' drake ford was focused on... mr mr drake ford was focused on... mr reckford was told that borisjohnson did not meet with devolved ministers at the start of the pandemic in case it gives the false impression... he went on to say that it was a huge issue for him that borisjohnson wasn't in the room with the devolved ministers at all for the very first part of the pandemic. he found that a real issue and were struggling with that. there was meetings with michael gove, who was essentially the deputy back then, and he did find those meetings very helpful. however, he believed mr gove could not actually make any formal decisions himself, he was only able to really have an influence rather than a definitive impact. actually, there was quite a cutting remark in regards to borisjohnson, he described mr gove is a skilful centre forward without a team lined up centre forward without a team lined up behind him, with the manager, iea

borisjohnson, largely absent up behind him, with the manager, iea boris johnson, largely absent from the table. clearly not very happy and there is no love lost between the former leader, former prime minister and the outgoing first minister. there was also another tricky exchange when mark drakeford discussed simon hart, the welsh secretary for the uk government throughout the pandemic. he was giving evidence on friday when she said she felt as though the welsh government was making decisions during the pandemicjust for the during the pandemic just for the sake during the pandemicjust for the sake of it, to be different to the uk government. mark drakeford completely refuted that and noted simon hart did not give any evidence to back up that theory. also mark drakeford said that simon hart got to the stage where he did not have much to do with the start of the pandemic, otherthan much to do with the start of the pandemic, other than essentially borrowing —— bothering mark drakeford about what they should be doing. at one point, he essentially had to tell him, stop bothering me because i have got a lot to do myself, i am very busy dealing with

the pandemic in wales. so it has been focused on the welsh government and the uk government's relationship, and we knew it was a strained relationship, buti relationship, and we knew it was a strained relationship, but i guess we're getting all those juicy details about how it really was. and as he is on the way out, maybe he is as he is on the way out, maybe he is a bit more forthcoming with how he really felt about some of those ministers he was dealing with in london. �* , ., , ., ministers he was dealing with in london. , ., , ., ~ london. and questions for mr reckford himself _ london. and questions for mr reckford himself and - london. and questions for mr reckford himself and the - london. and questions for mr reckford himself and the way j london. and questions for mr - reckford himself and the way that the welsh government handled the pandemic. he was asked quite pointedly whether he took personal responsibility for decisions made by his government. that responsibility for decisions made by his government.— responsibility for decisions made by his government. that was one of the first question — his government. that was one of the first question is, _ his government. that was one of the first question is, really. _ first question is, really. ultimately, i think mark drakeford realises that all of the big decisions were made by the experts, they were made by his senior ministers in charge, but they all had to be signed off by him. so i think he felt like any of the main and good leaders that ultimately it

was his responsibility. the only other point where he has really been pressed so far this morning was when he was asked, why did you not go to some of the early cobra meetings? why did you send vaughan gething, who at the time was the health minister in wales. he said, in those early meetings, they were all to do with health prevention and were more health focused, so it made more sense to send the expert in that field, the minister responsible for that field. i think as the day goes on, there may be some more questions about some of mark drakeford's involvement in some of the early planning and decisions later down the line. certainly so far it is overwhelmingly been about the difficult relationship between the uk and welsh government. can difficult relationship between the uk and welsh government. cami difficult relationship between the uk and welsh government. can i ask ou about uk and welsh government. can i ask you about education, _ uk and welsh government. can i ask you about education, as _ uk and welsh government. can i ask you about education, as well? - uk and welsh government. can i ask you about education, as well? there | you about education, as well? there was a point where it was said that the education minister had offered to resign. obviously the impact of the pandemic on education standards in wales has been a big issue for the nation.

in wales has been a big issue for the nation-— in wales has been a big issue for the nation. , , ., , ., the nation. yes, she was due to give evidence, the nation. yes, she was due to give evidence. but _ the nation. yes, she was due to give evidence, but we _ the nation. yes, she was due to give evidence, but we understand - the nation. yes, she was due to give evidence, but we understand now. the nation. yes, she was due to give l evidence, but we understand now she will not give evidence. she offered a resignation when... do you remember, there was an algorithm that worked out what a—level grades would be given out in 2020? at that point, she was going to offer her resignation, but other ministers persuaded her to stay in office and she stayed in the end. data are given out on teacher's predicted grades —— grades were given out. she has also given written evidence because she is not now coming to give evidence in person. she was asked, do you think there was anything else you should have done? should you have kept the school is open for longer, should you have shut them earlier? she said, given the evidence at the time, the situation we had at the time, i do not think we could have done anything differently. find

not think we could have done anything differently.- anything differently. and the inuui anything differently. and the inquiry has — anything differently. and the inquiry hasiust _ anything differently. and the inquiry hasjust gone - anything differently. and the inquiry hasjust gone on - anything differently. and the inquiry hasjust gone on a . anything differently. and the i inquiry hasjust gone on a break inquiry has just gone on a break now. obviously this is expected to be mr drake ford's last week as first minister. do you think that has affected the tone of the questioning or the tone of the session so far?— questioning or the tone of the session so far? n, ~ , ., ~ ., ., , session so far? mark drakeford has alwa s had session so far? mark drakeford has always had a _ session so far? mark drakeford has always had a reputation _ session so far? mark drakeford has always had a reputation of- session so far? mark drakeford has always had a reputation of being i always had a reputation of being very calm and collected whenever he has given any evidence or interviews. he has certainly given that impression yet again today. he has been very cool in his responses to any of the questions being asked. he has not been pressed that hard, it must be said. however, i think possibly given that it has as last week in office, i think some of the remarks about some of the ministers — borisjohnson, simon hart, the welsh secretary, michael gove, and also the former health secretary matt hancock— i think possibly if he was carrying on in office, you might not have been quite so cutting about

some of those individuals. i think some of those individuals. i think some of those individuals. i think some of his remarks have been maybe what you would not possibly expect from mark drakeford, but i think he is airing his true feelings about his personal feelings about those individuals during that time when the welsh government and uk comment was at its most strange. he found it really frustrating. i think it is interesting to see his responses on those individuals. certainly i think there will be a lot of eyes watching today when the questions start getting a bit more tricky, to see how he responds and how he backs those responses up. this is his last week in office, and certainly he has been the first minister during the most tricky time in the welsh government's history, really. all eyes will be on this afternoon and the rest of the morning to see how he answers those pressing and difficult questions as he leaves office at the end of this week. thank you for that analysis and update from cardiff. ijust

thank you for that analysis and update from cardiff. i just want to point due to the bbc website, a specialised page that we have running today. you will find updates and analysis their from today's session where the welsh first minister, mark drakeford, is giving evidence to the uk covid inquiry. when it resumes in a few minutes, you can also go there to watch a live stream of his testimony to the uk covid inquiry. now to other news — and prime minister rishi sunak has said that alleged comments about mp diane abbott made by a top conservative donor were "racist and wrong". technology boss frank hester — who donated £10 million to the party last year — is said to have made the comments in 2019. our political correspondent hannah miller has more. hello, rishi. how are you?

very nice to see you. when rishi sunak made this visit to a mill near leeds in november, his helicopter ride had been provided by one of his party's biggest donors, frank hester, who last year donated £10 million to the conservative party, now alleged to have made comments that the prime minister's spokesperson has described as racist and wrong. "it's like trying not to be racist. but you see diane abbott on the tv," frank hester is reported to have said in 2019, "and you just want to hate all black women because she's there, and i don't hate all black women at all, but i think she should be shot." mr hester has apologised and said that he abhors racism. in a statement he said that he accepts that he made comments that were rude about diane abbott, but said his criticism had nothing to do with her gender, nor the colour of her skin. the prime minister has suggested that he accepts that apology, but today he's likely to face questions about what will happen to the money frank hester donated.

labour are calling for it to be given back. they're absolutely reprehensible comments. rishi sunak should now apologise to diane abbott, and the £10 million the tory party have taken from this individual, rishi sunak should order that money to be paid back. last night a leading member of one conservative pressure group suggested it could be used to promote ethnic minority groups. i would hope that actually hq would use that money to invest in grassroots. there are so many bame activists in the conservative party, there are bame groups and forums, and i think that actually, so many of them are so under supported, that it would be a perfect opportunity to actually improve that engagement. diane abbott has described the alleged comments as frightening, and reported them to the police unit tasked with investigating alleged

crimes against mps. but for rishi sunak, a prime minister who stood in downing street and warned against racism and extremism in politics, questions remain about the language used by some of those who support him. hannah miller, bbc news. speaking to bbc breakfast this morning, the post office minister, kevin hollinrake, said he would accept another £10 million donation from frank hester — and that he is not a racist. we are not a racist party. i have never met mr hester. i don't think he is a racist person, i think he said something stupid, completely inappropriate. we all say stupid things at times. i don't think people generally say something as stupid as that, but he has apologised. i think we should try to move on from that. and i would reiterate to people that the government has the most diverse cabinet in history, we have got the first british asian prime minister in history, we have a proud record

in terms of diversity and equality. that is what we stand for, that is what people should have confidence in, that is the case. the post office minister kevin holinrake there. for many women, freezing their eggs can offer the hope of conceiving a baby later in life, with more than ever now said to be taking up the practice. despite this, there are fears some clinics could be misleading women about success rates, with bbc analysis suggesting dozens may have breached advertising guidance. our correspondent anna collinson reports. going into the operating theatre, that's when it gets really real. ro is about to have her eggs retrieved. the idea, to freeze them at a younger, more fertile point, and use them when she's ready to have a baby. so i was supposed to be getting married in a few months' time, but this summer things changed, and i had to make the decision to leave that relationship.

i'm an absolute realist going into this, and i know that freezing my eggs does not guarantee me success of having a child in the future. all i know, it's like, it's a positive thing for me to do right now. ro's been injecting hormones to help her body produce multiple eggs. under sedation, a long, thin needle is carefully inserted into each ovary to retrieve them. each egg is smaller than a grain of sand. they're painstakingly checked, before 13 are frozen and placed in storage. initially, i wasjust doing one injection a day. they've started the process there. you can start to see on my little tum—tum. there's been a boom in social egg freezing, where women undergo the procedure for non—medical reasons, an idea propelled by celebrities like vicky pattison. i thought what i was doing, right, was showing young lasses and young women that there's like, alternatives, you know?

that we don'tjust have to rush into things with, potentially the wrong bloke. but women have told us navigating a giant private fertility sector can be daunting. single at 39, natalie decided to freeze her eggs in 2020. you know, as a woman, you do have a biological clock that is ticking. there's a physical toll that it takes on your body. you're injecting yourself multiple times a day. then there's like, the emotional aspect of that. the science teacher says she struggled to understand what her chances of having a baby were. it's just purely now based on trust and hope, rather than data and research. i feel it was a journey that i felt very alone on. i don't think i expected, you know, the financial toll. honestly, it was probably the biggest hit. it was just trying to find the money from anywhere to make this happen. fertility clinic websites can be a key source of free information. but analysis by the bbc found a1%

of clinics which offer private egg freezing in the uk may have breached advertising guidance. we found some clinics are prominently displaying attractive sounding success rates, with percentages in the high 905. but that's only one stage of the egg freezing journey. the chances of going on to have a baby are far lower, somewhere between 20 and 30%, and that isn't always made clear. we shared our findings with the fertility network. what is missing are the success rates for the ivf process, which are much lower, which are 25%, which are 30%, which depend on age, which could be 5% if a woman was over 40. i feel very angry for patients because they are being misled by this level of information. fertility experts told us patients should get personalised information about their chances of success at a consultation, but stress websites must be transparent.

