track and derailed. you're live with bbc news. the prince of wales will return to public engagements today for the first time since his father king charles�* cancer the king is in sandringham in norfolk as he recovers from his first round of cancer treatment. he is now expected to carry out more duties whilst the king steps back from public engagements. this morning, handing honours out at windsor castle. thank you forjoining as here on bbc news. we have had a couple of days to absorb this news of the king's

cancer diagnosis and have also seen how the palace has chosen to publish the news and also now how his family are responding to it. how do you think it will change the direction of his monarchy? i think it will change the direction of his monarchy?— think it will change the direction of his monarchy? i think what we are seeinu of his monarchy? i think what we are seeing today — of his monarchy? i think what we are seeing today is _ of his monarchy? i think what we are seeing today is how, _ of his monarchy? i think what we are seeing today is how, in _ of his monarchy? i think what we are seeing today is how, in the - seeing today is how, in the medium—term, the monarchy will have two operate. the king as an outpatient, he is receiving treatment for cancer and that is going to continue certainly for a matter of weeks, public months. it does fall to his, prince william, to take on more of the rules, but he is going to carry on doing the important constitutional duties. it is going to be rather like, for him, those early days of the covid—i9 pandemic, where he will be liaising with ministers remotely also he will probably see the prime minister possibly in person but he will still

be getting all the state papers, the famous red boxes, all that sort of stuff or carry on. the real change is in the outward facing role of the monarch. he cannot be there, for example, next month at westminster abbey on commonwealth day, which is a big day for him because as well as being king, he is head of the commonwealth and that is an important event in the calendar but one that clearly going into a confined space with thousands of people, there is an infection risk and his doctors don't want that to happen. so they're having to adapt to suit the situation but adapting is what the monarchy has to do all the time. i is what the monarchy has to do all the time. ., ., . , ., .,, ., the time. i monarchy that has to ada t, the time. i monarchy that has to adat, a the time. i monarchy that has to adapt, a question _ the time. i monarchy that has to adapt, a question about - the time. i monarchy that has to adapt, a question about prince l adapt, a question about prince william in particular, how do you think you will respond to the extra responsibility? perhaps he might have to take on and also the spotlight now as he steps in for his father on occasion? he spotlight now as he steps in for his father on occasion?— father on occasion? he is used to the spotlight. _ father on occasion? he is used to the spotlight, he _ father on occasion? he is used to

the spotlight, he has _ father on occasion? he is used to the spotlight, he has been - father on occasion? he is used to the spotlight, he has been doing| the spotlight, he has been doing fairly high level royal engagements now for many years. he is one of the few members of the family who is charged with, for example, holding investiture. he is doing at this very morning, there at windsor castle, representing the king, and handing out medals and honours on behalf of the nation. he is a busy having to do this on top of his own programme of events, on top of looking after his wife, who are still recovering from surgery, and they have three young children, so he has a lot. i think in all of this, possible the person whose life or change the most in the short—term will be the prince of wales. he has a lot to do, but in terms of the attention, he is used to it. he is used to meeting world leaders. some years ago, he was on a solo visit to

china and met the entire cabinet. he is quite used to flying into capital is quite used to flying into capital is and meeting heads of state, heads of government, so he has statesman—like qualities and he will need them more now. statesman-like qualities and he will need them more now.— need them more now. buckingham palace, in need them more now. buckingham palace. in its— need them more now. buckingham palace, in its announcement - need them more now. buckingham palace, in its announcement about| palace, in its announcement about the king's diagnosis, mentioned they need to raise awareness about people who are suffering with cancer, not only here in the uk, but around the world. how unprecedented was the palace was my decision to be so open about the king's condition? you palace was my decision to be so open about the king's condition?— about the king's condition? you are riaht, about the king's condition? you are riuht, it about the king's condition? you are right. it was — about the king's condition? you are right, it was totally _ about the king's condition? you are right, it was totally unexpected. - about the king's condition? you are right, it was totally unexpected. i i right, it was totally unexpected. i never would have excited to see words like enlarged prostate in a medical bulletin from buckingham palace. that never used to be the way but the kings of a new generation. he differed he takes the view that there is a leading by example role here and obviously he's not going to be totally some people

are asking, why can't we find out precisely what kind of cancer he has got? the very fact that we have been told right away about the diagnosis and the level of treatment, this is encouraging people to think, well, if this can happen to a king with all the attendance and all the resources at his disposal, then it could happen to me. certainly in britain, in the days following the first reference to his investigation on his prostate, online and in the surgery, searches and requests for treatment for prostate issues shot up treatment for prostate issues shot up ijy treatment for prostate issues shot up by over 200%. there will be unquestionably a knock—on effect. people are now discussing, notjust issues to do with prostate but cancer more generally. i think he will look at that and think, well,

if they can be some positive from what i am going through, then that is for the better. i what i am going through, then that is for the better.— is for the better. i imagine it is also a delicate _ is for the better. i imagine it is also a delicate balance - is for the better. i imagine it is also a delicate balance for- is for the better. i imagine it is also a delicate balance for the| also a delicate balance for the monarchy because as much as you want to be transparent and show yourself to be transparent and show yourself to be transparent and show yourself to be modern, this is also a private matter, the king's personal health, so they will want to be public about it but they will also try to be private, i guess, and stop press intrusion perhaps?— private, i guess, and stop press intrusion perhaps? yes, that is why we are being _ intrusion perhaps? yes, that is why we are being told _ intrusion perhaps? yes, that is why we are being told some _ intrusion perhaps? yes, that is why we are being told some things - intrusion perhaps? yes, that is why we are being told some things but. we are being told some things but more things than we would normally expect but at the same time, we are not being told everything. everyone has a right to privacy, even monarchs and heads of state. he will certainly want to keep some aspects of his condition and treatment to himself, or certainly to the closer family. that is human nature, that is what everybody would want to do. and, yes, there have been appeals to the media to respect a degree of

privacy. as i say, transparency has been a hallmark of this rain. 0k, we are only 18 months into it, but already, we have had indications of already, we have had indications of a gentle shift in terms of how things are presented to the public. within 24 things are presented to the public. within 2a hours of becoming king, there he was, on the airwaves, addressing the nation. that did not used to happen. when her late majesty became queen, it was over ten months before she addressed the nation and you notice these royal events, i have been to a number of those, and there isjust events, i have been to a number of those, and there is just an increased informality still a formality and these things still happen in castles and palaces, but it is just a gentle change to the way things are done and that includes being a bit more frank about medical matters. figs

includes being a bit more frank about medical matters.- includes being a bit more frank about medical matters. as we are 'ust auoin about medical matters. as we are just going to _ about medical matters. as we are just going to let — about medical matters. as we are just going to let knowing - about medical matters. as we are just going to let knowing yours i about medical matters. as we are | just going to let knowing yours that we are going to speak to you but we are waiting for the prince to start his investiture ceremony that we are waiting for that to happen and we will bring those pictures as soon as we have them. we can actually bring these pictures right now to our viewers. so, this is prince william at windsor castle where he will be carrying out an investiture ceremony. this is his first public ceremony. this is his first public ceremony that he is carrying out since his wife had abdominal surgery, so he will be handing out mbe and 0b awards to people there and windsor castle. we are just going to watch what is happening there. so, robert, we are seeing

these pictures now from windsor castle and i imagine this is a very difficult time for the prince because not only is his father suffering from cancer, as we know now, but his wife is recovering from surgery. now, but his wife is recovering from surue . , ., now, but his wife is recovering from surue . , . ., ., now, but his wife is recovering from surue , , ., ., ., y., now, but his wife is recovering from surue. , . ., ., ., surgery. yes, i am afraid you have the advantage _ surgery. yes, i am afraid you have the advantage over _ surgery. yes, i am afraid you have the advantage over me _ surgery. yes, i am afraid you have the advantage over me because i l the advantage over me because i cannot actually see the pictures of what is going on but i have been to in number of investiture is. i know how these things operate, and they are incredibly important days. all the royal family are well aware of what to them might be an ordinary day, is, for all the people present, about 300 people there at that investitu re, about 300 people there at that investiture, including the recipients, but also their families, and for them, this is the day of a lifetime and it matters enormously. they hate letting people down so prince william, for all he has going on and all the pressures upon him, he will know that you have got to, the show must go on because that is

what people expect and you will have their people being honoured for everything from very important knighthoods, probably, there is usually a knighthood in the mix, there are also cbe, commanders of there are also cbe, commanders of the order of the british empire. you tend to get civilians of all ages, people from the armed forces, always a cross—section, and every one of them receives a chat and a handshake and that is an important day for them, and important over the country. them, and important over the count . , , ., ., them, and important over the count . , , ., , country. these things have to carry on. as country. these things have to carry on- as you — country. these things have to carry on. as you mentioned _ country. these things have to carry on. as you mentioned there, - country. these things have to carry on. as you mentioned there, this l country. these things have to carry| on. as you mentioned there, this is an important day for people in attendance but also important for the royal family. attendance but also important for the royalfamily. we'll bring attendance but also important for the royal family. we'll bring you more news from windsor castle throughout the day here on b was in use.

yes, there is some snow in the forecast but it is not going to be particularly widespread. having said that, where it does full, it could end up being quite heavy. 0n the one hand, we have a mild weather and weather systems coming in from the south. 0n the other, colder airfrom the arctic is spreading into scotland right now so it is a chilly and bright picture here through the rest of the day. some snow showers across the highlands but still relatively mild with some damp weather across the south of the country. here is that no it is approaching us with its rain bearing clouds and you can see it spreading towards the uk. we have cold air in the north coming in from the arctic, milder air spreading in from the south and it is where these two air masses meet, that is where we are going to have that period of rain, sleet and snow and icy conditions may be in some areas. you can see that big temperature contrast. from

the morning onwards, it is across the morning onwards, it is across the north wales mainly, around the pennines as well but of their will be quite a broad area where we could have some rain, sleet and snow falling. sleet and snow in this area is certainly possible. snow showers in scotland but i think it is more like lee to be heavy rain in the south of the country. these are that no risk yellow warnings from the met office. if we zoom into the amber warnings, which have been issued, so this is for northern wales and also the pennines, i think broadly speaking, quite widespread, ten to 15 centimetres of snow possible but in some of the higher elevations, there could be 20 to 25 centimetres, so it really troublesome conditions in these areas. through the course of thursday, that whether, that wintry weather, moves northward. no pressure still with us on friday but i think the milder air winds and it spreads across the bulk of the country. if we have a look at the

temperatures, you can see, much to mild personal by friday. 9 degrees in liverpool, above—average across the south of the country. if we look at the outlook, briefly, turning cold across some parts of the uk but on the whole, it is still that west, south—westerly. that is it from me, by by.

