despite leaked papers suggesting he had doubts. this hasn't been tried before in our country. i mean, it's fair to say it is novel. i've been very clear that this is a novel scheme. of course it's novel. but actually we should have more confidence today that it will work precisely because we've got a returns agreement with albania that is working incredibly well. polls close in bangladesh's election — early indications suggest a low turnout of voters, and the current prime minister is expected to win a fourth consecutive term. the us transport safety board says no passengers were seated next to where part of a plane fell off mid—flight. hello, i'm luxmy gopal. jordan's king abdullah has warned the us secretary

of state antony blinken of �*catastrophic repercussions�* of the continuation of israel's military campaign in gaza. mr blinken is on a tour of the middle east as the us tried to prevent the conflict in gaza from spreading. earlier he met thejordanian foreign minister. king abdullah also urged blinken to put pressure on israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire. later mr blinken will head to qatar for talks with the emir. this is what the secretary of state had to say before he left forjordan. as we said from day one, we have an intense focus on preventing this conflict from spreading. and a big part of the conversations we'll be having over the coming days with all of our allies and partners is looking at the steps that they can take using the influence and ties that they have. to do just that, to make sure that this conflict doesn't spread. second, we'll be looking at what we can do. maximise the protection for civilians, maximise humanitarian assistance, getting into them, and also to get

hostages out of gaza. as the diplomacy continues, so does the fighting, with israel carrying out air strikes overnight in the city of khan younis in southern gaza. the official palestinian news agency reported many dead and wounded. in the west bank, palestinian officials said six people had been killed in an israeli air raid on the city ofjenin — an israeli border officer has also been killed in operations there. and an israeli civilian was killed in what has been described as a shooting attack in the west bank. the israeli army says its completed what it claims is the �*dismantling" of hamas�*s command structure in the northern gaza strip. a spokesman said hamas fighters could operate only �*sporadically�* in the area. live now to our correspondent shaimaa khalil injerusalem.

if we start firstly with the news coming through in the past half an hour, the comments from king abdullah injordan, what do we know about what is meant by these catastrophic repercussions as he is called that? i think the fear here expressed by the international community and comments of king abdullah is the conflict could spread wider either in the west bank and he already updated on the deaths in the west bank or elsewhere in the region. i want to bring you some lines from khan younis we got in the last few minutes. you spoke about the continuation of bombardment in khan younis and this tally is what the israeli military has been saying about intensifying their operations in central and south gaza. and we have comments from aljazeera saying a cameraman for their channel and

the eldest son of aljazeera's gaza correspondent has been killed in what we understand in a drone strike with otherjournalists. we also understand from the reporting that they were on their way from khan younis to rafah crossing. his 15—year—old son, his wife and grandchild were killed in an israeli air strike. correspondent himself was injured when his cameraman was killed in a separate strike while filming last month. this is the latest we have on this but we also have had updates from further in khan younis overnight and the death toll has risen to 50 people including 15 children. so far, with this intense bombardment of khan younis, we've had the update from al jazeera about the sun of the gaza

correspondent. he's been killed in the strike but several others have also been killed in the relentless bombardment of khan younis in the south. with this update you brought us, there seems to be no sign of de—escalation in the region. what do you make of king abdullah's called for antony blinken to put pressure on israel for an immediate ceasefire? israel hasn't said there is any sign they would agree to that. what do you think the white house could do? i that. what do you think the white house could do?— house could do? i think further pressure- _ house could do? i think further pressure. the _ house could do? i think further pressure. the pressure - house could do? i think further pressure. the pressure has - house could do? i think further. pressure. the pressure has been ongoing on israel and i think for this to be effective, you have to see it translated on the ground. antony blinken has repeatedly called for the de—escalation and care about civilian lives in gaza. that hasn't translated on the ground. i think now for a very sceptical palestinian side, remembersome

now for a very sceptical palestinian side, remember some officials have said they are going to meet him with a heavy heart because on one hand, the us has green lit arms sales to israel and on another this bombardment of gaza continues. antony blinken wants to calm the situation and for him to be seen a serious in doing so, he has to influence the israeli government somehow to de—escalate and find a way for humanitarian causes, for some sort of paws on fighting so humanitarian aid can come in and for civilian lives to be spared. that's not the message we're getting from israel. israeli army and benjamin netanyahu israel. israeli army and benjamin neta nyahu yesterday israel. israeli army and benjamin netanyahu yesterday marking the third month the war have said they are going to continue until hamas is dismantled. this is a huge and devastating gap that he needs to bridge with the arab partners and palestinians and of course with israel to change the reality of what's happening on the ground in

gaza. and also the tension building up gaza. and also the tension building up in the west bank.— gaza. and also the tension building up in the west bank. thank you. we will brin: up in the west bank. thank you. we will bring you _ up in the west bank. thank you. we will bring you more _ up in the west bank. thank you. we will bring you more updates - up in the west bank. thank you. we will bring you more updates from i up in the west bank. thank you. we | will bring you more updates from the us secretary of state diplomatic middle eastern tour as they come through. here, prime minister rishi sunak has denied have doubts over the controversial rwanda asylum seeker scheme when he was chancellor. rishi sunak had significant doubts about sending migrants to rwanda when he was chancellor, papers seen by the bbc suggest. with more on this i'm now joined by our westminster correspondent, georgia roberts. what has he said? well, the fiscal ear is what has he said? well, the fiscal year is well _ what has he said? well, the fiscal year is well and _ what has he said? well, the fiscal year is well and truly _ what has he said? well, the fiscal year is well and truly under - what has he said? well, the fiscal year is well and truly under way. l year is well and truly under way. pretty soon and the opposition leader keir starmer are on the airwaves this morning as part of plans to return tomorrow. and plenty laura kuenssberg had to ask mr sunak about reports this morning that the post office will be stripped of its role in appeals in the horizon it scandal. he confirmed the government was looking at legal options to review the post office's role in that. it was also asked about

immigration, particularly reports over documents from march 22 when rishi sunak was chancellor that seem to suggest he had doubts about this flagship rwanda policy to send those coming across the channel on illegal boats to rwanda. and he is actually someone who said this is something he did not have doubts about and as chancellor, it was hisjob he did not have doubts about and as chancellor, it was his job to rigorously look at the options. let's take a listen. d0 rigorously look at the options. let's take a listen.— rigorously look at the options. let's take a listen. do you deny completely _ let's take a listen. do you deny completely that _ let's take a listen. do you deny completely that you _ let's take a listen. do you deny completely that you ever - let's take a listen. do you deny completely that you ever had . let's take a listen. do you deny i completely that you ever had any doubts _ completely that you ever had any doubts about the efficacy or value for money— doubts about the efficacy or value for money of sending migrants to rwanda? — for money of sending migrants to rwanda? let for money of sending migrants to rwanda? , ,., ., for money of sending migrants to rwanda? , u, ., , , rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe _ rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe in _ rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe in the _ rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe in the value - rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe in the value and i absolutely believe in the value and importance — absolutely believe in the value and importance of— absolutely believe in the value and importance of having _ absolutely believe in the value and importance of having deterrence. i absolutely believe in the value andl importance of having deterrence. in about _ importance of having deterrence. in about a _ importance of having deterrence. in about a year— importance of having deterrence. in about a year damn _ importance of having deterrence. in about a year damn —— _ importance of having deterrence. in about a year damn —— albania - importance of having deterrence. in about a year damn —— albania and l importance of having deterrence. in| about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda _ about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda in— about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda. in terms— about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda. in terms of— about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda. in terms of the _ about a year damn —— albania and in rwanda. in terms of the scheme, ii rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor— rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor at _ rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor at the _ rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor at the time. - rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor at the time. my. rwanda. in terms of the scheme, i was chancellor at the time. myjobj was chancellor at the time. myjob is to make — was chancellor at the time. myjob is to make sure— was chancellor at the time. myjob is to make sure we _ was chancellor at the time. myjob is to make sure we get— was chancellor at the time. myjob