the uk's fertility regulator is clear. the responsibility to inform lies with clinics. freezing eggs for medical reasons is very different to freezing for social reasons. and as a regulator, we are concerned about the success rates. we are concerned about the information women are getting when they're considering this process. although record numbers are freezing their eggs, research shows that very few are actually coming back to use them. natalie has, and fell pregnant in 2022. you're so excited, but then there's this scary kind of, oh, my god, this actually worked, i'm going to have a baby. she now has a son, who will turn one next week. the whole process costs more than £18,000. holding huxley for the first time, i mean, you'rejust — you're in awe that this baby has come from a frozen egg. you know, science is fantastic. it's wonderful, really,

that we can do this now. women my age, single, make this decision, make this choice. i have been really, really fortunate, and i'm forever grateful for that. anna collinson, bbc news. let's turn to the latest on the post office it scandal. the government is introducing new legislation to automatically quash related convictions. a compensation scheme will also be extended to help branch managers who were not convicted of crimes but who lost money due to flaws in the horizon system. colletta smith reports. it's been nearly three years since the first 39 subpostmasters won the legal victory at the court of appeal to overturn their convictions. but despite the legal precedent, it's been a painfully slow process for others to follow suit and have their criminal records cleared. rather than opening the floodgates, there's only been a quiet drip

of people being exonerated. the post office minister told bbc breakfast in january that things were going to change. when the first convictions were overturned in 2021, we thought there would be a huge wave of people coming forward to overturn those convictions. we probably hadn't anticipated some of the nervousness people might have about reopening their case, about going back through a legal process, about interacting with the post office again. so that's why we'd be looking at different options in terms of overturning these convictions more rapidly, and indeed compensating people more rapidly. janet skinner was one of those who won that high court battle. but she's been less than impressed with what's happened since then. is the government going to take back control over the post office? currently, the post office, they are orchestrating convictions, who has a conviction overturned. they're in control of the compensation.

they are now classified as the criminals. so why are they having the power to control everything? today that question has begun to be answered. the law being introduced means that hundreds of people still living with wrongful convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, will now be automatically cleared. if they come forward, there'll be no court process needed, and they'll get access to immediate interim compensation. those not convicted, but who lost money because of the horizon scandal, can now receive a sum of £75,000, and anyone who's already settled for less than that can have their payments topped up to this level. a gradual unpicking of years of injustice. colletta smith, bbc news.

tim brentnall ran a post office in pembrokeshire. he was convicted of false accounting in 2010. his conviction was then quashed at the court of appeal injuly 2021. speaking on bbc breakfast he said it's been a very frustrating fight to get compensation. my conviction along with up to 100 other people's was quashed over three years ago and we spent the last three years trying to build our case to claim our recompense from the post office. it is welcome that the remaining convictions are quashed and there are payments made available to people in the other schemes, like the historical shortfall scheme, but for people in any group, whether it is quashed convictions or people left from the glo group, payments need to be sped up because a lot of people are a lot older than me and haven't got the time to wait for these payments to come through. this morning we've been bringing you live coverage from the uk covid—19

inquiry. live coverage from the uk covid-19 inuui . g , live coverage from the uk covid-19 inuui ., , ., live coverage from the uk covid-19 inrui _�* , .,. ., live coverage from the uk covid-19 inuui ., , ., , live coverage from the uk covid-19 inuui ._ ., , , live coverage from the uk covid-19 inuui ._ ., , inquiry. just to clear this up you do deal with _ inquiry. just to clear this up you do deal with this _ inquiry. just to clear this up you do deal with this in _ inquiry. just to clear this up you do deal with this in your- inquiry. just to clear this up you | do deal with this in your module. page 25, paragraph 27. you say that it was noted that the minister for health had been updating members that the risk for the uk was described as moderate. information were shared across all four travel advice, they had been no imported cases into the uk. that errorfrom the minutes has crept into your witness statement. that is also an error what is perhaps striking about these minutes is that is that there is no consideration by cabinet of

what steps should be taken to stop the virus spreading, what infection control measures need to be taken. there doesn't seem to be any discussion about that. why is that? i'm not sure i can recollect why things— i'm not sure i can recollect why things were discussed and why other things— things were discussed and why other things were discussed and why other things were not at that moment. for me the _ things were not at that moment. for me the key— things were not at that moment. for me the key thing is that this is the moment_ me the key thing is that this is the moment at— me the key thing is that this is the moment at which the welsh government's attention turned to this issue — government's attention turned to this issue with the significance that it — this issue with the significance that it was to command and at that point, _ that it was to command and at that point, ali— that it was to command and at that point, all those issues are being discussed~ — point, all those issues are being discussed. if i could say, in terms of the _ discussed. if i could say, in terms of the welsh cabinet's response. at this point— of the welsh cabinet's response. at this point i— of the welsh cabinet's response. at this point i decide that all cabinet meeting — this point i decide that all cabinet meeting should now be attended by all ministers, not by cabinet minister— all ministers, not by cabinet minister only, there are 12 ministers _ minister only, there are 12 ministers in the welsh government, four of— ministers in the welsh government, four of whom are junior ministers. but i _ four of whom are junior ministers. but i want — four of whom are junior ministers.

but i want everyone around the table from now _ but i want everyone around the table from now on from the 4th of march. we are _ from now on from the 4th of march. we are setting up a second waiting every— we are setting up a second waiting every week for all cabinet a second meetinq _ every week for all cabinet a second meeting. very rapidly from this moment— meeting. very rapidly from this moment on, the welsh government is gearing _ moment on, the welsh government is gearing itself to deal with the issues — gearing itself to deal with the issues that mr poole has identified. what was _ issues that mr poole has identified. what was the plan at this stage? this was the 25th of february, covid—19 is being discussed for the first time a cabinet. what was the plan for stopping the spread of the virus into wales? you have spoken about testing and tracing. we know that only dealt with index cases. what was the welsh government going to do about infection control measures? that is why i say i'm surprised this is not seen in these cabinet minutes. what was the plan

at this stage? to cabinet minutes. what was the plan at this stage?— at this stage? to be clear, there is no lan at this stage? to be clear, there is no plan to — at this stage? to be clear, there is no plan to prevent _ at this stage? to be clear, there is no plan to prevent the _ at this stage? to be clear, there is no plan to prevent the virus - at this stage? to be clear, there is no plan to prevent the virus from | no plan to prevent the virus from spreading — no plan to prevent the virus from spreading into wales. that would have been an ambition well beyond what we _ have been an ambition well beyond what we would imagine that we could accomplish. from now on there are practical— accomplish. from now on there are practical things being discussed about— practical things being discussed about how we would respond to coronavirus when it arrives. it is now _ coronavirus when it arrives. it is now becoming a when rather than an if. now becoming a when rather than an if you _ now becoming a when rather than an if you will— now becoming a when rather than an if. you will see measures being taken, — if. you will see measures being taken, we — if. you will see measures being taken, we have an early discussion about— taken, we have an early discussion about schools. we are beginning now to think— about schools. we are beginning now to think about how we will give the health— to think about how we will give the health service up for what it may face _ health service up for what it may face in — health service up for what it may face. in another few days, as the only— face. in another few days, as the only part — face. in another few days, as the only part of— face. in another few days, as the only part of the united kingdom at that point— only part of the united kingdom at that point we formally agree that we will postpone all non—urgent outpatient and inpatient treatments in order— outpatient and inpatient treatments in order for the health service to -ive in order for the health service to give itself— in order for the health service to give itself up for what is coming its way — give itself up for what is coming its way i— give itself up for what is coming its way. i am afraid i don't have a detailed — its way. i am afraid i don't have a detailed enough recollection to be able to— detailed enough recollection to be able to pinpoint for you at exactly

what _ able to pinpoint for you at exactly what point we discuss an excess theme _ what point we discuss an excess theme in— what point we discuss an excess theme in preparation, but i am very confident— theme in preparation, but i am very confident that from that date onwards, all of that is happening. we will— onwards, all of that is happening. we will work our way through march and look at some minutes as well to help your recollection in the moment. just to step 21 side. you say in your witness statement that during the period january to march 2020 understanding the central features of the virus was rudimentary. you say the welsh government's understanding was no better than any other. you say that during january and february there were some limited evidence suggesting the possibility of asymptomatic spread but that the welsh government it concluded there was insufficient evidence on which to base operational decisions. this has been explored with various witnesses over the course of the last couple of weeks. the inquiry

heard evidence from mr hancock that his single greatest regret was not pushing harderfor his single greatest regret was not pushing harder for asymptomatic transmission to be the baseline assumption. is that a regret that you share? i assumption. is that a regret that you share?— you share? i have a slightly different — you share? i have a slightly different regret _ you share? i have a slightly different regret which - you share? i have a slightly different regret which is - you share? i have a slightly| different regret which is that you share? i have a slightly i different regret which is that i wish — different regret which is that i wish we — different regret which is that i wish we had no known known more at that point _ wish we had no known known more at that point about the scale at which asymptomatic spread would happen. but we _ asymptomatic spread would happen. but we didn't have that understanding, nobody did. the world health _ understanding, nobody did. the world health organization was still saying in the _ health organization was still saying in the july that it was unclear the role of— in the july that it was unclear the role of asymptomatic spread was playing _ role of asymptomatic spread was playing in — role of asymptomatic spread was playing in the coronavirus epidemic. in playing in the coronavirus epidemic. in fehruary— playing in the coronavirus epidemic. in february and into march, there are very— in february and into march, there are very tentative and with very limited —

are very tentative and with very limited evidence suggestions that asymptomatic spread may be playing some unspecified part in transmission. i wish we had some unspecified part in transmission. iwish we had had better— transmission. iwish we had had better information than that, but i am not _ better information than that, but i am not sure that i share mr hancock's _ am not sure that i share mr hancock's regret that we did not act more _ hancock's regret that we did not act more decisively on evidence that was as thin _ more decisively on evidence that was as thin and _ more decisively on evidence that was as thin and unreliable as it was at the time — as thin and unreliable as it was at the time. , , , the time. given the risks presented to some of — the time. given the risks presented to some of the _ the time. given the risks presented to some of the most _ the time. given the risks presented to some of the most vulnerable - the time. given the risks presented to some of the most vulnerable in i to some of the most vulnerable in welsh society, do you think the risk of asymptomatic transmission was sufficiently factored into welsh government decision making in this period january to march? i hear what you say about there being some evidence but no definitive evidence, or a more cautious approach to have been taken?— been taken? knowing what we know now, the answer _ been taken? knowing what we know now, the answer would _ been taken? knowing what we know now, the answer would be _ been taken? knowing what we know| now, the answer would be definitely. did the _ now, the answer would be definitely. did the evidence at the time an amount— did the evidence at the time an amount sufficient to take a more

precautionary approach, that question— precautionary approach, that question was very directly addressed by our— question was very directly addressed by our clinical advisor from as late as the _ by our clinical advisor from as late as the 28th — by our clinical advisor from as late as the 28th of april they are telling — as the 28th of april they are telling us that it doesn't. before we move into — telling us that it doesn't. before we move into march _ telling us that it doesn't. before we move into march 2020, - telling us that it doesn't. before l we move into march 2020, some questions about data and modelling. we have heard evidence that it wasn't until the summer of 2020 that wales had its own scientific models, prior to then it was produced by imperial university and via sage. when those early models reached wales, the conclusions about npi effectiveness were not adjusted for wales's demographic make—up, geography, movement patterns of inhabitants and the different relationships the welsh people might have with their government, likely compliance with any measures put in place. i mean a criticism, but were

you aware that the conclusions being made about npi would be most effective and they were most effective and they were most effective were not being robustly challenged because they simply did not have the data or the modelling to make those challenges? then;r to make those challenges? they didn't have _ to make those challenges? they didn't have the _ to make those challenges? they didn't have the data _ to make those challenges? they didn't have the data or - to make those challenges? they didn't have the data or the modelling, that is certainly the case _ modelling, that is certainly the case i— modelling, that is certainly the case. i think the inhibition on fine tuning _ case. i think the inhibition on fine tuning what— case. i think the inhibition on fine tuning what the mpi might have been in wales— tuning what the mpi might have been in wales is— tuning what the mpi might have been in wales is more practical than that _ in wales is more practical than that it — in wales is more practical than that it is _ in wales is more practical than that. it is what could the fine tuning — that. it is what could the fine tuning have been? what in practice could _ tuning have been? what in practice could you _ tuning have been? what in practice could you have done? the mpi that are available to you are inevitably blunt _ are available to you are inevitably blunt instruments and you are introducing them at a population wide _ introducing them at a population wide level. i think what i am struggling to think of is, even if you had — struggling to think of is, even if you had calibrated in the way that