missing bolts, a damning report about a boeing maxjet missing bolts, a damning report about a boeing max jet raises fresh questions about safety at boeing. we will take a look at the crippling gusts of infrastructure and infrastructure in the uk as a head of the cbi believes companies who left the group will return. welcome to world business report. we start with the crisis at boeing because us regulators have revealed new details about the alaska airlines flight last month on which a panel on the cabin wall blew out. a preliminary report by the us national transportation safety board says that the 737 max jet left a boeing factory

missing four bolts designed to secure the door panel. 0ur north america business correspondent erin delmore has more. this investigation focuses on the bolts that are used to keep the door in place on the plane. that door isn't supposed to open. it plugs up an unused emergency exit. but it did open onjanuary the 5th and it flew off the alaska jet just after take—off in portland. now investigators from the national transportation safety board said that the bolts were missing before january the 5th, and they said that it appears that the alaska airlines plane left boeing's factory without the bolts. the report said that the bolts were removed to make a repair, but it appears that not all the bolts were replaced. this is the most detail we have about what went wrong and it puts the blame on boeing. and just days ago, boeing said that a supplierfound new problems with holes drilled on unfinished 737 max planes in production. and the company said it

would go back to work on some 50 planes, furthering delivery delays. meanwhile, on tuesday, the head of the federal aviation administration told congress his agency would have more boots on the ground to monitor boeing's production and manufacturing. let's take a look at germany now, europe's here in the uk, it's an election year and one of the biggest election themes could be the need to modernise the uk's ageing infrastructure at a time of with tightened finances. research published today by boston consulting says that the uk has invested the least of all the g7 countries in infrastructure over the past a0 years. and when it does invest, infrastructure costs more and takes longer to deliver in the uk compared with other countries. for example, a kilometre of new railway has cost an average of £34m in the uk compared with £23 million in the us and australia and almost £13 million in germany.

so what's going wrong? i'm joined now by one of the report's authors, raoul ruparel from boston consulting group. he also spent some time as an advisor to former prime minister theresa may's government. thank you forjoining us today. that rail example was quite a dramatic one but on balance, how much worse would you say the uk performance is compared to other countries? what would you say the uk performance is compared to other countries? what we see in our data. _ compared to other countries? what we see in our data, we _ compared to other countries? what we see in our data, we looked _ compared to other countries? what we see in our data, we looked at - compared to other countries? what we see in our data, we looked at 2300 - see in our data, we looked at 2300 projects from across 16 countries in the uk isn't the best or worst on a single metric but we have a mixture of high unit costs and long delivery times and we don't see that combination in any other country. as you mentioned, in absolute terms, the uk unit cost for road and rail infrastructure are higher than any other country. in a similar context like the us and france and germany, there is clearly a problem and how we deliver infrastructure projects and the amount it costs to get these

things done and how long it takes. there is another headline today put out saying the application for the lower thames crossing has cost £310 million and that is before a spade has even been put on the ground. is that normal? it is has even been put on the ground. is that normal?— that normal? it is very high and what we find — that normal? it is very high and what we find in _ that normal? it is very high and what we find in our _ that normal? it is very high and what we find in our report - that normal? it is very high and what we find in our report was i that normal? it is very high and i what we find in our report was the preconstruction phase does take particularly long in the uk, 65 months compared to an average of 50 in other countries. we have a long timeline but we also don't seem to use that time particularly effectively. that example is key. there is a huge amount of costs bent on planning but also additional costs, the total around £800 million on design specifications etc that has already gone in and it hasn't started being built yet. in comparison, the longest road tunnel in the world in norway finished in

2000 cost about half of what the planning application alone has cost us of the thames crossing. while some countries see these problems, the uk seems acutely bad and how it uses this time especially in planning and other parts of preconstruction phases. when we reach the construction, we aren't too bad. we are as quick as anyone else and costs may be a little higher but not massively different. so this period before we start constructing as a real problem. he also found the government is spending less on infrastructure than it has been compared to all other g7 countries. you spent some time in government. why do you think the uk has invested so little over the last few years? is has invested so little over the last few ears? , . has invested so little over the last few years?— has invested so little over the last few years? is a common problem. these are — few years? is a common problem. these are large — few years? is a common problem. these are large and _ few years? is a common problem. these are large and complex - few years? is a common problem. - these are large and complex problems and cut across political cycles so there is often changes which creates uncertainty and drives up costs which delays programmes. it also

means we get less out the door and have a less certain pipeline. that's a problem and we've also gone through the financial crisis which was particularly acute in the uk compared to other countries and we really struggled in the past few years to get money out the door and invest when we had low interest rates while other countries have become better. so it is a problem in the uk but its investment across the piece. i think it's notjust about getting more money out the door. while we need to do that particularly because we have the energy transition to deal with, what we really need to do is find a better way to deliver projects more efficiently and effectively and quickly. efficiently and effectively and cuickl . �* , , . efficiently and effectively and cuickl.�* , , ., efficiently and effectively and uickl _ �* , , ., .,~' quickly. and briefly, what you make ofthe quickly. and briefly, what you make of the separate _ quickly. and briefly, what you make of the separate report _ quickly. and briefly, what you make of the separate report by _ quickly. and briefly, what you make of the separate report by mps - quickly. and briefly, what you make| of the separate report by mps saying curtailing the hst project to birmingham makes it even worse value for money than if it had gone all the way to manchester? clue this comes back _ the way to manchester? clue this comes back to _ the way to manchester? clue this comes back to the _ the way to manchester? clue this comes back to the point - the way to manchester? clue this comes back to the point we - the way to manchester? clue this j comes back to the point we make the way to manchester? clue this i comes back to the point we make in our report that the wary value

project and prioritise them is wrong. when you look at hst, the real benefit was connectivity, increase capacity. but the focus was far too much on speed because that is how the benefits were estimated. we made a number of choices on where it goes and how it was designed around speed rather than thinking about connectivity and capacity point so that drives it home. when the benefits come to current activity, if you change the approach and reduce the number, the benefits will decrease.— the new president of the confederation of british industry has said that the uk country needs the business lobby group and that many members who quit after allegations of rape and sexual assault at the organisation have been returning. our business editor, simonjack spoke to rupert soames and discussed — among other things — the financial settlement reached with former cbi director general tony danker, who was fired last year following separate complaints about his behaviour. simon asked if the settlement suggested that he should not have been dismissed.

we don't want to say anything more because i think it's inappropriate. we've agreed with him not to say anything more than that, and i think we should leave it there. is that going to be satisfying for some of the victims, which admittedly, he wasn't here for most of it, but there was a culture at which he was the top and there were some victims of that. are they going to be satisfied with that sort of omerta of silence over it? well, i'm know it happened way before my time, and i don't know how they are going to feel about this. i only know what we have agreed with tony, which is that following his dismissal, we have reached a settlement with him and that's it. 0k. 0n the culture side, just lingering there for a moment, the voice of business, the self—styled voice of business, was seen to have fallen short of standards it promoted. what evidence have you got or will you need to know whether that overhaul here has worked?

culture change is something i've done a lot of and one of the few things in life i know. when i was at serco employing 55,000 people, we had a huge culture change to go through. so i know kind of what good looks like and how it works. the scandal saw dozens of big name members leave. of the roughly 100 big direct members who left or paused, how many have come back? i think it may have been even more. how many have come back? about 270, paused and said, we don't want to engage at the moment. and about 80% of them have now unpaused. we are pursuing about 150 members who either are still on pause or who resigned and trying to persuade them to come back. people have found life without the cbi that there's something missing actually, and that everybody recognises that the uk needs a body that does the job that the cbi does. the cbi relationship with

the current government over the last several years has been a pretty fractious one. you will of course find people who are fine without it so it won't surprise me but you have spoken to one, i don't know how many, i spoke to 20 or 30 in the vast majority of them are hugely supportive and want to come back. some will say they'll come back immediately and some say later in the year. the come back immediately and some say later in the year.— later in the year. the relationship with the current _ later in the year. the relationship with the current government - later in the year. the relationshipj with the current government over later in the year. the relationship - with the current government over the last several years has been a pretty fractious one. we have famously remembered borisjohnson saying f business. and on the other hand, rishi sunak having big hampton court summits of investment in the uk. where are we? where is the voice of

business in the current political discourse? if business in the current political discourse?— discourse? if you go back a few ears, discourse? if you go back a few years. when — discourse? if you go back a few years. when mr _ discourse? if you go back a few years, when mr corbin - discourse? if you go back a few years, when mr corbin was - discourse? if you go back a few- years, when mr corbin was running the labour party, that was clearly an environment in which the labour party in particular was pretty antipathetic to business. we now see antipathetic to business. we now see a situation which probably hasn't pertained since tony blair first ran for office where you have both the conservative party and labour party explicitly recognising the importance of business in getting growth going and creating the wealth that can deliver public services. i think from that point of view, is actually in a pretty good place. in other news, the strongest growth in a year, mortgage owners have reduced the price of some products

and said the base interest will fall. in germany, new economic data suggests inflation shrank in december, much more than forecast. the german economy is in recession not helped by a series of strikes causing disruption since early january. today, the german airline cancelled hundreds of flights because of a strike by ground staff. and disney, espn and warner bro is asked teaming up to bundle new products with disney+ and max. no details were revealed about the name or how much it will cost. that's all for now. goodbye.

hello from the bbc

sport centre. hello, i'm chetan pathak with your latest sports news — we start at afcon — the 34th edition of the africa cup of nations has reached the semi—final stage with both matches on wednesday. the hosts ivory coast play the democratic republic of congo — but before that it's the other heavyweights... nigeria who play south africa. and they've been given a massive boost with striker victor 0simhen declared fit to play. the napoli star had been a doubt with an abdominal problem. it's a rematch of the 2000 afcon semi—final which nigeria won — and they'll be hoping to do the same later, as they chase their fourth title. to look ahead to both semi finals — we can join ian williams who's in the city of bouake in ivory coast. let's talk about nigeria, that's the game you'll be at... three time winners how do you rate south africa's chances of stopping them?