is to make sure we get value - was chancellor at the time. myjob is to make sure we get value for. is to make sure we get value for tax-payers— is to make sure we get value for tax—payers whenever— is to make sure we get value for tax—payers whenever anybody . is to make sure we get value for- tax—payers whenever anybody wants to spend _ tax—payers whenever anybody wants to spend taxpayers' — tax—payers whenever anybody wants to spend taxpayers' money. _ tax—payers whenever anybody wants to spend taxpayers' money. i— tax—payers whenever anybody wants to spend taxpayers' money. i would - spend taxpayers' money. i would expect _ spend taxpayers' money. i would expect the — spend taxpayers' money. i would expect the same _ spend taxpayers' money. i would expect the same of— spend taxpayers' money. i would expect the same of the - spend taxpayers' money. i wouldl expect the same of the chancellor now _ expect the same of the chancellor now of _ expect the same of the chancellor now of course _ expect the same of the chancellor now. of course i— expect the same of the chancellor now. of course i would _ expect the same of the chancellor now. of course i would rigorouslyl now. of course i would rigorously scrutinise — now. of course i would rigorously scrutinise any— now. of course i would rigorously scrutinise any proposal _ now. of course i would rigorously scrutinise any proposal on - now. of course i would rigorously scrutinise any proposal on my. now. of course i would rigorously. scrutinise any proposal on my desk but, scrutinise any proposal on my desk but. ultimately. _ scrutinise any proposal on my desk but, ultimately, i— scrutinise any proposal on my desk but, ultimately, i agreed _ scrutinise any proposal on my desk but, ultimately, i agreed with- scrutinise any proposal on my desk but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime _ but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime minister— but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime ministerand _ but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime minister and we _ but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime minister and we funded - but, ultimately, i agreed with their prime minister and we funded the i prime minister and we funded the proposal~ — prime minister and we funded the ro osal. ., ., i. ., proposal. you admit then you had hesitation about _ proposal. you admit then you had hesitation about whether - proposal. you admit then you had hesitation about whether or - proposal. you admit then you had hesitation about whether or not . proposal. you admit then you had l hesitation about whether or not this was value _ hesitation about whether or not this was value for money. you tell people when _ was value for money. you tell people when you _ was value for money. you tell people when you moved into number 10, you wanted _ when you moved into number 10, you wanted the _ when you moved into number 10, you wanted the highest standards of accountability and integrity. so we ask you _ accountability and integrity. so we ask you to — accountability and integrity. so we ask you to be accountable for how you came — ask you to be accountable for how you came to that decision. did you then hesitate about whether it be value _ then hesitate about whether it be value for— then hesitate about whether it be value for money? | then hesitate about whether it be value for money?— then hesitate about whether it be value for money? i think... i think expanding — value for money? i think... i think expanding beyond _ value for money? i think... i think expanding beyond what _ value for money? i think... i think expanding beyond what it - value for money? i think... i think expanding beyond what it is, - value for money? i think... i think expanding beyond what it is, as i expanding beyond what it is, as chancellor, _ expanding beyond what it is, as chancellor, my— expanding beyond what it is, as chancellor, myjob _ expanding beyond what it is, as chancellor, myjob is _ expanding beyond what it is, as chancellor, myjob is to - expanding beyond what it is, as. chancellor, myjob is to scrutinise and ask— chancellor, myjob is to scrutinise and ask tough _ chancellor, myjob is to scrutinise and ask tough questions - chancellor, myjob is to scrutinise and ask tough questions that i chancellor, myjob is to scrutinise i and ask tough questions that crosses my desk _ and ask tough questions that crosses m desk. , ., , my desk. one question his back benches especially _ my desk. one question his back benches especially on _ my desk. one question his back benches especially on the i my desk. one question his back benches especially on the right| my desk. one question his back. benches especially on the right of the party asking is whether individuals may be able to lodge appeals and keep the remand scheme

—— rwanda scheme bogs down. and questions of whether he would let human rights block the plans for rwanda. this may take place and keep this rolling on through the importance. let's listen. some of our importance. let's listen. some of your colleagues— importance. let's listen. some of your colleagues aren't _ importance. let's listen. some of your colleagues aren't convinced l your colleagues aren't convinced that you — your colleagues aren't convinced that you really mean what you say when _ that you really mean what you say when it _ that you really mean what you say when it comes to immigration. the man he _ when it comes to immigration. the man he was— when it comes to immigration. the man he was immigration minister and shall not _ man he was immigration minister and shall not long ago, robertjenrick, a former— shall not long ago, robertjenrick, a former ally of yours, says this morning — a former ally of yours, says this morning your position is misleading people _ morning your position is misleading people when you don't mean it. you say you _ people when you don't mean it. you say you will— people when you don't mean it. you say you will do whatever it takes to -et say you will do whatever it takes to get this— say you will do whatever it takes to get this policy off the ground, you want _ get this policy off the ground, you want to— get this policy off the ground, you want to pass new laws to do that. but this— want to pass new laws to do that. but this is— want to pass new laws to do that. but this is a — want to pass new laws to do that. but this is a technical question but a very— but this is a technical question but a very important one. if the european _ a very important one. if the european courts put down what is called _ european courts put down what is called the — european courts put down what is called the rule of 39, an emergency

