on bbc snp's minister has to alcoves on bbc breakfast. they asked him the difference between what labour says it will do versus what is the snp actually was. it will do versus what is the snp actually wen-— it will do versus what is the snp actually was-_ it will do versus what is the snp actuall was. ., ., , ., , actually was. the labour party has romised actually was. the labour party has promised many — actually was. the labour party has promised many things _ actually was. the labour party has promised many things under - actually was. the labour party has promised many things under keiri promised many things under keir starmer�*s leadership. they promised to abolish benefit cuts, they are not going to do that. they promised to keep the cap on bonuses and they are not going to do that. sol to keep the cap on bonuses and they are not going to do that. so i think it is important where we can we continue to put pressure on the labour party to do the right thing. in scotland, we have indeed nationalise the rail role in scots. we have also been able to get ourselves into position where we can scrap pics and fares during this cost of living crisis. it is more than just the rollers got it is also the network rail as well. many of the network rail as well. many of the problems we face with our punctuality of our trains sever the fact that the railway themselves are

reserved to westminster and we need that to be in public ownership too. as talk to our scottish political correspondent. andrew, good to have you with us. i was talking to the snb spokesperson this morning. all sorts of plans that the snp has. let's talk about whatjohn swinney says. basically about railways. let's talk about that festival. that's rightjohn swinney was on the that's right john swinney was on the campaign _ that's right john swinney was on the campaign show in five in an area cold_ campaign show in five in an area cold lieven _ campaign show in five in an area cold lieven mouth. reopening a velvet _ cold lieven mouth. reopening a velvet link— cold lieven mouth. reopening a velvet link there. what's the snp are trying — velvet link there. what's the snp are trying to do, it is a common theme — are trying to do, it is a common theme. they think they can keep labour— theme. they think they can keep labour on— theme. they think they can keep labour on the right track. they think_ labour on the right track. they think they— labour on the right track. they think they can be the honest brokers and they— think they can be the honest brokers and they are assuming that they will be a labour— and they are assuming that they will be a labour government of course what _ be a labour government of course what they— be a labour government of course what they are trying to push labour to do— what they are trying to push labour to do is_ what they are trying to push labour to do is to — what they are trying to push labour to do is to try and to have that

major— to do is to try and to have that major infrastructure investment to expand _ major infrastructure investment to expand rail services they are claiming _ expand rail services they are claiming that what labour want to deliver— claiming that what labour want to deliver it — claiming that what labour want to deliver it. they want to try to push that _ deliver it. they want to try to push that i_ deliver it. they want to try to push that ithink— deliver it. they want to try to push that. i think labour would argue that. i think labour would argue that they— that. i think labour would argue that they do have a plan for railways. _ that they do have a plan for railways, they do want to take rail service _ railways, they do want to take rail service back to public services. you could _ service back to public services. you could also — service back to public services. you could also argue that this is a non—departmental public body of the public— non—departmental public body of the public transport. there may be some questions _ public transport. there may be some questions on the snp policy there. it is questions on the snp policy there. it is really— questions on the snp policy there. it is really interesting there, the campaign — it is really interesting there, the campaign in scotland, they have been out on _ campaign in scotland, they have been out on the _ campaign in scotland, they have been out on the campaign trail. today has been _ out on the campaign trail. today has been dominated by the michael matheson affair. he is the health secretary— matheson affair. he is the health secretary who had to resign after ruhhihg _ secretary who had to resign after ruhhihg up — secretary who had to resign after running up that £11,000 ipad roaming charge _ running up that £11,000 ipad roaming charge bill _ running up that £11,000 ipad roaming charge bill. he is going to face a parliamentary rated this afternoon on sanctions, but the snp has really

been standing by their man. —— is going— been standing by their man. —— is going to— been standing by their man. —— is going to face a parliamentary vote. talk to— going to face a parliamentary vote. talk to me — going to face a parliamentary vote. talk to me about the timing of this election. it has catch me by surprise not least the snp. he has barely had chance to lay out what he stands for and he is asking voters to choose rates for him. that stands for and he is asking voters to choose rates for him.— to choose rates for him. that is riaht, to choose rates for him. that is right. but _ to choose rates for him. that is right. but john _ to choose rates for him. that is right, but john swinney - to choose rates for him. that is right, but john swinney has - to choose rates for him. that is i right, but john swinney has barely right, butjohn swinney has barely -ot right, butjohn swinney has barely got his— right, butjohn swinney has barely got his feet in the house. remember when _ got his feet in the house. remember when ham _ got his feet in the house. remember when ham see you sieve —— ham so... john— when ham see you sieve —— ham so... john swinney — when ham see you sieve —— ham so... john swinney therefore emerge as the new first— john swinney therefore emerge as the new first minister as a new first minister— new first minister as a new first minister of— new first minister as a new first minister of scotland. just when it is going _ minister of scotland. just when it is going to — minister of scotland. just when it is going to into this election are quite _ is going to into this election are quite a — is going to into this election are quite a difficult sense. he is a very— quite a difficult sense. he is a very experienced and seasoned