they never have before. three victories out of three for nigeria against south africa at afcom. chances depend on the south africa goalkeeper who saved a remarkable four penalties out of five in the quarterfinal shoot—out against cape verde. and hugo bruce who led cameroon to a surprise title in 2017, can he be the same this time round? an interesting match—up that people are looking at, the goal for south africa against 0scar the african footballer of the year. a surprise package in the semifinal because of their form coming to the tournament, drawing world cup qualifiers against zimbabwe and a warm up game lost to guinea but many pundits will tell you that's how you win a tournament. clean sheets, looking like a real unit led by

oscar. the 12 win when the game 0scar. the 12 win when the game kicks off at 5pm. ivory coast trying to win the trophy for the first time on home soil — it's been a rollercoaster — they onlyjust made it out of the group stage and no shortage of drama since. democratic republic of congo were the early powers of african football — but a big ask for them today? yes, the last win for dr congo came in 1974 when they were known as zaire. the warm up starting here for the early game. a big ask, the players want to get this far and they are using this moment in the spotlight to highlight problems in the east of the country with dozens of armed rebel groups fighting over land and minerals. that's what ivory

coast have been doing, sacking their coach before the group stage which is remarkable. since then, drama all the way. they came from behind to draw a normal time with champions senegal, knocked out on penalties. and the same against mali coming from behind with ten men, late goals everywhere. they have been a joy to watch so it's almost like it's written in the stars for them to win this title which will be the third nations cup victory. but dr congo will have something to say about it because a couple of times we've said already, this has been a tournament of surprises. let's see what they have in store. at the asian cup, there's one semi final remaining afterjordan stunned the two time winners south korea to reach the final. they'll now play the winners of qatar against iran. qatar, the hosts and defending champions, are hoping to defend their trophy. they are unbeaten so far but will face their toughest test against iran who beat

asia s top—ranked side japan in the last round — although they have lost their last six asian cup semi—finals. translation: we enter the match with big motivation- — translation: we enter the match with big motivation. we _ translation: we enter the match with big motivation. we are _ translation: we enter the match with big motivation. we are one _ translation: we enter the match with big motivation. we are one step - translation: we enter the match with big motivation. we are one step away i big motivation. we are one step away from the finalfor the big motivation. we are one step away from the final for the second time in a row. to reach the final will be a great achievement. but we recognise the difficulty of the match and recognise we will play a very tough match against iran. taste very tough match against iran. we started playing out against qatar and figured there were a few mistakes made in the match that we should _ mistakes made in the match that we should be _ mistakes made in the match that we should be careful not to repeat. we are ready _ should be careful not to repeat. we are ready and focused. xabi alonso's bayer leverkusen have become just the second team in german football history to go 30 games unbeaten in all competitions as they twice came from behind to beat stuttgart in the dfb pokal quarterfinals. trailing to an 11th—minute

walder anton goal, leverkusen drew level in stunning fashion four minutes into the second half courtesy of robert andrich's pin—point strike. stuttgart, who are enjoying an excellent season domestically, went back in front through chris fuhrich eight minutes later. but leverkusen levelled through amine adli before jonathan tah scored a last minute winner. alonso's side face bayern munich on saturday in the bundesliga knowing victory would open up a five point lead at the top. the former world number one suspended after an independent tribunal say she committed several anti—doping violations. that's all the spot from us.

you're watching bbc news. it's now more than a month since the post office horizon scandal. 0ffice horizon scandal was brought into sharp focus by an itv drama series, and still the individual stories of suffering by subpostmasters keep coming. they include two sisters who were pursued by post office investigators even after a criminal trial against them was ruled out over faulty computer evidence. mark daly has the details. right through the door there. that was a dark place, and it was the guilt. i knew i hadn't taken the money. i would say that i'm a strong woman. the post office took that away from me. sisters rose and jackie used to run this post office in the gorbals area of glasgow. just sad how things went. in 2012, auditors told them the horizon system was showing up £34,000 short. i actually almost slid down the wall. it's almost like the blood drained from me.

the post office wanted to take the sisters to a criminal trial over the shortfall. but a glasgow prosecutor killed the case stone dead, citing issues with the horizon evidence. despite this, the post office threatened the family with debt collectors if they didn't pay up. they went to mediation, but the post office didn't tell the family why its criminal case had collapsed. i went into that mediation still feeling like the accused. ultimately repaid the post office £10,000. they go into a mediation in good faith without that key piece of information and the post office end up bullying ten grand out of them. that's theft. that's fraud by misrepresentation. the post office said it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations, but said that fully supported the ongoing public inquiry�*s aims to get to the truth of what happened. meanwhile, scotland's crown office is facing questions over its handling of horizon cases. karen lorimer worked in her local post office in kilmarnock for 17 years.

in 2008 the auditors found a shortfall of nearly £40,000. i remember getting a phone call. karen was in tears. i asked her if she'd done it. i should have known, of course she didn't do it. facing jail, karen pleaded guilty to embezzlement and was given community service and forced to pay the post office £15,000. she died from cancer in 2022. she died basically a convicted criminal, no chance to clear her name. yeah, she's taken that with her. the crown office in scotland had known about horizon issues since 2013 and formally ceased prosecutions in 2015. and yet for five years there were no victims written to,

no cases re—examined, no convictions overturned. there was no attempt to review a single prosecution. for this entire period, it seems, the crown 0ffice in scotland did nothing. the body which investigates miscarriages ofjustice in scotland began reviewing horizon cases in 2020. karen's case is set for the appeal court in april. the crown 0ffice told the bbc there had been no scope for a meaningful review until the failings were known. it said it was not until the decisions by the courts in england and wales in 2019 and �*21 that the full extent of the bugs and errors became known. so far, only six out of around 60 horizon convictions have been overturned in scotland. for the family of karen lorimer, that's all that matters. clear karen's name. yeah. give us a bit of paper that says that she didn't do it. that'll do me.

you can watch the documentary �*scotland s post office scandal�* now on the bbc iplayer. viewers in scotland can see it tonight at 8pm on bbc one. now it's time for a look at the weather. there is some snow in the forecast but not particularly widespread. having said that, where it does full it could be heavy. 0n the one hand we have mild weather and systems coming from the south. 0n the other, colder airfrom the arctic is spreading into scotland. it's a chilly, bright picture through the rest of the day, some snow showers across the highlands but relatively mild with damp weather across the south. here's the big lower approaching us with its rain bearing clouds. all

that rain spreading towards the uk. we've got cold air in the north coming from the arctic, mild air from the south, is where these two air masses meet where we will have the period of rain, sleet and snow, really icy conditions in some areas of northern wales into the pennines. you can see the temperature contrast. for in the morning onwards, it is across north wales may me but around the pennines as well. there will be a broad area where we could have some rain, sleet and snow falling. this is certainly possible here. snow showers in scotland. but it's likely to be heavy rain in the south of the country. these are the lower risk yellow weather warnings from the met office. into the amber warning is 0ffice. into the amber warning is issued, this is for another wales and the pennines, broadly speaking quite widespread of ten to 15 centimetres of snow but in the higher areas,

centimetres of snow but in the higherareas, could centimetres of snow but in the higher areas, could be 20 to 25 centimetres. really troublesome conditions in these areas. 0n conditions in these areas. on thursday, the rough wintry weather moves further northwards. that low pressure is still with us on friday but i think the milder air spreads across the bulk of the country, spreading across the highlands on friday. looking at the temperatures, much too mild for snow by friday. above average across the south of the country. the outlook for the next few days, briefly turning cold across some parts of the uk but on the whole, still that west — south—west. that's it from me. goodbye. you're with bbc news and we are few minutes away from pmqs on wednesday. this is the scene live in the house of commons where rishi sunak will be answering questions shortly and watching with us the political correspondent peter. it's hard to know exactly what's going to

be discussed but the issue of nhs dentists in the headlines today could come up.— dentists in the headlines today could come up. dentists in the headlines today could come u. , ., ,, could come up. yes, i will assume it well. could come up. yes, i will assume it well- there — could come up. yes, i will assume it well. there will _ could come up. yes, i will assume it well. there will be _ could come up. yes, i will assume it well. there will be a _ could come up. yes, i will assume it well. there will be a statement - well. there will be a statement after pmqs from the health secretary on what the government is trying to do here. quite a big political row over it already. the government is saying what they are doing will make a significant difference in people's access to nhs dentists and labour and lib dems and snp are saying, a chilly, what you are doing here is not nearly enough. we've had 14 years of conservatives in power and the situation is much worse than when labour were last in power so you can imagine that would come up. perhaps also a mention from keir starmer about the launch yesterday of the national conservatives by former prime minister liz truss. she didn't directly attack rishi sunak but i suppose the other parties in westminster will want to point out conservatives are not a happy ship at the moment as it looks from the

outside. the tone may be slightly dialled down following on from the kings diagnosis of cancer but with by—elections happening, this was just next week, plenty for them to go out. i'd have thought rishi sunak will want to bring up the ongoing confusion on the top of the labour party about their central pledge into the general election spent £28 billion a year on green policies. there has been a lot of attention on that bet, that could come up? rishi sunak has said _ that bet, that could come up? rishi sunak has said that _ that bet, that could come up? rishi sunak has said that he _ that bet, that could come up? ti si sunak has said that he has done that bet, that could come up? ii si sunak has said that he has done bets on other things so you would have thought there would be a quip or two from keir starmer on that issue. labour want to get across the sense that care —— mike rishi sunak is out of touch so you would have thought there would be attack plans on that. the conservatives have put something out in the past hour about labour plus �*s green policy, suggesting they have not costed it properly so that will come up ahead of the

dentistry statement which will public come in in about 40 minutes. mr speaker, i know the thoughts of the house or with the king and his family. we wish his majesty a speedy recovery. this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues. ministerial colleagues and others in my duties of this house and i will have further such meetings later today. i have further such meetings later toda . ., ,., have further such meetings later toda . ., , , have further such meetings later toda. have further such meetings later today. i also send my best wishes to the kinu. today. i also send my best wishes to the king- the _ today. i also send my best wishes to the king. the foreign _ today. i also send my best wishes to the king. the foreign secretary - today. i also send my best wishes to the king. the foreign secretary said | the king. the foreign secretary said that we come up with all eyes will look at the issue of recognising a palestinian state that the palestinian state that the palestinian people can see irreversible progress towards a two state solution. afterwards it was brief that these words have not been signed off by number ten. does the prime minister agree with his foreign secretary? ilil" prime minister agree with his foreian secreta ? ., , ., foreign secretary? our long-standing osition has foreign secretary? our long-standing position has been _ foreign secretary? our long-standing position has been that _ foreign secretary? our long-standing position has been that we _ foreign secretary? our long-standing position has been that we will - position has been that we will recognise a palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process but the most important