you had calibrated in the way that you are _ you had calibrated in the way that you are suggesting and even if you had the _ you are suggesting and even if you had the data, what with the practical— had the data, what with the practical change have been? and i don't _ practical change have been? and i don't think— practical change have been? and i don't think i can immediately think of one _ don't think i can immediately think of one. ~ ., ,, don't think i can immediately think ofone. ~ ., ., ., don't think i can immediately think ofone. ., ., ., of one. what you could have done as first minister. _ of one. what you could have done as first minister, and _ of one. what you could have done as first minister, and you _ of one. what you could have done as first minister, and you may - of one. what you could have done as first minister, and you may say - of one. what you could have done as first minister, and you may say you | first minister, and you may say you did, look at what was happening over the world. did you look at south korea, japan, what we know happened later in lombardy, and think there might be lessons to learned there? there are some things we were fortunate — there are some things we were fortunate with. some things we didn't— fortunate with. some things we didn't have like data and marjorie jane _ didn't have like data and marjorie jane -- — didn't have like data and marjorie jane. —— monitoring. the cmo reported— jane. —— monitoring. the cmo reported to— jane. —— monitoring. the cmo reported to me early on in the pandemic— reported to me early on in the pandemic about the discussions in south _ pandemic about the discussions in south korea and that had been mediated through international links to wales _ mediated through international links to wales i_ mediated through international links to wales. i felt we were in

possession of good advice from our clinicians _ possession of good advice from our clinicians on — possession of good advice from our clinicians on what was happening elsewhere and where you might be able to _ elsewhere and where you might be able to draw some lessons from it. they— able to draw some lessons from it. they are _ able to draw some lessons from it. they are not — able to draw some lessons from it. they are not easy lessons to draw. they are not easy lessons to draw. the cultural — they are not easy lessons to draw. the cultural context of south korea is very— the cultural context of south korea is very different to the cultural contract — is very different to the cultural contract of the valleys of south wales — contract of the valleys of south wales. the idea that you could pick up wales. the idea that you could pick up something that had been done there _ up something that had been done there and — up something that had been done there and drop it into the welsh context. — there and drop it into the welsh context. it — there and drop it into the welsh context, it was never going to be as simple _ context, it was never going to be as simple as— context, it was never going to be as simple as that. but we were, i thought. — simple as that. but we were, i thought, well served by our ability to know— thought, well served by our ability to know what was happening elsewhere in the world and what other governments were trying to implement. if governments were trying to implement-— governments were trying to implement. governments were trying to imlement. ., . ~ ., implement. if we move back to the chronology. — implement. if we move back to the chronology, moving _ implement. if we move back to the chronology, moving into _ implement. if we move back to the chronology, moving into march, . implement. if we move back to the i chronology, moving into march, which you have said in your evidence that's when covid—19 moved up the welsh government's priority list and became significant. when would you say that gay came when it became the most significant issue? it wasn't

until mid march that the welsh government could be seen to be taking covert seriously. i government could be seen to be taking covert seriously.- government could be seen to be taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than — taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that _ taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that but _ taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that but then _ taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that but then i - taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that but then i am i taking covert seriously. i would put earlier than that but then i am in i earlier than that but then i am in the centre — earlier than that but then i am in the centre and i am seeing all things— the centre and i am seeing all things are _ the centre and i am seeing all things are happening and not everybody will have that same perspective. if i had to choose date of an _ perspective. if i had to choose date of an arbitrary nature, probably the 4th of— of an arbitrary nature, probably the 4th of march. because by the 4th of march _ 4th of march. because by the 4th of march we _ 4th of march. because by the 4th of march we are now meeting every week as a cabinet— march we are now meeting every week as a cabinet specifically on this matter~ — as a cabinet specifically on this matter. so our core group is established. you will have seen where _ established. you will have seen where the — established. you will have seen where the health minister says to his office. — where the health minister says to his office, clear my diary for the whole _ his office, clear my diary for the whole of— his office, clear my diary for the whole of march. so that i can focus exciusively— whole of march. so that i can focus exclusively on coronavirus so i think— exclusively on coronavirus so i think in— exclusively on coronavirus so i think in the middle of march. a week

or so— think in the middle of march. a week or so before — think in the middle of march. a week or so before that. you think in the middle of march. a week or so before that.— or so before that. you attended a cobra meeting — or so before that. you attended a cobra meeting on _ or so before that. you attended a cobra meeting on the _ or so before that. you attended a cobra meeting on the 2nd - or so before that. you attended a cobra meeting on the 2nd of- or so before that. you attended a i cobra meeting on the 2nd of march, the first one attended by mr johnson. we consider minutes there. if we can look at page five second paragraph. the chair invited the government cmo and to provide an update. there was now sustained community transmissions and this is now the 2nd of march and it is nearly a week since covid—19 has been discussed by the word cabinet. it is ten days after lockdown imposed in northern italy. you have had the first confirmed case in wales on the 28th of february and cobra is now being told that there is sustained community transmission. did you understand at this point that containment had been lost and

the virus is here and was spreading? i see that chris witty says to the inquiry— i see that chris witty says to the inquiry that he didn't believe that we had _ inquiry that he didn't believe that we had reached that point in the second — we had reached that point in the second half of february but i think this is— second half of february but i think this is the — second half of february but i think this is the point at which that moved — this is the point at which that moved down the steps of contain, delay, _ moved down the steps of contain, delay, so— moved down the steps of contain, delay, so on. this is the point at which _ delay, so on. this is the point at which contain becomes delay. if we can have a — which contain becomes delay. if we can have a look _ which contain becomes delay. if we can have a look please _ which contain becomes delay. if we can have a look please at _ which contain becomes delay. if we: can have a look please at page five, paragraph three. continuing, the cmo said that to delay the of the virus must bus not be implemented too early. was there a debate about the good sense of delaying? i am early. was there a debate about the good sense of delaying?— good sense of delaying? i am a social scientist, _ good sense of delaying? i am a social scientist, that _ good sense of delaying? i am a social scientist, that is - good sense of delaying? i am a social scientist, that is how- good sense of delaying? i am a social scientist, that is how i i good sense of delaying? i am a i social scientist, that is how i went to my—

social scientist, that is how i went to my livinq — social scientist, that is how i went to my living. so i i am not in any way— to my living. so i i am not in any wayan— to my living. so i i am not in any way an expert in clinical matters. full stop — way an expert in clinical matters. full stop behavioural science is what _ full stop behavioural science is what i — full stop behavioural science is what i am _ full stop behavioural science is what i am familiar with. i can see why there — what i am familiar with. i can see why there was a debate going on with what point _ why there was a debate going on with what point do you introduce chris restrictions— what point do you introduce chris restrictions and at what point do these _ restrictions and at what point do these become things that the public will understand and be willing to comply— will understand and be willing to comply with? the advice we were getting. — comply with? the advice we were getting, consistent advice, from the cmo and _ getting, consistent advice, from the cmo and behavioural scientists, if you go— cmo and behavioural scientists, if you go to — cmo and behavioural scientists, if you go to soon you may lose the impact _ you go to soon you may lose the impact that you are looking for because — impact that you are looking for because people won't be convinced. they will— because people won't be convinced. they will see it in their own lives, why are _ they will see it in their own lives, why are they being asked to do these extraordinary things and the compliance may not follow at the level _ compliance may not follow at the level you — compliance may not follow at the level you need. this is part of the debate _ level you need. this is part of the debate which i felt i was on stronger— debate which i felt i was on stronger ground myself, being able to understand.—

stronger ground myself, being able to understand. what we don't see in these minutes. _ to understand. what we don't see in these minutes, similarly— to understand. what we don't see in these minutes, similarly to - to understand. what we don't see in these minutes, similarly to the i these minutes, similarly to the minutes of the 28th of february, we don't see any debate about the merits or efficacy of specific measures to control infection. why at this stage, given your understanding that containment had been lost, why is nobody saying to the cmo, it is obvious containment is being lost or is about to be lost, this fatal virus to which we have no vaccine, it is here and spreading, what is it that we should be doing now to prevent or slow the spread of the virus. it all seems to be missing or not debated by cobra. is that your understanding? i be missing or not debated by cobra. is that your understanding?— is that your understanding? i don't have the minutes _ is that your understanding? i don't have the minutes in _ is that your understanding? i don't have the minutes in front - is that your understanding? i don't have the minutes in front of- is that your understanding? i don't have the minutes in front of me i is that your understanding? i don't. have the minutes in front of me and there _ have the minutes in front of me and there were — have the minutes in front of me and there were a — have the minutes in front of me and there were a series of meetings at this point — there were a series of meetings at this point. this is the point when

cobra _ this point. this is the point when cobra is — this point. this is the point when cobra is informed that sage is debating the mpi. it doesn't yet have _ debating the mpi. it doesn't yet have a _ debating the mpi. it doesn't yet have a sense of which of the potential— have a sense of which of the potential repertoire are likely to be the _ potential repertoire are likely to be the most effective and it doesn't have a _ be the most effective and it doesn't have a sense of the different combinations. the different ingredients on this menu can be put together— ingredients on this menu can be put together in— ingredients on this menu can be put together in different ways and sage doesn't _ together in different ways and sage doesn't yet know which we should use in which _ doesn't yet know which we should use in which combination. that work is going _ in which combination. that work is going on— in which combination. that work is going on in— in which combination. that work is going on in stage, that is what cobra — going on in stage, that is what cobra is _ going on in stage, that is what cobra is told and that we will get advice _ cobra is told and that we will get advice from the people who are focusing — advice from the people who are focusing on that. if advice from the people who are focusing on that.— advice from the people who are focusing on that. if we look at page six, the focusing on that. if we look at page six. the end — focusing on that. if we look at page six. the end of— focusing on that. if we look at page six, the end of these _ focusing on that. if we look at page six, the end of these minutes, i focusing on that. if we look at page| six, the end of these minutes, next steps. it says, summing up the chair said... page six of these minutes. thank you. paragraphs 1a. it says

the government's response must be guided by the science and protecting the public. this is waiting on stage to inform them of what could be done. —— waiting on sage. i to inform them of what could be done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this _ done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this or _ done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this or the _ done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this or the one _ done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this or the one on - done. -- waiting on sage. i think it is either this or the one on the i is either this or the one on the fourth — is either this or the one on the fourth where the chair has just summed — fourth where the chair has just summed up saying it is business as usuat _ summed up saying it is business as usuat i_ summed up saying it is business as usual. i think i want to make that point _ usual. i think i want to make that point that— usual. i think i want to make that point that the prime minister's view and he _ point that the prime minister's view and he expresses it routinely in march, — and he expresses it routinely in march, is — and he expresses it routinely in march, is that we must carry on, we must _ march, is that we must carry on, we must tell— march, is that we must carry on, we must tell people this is a mild illness— must tell people this is a mild illness and they are not to get anxious— illness and they are not to get anxious about it. that does create a certain— anxious about it. that does create a certain inhibition on some of the advice _ certain inhibition on some of the advice being taken seriously as it was being — advice being taken seriously as it was being proposed to us. first ministerfor— was being proposed to us. first minister for wales _ was being proposed to us. first minister for wales and scotland being _ minister for wales and scotland being inhibited _ minister for wales and scotland

