could get up to 1? temperatures could get up to 17 celsius, as a result of this mild air stream celsius, as a result of this mild airstream coming in celsius, as a result of this mild air stream coming in from the south—west. but it is not the case everywhere, in fact in scotland it has been exactly the opposite, very cold, clear skies tonight and early in the morning in the highlands temperatures could be as low as —8, whereas to the south of the weather front we have got temperatures around double figures in the south of england, may be seven for liverpool but here we have got these layers of cloud, rain and drizzle, and that is how the morning starts on wednesday. but notice that the weather front now drifts into southern and central parts of scotland with a bit of snow across the highlands, south of that it is a real mix of a day, thick cloud, glimmers of brightness from time to time, spells of rain, possibly heavy, but where the sun comes out it could get up to 14—15. a similar pattern on thursday but the rain will be in different places, impossible to predict, the apps are really going to struggle, i can tell

you that. temperatures, 17 is possible, 11 degrees in glasgow, in the mild south—westerly wind, and then towards the end of the week we will see something a little bit less mild, but for the increases, as the un warns it could lead to a slaughter. joe biden is pushing for congress to pass a bill to give israel military assistance running to $14 billion, but where are the signs that that amount of money gives the us president any leverage? what chance for the peace talks?

you will bejoined you will be joined by the west indies. we'll be talking to the senior middle east advisor to both barak obama and donald trump, and the middle east expert nomi bar yaacov. also tonight, labour suspends a second parliamentary candidate, the former labour mp grahamjones, after offensive comments he is alleged to have made about israel. will this be the week the uk goes into a recession...or not? we'll take a look at what the data means, and what it doesn't mean. right now, just after two o'clock, and have — right now, just after two o'clock, and have we got a lot of stuff for you _ and his voice, his personality and his love for his audience brought steve wright, who has died suddenly, millions of fans. we'll be joined by his former co—host gary davies and veteran dj tony blackburn. good evening. what does it say about the nature of power, when the us, israel's most important ally and majorfunder,

is at the moment deciding whether to provide a package of security assistance to the tune of $14 billion, and joe biden is having to plead with benjamin netanyahu, that civilians who are packed into rafah in the gaza strip are "exposed and vulnerable" and must be protected? the israeli prime minister has ordered troops to prepare to expand its ground opration in rafah, a city now trying to deal with more than half the whole population of the gaza strip. netanyahu says there are hamas battalions still in rafah. the un human rights chief volker turk said any assault would be "terrifying" and many civilians will likely be killed. and today, the bbc has been broadcasting the early months of the conflict through the eyes of health workers, 300 of whom have been killled, and red crescent paramedics, some of whom are volunteers. explosions sirens explosions

joining me now is melanie ward, chief executive of medical aid for palestinians. give mea give me a sense of what is happening on the ground. the? give me a sense of what is happening on the ground-— on the ground. they are terrified about the probably _ on the ground. they are terrified about the probably forthcoming l about the probably forthcoming israeli assault on rafa. the streets of rafa are full of people. people have nowhere to go. so they have been trying to fashion tense out of anything that they can. food is in short supply. children have lost weight, they have nice, everybody looks ill. nappies are almost impossible to come by and everybody is really terrified of what is to come. there are thousands of children across gaza are on their own, many of whom have been orphaned, in hospitals were my staff are working, children come in as the only surviving member of the family.

the situation is ongoing with indiscriminate bombardment and a lack of aid to coming. there are no safe spaces in gaza. that is the actual truth. the israelis have been trying to designate an area on the west of gaza as a safe zone, but i came on newsnight near the start of this situation for a month ago i said it was an outbreak to try to push everybody in there. because it is a desert- — push everybody in there. because it is a desert. yes, _ push everybody in there. because it is a desert. yes, there _ push everybody in there. because it is a desert. yes, there are - push everybody in there. because it is a desert. yes, there are no - is a desert. yes, there are no services _ is a desert. yes, there are no services there. _ is a desert. yes, there are no services there. and _ is a desert. yes, there are no services there. and safe - is a desert. yes, there are no| services there. and safe zones is a desert. yes, there are no - services there. and safe zones have a very difficult history, from sreberenica. no what has happened to your own people? there was an air strike in the safe zone on 18 january, we had an emergency medical team, four british doctors, the compound we had was isolated, with nothing else around it. it is on a sandy area, there is no mother that acted if he commandos dollars, the

coordinates of the property had been shared and released to the united nations and the british government so that they knew over there. the next day, after, a missile at the compound. a multi—agency un investigation found that it had been a £1000 smart bomb that had been fired at us from an f—i6. ——1000lb smart bomb. that had been confirmed by the un investigation. haw smart bomb. that had been confirmed by the un investigation.— by the un investigation. how access -- assess what _ by the un investigation. how access -- assess what will _ by the un investigation. how access -- assess what will happen - by the un investigation. how access -- assess what will happen in - by the un investigation. how access -- assess what will happen in the i —— assess what will happen in the coming days? we have heard what the un has said, what preparations can be made? , , , un has said, what preparations can be made? _, , , , un has said, what preparations can be made? , , , , ., be made? everybody is trying to think there _ be made? everybody is trying to think there might _ be made? everybody is trying to think there might be _ be made? everybody is trying to think there might be safer - be made? everybody is trying to think there might be safer than | be made? everybody is trying to i think there might be safer than the place that they currently are. it feels like the next couple of weeks are going to be absolutely defining. we have been worried since the start of it with everyone cackled into a very small area, if an assault is allowed to take place, there is no question it will be a bloodbath, tens of thousands more civilians

