office about if there will be a full response to what the report set out? and also how this new definition will affect the policing of protest? very important points, and i have the opportunity to discuss our work with dame zahra and sir mark. of course, i work closely with the home secretary, particularly, inframing the definition. this shared between my department and the home office. the support scheme is responsible for supporting the police, we are responsible for funding the community organisations in encouraging and greater degree of social cohesion and resilience. there will be further responses to some of the recommendations in that report, and indeed in m sara's report, and indeed in m sara's report, which will be forthcoming, and i hope i will have the opportunity alongside the home secretary to share further details

ahead. . , , ., , ahead. can i “ust put on record my thanks to ahead. can ijust put on record my thanks to dame _ ahead. can ijust put on record my thanks to dame zahra _ ahead. can ijust put on record my thanks to dame zahra khan, - ahead. can ijust put on record my thanks to dame zahra khan, mark| thanks to dame zahra khan, mark rowley, for all the hard work they have done, and of course the secretary of state. while these will act as a guide for civil servant and ministers, can the sectors they explain what the thresholds are being applied by the new centre for excellence when compiling the lists, and also how this guidance will be applied against existing definitions in law of racism, incitement and intimidation, which are clearly all active right now, and guide our security services and our police when it comes to the application and upholding the rule of law. i’m when it comes to the application and upholding the rule of law.— upholding the rule of law. i'm very crateful to upholding the rule of law. i'm very grateful to my _ upholding the rule of law. i'm very grateful to my right _ upholding the rule of law. i'm very grateful to my right honourable i grateful to my right honourable friend, who during her time in the home office initiated and took forward fantastic work in dealing with extremism and intolerance, and

she is quite right that the definition does not impinge or alter the legal threshold for prosecution if people are inciting violence. indeed, their arguments were looking ahead, but today's definition is not about changing the criminal law, it is about setting a threshold, which will be evidenced when we come to the organisations that we believe meet these bars, with evidence which everyone will see it makes a compelling case for the nature of the extremist ideology. the secretary — the extremist ideology. the secretary of _ the extremist ideology. the secretary of state _ the extremist ideology. the secretary of state might be very unwise to have recently closed down the interfaith network which facilitated the kind of dialogue that he praised in the statement. he praised on the grounds that one of his 22 trustees is connected with the muslim council of britain. if an organisation finds it unjustly on

the list that he proposes, will it have the opportunity to appeal against its inclusion there? i’m against its inclusion there? i'm . rateful against its inclusion there? i'm grateful to _ against its inclusion there? i“n grateful to the right honourable gentleman. it wasn't the case to be closed down the interfaith network. we ceased funding, and the interfaith network draws its funding for a variety of sources. it is the case will apply appropriate due diligence publish evidence, and if anyone believes ourjudgment is wrong, as in any case when a government acts, then the option of reviews available. we government acts, then the option of reviews available.— reviews available. we are going to ste awa reviews available. we are going to step away from — reviews available. we are going to step away from the _ reviews available. we are going to step away from the house - reviews available. we are going to step away from the house of- reviews available. we are going to - step away from the house of commons, where the communities secretary is taking questions from mps following his unveiling of the government's new definition of extremism. we have some breaking news now. the prime minister has said the new definition of extremism will give the government what he called the tools

that it will need to protect us against extremist activity. he was asked byjournalists what the point was of the definition without any statutory powers? the prime minister said, as i said on the steps of downing street a few weeks ago, there has been a rise in extremist activity that a stirring division, undermining our values, and liberal parliamentary democracy. asked what he sees as the biggest extremist threat to the uk, mr sunak said, we have seen different groups try and undermine our parliamentary democracy, stir division and hate. as we were hearing there, in the house of commons, the community secretary, michael gove also listed the organisations he says are cause for concern under the extremism definition. they are the british national socialist movement, patriotically alternative, the