being inhibited by— minister for wales and scotland being inhibited by the _ minister for wales and scotland being inhibited by the prime i being inhibited by the prime minister's _ being inhibited by the prime minister's view? _ being inhibited by the prime minister's view? mr- being inhibited by the prime minister's view? mr drake . being inhibited by the prime i minister's view? mr drake fed? being inhibited by the prime - minister's view? mr drake fed? iiiilihen minister's view? mr drake fed? when the prime minister _ minister's view? mr drake fed? the prime minister expresses the view it— the prime minister expresses the view it will be taken seriously. i wouldn't — view it will be taken seriously. i wouldn't have agreed with him at that point — wouldn't have agreed with him at that point. but he repeatedly, every time we _ that point. but he repeatedly, every time we discussed it? said things that were — time we discussed it? said things that were designed to minimise the seriousness of the position we were facing _ seriousness of the position we were facing andm — seriousness of the position we were facing and... he might say he was responding — facing and... he might say he was responding to the advice about not going _ responding to the advice about not going too— responding to the advice about not going too early, not doing things in advance _ going too early, not doing things in advance that were where public opinion— advance that were where public opinion lay. but he set himself on some _ opinion lay. but he set himself on some of— opinion lay. but he set himself on some of his — opinion lay. but he set himself on some of his evidence, that looking back, _ some of his evidence, that looking back, he _ some of his evidence, that looking back, he wasn't taking it as seriously— back, he wasn't taking it as seriously as he needed to. accepting the oint seriously as he needed to. accepting the point about— seriously as he needed to. accepting the point about not _ seriously as he needed to. accepting the point about not going _ seriously as he needed to. accepting the point about not going too i seriously as he needed to. accepting the point about not going too early, | the point about not going too early, you are _ the point about not going too early, you are waiting _ the point about not going too early, you are waiting on— the point about not going too early, you are waiting on sage _ the point about not going too early, you are waiting on sage to- the point about not going too early, you are waiting on sage to come i the point about not going too early, you are waiting on sage to come up| you are waiting on sage to come up with the _ you are waiting on sage to come up with the modelling _ you are waiting on sage to come up with the modelling for— you are waiting on sage to come up with the modelling for the - you are waiting on sage to come up with the modelling for the various i with the modelling for the various interventions, _ with the modelling for the various interventions, shielding, - with the modelling for the various i interventions, shielding, facemasks, all the _

interventions, shielding, facemasks, all the different, _ interventions, shielding, facemasks, all the different, closing _ interventions, shielding, facemasks, all the different, closing of— all the different, closing of schools _ all the different, closing of schools. etc. _ all the different, closing of schools. etc. were - all the different, closing of schools. etc. were you i all the different, closing of. schools. etc. were you aware all the different, closing of- schools. etc. were you aware of the work _ schools. etc. were you aware of the work going — schools. etc. were you aware of the work going on— schools. etc. were you aware of the work going on so— schools. etc. were you aware of the work going on so that _ schools. etc. were you aware of the work going on so that if _ schools. etc. were you aware of the work going on so that if the - work going on so that if the modeller— work going on so that if the modeller said _ work going on so that if the modeller said you - work going on so that if the modeller said you need i work going on so that if the . modeller said you need these work going on so that if the - modeller said you need these what work was _ modeller said you need these what work was going _ modeller said you need these what work was going on _ modeller said you need these what work was going on so _ modeller said you need these what work was going on so that - modeller said you need these what work was going on so that once i modeller said you need these what| work was going on so that once you had the _ work was going on so that once you had the recommended _ work was going on so that once you had the recommended combinationj work was going on so that once you i had the recommended combination of mpi from _ had the recommended combination of mpi from sage. — had the recommended combination of mpi from sage. you _ had the recommended combination of mpi from sage, you were _ had the recommended combination of mpi from sage, you were ready- had the recommended combination of mpi from sage, you were ready so. mpi from sage, you were ready so that the _ mpi from sage, you were ready so that the welsh — mpi from sage, you were ready so that the welsh people _ mpi from sage, you were ready so that the welsh people could i mpi from sage, you were ready so that the welsh people could be i mpi from sage, you were ready so that the welsh people could be as| that the welsh people could be as best protected _ that the welsh people could be as best protected as _ that the welsh people could be as best protected as possible? i- that the welsh people could be as| best protected as possible? i have heard _ best protected as possible? i have heard a _ best protected as possible? i have heard a lot — best protected as possible? i have heard a lot throughout _ best protected as possible? i have heard a lot throughout the - best protected as possible? i have heard a lot throughout the inquiryl heard a lot throughout the inquiry about— heard a lot throughout the inquiry about plans — heard a lot throughout the inquiry about plans and _ heard a lot throughout the inquiry about plans and discussions i heard a lot throughout the inquiry about plans and discussions and i| about plans and discussions and i want _ about plans and discussions and i want to— about plans and discussions and i want to know— about plans and discussions and i want to know what _ about plans and discussions and i want to know what was _ about plans and discussions and il want to know what was happening about plans and discussions and i. want to know what was happening to make _ want to know what was happening to make things — want to know what was happening to make things ready. _ want to know what was happening to make things ready. where _ want to know what was happening to make things ready. where you i want to know what was happening to make things ready. where you are l make things ready. where you are aware _ make things ready. where you are aware at _ make things ready. where you are aware at that _ make things ready. where you are aware at that stage _ make things ready. where you are aware at that stage or— make things ready. where you are aware at that stage or had - make things ready. where you are aware at that stage or had you i make things ready. where you are j aware at that stage or had you left it to your— aware at that stage or had you left it to your health _ aware at that stage or had you left it to your health minister? - aware at that stage or had you left it to your health minister? me i it to your health minister? we had discussed it _ it to your health minister? we had discussed it in _ it to your health minister? we had discussed it in cabinet. _ it to your health minister? we had discussed it in cabinet. i _ it to your health minister? we had discussed it in cabinet. i think- it to your health minister? we had discussed it in cabinet. i think the| discussed it in cabinet. i think the point _ discussed it in cabinet. i think the point i _ discussed it in cabinet. i think the point i will— discussed it in cabinet. i think the point i will make is that it

wouldn't _ point i will make is that it wouldn't be a reflection of the realities— wouldn't be a reflection of the realities of the time to regard these — realities of the time to regard these things is happening in sequence. it was not orderly, we will think. — sequence. it was not orderly, we willthink, plan, prepare, do. we were_ willthink, plan, prepare, do. we were thinking, planning and doing at the same _ were thinking, planning and doing at the same time. by the time we get less than— the same time. by the time we get less than three weeks from this point _ less than three weeks from this point in — less than three weeks from this point in wales, all schools are closed, — point in wales, all schools are closed, ail— point in wales, all schools are closed, all further education colleges, most major events have been _ colleges, most major events have been cancelled, pubs, clubs and restaurants are closed. gyms, cinemas. _ restaurants are closed. gyms, cinemas, theatres and leisure centres. — cinemas, theatres and leisure centres, footpaths, beauty spots, caravan _ centres, footpaths, beauty spots, caravan parks. the reality of the time _ caravan parks. the reality of the time is — caravan parks. the reality of the time is not. _ caravan parks. the reality of the time is not, you planning, where you preparing? _ time is not, you planning, where you preparing? you are to do everything in one _ preparing? you are to do everything in one very— preparing? you are to do everything in one very compressed sequence of events _ in one very compressed sequence of events in_ in one very compressed sequence of events in a — in one very compressed sequence of events. in a very short period of time, _ events. in a very short period of time many— events. in a very short period of time, many of the things that we

were _ time, many of the things that we were thinking about on the 2nd of march _ were thinking about on the 2nd of march have actually happened. that is only— march have actually happened. that is only possible because people are thinking _ is only possible because people are thinking and preparing and planning and talking, while at the same time getting _ and talking, while at the same time getting on— and talking, while at the same time getting on and doing things as well. your regular press briefing on the second march, that's the first of covid—19. second march, that's the first of covid-19. :, :, second march, that's the first of covid-19. :, ., ., . : : second march, that's the first of covid-19. :, :, :, . : : , covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going — covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going to _ covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going to step _ covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going to step away _ covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going to step away from i covid-19. you are watching bbc news. we are going to step away from the i we are going to step away from the uk covid—19 inquiry in cardiff where the welsh first minister mark drakeford has been giving evidence so far this morning. i want to point you to the bbc website where we have a special live page and you can continue to watch the stream as well as follow updates from the inquiry. in the meantime we are going to take you to westminster where we are waiting for this week's prime

minister's questions to start. we arejoined by our minister's questions to start. we are joined by our correspondent robert watson. i suspect this is going to be a very bruising session of prime minister's questions because you don't have to be the sharpest political analyst in the world to suspect that the labour of the labour party is going to be asking rishi sunak, this man gave the conservative party £10 million last year. the prime minister has described this man's remarks as racist, the remark that he made about another british politician, diane abbott, shouldn't the conservatives be giving back this money? the question that keir

starmer will also pose is one about rishi sunak�*sjudgment, why did it take downing street almost 24—hour is to conclude that these comments were racist? the scene is set for a pretty bruising encounter. tats were racist? the scene is set for a pretty bruising encounter.- pretty bruising encounter. as you mentioned _ pretty bruising encounter. as you mentioned they _ pretty bruising encounter. as you mentioned they are, _ pretty bruising encounter. as you mentioned they are, the - pretty bruising encounter. as you mentioned they are, the prime i mentioned they are, the prime minister has said that the alleged comments were racist and wrong. why do you think opposition parties want more from him? the do you think opposition parties want more from him?— more from him? the opposition arties more from him? the opposition parties are _ more from him? the opposition parties are going _ more from him? the opposition parties are going to _ more from him? the opposition parties are going to do - more from him? the opposition parties are going to do two i more from him? the opposition i parties are going to do two things. one is to highlight what they will say and what others will see as an error ofjudgment from the prime error of judgment from the prime minister. error ofjudgment from the prime minister. if these alleged comments have not been denied, why would it take you 2a hours to see that this was racist? what was holding the prime minister about? what does it say about his leadership, his judgment? i suspect the second thing that opposition mps will do if they get the chance to ask the question

is, why would you take more money, should you be giving the money back? these alleged comments have touched on a sore point for mps around their own personal safety. fine on a sore point for mps around their own personal safety.— own personal safety. one thing that ou would own personal safety. one thing that you would think _ own personal safety. one thing that you would think would _ own personal safety. one thing that you would think would unite i own personal safety. one thing that you would think would unite mps i own personal safety. one thing that you would think would unite mps is| you would think would unite mps is that it you would think would unite mps is thatitis you would think would unite mps is that it is one thing to talk in racist or misogynistic terms but because this conservative donor was also allegedly have said that someone should shoot diane abbott, thatis someone should shoot diane abbott, that is something given that two mps have been murdered in the last few years. surely that is something that every politician could agree is the kind of language that needs to be avoided. to set the sink in some context, if you think about it, for the last few weeks, there has been a

rancorous atmosphere at westminster about issues of race, identity, what counts as extremism, what counts as acceptable protest. so far, farfrom bringing their political parties together as something they could unite around, it has proved immensely decisive —— divisive. the uk has a partisan system, with parties scoring points off each other. where the reasons, there is rancour out there, political point scoring and there is not much sign of abating. scoring and there is not much sign of abatint. , :, ~' ,, scoring and there is not much sign of abatint. , ., ~ i. . ., of abating. rub thank you. we are 'ust atoin of abating. rub thank you. we are just going to _ of abating. rub thank you. we are just going to go — of abating. rub thank you. we are just going to go over _ of abating. rub thank you. we are just going to go over to _ of abating. rub thank you. we are just going to go over to the i of abating. rub thank you. we are | just going to go over to the house. we are introducing legislation to quash convictions resulting from the scandal. the department for business

and trade will be responsible for the new redress scheme and we are widening access to the optional £75,000 payment. hundreds of innocents and postmasters have thought long and hard forjustice. with this bill, we will deliver it. i have had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and i will have further such meetings today. mr have further such meetings today. iii speaker, despite serious opposition from the archbishop of canterbury, three former home secretaries and three former home secretaries and three former home secretaries and three former government advisers on anti—semitism, social cohesion and political violence, the levelling up secretary is due to widen the definition of extremism tomorrow. whilst on the benches opposite, members pedalfar right whilst on the benches opposite, members pedal far right conspiracy theories about islamists and muslims taking over britain. shouldn't the prime minister's party be getting his own house in order and stamping out extremism, racism and islamophobia from the conservative