will be killed or people being displaced over the border into egypt. fir displaced over the border into e: -t. ., ., displaced over the border into et t. ., ., , displaced over the border into egypt-_ 0r| displaced over the border into | egypt-_ or if displaced over the border into e, -t. ., ., , orifthe egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world, egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world. peeple _ egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world, people feel— egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world, people feel that _ egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world, people feel that they - egypt. or ft rafah opens. or if the world, people feel that they are . world, people feel that they are choosing are they going to be when they die, that is the reality for people in gaza right now, including aid workers. we people in gaza right now, including aid workers— people in gaza right now, including aid workers. we are “oined by david hall and aid workers. we are “oined by david han and nomi _ aid workers. we are “oined by david hall and nomi bar _ aid workers. we are joined by david hall and nomi bar yaacov. - aid workers. we are joined by david hall and nomi bar yaacov. david i hall and nomi bar yaacov. david hall, can we reflect on what melanie ward has said about the state of rafah. ., ~' ,, , . ward has said about the state of rafah. . ,, ,, , . , ., rafah. thank you very much, my name is david hale- — rafah. thank you very much, my name is david hale. the _ rafah. thank you very much, my name is david hale. the situation _ rafah. thank you very much, my name is david hale. the situation in - rafah. thank you very much, my name is david hale. the situation in rafa - is david hale. the situation in rafa is david hale. the situation in rafa is grim, and the quickest way in which it could be ameliorated would be for hamas to surrender and give up be for hamas to surrender and give up its weapons, obviously it is not going to do that but we know very clearly from the israeli leadership that they have in mind a total

victory, so this operation in rafah will unfold notjust in a matter of days but i suspect weeks and months while the israeli leaders try to do what they say they are going to do which is imposed total victory on hamas, difficult as that is to conceive of.— hamas, difficult as that is to conceive of. ., , ., ., conceive of. from your point of view, conceive of. from your point of view. nomi. — conceive of. from your point of view, nomi, what— conceive of. from your point of view, nomi, what is— conceive of. from your point of view, nomi, what is it - conceive of. from your point of view, nomi, what is it like - conceive of. from your point of view, nomi, what is it like in l view, nomi, what is it like in rafah? i view, nomi, what is it like in rafah? ., . view, nomi, what is it like in rafah? . . rafah? i agree with much has been said b the rafah? i agree with much has been said by the two _ rafah? i agree with much has been said by the two previous _ rafah? i agree with much has been said by the two previous speakers, | said by the two previous speakers, the question is, how does one move forward? _ the question is, how does one move forward? the situation is dire, catastrophic, and originally the population of rafah was 300,000, and now it _ population of rafah was 300,000, and now it is _ population of rafah was 300,000, and now it is well over a million, and they— now it is well over a million, and they are — now it is well over a million, and they are living in makeshift tents, disease _ they are living in makeshift tents, disease is — they are living in makeshift tents, disease is spreading, many of the internally— disease is spreading, many of the internally displaced palestinian people. — internally displaced palestinian people, they have displaced more than four—

people, they have displaced more than four or five times, and i have had to— than four or five times, and i have had to move — than four or five times, and i have had to move from the north of the centre. _ had to move from the north of the centre, from the centre to khan younis. — centre, from the centre to khan younis, which is a town between gaza city and _ younis, which is a town between gaza city and rafah, which is right on the border, _ city and rafah, which is right on the border, so the situation is very dangerous — the border, so the situation is very dangerous. the big question, you asked _ dangerous. the big question, you asked about whether the rafah crossing — asked about whether the rafah crossing will open, the egyptians are adamant there was no way that they will_ are adamant there was no way that they will open the rafah crossing. the israelis are stating continuing seems _ the israelis are stating continuing seems that they are refining the plans, _ seems that they are refining the plans, approaching what the israeli chief of— plans, approaching what the israeli chief of staff said earlier this afternoon, he said that they are refining — afternoon, he said that they are refining the plans for the relocation of the palestinians and for the _ relocation of the palestinians and for the actual invasion, and as you learned, _ for the actual invasion, and as you learned, they are stating that they are trying — learned, they are stating that they are trying to protect civilians on the one — are trying to protect civilians on the one hand, on the other they have stated _ the one hand, on the other they have stated today that there could be 2.8

million _ stated today that there could be 2.8 million deaths in gaza, and that does _ million deaths in gaza, and that does not — million deaths in gaza, and that does not include the bodies under the rubble — does not include the bodies under the rubble that have not been found yet so, _ the rubble that have not been found yet so, the — the rubble that have not been found yet so, the situation is dire, and that— yet so, the situation is dire, and that is— yet so, the situation is dire, and that is why— yet so, the situation is dire, and that is why talks are being held in cairo, _ that is why talks are being held in cairo, and — that is why talks are being held in cairo, and it— that is why talks are being held in cairo, and it hasjust been announced that the talks are going to, they— announced that the talks are going to, they will run for another three days _ to, they will run for another three days. earlier it was announced that the meeting ended without any agreement. the meeting ended without any agreement-— the meeting ended without any arreement. ., , ., agreement. david hale, there is no auarantee agreement. david hale, there is no guarantee that _ agreement. david hale, there is no guarantee that that _ agreement. david hale, there is no guarantee that that offensive - agreement. david hale, there is no guarantee that that offensive does | guarantee that that offensive does not begin during these talks. antony blinken, to go home after a fifth visit, with that kind of humiliation, and thenjoe biden trying to press through congress, without, it seems, any beverage on benjamin netanyahu. what do you make of that? benjamin netanyahu. what do you make ofthat? , , , benjamin netanyahu. what do you make ofthat? , ~ of that? typically, american presidents _ of that? typically, american presidents have _ of that? typically, american presidents have not - of that? typically, american presidents have not tried i of that? typically, american presidents have not tried to| of that? typically, american - presidents have not tried to tell is