campaigner because some of the polls are suggesting that the snp might not do _ are suggesting that the snp might not do terribly well in this election. a lot of speculation that the labour— election. a lot of speculation that the labour party could gain the most seats _ the labour party could gain the most seats in— the labour party could gain the most seats in scotland. the majority of seats _ seats in scotland. the majority of seats because back in 2015, the snp almost _ seats because back in 2015, the snp almost wiped labour of the electoral map hack— almost wiped labour of the electoral map back toward that role be was out. map back toward that role be was out the — map back toward that role be was out. the good thing forjohn swinney is that— out. the good thing forjohn swinney is that because they are he has not been _ is that because they are he has not been around for log, whatever that election— been around for log, whatever that election result, it wouldn't have much _ election result, it wouldn't have much of— election result, it wouldn't have much of an— election result, it wouldn't have much of an impact in that immediate term and _ much of an impact in that immediate term and he — much of an impact in that immediate term and he would survive well after the general — term and he would survive well after the general election contest is over~ — the general election contest is over. , , ., , the general election contest is over. , , ., over. interesting implications of all of this- _ over. interesting implications of all of this. thank _ over. interesting implications of all of this. thank you _ over. interesting implications of all of this. thank you and - over. interesting implications of i all of this. thank you and require. —— thank you, our scottish political correspondent. keir starmer is laying out his pitch for votes. he

is at a slightly different location now, but he is talking about labour plans for the nhs. particularly when it comes to targeting waiting list. let us have a listen. that is really up let us have a listen. that is really up lifting and very hot humbling. i was really angry when i left. as i found out that more people aged six to ten are being admitted to have their rotting teeth taken out than they are for any other operation. that is there a price they are paying for the failure of this government. they are literally having their teeth taken out and that should anger anybody who cares about our children and the next generation in this country. of course, there is a staff, who have our having to spend their time, their skills to operate on something thatis their skills to operate on something that is completely preventable. another example in stafford, i was saturday, i was in a kitchen with a

paramedic with her wife he worked in a jewellery shop. they have got two children, they bought their house five years ago. their mortgage has just run out, they had a fixed year rate mortgage for five years when they could afford it five years ago. they have spent a long time researching what to do, it is £100 more. they don't know what to do, they can't afford it, they are going to have to move. they are is the price they are paying for the damage the tories have done. these are small examples, they are so many other examples of people across the country paying a real price. when rishi sunak says we have turned a corner, is all fine, we are better off. he should go into that kitchen, the two people i was with our saturday morning and sated them that we are better off. because they were

given a pretty blunt answer of the state of this country. i know what it is like it or not to be able to pay your bills. my dad was a factory worker, my mum was a nurse and out we were not always able to make ends meet. we had our phone cut off because we could not afford the bill. that is the decision that so many countries across the uk are having to take. we need labour to stop this chaos and division, we cannot have another five years of this. but here the good news, we don't have to put up with it. you don't have to put up with it. you don't have to put up with it to? you can vote for change? ! this is the chance, this is the change election. this is the election where we can turn the page and start to rebuild our country. it is desperately

needed. with the labour party, we have changed it fundamentally so it is unrecognisable from the labour party of five years ago and put the labour party back in the service of working people. that has been an incredible important part of the work that we have been doing. what we asked were now, what we seek humbly is the opportunity to do the same for our country, to put it back in the service of working people and that we can protect our country forward to a better future. you are talking about that this morning with the nhs, and nhs underthe talking about that this morning with the nhs, and nhs under the last labour government had the highest numbers of satisfaction ever of red on record, and the lowest waiting list. that has been upended where we have got the longest waiting list. the morale of the staff is at an all—time low. for students who were

talking to a year, this is a devastating time to start their careers. it is time to rebuild our country. although this is a huge ambition, it starts with our first steps, all ambition has to step with first steps. —— has to start with rare steps. this will make a massive difference of the nhs, notjust back on its feet, what are your first steps in relation to that? the fans has to be a stable economy. in 2024, it feels odd but it is true, stability is changed. we have to have a stable foundation for our economy because if we don't, if you lose control of the economy, it is working people who pay the price. like that couple in staffordshire, there are plenty of other examples impacted by the failure of the government to take control of the economy. we have to do what we need to do for the nhs, there are steps

