which has trapped ex-pats from all over the globe, including Jo Youle from the Evening Standard audio news team. She reports for The Leader podcast on the impact this lockdown is having on locals and travellers alike.   Help those in need Covid-19 support groups are popping up across the UK. The community are stepping in to provide support for NHS workers, elderly neighbours, and those who are less able. Features writer Sam Fishwick has joins The Leader podcast to discuss how the coronavirus crisis is catalysing acts of kindness.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As coronavirus takes hold, some economists fear Covid-19 is bringing the world to the brink of a double-digit economic depression. The Evening Standard's consumer business editor, Jonathan Prynn, tells The Leader podcast the figures are “unbelievable" - and there are concerns the fallout could be on the scale of the 1930's. But he says governments everywhere are working to stop it happening.    How to save the Arts industry The Arts industry was one of the first to feel the full impact of coronavirus. Theatres, galleries and museums have all had to close their doors - but some venues and artists are finding innovative ways of providing reliable services to their audience. This includes the Hampstead Theatre, which will stream the cancelled production of ‘I and You’, starring Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams, on Instagram. The Evening Standard’s Arts correspondent Rob Dex joins The Leader podcast to explain.   Friday nights… at home. The Friday night pub trip is a thing of the past, for now. With the public being advised to avoid pubs and other public venues, what will we do on Friday evenings now? Deputy Features Editor Phoebe Luckhurst reveals her new social plans, and shares her tips.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard newspaper has been standing beside the public for 193 years. We’ve continued to distribute through pandemics, disasters and wars - even during the Blitz in WW2. The paper’s Editor George Osbourne speaks to The Leader podcast about what will be done to make sure you are kept informed during the coronavirus epidemic - and why it’s so vital. You can also read his full column here. Rory Stewart: Universal Basic Income needed now The UK government has taken unprecedented steps in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. But Rory Stewart, who ran against Boris Johnson in a campaign to become conservative leader, argues in an op-ed for the Evening Standard that even more agressive action - including universal basic income - is needed now to save lives. Mr. Stewart joins The Leader podcast to explain the steps he says we must take now, regardless of the cost. Home education Following the government’s decision to close schools in the UK, parents are preparing for their children to be at home, from Friday, indefinitely. Which means home schooling. But how exactly do you do it? The Leader podcast is joined by Jamie Frost who runs drfrostmaths.com who offers his advice for parents who now have a responsibility to help their child with learning at home.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.