really prime ministers how to conduct a war. our support for israel is rock—solid —— israeli try ministers. it is normal to provide all support including material support for the idf as it conducts these defensive operations. what we normally do is to help the israeli leaders to find a path out of the war. ~ . , leaders to find a path out of the war. ~ ., , ., ., ., ., war. what if they do not want to find a path _ war. what if they do not want to find a path out _ war. what if they do not want to find a path out of the _ war. what if they do not want to find a path out of the war? - war. what if they do not want to | find a path out of the war? right now the israeli _ find a path out of the war? right now the israeli position - find a path out of the war? right now the israeli position is - find a path out of the war? fl gruff now the israeli position is total victory but that is unlikely to occur, so there will be come a point when the israeli leadership will turn around and look for pathways out, and that is what we need to be building right now, and that is what secretary of state blinking is trying to do. i would posit that we are facing —— blinken. these processes are not likely to be able

to fix the problem with the new realities including a primary role for iran in all of this mix, the evaporation of the support for a two—state solution among the israeli plumber, and strong support among palestinians for a one state solution, led by hamas. the palestinian authority and mahmoud abbas are completely discredited. so, we have to find new ways to bring about calm, and re—establish a pathway to peace, which will take time which is a precious and in fact absent commodity when you are facing the grim circumstances that your colleagues have described. nomi, those who say _ colleagues have described. nomi, those who say that _ colleagues have described. nomi, those who say that there - colleagues have described. nomi, those who say that there was - colleagues have described. nomi, those who say that there was no l those who say that there was no circumstances under which we should enter rafah, they could leave them

there, what you think of that and what it is about a pathway to peace? there was an demonstration in israel this evening — there was an demonstration in israel this evening by israelis in front of the israeii — this evening by israelis in front of the israeli ministry of defence. you do have _ the israeli ministry of defence. you do have support for the ground invasion— do have support for the ground invasion and one of the leading newspapers are continuously publishing articles by their own journalists and 0p eds about the dangers— journalists and 0p eds about the dangers of such an operation. so society— dangers of such an operation. so society is— dangers of such an operation. so society is divided about the operation. and i think the fact that the talks— operation. and i think the fact that the talks are continuing in cairo means— the talks are continuing in cairo means that they will probably wait until the _ means that they will probably wait until the outcome of the talks, because — until the outcome of the talks, because once you start a ground invasion, — because once you start a ground invasion, you cannot stop and there is no _ invasion, you cannot stop and there is no way— invasion, you cannot stop and there is no way that you can reach any hostage — is no way that you can reach any hostage release deal. 134 hostages,

and the _ hostage release deal. 134 hostages, and the priorities have been stated clearly— and the priorities have been stated clearly today by the idf as first priority — clearly today by the idf as first priority is— clearly today by the idf as first priority is release of hostages, then— priority is release of hostages, then going after the hamas leadership. and if that is the case then the — leadership. and if that is the case then the head of mossad and the head of the _ then the head of mossad and the head of the internal security agency, and representatives for the first time from _ representatives for the first time from the — representatives for the first time from the prime ministers office, in cairo, _ from the prime ministers office, in cairo, and — from the prime ministers office, in cairo, and that is a sign that they are serious— cairo, and that is a sign that they are serious about trying to reach an agreement, — are serious about trying to reach an agreement, and that is a first, and ithink— agreement, and that is a first, and i think that — agreement, and that is a first, and i think that it is unlikely that they— i think that it is unlikely that they will— i think that it is unlikely that they will invade, rafah, whilst talks— they will invade, rafah, whilst talks are — they will invade, rafah, whilst talks are going on at that level in cairo _ talks are going on at that level in cairo. ., ~' ,, talks are going on at that level in cairo. ., ,, i. ,., , talks are going on at that level in cairo. ., ,, i. , . cairo. thank you both very much indeed. the rochdale by—election is now beset by myriad problems of labour's own making. it withdrew support from its candidate azhar ali, on the second pass, after the second story in the daily mail about critical comments he made about israel over the war in gaza. there are persistent questions why keir starmer did not move faster. it's also too late for the labour leader

to have him removed from the ballot paper for the vote on february 29th — so effectively labour has no candidate in a seat where they were defending a majority north of 10,000 votes. so what will the fallout be for keir starmer, who made it his mission to tear antisemitism out of the party? joejoins me. what is the latest? even the closest aides to keir starmer would concede an effective campaign has been waged against him by whoever made the recording although of course the fault lies with the candidates who made his comments on the first place because it was a public labour meeting, a community labour meeting. of course they're not clear who made the recording and whether more revelations are to come. to recap on what doubt you have a candidate who remains on the ballot paper even though he has no support from the labour party. if he was to win the election he would be an independent