party? and will be primary to finally take islamophobia seriously and agree to the definition? discrimination has no place in our society. it is important to distinguish between strongly felt political debate on one hand and unacceptable acts of abuse, intimidation and violence on the other. i would urge him to wait for the details. it is a sensitive matter, but it is one we must tackle because there has been a rise in extremists who are trying to hijack our democracy. that must be confronted. he talks about peddling conspiracy theories, i would point him in the direction of his previous labour candidate in rochdale. armed forces personnel _ labour candidate in rochdale. armed forces personnel who _ labour candidate in rochdale. armed forces personnel who served - labour candidate in rochdale. armed forces personnel who served their. forces personnel who served their country for 15 years are eligible

for the long service and good conduct medal. similar medals are in place for those who make a career of serving in the police, the fire, ambulance service, and the coastguard. as i learnt in a recent visit to bournemouth hospital where i met the dedicated staff there, no such accolade is in place for the nhs. with the prime minister please support my campaign to see this anomaly corrected so the nation can formally recognise those who devote much of their working lives in the nhs to helping others? mr; much of their working lives in the nhs to helping others?— nhs to helping others? my right honourable _ nhs to helping others? my right honourable friend _ nhs to helping others? my right honourable friend is _ nhs to helping others? my right honourable friend is right i nhs to helping others? my right honourable friend is right that i nhs to helping others? my rightl honourable friend is right that our incredible nhs staff deserve our utmost thanks for their service. i am pleased that many nhs organisations, as he knows, have their own schemes in place to do that. we also recognise nhs staff through our honour system, and mps are able to acknowledge their work through the nhs parliamentary awards, nominations remain open for that. i would encourage colleagues

to avail themselves of it. i will ensure he gets to meet the secretary of state to discuss his proposals further. we of state to discuss his proposals further. ~ :, ::, of state to discuss his proposals further. ~ :, _, :, ., further. we now come to the leader ofthe further. we now come to the leader of the opposition, _ further. we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir _ further. we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. i i of the opposition, keir starmer. welcome of the opposition, keir starmer. i welcome the legislation on the post office candle. this week, we lost the formidable tony mcavoy. he served his hometown and the labour government with loyalty and good humour. we send our deepest sympathies to his wife and family. we also learned that the right honourable memberfor we also learned that the right honourable member for maidenhead will be taking her well—deserved retirement. she has served at this house and her constituents with a real sense of duty, and her unwavering commitment to ending modern slavery is commended by all of us. we thank her for her service. as the prime minister proud to be bankrolled by someone using racist and misogynistic language when he says the member for hackney north

and stoke newington makes you want to heat all black women? —— hate. the comments were wrong, racist, and he has now rightly apologised for them. that remorse should be accepted, mr speaker. there is no place for racism in britain, and the government that i lead is living proof of that. mr government that i lead is living proof of that.— government that i lead is living roof of that. ~ .,~ ., proof of that. mr speaker, the man bankrolling — proof of that. mr speaker, the man bankrolling the _ proof of that. mr speaker, the man bankrolling the prime _ proof of that. mr speaker, the man bankrolling the prime minister i proof of that. mr speaker, the man bankrolling the prime minister also i bankrolling the prime minister also said that the member for hackney north should be shot. how low would he have to sink, what racist, women hating the threat of violence would he have to make before the prime minister plucked up the courage to hand back the £10 million that he has taken from him? tats i hand back the £10 million that he has taken from him?— hand back the £10 million that he has taken from him? as i said, the gentleman — has taken from him? as i said, the

gentleman apologised, _ has taken from him? as i said, the gentleman apologised, genuinely, | has taken from him? as i said, the i gentleman apologised, genuinely, for his comments, and that remorse should be accepted. he talks about language, you might want to reflect on the double standards of his deputy leader calling her opponent some, mr speaker. his shadow foreign secretary comparing conservatives to nazis, mr speaker. and the man that he wanted to make chancellor, the man that he wanted to make chancellor talking about lynching a female minister. his silence on that speaks volumes. the female minister. his silence on that speaks volumes-— female minister. his silence on that speaks volumes. the difference is he is scared of— speaks volumes. the difference is he is scared of his _ speaks volumes. the difference is he is scared of his party, _ speaks volumes. the difference is he is scared of his party, i _ speaks volumes. the difference is he is scared of his party, i have - is scared of his party, i have changed my party. i want to hear the prime ester and the leader— i want to hear the prime ester and the leader of the opposition. he invited the leader of the opposition. he: invited himself into everyone's living room at six o'clock on a

friday evening, no one asked him to give that speech, he chose to do it, chose to an out himself as the great healer —— anoint himself and pose are some great unifier. when the man bankrolling his election says the member for hackney north should be shot, he suddenly finds himself tongue—tied, shrinking, hoping he can deflect for long enough that we will all go away. what does the prime minister think it was about the hundreds of millions of pounds of nhs contracts given to frank hester by his government that first attracted him to giving £10 million to the tory party in the first place? i to the tory party in the first lace? :, to the tory party in the first tlace? ., ., , :, to the tory party in the first .lace? ., ., , :, :, to the tory party in the first lace? ., ., , , :, :, :, place? i am absolutely not going to take any lectures _ place? i am absolutely not going to take any lectures from _ place? i am absolutely not going to take any lectures from somebody i place? i am absolutely not going to i take any lectures from somebody who chose to represent an anti—semitic terrorist group, who chose to serve a leader who let anti—semitism run

rife in this labour party. those are his actions, his values, and that is how he should be judged. his actions, his values, and that is how he should bejudged. the his actions, his values, and that is how he should be judged. how he should be “udged. the problem is he is how he should be judged. the problem is he is describing _ how he should be judged. the problem is he is describing a _ how he should be judged. the problem is he is describing a labour _ how he should be judged. the problem is he is describing a labour party i is he is describing a labour party that no longer exists. i am describing the man who is bankrolling their upcoming general election. they can shout all they like. two weeks ago, he marched them out like foals to defend islamophobia. now the memberfor ashfield is warming up the memberfor ashfield is warming up the opposition benches for them. yesterday he sent them out to play down racism and misogyny until he was forced to change course. he will not hand the money back, he will not comment on how convenient it is that a man and a huge nhs contracts by his government is now his party's biggest donor. you have to wonder

what the point is of a prime minister who cannot lead and a party that can't govern. mr speaker, national insurance contributions fund state pensions and the nhs, so is the prime minister's latest unfunded £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance going to be paid for by cuts to state pensions or cuts to the nhs?” paid for by cuts to state pensions or cuts to the nhs?— paid for by cuts to state pensions or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brouaht u- or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brought up the _ or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brought up the budget. _ or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brought up the budget. it _ or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brought up the budget. it is - or cuts to the nhs? i am glad he has brought up the budget. it is about i brought up the budget. it is about time that he spoke about his plans. what have we heard, mr speaker, from the shadow chief secretary of the treasury... de shadow chief secretary of the treasury has confirmed that the labour party will not be sticking to the conservative government's spending plans, so we now have a litany of unfunded

promises on the nhs, on mental health, and dentistry, and that does not even include the £28 billion 2030 pledge that he is committed to. but what we all know is that while we are cutting taxes, labour�*s unfunded promises mean higher taxes for working britain. h0. unfunded promises mean higher taxes for working britain.— for working britain. no, the labour pa will for working britain. no, the labour party will not _ for working britain. no, the labour party will not be — for working britain. no, the labour party will not be sticking _ for working britain. no, the labour party will not be sticking to - for working britain. no, the labour party will not be sticking to his - party will not be sticking to his completely unfunded £46 billion promise. he thinks he can trick people into believing that by simply shaking the magic money tree. let's be clear, 80% of national insurance is spent on social security and pensions, 20% is spent on the nhs. so he is either cutting pensions or the nhs, or he will have to raise other taxes or borrowing. which is it, prime minister? i other taxes or borrowing. which is it, prime minister?—

other taxes or borrowing. which is it, prime minister? i know it is not his stron: it, prime minister? i know it is not his strong point. — it, prime minister? i know it is not his strong point, but _ it, prime minister? i know it is not his strong point, but if— it, prime minister? i know it is not his strong point, but if you - his strong point, but if you listened to the chancellor last week, what he would have seen is nhs spending is going up, mr speaker. it is going up. it is a plan that is backed by the nhs ceo who says we are giving her what she needs. at the same time, we are responsibly cutting taxes for millions of people in work. an average worker benefiting from a £900 tax cut. what i am hearing from him as he is against our plans to cut national insurance. against our plans to cut national insurance-— against our plans to cut national insurance. , ., , insurance. the highest tax burden since the second _ insurance. the highest tax burden since the second world _ insurance. the highest tax burden since the second world war. - insurance. the highest tax burden since the second world war. i - insurance. the highest tax burden since the second world war. i did| since the second world war. i did listen to the chancellor, £46 billion of unfunded commitments. they tried that under the last administration and everybody else is paying the price. two weeks ago, the prime minister promised to crack down on those spreading hate. today he shrunk at the first challenge. last week he promised fantasy tax cuts, now he is pretending it can all be paid for with no impact on pensions or the nhs. all we need now is an especially hardy lettuce and

it could be 2022 all over again. is it could be 2022 all over again. is it any wonder that he is too scared to call an election when the public can see that the only way to protect their country, their pension, and there nhs from the madness of this tory party is by voting labour? mr speaker, again... prime _ tory party is by voting labour? mr speaker, again... prime minister. | tory party is by voting labour? mr i speaker, again... prime minister. mr seaker, speaker, again... prime minister. mr speaker. he — speaker, again... prime minister. mr speaker, he talks _ speaker, again... prime minister. mr speaker, he talks about _ speaker, again... prime minister. mr speaker, he talks about pensions, i speaker, he talks about pensions, pensions are going up by £900 in this year. it is this government that has protected the triple lock for the last ten years. he talks about supporting working people. it is this government that is cutting taxes for every single person in work. it is this government that is investing in the nhs. all we have from him as a £28 billion unfunded promise. i had a look at it, it is here, it is all here. make britain a

clean energy superpower, he is still stuck to it. if you look through carefully, there is billions in spending to scotland, for wales, for north london, but the problem is none of it is funded. why doesn't he come clean and tell that under his plans taxes will go up? mr speaker, millions of people _ plans taxes will go up? mr speaker, millions of people around _ plans taxes will go up? mr speaker, millions of people around the i plans taxes will go up? mr speaker, millions of people around the uk i plans taxes will go up? mr speaker, | millions of people around the uk and europe have been inspired by the brilliance of six nations rugby. premier league clubs like gloucester rugby, which were funded during the pandemic through loans authorised by the prime minister as then chancellor have always been grateful for being kept a solvent, but the prime minister will also know that the finances of some of these clubs are fragile and the current loan repayment schemes could be crippling. will my right honourable friend ask the sports minister and the treasury to try to find a

solution through this so that taxpayer interests are protected and of all of us and want to be inspired by top—class rugby for years to come? he by top-class rugby for years to come? , ., by top-class rugby for years to come? , . , , , come? he is right that we stepped in with £150 million — come? he is right that we stepped in with £150 million financial _ come? he is right that we stepped in with £150 million financial lifeline i with £150 million financial lifeline to ensure the survival of premiership rugby league clubs during the pandemic. i am told that dcms is working with sport england to talk to borrowers with concerns about their loan agreements, and any that do have concerns should contact sport england any normal way. i can also tell him that we are talking to the rugby football union and the premiership league to secure the future of rugby union and his local gloucester rugby.— future of rugby union and his local gloucester rugby. leader of the snp. i wish to begin _ gloucester rugby. leader of the snp. i wish to begin by _ gloucester rugby. leader of the snp. i wish to begin by washing _ gloucester rugby. leader of the snp. i wish to begin by washing ramadan. i wish to begin by washing ramadan mubarak to muslims across these aisles. the conservative party have accepted a £10 million donation from an individual who has said that one

of our parliamentary colleagues in this chamber should be shot. why is the prime minister of the united kingdom putting money before morals? as i said, the comments were wrong, the gentleman in question has apologised, and that remorse should be accepted. this apologised, and that remorse should be accepted-— be accepted. this is complete rubbish. the _ be accepted. this is complete rubbish. the gentleman i be accepted. this is complete rubbish. the gentleman in i be accepted. this is complete i rubbish. the gentleman in question apologised for being rude. he wasn't rude, he was racist, he was odious, and he was downright bloody dangerous. 0n and he was downright bloody dangerous. on monday, the number ten said we have seen an unacceptable rise in extremist activity, which is seeking to divide our society and huack seeking to divide our society and hijack our democratic institutions. isn't the extremism that we should all be worried about, the views of those tory donors that we have read