british affiliate of the muslim brotherhood, fry ministersaid we will —— the prime minister said they will take action if appropriate. let's remind yourself of the new definition. under the new definition, extremism means the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance. that aims to either negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, or to undermine the uk's system of democracy and democratic rights, or again to intentionally create a permit environment for others to do that —— permissive environment for others to do that. we can turn to our political correspondent, rob watson, who was following events in the house with us. what did you make

of the secretary's statement, especially his defence of the new definition? i especially his defence of the new definition? , , ._ ., definition? i guess the way i would sum it u- definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is _ definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is that _ definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is that this _ definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is that this is _ definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is that this is far - definition? i guess the way i would sum it up is that this is far more i sum it up is that this is far more evolution rather than a revolution in britain's counterterrorism and counter extremism strategy. the definition of what is extremism is only moderately different to what it was in 2011, and essentially the difference here it seems is that the government are saying, look, having identified when we finally get round to getting a list of groups and individuals that violate this definition and for the wrong side of it, we definitely will not be engaging with them. we won't be giving the money, we will be doing the kind of thing is that have been done before, mrs it is rather interesting that if you look at the response from the opposition labour party on this issue, it was not a philosophical disagreement with the government, it was a scepticism, saying you had a definition in 2011

a country she was on, do you mean you have been carrying on talking to groups that you shouldn't be in the meantime? by and large, the reaction has not been some philosopher offshore disagreement —— philosophical disagreement, but interestingly in this we heard you get a flavour of flavour of some of the other concerns out there. will this definition somehow disproportionately target muslim communities? we had the government's response there. it is about as not islam, and not muslims, we also heard... free speech. but overall what we heard in this debate so far, it is not a philosophical disagreement, this is an evolution not revolution in british government policy. it is more a certain scepticism out there as to whether this is going to make much difference.— this is going to make much difference. ., ~ ., , difference. thank you for staying with us and _ difference. thank you for staying with us and sharing _ difference. thank you for staying with us and sharing your- difference. thank you for staying | with us and sharing your analysis. that is the bbc�*s rob watson,

joining us from westminster. we can now speak to the chief executive of hope not hate, the uk's largest antiracism and anti—extremism movement. what did you make of the statement by the secretary? it all seems slightly — statement by the secretary? it all seems slightly underwhelming. it seems slightly underwhelming. it seems rushed, and it actually leaves more questions than it actually answers. we have stuff that is not different from what we had before, and it is just guidance for the government. i don't think we were expecting that from the announcement we were hearing on downing street ten days ago. the we were hearing on downing street ten days age-— ten days ago. the fry minister says this aives ten days ago. the fry minister says this gives the _ ten days ago. the fry minister says this gives the government - ten days ago. the fry minister says this gives the government the - ten days ago. the fry minister says| this gives the government the tools it needs to counter extremism, especially in the climate that we have in the moment? be, it is not

changing the law. it is only impacting central government, it is not impacting central government, it is no | , ., . impacting central government, it is no i ,., . , ., . impacting central government, it is no. . .,y impacting central government, it is not impacting the police, any other ublic not impacting the police, any other public sector. _ not impacting the police, any other public sector, it _ not impacting the police, any other public sector, it is _ not impacting the police, any other public sector, it is to _ not impacting the police, any other public sector, it is to say _ not impacting the police, any other public sector, it is to say who - not impacting the police, any other public sector, it is to say who the l public sector, it is to say who the government can and can't speak to. the problem is, this is where concerns are, the words are fine, people would not object to the words that were there, but it is about who gets to decide what is undermining democracy? is it about a wide protest outside parliament? i don't know. is it about people marching outside a business? i think overnight we heard that the preferred choice for the anti—muslim hatred adviser for the government has links to us anti—muslim groups. it comes down to how you put into practice the words there. we don't have a lot of detail. the