mp and labour would we select before the next general election. secondly now we have graemejones who has been suspended after allegedly making anti—semitic comments. so what does this mean for the party in terms of due diligence? are the rules being... the terms of due diligence? are the rules being. . ._ terms of due diligence? are the rules being... the selection was ve fast rules being... the selection was very fast in _ rules being... the selection was very fast in rochdale _ rules being... the selection was very fast in rochdale so - rules being... the selection was very fast in rochdale so was - rules being... the selection was l very fast in rochdale so was there rules being... the selection was - very fast in rochdale so was there a proper vetting process? the very fast in rochdale so was there a proper vetting process?— proper vetting process? the party would say yes _ proper vetting process? the party would say yes and _ proper vetting process? the party would say yes and they _ proper vetting process? the party would say yes and they say - proper vetting process? the party would say yes and they say these | would say yes and they say these public meetings are not found by trawling social media although of course others have different opinions, are the rules being applied fairly? is azhar ally being treated in the same way as others and what does this say about the leadership of keir starmer. this is potentially a prime minister in waiting and if he was to get to number ten he would need to make big

decisions every single day which have far more consequence and would be of far more complexity than who is your candidate in the rochdale by—election and some shadow ministers seem to be now thinking if this is decision—making by keir starmer in opposition then how does that augur what he would be like if he did win. ., ~ , that augur what he would be like if he did win. ., ~' ,, , . the word "recession" has the effect of sending a chill wind whistling around the offices of economists, company boardrooms and treasury advisors, but if this week official statistics tell us we are in recession, who and what can we find to blame for two consecutive quarters of shrinking output, and what will be the impact of stagnant productivity be? the prime minister promised that fiscal responsibility and a steady hand would restore growth, so where is it, and what happens next? here's ben. over the next few days, expect some possibly quite alarming headlines about the economy. inflation figures forjanuary

tomorrow expected to show a rise. breaking the run of falls, and gdp figures for the final quarter of 2023 released on thursday could show a decline, which would mean we were in recession. expect labour's shadow chancellor rachel reeves to seize upon both or either as evidence that the conservatives are taking the economy backwards. on the other hand, if inflation doesn't rise or if we avoid recession, expect claims of vindication from the chancellor, jeremy hunt. treat both sets of data and both interpretations with caution. if the annual inflation figures show a rise, that's pretty likely to be a blip based on what was happening last year rather than a new trend. and the gdp figures could well be revised in time and any recession with it. so i think anybody who's reading too much into one months of data probably risks missing the wood for the trees. and actually, overall inflation has come down remarkably quickly and will probably continue to come down later in the year. in terms of the second data point,

gdp, while it's going to be right on a knife edge, i don't think for the interpretation, it should really matter whether it's a negative number or a flat number or indeed a slightly positive number. so what's the big economic picture for the uk that you need to know about in this election year? how is the prime minister's pledge to grow the economy going and what are the prospects of labour if they form the next government of delivering their pledge of the fastest economic growth in the g7? let's start with the bank of england's latest gdp forecast. as you can see, really not much growth over the next couple of years. now, some economists are a bit more optimistic, but unfortunately, no one is predicting a boom. but how are we doing relative to other big economies? the chancellor argues our relative performance has been solid given the global shocks we've been through. last week he highlighted this chart which shows the uk has grown 23% since 2010, better than germany, france, spain and italy. but be cautious about this comparison. the uk's relative outperformance has been heavily driven by population growth.

what determines the economic things most of us actually care about are incomes and wages. it's not overall gdp, but productivity growth. how much we're producing per worker or per hour worked. so let's use newsnight�*s global tracker to take a look about how we're doing here. this is the output per hour productivity of other g7 countries since 2010. and here is the uk's performance — so better than france and italy, but quite a lot worse than germany, the us, canada and japan. but economists say there's another key point to appreciate about the uk's productivity performance since 2010, when labour last left office, the significant slowdown relative to those preceding years. here's the uk output per hour growth between 1997 and 2010. we were second only to the us in that period. so on productivity, we've been doing worse after a period when we were doing better.

that's unfortunately a pretty sobering tale for the last 13, now 14 years of the conservative government. the challenge really is whether it is the conservatives or labour at the next general election, whether they can break the uk out of what has really been now best part of a 15—year economic funk. there's no question that we've experienced some nasty external economic shocks in recent years, from the global financial crisis to the pandemic to the energy crisis. and brexit hasn't helped. but even allowing for all of that, most economists do not look back upon the past 13 years as a period of economic success for the uk, and they do think there's an overwhelming case for whichever party forms the next government to urgently find ways to do better. joining me now in the studio is mehreen khan, economics editor at the times and mohamed el—erian, a chief economics adviser at allianz. good evening and thank you for

joining us. a simple question first, on thursday we will be in recession so does that actually matter? will there be a recession on thursday? on paper, yes. there be a recession on thursday? on --aer, es. ~ ., there be a recession on thursday? on paper. yes-— paper, yes. what do you think? i think it is likely _ paper, yes. what do you think? i think it is likely but _ paper, yes. what do you think? i think it is likely but it _ paper, yes. what do you think? i think it is likely but it will - paper, yes. what do you think? i think it is likely but it will not - think it is likely but it will not be anything as dramatic as most people _ be anything as dramatic as most people expect. we will end up doing better— people expect. we will end up doing better in_ people expect. we will end up doing better in 2023 than most expected. does it— better in 2023 than most expected. does it actually matter? you heard basically we have been in a 15 year economic funk.— economic funk. well this is the first time the _ economic funk. well this is the first time the uk _ economic funk. well this is the first time the uk has _ economic funk. well this is the first time the uk has been - economic funk. well this is the first time the uk has been in l first time the uk has been in recession since the pandemic which would imply we have not done well recovering from the pandemic but i said paper recession and this is in a sense the shallowest type the uk can have, two quarters of negative