thing is we are committed to the two state solution and working with our allies to bring it about.— allies to bring it about. thank you, mr speaker- _ allies to bring it about. thank you, mr speaker. people _ allies to bring it about. thank you, mr speaker. people in _ allies to bring it about. thank you, | mr speaker. people in northampton south are desperately short of nhs dental provision and there is none at all. today's dentistry recovery plan announcements are hugely welcome. can the prime minister guarantee my residence improvements within months and not years? we guarantee my residence improvements within months and not years?- within months and not years? we are ”ublishin within months and not years? we are publishing the _ within months and not years? we are publishing the dentistry _ within months and not years? we are publishing the dentistry recovery - publishing the dentistry recovery plan today and the health secretary will be making a statement shortly. 0ver will be making a statement shortly. over 1 will be making a statement shortly. 0ver1 million more people so an nhs dentist last year than here before but we know there is more to do and thatis but we know there is more to do and that is why the recovery plan will make sure that nhs dental care is faster, simpler and fairer for patients and staff. the faster, simpler and fairer for patients and staff. the leader of the opposition. _ patients and staff. the leader of the opposition, keir— patients and staff. the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. i i patients and staff. the leader of i the opposition, keir starmer. ijoin the opposition, keir starmer. i 'oin with the prime fl the opposition, keir starmer. i 'oin with the prime ministeri the opposition, keir starmer. igrr “i with the prime minister in sending his majesty the king our very best wishes for his treatment. across

this house we look forward to seeing him back to full health as quickly as possible. mr speaker, the unwavering bravery of breanna gay�*s mother has touched us all. as a father i cannot even imagine the pain that she is going through and i'm glad she is with us in the gallery here today. mr speaker, a year ago the prime minister promised to bring nhs waiting lists down. isn't he glad he didn't get a grant on it? laughter. prime minister. ~ laughter. primeminister. ~ ., prime minister. mr speaker, at least i stand b prime minister. mr speaker, at least i stand by my — prime minister. mr speaker, at least i stand by my commitments... - prime minister. mr speaker, at least i stand by my commitments... heatl i stand by my commitments... heat seven decisive the only bet he would make is an each way bet. mr speaker, he said he stands _

make is an each way bet. mr speaker, he said he stands by _ make is an each way bet. mr speaker, he said he stands by his _ he said he stands by his commitments. he once insisted that if he missed his promises, these are the words are used, i am the prime minister, then he said it is on me personally. today we learn from his own officials that he is the block to any deal to end the doctor's' strike. every time he is asked he blames everyone else. what exactly did he mean when he said it is on him personally if he doesn't meet its promise? mr him personally if he doesn't meet its promise?— its promise? mr speaker, we are brinuain its promise? mr speaker, we are bringing the _ its promise? mr speaker, we are bringing the waiting _ its promise? mr speaker, we are bringing the waiting list - its promise? mr speaker, we are bringing the waiting list now- its promise? mr speaker, we are bringing the waiting list now for. bringing the waiting list now for the longest wait is but it is a bit rich to hear about promises from someone who has broken every single promise he is elected on. i think i counted almost 30 in the last year. pensions, planning, peerages, public sector pay, tuition fees child care, second referendum. defining a woman... although, infairness, second referendum. defining a woman... although, in fairness, that was only 99% of a u—turn. the list goes on but the theme is the same,

it is empty words, broken promises and absolutely no plan. of all the weeks to say that when brianna's mother is in the gallery, shame on you. parading as a man of integrity. shame on you. parading as a man of inteuri . , ~ integrity. either side, i think the members are — integrity. either side, i think the members are getting _ integrity. either side, i think the members are getting carried - integrity. either side, i think the i members are getting carried away. can i_ members are getting carried away. can ii'ust _ members are getting carried away. can ijust say our constituents want to hear— can ijust say our constituents want to hear the — can ijust say our constituents want to hear the questions and they want to hear the questions and they want to hear— to hear the questions and they want to hear the — to hear the questions and they want to hear the answers. they want to hear _ to hear the answers. they want to hear organised barracking, so please, — hear organised barracking, so please, no more. keir starmer. i think_ please, no more. keir starmer. i thinkihe— please, no more. keir starmer. i think the role of the prime minister is to ensure — think the role of the prime minister is to ensure that every single citizen — is to ensure that every single citizen in _ is to ensure that every single citizen in this country feel safe

and respected. it citizen in this country feel safe and respected.— citizen in this country feel safe and respected. it is a shame the prime minister _ and respected. it is a shame the prime minister doesn't - and respected. it is a shame the prime minister doesn't share - and respected. it is a shame the l prime minister doesn't share that. and respected. it is a shame the i prime minister doesn't share that. i welcome the fact he has finally admitted he has failed on waiting lists in the nhs. i welcome he has finally acknowledged the crisis in nhs dentistry. he is calling it a recovery plan, after 14 years of tory government. what exactly does he think the nhs dentistry is recovering from? $5 he think the nhs dentistry is recovering from?— he think the nhs dentistry is recovering from? as ever, mr speaker. _ recovering from? as ever, mr speaker. he _ recovering from? as ever, mr speaker, he seems... - recovering from? as ever, mr speaker, he seems... order. | recovering from? as ever, mr| speaker, he seems... order. i recovering from? as ever, mr- speaker, he seems... order. i am not havin: it speaker, he seems... order. i am not having it from — speaker, he seems... order. i am not having it from the _ speaker, he seems... order. i am not having it from the front _ speaker, he seems... order. i am not having it from the front bench - having it from the front bench either — having it from the front bench either. please, iwant having it from the front bench either. please, i want to hear it. the election— either. please, i want to hear it. the election fever, i am hoping it is not _ the election fever, i am hoping it is not coming tomorrow, so let's behave — is not coming tomorrow, so let's behave mr— is not coming tomorrow, so let's behave. ~ ,,, ., ,, is not coming tomorrow, so let's behave. ~ .,~ behave. mr speaker, as ever he conveniently — behave. mr speaker, as ever he conveniently forgets _ behave. mr speaker, as ever he conveniently forgets the - behave. mr speaker, as ever he conveniently forgets the impact | behave. mr speaker, as ever he i conveniently forgets the impact of behave. mr speaker, as ever he - conveniently forgets the impact of a pandemic on nhs dentistry and it was specifically because of the close proximity nature of dental provision that it was unable to operate as

normal throughout the pandemic. that was the recommendation of the medical and clinical experts, which is why inevitably if there is a backlog in dental care and the impact that has had. but as the health secretary will outline later today for the house, we are putting more funding and to provide more nhs provision across the country on top of plans that will see the number of dental training places increased by 40%. but what i would like to point out, our plans mean there will be 2.5 million more nhs appointments, which is in fact three times more than the labour party are proposing. mr speaker there are some areas in the country where you literally cannot have an nhs dentist. he says it is down to covid. people are literally pulling out their own teeth... ., ., , teeth... order, order. can i 'ust sa i teeth... order, order. can i 'ust say i don-tfi teeth... order, order. can i 'ust say i don't need i teeth... order, order. can i 'ust say i don't need any i teeth... order, order. can i 'ust say i don't need any more b teeth... order, order. can ijust say i don't need any more off. teeth... order, order. can ijust. say i don't need any more off this front— say i don't need any more off this front bench— say i don't need any more off this front bench either. do we understand each other? —

front bench either. do we understand each other? ., , ., front bench either. do we understand each other?— each other? people are literally ullin: each other? people are literally pulling their — each other? people are literally pulling their teeth _ each other? people are literally pulling their teeth out - each other? people are literally pulling their teeth out using - pulling their teeth out using pliers. it is an experience that can be compared with extracting an answer from the prime minister. after 14 years of neglect, this recovery plan is just a desperate attempt to try to recover back to square one. if he wanted to move forward he should follow labour, scrap the non—dom tax status, is the money to fund 2 million more hospital appointments every year, but mr speaker, the prime minister is reluctant to follow on this, what exactly is so special about this tax avoidance scheme that the prime minister prioritises it above the nhs? mr minister prioritises it above the nhs? ~ .,~ minister prioritises it above the nhs? ~ �*, ., nhs? mr speaker, let's look at the record, in nhs? mr speaker, let's look at the record. in the _ nhs? mr speaker, let's look at the record, in the nhs, _ nhs? mr speaker, let's look at the record, in the nhs, record - nhs? mr speaker, let's look at the | record, in the nhs, record funding, record, in the nhs, record funding, record doctors and nurses, record number of appointments. record doctors and nurses, record number ofappointments. high record doctors and nurses, record number of appointments. high cancer survival rates. what is happening under labour's watch in wales? the fifth of people in wales are on a

waiting list. wait of 18 months or more are ten times higher than that in england and people are waiting twice as long for an operation. theirfailure has sent twice as long for an operation. their failure has sent the welsh nhs back to square one and we will never let them do that here.— let them do that here. when he admitted that _ let them do that here. when he admitted that he _ let them do that here. when he admitted that he had _ let them do that here. when he admitted that he had failed - let them do that here. when he admitted that he had failed on i admitted that he had failed on waiting this, i actually thought we might be entering a new era of integrity, professionalism and accountability. remember that one? just like all the other relaunches it has proved to be a false dawn, blaming everyone else, still removed from reality. it is very simple, you can either back more nhs appointments or more tax avoidance. we know what side we are on, why doesn't he? mr we know what side we are on, why doesn't he?— we know what side we are on, why doesn't he? ~ ,,, ., ,, , , doesn't he? mr speaker, the best way to ensure we — doesn't he? mr speaker, the best way to ensure we continue _ doesn't he? mr speaker, the best way to ensure we continue to _ doesn't he? mr speaker, the best way to ensure we continue to fund - doesn't he? mr speaker, the best way to ensure we continue to fund the - to ensure we continue to fund the nhs as we have is not to make £28 billion of unfunded spending commitments. just this morning

independent treasury officials have published a formal costing ofjust one part of their eco promise, the insulation scheme and it turns out that it will cost double what they had previously said. not the 6 billion that labour accounted for, but £13 billion every single year. it is now crystal clear they have absolutely no plan, but we all know how they will fund that gap, more taxes on hard—working people. mr taxes on hard—working people. iii speaker, this taxes on hard—working people. m speaker, this is mr 25 tax rises. he is literally the country's experts are putting taxes up and he thinks he can lecture everyone else on the economy. last week, he and his mps were laughing at someone whose mortgage had gone up £1000 a month. this week he has casually made a £1000 bet in the middle of an interview. last week he are even raising questions about the cost of