practice the words there. we don't have a lot of detail.— have a lot of detail. the adviser is not here to _ have a lot of detail. the adviser is not here to defend _ have a lot of detail. the adviser is not here to defend himself- have a lot of detail. the adviser is| not here to defend himself against that claim. the government continues to make the point that with this definition, there will be a clear process, they will have to be evidence presented, ministers and officials will review this evidence before any groups or individuals are added to this list. for before any groups or individuals are added to this list.— added to this list. for counter extremism — added to this list. for counter extremism strategy _ added to this list. for counter extremism strategy to - added to this list. for counter extremism strategy to work, | added to this list. for counter i extremism strategy to work, you added to this list. for counter - extremism strategy to work, you have to have by n. i think it is a missed opportunity. there was no consultation beforehand, there was no attempt to get bipartisan input into it, which i think would have been there. we'll have a committee or people who we don't know who they are making the decision, and in the only way to address that is going to court, which is hugely expensive, and for individuals that probably is out of their reach. i think we have got to have a system which is transparent, you have to have a system that has by n, political and

community buy in, because hit the vast majority of people who oppose issues and can't make decisions in secret rooms and expect people to be happy with it. the secret rooms and expect people to be happy with it— happy with it. the government there sa in: that happy with it. the government there saying that there _ happy with it. the government there saying that there will _ happy with it. the government there saying that there will be _ happy with it. the government there saying that there will be people - happy with it. the government there saying that there will be people who | saying that there will be people who can challenge these decisions. the government is also continue to make the point that since the attacks on israel by hamas, we have seen a spike in both anti—muslim and anti—semitic attacks and incidents, there had to be a review of this kind for it to control the situation.— kind for it to control the situation. �* ., ., , situation. again, it does sound rushed. situation. again, it does sound rushed- we — situation. again, it does sound rushed. we have _ situation. again, it does sound rushed. we have four - situation. again, it does sound i rushed. we have four sentences. situation. again, it does sound - rushed. we have four sentences. the definition has always been brief, though. definition has always been brief, thou~h. ,, �* , definition has always been brief, thou~h. ,, �*, ., ,, ., , though. sure. let's take the example of anti-muslim _ though. sure. let's take the example of anti-muslim hatred. _ though. sure. let's take the example of anti-muslim hatred. some - though. sure. let's take the example of anti-muslim hatred. some of - though. sure. let's take the example of anti-muslim hatred. some of the l of anti—muslim hatred. some of the language that is used over stirring

up language that is used over stirring up language against muslims has come from quite extreme areas. is that going to be covered? i don't know. they have rushed this out, and to be honest, it is hard to make a real assessment of it, because it leaves more questions than it answers. itruihat more questions than it answers. what is the impact — more questions than it answers. what is the impact of _ more questions than it answers. what is the impact of being _ more questions than it answers. what is the impact of being added to a list like this? i am not saying anything about your organisation, but i imagine for a lot of activist groups, being put on a list like this by the government, what kind of an impact does it have on your ability to operate? i an impact does it have on your ability to operate?— ability to operate? i would be surrised ability to operate? i would be surprised if— ability to operate? i would be surprised if any _ ability to operate? i would be surprised if any of _ ability to operate? i would be surprised if any of the - ability to operate? i would be surprised if any of the groups j ability to operate? i would be - surprised if any of the groups they put on the list are receiving money from the government. it obviously makes an a record that these are extremist groups. i'm not saying the government shouldn't have a strategy that identifies people or

organisations they see as extremist, but i think it has to be done in a clear and transparent way, and there needs to be an opportunity to question it or to appeal it, not just to go to the high court. you and i cannot afford to go to the high court, so the idea that that is built into the system is not true. we need a proper strategy. it is a central role of government to protect its people, but it needs the buy in of people as well.— buy in of people as well. thank you for “oininr buy in of people as well. thank you forjoining us— buy in of people as well. thank you forjoining us here _ buy in of people as well. thank you forjoining us here on _ buy in of people as well. thank you forjoining us here on bbc- buy in of people as well. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news, l buy in of people as well. thank you i forjoining us here on bbc news, the chief executive of hope not hate. we can cross now to a former government adviser colin bloom, and we were speaking to you just before the secretary started to address the house, what did you make of his statement?— statement? thought it was very measured- _ statement? thought it was very measured. it _ statement? thought it was very measured. it was _ statement? thought it was very measured. it was very - statement? thought it was very