growth. they could revise anything up growth. they could revise anything up and then the recession goes away so in some senses it would be better to call it a period of flat, stagnant economy. recession is important for politicians because this comes in a week of by—elections and i think the overall outlook would suggest that recession is already probably over. hoffa would suggest that recession is already probably over. how much is it down to sticky _ already probably over. how much is it down to sticky inflation _ already probably over. how much is it down to sticky inflation and - already probably over. how much is it down to sticky inflation and i - it down to sticky inflation and i seeming inability in this country to deliver any kind of substantial growth? ft deliver any kind of substantial urowth? , ., ., growth? it is the latter, we are stuck in this _ growth? it is the latter, we are stuck in this low-level - growth? it is the latter, we are i stuck in this low-level equilibrium stuck in this low—level equilibrium of stagnant growth, stagnant productivity. we have not invested enough _ productivity. we have not invested enough in — productivity. we have not invested enough in people and infrastructure and not _ enough in people and infrastructure and not investing enough in the drivers— and not investing enough in the drivers of— and not investing enough in the drivers of growth for tomorrow so the result— drivers of growth for tomorrow so the result is twofold. one is that we lose — the result is twofold. one is that we lose dynamism and it gets harder

to start _ we lose dynamism and it gets harder to start the _ we lose dynamism and it gets harder to start the economic engine because it has— to start the economic engine because it has been_ to start the economic engine because it has been stagnant for so long and we also _ it has been stagnant for so long and we also lose resilience so we become more _ we also lose resilience so we become more exposed to external shocks. so it is a _ more exposed to external shocks. so it is a real— more exposed to external shocks. so it is a real problem and we need to -et it is a real problem and we need to get out _ it is a real problem and we need to get out of— it is a real problem and we need to get out of this. find it is a real problem and we need to get out of this.— get out of this. and also we are in a osition get out of this. and also we are in a position of— get out of this. and also we are in a position of almost _ get out of this. and also we are in a position of almost full _ get out of this. and also we are in i a position of almost full employment so in terms of growth in the workforce at that as look at that stagnant growth and the big projects to invest in the future, other countries are doing much better. where is our failure to invest and in terms of resilience, the signals that we sent even with things like hsz? �* ., , ., that we sent even with things like hsz? ~ ., ., , that we sent even with things like uszz ., , h52? and the labour party has already abandoned _ h52? and the labour party has already abandoned planned - already abandoned planned investment, 28 billion, which will now be something in the region of 45 billion. ithink now be something in the region of 45 billion. i think there's a sense in which the uk has not worked out its post—brexit growth model that we

were promised outside of the eu. is it going to be tech, ai? no politician can tell us because they are fixated on the fiscal picture. in the long term you say that this 28 billion growth package for green tech that has gone and then businesses are expected to do the investment. bud businesses are expected to do the investment-— investment. and labour promised cominu investment. and labour promised coming into _ investment. and labour promised coming into government - investment. and labour promised coming into government it - investment. and labour promised coming into government it would | coming into government it would offer regulatory certainty that the tories could not give us under liz truss but they have already backed away from one key pledge so that is already diminished. and we are competing of course at least on the green front with economies that the us who are throwing hundreds of billions of taxpayer money. the uk cannot spend as much but has some advantages, regulation is one of them. but no politician wants to sell this message because it is not a vote winner. sell this message because it is not a vote winner-— sell this message because it is not

a vote winner. regulation only works if ou have a vote winner. regulation only works if you have something _ a vote winner. regulation only works if you have something substantial- a vote winner. regulation only works if you have something substantial to | if you have something substantial to regulate so where are the growth areas, is it tech or financial services, ai? where do you think we could cut a bit of a dash? tote services, ai? where do you think we could cut a bit of a dash?— could cut a bit of a dash? we have three massive _ could cut a bit of a dash? we have three massive opportunities - could cut a bit of a dash? we have three massive opportunities to - could cut a bit of a dash? we have three massive opportunities to do| three massive opportunities to do that _ three massive opportunities to do that one — three massive opportunities to do that. one is in tech, second is life science _ that. one is in tech, second is life science and — that. one is in tech, second is life science and third green energy. all provide _ science and third green energy. all provide an— science and third green energy. all provide an opportunity to revamp this growth model. the phrase growth modei— this growth model. the phrase growth modei is— this growth model. the phrase growth model is absolutely critical, we have _ model is absolutely critical, we have lost — model is absolutely critical, we have lost the ability to grow. if we do not _ have lost the ability to grow. if we do not revamp the growth model we will not _ do not revamp the growth model we will not get anywhere and we have this opportunity but it requires not 'ust this opportunity but it requires not just vision— this opportunity but it requires not just vision and leadership, it requires _ just vision and leadership, it requires public—private partnership. public—private partnership but also presumably in terms of building resilience it requires the right kind of graduates and the right kind of investment in skills and