that wes has been setting out this morning... we that wes has been setting out this morninu... ~ ., that wes has been setting out this morninu... ~ . , that wes has been setting out this morning- - -— that wes has been setting out this morninr...~ . , ., morning... we are 'ust coming away from the labour _ morning. .. we are just coming away from the labour leader— morning... we are just coming away from the labour leader in _ morning... we are just coming away from the labour leader in the - morning... we are just coming away from the labour leader in the west l from the labour leader in the west millions keir starmer. laying out his plans for the nhs. particular that has been the focus of his discussions to date, particularly targeting waiting times. he said he wants to use more out of our work. he was to try and tackle waiting lists in england. that is the second of the events we have been following, along side the shadowy secretary wess is treating. we we —— we will follow up with all their headlines we need to know for the campaign trail. but first let's have a look at the weather. we are seeing some sunny we are seeing some sunny scenes across we are seeing some sunny scenes across the uk. some big shower clouds have developed. we are going to be seeing some further heavy

downpours all driven by this area of low pressure drifting slowly eastward. the most widespread heavy storms is likely to be across north, east and central parts of scotland. this could dampen a lot of rain in a short space of time with some localised destruction. further south, northern ireland and scotland —— further south, northern ireland and england, it could be up to 20 degrees. across scotland, we are getting down into northern england with red. on balance, most places should be dry, temperatures are around nine, ten or” should be dry, temperatures are around nine, ten or 11 degrees. this area of low pressure, still swelling to the east of us on thursday. this band of cloud syncing south in wales. getting down towards the south, tending to break down with sharp showers and storms. likely to push into some eastern parts of

england. furtherwest, not as push into some eastern parts of england. further west, not as much rain, summer sunshine. england. further west, not as much rain, summersunshine. afairly brisk and very cool north and north westerly winds. not feeling particularly warm. this area of low pressure loses its grip in the two that we will continue to see an area of cloud but further north and west, it is looking largely dry with some spells of sunshine and temperatures are up to 18, 19 and i wouldn't be surprised if someone got up to 20 degrees. there is this area of high pressure that will become dominant but around the higher, there are fairly high areas of cloud. it is not going to be sunny all the time, we will see a lot of cloud pushing across much of england and into wales. that could produce the odd shower, another bank of canned likely to roll into the north west of scotland. it is actually turning a little bit warmer, similar

temperature is on sunday. most areas fine, some areas of cloud, but some spells of sunshine.

live from london.

this is bbc news. junior doctors in england will stage a five—day strike before election day as part of their long—running pay dispute with the government. veteran mp diane abbott says she's been barred from standing for labour. the party leader says no decision's been made and the conservative chairman calls sir keir starmer a liar. the leaders of the main parties have been out and about across the uk — we'll be live on the campaign trail. and closing arguments end in donald trump's hush money trial — now thejurors will begin their deliberations. hello. junior doctors in england are to stage another five—day strike from june 27th untiljuly 2nd. talks with the government

started two weeks ago but have broken down. the doctors' union the british medical association has been in dispute overjunior doctors' pay for more than a year now. our health editor hugh pym reports. what do we want? they call it pay restoration, that is what they have been demanding in ten strikes staged in england since march last year. the junior doctor's union the bma want a 35% pay rise to compensate for inflation over more than a decade. ministers said that wasn't reasonable and awarded 9% on average last year, mediation talks started earlier this month but they stalled, and the bma has called another strike. the latest walk out byjunior doctors in england will start at 7.00am on thursdayjune 27th and end at the same time on tuesdayjuly 2nd, that of course is just two days

before polling day, onjuly 4th. last week, the government decided to walk away from negotiations, and throw their hands up and abdicate themselves of any responsibility of solving a dispute we have had with them over pay for the last 20 months. but there was criticism from conservative mps. it feels to me to be very political, this move, constructive talks had been held, but frankly, this is what you will get more of the labour get in, because we have passed some tough laws, when it comes to strikes, and francsly they are going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers should have done more to end the dispute. firstly i am shocked we are in this position, because this has been going on a very long time. i think the government should have resolved it and negotiated a settlement, and what they have effectively done is kicked it to the other side of the general election. that is unforgivable. there are still disputes between junior doctors and

the devolved administrations in wales and northern ireland. with me is our health editor hugh pym. how significant is the timing of this latest strike action? let's talk a little bit more about the timing, just days before the election? the timing, 'ust days before the election? ., �* , the timing, 'ust days before the election? . �* , a, election? that's right, matthew. more disruption _ election? that's right, matthew. more disruption in _ election? that's right, matthew. more disruption in hospitals, - more disruption in hospitals, thousands more appointments and operations cancelled, and all in the run—up to polling day at a time when the nhs is a big campaigning issue. this adds a new dimension to it. and in terms of what it means for patients, if you look at the total going right back to the end of 2022, cancellations of treatment because of all health workers strikes including nurses and ambulance staff as well as doctors, it is more than 1.4 million. so i think that impact is of real concern to patients and hospitals who will have to start cancelling those procedures. victoria atkins, the health secretary covering england, has given her reaction. he said it is a