measured. it was very well - measured. it was very well delivered, it is exactly what you would expect from a politician as polished and professional as michael gove. i don't think the angela rayner�*s response was also very good and measured, and i think she made a lot of very excellent points, and probably the best point that she made was, why has it taken so long? one of my complaints is that this is a welcome move, a small move in the right direction, but it should have been done years ago. better late than never, i'm glad this is where it is, and i hope this is the beginning of parliamentarians and government being a lot braver in taking steps to eradicate extremism in our midst. this taking steps to eradicate extremism in our midst-— in our midst. as we mentioned earlier, in our midst. as we mentioned earlier. the — in our midst. as we mentioned earlier, the prime _ in our midst. as we mentioned earlier, the prime minister- in our midst. as we mentioned| earlier, the prime minister was asked what was the point of a definition without statutory powers.

what difference will this make? it what difference will this make? ft will make a lot of difference in terms of service level with you government engages, and with different departments, who they are meeting with. they do want to give any false legitimacy to organisations or individuals that are involved in activities that undermine fundamental british values. as far as the prime minister is concerned, i think it would be a mistake for him to think this is the end of it. this is a very small step in the right direction. he and the rest of the government have an awful lot to do to tackle extremism, particularly faith —based extremism, where we are seeing such a rise in it in recent years, this isn't something thatjust happened since october seven, something thatjust happened since octoberseven, i've something thatjust happened since october seven, i've been calling for big steps to be made in tackling this since 2019, and even before

that. as i say, it is welcome, it is a step in the right direction, but the government still has a lot more to do, and whether it is this government of the government becomes next, they are going to have to tackle these issues with a lot more energy and enthusiasm that they have done until now.— done until now. what you make about critics of, criticisms _ done until now. what you make about critics of, criticisms of _ done until now. what you make about critics of, criticisms of the _ critics of, criticisms of the definition who say definitions like this, stronger definitions, make it harderfor this, stronger definitions, make it harder for communities to come together, for there to be advocacy work for communities, and what you do is you drive communities who are now in a difficult position further away from the government or from authorities like the police? i away from the government or from authorities like the police?- authorities like the police? i think that is code _ authorities like the police? i think that is code for _ authorities like the police? i think that is code for saying _ authorities like the police? i think that is code for saying that - authorities like the police? i think that is code for saying that we - that is code for saying that we don't want to brand all muslims as islamists. i think that is right. we don't want to brand all muslims as islamists, and that is why we need

to have these clear distinctions. islam is not the same as is loyalism, and muslims are not all islamists. —— not the same as islamism. they are being let down by a tiny amount in their own community who are islamists, and we need to have a proper understanding of who they are so they can be separated out. the biggest victims of islamism are muslims, and they rely on government and they rely on major broadcasters such as the bbc to continually make the distinction between muslims and islamists. i think this is a small step in the right direction, far from think this is a small step in the right direction, farfrom damaging community relations, i think it will help secure community relations between those who are the majority of the muslim community and the rest

of the muslim community and the rest of us. ., ., ,, ., ._ of us. there will not take away the fear of muslim _ of us. there will not take away the fear of muslim groups _ of us. there will not take away the fear of muslim groups who - of us. there will not take away the fear of muslim groups who worry l of us. there will not take away the i fear of muslim groups who worry this definition will unfairly target them. they are concerned this definition will really focus on their activities, especially because it is unclear how decisions will be made and who is going to make these decisions. ii made and who is going to make these decisions. , ., ., ., ~ , decisions. if you are a muslim extremist. — decisions. if you are a muslim extremist, and _ decisions. if you are a muslim extremist, and is _ decisions. if you are a muslim extremist, and is honest, - decisions. if you are a muslim | extremist, and is honest, then decisions. if you are a muslim l extremist, and is honest, then i hope you are worried. but if you are mainstream... but hope you are worried. but if you are mainstream. . ._ hope you are worried. but if you are mainstream. . .— mainstream... but we are hearing this from members _ mainstream... but we are hearing this from members of— mainstream... but we are hearing this from members of the - mainstream... but we are hearing this from members of the muslim | this from members of the muslim community who are going out on marches, pro—palestinian marchers. this is notjust coming from a section of people, we are hearing this across the airwaves. i section of people, we are hearing this across the airwaves.- this across the airwaves. i think a lot of those _ this across the airwaves. i think a lot of those criticisms _ this across the airwaves. i think a lot of those criticisms and - lot of those criticisms and observations were made before this announcement was made, so it was based on a lot of speculation. this has been happening since the definition was published. you “ust heard the secretary i definition was published. you “ust heard the secretary of i definition was published. you “ust heard the secretary of state h heard the secretary of state say, and i don't speak for the