living was resorting to the politics of envy. this week he has finally found the cause he wants to rally around, the non—dom status. when he finds himself backing tax avoidance over nhs appointments, does he start to understand why his own mps are saying he simply does not get what britain needs? i saying he simply does not get what britain needs?— britain needs? i am not going to take any lectures _ britain needs? i am not going to take any lectures about - britain needs? i am not going to take any lectures about getting l take any lectures about getting britain from a man who thought it was right to defend terrorists, mr speaker. but what we are doing is building a brighterfuture speaker. but what we are doing is building a brighter future for our country. just last week expanding health care in pharmacies, today expanding dental care, this week helping millions with the cost of living and most importantly, cutting national insurance. all the while the labour party argue over 28 billion different ways to raise people's taxes. that is the difference between us, we are delivering a plan, they can't even agree on one. mr;

delivering a plan, they can't even agree on one-— delivering a plan, they can't even agree on one. my constituents and i send our best _ agree on one. my constituents and i send our best wishes _ agree on one. my constituents and i send our best wishes to _ agree on one. my constituents and i send our best wishes to the - agree on one. my constituents and i send our best wishes to the king i agree on one. my constituents and i | send our best wishes to the king and the royal family. send our best wishes to the king and the royalfamily. despite the popular narrative, our economy is doing well with an unemployment rate... laughter. with an unemployment rate well below the eu average, strong inward investment and record employment. taxes are higher than conservatives would like, but does my right honourable friend agree that a key reason for this is that we rightly spent 400 billion on covid support, including one of the most generous furlough schemes in order to ensure that no one got left behind and that it is our intention and instinct to lower taxes, unlike the party opposite? mr; lower taxes, unlike the party opposite?— lower taxes, unlike the party o- osite? g ., ., .,, , opposite? my honourable friend is riaht opposite? my honourable friend is ri . ht to opposite? my honourable friend is right to highlight _ opposite? my honourable friend is right to highlight our— opposite? my honourable friend is right to highlight our record - opposite? my honourable friend is right to highlight our record of - right to highlight our record of providing support to the country when it needed it, whether it is the

nhs, vaccines all furlough during covid or help with energy bills. we are only able to afford that because of the strong management of the economy, which is why we must stick with the plan, not wrist to square one with the labour party, who have no plan and will cost everyone in this country with the labour party, who have no plan and will cost everyone in this country with their £28 billion worth of tax rises. leader of the snp, stephen flynn. can i_ leader of the snp, stephen flynn. can i begin — leader of the snp, stephen flynn. can i begin with expressing my heartfelt sympathies to brianna's mother who is in the public gallery as we speak. also spend my best wishes to king charles in what will hopefully be a quick and full recovery. mr speaker, the public are used to the tories gambling on the lives of others. borisjohnson, he did it of a public health during the pandemic. his immediate successor, she did it with household finances. so not to be outdone, the prime

minister on monday this week accepted a bet regarding the lives of asylum seekers. in doing so, he demeaned them as individuals and he degraded the office that he currently holds. can i ask him, will he apologise? mr currently holds. can i ask him, will he apologise?— currently holds. can i ask him, will he apologise? mr speaker, we may have a principled _ he apologise? mr speaker, we may have a principled disagreement. i l have a principled disagreement. i believe that if somebody comes to this country illegally, they shouldn't be able to stay and they shouldn't be able to stay and they should be removed and that is why we are committed to the rwanda scheme. as ever the prime minister does himself no favours because at the back to which we are referring was worth £1000. it came just hours before the prime minister ended cost of living support with just £900. his justification for doing so was that the cost of living crisis is easing. can i ask him, what does he believe leaves him looking most out

of touch with the public? gambling £1000 or believing the cost of living crisis is getting better? mr speaker, he talks about the cost of living, perhaps he can explain to the scottish people why it is that whilst the uk conservative government is cutting their taxes, the scottish government is raising them? mr the scottish government is raising them? ~ .,~ ., , the scottish government is raising them? ~ ., ~' ., , ., , them? mr speaker, the thoughts of my constituency with _ them? mr speaker, the thoughts of my constituency with his _ them? mr speaker, the thoughts of my constituency with his majesty. - them? mr speaker, the thoughts of my constituency with his majesty. the - constituency with his majesty. the archbishop of canterbury has admitted since taking office the attendance at the church of england has dropped by 15%. in the ten took over the number of baptisms fallen to 87,000. christianity in the uk seems to be on the wane, unless you are from a muslim country in the middle of an asylum claim and we are now told that one in seven occupants of the bibby stockholm have suddenly become practising christians. can i is the prime minister, given the church of england has issued secret guidance for clergy supporting

asylum applications for these conversions, who is the church accountable to and our taxpayers being scammed by the archbishop? when it comes to illegal migrants we need to have a system whereby if someone comes here illegally they should not be able to stay. i can tell him that my honourable friend the home secretary has asked for more information about the extent to which migrants converting to christianity is playing a role in our asylum system and more generally under our illegal migration act, anyone entering the uk illegally will not be granted asylum here. that is why we need to have somewhere to send them and why our rwanda scheme is so important. the labour party have blocked these measures every single step of the way because they don't have a plan and they won't keep britain safe. good eye on behalf of my party extend our best wishes to his majesty the king for a full

recovery. mister speaker, iwant majesty the king for a full recovery. mister speaker, i want to thank the prime minister for his dedication and leadership in helping us to restore our place in the united kingdom and its internal market and to revive our political institutions at stormont stop the union is secure as a result of our combined endeavours and together we have greatly enhanced the potential to build a strong and prosperous economy that will help to cement our peace in northern ireland. mister speaker, securing peace in an unstable world is vital for all of us. therefore, will the prime minister examined the findings of a recent report by policy exchange that calls for northern ireland to play an even greater role in the defence of our nation? can play an even greater role in the defence of our nation?- play an even greater role in the defence of our nation? can i start by thanking _ defence of our nation? can i start by thanking and _ defence of our nation? can i start by thanking and paying _ defence of our nation? can i start by thanking and paying tribute i defence of our nation? can i start by thanking and paying tribute to| defence of our nation? can i start i by thanking and paying tribute to my honourable friend for his own leadership over the past few months.

he and i agree the union is stronger because of the return of devolution. i would like to examine the findings of the report and i have seen with my own visits the vital role in northern ireland is playing through the location of firms like harland and wolff. last week's paper was committed to examining how we can further bolster northern ireland's share of the uk defence sector, another essential pillar of our precious, economic union. mister seaker, precious, economic union. mister speaker. does — precious, economic union. mister speaker, does the _ precious, economic union. mister speaker, does the prime - precious, economic union. mister| speaker, does the prime minister know where the best site for large—scale, new nuclear in the uk is? will he commit to buying the only gigawatt site in wales this year and make sure it is progressed as soon as possible to meet our net zero and energy security needs and give the enormous boost to the north wales economy? b5 give the enormous boost to the north wales economy?— wales economy? as ever, my honourable — wales economy? as ever, my honourable friend _ wales economy? as ever, my honourable friend is - wales economy? as ever, my honourable friend is a - wales economy? as ever, my|

honourable friend is a fantastic champion for the nuclear industry and i can confirm to her that it is and i can confirm to her that it is a candidate for the new nuclear site and one of a number of potential sites that could host new projects. no decision has been taken at present, but british government nuclear is working with the government to support access. we are developing a new policy statement providing a framework for a nuclear power and we will very much welcome her and other contributions to the consultation.— her and other contributions to the consultation. last year, the prime minister and _ consultation. last year, the prime minister and other _ consultation. last year, the prime minister and other senior - consultation. last year, the prime | minister and other senior ministers were given the conclusions of a government audit of research programs at uk universities with links to the chinese state. the audit flag that hundreds of programs of being at high risk of being used potentially for military use and other applications in strategic and sensitive areas that are of high interest to an authoritarian regime such as china. a smaller proportion werejudged to be

such as china. a smaller proportion were judged to be extremely high risk. despite that, the government has elected to do nothing about it. will the prime minister confirm his personal knowledge of that report and explain to the house why no action is to be taken in these programs have to be continued unimpeded?— programs have to be continued unimpeded? programs have to be continued unimeded? ~ , .,~ unimpeded? mister speaker, we will continue to take _ unimpeded? mister speaker, we will continue to take a _ unimpeded? mister speaker, we will continue to take a robust _ unimpeded? mister speaker, we will continue to take a robust and - continue to take a robust and proactive approach towards our relationship with china, rooted in the uk's national interests and values. our national security act which we passed last year brings together vital new measures to protect our national security and that includes creating a foreign influence registration scheme through the act, which has been created to tackle specifically covid influence in the uk, and we will continue to take all possible powers to keep the country safe. by, to keep the country safe. remarkably talented and enthusiastic individual from remarkably talented and enthusiastic individualfrom kettering, have put together a really ambitious £2 million bid to refurbish the

redundant gala bingo hall site in kettering high street into a community arts, music, business and family hub which would simply be transformative to kettering town centre. would my right honourable friend the prime minister please be kind enough to facilitate a meeting for us with the relevant culture and the levelling up ministry so we can explore how a combined community ownership fund and cultural development fund bid might get us across the line? cali development fund bid might get us across the line?— across the line? can i cut my honourable _ across the line? can i cut my honourable friend _ across the line? can i cut my honourable friend for - across the line? can i cut my i honourable friend for highlighting this exciting initiative and commend becky and lindsey for their campaign. he will know that our £150 million community ownership fund is there to specifically help safeguard there to specifically help safeguard the small but much loved local assets and indeed our cultural development fund, like the one he mentions, is there to support further cultural projects as well. i will ensure he gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss these plans further and wish him and his constituents all the best with this redevelopment project.