reaction of anger and dismay, and she is questioning why the bma have decided to do it, she contests the idea that the government pulled the plug on the talks, and we have now got a war of words going on, the bma seem to be implying that once the government had called the election, there was no point carrying on with these mediation talks because no meaningful offer could be made, no money could be pledged. the government side of the story is that they bma walked out and did not give it a chance. so, considerable acrimony over this, as things stand right now. we acrimony over this, as things stand riaht now. ~ ., acrimony over this, as things stand riaht now. ~ . , ., right now. we have seen through the mornin: , right now. we have seen through the morning. labour— right now. we have seen through the morning, labour has _ right now. we have seen through the morning, labour has been _ right now. we have seen through the i morning, labour has been campaigning very, very hard on the nhs today, they are talking about cutting nhs waiting lists, that waiting target. tell me the detail of what they have announced and how they plan to do that? ., ,., ., ,_ announced and how they plan to do that? ., ., _ that? labour are saying by the end ofthe that? labour are saying by the end of the next — that? labour are saying by the end of the next parliament, _ that? labour are saying by the end of the next parliament, five - that? labour are saying by the end of the next parliament, five years, | of the next parliament, five years, if elected, they would hit the 18 week target which has not been met in england since 2016. the target is

that 92% of patients should start their treatment within that 18 weeks. as things stand right now it is more than 40%, 3.2 million, waiting longer than 18 weeks. so it is a pretty big ask. wes streeting of labour set out some of the plans in terms of how they are going to meet it earlier today. a plan which would deliver 40,000 extra _ a plan which would deliver 40,000 extra appointments and the weekends and evenings using an approach which has already— and evenings using an approach which has already been tried and tested in a small— has already been tried and tested in a small number of hospitals, we need to take _ a small number of hospitals, we need to take the _ a small number of hospitals, we need to take the best of the nhs to the rest of— to take the best of the nhs to the rest of the nhs. we will double the number— rest of the nhs. we will double the number of— rest of the nhs. we will double the number of diagnostic scanners, not 'ust number of diagnostic scanners, not just more _ number of diagnostic scanners, not just more scanners, but ai enabled scanners— just more scanners, but ai enabled scanners so— just more scanners, but ai enabled scanners so that we can get through the to _ scanners so that we can get through the 1.6 million backlog of people waiting _ the 1.6 million backlog of people waiting for tests and scans. that was wes streeting for labour. the other parties will set out their plans for the nhs in the weeks ahead. clearly now this junior doctors strike for england planned

for the end ofjune into earlyjuly gives a new dimension to all of the talk about plans for the nhs because this dispute is very important, it is farfrom this dispute is very important, it is far from resolved, this dispute is very important, it is farfrom resolved, and this dispute is very important, it is far from resolved, and whoever forms the next government, the day after the 4th ofjuly, is going to have to deal with this and quite possibly find more money from somewhere to meet the demands of the junior doctors, although the 35% they originally asked for has been condemned. labour themselves are saying if they form the next government, they will not be able to meet that, but they want to negotiate but it is going to be a big task for whoever�*s in government. big task for whoever's in government.— big task for whoever's in government. big task for whoever's in covernment. , ., ~', the status of the long—serving mp diane abbott is unclear after she told the bbc she'd been barred from standing as a labour candidate in the general election only to be contradicted by keir starmer, who said no decision had yet been taken. diane abbott was the first black woman to be elected to the house of commons nearly 40 years ago. she was suspended from the party last year after saying thatjewish, irish and traveller people didn't

face racism all their lives. she later apologised and was allowed back into the parliamentary party yesterday. our political correspondent jess parker reports. the first steps back in 1987 into a long career in parliament, as britain's first ever black female mp. good morning, my name's diane abbott. but is it now all coming to an end? what have labour said to you? diane abbott says she's dismayed by reports she's been barred from standing for labour, despite being let back in to the parliamentary party. it follows her suspension last year for saying jewish, irish and traveller people don't face racism all their lives. she apologised, so has she been barred from standing? no, that's not true, no decision has been taken

to bar diane abbott. the process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day, so she's a member of the parliamentary labour party, and no decision has been ta ken barring her. also out on the campaign trail the prime minister, who said it was time to unpack the truth. the labour party have been telling everybody this investigation into diane abbott is ongoing, it now appears it concluded months ago, so really, i guess it's a question for them to clear this all up, what happened when and be transparent with people about it. the scottish national party says she has been treated disgracefully. the liberal democrats say it is a matter for labour. diane abbott is seen as a trailblazer, an important figure in the party's story, and the whole saga has caused some unease, even anger, in labour ranks, but she has been