measure _ called the rule of 39, an emergency measure to— called the rule of 39, an emergency measure to stop the plan taking off, would _ measure to stop the plan taking off, would you _ measure to stop the plan taking off, would you be willing to ignore a rule 39? — would you be willing to ignore a rule 39? �* , ., , would you be willing to ignore a rule 39? �*, ., , ., , rule 39? there's lots and there but firstl , i rule 39? there's lots and there but firstly. i am _ rule 39? there's lots and there but firstly, i am determined _ rule 39? there's lots and there but firstly, i am determined to - rule 39? there's lots and there but firstly, i am determined to stop i rule 39? there's lots and there but| firstly, i am determined to stop the boats _ firstly, i am determined to stop the boats and — firstly, i am determined to stop the boats and i— firstly, i am determined to stop the boats. and i believe _ firstly, i am determined to stop the boats. and i believe is— firstly, i am determined to stop the boats. and i believe is about - firstly, i am determined to stop the boats. and i believe is about a i boats. and i believe is about a simple — boats. and i believe is about a simple matter— boats. and i believe is about a simple matter of— boats. and i believe is about a simple matter of fairness. i boats. and i believe is about a| simple matter of fairness. that isn't _ simple matter of fairness. that isn't an— simple matter of fairness. that isn't an abstract _ simple matter of fairness. that isn't an abstract or _ simple matter of fairness. that isn't an abstract or practical i isn't an abstract or practical thing. — isn't an abstract or practical thing. its _ isn't an abstract or practical thing, its fairness. - isn't an abstract or practical thing, its fairness. i- isn't an abstract or practical thing, its fairness. i don't. isn't an abstract or practical i thing, its fairness. i don't think it's right — thing, its fairness. i don't think it's right for _ thing, its fairness. i don't think it's right for people _ thing, its fairness. i don't think it's right for people to - thing, its fairness. i don't think it's right for people to jump i thing, its fairness. i don't thinkj it's right for people to jump the queue — it's right for people to jump the queue to — it's right for people to jump the queue to come _ it's right for people to jump the queue to come here _ it's right for people to jump the queue to come here illegally. l it's right for people to jump the. queue to come here illegally. you've said _ queue to come here illegally. you've said that before, you queue to come here illegally! you've said that before, you said queue to come here illegally- you've said that before, you said it many _ you've said that before, you said it many times — you've said that before, you said it many times. i would like you to address— many times. i would like you to address the specific. are you happy for a rule _ address the specific. are you happy for a rule 39... address the specific. are you happy for a rule 39. . ._ for a rule 39. .. been very clear about this- _ for a rule 39. .. been very clear about this. i— for a rule 39. .. been very clear about this. i won't _ for a rule 39. .. been very clear about this. i won't let - for a rule 39. .. been very clear about this. i won't let the i for a rule 39. .. been very clear. about this. i won't let the foreign court _ about this. i won't let the foreign court stop— about this. iwon't let the foreign court stop our— about this. iwon't let the foreign court stop our ability— about this. i won't let the foreign court stop our ability to - about this. i won't let the foreign court stop our ability to remove i court stop our ability to remove people — court stop our ability to remove people. 0rice— court stop our ability to remove people. once we've _ court stop our ability to remove people. once we've been - court stop our ability to remove l people. once we've been through court stop our ability to remove - people. once we've been through our process— people. once we've been through our process in_ people. once we've been through our process in parliament, _ people. once we've been through our process in parliament, i— people. once we've been through our process in parliament, i think... i georgia, what has the leader of the opposition keir starmer said? he was bein: opposition keir starmer said? he was being interviewed _ opposition keir starmer said? he was being interviewed on _ opposition keir starmer said? he was being interviewed on sky _ opposition keir starmer said? he was being interviewed on sky news. i opposition keir starmer said? he was being interviewed on sky news. he i being interviewed on sky news. he was asked about labour's plans given

the fastly approaching general election and labour retaining roughly 20 point lead in the polls. he was asked about his plans are tax cuts given the prime minister voted more of there are newspaper reports this morning. he would draw on what specific taxes he may want to seek out but saying he wanted to reduce the burden on working people. he was also agitating for the prime minister to set a date for the general election. the prime minister said this week it was his working assumption there would be a general election at the back end of this yearin election at the back end of this year in november time. but keir starmer said he was putting vanity before country inn are not setting a date. let's listen.— date. let's listen. what you are seeinr date. let's listen. what you are seeing at _ date. let's listen. what you are seeing at the — date. let's listen. what you are seeing at the moment - date. let's listen. what you are seeing at the moment from i date. let's listen. what you are seeing at the moment from the j date. let's listen. what you are i seeing at the moment from the prime minister— seeing at the moment from the prime minister as— seeing at the moment from the prime minister as he is floating tax cuts back doing that in his own self interest, — back doing that in his own self interest, desperately thrashing around — interest, desperately thrashing around and trying to find lines to going _ around and trying to find lines to going to — around and trying to find lines to going to the election. it's not part

of a strategy for growing the economy. it is simply picking tax cuts that— economy. it is simply picking tax cuts that the prime minister thinks might— cuts that the prime minister thinks might create a divide going into the election _ might create a divide going into the election. that's the wrong way to govern— election. that's the wrong way to govern no— election. that's the wrong way to govern no matter what party, whether you are _ govern no matter what party, whether you are conservative or labour, to simply— you are conservative or labour, to simply go — you are conservative or labour, to simply go down the road of desperately picking anything that creates— desperately picking anything that creates a divide rather than having a strategy — creates a divide rather than having a strategy for the country. keir starmer and — a strategy for the country. keir starmer and rishi _ a strategy for the country. lie: " starmer and rishi sunak a strategy for the country. iiez " starmer and rishi sunak going head—to—head on the airwaves today. they will be battling it out the majority of the year if what's the prime minister said to be believed. plenty more when parliament returns tomorrow about both party's plans ahead of the big election.- ahead of the big election. thank ou. the polls have now closed in bangladesh's general election — voting took place amid tight security after violence

on the eve of the poll. at least 14 polling stations were set on fire. on friday, a busy commuter train was allegedly set on fire, killing four passengers. prime minister sheikh hasina is trying to gain a fourth straight term in office.bangladesh's chief election comissioner has described the violence as an attempt to sabotage the vote. the main opposition bangladesh nationalist party has asked people to shun the poll. and international observers including the un have said the poll is taking place in a repressive environment. this was prime minister, sheikh hasina, voting a little earlier — the initial results are expected by early monday. live now to the capital, dhaka, and our south asia correspondent samira hussain. just hearing some of the incidents that have happened, such as the polling station set on fire. how much does this mark a difference

from previous general elections? in previous general elections, there has been quite a bit of violence as well but also more concerningly, a lot of vote rigging. that's why in this election prime minister sheikh essien i was determined to have what she could call fair elections. the challenge was the main opposition party, the bnp had not put participated. polls close and they are going to start counting votes shortly. but if you look at voter turnout, just half an hour before the polls closed, we heard from the election commissioner that in fact there was about a 27% voter turnout. that's pretty low. by comparison, in the last general election in the uk, we saw a 67% voter turnout. in the

last election in the us, we saw more than 50% of voters turn out. so it then calls into question about whether or not these results will truly be reflective of the will of the people given the low turnout and the people given the low turnout and the fact the main opposition party did not contest. find the fact the main opposition party did not contest.— did not contest. and 'ust briefly, what are did not contest. and 'ust briefly, what we h did not contest. and just briefly, what are we expecting _ did not contest. and just briefly, what are we expecting the i did not contest. and just briefly, i what are we expecting the opposition party to do? we know they have in effect boycotted this general election but where does that leave them and any potential for voting for an opposition for people in the coming weeks or months or years perhaps? coming weeks or months or years --erhas? .,. , coming weeks or months or years --erhas? .. , ., �*, perhaps? exactly, that's the . uestion perhaps? exactly, that's the question i— perhaps? exactly, that's the question i put _ perhaps? exactly, that's the question i put to _ perhaps? exactly, that's the question i put to one - perhaps? exactly, that's the question i put to one of i perhaps? exactly, that's the question i put to one of the | perhaps? exactly, that's the i question i put to one of the senior leaders of the bnp, the bangladeshi nationalist party. they not contesting in these elections. it seems sheikh hasina is all but guaranteed of another five years in office. what is the opposition's plans? to them, it's a matter of