government, they can speak for themselves, but you just heard the secretary of state say that this is not going to affect people who are, you know, freedom of speech, people who have got genuine complaints about government or about issues. this is not going to affect people who go about their business in a peaceful and calm and decent way. this is going to have an impact on people who undermine democracy, but try and use threats to subvert british values or british democracy, or try and use whatever average they have to try and shut down other people's free speech, and to try and harm other people's freedom of thought, freedom of expression. we have a very clear set of british

values, democracy, liberty, justice or rule of law, and tolerance. anything that attacks that and seeks to undermine that, i think the government need to have a much stronger, much more robust and much braver approach to it. this is a small step in that direction. find small step in that direction. and how do you _ small step in that direction. and how do you go _ small step in that direction. and how do you go about defusing the tension is that we are seeing in the country, in the media, but tensions between communities and worries about extremism, people feeling marginalised perhaps, how do you go about solving those tensions while using a definition like this? that is a really great _ using a definition like this? trust is a really great question. i think one way of alleviating some of those tensions is for the government, the police, the cps and the media, and maybe even the parliamentary estate to take a much firmer approach when it comes to those people that would spout hatred, those people that would promote violence, those people

that would say disgusting and despicable things about others stop you have a britishjewish community that are saying they are living in fear, you have fear the police are not policing those protests fairly, here at language such as two—tiered policing systems, and i think one of the ways we can diffuse some of the challenges at the moment is for the police, the cps, government and others to a more robust. that is why i say this is a step in the right direction, but it is a small step and the government need to do more. thank you very much, colin bloom, a former government adviser, thank you former government adviser, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. now, as we have been reporting, the prime minister has been visiting gloucester rugby club on a campaign

visit, and he has been speaking to the media. he was asked about frank hester, the tory donor accused of racism. ~ ., ., , ., hester, the tory donor accused of racism. ~ ., ., ., racism. what he said was wrong and racist, i racism. what he said was wrong and racist. i have — racism. what he said was wrong and racist, i have made _ racism. what he said was wrong and racist, i have made that _ racism. what he said was wrong and racist, i have made that clear, - racism. what he said was wrong and racist, i have made that clear, and l racist, i have made that clear, and it is right he has apologised for that, and where remorse are shown i think there should be accepted. ii think there should be accepted. if money hasn't been spent, will it be returned? — money hasn't been spent, will it be returned? |— money hasn't been spent, will it be returned? , ., ., returned? i will see what i have said, returned? i will see what i have said. when _ returned? i will see what i have said, when someone _ returned? i will see what i have said, when someone has - returned? i will see what i have - said, when someone has expressed genuine remorse and contrition for what they have done, which he has, it is the right thing to do. the comments wrong and racist and it is right he has now apologised. i will make you think suggesting an mp should be shot as extreme as? the extremist strategy will be outlined in a couple of hours in parliament, it is right we wait for the communities secretary to do that, but what i said in downing street is that there has been a worrying rise in extremist activity, which is seeking to undermine our democracy and values and star division, and it is important that the government has the tool that is that it needs to