about this week? h0. those tory donors that we have read about this week?— about this week? no, mr speaker, there has actually _ about this week? no, mr speaker, there has actually been _ about this week? no, mr speaker, there has actually been a - about this week? no, mr speaker, there has actually been a rise i about this week? no, mr speaker, there has actually been a rise in i there has actually been a rise in extremist activity that is seeking to hijack our democratic institutions. it is important... it is important that we have the tools to tackle this threat. that is what the extremism strategy will do. i would attempt to wait for the communities secretary to release the detail. ,, , , communities secretary to release the detail. ,, , detail. sub-postmaster is across the country will — detail. sub-postmaster is across the country will welcome _ detail. sub-postmaster is across the country will welcome the _ country will welcome the government's announcement today on the introduction of legislation to overturn the convictions of those who were wrongly convicted. and my right honourable friend reassure this house that that legislation will be passed as quickly as possible, and we will support all sub—postmaster right across our united kingdom? i sub-postmaster right across our united kingdom?— united kingdom? i want to pay tribute to all— united kingdom? i want to pay tribute to all postmasters i united kingdom? i want to pay tribute to all postmasters who | united kingdom? i want to pay i tribute to all postmasters who have campaigned tirelessly forjustice, campaigned tirelessly for justice, including campaigned tirelessly forjustice, including those who tragically will not see the justice that they

deserve. today's legislation marks an important step in finally clearing their names. across this house, we owe it to them to progress this legislation as soon as possible before summer recess so that we can deliver the justice they have fought for. we are continuing to work with our counterparts in scotland and northern ireland as they develop their plans. regardless of where and how convictions are washed, redress will be paid to victims across the whole united kingdom on exactly the same basis. the whole united kingdom on exactly the same basis. ., . �* , same basis. the future of children's cancer services... _ same basis. the future of children's cancer services... ed _ same basis. the future of children's cancer services... ed davey. - same basis. the future of children's cancer services... ed davey. thank| cancer services... ed davey. thank ou, mr cancer services... ed davey. thank you. mr speaker- _ cancer services... ed davey. thank you, mr speaker. the _ cancer services... ed davey. thank you, mr speaker. the future i cancer services... ed davey. thank you, mr speaker. the future of- you, mr speaker. the future of children's cancer services in my constituency, across south—west london, across surrey, sussex, and beyond, will be decided by nhs england tomorrow. the existing service is world leading and has

saved the lives of countless children. many of us who engage with the consultation process feel the wrong decision is about to be made, ignoring risks to children's cancer care by moving them. if it is chosen tomorrow, will be payments to personally intervene and delay any final decision until he has met with myself and concerned mps across the house so he can prevent these risks to our children's cancer services? mr speaker, is the honourable gentleman knows, decisions about clinical provision are rightly made by clinicians in local areas across the country. more generally, we are investing in more oncologists, radiologists and community diagnostic centres which are contributing to cancer treatment being at record levels, but i will ensure that he and colleagues get a meeting with the secretary of state. radical islamist suppose a serious threat to the nation's security. i

agree with my right honourable friend that we must urgently address this. reports that the government wishes to broaden the definition of extremism are concerning because in separating the definition of extremism from actual violence and harm, we may criminalise people with a wide range of legitimate views and have a chilling effect on free speech. can my right honourable friend reassure me that instead of trying to police people's thought and speech, as those opposite clearly wish to do, the government will instead target the specific groups of terrorism and those who fund them? mr; groups of terrorism and those who fund them?— fund them? my honourable friend makes a good _ fund them? my honourable friend makes a good point. _ fund them? my honourable friend makes a good point. that - fund them? my honourable friend makes a good point. that is i fund them? my honourable friend makes a good point. that is why i fund them? my honourable friend i makes a good point. that is why the strategy that i would urge her to wait for well, i think, he strategy that i would urge her to wait for well, i think, be one that she can support because it is our duty to make sure the government has the tools to tackle the threat that she rightly identifies and highlights. this is absolutely not about silencing those with private and peaceful beliefs, nor will it impact free speech, which we on the side of the house will always strive to protect.

side of the house will always strive to rotect. , to protect. children deserve the riaht to protect. children deserve the ri . ht to to protect. children deserve the right to breathe _ to protect. children deserve the right to breathe clean _ to protect. children deserve the right to breathe clean air. i to protect. children deserve the i right to breathe clean air. however, many schools are in areas with high levels of air pollution. sadiq khan, the mayor of london, has announced... he has announced a pilot for 200 of london's most impacted schools to access filters so children can breathe air in their classrooms. does the prime ministers support this pilot, and will he implement similar measures across our country? i implement similar measures across our country?— our country? i am pleased that latest published _ our country? i am pleased that latest published figures - our country? i am pleased that latest published figures show | our country? i am pleased that i latest published figures show that air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. partly due to our targets, partly due to a legally binding targets to reduce concentrations that will continue to reduce over the following years. we have also provided or almost £1

billion to help local authorities across the country implement local plans to reduce emissions and support those impacted by those plans. i support those impacted by those lans. , ., support those impacted by those lans. , . ., , ., plans. i understand the latest game that is being — plans. i understand the latest game that is being considered _ plans. i understand the latest game that is being considered is - plans. i understand the latest game that is being considered is to - plans. i understand the latest game that is being considered is to pay i that is being considered is to pay migrants thousands of pounds to leave britain. prime minister, let's just leave the echr for free. so far over 30,000 brits have signed my petition calling for us to leave the european convention on human rights. we'll be payments to commit to leaving the echr or at the very least have it in our manifesto to have a referendum and let britain decide? mr have a referendum and let britain decide? ~ ,,, ., ~ , have a referendum and let britain decide? ~ , ., ., decide? mr speaker, my honourable friend is absolutely _ decide? mr speaker, my honourable friend is absolutely right _ decide? mr speaker, my honourable friend is absolutely right that - decide? mr speaker, my honourable friend is absolutely right that we i friend is absolutely right that we must do everything we can to secure our borders and ensure that those who come here illegally do not have the ability to stay. that is why our riband scheme and legislation is so important. what i have said repeatedly and will say again is that i will not let a foreign court

blocked our ability to send people to rwanda when the time comes. the national to rwanda when the time comes. iue: national theatre to rwanda when the time comes. ire: national theatre production to rwanda when the time comes. iu2 national theatre production which stars michael sheen celebrates a transformational increase in life expectancy since the founding of the nhs. but ucl findings indicate that austerity policies between 2010 and 2019 are responsible for a three—year setback in life expectancy progress. does he or the leader of the opposition think public services can withstand an extra £20 billion of cuts? first of all, i am pleased _ extra £20 billion of cuts? first of all, i am pleased that _ extra £20 billion of cuts? first of all, i am pleased that the - extra £20 billion of cuts? first of. all, i am pleased that the national theatre have received significant funding from the chancellor in the recent budget to support their fantastic work across the uk. but i am surprised to hear her raising the nhs when it is her party that is

propping up the welsh labour government in wales which has the worst nhs performance of any part of the united kingdom. mai; worst nhs performance of any part of the united kingdom. magi worst nhs performance of any part of the united kingdom.— the united kingdom. may i thank my rirht the united kingdom. may i thank my right honourable _ the united kingdom. may i thank my right honourable friend _ the united kingdom. may i thank my right honourable friend for- the united kingdom. may i thank my right honourable friend for greeting | right honourable friend for greeting me six weeks ago to discuss the plight of victims of covid vaccine damage? and mayi plight of victims of covid vaccine damage? and may i ask him, following that discussion and his very sympathetic response during the people's forum to mrjohn watt, himself a victim, whether the government will be supporting my covid vaccine payments bill this friday? covid vaccine payments bill this frida ? . . ~ , covid vaccine payments bill this frida ? . ., ~ , ., ., friday? can i thank my honourable friend for raising _ friday? can i thank my honourable friend for raising the _ friday? can i thank my honourable friend for raising the issue - friday? can i thank my honourable friend for raising the issue and i friday? can i thank my honourable friend for raising the issue and the | friend for raising the issue and the conversation that i had with him previously, and extend my sympathies to all of those affected by this. i will make sure that you can meet with the secretary of state to discuss his bill. as i committed to

him, we are looking at the issue in some detail to make sure the policies we have got are providing the support they need. the policies we have got are providing the support they need.— the support they need. the prime minister stood _ the support they need. the prime minister stood outside _ the support they need. the prime minister stood outside downing . minister stood outside downing street saying that he wanted to root out hate and extremism, yet it shamefully took him more than 24 hours to finally see the remarks by the tory�*s biggest donor that looking at the member first acne north makes you want to heat all black women were indeed racist. in november, the prime minister accepted a non—cash donation to the tune of £15,000 from frank hester for the use of his helicopter. will he reimburse him, yes or no? no, mr speaker. and i am pleased that the gentleman is supporting a party that represents one of the most diverse governments in this country's yesterday, led by this country's

first british asian prime minister. later today, first british asian prime minister. latertoday, i first british asian prime minister. later today, i look forward to voting for a tax cut for thousands of my constituents. a national insurance tax cut that will mean £900 of the tax bill for thousands of my constituents. after listening to the rhetoric from the leader of the opposition today, does the prime minister expect that the main opposition party will vote against him in this afternoon's tax cuts? mr; him in this afternoon's tax cuts? my rirht him in this afternoon's tax cuts? my right honourable friend raises an excellent question. whilst on the side of the house we believe any country work out work is rewarded and people can keep more of their hard earned money, which is why we are cutting their taxes, we are consistently from the party opposite not only do they disagree with that approach, they continue to cling to unfunded spending promises that

would put tax —— taxes up. also be learntjust would put tax —— taxes up. also be learnt just yesterday, would put tax —— taxes up. also be learntjust yesterday, they described our plan to end the double taxation on work as morally abhorrent. that is the contrast train as a dime. labour will put your taxes up and the conservatives will keep cutting them. new; will keep cutting them. many backbenchers, _ will keep cutting them. many backbenchers, now _ will keep cutting them. many backbenchers, now seems i will keep cutting them. manyl backbenchers, now seems the will keep cutting them. i�*s'ié�*fly backbenchers, now seems the prime and it has taken to itself as referring to the echr is a foreign court, as if there's something inherently wrong with things being foreign or people being foreign. in what way can a court that the uk has belonged to since 1953, which has an irish president and the ukjustice, with an llb from dundee, be considered foreign? i think the house needs to hear the prime minister commit to the uk's continued membership of a court and convention which is protected our rights and freedoms for over 70 years. rights and freedoms for over 70 ears. ~ . ., , ., , , rights and freedoms for over 70 ears. ~ , ., ,, .,

years. when it comes to the issue of tacklin: years. when it comes to the issue of tackling illegal _ years. when it comes to the issue of tackling illegal migration, _ years. when it comes to the issue of tackling illegal migration, when i tackling illegal migration, when parliament expresses a clear view on what it believes it should happen, supports that with legislation and we believe we are acting in accordance with all our international obligation, i have been very clear that i will not let a foreign court stop us from sending illegal migrants to rwanda. that is the right policy and the only way to ensure security of our borders and end the unfairness of illegal migration. this end the unfairness of illegal migration-— end the unfairness of illegal miaration. �* , . ., . ., end the unfairness of illegal miaration. ., . ., , migration. as a general election is not 'ust a migration. as a general election is notiust a mere — migration. as a general election is notjust a mere expression - migration. as a general election is notjust a mere expression of- notjust a mere expression of opinion, but a serious choice, will my right honourable friend agree that there is only one potential party of government that has the will, the inclination, and the determination to stop mass illegal migration, and that is the conservative party? i migration, and that is the conservative party? migration, and that is the conservative pa ? ., , conservative party? i agree with my honourable friend _ conservative party? i agree with my honourable friend entirely. -