continuing to exercise their democratic right to oppose this government and oppose what they say is a crackdown on freedom of expression and protest. but they've said they are committed to doing this within the democratic process as much as possible.— we can cross now to delphine reculeau, who is the director of omct sos—torture network, to discuss the harassment faced by human rights representatives and other allegations against the authorities in bangladesh. thank you forjoining us. how worried are you by the human rights situation in bangladesh? i worried are you by the human rights situation in bangladesh?— situation in bangladesh? i want to sa that situation in bangladesh? i want to say that i've _ situation in bangladesh? i want to say that i've been _ situation in bangladesh? i want to say that i've been bangladesh i situation in bangladesh? i want to say that i've been bangladesh for| say that i've been bangladesh for decades and concerned by the

situation in the country deteriorating in the run—up to the elections as you mentioned. political violence and targeting of the opposition parties and also what worries us is the international criticism, the government intensified its crackdown on them. it is also a resource of excessive police force, tasers, to silence people and this is extremely worrying for us. you mentioned the ruling party is increasingly resorting to violence and protests ahead of the election today and the government only had 23,000...

charges against them. some of them also reported being tortured while in detention, nine activists dying in detention, nine activists dying in detention, nine activists dying in detention since last november. this violation of freedom is creates an environment of fear in the face of the democratic process taking place today and also raising questions about the legitimacy of the selection today. find questions about the legitimacy of the selection today.— questions about the legitimacy of the selection today. and have the ast few the selection today. and have the past few months _ the selection today. and have the past few months represented i the selection today. and have the past few months represented an l past few months represented an escalation in what you have seen? or is this simply a continuation of what's been happening over the last few years? figs what's been happening over the last few years? $5 i what's been happening over the last few ears? �* , ., , few years? as i mentioned, it is sadly decaying _ few years? as i mentioned, it is sadly decaying now, _ few years? as i mentioned, it is sadly decaying now, the - few years? as i mentioned, it is i sadly decaying now, the government in place in bangladesh is resorting to massive and rampant human rights violations including torture, killings and forced appearances.

detention and harassment of journalists, that's really being the mood of the government. at the same time, we've seen an escalation of violence especially how much the opposition has been targeted, people being killed, social protests being crushed with violence, massive use of police force, excessive use, simply to crush and silence dissidents in the country. stand simply to crush and silence dissidents in the country. and what would ou dissidents in the country. and what would you like _ dissidents in the country. and what would you like to _ dissidents in the country. and what would you like to see _ dissidents in the country. and what would you like to see the _ would you like to see the international community do? figs would you like to see the international community do? as we mentioned before, _ international community do? as we mentioned before, there's - international community do? as we mentioned before, there's no i mentioned before, there's no suspense of today's election which clearly received prime minister sheikh hasina ran for a fourth consecutive term. but now i think

the main thing today is what will remain of the democratic system in bangladesh. we really feel the election today is about to give a blank vote for sheikh hasina government for continued rule. the main challenge may be how sheikh hasina will face how to face its legitimacy and a free and fair election. it's very important that the international community and the us and european countries in particular now decide whether they want to give a seat to sheikh hasina's government. clearly the british government has repeatedly demonstrated in the past that it's not committed to protecting human rights and more than ever, democracy

is at risk since elections today are really seen as being flawed and frustration is rising among the population. so for us, the international community has a responsibility now more than ever to hold bangladesh accountable for its democratic situation and engage the government so rampant violations and impunity being practised in the country are brought to an end and human rights are protected. thank ou for human rights are protected. thank you for giving _ human rights are protected. thank you for giving us — human rights are protected. thank you for giving us a _ human rights are protected. thank you for giving us a thorough i human rights are protected. thank you for giving us a thorough own i you for giving us a thorough own overview. alaska airlines says it's again halting flights by eighteen of its fleet of boeing 737 max nine planes that had returned to the air following safety inspections. one of the carrier's planes had to make an emergency landing on friday after losing part of its fuselage mid—flight. a second american airline, united, says none of its max 9s will now resume flights.

let's get the background from our reporter, leigh milner. this video footage was taken by a passenger on board flight 1282 shortly after take—off. look closely and you can see a hole in the side of the plane, a panel has been blown out. just 20 minutes after take—off, flight 1282 made an emergency landing back at portland international airport in oregon. luckily, no—one was injured. these pictures show the full extent of the damage. we are very fortunate all of a sudden i heard a big bang and didn't know what was going on but i looked up and the oxygen masks were hanging from the ceiling. then i looked to my left and there was a

huge chunk of part of the plane missing. there was a kid in that row, his shirt was sent off and out of the plane. his mother was making sure he didn't go with it. last night, the uk civil aviation authorities written to all foreign owners of boeing 737 max nine airport demanding that inspections are carried out before they can operate in uk air space. the us federal aviation administration has ordered the temporary grounding of 171 boeing 737 max 9s as investigators try to work out exactly what happened. this is the latest incident involving boeing's best selling model that was launched back in 2015. in october 2018, a 737 max operated by indonesian airline lion air crashed shortly after take—off, killing all 189 on board. in march 2018, an ethiopian airline 737 max was involved in a similar crash, killing all 157 passengers. that led to all boeing 737 maxs being grounded

for the next 20 months. after this latest incident, alaska airlines grounded its max fleet. boeing said they would cooperate with any investigation. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. we've had a rather cold and frosty start to sunday morning. temperatures down to minus five degrees in parts of northern england and southern scotland. but for many of us,

it's been a fine start with some clear skies, a bit of sunshine out there, but also one or two fog patches which may be slow to clear in parts of northern ireland and central scotland. but for the rest of today, for most of us, it's a case of sunny spells. now, the reason for the change in the weather from the recent stormy conditions is this big area of high pressure which becomes established across the uk today and indeed over the next few days. so it keeps things mostly dry. and i say mostly because there are one or two showers coming in across the north east of england falling a snow winter. venus over the higher ground, a few showers also in the south east of england this afternoon. but elsewhere, dry with some sunny spells, maximum temperatures getting up to about two to six degrees celsius. but there could be some stubborn fog across some parts of scotland and northern ireland, which will reform again as we go through tonight, it's the northern half of the uk most at risk, but there could be one or two fog patches even further south. a few showers still coming in across eastern areas. but the main thing about tonight really is how cold it's going to be.

once again, temperatures widely below freezing, minus five celsius for northern parts of england and across scotland. we're beneath this area of high pressure where the cold air is sitting beneath that. and these white lines here across southern areas of england, indicative of some fairly brisk winds, which will bring in some wintry showers on monday morning. so if you're travelling, be aware of the fact that we could see some sleet and even some snow, even a hug over higher ground could be settling snow for a time on monday in the south east of england. there'll be a few showers coming in across the north east of england. but on the whole, once again, it's going to be a dry day for most of us on monday. any mist and fog should tend to clear away. one or two may linger on into the afternoon. on the face of it, temperatures will be about three to five degrees celsius. but facts are in that rather chilly east or northeasterly wind. it will feel more like freezing across many parts. and for the rest of the week, little change really. it's going to stay dry for most of us. there will be some sunny spells, but watch out for overnight frost

and some fog, especially during the mornings. and that's the outlook really you can see dry for most of us and temperatures at orjust below the average for the time of year. bye bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines...