protect against that threat. that is what this is about, and that is what will be outlined.— will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be shot, _ will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be shot, is _ will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be shot, is that _ will be outlined. suggesting an mp will be shot, is that extremism? i will be outlined. suggesting an mp| will be shot, is that extremism? do you have _ will be shot, is that extremism? do you have a — will be shot, is that extremism? do you have a view on that? it is important — you have a view on that? it is important these _ you have a view on that? it 3 important these things are done in an objective, considered manner stop the community section will be outlining details about this. the community secretary will be making sure there are organisations that we do not support which are set on undermining british values. it wouldn't be right for me to talk about it in advance of him outlining this in parliament.— this in parliament. you'll be -auttin this in parliament. you'll be putting out _ this in parliament. you'll be putting out this _ this in parliament. you'll be putting out this definition i this in parliament. you'll be i putting out this definition and there — putting out this definition and there won't be any statutory powers, and the _ there won't be any statutory powers, and the police will use it, so what is the _ and the police will use it, so what is the point? as and the police will use it, so what is the point?—

is the point? as i said, there has been a rise _ is the point? as i said, there has been a rise in — is the point? as i said, there has been a rise in extremes - is the point? as i said, there has been a rise in extremes activity, | been a rise in extremes activity, undermining our values, and that is not right, it is important the government has the tools it needs to protect us against that. that is what this trashy will outline. again, it hasn't been outlined yet, it will happen in parliament later, and it wouldn't be right for me to speculate on that.— and it wouldn't be right for me to speculate on that. there won't be any statutory _ speculate on that. there won't be any statutory powers, _ speculate on that. there won't be any statutory powers, right - speculate on that. there won't be any statutory powers, right in - any statutory powers, right in saying? — any statutory powers, right in sa inc? _ .,, saying? the committee secretary will be outlinin: saying? the committee secretary will be outlining that _ saying? the committee secretary will be outlining that in _ saying? the committee secretary will be outlining that in parliament - saying? the committee secretary will be outlining that in parliament in - saying? the committee secretary will be outlining that in parliament in a i be outlining that in parliament in a few hours' time. it would be appropriate for me to pre—empt that. what is your opinion of the biggest threat _ what is your opinion of the biggest threat to— what is your opinion of the biggest threat to the anything at the moment?— threat to the anything at the moment? ~ , ., ., , ., ,, moment? we seen various groups t in: to moment? we seen various groups trying to undermine _ moment? we seen various groups trying to undermine democracy. . moment? we seen various groups i trying to undermine democracy. what the community secretary will do is ensure that the government has the tools it needs to deal with those threats and make sure the government is not engaging with those who are threatening what we hold dear. the community secretary will outline this in parliament. it would be right to wait for that. you

this in parliament. it would be right to wait for that.- this in parliament. it would be right to wait for that. you are here campaigning _ right to wait for that. you are here campaigning in _ right to wait for that. you are here campaigning in a _ right to wait for that. you are here campaigning in a key _ right to wait for that. you are here campaigning in a key target - right to wait for that. you are here campaigning in a key target seat. l campaigning in a key target seat. will there — campaigning in a key target seat. will there be a general election any time soon? — will there be a general election any time soon? i�*m will there be a general election any time soon? �* ., ~' will there be a general election any time soon?— time soon? i'm working on an assumption — time soon? i'm working on an assumption we _ time soon? i'm working on an assumption we will— time soon? i'm working on an assumption we will have - time soon? i'm working on an assumption we will have a - time soon? i'm working on an - assumption we will have a general election in the second of this year, nothing changes that. what richard is doing in gloucester is a fantasticjob. i visiting the rugby club, which is doing an incredible job in the community. it is nice to be able to say well done for them for that, be able to say well done for them forthat, but be able to say well done for them for that, but also to wish them luck for that, but also to wish them luck for tomorrow. for that, but also to wish them luck fortomorrow. but for that, but also to wish them luck for tomorrow. but more generally to talk to people across gloucestershire. we'll be able to give pensioners a 900 point increase in the state pension, also cuts taxes for people with £900 as well, making progress to our goal of eliminating the double taxation on work and making things more fairfor everyone. we see that labour are opposed to that tax cut, meaning less money for people in their pocket, which are the opposite of what we want to do. if we stick to