conservative party? i agree with my honourable friend entirely. we i conservative party? i agree with my| honourable friend entirely. we know this because not only is the honourable gentleman opposite opposed the scheme, he has been clear that even when the scheme is implemented and working, he would still scrap it, which tells you everything you need to know. on this issue, their values are simply not those of the british people. it is only one party that will stop the boats, it is the conservative party. under this conservative government's watch, thames water have dumped over 72 billion litres of sewage into london's rivers. all while racking up london's rivers. all while racking up multi billion pound debts. reports are now that they could go bust any day. despite this, the government is still refusing to publish their contingency plans for the collapse of our country's biggest water firm. so, the collapse of our country's biggest waterfirm. so, yes or no, it is the prime minister believe that a thames water will still exist by the year? quite it would not be right for me to comment on individual companies. we are

ambitious — individual companies. we are ambitious and _ individual companies. we are ambitious and backing i individual companies. we are ambitious and backing over. individual companies. we are i ambitious and backing over £60 billion of capital investment. we monitor every single storm overflow across england and we have legislated to introduce unlimited penalties on water companies that breach their obligations. the independent regulator and environment agency have the powers they need to hold water companies, wherever they are, to account. later this ear, wherever they are, to account. later this year. a — wherever they are, to account. later this year. a new _ wherever they are, to account. later this year, a new digital _ wherever they are, to account. later this year, a new digital eu _ wherever they are, to account. ist2 this year, a new digital eu border system will come in, and yet key details have still not been decided by the eu. there are urgent decisions that are needed on additionalfunding in preparation to keep dover clear and count moving through with its traffic. can my right honourable friend the prime minister assured me that this issue is being taken seriously at the highest levels of government and that funding and support will be made available to keep dover clear, support the residents of dover and

kent, and secure our vital cross at channel trade and tourism? mr; channel trade and tourism? my honourable friend is right to raise this issue. i can assure that it is being discussed between uk ministers and eu and french counterparts to make sure that we have practical and constructive solutions that will ease the flow of traffic in the way that she describes and will benefit the local community. in the way she describes and benefit local communities.— local communities. 158 days and there is no _ local communities. 158 days and there is no peace _ local communities. 158 days and there is no peace and _ local communities. 158 days and there is no peace and no - local communities. 158 days and | there is no peace and no justice. there is no peace and nojustice. there is no food, no clean water, no sanitation and no medical aid. there arejust no words sanitation and no medical aid. there are just no words wept. as diseases spreading and the death toll is rising, notjust amongst children, of these atrocities. —— not least. it is evident in his plan is not working. so will he change track for the sake of these children and so many more and work to secure a

bilateral and immediate ceasefire between israel and hamas? i have said repeatedly — between israel and hamas? i have said repeatedly that _ between israel and hamas? i have said repeatedly that we _ between israel and hamas? i have said repeatedly that we are - said repeatedly that we are incredibly concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in gaza. too many civilians have lost their lives and nowhere near enough aid is getting through and in contrast to what the honourable lady said the uk is playing a leading role in alleviating the suffering. just recently increasing the amount of aid this year to £109, just today 150 tonnes of uk aid is due to arrive in gaza —— £109 million. a full field hospital loan from manchester to the middle east will arrive in gaza in the coming days stopped by uk and local medics to provide life—saving care. we are doing everything we can, working with allies to bring much—needed aid to the people of gaza. imilli with allies to bring much-needed aid to the people of gaza.— to the people of gaza. will my right honourable friend _ to the people of gaza. will my right honourable friend join _ to the people of gaza. will my right honourable friend join me _ to the people of gaza. will my right honourable friend join me in - honourable friend join me in thanking the maternity team at the

royal cornwall hospital at risk in my constituency for all their outstanding work they have done to improve maternity services over the last two years? there are sheer hard work along with the coming new women and children's hospital means are now no midwifery vacancies in which i think will agree it's a fantastic achievement.— i think will agree it's a fantastic achievement. can i thank her for highlighting _ achievement. can i thank her for highlighting the _ achievement. can i thank her for highlighting the improvement i achievement. can i thank her for highlighting the improvement in| highlighting the improvement in maternity services at the royal cornwall and three in particular is a tireless campaigner for reducing baby loss and i commend herfor her recent work in the introduction of certificates and we are committed to a new women and children's hospital for my honourable friend's local trust in 2030 as part of the new hospital programme. mr; trust in 2030 as part of the new hospital programme. my constituents in somerton and _ hospital programme. my constituents in somerton and frome _ hospital programme. my constituents in somerton and frome working i in somerton and frome working together with the langport transport group submitted a robust strategic business case to the government in july business case to the government in july 2022 for the reopening of a train station in the somerton and langport area. a train station that would connect over 50,000 people to

the rail network, local economy and supports local people to reduce the reliance on the cards. almost two years on they are still waiting for a response, or does the prime minister support this project and can he provide confidence to my constituents that their hard work to drive this vital project forward has not been futile? drive this vital pro'ect forward has not been futile?_ not been futile? conservatives in the south-west _ not been futile? conservatives in the south-west are _ not been futile? conservatives in the south-west are rightly i the south—west are rightly championing the reopening of local stations and recently compton and wellington will be one of the places that receives funding as a result of our decision on h st but it is because of that decision we have freed up billions of pounds of funding to invest in local transport across the country and it will be local leaders we put in charge of that money to prioritise their local needs. . , ., ~ needs. final question, mark francois- — needs. final question, mark francois. prime _ needs. final question, mark francois. prime minister, i needs. final question, mark francois. prime minister, in| needs. final question, mark- francois. prime minister, in the 19305, francois. prime minister, in the 1930s. one _ francois. prime minister, in the 1930s. one of— francois. prime minister, in the 1930s, one of your _ francois. prime minister, in the 1930s, one of your less - francois. prime minister, in the l 1930s, one of your less illustrious 19305, one of your less illustrious predecessors neville chamberlain so

denuded the british armed forces of funding until it was too late that we failed to deter adolf hitler and 50 million people tragically died in the second world war. russia has invaded ukraine. china is threatening taiwan. british shipping is being attacked by houthis on the red sea. a5 is being attacked by houthis on the red sea. as a son of a d—day veteran, could you please assure me and the house of commons we are not going to forget the lessons of history and to make the same mistake again? history and to make the same mistake auain? . . .. , again? can i thank my right honourable _ again? can i thank my right honourable friend - again? can i thank my right honourable friend for i again? can i thank my right honourable friend for his i again? can i thank my right i honourable friend for his tireless campaigning for our armed forces? honourable friend for his tireless campaigning for ourarmed forces? he is right to champion them and the role that they play and i agree with him wholeheartedly that sadly the world we're in is becoming both more charging strategically and more

dangerous and in response to those challenges we must invest more in our armed forces which is exactly what we are doing with the largest uplift since the cold war and recently topped up with billions of pounds to strengthen our nuclear enterprise and rebuild stockpiles. he rightly mentioned the threat posed by the houthis and russia and ukraine and i know he will be proud of the role the uk is playing in both of those situations, we are respected and valued by our allies but most importantly we on the side of the house will do whatever it takes to keep our country safe. ihdt takes to keep our country safe. that com - letes takes to keep our country safe. that completes prime _ takes to keep our country safe. that completes prime minister's questions.— completes prime minister's questions. . , , , ., questions. that brings us to the end of prime minister's _ we can go back live to westminster and our political correspondent rob watson. as expected. pm cues was dominated by how the prime minister

has responded to the questions about the tory donor and diane abbott. what did you make about the exchanges today?— what did you make about the exchanges today? what did you make about the exchanues toda ? ., , ., �* exchanges today? people don't need me to tell them _ exchanges today? people don't need me to tell them that _ exchanges today? people don't need me to tell them that it _ exchanges today? people don't need me to tell them that it was _ me to tell them that it was incredibly rancorous. it was incredibly rancorous. it was incredibly tense and incredibly partisan and incredibly bad—tempered. nobody needs me to tell them that, they could have watch it for themselves. it was a really nasty atmosphere in the house of commons. i guess that the news lines are that rishi sunak when askedif lines are that rishi sunak when asked if conservatives would give back the money said no. he seems to have drawn a red line there and really like to have made their point repeatedly that mr hester�*s apology should be accepted and the world move on. those are the news lines now. whether that will hold or

whether, like yesterday, when downing street described the comments as unacceptable but then move to racism, whether this red line will hold, in the inevitable words ofjournalism, we will wait and see. this words of 'ournalism, we will wait and see. �* , ., words of 'ournalism, we will wait and see. a ., ., words of 'ournalism, we will wait andsee. a ., ., and see. as our political editor has been reporting _ and see. as our political editor has been reporting on _ and see. as our political editor has been reporting on the _ and see. as our political editor has been reporting on the bbc - and see. as our political editor has been reporting on the bbc live i and see. as our political editor has l been reporting on the bbc live page, diane abbott in the house had been standing up to signal her intention to ask a question. she wasn't called by the speaker to answer a question. talk us through the protocol to answer questions. l talk us through the protocol to answer questions.— talk us through the protocol to answer questions. i defer to others on the precise _ answer questions. i defer to others on the precise protocol— answer questions. i defer to others on the precise protocol of- on the precise protocol of parliament, despite reporting on it for many years, essentially the way it tends to work is that you do get a list. you know in advance those mps who are going to be called.

normally the speaker will stick to that list. whether diane abbott had made a request to the speaker to ask a question to the prime minister, at this point, we don't know. or i should say, i don't know. the convention is that you have a list and we know who is going to be asking questions one or two days before prime minister's question time. ~ . ., , time. much of the discourse in parliament _ time. much of the discourse in parliament has _ time. much of the discourse in parliament has been _ time. much of the discourse in| parliament has been dominated time. much of the discourse in - parliament has been dominated by questions of extremism. there were some questions about the government's plan to set out a new official definition of extremism. talk to us about this and why some people are challenging those plans. we don't know what the government's plans are going to be, but we are going to get them tomorrow. essentially we are expecting mr sunak and the government to provide an official government definition of what counts as extremism and what they intend to do about it. we think

thatis they intend to do about it. we think that is going to include the government saying, there are certain groups that have conversations with the government and we are going to stop that because we consider them not to be fun when they're mentally in favour of the full, democratic disagreement. in the last few minutes in parliament, we have heard from a conservative mp and to various seniorfigures from a conservative mp and to various senior figures in the church of england that some concern that perhaps a definition of extremism might be drawn too widely. and might encompass people who have a profound disagreement with elements of british government policy in some areas but could not be described as extremist. what is really interesting is that this is going to be landing at a time where there is a fiba real atmosphere in british politics. —— fee bridal atmosphere.