the us secretary of state, antony blinken, holds more talks with middle eastern leaders. jordan's king abdullah warns mr blinken of the "catastrophic repercussions" of israel's campaign in gaza, and tells him that washington has a major role in putting pressure on israel to agree to a ceasefire. polls close in bangladesh elections, which are expected to be a landslide for the current prime minister. most opposition parties boycotted the election, which was preceded by a wave of violence with fourteen polling stations being set on fire and police today firing shotguns to break up opposition protests. the head of the us transport safety board says no passengers were seated next to where part of a plane fell off mid—flight. meanwhile, the american airline regulator has ordered the grounding of 170 boeing 737 max 9 jets after the incident, while inspections take place.

let's return to our main story — jordan's king abdullah has warned the us secretary of state antony blinken of �*catastrophic repercussions�* of the continuation of israel�*s military campaign in gaza. mr blinken is on a tour of the middle east as the us tried to prevent the conflict in gaza from spreading. dr sanam vakil is director of the middle east and north africa programme at chatham house — i asked her about antony blinken s diplomacy efforts in the middle east. this is a very difficult trip for the secretary of state. it�*s coming after an uptick of escalation across the region. and there is deep concern that the war continues. 22,000 people have have been killed in the war in gaza. and the israeli government does not seem interested in letting up or talking about a ceasefire. so he has a trip that is going to be about building consensus,

but also maintaining a commitment that the us is going to be active and engaged across the middle east. of course there are still hostages that are being held by hamas and other groups in the area. what success do you think mr blinken will have in pushing any of those negotiations forward with relation to the hostages? well, i think that�*s a very important issue. secretary blinken is certainly going to try to stitch together the threads which include the hostages for a hostage release to take place. and the qatari government has been really instrumental in playing a mediation role between hamas and the israeli government.

that�*s going to require a slow down or another cease fire. and that does not seem to be at the forefront of the israeli government�*s priorities right now. so that�*s going to be a hard one to deliverfor, for regional states. so the ceasefire and humanitarian aid remain at the top of the list. but secondly, of course, there needs to be a consensus building and discussion on the day after and what�*s to come in gaza and the west bank and how palestinian statehood can be achieved out of this crisis. here in the uk, rishi sunak has denied he had doubts over the rwanda scheme when he was chancellor. the prime minister told laura kuenssberg that his job as chancellor was to "ask probing questions of every proposal" that crossed his desk. he made the comments in a wideranging interview in which he also talked about the government looking at legal options in the case of the post office horizon it scandal .

we wa nt we want to stop talking about immigration, we know it�*s one of your top priorities and we know from documents of the bbc saw this week that when your chance for you expressed doubts about number ten�*s desire to spend migrants —— send migrants to rwanda. are you upset on revelations? ida. migrants to rwanda. are you upset on revelations? ., migrants to rwanda. are you upset on revelations?— revelations? no, i have not fully documents _ revelations? no, i have not fully documents i _ revelations? no, i have not fully documents i cannot _ revelations? no, i have not fully documents i cannot comment i revelations? no, i have not fullyl documents i cannot comment but revelations? no, i have not fully. documents i cannot comment but i ultimately— documents i cannot comment but i ultimately helped fund that scheme and my— ultimately helped fund that scheme and myjob now is to get it up and running _ and myjob now is to get it up and running because it is about deterrence. the national crime aqency— deterrence. the national crime agency said you need a deterrent to solve _ agency said you need a deterrent to solve the _ agency said you need a deterrent to solve the problem and i believe that which _ solve the problem and i believe that which is _ solve the problem and i believe that which is why i got a new deal with albania _ which is why i got a new deal with albania shortly after becoming pm which _ albania shortly after becoming pm which means we can return thousands to albania _ which means we can return thousands to albania and who saw those numbers drop by— to albania and who saw those numbers drop by 90% which shows the deterrent works and that is what the rwanda _ deterrent works and that is what the rwanda scheme is about. the interesting — rwanda scheme is about. the interesting thing _ rwanda scheme is about. iie: interesting thing is rwanda scheme is about. "iia: interesting thing is the rwanda scheme is about. i'ie: interesting thing is the documents i've seen, that a number ten documents from 2022, describe your view as believing the deterrent

would not work. do you deny that? again, i've not seen these documents i cannot_ again, i've not seen these documents i cannot comment on them... do again, i've not seen these documents i cannot comment on them. . .- i cannot comment on them... do you den ou i cannot comment on them... do you deny you have — i cannot comment on them... do you deny you have doubts? _ i cannot comment on them... do you deny you have doubts? about - i cannot comment on them... do you | deny you have doubts? about sending people to africa. the deny you have doubts? about sending peeple to africa-— people to africa. the proof is in my actions, i obviously _ people to africa. the proof is in my actions, i obviously believe - actions, i obviously believe deterrence work because when i became — deterrence work because when i became prime minister i prioritise getting _ became prime minister i prioritise getting a — became prime minister i prioritise getting a scheme up and running with albania _ getting a scheme up and running with albania which is now working, we returned — albania which is now working, we returned more than 5000 people as a resuit— returned more than 5000 people as a result of— returned more than 5000 people as a result of the new deal and we see the numbers coming from albania drop by over— the numbers coming from albania drop by over 90% _ the numbers coming from albania drop by over 90% which shows the deterrent works and i know it works because _ deterrent works and i know it works because i_ deterrent works and i know it works because i prioritise getting that up and running and the national crime agency— and running and the national crime agency believes deterrence works. it's important to be crystal clear with our audience here, we are asking about this controversial scheme to send migrants arriving on uk shores to rwanda, not about a return deal with albania. do you deny completely that you ever had any doubts about the efficacy or

value for money of sending migrants to rwanda? let value for money of sending migrants to rwanda? , ., value for money of sending migrants to rwanda? , . , to rwanda? let separate these thins. i to rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely _ to rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe - to rwanda? let separate these things. i absolutely believe in i to rwanda? let separate these i things. i absolutely believe in the value _ things. i absolutely believe in the value and — things. i absolutely believe in the value and importance of having deterrence and albania and rwanda are linked _ deterrence and albania and rwanda are linked because it should have deterrence and in terms of the scheme — deterrence and in terms of the scheme i— deterrence and in terms of the scheme i was chancellor at the time so nty— scheme i was chancellor at the time so myjob _ scheme i was chancellor at the time so myjob is — scheme i was chancellor at the time so myjob is to make sure your value for n1oney— so myjob is to make sure your value for money for — so myjob is to make sure your value for money for taxpayers to axe guestions _ for money for taxpayers to axe questions whenever anyone has that i’ilht questions whenever anyone has that rigbt to _ questions whenever anyone has that rigbt to ask— questions whenever anyone has that right to ask questions whenever anyone — right to ask questions whenever anyone has any. —— it is myjob to ask questions _ anyone has any. -- it is my “0b to ask questionsfi ask questions. you admit you had hesitation about _ ask questions. you admit you had hesitation about whether - ask questions. you admit you had hesitation about whether or - ask questions. you admit you had hesitation about whether or not i ask questions. you admit you had i hesitation about whether or not the scheme was value for money? you told people i knew moved into number ten you want at the highest standards of accountability and integrity so what you're asking about is being accountable for how you came to the decision did you have hesitations about whether it be vp value for