critical of the current labour leadership while also having been a close ally of the former leaderjeremy corbyn. so while this may all look like an unedifying mess, labour's top ranks perhaps view it slightly differently, as part of their efforts to make a clean break from the corbyn era. a prominent campaignerfor decades, a veteran mp on labour's left, no—one doubts diane abbott's place in history, but her place in sir keir starmer�*s labour party is now farfrom certain. jessica parker, bbc news in westminster. in the last hour, the chairman of the conservative party has weighed into this row, calling sir keir starmer a lion.— into this row, calling sir keir starmer a lion. this is a bizarre situation that _ starmer a lion. this is a bizarre situation that we _ starmer a lion. this is a bizarre situation that we are _ starmer a lion. this is a bizarre situation that we are now- starmer a lion. this is a bizarre l situation that we are now seeing over the labour party, we saw literally sir keir starmer on friday telling people that this was totally unresolved, we saw minister after minister from the shadow frontbench

coming out to say this isn't unresolved, and yet actually this was resolved back in december and diane abbott received a formal message from the labour nec, which sir keir starmer sits on, back in february. so the idea that he did not know what was going on is clearly nonsense. he has clearly been lying to people, and he calls for truth and honesty in politics yet he is not prepared to be clear and honest and truthful about some really big issues, especially around diane abbott. abs, really big issues, especially around diane abbott-— really big issues, especially around diane abbott. ~ , ., ,. ., diane abbott. a serious charge there from the chairman _ diane abbott. a serious charge there from the chairman of— diane abbott. a serious charge there from the chairman of the _ from the chairman of the conservative party. we will be talking with our correspondent who has been travelling with sir keir starmer in a moment or two. we were watching the labour leader unveiling yet another labour launch on the nhs, so we will talk to leila on the programme in the next couple of minutes. meanwhile, the conservatives say they would close university courses

offering what rishi sunak has described as a rip—off, and instead offer apprenticeships. described as a rip—off, and instead offerapprenticeships. labour described as a rip—off, and instead offer apprenticeships. labour has described the plans as laughable. the liberal democrats said the shockingly low pay on many apprenticeships was a sign of a broken system. the prime minister has been speaking about the plans during a campaign visit to cornwall. wonderful to be in cornwall this morning — wonderful to be in cornwall this morning having come on the overnight sleeper— morning having come on the overnight sleeper and _ morning having come on the overnight sleeper and i have morning having come on the overnight sleeperand i have been morning having come on the overnight sleeper and i have been delighted to have been— sleeper and i have been delighted to have been meeting apprentices. we will be _ have been meeting apprentices. we will be closing down university degrees — will be closing down university degrees which are letting our young people _ degrees which are letting our young people down and instead using that money— people down and instead using that money to— people down and instead using that money to front 100,000 new high—quality apprenticeships, that is the _ high—quality apprenticeships, that is the best way to transform people's— is the best way to transform people's lives and deliver a secure future _ people's lives and deliver a secure future for— people's lives and deliver a secure future for our young people. can you identify any — future for our young people. can you identify any underperforming - future for our young people. can you | identify any underperforming degrees for us, no—one of them, and what is one way university for so many young people to? one way university for so many young --eole to? , , , one way university for so many young --eoleto? , , , ., ., people to? university is great and it makes a fantastic— people to? university is great and it makes a fantastic option - people to? university is great and it makes a fantastic option for - people to? university is great and l it makes a fantastic option for many people _ it makes a fantastic option for many people but— it makes a fantastic option for many people but it is not the only

option. _ people but it is not the only option. i_ people but it is not the only option, i am people but it is not the only option, lam not people but it is not the only option, i am not someone who believes— option, i am not someone who believes you have to go to university and all of the apprenticeships i have spoken to this morning are proof of that, describing _ this morning are proof of that, describing it as the best decision they has— describing it as the best decision they has ever made. we know that there _ they has ever made. we know that there are _ they has ever made. we know that there are university degrees which are letting — there are university degrees which are letting people down, independent study say— are letting people down, independent study say that around one in five people _ study say that around one in five people who are on degrees would have been financially better off not doing — been financially better off not doing them, about one in three graduates— doing them, about one in three graduates are on longerjobs, so actually— graduates are on longerjobs, so actually we are better off providing those _ actually we are better off providing those young people with the opportunity of a high—quality apprenticeship, the regulator will be given— apprenticeship, the regulator will be given the power to look at underperforming degrees, looking at the progression rates, the dropout rates, _ the progression rates, the dropout rates, the — the progression rates, the dropout rates, the earnings of people on those _ rates, the earnings of people on those degrees and instead we will use that _ those degrees and instead we will use that money to front 100,000 new apprenticeships and that is an example _ apprenticeships and that is an example of the bold action that i am prepared _ example of the bold action that i am prepared to take because that is how we will— prepared to take because that is how we will deliver a secure future for everyone — we will deliver a secure future for everyone in— we will deliver a secure future for everyone in our country. in contrast the labom— everyone in our country. in contrast the labour party are still clinging to the _ the labour party are still clinging to the notion that everyone has to id to the notion that everyone has to go to— to the notion that everyone has to go to university and they want to halve _ go to university and they want to halve the — go to university and they want to halve the number of apprenticeships and that— halve the number of apprenticeships and that is— halve the number of apprenticeships and that is not the right way forward _ let's speak to ione wells who's with the conservatives on their election campaign bus.