this redevelopment pro'ect. thank ou, this redevelopment pro'ect. thank you. mister— this redevelopment pro'ect. thank you, mister speaker. i this redevelopment project. thank you, mister speaker. after - this redevelopment project. thank you, mister speaker. after 14 i this redevelopment project. triag�*iaz you, mister speaker. after 14 years of tory rule towns and cities in every corner of our country have been levelled down, left behind. 0n been levelled down, left behind. on average people are over £10,000 a year worse off because this party has failed on growth. when will the prime minister take responsibility for breaking britain?— for breaking britain? mister speaker. — for breaking britain? mister speaker. in _ for breaking britain? mister speaker, in fact, _ for breaking britain? mister speaker, in fact, what i for breaking britain? mister speaker, in fact, what we i for breaking britain? mister| speaker, in fact, what we are for breaking britain? mister- speaker, in fact, what we are seeing is record investment in our towns across the uk, many of which were neglected by the labour party for decades, mister speaker. but if we really care about levelling up what we need to do is avoid saddling hard—working britons with high taxes, which is exactly what labour's £28 billion green spending would do. for labour's £28 billion green spending would do. ., , ., , , , would do. for 27 years, constituents across the vale _ would do. for 27 years, constituents across the vale of _ would do. for 27 years, constituents across the vale of glamorgan - would do. for 27 years, constituents across the vale of glamorgan and i across the vale of glamorgan and across the vale of glamorgan and across wales have to wait longer for an ambulance, longerfora across wales have to wait longer for an ambulance, longerfor a doctor,

longer at a&e, and longerfor operations than patients in england. there are 24,785 patients in wales waiting longer than two years for an operation. that number in england is 227. does my right honourable friend agree that aneurin bevan would be turning in his grave on the fact that you can't trust labour with the nhs? ~ , .,~ that you can't trust labour with the nhs? a , nhs? mister speaker, my right honourable _ nhs? mister speaker, my right honourable friend _ nhs? mister speaker, my right honourable friend is _ nhs? mister speaker, my right honourable friend is absolutely| honourable friend is absolutely right. whereas here in england we have a plan when it comes to education, when we are marching up the league tables and we have eliminated those waiting the longest amount of time, but in labour wales education rates are falling and waiting lists over 18 months are more than ten times higher than here in england. it is crystal clear we should stick to our plan for a brighter future should stick to our plan for a brighterfuture and not should stick to our plan for a brighter future and not go back to square one with labour. according to 0 en square one with labour. according to open democracy _ square one with labour. according to open democracy this _ square one with labour. according to open democracy this week, -

square one with labour. according to open democracy this week, since i square one with labour. according to | open democracy this week, since 1999 at least 391 people have died at our borders. that is a rate of more than one man, one woman per month for 25 years. on top of this, the financial cost of the failed border regime, as well as the plan for rwanda is estimated to cost at least £800 million since 2014. all the prime minister now show he understands that he is making sick bets on human beings and provide them safe routes to the uk in order to seek asylum instead of more failed and extreme forms of deterrence?— instead of more failed and extreme forms of deterrence? mister speaker, it is in fact criminal— forms of deterrence? mister speaker, it is in fact criminal gangs _ forms of deterrence? mister speaker, it is in fact criminal gangs that - it is in fact criminal gangs that are exploiting vulnerable people and leading many of them to lose their lives as they make this dangerous crossing. 0n the side of the house we think it is wrong and we want to do something about it, which is why we need to get a deterrent up and running and be able to send people to rwanda. it is his party that opposes that. so why do they remain on the side of the criminal people

smugglers?— on the side of the criminal people smu [ers? , ., , ., ., ., ., smugglers? february marks emotional health, boost — smugglers? february marks emotional health, boost your _ smugglers? february marks emotional health, boost your self-esteem - smugglers? february marks emotional health, boost your self-esteem and i health, boost your self—esteem and children's mental health month. in recent years something like 6500 people die in the uk each year due to suicide. in 2021, i was nearly one of them. luckily, my attempt failed, i was found by family members quickly, i received an amazing care at st helier and springfield hospital, it didn't do any permanent damage and i was well looked after by the nhs in the months that followed. i want to take this chance to say thank you to everyone who saved me and sorry to my family and loved ones who i put through such an awful ordeal. in that moment i felt alone and scared and like there was no way out and that the world would be better off without me in it. but i don't recognise that man any more. cheering. nothing is ever worth that. the help

is out there and i am privileged. does the prime minister agree that one death by suicide is one too many and will he sent a message from the dispatch box today that whatever you are going through you are not alone, that help is out there and better days lie ahead.— that help is out there and better days lie ahead. mister speaker, i know the whole _ days lie ahead. mister speaker, i know the whole house _ days lie ahead. mister speaker, i know the whole house will- days lie ahead. mister speaker, i know the whole house will join i days lie ahead. mister speaker, i. know the whole house will join me days lie ahead. mister speaker, i- know the whole house willjoin me in commending my honourable friend for his bravery in sharing his story and i can absolutely assure him that we take this issue incredibly seriously. the new suicide prevention strategy ensures we will have the action is in place to reduce suicide over the next few years because we recognise the impact it has on people and their families and we should do everything we can to prevent that from happening. we can to prevent that from happening-— we can to prevent that from ha eninu. . ~ ,, ~, happening. thank you, mister seaker. happening. thank you, mister speaker- may _ happening. thank you, mister speaker- may i _ happening. thank you, mister speaker. may i take _ happening. thank you, mister speaker. may i take the i happening. thank you, mister i speaker. may i take the opportunity to ask the prime minister if he will consider apologising to brianna

because my motherfor consider apologising to brianna because my mother for his comments? turning to my question, the independent report released last monday throws up more questions than answers on tees works. it is vital we now have a national audit office investigation. the report was scathing and said, there is insufficient transparency to offer evidence of value for money. shouldn't the government lead by example and with the prime minister produce evidence, like he was asked to last year? the produce evidence, like he was asked to last year?— produce evidence, like he was asked to last ear? ., ., ., , , to last year? the honourable member was talkin: to last year? the honourable member was talking about _ to last year? the honourable member was talking about their _ to last year? the honourable member was talking about their port _ to last year? the honourable member was talking about their port in - to last year? the honourable member was talking about their port in tees i was talking about their port in tees works and what that report noted was that the pace and scope of regeneration had a wide reaching and positive impact on the local economy and it was an independent, external report and it makes it clear there is no evidence of corruption or illegality and we will respond to

the recommendations in the report as soon as possible. cali the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.— soon as possible. can i give my heartfelt thanks _ soon as possible. can i give my heartfelt thanks to _ soon as possible. can i give my heartfelt thanks to the - soon as possible. can i give my heartfelt thanks to the prime i heartfelt thanks to the prime minister for heartfelt thanks to the prime ministerfor his support heartfelt thanks to the prime minister for his support for our regeneration in the recent flooding. but tens of thousands of homes and businesses were affected. flood support should be based on the most affected percentage of the population but rutland happens to have 1000 more flooding the next to lincolnshire. will my right honourable friend please have a meeting with me and my members to discuss this issue?— discuss this issue? mister speaker, of course i extend _ discuss this issue? mister speaker, of course i extend my _ discuss this issue? mister speaker, of course i extend my sympathies l discuss this issue? mister speaker, | of course i extend my sympathies to all those impacted by the recent storms and flooding. we are investing record sums in flood defence across england and the recovery support framework is in place for families and businesses in every area that has experienced exceptional flooding. every area that has experienced exceptionalflooding. i know my honourable friend is in touch with

ministers about how the schemes affect her constituency, but i will ensure she gets the correspondence she needs to deliver for her local community. she needs to deliver for her local community-— she needs to deliver for her local communi . ., ., ., . ., community. two weeks ago i challenge the prime minister _ community. two weeks ago i challenge the prime minister on _ community. two weeks ago i challenge the prime minister on his _ the prime minister on his government's broken promise of building new hospitals by 2030, including in my area. but now it seems the government is downgrading existing hospitals as well. children and parents in eastbourne will be forced to travel for miles if the proposed downgrade of the hospital's paediatric services goes ahead will stop campaigners have asked the government to call in this disastrous plan. all the prime minister agree?— disastrous plan. all the prime minister agree? actually we are investin: minister agree? actually we are investing record _ minister agree? actually we are investing record sums - minister agree? actually we are investing record sums in - minister agree? actually we are i investing record sums in improving hospital infrastructure across the country. in eastbourne in particular space are already in the ground to deliver and electrosurgical place and i know there is local liberal democrat scaremongering about the future of local services, but the

local conservative mp is doing a fantasticjob of engaging with her community and working with local health officials.— health officials. yesterday it was m hue health officials. yesterday it was my huge pleasure _ health officials. yesterday it was my huge pleasure to _ health officials. yesterday it was my huge pleasure to host - health officials. yesterday it was my huge pleasure to host the i my huge pleasure to host the aerospace and defence and security industry apprenticeships event in parliament, welcoming two apprentices for hampton. would he join me in national apprenticeships week to celebrate the opportunities apprenticeships can provide in the defence industry and also in our armed forces who are all top ten apprenticeship providers? she is absolutely right to highlight the apprenticeship provision, particularly in the defence and aerospace sector and those plans are in stark contrast from those of the party opposite you have caved in to big business and proposing to halve the amount of apprenticeship funding and halve the number of

apprenticeships. iiii and halve the number of apprenticeships.- and halve the number of a - renticeshi s. , apprenticeships. if the refinery closures, scotland _ apprenticeships. if the refinery closures, scotland will- apprenticeships. if the refinery closures, scotland will be i apprenticeships. if the refinery closures, scotland will be the l apprenticeships. if the refinery i closures, scotland will be the only major oil producing nation without refinery capacity. it is not economic madness to allow a profitable plant to close and is it not environmental madness to transport oil across a dangerous high seas. given the billions he has received from north sea oil and the billions he will continue to receive, will he ensure scotland retains a refinery capacity for scotland's oil?— scotland's oil? the future of grangemouth _ scotland's oil? the future of grangemouth refinery i scotland's oil? the future of grangemouth refinery is i scotland's oil? the future of grangemouth refinery is a i scotland's oil? the future of - grangemouth refinery is a commercial decision for their owners. but i am told the site will remain operating as a refinery until at least may of 2025 and in the meantime the scottish governments are working together to seek assurances from grangemouth about they are supporting employees. we remain confident in ourfuel supporting employees. we remain confident in our fuel supply and supporting employees. we remain confident in ourfuel supply and in terms of energy security, that is

why this government is backing the north sea oil and centre because thatis north sea oil and centre because that is sizable energy security in this country, attract investment and create jobs, particularly this country, attract investment and createjobs, particularly in scotland. i create jobs, particularly in scotland-— create jobs, particularly in scotland. , , ., ., scotland. i was very proud that it was a conservative _ scotland. i was very proud that it was a conservative government i scotland. i was very proud that it i was a conservative government that appointed the patient safety commissioner and proud that we commissioned the hughes report into medical devices and medicines, which was published this morning. will my right honourable friend also make me proud that we can address the points she has raised and bring forward a redress scheme in a timely manner? i redress scheme in a timely manner? i am grateful to the patient safety commissioner and her team for the work on this important issue, which i know my honourable friend has spoken about in the past. our sympathies, first and foremost, remain with those affected. we are focused on improving the system and how the system listens to patients and it is right the government carefully considers the pop's