money? about whether it be vp value for mone ? ., . , , money? you are expanding this beyond what it is. a chance _ money? you are expanding this beyond what it is. a chance for _ money? you are expanding this beyond what it is. a chance for my _ money? you are expanding this beyond what it is. a chance for my job - money? you are expanding this beyond what it is. a chance for my job is - what it is. a chance for myjob is to scrutinise _ what it is. a chance for myjob is to scrutinise and ask tough questions are a single proposal that crosses— questions are a single proposal that crosses my— questions are a single proposal that crosses my desk. that's myjob when i crosses my desk. that's myjob when i was _ crosses my desk. that's myjob when i was chancellor, it is a chance a was _ i was chancellor, it is a chance a was my— i was chancellor, it is a chance a was myjob _ i was chancellor, it is a chance a was myjob now because this is all taxpayer— was myjob now because this is all taxpayer money and just because someone — taxpayer money and just because someone asks tough questions does not mean _ someone asks tough questions does not mean they do not believe in the probosai _ not mean they do not believe in the proposal. what they should do is make _ proposal. what they should do is make sure — proposal. what they should do is make sure it has gone through a process— make sure it has gone through a process of— make sure it has gone through a process of rigorous scrutiny and i went— process of rigorous scrutiny and i went through a process outbid without— went through a process outbid without being satisfied with the liver which is why i believe agreed with the _ liver which is why i believe agreed with the prime minister to fund the proposal— with the prime minister to fund the proposal and then when i became prime _ proposal and then when i became prime minister we have done that and -ot prime minister we have done that and got the _ prime minister we have done that and got the albania scheme up and running — got the albania scheme up and running which is a similar version of deterrence. i�*m running which is a similar version of deterrence.— of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is aood of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or— of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or bad — of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or bad is _ of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or bad is to _ of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or bad is to ask— of deterrence. i'm not asking if it is good or bad is to ask those - is good or bad is to ask those questions or suggesting it's good or bad to have doubts and change your mind but it is absolutely one of your core priorities now so i want to be crystal clear with the audience, your admitting at

hesitations?— audience, your admitting at hesitations? now, that is the distinction — hesitations? now, that is the distinction you're _ hesitations? now, that is the distinction you're trying - hesitations? now, that is the distinction you're trying to i hesitations? now, that is the i distinction you're trying to draw which _ distinction you're trying to draw which i — distinction you're trying to draw which i do — distinction you're trying to draw which i do not think is fair. what that ou which i do not think is fair. what that you have? _ which i do not think is fair. what that you have? my _ which i do not think is fair. what that you have? my job _ which i do not think is fair. what that you have? my job is - which i do not think is fair. what that you have? my job is to - which i do not think is fair. what that you have? my job is to ask| that you have? my “0b is to ask robin that you have? my “0b is to ask probing questions _ that you have? my job is to ask probing questions of _ that you have? my job is to ask probing questions of every - that you have? my job is to ask - probing questions of every proposal that crosses my desk as chancellor. whether— that crosses my desk as chancellor. whether you have doubts or not, you should _ whether you have doubts or not, you should not— whether you have doubts or not, you should not come to it with a preconceived notions that everything is fine _ preconceived notions that everything is fine and _ preconceived notions that everything is fine and spending taxpayer money, of course _ is fine and spending taxpayer money, of course you should not, you should always _ of course you should not, you should always ask _ of course you should not, you should always ask probing questions and approach — always ask probing questions and approach from a position of scepticism to get value for money. thats— scepticism to get value for money. that's the — scepticism to get value for money. that's the joy of the chancellor and treasury _ that's the joy of the chancellor and treasury when things crossed our desk— treasury when things crossed our desk but— treasury when things crossed our desk but to infer i do not believe in the _ desk but to infer i do not believe in the scheme or principle of deterrence is wrong. i did myjob to -et deterrence is wrong. i did myjob to get good _ deterrence is wrong. i did myjob to get good value for money for taxpayers, went through that scheme and as— taxpayers, went through that scheme and as prime minister myself now you can see _ and as prime minister myself now you can see we _ and as prime minister myself now you can see we have similar deterrence working _ can see we have similar deterrence working with albania and i've made the point _ working with albania and i've made the point that it is because albania is working — the point that it is because albania is working that he should have confidence be reliant —— make the

rwanda _ confidence be reliant —— make the rwanda scheme will work as well. | rwanda scheme will work as well. i 'ust rwanda scheme will work as well. just want rwanda scheme will work as well. i just want to get this absolutely on the record and i'm not asking you to comment on leaked documents, i want you to say completely clearly whether you ever had any doubts about whether or not sending migrants to africa from uk shores would put people off making the journey across the channel. this has not been tried _ journey across the channel. this has not been tried before _ journey across the channel. this has not been tried before so _ journey across the channel. this has not been tried before so it's - journey across the channel. this has not been tried before so it's fair- not been tried before so it's fair to say— not been tried before so it's fair to say it — not been tried before so it's fair to say it is — not been tried before so it's fair to say it is novel. i've been clear it is— to say it is novel. i've been clear it is a _ to say it is novel. i've been clear it is a novel— to say it is novel. i've been clear it is a novel scheme, of course it is but _ it is a novel scheme, of course it is but we — it is a novel scheme, of course it is but we should have more confidence today that it will work precisely — confidence today that it will work precisely because we have a returns agreement— precisely because we have a returns agreement with albania that it is working — agreement with albania that it is working credibly well. it is agreement with albania that it is working credibly well.— working credibly well. it is a separate — working credibly well. it is a separate thing _ working credibly well. it is a separate thing to _ working credibly well. it is a separate thing to send - working credibly well. it is a l separate thing to send people working credibly well. it is a - separate thing to send people back to the country they are from. i disagree because the principle is the same. — disagree because the principle is the same, if you come here iitegaiiy, _ the same, if you come here illegally, you should not be able to stay here _ illegally, you should not be able to stay here and you will be returned either _ stay here and you will be returned either to _ stay here and you will be returned either to your home country or a safe _ either to your home country or a safe alternative like rwanda. the principle — safe alternative like rwanda. the principle is you cannot stay here because — principle is you cannot stay here because we will have somewhere else to send _

because we will have somewhere else to send you _ because we will have somewhere else to send you and that is the deterrence i think is so important in the _ deterrence i think is so important in the national crime agency agrees on that— in the national crime agency agrees on that i_ in the national crime agency agrees on that i am so keen to get the scheme — on that i am so keen to get the scheme up _ on that i am so keen to get the scheme up and running. people will disagree. _ scheme up and running. people will disagree, the labour party disagrees with that _ disagree, the labour party disagrees with that principle by the way about having _ with that principle by the way about having a _ with that principle by the way about having a deterrence and workable deterrence agreement but my view is you cannot _ deterrence agreement but my view is you cannot solve this problem without — you cannot solve this problem without having a proper deterrent and that — without having a proper deterrent and that is — without having a proper deterrent and that is how we would have that. and keir starmer as your next week and we will ask him difficult questions as well. you have made this a centrepiece of your premiership but also some of your colleagues are not really convinced that you really mean what you say when it comes to immigration. the man who was immigration minister until not long ago as a friend and former ally of yours and your position is sophistry or you're reading people, you do not mean it.