bringing can't delete my parties together hasn't worked out. whatever this policy is it's going to be landing in a pretty heightened political atmosphere. and beyond westminster, it is something that is touching people's nerves in this country. touching people's nerves in this count . ., ~ touching people's nerves in this count . . ~' , touching people's nerves in this count . ., , . ., country. thank you very much for that analysis. _ country. thank you very much for that analysis. that _ country. thank you very much for that analysis. that was _ country. thank you very much for that analysis. that was the - country. thank you very much for that analysis. that was the bbc'si that analysis. that was the bbc�*s political correspondent. the other story that we have been following todayis story that we have been following today is the uk covid—i9 inquiry happening in cardiff today. the welsh first minister, mark drakeford has been giving his evidence. we are going to take you back to cardiff and that evidence being given by mark drakeford.— and that evidence being given by mark drakeford. ., ., ., mark drakeford. engagement at that level have been _ mark drakeford. engagement at that level have been put _ mark drakeford. engagement at that level have been put in _ mark drakeford. engagement at that

level have been put in place. - mark drakeford. engagement at that level have been put in place. a - mark drakeford. engagement at that level have been put in place. a few. level have been put in place. a few da s later level have been put in place. a few days later you _ level have been put in place. a few days later you describe _ level have been put in place. a few days later you describe a _ level have been put in place. a few days later you describe a call- level have been put in place. a few days later you describe a call with l days later you describe a call with mr gove on the 8th of april but you are saying there was go commitment from the uk government to hold a cobra meeting. you must have been surprised then to receive a call to attend a cobra the following day. that was chaired by dominic rab. of these minutes. you have said that they accord with your recollection that a, consistent message was required across the four nations to ensure it landed in the clearest way. we can see that on paragraph five, page three. in the welsh government, notes of this meeting, you are recorded as saying, our clear messages that people stay home and restrictions remain in place. we

are not throwing away everything we have gained. where you can send at this stage that the uk government might not be on the same page as the welsh government and other devolved administrations and the mayor of london? if i administrations and the mayor of london? ., , administrations and the mayor of london? .,, _, . london? if i was concerned, then events proved — london? if i was concerned, then events proved me _ london? if i was concerned, then events proved me wrong. - london? if i was concerned, then events proved me wrong. the - london? if i was concerned, then events proved me wrong. the uki events proved me wrong. the uk government does agree for a further three weeks for the same level of restrictions. i probably do have some anxiety as to whether they share that view, but more importantly in practice when we had that cobra meeting, there was a continued formation agreement that the level of intervention that we have seen in the first three weeks must continue for another three weeks. ., , ., , , weeks. you refer in your witness statement _ weeks. you refer in your witness statement to _ weeks. you refer in your witness statement to a _ weeks. you refer in your witness statement to a four _ weeks. you refer in your witness statement to a four nations - weeks. you refer in your witness i statement to a four nations phone call with the prime minister on the 7th of may. you say that the uk government's road map adopted a

different approach to the welsh government, i want to explore what you mean by this by reference to some minutes to a covert meeting on the 7th of may. —— a covid—i9 meeting. if we look at, in the middle of the page, permanent secretary is noted as reporting that he had been told by his counterparts in the uk that the viewing westminster was that the population was over complying with the work from home message and overlooking the message saying if you cannot work from home then you should go to work from home then you should go to work in practice so just distancing. the prime wanted to correct the over compliance and was concerned about the economic outlook. there was discussion about whether to retain the stay home, save lives messaging. if we look at the bottom of page two, we see comments, this is

absolutely notjust messaging but a policy difference. notes that if wales stays at home it will be different to england. in terms of the stay her message, you say in your evidence that changing policy from stay at home to stay alert was not something that you could and would support. can you explain why, given that the uk government and welsh government were drawing on the same scientific evidence, you didn't feel able to support the uk government's change of policy? having said at the start that there was always more that we agreed on and we are disagreed on this was one of the bleaker moments during the governmental affairs. of the bleaker moments during the governmentalaffairs. i'm not

of the bleaker moments during the governmental affairs. i'm not part of the meeting that you have quoted here but i do go to a cobra meeting on the 2nd of may and here for the first time that the uk government intends to abandon the message we have all agreed on and move away from, stay home, to stay alert. i am hearing it in the meeting and this is one of those examples when i feel that the decision has already been made. we are not being asked to participate in whether to move. we are being told that the uk government has decided to move. i hearfrom the head of communications in the uk government, someone whose advice i had heard many times and respected a lot, that there had been focus groups carried out around this change of messaging. none of which we knew about, and we certainly had no access to the results of them. i

simply was not prepared to agree to such a major change of policy on the basis of the information i had in front of me at that meeting. i was very unconvinced by, stay alert, i have no idea what stay alert is asking me to do. if i advise my sisters to stay at home, they no what i mean —— advise my citizens. if i say stay alert they have no idea what i mean. with the decisions there was no prior notice, no sharing of the basis used for the decision, no ability to explain what the message was to convey. i had no cabinet company to agree to that. —— no cabinet cover. on the 10th of may i make it very clear that if the prime minister decides to go ahead

in that way, then he must be very clear that this is a decision he is making for england. in wales we will continue with the mantra that we have ferries that successfully persuaded people to stay with in those first six weeks. the announcement _ those first six weeks. the announcement that - those first six weeks. the announcement that has . those first six weeks. the announcement that has been made, we have seen the text from other witnesses. there is very little to suggest that these measures apply to england only. did that cause confusion in wales? it is england only. did that cause confusion in wales?- confusion in wales? it is the opposite _ confusion in wales? it is the opposite that _ confusion in wales? it is the opposite that there - confusion in wales? it is the opposite that there is - confusion in wales? it is the opposite that there is not i confusion in wales? it is the i opposite that there is not much confusion in wales? it is the - opposite that there is not much to convey the difference. i'm doing my best not to sound as cross as i felt at the time. in that cobra meeting, we have a direct rehearsal with the prime minister of the need for him to be clear in a press conference which he has told us we are about to have, so we know the decision has

been made. in that press conference he must make it clear that what he is about to say only applies to england. he gives assurances in the cobra meeting that he will do his best to make sure he does that. he then heads to the cameras and he provides a script in front of the cameras in which the only time he refers to scotland, wales and northern ireland is when he says early in the press conference, as prime minister of scotland, england, wales and northern ireland. it is a very clear indication to people that what he is about to say applies to the whole of the uk. and he never once says, that is not the case. that is why i describe it as a bleak moment, because this is not a

moment... i understand that people can use britain, united kingdom, interchangeably. that's the way they have been brought up. but this is not a slip of the tongue. this is not a slip of the tongue. this is not somebody forgetting to mention. this is a deliberate attempt to imply two people that what the prime minister is about to say means them, when he full well knew that it didn't. ., ., ._ when he full well knew that it didn't. ., ., , ., when he full well knew that it didn't. ., ., ., ., didn't. the following day you gave a ress didn't. the following day you gave a press conference _ didn't. the following day you gave a press conference making _ didn't. the following day you gave a press conference making some - didn't. the following day you gave a press conference making some of. press conference making some of those points and will come to that after the break. a, those points and will come to that after the break.— after the break. a quarter to lease. after the break. a quarter to please- all _ after the break. a quarter to please. all rise. _ after the break. a quarter to please. all rise. that - after the break. a quarter to please. all rise. that was i after the break. a quarter to | please. all rise. that was the conclusion — please. all rise. that was the conclusion of _ please. all rise. that was the conclusion of the _ please. all rise. that was the conclusion of the test - please. all rise. that was the conclusion of the test me i please. all rise. that was the conclusion of the test me so | please. all rise. that was the i conclusion of the test me so far of mark drakeford, the welsh first minister. —— it was the testimony. they uk covid—19 inquiry sitting in

coving cardiff. it continues in the afternoon and we will bring you that later. other news now. failed asylum seekers are to be offered £3000 to move to row and there. it is said to be a a variation of an existing voluntary returns scheme, where failed asylum seekers receive cash to return to their home country. it will be open to anyone whose asylum claim has been rejected by the uk authorities. in particular it is aimed at those who cannot return to their home countries. dr madeleine sumption, the director of migration observatory, spoke to us earlier about how likely this scheme is to succeed. assisted return schemes are quite

common. , , ., ' assisted return schemes are quite common. , , . , ., common. this is a different way of doinu common. this is a different way of doin: it common. this is a different way of doing it because _ common. this is a different way of doing it because we _ common. this is a different way of doing it because we have - common. this is a different way of doing it because we have been i doing it because we have been sending people to rwanda. they are typically seen as a less expensive and more humane way to remove people because they are going of their own accord rather than being forced on a plane. i think it's properly not going to be cheap because we don't know exactly whether the payments involved would be the same as under the other scheme to remove people forcibly to grow under. under that scheme, the government has agreed to pay hundred and 70,000 —— hundred and £75 per person. it may address the long—standing challenge that there are some people who are refused asylum from countries like iraq for example, where we see a fair number of refusals at we don't

see many rare removals to those countries because of chaos and danger in certain parts of the country. i danger in certain parts of the count . ., danger in certain parts of the count . . ., ., ., ., country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way — country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way of _ country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way of paving _ country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way of paving the _ country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way of paving the way i country. i wanted to ask about that. is this a way of paving the way for. is this a way of paving the way for the government's plan of sending people who enter the country illegally to rwanda? it is going through the courts and is being looked at in parliament. could this pave the way for that wider plan? i pave the way for that wider plan? i don't think sending people voluntarily to rwanda would make it send it easier to send people forcibly. as you can imagine, legal challenges involved in sending someone to a country against their will are much greater than sending people to a country where they go willingly. so i think this is really just a different way of using the same deal. i think the big question will he, does anyone want to do it? when we see people going to their home countries

through the existing voluntary return schemes, typically we see people going to countries, brazil, india, places that are reasonably well functioning, where people can envision a future for themselves. i think the question is, will people want to go to a country that in the vast majority of cases they will have never been to and don't have a connection to. so i think it's possible that the numbers of people taking it up will be quite low but obviously we will have to see. the us says it expects a transitional council to be in place in haiti within the next two days as the violence—ridden country is left without a leader. the council will be tasked with nominating a new prime minister, following the resignation on

monday of ariel henry. the un says it strongly hopes the agreement will help end the violence carried out by the gangs that control much of the capital. gang leaders had demanded that the prime minister step down. our central america correspondent will grant is just outside of haiti and sent us this report. this is the dajabon crossing between the dominican republic and haiti. and we've already seen the dominican authorities deporting haitians back into the poorest country of the americas, at a time that it's facing its most acute humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake. it's also that they're being deported into a political vacuum. prime minister ariel henry stood down, citing the fact that his situation was untenable, given the violence on the streets of the capital, port au prince. his decision came after the caricom group of caribbean nations, and the us secretary of state, held an emergency meeting injamaica, and made clear that they saw the road map towards a transitional administration in haiti, starting with his resignation. so what happens next?

well, the truth of the matter is that, unfortunately, things can still get much, much worse in haiti. the gangs are going to feel considerably emboldened by the fact that they have forced mr henry from power, and they already control around 80% of the capital, port au prince. and the hopes for a 1000 strong kenyan led security force are beginning to hit difficulties, as the kenyan authorities themselves are saying that you do not deploy police to the streets of port au prince without a sitting administration. you can find all the top stories on the bbc website and we have a live page on the stories in cardiff.

we have a lot of cloud are cross owed snowdonia and the north of england. really wet there. let's have a look at the forecast as we go through the course of the afternoon. that narrow but very heavy hand of rain from northern wales, affecting parts of the pennines as well. to the south of the weather front it's really mild. temperatures around 15 degrees in some spots. to the north of the weather front it's less mild, around 12 the greens in the lowlands of scotland. 60 or 70 miles an hour in some exposed coasts. here is a weather front. in some exposed coasts. here is a weatherfront. it in some exposed coasts. here is a weather front. it tends to move northwards. the heavy rain will

transfer into northern ireland and also southern parts of scotland and also southern parts of scotland and also to the west we will have showers spreading and being carried ljy showers spreading and being carried by this mild south—westerly wind. you will notice the mild weather tomorrow. in some spots in the east midlands and east anglia, mid—teens, 16 or maybe even 17 celsius in one or two areas. tomorrow evening shows the wettest of our weather across scotland. heavy, persistent rain. the rest of the country will be a mixture of clear spells and occasional showers. this is friday's weather. the isobars are pointing north from the south. our winds will be coming from the north so i think friday will feel a little colder, particularly in the north. it is a colder direction. so temperatures around single figures for edinburgh, newcastle. in the south, still relatively mild at around 11 or 1a

celsius. a mixture of sunny spells and showers. friday night into saturday is going to bring a touch of frost and then the outlook does show that mixed bag of weather continuing but staying relatively mild in the south. goodbye.

today at one — angry clashes in the commons over the tory party donor accused of racism. frank hester, who gave £10 million

to the conservative party, is alleged to have said the mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women. how low would he have to sink, what racist, woman hating threat of violence would he have to make, before the prime minister plucked up the courage to hand back the £10 million that he's taken from him? the gentleman apologised, genuinely, for his comment. and that remorse should be accepted. also this lunchtime, hopes the economy might be easing out of recession with the january sales boosting stronger growth figures. claims some women who pay to freeze their eggs are being misled about the chances of having a baby in later life. and the giant redwood, the biggest tree in the world: why there are now more of them in the uk than their native california. and coming up on bbc news. wales include aaron ramsey in their squad for the crucial euro play—offs.

he has barely played since september but hopes to be fit for next week's