hopefully the picture is not going to freeze too much. we saw the prime minister be impressed on what were the mickey mouse courses, and that is one of the key questions, in terms of actually getting a factual answer to that?— answer to that? that's right. and that is one _ answer to that? that's right. and that is one of _ answer to that? that's right. and that is one of the _ answer to that? that's right. and that is one of the questions - answer to that? that's right. and that is one of the questions we . answer to that? that's right. and i that is one of the questions we have been trying to get from the conservatives today. broadly speaking, the way they find it, what they call rip—off, is courses which either have a high level of dropouts, or ones which do not tend to lead to good job progression or high earnings after graduation. they have argued that the reason they want to scrap this is because the way that the students loans system currently works is that people pay back their student loans depending on how much money they earn after they graduate, loans that are eventually written off are ones that end up getting subsidised by the

government. the government says they could put that money instead towards funding 100,000 new apprenticeships. the prime minister today was meeting some apprentices on his visit to cornwall to promote this policy but it has been criticised by opposition parties, both labour and the liberal democrats have called this a cynical announcement, arguing that the conservatives themselves have presided over a period where the number of apprenticeships has fallen, and labour are saying that they would invest in technical excellence colleges which they say would train up people to work in local industries in their local areas. so, some criticism from opposition parties on that announcement but as you say there are still big question mark is to be ironed out about this policy, mostly, what are these degrees that would be cut, specifically, and also which universities in particular might get affected? that is something that could become quite a local political issue, given that universities play quite a big role in different constituencies up and down the uk.

in different constituencies up and down the uk-_ in different constituencies up and down the uk. ~ , i. ., , down the uk. whilst you are with us, we were just — down the uk. whilst you are with us, we were just playing _ down the uk. whilst you are with us, we were just playing our— down the uk. whilst you are with us, we were just playing our main - down the uk. whilst you are with us, we were just playing our main piece, | we were just playing our main piece, that news about the new round of junior doctors strikes, has the prime minister commented since that news broke? the prime minister commented since that news broke?— news broke? the prime minister has not et news broke? the prime minister has not yet commented _ news broke? the prime minister has not yet commented on _ news broke? the prime minister has not yet commented on this - news broke? the prime minister has not yet commented on this although j news broke? the prime minister hasl not yet commented on this although i am sure he will be asked about this issue later on. as you mentioned, the strikes have been announced from the strikes have been announced from the 27th ofjune until the 2nd of july, so basicallyjust that five day period, right before when the general election is. for the health secretary, victoria atkins, the conservative minister, she has described the timing of this as cynical political timing, saying that this is being done deliberately before the general election. labour, on the other hand, have said that this is an example of the conservatives not resolving this issue before the general election, and have accused them of dragging their feet on this topic. so, i think the timing of this will be significant for both parties, and i think it will add russia to their health plans of both parties because

it will i think lead to questions for both major parties about how they would negotiate with the unions, how they would resolve this issue that has now... i unions, how they would resolve this issue that has now. . ._ issue that has now... i think we have just _ issue that has now... i think we have just about _ issue that has now... i think we have just about lost _ issue that has now... i think we have just about lost that - issue that has now... i think we have just about lost that signal| issue that has now... i think we l have just about lost that signal to the campaign bus with lone wells. thank you very much for those answers on what the campaign has been about over the last few hours, and of course reacting major story about new rounds ofjunior doctors strikes. let's head out and catch with the liberal democrats because their battle but has been in wales today to launch their election campaign there, alongside the welsh lib dems leader. alongside welsh lib dem leader jane dodds, ed davey set out a "rescue plan" forfarmers including £1 billion in extra funding. let's speak to hannah miller who's with the liberal democrats today in mid wales. tell us more about what that announcement was, the details, when ed davey was there in wales a little

earlier? , ,., ., , earlier? yes, so, he was there announcing — earlier? yes, so, he was there announcing £1 _ earlier? yes, so, he was there announcing £1 billion - earlier? yes, so, he was there announcing £1 billion of - earlier? yes, so, he was there | announcing £1 billion of funding earlier? yes, so, he was there - announcing £1 billion of funding for agriculture, to kind of make food production more sustainable, more cost—effective, more productive. with technology, things like that. the money actually is for england only even though the announcement was made in wales. it is quite a sizeable chunk, i think the current budget in england is about two point for billion pounds so adding an extra £1 billion is a significant amount of money on that project. and he said it would be fully costed once the manifesto comes along. he was also talking about scrapping the salary threshold is for people who come to work in agriculture in the uk, and renegotiating the trade deal with australia, which is due to come into effect very shortly, and there are concerns around the climate change commitments around that. so,