intellect to deliver these things. i'll we even doing that? because we are cutting back and universities are cutting back and universities are having a tough time. f am are having a tough time. i am speaking _ are having a tough time. i am speaking to — are having a tough time. i am speaking to you _ are having a tough time. i am speaking to you from - are having a tough time. i am speaking to you from cambridge and they are _ speaking to you from cambridge and they are having a tough time but there _ they are having a tough time but there is— they are having a tough time but there is still enormous talent and you see _ there is still enormous talent and you see that on the ground. if you 'ust you see that on the ground. if you just unleash that, the sad thing is that you _ just unleash that, the sad thing is that you have the talent but that talent _ that you have the talent but that talent does not see a path to adding to productivity. it is fixable, the good _ to productivity. it is fixable, the good news _ to productivity. it is fixable, the good news is that it is fixable and the us— good news is that it is fixable and the us has— good news is that it is fixable and the us has shown us how you can fix it in terms— the us has shown us how you can fix it in terms of— the us has shown us how you can fix it in terms of the role of the state and the _ it in terms of the role of the state and the private sector. | it in terms of the role of the state and the private sector.— and the private sector. i 'ust want to come back * and the private sector. i 'ust want to come back to h and the private sector. i 'ust want to come back to that _ and the private sector. ijust want to come back to that question - and the private sector. ijust want to come back to that question of. and the private sector. ijust want. to come back to that question of how to come back to that question of how to fix it, how quickly do we have to do this because america is getting ahead of us time and again. how quickly do we have to fix it and how do we fix it? i'm asking for more of

your brainpower! tote do we fix it? i'm asking for more of your brainpower!— your brainpower! we fix it by first and foremost _ your brainpower! we fix it by first and foremost having _ your brainpower! we fix it by first and foremost having a _ your brainpower! we fix it by first and foremost having a vision - your brainpower! we fix it by first and foremost having a vision of i and foremost having a vision of where — and foremost having a vision of where we — and foremost having a vision of where we want to be. if you are someone — where we want to be. if you are someone today wears the economy going _ someone today wears the economy going and _ someone today wears the economy going and what is the teacher engines— going and what is the teacher engines of growth than there is no vision _ engines of growth than there is no vision and — engines of growth than there is no vision and we need that. we also need _ vision and we need that. we also need to— vision and we need that. we also need to invest upfront in enabling technologies. we can do that. and thirdly— technologies. we can do that. and thirdly meaningful public—private partnership. the us has shown if you put a _ partnership. the us has shown if you put a certain— partnership. the us has shown if you put a certain amount of money, you can crowd _ put a certain amount of money, you can crowd in — put a certain amount of money, you can crowd in the private sector and work _ can crowd in the private sector and work done — can crowd in the private sector and work done that with the vaccines. they— work done that with the vaccines. they were — work done that with the vaccines. they were a — work done that with the vaccines. they were a great success. the not the fictional -- for schools dictation, the not the fictional -- for schools dictation. we _ the not the fictional -- for schools dictation, we can _ the not the fictional -- for schools dictation, we can have _ the not the fictional -- for schools dictation, we can have less - the not the fictional -- for schools | dictation, we can have less budgets and opportunity to give people tax cuts and start to do some of the longer term planning and may even hiring people which would help governments along the way. one of the bbc�*s most recognisable

voices, steve wright, who joined the corporation in 1976 has died suddenly, and we send our condolences to his family. steve wright had millions of fans, on radio one, radio 2, top of the tops. there were many many programmes, including the wonderful sunday love songs. a gifted communicator, he had just been awarded an mbe for services to radio. his close friend, ken bruce told newsnight, "steve "was a brilliant broadcaster. "a hard worker with an amazing attention to detail, "spending hours editing and reediting features on his show to make it the best it could possibly be because he respected his listeners and beleived they deserved nothing less." iremembercoming to radioi in1980. how are you enjoying life here at radio one? i'm loving it. it's great. i've been here five weeks and i'm loving every moment. i worked up a format. i thought, "well, what can i do? that is going to be "something different? " and i'd sort of scan the papers

during the week, look for funnies, you know, listen out to what people are saying. ijust wanted to not be a talking—about—the—music guy. i wanted to talk about things. so whatever it was that concerned people, television or could be radio could be royalty, whatever it happens to be. # radio 1, steve wright in the afternoon. - all right. now, just after two o'clock. now, today, have we got a lot of stuff for you! we have got a lot of stuff. we will tell you about a marriage where the groom is 103 years old and the bride is 107. yes. what's his name? henry. henry the goose. he likes me. he's bitten me. he's going to say something. we have seven million people listening in the afternoons. well, what i try and do on the air is not make it all comedy or all news or all music. try and do a bit of

everything, really. radio one, stevie wright, the man. basically it's all about, without sounding too pretentious, relating to people. and i think really that's that's the role of popular radio and popular television. hi. hello. good evening. welcome to another top of the pops, gary davies, steve wright. rock and roll coming up now. and i know that your musical roots are steeped in rock and roll, not only my roots, but my lips. i must say you have smartened yourself up. now, i've been doing this programme for 24 years at radio 2, and really i can't hog the slot forever. that's the way it goes. you know, sometimes people want you, sometimes they don't. sometimes they want to make changes, give you another offer.