saying you will take anything to get this off the ground. this is a technical question but an important one. if an emergency measure is put down to stop a plane taking off from the uk to go to rwanda, would you ever be able to ignore that? there is a lot in there _ ever be able to ignore that? there is a lot in there about _ ever be able to ignore that? there is a lot in there about let - ever be able to ignore that? there is a lot in there about let me - ever be able to ignore that? there is a lot in there about let me say l is a lot in there about let me say why i believe it is important, is a simple matter of fairness. ido i do not think it is right for people tojump the i do not think it is right for people to jump the queue. i i do not think it is right for people to jump the queue. people to 'ump the queue. i would like ou people to jump the queue. i would like you to — people to jump the queue. i would like you to address _ people to jump the queue. i would

like you to address this. _ court stopped our ability to remove people once we have been through our process of parliament and our court system. i have been crystal clear about that. does that mean ignoring a rule 39? forgive me, you have said you will do whatever it takes, you will not let a foreign court to stop it happening, the practical way in which that could happen would be a rule 39, would you ever ignore a rule39? ., , ., , ,, , ., and then, i am entirely confident what we are doing is entirely complied with international obligations. i have been crystal clear, i will not let a foreign court blocked our ability to remove people safely to rwanda. you will. not answer the question. i have been very clear. when it comes to the specifics of how we do this, first, we have to get the bill through parliament and i am sure when keir starmer is here next week i am sure he will ask him, why are you not supportive of a workable deterrent like rwanda? we will make sure we can safely remove people. that is how i believe we will solve the problem. you asked before which i think is incredibly important, i

really committed to resolving the problem? here are the facts, before i became prime minister, the number of illegal arrivals into the country across the channel had quadruple... the is... , . ., ., because of the actions of this government, not by a little, down by over a third. whilst across the rest of europe it has risen. the track record... we have a lot to talk- about this morning and i really want to move on. i also want to say, you say you are been crystal clear, crystal clear also this morning you are not answering the question about whether you would ignore a rule 39. i want to point it out. you have answered... you haven't answer that. we must move on. you can read the legislation we are passing very specifically which addresses the issue of making it crystal clear it is a matter of ministers deciding on the circumstances of the rule 39.

you cannot give a blanket answer but the legislation is crystal clear it is ministers will have the power to decide about rule 39 and i have been clear i will not let a foreign court blocked our ability to remove people safely to rwanda once the bellows through parliament. another promise i the public, we talked about this i year ago, he promised to get waiting lists down, there has been some progress on those waiting the longest, but overall, waiting lists are still going. is it actually still a promise you are you are committed to? yes, of course. when i made the pledge, thank you for - acknowledging we have made progress on the longest weights. we have said it would be in spring of this year we would see the waiting lists full —— thank you for acknowledging

we have made progress on the longest waits. we have said it would be in spring of this year we would see the waiting lists full properly. in spite of the record resources we have put into the nhs, more doctors and nurses, community diagnostic centres, we are treating more people than ever before about waiting lists have not come down. |7.71 million people waiting... far| too long. it is on your watch. yes, that has happened on my watch, i accept that, we have put in record resources, more doctors and nurses, community diagnostic centres, doing the right things, treating more people, obviously been hindered by industrial action. if you see what happened towards the end of last year, we had a period without any strikes in the nhs and we saw the waiting lists fall, tens of thousands, 65,000 in october, waiting lists started to fall when you had a period without industrial action. that gives me the confidence to know that... once we can resolve outstanding industrial action, we will be able to see waiting lists

fall because of the extra investment i into the nhs-— problem and the evidence on how much they contribute to waiting lists is mixed, but clearly part of the problem, are you willing to improve your offer to junior doctors? there is nearly 9% already offered to them and another 3% on the table, but to get them back to work, to stop this having an impact for patients, would you put more on the table? we already have and i think again if you look at the government's track record when it comes to resolving | industrial action. . ._ |you would put more? it is important| to have the context. the government has reached a resolution with every other part of the nhs, nurses, midwives, paramedics, consultant doctors, specialty doctors most recently, so every other part of the nhs workforce and i am grateful to them has reached a resolution with the government on a reasonable, fair pay settlement. the only people that haven't are the junior doctors. the numbers you gave demonstrate that the pay offer the junior doctors already have is more generous than any other part of the nhs. those are

the facts. given that we have managed to find resolution everywhere else, and the junior doctors have now the most generous payoff out of anybody in the nhs, i would strongly urge them to come back, talk to the government, so we can resolve the industrial action and start getting waiting lists down as the evidence shows we can do when there are not strikes. what do you | think the chances are of resolving | i it? ultimately a question for the l junior doctors, why when they have the most generous pay settlement in the nhs, when every other part of the nhs workforce, nurses, midwives, paramedics, consultant doctors, they have reached an agreement with the government, why haven't they? what is clear is we can get the waiting lists down when we do not have strikes, that is what the numbers show and that is what everybody wants to see. i would urge the doctors to come back around the table to get everyone back in and we can start getting waiting lists falling which is what everyone

wants. , , , morning might wish your ministers had tried to resolve the strikes a long time ago because for many months some of your colleagues said, no more money. and there was more money in the end. the strikes and many people's view have contributed to a sense many people feel things are not working very well. one of the viewers wanted us to put this to you, he said, from nhs delivery to potholes and everything in between, delivery is getting worse, not good enough to blame covid, the bottom line is it feels worse in this country for many ordinary people. is he wrong? i was here almost exactly a year ago, talking about the - outlook for the country over last year, if you think about what was being said then, people were projecting we would have a year—long deep recession this year. in fact, we have avoided that, outperformed countries like germany. inflation having an impact on gary and everyone else, running at close to ii%, now more than halved, less than 496.