our plan, 900 point increase for pensioners, a £900 for everyone in work. �* ._ , pensioners, a £900 for everyone in work. �* , ., ,, pensioners, a £900 for everyone in work. �* , ., ~ ., work. andrea jenkyns would like to see ou work. andrea jenkyns would like to see you replace. — work. andrea jenkyns would like to see you replace, your _ work. andrea jenkyns would like to see you replace, your part - work. andrea jenkyns would like to see you replace, your part party i work. andrea jenkyns would like to see you replace, your part party is| see you replace, your part party is not united. — see you replace, your part party is not united, as it? we see you replace, your part party is not united, as it?— not united, as it? we all want to make sure _ not united, as it? we all want to make sure we — not united, as it? we all want to make sure we do _ not united, as it? we all want to make sure we do not _ not united, as it? we all want to make sure we do not have i not united, as it? we all want to make sure we do not have a i not united, as it? we all want to i make sure we do not have a labour government, because our party is the right one for the country. whether it is with covid, recovering for that, the impact of the war in ukraine, but at the start of this year we have turned a corner and appointing on the right direction. you can see that was clearly with the economy. inflation is down from 11% to 4%, the economy. inflation is down from 11% to 11%, mortgages falling, energy bills falling, wages have been rising, because of all of that under a plan that is working, we will be able to increase the state pension by £900 in a few weeks' time and cut taxes for millions of people, helping to alleviate the unfairness of the double taxation on work. that is our plan. labour are opposed to it, and that of the contrast that the next election.— the next election. that was the prime minister, _

the next election. that was the prime minister, rishi _ the next election. that was the prime minister, rishi sunak, . prime minister, rishi sunak, speaking tojournalists prime minister, rishi sunak, speaking to journalists on a visit to gloucester rugby club. time for the weather will stop you may have noticed the weather being a bit milder today, temperatures been on the rise,. we've had some spells us hazy sunshine in the south and east, through the rest of the day, shows dammit it is particularly mild, particularly in the south. we have a warm front sitting across scotland in particular, and a cold front follows in behind, so something cooler and showery later in the day, particularly out towards the west. we could see 16 or 17 degrees in the warm spots across eastern england, but to single figures across scotland, and that's because we are sitting in the slightly cooler air and more persistent rain. some patchy rain, just drifting slowly eastwards, so you may well catch a

shower almost anywhere through this evening and overnight. the next band of shared rain living into the early hours of friday. for most of us it is an milder night, but a little bit chilly across central and northern parts of scotland first thing tomorrow. we still have that more persistent rain across scotland. nothing particularly heavy, and turn to snow for a time on the highest peaks. it should a little bit for bit for tomorrow for northern ireland, wales, the south—west, so some sunny spells. still a few scattered showers elsewhere, working their way eastwards on that breeze. top temperatures 15 or 16 degrees, a degree or so down on what we have today. friday night, we are looking at heading into saturday morning. it's a cold night, particularly in the north, certainly a chance of more first round. patches for southern and eastern england as well. workload starts to working from the south—west, so will see some showers in northern ireland, wales, south—west england, where is further north you are more likely to stay dry through the day, and

temperatures ranging from about six in lyric to 13 in norwich. this will bring a spell of rain around, but thenit bring a spell of rain around, but then it looks like we see and a return to sunny spells and a few scattered showers. not a bad day for many of us. some sunshine looks like it could break through, and again we are in the milder air with temperatures up to about 1k are in the milder air with temperatures up to about 1a to 16 for many of us. today at one, a new definition of extremism to try to stop organisations which promote hatred and intolerance. critics say the measures threaten freedom of speech and public protest.

we'll find out about some of the organisations which will be assessed using the new definition. also on the programme: bbc analysis shows wide variations in how long people are waiting for routine hospital treatment in england. police forces across the uk launch a hotline so the public can report concerns about officers and volunteers. the school head who protected his pupils from a knife—wielding intruder talks to us about the ordeal one year on. and why we're being told we need to change our attitude to slugs in the garden. and coming up in sport on bbc news, who can stop willie mullins' domination at cheltenham? we will be there on the third day of the festival.