a number of labour policies aimed at people in rural areas in particular, at farming communities where they think that they can pick up votes. it is interesting watching ed davey because yesterday you were with us, he was talking about water quality in windermere, today it is farming, he is clearly as we were talking yesterday, very targeted in this campaign so far, and returning to very clear themes?— campaign so far, and returning to very clear themes? yes, so, we are actuallyjust — very clear themes? yes, so, we are actually just arriving _ very clear themes? yes, so, we are actuallyjust arriving in _ very clear themes? yes, so, we are actuallyjust arriving in bath, - very clear themes? yes, so, we are actuallyjust arriving in bath, act i actuallyjust arriving in bath, act has been labour for actuallyjust arriving in bath, act has been labourfor most actuallyjust arriving in bath, act has been labour for most of recent elections. —— a seat. the conservatives did take it at one stage but generally a liberal democrats seat and one which they won in 2019. that is kind of them starting their tour of the south—west, where rishi sunak has been as well, a kind of liberal democrats conservative battle going on there. i asked ed davey earlier weather he was worried about the conservative party, going to the west country, and he said he was

actually quite pleased about it because it gives some sense that there might be a real battle going on where they hope that they can pick up a number of seats. i think as we were saying, to some extent, yesterday, their strategy this time is much more targeted, it is not this idea that there is going to be a liberal prime minister or anything, but kind of pitching themselves as a party who can take votes and seats away from the conservatives, really taking the battle to the conservatives, and the government's record, being much less critical of the labour party and not really directly answering questions about whether they would work with labour although the hint is that perhaps yes, if it were to come to that, but we would have to wait and see. ., ., ~ that, but we would have to wait and see. . . ~ �* ., that, but we would have to wait and see, ., ., �* i ., ., see. hannah miller in bath, thanks ve much for we were looking at the confusion around a diane abbott story, let's get back to our correspondent leila nathoo, who is travelling with the labour campaign through the course of the day.

leila, let's start with those questions around diane abbott, and the latest intervention, this time from the tory chairman, absolutely clearly calling sir keir starmer a lion. just bring us up to date about what the labour leader is saying? afternoon, matthew, we are at the grounds of worcester city fc here, sir keir starmer has been here with the shadow health secretary wes streeting. they are just about to launch their ad van. spent all morning wanting to talk about their plans for the nhs, their plans to want to cut nhs waiting times, but clearly, this visit has been dominated by questions over the future of diane abbott as a labour mp. i spoke to sir keir starmer earlier after he had finished taking questions from some medical students

at worcester university, asked him about whether diane abbott would be allowed to stand as a labour candidate just bare with me one second, i think west rating is about start making a speech behind me. not sure if you can still hear me or not. —— wes streeting. sure if you can still hear me or not. -- wes streeting.- sure if you can still hear me or not. -- wes streeting. this general election campaign _ not. -- wes streeting. this general election campaign is _ not. -- wes streeting. this general election campaign is an _ not. -- wes streeting. this general election campaign is an opportunityj election campaign is an opportunity to turn— election campaign is an opportunity to turn the — election campaign is an opportunity to turn the page _ election campaign is an opportunity to turn the page on _ election campaign is an opportunity to turn the page on 40 _ election campaign is an opportunity to turn the page on 40 years - election campaign is an opportunity to turn the page on 40 years of- to turn the page on 40 years of conservative _ to turn the page on 40 years of conservative failure, _ to turn the page on 40 years of conservative failure, and - to turn the page on 40 years of. conservative failure, and nowhere to turn the page on 40 years of- conservative failure, and nowhere is that failure — conservative failure, and nowhere is that failure more _ conservative failure, and nowhere is that failure more clear— conservative failure, and nowhere is that failure more clear than... - conservative failure, and nowhere is that failure more clear than... and i that failure more clear than... and if you _ that failure more clear than... and if you are — that failure more clear than... and if you are in — that failure more clear than... and if you are in no— that failure more clear than... and if you are in no doubt _ that failure more clear than... and if you are in no doubt about- that failure more clear than... and if you are in no doubt about who i that failure more clear than... and if you are in no doubt about who isj if you are in no doubt about who is to blame _ if you are in no doubt about who is to blame for— if you are in no doubt about who is to blame for this _ if you are in no doubt about who is to blame for this record _ if you are in no doubt about who is to blame for this record of- if you are in no doubt about who is to blame for this record of chaos l to blame for this record of chaos and failure, _ to blame for this record of chaos and failure, look— to blame for this record of chaos and failure, look no _ to blame for this record of chaos and failure, look no further- to blame for this record of chaos and failure, look no further than| and failure, look no further than our prime — and failure, look no further than our prime minister. _ and failure, look no further than our prime minister. a _ and failure, look no further than our prime minister. a prime - and failure, look no further than - our prime minister. a prime minister who won't— our prime minister. a prime minister who won't talk— our prime minister. a prime minister who won't talk about _ our prime minister. a prime minister who won't talk about the _ our prime minister. a prime minister who won't talk about the nhs, - our prime minister. a prime minister who won't talk about the nhs, a - who won't talk about the nhs, a prime _ who won't talk about the nhs, a prime minister— who won't talk about the nhs, a prime minister who— who won't talk about the nhs, a prime minister who has- who won't talk about the nhs, a prime minister who has no- who won't talk about the nhs, a prime minister who has no planl who won't talk about the nhs, a . prime minister who has no plan for the nhs, _ prime minister who has no plan for the nhs, and — prime minister who has no plan for the nhs, and a _ prime minister who has no plan for the nhs, and a prime _ prime minister who has no plan for the nhs, and a prime minister- prime minister who has no plan for. the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is— the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given— the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given the— the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given the keys _ the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given the keys back- the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given the keys back to - the nhs, and a prime ministerwho, if he is given the keys back to 10 - if he is given the keys back to 10 downing — if he is given the keys back to 10 downing street _ if he is given the keys back to 10 downing street will— if he is given the keys back to 10 downing street will make - if he is given the keys back to 10 downing street will make our. if he is given the keys back to 10 i downing street will make our nhs even worse — downing street will make our nhs even worse than _ downing street will make our nhs even worse than it _ downing street will make our nhs even worse than it already - even worse than it already yesterday. _ even worse than it already yesterday, and _ even worse than it already yesterday, and we - even worse than it already yesterday, and we are - even worse than it already yesterday, and we are not| even worse than it already - yesterday, and we are not going to let that _ yesterday, and we are not going to let that happen _