and that's ok. i understand that. i really understand that. # steve wright sunday. love songs on radio 2.# bring out the songs. i'm joined now by two of steve wright's friends, colleagues and stablemates of radios 1 and 2, gary davies and tony blackburn. good evening to you. i know this is a very sad night for both of you. first of all, gary davies, you saw the right, and brought with him practically every day. can you remember the first time you walk into that studio to work with him? it is not that i work with him, i work before him every day because i was doing the lunchtime show, so every day i would literally hand it over to him. every day i would literally hand it overto him. he every day i would literally hand it over to him. he was class. in the radio one studio. steve, preparing his show, there were so many people around, so many different characters coming in and doing voices and

everything. pretty much during the whole of my lunchtime show of the the quarter hours, it would be next door, i could see him, working like crazy. with loads of people coming in and out. but there was a lot of fun. i used to really enjoy handovers every day. he fun. i used to really en'oy handovers every day. he kind of orchestrated _ handovers every day. he kind of orchestrated all _ handovers every day. he kind of orchestrated all that. _ handovers every day. he kind of orchestrated all that. he - handovers every day. he kind of orchestrated all that. he was i orchestrated all that. he was absolutely zero day. the mackie was the pioneer of zoo radio, it did not exist in the uk until steve wright came along. ff exist in the uk until steve wright came along-— exist in the uk until steve wright came alonu. ,, ., ~ ., , ., came along. if you work on the show as a producer _ came along. if you work on the show as a producer you — came along. if you work on the show as a producer you ended _ came along. if you work on the show as a producer you ended up - came along. if you work on the show as a producer you ended up on - as a producer you ended up on the show. he as a producer you ended up on the show. , , , ., , ., ., show. he 'ust pulled people forward. he had show. he just pulled people forward. he had that lovely _ show. he just pulled people forward. he had that lovely generosity - show. he just pulled people forward. he had that lovely generosity of - he had that lovely generosity of spirit to bring other people on. you could see that. he revelled in them becoming characters on his show. he was becoming characters on his show. he: was a very generous broadcaster. the most important thing, if you were a guest on his show, he wanted you to

shine, it was not about him shining, he wanted you to shine. so anyone who starred in it had to go on the big show. who starred in it had to go on the bi show. , ., ., ., ., big show. explained what zoo radio is for those — big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who _ big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who don't _ big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who don't know. - big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who don't know. it - big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who don't know. it is i big show. explained what zoo radio is for those who don't know. it is a | is for those who don't know. it is a whole bunch _ is for those who don't know. it is a whole bunch of _ is for those who don't know. it is a whole bunch of people in - is for those who don't know. it is a whole bunch of people in the - is for those who don't know. ff 3 a. whole bunch of people in the studio, part of the show. up until then it was basically what i was doing which was basically what i was doing which was me, dj, microphone, talking to the listener. steve had a whole posse. f the listener. steve had a whole osse. ., ., ., , ~ ., posse. i love that, it was like a big family- _ posse. i love that, it was like a big family. give _ posse. i love that, it was like a big family. give me _ posse. i love that, it was like a big family. give me some - big family. give me some early memories of steve wright, tony blackburn. f memories of steve wright, tony blackburn. ., ., ., memories of steve wright, tony iztlackburn-_ memories of steve wright, tony blackburn. ., ., ., ., _ blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he _ blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he came. _ blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he came. he _ blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he came. he was - blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he came. he was such l blackburn. i had left radio one by the time he came. he was such a lovely— the time he came. he was such a lovely man — the time he came. he was such a lovely man. we got so friendly. i was on _ lovely man. we got so friendly. i was on after him on a friday night and i_ was on after him on a friday night and i would — was on after him on a friday night and i would go when he finished his programme into the studio, and off air, we _ programme into the studio, and off air, we would chat for half an hour,

'ust air, we would chat for half an hour, just making — air, we would chat for half an hour, just making one another laugh. he was delightfully nuts. that is what i was delightfully nuts. that is what i loved _ was delightfully nuts. that is what i loved about him. when we saw one another— i loved about him. when we saw one another we _ i loved about him. when we saw one another we just burst out laughing. i will another we just burst out laughing. i will miss— another we just burst out laughing. i will miss him so much. it has been such— i will miss him so much. it has been such a _ i will miss him so much. it has been such a shock— i will miss him so much. it has been such a shock today. because he was a brilliant _ such a shock today. because he was a brilliant broadcaster and as gary said, _ brilliant broadcaster and as gary said. he — brilliant broadcaster and as gary said, he did pioneerzoo brilliant broadcaster and as gary said, he did pioneer zoo radio. brilliant broadcaster and as gary said, he did pioneerzoo radio. i 'ust said, he did pioneerzoo radio. i just thought he was absolutely brilliant, and i loved him, and i will miss— brilliant, and i loved him, and i will miss him and i cannot believe that i_ will miss him and i cannot believe that i am — will miss him and i cannot believe that i am not going to see him again i— that i am not going to see him again. i thought to him a couple of weeks _ again. i thought to him a couple of weeks ago. — again. i thought to him a couple of weeks ago, i used to do pick of the pops. _ weeks ago, i used to do pick of the pops. i_ weeks ago, i used to do pick of the pops. i rang — weeks ago, i used to do pick of the pops, i rang steve to say how good he sounded — pops, i rang steve to say how good he sounded on it. i will really miss him, _ he sounded on it. i will really miss him. he _ he sounded on it. i will really miss him. he was — he sounded on it. i will really miss him, he was brilliant. like anak being in— him, he was brilliant. like anak being in the studio, it was like —— he seemed — being in the studio, it was like —— he seemed to be so totally at ease in that space, it was like being in that living room. he