the notion we would be able to cut taxes for people like gary was fanciful but in fact the chancellor has announced £20 billion of tax cuts. let us be clear on that point... for someone earning £35,000, a tax cut of £450. we have made progress, the plan is working, starting to deliver the long term change the country needs that i want to deliver for gary and the job is to stick to the plan so we can give him and everyone else peace of mind that future is going to be betterfor their children and we can have a renewed sense of pride in the country. on the point of taxation, we must be clear with people, for those who have the least and the most, not seen a reduction in tax bills at the moment, the tax burden overall is at a record high. you have done your

cut to national insurance but not as simple as you have just suggested. if i can answer that, you have said very important thing. for those on the lowest incomes, we raised the national insurance threshold, personal allowance, so you can now get £1000 a month without paying any tax or national insurance, we did that, disproportionately obviously benefits the lowest paid. national living wage went up by record amounts last year and this year. tax cuts, an average person working earning £35,000 from this weekend seeing a tax cut of £450. overall... | it will make a difference to people | like gary and everyone else. overall... the tax burden is higher than it has ever been and many people will see an improvement from this set of changes but many people will not. you told the sunday telegraph... 27 million people in | work will see a tax cut. you told | the sunday telegraph your priority is cutting taxes not more government

spending. you said the way to do that is to have a smaller public sector. which bits do you want to shrink? , . . ., growth between the economy and public services. my priority going forward which the chancellor reiterated at the weekend, joint priority for the country, to make sure we control spending, control who will lose their benefits? we have said no to lots of things people wanted us to do, talking about public sector pay, an example of why it is the wrong thing to do to say we should say yes to whatever... we just had that decisions and i am sure you will ask him which ones he agrees... it requires discipline and making those difficult decisions and that is what

i have done. you have said the only way to cut taxes is to have a - smaller public sector and you said you pointed to the welfare budget, - so who will expect to have less generous welfare payments? just point to the welfare budget, it is across the board, it is about discipline on public sector pay, one example, we have done last year, finding ways to make fair pay settlements. i made a decision before the chancellor to reduce the aid budget. that isn't in keir starmer labour party opposed. —— that is something keir starmer and the labour party oppose. we have seen a very significant rise in the number of people deemed unfit to work in the last couple of years and that is something concerning to me. i believe very strongly in the importance of hard work and rewarding hard work which is why we are cutting taxes on work this weekend very significantly. in the last decade, the system has not been reformed at all and you have seen the number of people signed off has tripled. do i think the country is three times sicker than a decade ago? no. the system is not working

as it was designed to work. we are bringing forward reforms to look at the eligibility of who is signed off sick, that will not affect those on existing benefits, it will come in over time and that is something that is the right thing, it is about fairness. making sure everybody who can work does work and for everyone who is working hard, we reward the hard work with tax cuts. it is a conservative approach, right for our country and again i am sure you will ask keir starmer next week whether he agrees. trying to helpfully - suggest lots of questions for keir starmer, he will be here next week. this week, you are here to answer about your approach. we will talk more about your approach and the election in a few minutes. i want to touch on a few things that have really raised people's eyebrows in the last few months. the scandal at the post office has shone a light on how many lives were ruined, itv drama has highlighted what happened

there, we will be talking to a sub—postmaster later, susan wright, postmistress, this question. you can watch it. what are you going to do to ensure we get fair and final compensation, not in dribs and drabs? and not at a snail's pace. please stop making us feel — still feel — like victims. i want to remind our viewers the post office is wholly owned by the government, so that perhaps point has not been made that much. 11 out of 475 of the full and final compensation deals have been completed. can you set a deadline, tell people like susan, when it will be sorted out? everyone has been l shocked by watching what they have

done over the past few days and beyond and it is an appalling miscarriage ofjustice. something that happened a very long time ago in the 905 but hearing about it again shows what an appalling miscarriage ofjustice it is for everyone affected and it is important that people get the justice they deserve. exonerated? the government has paid out about almost £150 million to - thousands of people already, of course we want to get the money to the people as quickly as possible. that is why there are interim payments of up to i think £600,000 that can be made, three different schemes available, and for anyone affected, they should come forward, |talk to the relevant body's. .. where | you take extra measures? there is a report the justice secretary is considering looking at exonerating everyone, a recommendation that has been made, or taking the post office's ability to investigate and prosecute away, would you like to see that happen? the justice secretary is looking at those|

things, would not be right to pre—empt the process, legal complexity and all of those things, but he is looking at exactly those areas you have described. it is right we find every which way we can do to try to make this right for the people so wrongfully tweeted at the time, compensation is part of that, but as you say, there are legal things that might be possible. there - are potentially on the table. i - would not want to speculate. those are the types of things been looked i at. what is also riling people is i the mess around ppe procurement in covid. i'm sure before christmas you saw michelle mone former conservative peer admitting she lied about her involvement in a ppe deal but she also believes very strongly she and her husband have been made scapegoats, a criminal investigation, i would not expect you to comment on that, but many ppe contracts seem to have gone wrong, £9 billion of waste. how are you trying to get money back from other companies involved in the waste of billions of pounds on the pandemic? will anyone else be held accountable?

anybody who took advantage of an incredibly difficult time for our country, to either defraud the public or do things that were illegal should be pursued with the full force of the law. we were all going through an awful time as a country and the job was to get ppe to those on the front line who needed it. everyone will remember how stressful that was. if people who were trying to take advantage of that system and defraud the taxpayer, that is completely and utterly wrong, appalling, and we should pursue them with the full |force of the law. do you believe j that the people date? there are —— do you believe that other people did? there are processes the government has too do those investigations and that diligence. where we believe that has happened to the government will take action. in this particular instance the government has taken legal

action against the company in question which is why i can't comment and more generally you wouldn't expect me to comment on individual cases. i take the matter incredibly seriously, it is wrong if that happened and where there is evidence of it to the government will pursue people with a full force of the law because that's the right thing to do. people shouldn't be able to get away with things like . that. let's talk politics, you said l this week the general election would be in the second half of the year. it seems like some of your mp5 are trying to make it happen in a slow and painful way to make their own decisions and to pack up and go home. tory mp chris skidmore said he was off this week and he wasn't very obliging about what you have been doing in government. there have been five by—elections since she became prime minister and 53 tory mps have said they will stand down. how can viewers have confidence in your project when so many of your own | team, who are meant to be on your own team, are walking away? been a tough time for our country over the past year or two with the

legacy of covid and the impact it had on backlogs, the war in ukraine on the impact on inflation and energy bills but i genuinely believe we have turned the corner and the country is pointing in the right direction. the plans we have put in place are starting to deliver the long term change our country needs to see. myjob is to talk to everybody show them we can stick with the plan because it is starting to work to deliver change that the country needs, the long term change the country needs. we have talked about it already this interview, the progress we have been making. of course i know there is more to do but progress is being made and the country is pointing in the right direction and if we stick to the plan we can continue to deliver the —— stick to the plan. live from london, this is bbc news. the us secretary of state meets middle eastern leaders. jordan's king abdullah warns him of the "catastrophic repercussions" of israel's campaign in gaza.

rishi sunak insists he has faith in his government's rwanda plan, despite leaked papers suggesting he had doubts. this hasn't been tried before in our country. i mean, it's fair to say it is novel. i've been very clear that this is a novel scheme. of course it's novel. but actually we should have more confidence today that it will work precisely because we've got a returns agreement with albania that is working incredibly well. polls close in bangladesh's election. early indications suggest a low turnout of voters, and the current prime minister is expected to win a fourth consecutive term. the us transport safety board says no passengers were seated next to where part of a plane fell off mid—flight. and hollywood rolls out the red carpet for one of its biggest nights — the golden globe awards.

hello.