recommendations. the department of health will respond in due course and the health secretary will keep the house updated on a regular basis. , ., , ., ., basis. many of my tamworth constituents, _ basis. many of my tamworth constituents, like _ basis. many of my tamworth constituents, like local- basis. many of my tamworth constituents, like local mum j constituents, like local mum jessica, have contacted me about special educational needs and disability support. jessica's son has waited years for an autism diagnosis and doesn't expect to have an education, health and care plan in place by the time he goes to secondary school. will the prime minister confirmed that students that need an eh see people get them so they can thrive in school? {iii so they can thrive in school? of course, we want to see every child thrive at school which is why we tripled the amount going into special educational needs for capital places and put more money into support the ehcp plans and i'm sorry to hear about the case she mentioned and we will look at that

because we want every child to thrive at school. i because we want every child to thrive at school.— because we want every child to thrive at school. i want to send my best wishes _ thrive at school. i want to send my best wishes to _ thrive at school. i want to send my best wishes to his _ thrive at school. i want to send my best wishes to his majesty - thrive at school. i want to send my best wishes to his majesty the i thrive at school. i want to send my| best wishes to his majesty the king and the princess of wales. we are" the report coming out today. there has a lot of work going on across this chamber. may i push the point to the prime minister that tens of thousands of women and children have suffered immensely since the 1970s and government after government has not done anything about this. can i urge the prime minister in the strongest possible time to talk to the chancellor that the budget we can address the issues raised in his report. can address the issues raised in his re ort. . . ~ can address the issues raised in his reort. . . ~ , can address the issues raised in his reort. ., ., ~ , ., , can address the issues raised in his reort. . ., ~ , ., , ., report. can i thank my colleagues on both sides of — report. can i thank my colleagues on both sides of the _ report. can i thank my colleagues on both sides of the house _ report. can i thank my colleagues on both sides of the house are - report. can i thank my colleagues on both sides of the house are many i both sides of the house are many issues, it is right to extend are

sympathies to those affected but we consider the recommendations from the report and we will do that with all due haste and the health secretary will keep the house updated. secretary will keep the house u dated. ~ , secretary will keep the house udated. ~ , ~ , updated. why did the prime minister downurade updated. why did the prime minister downgrade the _ updated. why did the prime minister downgrade the role _ updated. why did the prime minister downgrade the role of— updated. why did the prime minister downgrade the role of minister- updated. why did the prime minister downgrade the role of minister for i downgrade the role of minister for disabled people? what message does he think this sends to them and will he think this sends to them and will he commit to reconsider this move to ensure the role is a minister of a to? if not, will he agree to meet with me and disabled people's organisations and explain his reasoning?— organisations and explain his reasonina? n ., , ~ , reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled _ reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled people _ reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled people is _ reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled people is going i reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled people is going to i reasoning? actually, the minister for disabled people is going to doj reasoning? actually, the minister i for disabled people is going to do a fantasticjob, because she passionately cares about this issue and this government has a record to be proud of, whether it is supporting many more with disabilities and to work, ensuring they can live independently or making sure children with complex disabilities have access to more changing places across the country. because those are the values of this

conservative government. if i can just say also, to brianna's mum, what happened was unspeakable and shocking tragedy, mr speaker. as i said earlier this week, in the face of that, for her mother to demonstrate the compassion and empathy that she did last weekend, i thought demonstrated the very best of humanity in the face of seeing the very worst of humanity and she deserves all our admiration and praise for that.— praise for that. that completes prime minister's _ praise for that. that completes prime minister's questions. i that takes us to the end of prime minister's questions. they send best wishes to the king following his cancer diagnosis. we will be back in comments shortly for the statement on nhs dentists. pmqs, the labour leader started by saying the unwavering bravery of breanna jaya's

mother who was in the commons gallery watching, but that also led to the intense moments later when the prime minister was accusing sir keir of breaking promises saying he changed his position on finding a woman. remembershe changed his position on finding a woman. remember she was transgender and the case said that one of the motivations was hostility with regards to that. at the end of prime minister's questions, he said it was an unspeakable tragedy. let's go back to the commons as the health secretary is talking about nhs dentists. his decision to share his diagnosis will be welcomed by anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. n whose life has been touched by cancer. ~ ., ., , . cancer. i know we are very much lookin: cancer. i know we are very much looking forward _ cancer. i know we are very much looking forward to _ cancer. i know we are very much looking forward to seeing - cancer. i know we are very much looking forward to seeing him i cancer. i know we are very much i looking forward to seeing him make a speedy recovery and resume his public duties. turning to dentistry,

thanks to a once in a generation pandemic between 2020 and 2022, seven million patients across england did not come forward for appointments with nhs dentists. since then we have taken decisive action to recover services. we've made reforms to the contract so practices are paid more fairly for caring for nhs patients with more complex needs and we have made sure dentists update the website regularly so the public know they are taking on new patients. this has delivered results. over are taking on new patients. this has delivered results. 0ver1 million more people saw an nhs dentist last year than the year before. but we know too many in particular those living in rural, or coastal communities, are still struggling to find appointments. this recovery plan will put this right by making nhs dental care faster, simpler and fairerfor patients and nhs dental care faster, simpler and

fairer for patients and staff. it's built on three key pillars and i will address each in turn. firstly, we will help anyone who needs to see an nhs dentist to do so wherever they live or whatever their background. to do this, we must incentivise dentists to cross the country to care for more nhs patients. that's why i am delighted to tell the house that for the coming year, we offering dentists to new payments on top of their usual payments for care. that will be £15 for every checkup they perform on nhs patients who have not been seen over the past two years and £50 for every new nhs patients they treat who has not been seen over the same period. we know patients who don't have a relationship with the dentist find it harder to get care. this is not a long—term ambition, our new patient premium will be available from next month. we are also

increasing the minimum payment dentists receive it for delivering nhs treatments. this will support practices with the lowest unit of dental activity rates to provide more nhs care. we know many isolated communities dentists are in short supply. that's why up to 240 dentists will receive golden hello payments with up to win they commit to working for at least three years. these will give dentists the care they need —— patients the care they need, make provision fairer and tackle health inequalities. we are also delivering dentistry to our most remote regions without delay. this year we will do apply rental mac dental vans to coastal areas.

staffed by dentists, they will offer checkups and treatments like fillings. this model has been a tried and tested success across many regions. for example, last year in corn or a mobile van visited five areas and treated many families. they will be rolling that out up to 15 vans across devon, gloucestershire, somerset, norfolk, suffolk, lincolnshire, cambridgeshire, cornwall, north yorkshire and northamptonshire. this move has been welcomed by health watch, the nuffield trust and couege watch, the nuffield trust and college of general dentistry. and we will let patients know when vans will let patients know when vans will be in their area so they can get the care they need faster. these reforms will empower nhs dentists to treat more than 1 million reforms will empower nhs dentists to treat more than1 million people reforms will empower nhs dentists to treat more than 1 million people and deliver 2.5 million more appointments. just as the ceo of

national voices, a group of major health and care charities said, this extra money should help thousands of people who have been unable to see a dentist in the last two years to get the care they need. these reforms are just the beginning. the care they need. these reforms arejust the beginning. this recovery plan for driving forward reforms to make nhs dentistry sustainable for our children and grandchildren. this brings me to the second point. growing and upscaling our workforce for the long—term, our long—term workforce plan is the first in nhs history to give strong foundations and knowledge to build. by foundations and knowledge to build. by 2031, training place for dentist will increase by 40%. 4— 0%. and places for dental hygienist can perform simple tasks such as fillings will also rise by 14%. more dentists and dental therapists will mean more care for nhs patients. i'm delighted to tell the house today

that we are going further in three key ways. firstly, we will consult and are tying to nhs work for dental graduates because right now, too many are choosing to deliver private work over valuable nhs care. more than 35,000 dentists in england are registered with the general dental council but last year almost a third worked exclusively in the private sector. training these dentists is a significant investment for tax—payers and they rightly expect it to result in the strongest possible nhs care. that's why this spring we will launch a consultation on a tying four graduate dentists and how this can deliver more nhs care and better value for tax—payers. secondly, we will take full advantage of our dental professional skills. today even though they have the right training, without any direction from dentists, dental therapists cannot do things

such as administer antibiotics. this year, we will change this making life simplerfor year, we will change this making life simpler for dentists and making care faster for patients. as the president of the college of general dentistry has said, the use of full range of skills for all team members will enable the delivery of all care and make nhs dentistry more attractive to dental professionals. thirdly, we will recruit more international dentists to the nhs. we have a plan to do this by working with the general dental council to get more international dentists taking exams to get them out of the register stream sooner and explore the creation of a new registration status so under the supervision of a dentist who is already on the register, highly skilled international dentists can start treating dentists do make patients sooner rather than working as hygienists were waiting to join the

register. turning to our plans third pillar which is prioritising prevention and giving children the healthy smile for life. this begins by supporting parents give their children the best possible start. that's why family homes up and down the country will offer expert advice on looking after their baby teeth and gums. as they grow up, we will support nurseries and schools to make brushing teeth part of the child's routine before starting primary school. the evidence is clear, the earlier good habits are built, the longer they will last. seeing a dentist regularly is also vitally important for children's health. since the pandemic, too many have been unable to do this and this is why this year we are taking care directly to children. we will deploy mobile dental teams to schools and areas where there is a shortage of

dentists. they will apply inventive varnish to 65,000 perception age children's teeth, strengthening them early to prevent decay. and our smile for life programme has all ready been endorsed by the college of general dentistry. 6 million people in england already benefit from water fluoridation and to go further to protect children's teeth, we will consult on strengthening more of our country is water with fluoride. again, the evidence is clear, in some of the most deprived parts of england, enhancing fluoride levels could improve the number of teeth extracted by up to 56%. that's why for the health and care act, we've made it simpler to add fluoride to more of our water supply and as a first step, we will launch and as a first step, we will launch a consultation to expand water fluoridation across the north—east.