in that space, it was like being in that living room.— in that space, it was like being in that living room. he wanted you to do well, that living room. he wanted you to do well. and _ that living room. he wanted you to do well, and he _ that living room. he wanted you to do well, and he encouraged - that living room. he wanted you to do well, and he encouraged you i that living room. he wanted you to do well, and he encouraged you to| that living room. he wanted you to i do well, and he encouraged you to do well. do well, and he encouraged you to do well he _ do well, and he encouraged you to do well he was — do well, and he encouraged you to do well. he wasjust well. he was just absolutely brilliant. all of us at radio 2 are going _ brilliant. all of us at radio 2 are going to — brilliant. all of us at radio 2 are going to miss him so much. he worked so hard _ going to miss him so much. he worked so hard on _ going to miss him so much. he worked so hard on those shows. from nine o'clock— so hard on those shows. from nine o'clock in— so hard on those shows. from nine o'clock in the — so hard on those shows. from nine o'clock in the morning, for a two o'clock— o'clock in the morning, for a two o'clock show. in o'clock in the morning, for a two o'clock show.— o'clock in the morning, for a two o'clock show. in a way, like tony, he lived for radio. _ o'clock show. in a way, like tony, he lived for radio. that _ o'clock show. in a way, like tony, he lived for radio. that was - o'clock show. in a way, like tony, he lived for radio. that was his i he lived for radio. that was his life. he was doing six shows a week at one point. that is only wanted to do. he did not turn up five minutes before the show and go and do it, he would be there for two hours. basket! would be there for two hours. asked kendrew said, he _ would be there for two hours. asked kendrew said, he would _ would be there for two hours. asked kendrew said, he would edit - would be there for two hours. asked kendrew said, he would edit and reedit. == kendrew said, he would edit and reedit. ., ., . �* . kendrew said, he would edit and reedit. ., ., , �* . reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed — reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed lots of— reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed lots of music _ reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed lots of music as - reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed lots of music as well - reedit. -- and as ken bruce said. he championed lots of music as well as | championed lots of music as well as being a brilliant communicator, he had a very big passion for music. backin

had a very big passion for music. back in the day there will be many artists he would have supported and championed along the way. by, artists he would have supported and championed along the way.- championed along the way. a great icture of championed along the way. a great picture of elton _ championed along the way. a great picture of elton john _ championed along the way. a great picture of elton john looking - picture of eltonjohn looking happier than steve wright was, to have eltonjohn with him. you had these stars who were happier to be with him than he was with them. they were so thrilled to be always steve wright. were so thrilled to be always steve wriaht. , ,., , were so thrilled to be always steve wriaht. , , ., were so thrilled to be always steve wriaht. , ,., , ., ., were so thrilled to be always steve wriaht. , , ., ., , ., wright. everybody wanted to be on the big show- _ wright. everybody wanted to be on the big show. and _ wright. everybody wanted to be on the big show. and we _ wright. everybody wanted to be on the big show. and we both - wright. everybody wanted to be on the big show. and we both loved l the big show. and we both loved jingles. _ the big show. and we both loved jingles, and we would sing jingle to one another, i would sing to him, hello. _ one another, i would sing to him, hello, steve, how are you? he loved american _ hello, steve, how are you? he loved american radio, and he loved jingles — american radio, and he loved jingles. we both love radio, and we used _ jingles. we both love radio, and we used to— jingles. we both love radio, and we used to talk— jingles. we both love radio, and we used to talk about it nonstop. that show _ used to talk about it nonstop. that show in the — used to talk about it nonstop. that show in the afternoon, the two o'clock— show in the afternoon, the two o'clock show that he had, that was his life _ o'clock show that he had, that was his life ils— o'clock show that he had, that was his life. �* . o'clock show that he had, that was his life. �* , ., , o'clock show that he had, that was his life. ~ , .,

o'clock show that he had, that was his life. a ., , ., . ., his life. as well as a production effort, his life. as well as a production effort. he _ his life. as well as a production effort, he created _ his life. as well as a production effort, he created it _ his life. as well as a production effort, he created it into - his life. as well as a production effort, he created it into a - his life. as well as a production l effort, he created it into a whole dynasty. he fashioned that show. ft dynasty. he fashioned that show. ff had a bit of everything, bitter craziness, that is his history from the crazy characters in radio one, he was obsessed with strange facts, these factoids, lord knows how he came up with all of this stuff. he had amazing guest. he came up with all of this stuff. he had amazing guest.— came up with all of this stuff. he had amazing guest. he loved books. we love reading. _ had amazing guest. he loved books. we love reading. tony _ had amazing guest. he loved books. we love reading. tony mentioned i had amazing guest. he loved books. i we love reading. tony mentioned that he loved american _ we love reading. tony mentioned that he loved american radio. _ we love reading. tony mentioned that he loved american radio. to _ we love reading. tony mentioned that he loved american radio. to the - he loved american radio. to the extent that every time he went on holiday you would say where are you going, he would go to america, and just listen to radio, different radio stations, the whole time that he was there, getting ideas and inspiration and bringing them back to a show. �* inspiration and bringing them back to a show. ~ ., , to a show. also what we can remember about steve _ to a show. also what we can remember about steve wright _ to a show. also what we can remember about steve wright was _ to a show. also what we can remember about steve wright was when _ to a show. also what we can remember about steve wright was when it - to a show. also what we can remember about steve wright was when it came i about steve wright was when it came to the question of fair pay, and he

was a very well paid member of the bbc