We’re Still Here: Lockdown loneliness, sleaze, scandal and ‘abuse of office’

LISTEN: It’s a bumper episode of We’re Still Here, as we tackle everything from the week’s biggest news to health and wellbeing and EG’s race diversity survey.

Hold on to your hats. In this week’s episode of EG’s We’re Still Here podcast, host Emily Wright is joined by residential reporter Emma Rosser and tech and global reporter Lucy Alderson for one of the most high-octane episodes since lockdown began.

As well as in-depth discussions around wallpaper stripping, Alderson’s lunch choices and why Rosser is no longer drinking wine out of pasta jars, the duo delve into some of the biggest news stories and trends from the past week.

Rosser first addresses the ongoing scandal following housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s approval of Richard Desmond’s £1bn Westferry Printworks development on the Isle of Dogs, E14.

She discusses why Lord Adonis has warned of the worst “sleaze and possible abuse of office” he has witnessed in his career following Jenrick’s admission of “apparent bias”. The Metropolitan Police will assess Jenrick’s decision on the 1,524-home, 46-storey tower which has been referred to its special enquiry team. Tune in for the full story.

Then Alderson discusses EG’s health and wellbeing content, which has been a major focus this week. From open, honest comment pieces from industry figures on their own mental health through to why the sector is now putting these issues at the heart of how it moves forward beyond lockdown, it is clear that the industry is becoming more open to discussing the problems and addressing solutions around this subject. “People are realising that it’s OK not to be OK some days,” says Alderson. “That’s what makes us human.”

For more on this plus why you should find the time to fill in EG’s survey on race diversity in real estate, tune in to this week’s podcast.

And if all of that isn’t reason enough, until you have heard Rosser and Alderson discussing the merits of burgers and olives for lunch, you haven’t lived.

To send feedback, e-mail emily.wright@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmilyW_9 or @estatesgazette