an expansion that will give 1.6 million more people access to water and strengthen their teeth, preventing tooth decay and tackling inequality. this is our government plan to recover and reform dental care. dentaltraining plan to recover and reform dental care. dental training places are up 40%. 2.5 more appointments —— 2.5 million. more dentists in remote areas, more dentists taking on nhs patients, better support for families, better care for children, patient access up, inequity down. making life simpler and treatment faster and fairer for patients and staff. we've taken the difficult decisions and have delivered now a long—term plan to make dental care faster, simpler and fairer for people across the country. we will get on with the job and put our plan into action. i commend this to the

house. ~ , ,, into action. i commend this to the house._ thank i into action. i commend this to the house._ thank you. into action. i commend this to the i house._ thank you. i'm house. wes streeting. thank you. i'm can life congratulate _ house. wes streeting. thank you. i'm can life congratulate my _ house. wes streeting. thank you. i'm can life congratulate my party - house. wes streeting. thank you. i'm can life congratulate my party with i can life congratulate my party with the remarks of the secretary of state in sending our best wishes to his majesty the king and having going through a cancer diagnosis myself, particularly his family for whom it's often more difficult than the person receiving the diagnosis. in this generous spirit in which we've begun, can i thank the health secretary for accidentally e—mailing me her entire plan yesterday? is above and beyond the courtesy we normally expect and i look forward to receiving the party's manifesto any day now. after 14 years of conservative government, nhs dentistry is in the case. eight in ten dentists are not taking on new patients. in the south—west of england, the figure is 99%. one in ten people have been forced to

attempt diy dentistry, dickensian conditions, because they can't see nhs dentist and can't afford to go private. nhs dentist and can't afford to go rivate. �* ,., , ., �* ., nhs dentist and can't afford to go rivate. �* , ., ., , private. i'm sorry, i don't want any more heckling _ private. i'm sorry, i don't want any more heckling from _ private. i'm sorry, i don't want any more heckling from you. _ private. i'm sorry, i don't want any more heckling from you. i - private. i'm sorry, i don't want any more heckling from you. i want i more heckling from you. i want everybody _ more heckling from you. i want everybody to listen to the secretary of state _ everybody to listen to the secretary of state and i expect the same for the shadow secretary of state. don�*t the shadow secretary of state. don't wor , i'll the shadow secretary of state. don't worry. i'll come _ the shadow secretary of state. don't worry, i'll come back— the shadow secretary of state. don't worry, i'll come back to _ the shadow secretary of state. don't worry, i'll come back to that - worry, i'll come back to that shortly. tooth decay the number one reason for children aged six to ten being admitted to hospital and unbelievably, there been reports of the ukrainian refugees booking dentist appointments back home and returning for treatment because it is easier to fly to a war—torn country than it is to see an nhs dentist in england. mr speaker, at least there is one government policy getting flights off the ground but it's certainly not their rwanda scheme failure. and mr speaker,

let's look at the human consequences of this tragedy. labour's candidate in great yarmouth told me about jeanette, a young woman in her 30s who has struggled with gum and mouth problems all her life. she used to be able to get treatment and now can't find an nhs dentist in all of norfolk to take her. she can't afford to go private. it hurts to smile. it hurts to laugh. the pain is so greatjeanette doesn't go out any more. just this week, she resorted to trying to remove her own tooth. this isn't right for anyone of any age butjeanette should be in the prime of her life. will the secretary of state apologise to jeanette and the millions like her for what the conservatives have done to nhs dentistry? after 14 years of neglect, cuts and incompetence, the government has today announced a policy, more appointments,

recruiting dentists to areas most in need, tooth brushing for children. it sounds awfully familiar, mr speaker. by adopting much of labour�*s plans, doesn't it show the conservatives are out of ideas of their own and looking to labour to fix the mess they have made? next time, conservative ministers say they don't have a plan, or plan isn't credible, don't believe a word of it. and of course there are some differences between our two parties approaches. labour is pledging an extra 700,000 extra urgent and emergency appointments, additional to the appointments announced today. can the health secretary confirm the government plan doesn't provide any additional emergency support? labour proposed supervised tooth—brushing for early years. conservative mps accused it of being nanny state. do they stand by that does she now

supports children under five being supported to brush their teeth? mr speaker, the key difference is this. we recognised our plan was a rescue plan and to put nhs dentistry back onto its feet immediate reform of the dental contract is needed. without this, this is a plan that is doomed to fail. don'tjust take my word for it, the british dental association have said this plan won't stop the exodus of dentists from the nhs, when provide a dentist for every patient who needs one and won't put an end to this crisis. coming to the mids miserable dog why haven't they reformed it for 20 years and why aren't they reforming it now? in 2010 the conservatives promised in its manifesto to reform the dental contract. they are not just bringing back lord cameron, they are bringing back its broken

promises. mr speaker, people have been desperately trying to get dental care for years and there was nothing from the conservative party. now we are in an election year, they are trying to kick the can down the road, scramble for a plan only to discover their heart when they fear for their own political futures. and the consequences have been seen around the block in bristol. finally, the secretary of state is promising reform after 2025. after the next general election. who is he trying to kid? after 2025, the conservatives will be gone and if they are not, nhs dentistry will be. how many more chances do they expect? how many more broken promises? their time is up and it's time for labour to deliver the change this country needs. i time for labour to deliver the change this country needs. i tried to hel b change this country needs. i tried to help by giving _ change this country needs. i tried to help by giving him _ change this country needs. i tried to help by giving him an - change this country needs. i tried to help by giving him an advancel to help by giving him an advance copy of my speech yesterday. this

government is focused on delivering for patients and perhaps i can help him understand the difference between their proposals and the government's fully funded dental recovery plan. their ambition which is only as far as 700,000 more appointments. our plan provide more than three times the number of appointments across the country. 2.5 million to help us maths. we are offering golden hellos to 240 dentists to work in underserved areas. proposals cover only 200. they have no plan for training or dentists. again, we set out a long—term workforce plan last year and a dental recovery plan. we will increase training places for dentist by 40% by 2031. and then the centrepiece of their proposals. making teachers swap their textbooks for toothbrushes. an idea hated by teachers and patronising parents. we

believe that most parents do a great job of looking after their children. i know that is something the labour party doesn't agree with, the honourable gentleman has called children short and fat in the media round. we know parents do a great job and this is why we are supporting them whilst pregnant and in family supporting them whilst pregnant and infamily hubs supporting them whilst pregnant and in family hubs and in nurseries. we will not be waiting until the reception class by which time of course children have already got their teeth. course children have already got theirteeth. but course children have already got their teeth. but i want to dwell on their teeth. but i want to dwell on the experience of anyone living under welsh labour. 0f the experience of anyone living under welsh labour. of course, the health services in wales are devolved and if the leader of the opposition has called the blueprint for how they will run our health system. whilst labour has the highest proportion of nhs dental practices not accepting adult patients. and thejoint

practices not accepting adult patients. and the joint highest not accepting child patients. in wales, 93% of nhs dental practices are not accepting adult patients, more than any other nation in the uk. and 86% are not accepting child patients which is the joint highest with northern ireland. how will they pay for this? we have funded but how will they be paid for it? is that magical monetary funded by the non—dom purposes as long as my arm. in 2022, it was planned for a workforce plan. last september became breakfast club meals and now it's morphed into 2 million appointments. and by christmas, it was funding a dentistry plan. same leader, no plan. the

was funding a dentistry plan. same leader. no plan-— was funding a dentistry plan. same leader, no plan. the house en'oyed the opposition i leader, no plan. the house enjoyed the opposition spokesperson's i leader, no plan. the house enjoyed i the opposition spokesperson's words. some subjects seem rather familiar to this morning talking about ukraine. can i say to my honourable friend that in west sussex, worthing, there a sign saying new patients welcome. iii worthing, there a sign saying new patients welcome.— patients welcome. if she's been workin: patients welcome. if she's been working with — patients welcome. if she's been working with the... _ patients welcome. if she's been working with the... thus - patients welcome. if she's been working with the... thus the i patients welcome. if she's been i working with the... thus the debate now in the house of commons after the health secretary discussed the recovery plan for england. she said it will make it faster and more efficient. the shadow minister said it is doomed to fail. we will have more on that in the one o'clock news but i want to return first to prime minister questions. brianna ghey was

mentioned in the gallery. the mother was in the gallery. brianna ghey was transgender and this is believed to be one of the motives for her murder. the prime minister said there change their position on defining a woman. irate there change their position on defining a woman.— there change their position on defining a woman. we are bringing the waitin: defining a woman. we are bringing the waiting list _ defining a woman. we are bringing the waiting list down _ defining a woman. we are bringing the waiting list down for _ defining a woman. we are bringing the waiting list down for the i the waiting list down for the longest rate but it's rich to hear about promises from someone who has broken every single promise he has elected on. i've counted almost 30 in the last year. pensions, planning, peerages, public sector pay, tuition fees, childcare, second referendums. defining a woman. although, in fairness, that was only 99% of the u—turn. the list goes on but the theme is the same. it's empty words and no plan. {iii

but the theme is the same. it's empty words and no plan. of all the weeks to say _ empty words and no plan. of all the weeks to say that, _ empty words and no plan. of all the weeks to say that, when _ empty words and no plan. of all the weeks to say that, when brianna i weeks to say that, when brianna ghey's _ weeks to say that, when brianna ghey's mother is in this chamber, shame _ ghey's mother is in this chamber, shame. , , ., ., shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp _ shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp asked _ shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp asked mr— shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp asked mr sunak i shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp asked mr sunak if i shame. just before the end of pmqs, the labour mp asked mr sunak if he i the labour mp asked mr sunak if he would consider apologising to brianna ghey motherfor would consider apologising to brianna ghey mother for what she called his insensitive comments. she was referring to his mocking tone in those questions that he gave to the labour leader sir keir starmer. we have since also heard that brianna ghey's mother was not actually in the house of commons gallery when that discussion between mr starmer and mr sunak happened. i wanted to bring you a line breaking news that we have just got coming in and this is to do with the king. the prime

minister rishi sunak is to have his weekly audience with the king over the phone. that'sjust coming in from number 10. the phone. that'sjust coming in from number10. 0f the phone. that'sjust coming in from number10. of course the phone. that'sjust coming in from number 10. of course normally they would meet face—to—face often at buckingham palace but number 10 is saying in the last few moments that rishi sunak is going to have his weekly audience with the king over the phone rather than face—to—face. this comes after king charles is cancer diagnosis. he is back at the sandringham estate and travelled there from landing. is it buckingham palace yesterday where he met his son prince harry. he will have his audience not face—to—face but over the phone with king charles. time for the one o'clock news with jane hill.

£20,000 will be on offer in so—called dental deserts, but the profession says the government plans need to go much further. we'll ask whether the proposals will mean people will be able to find an nhs dentist. also on the programme: prince william carries out his first public engagement since the king's cancer diagnosis. the river wye has turned green, say campaigners, because of chicken manure, and they're taking the government to court because of it. and, let sleeping bears lie. we look at some beautiful images from the wildlife photographer of the year competition. and coming up on bbc news: the fa cup fifth—round replays continue, with leeds united awaiting the winners of tonight's match between chelsea and villa, after their victory at plymouth.