let that happen. applause - applause the choice facing the country on the 4th ofjuly is... so, wes streeting just behind me making his case for why labour should take control of the nhs. the conversation about the nhs is one which labour have been wanting to have today, clearly it is one of those days in the campaign when a party in marks a certain day to talk about a certain subject but they have been forced to confront they have been forced to confront theissue they have been forced to confront the issue of what is going to happen to diane abbott. sir keir starmer spoke to me earlier when he was speaking to reporters back at worcester university, and he said it was not the case that diane abbott had been barred from standing as a labour candidate. if you rewind a little bit, she has been suspended, renamo, from the labour party for the past year or so after having been investigated for comments she made in response to a newspaper article, she wrote into a newspaper and talked aboutjewish, irish and

traveller people facing prejudice, rather than racism. she had apologised for those comments but there has been an investigation going on for some time now, and huge question marks surrounding her future. that has come to a head because of the calling of the general election campaign, and candidates having to be decided, would she be the labour candidate in the london seat that she has represented for more than 35 years? that is still a question at the moment unanswered. she has been readmitted to the parliamentary labour party, this is all coming together in these days as labour is trying to ready itself for the general election but this morning she told the bbc that she had been barred from standing as a labour candidate, sir keir starmer told me earlier that that was factually incorrect, she had not been barred, that there is a process, and that the national executive committee of labour will be deciding this within days. at the moment it is still not clear whether diane abbott could choose to stand as a labour

candidate if she wanted to in her london seat. keir starmer very clear that there is no barring and not engaging with questions about whether any briefing to the contrary had come from his office. so clearly quite a difficult situation for labour to confront today as they want to talk about the nhs which they think is one of the key battleground areas which they want to make the nhs the key issue of the campaign. they are talking here today about the record as they put it of tory failure. they brought somebody over who talked about his failure to get an operation. lots of focus on waiting lists for the labour party, but still many outstanding questions surrounding diane abbott and many days potentially for this to run before it is confirmed one way or the other if she is the candidate. a quick thought on that, leila, because it is thought that the investigation concluded months ago, is it not strange that here we are, and we heard wes streeting on the radio at the start of the day saying he didn't know, you've got keir starmer being asked questions, that we're

not getting clear answers about what and why the nec have decided what they have? and why the nec have decided what the have? ., and why the nec have decided what the have? . ., , they have? yeah, i mean, every sinale they have? yeah, i mean, every single labour— they have? yeah, i mean, every single labour politician - they have? yeah, i mean, every single labour politician who - they have? yeah, i mean, every single labour politician who has| single labour politician who has been interviewed in recent months, many months, going back, about this, including sir keir starmer, has fallen back on the idea that the nec investigation, this national executive committee investigation into diane abbott is an independent process, they say politicians have nothing to do with it, they are trying to make a virtue of the fact that disciplinary processes are capped at arm's length from politicians so there can't be any interference in it. but of course you are going to ask the question of the leader of the party himself, especially about an issue that has come to dominate. there has been so much discussion in public about diane abbott's situation, there was a discussion about it when for example a former conservative mp natalie elphicke was taken into the

labour ranks, when she defected, a lot of disquiet in the labour ranks then, and many labour mps who were supportive of diane abbott then saying, why is natalie elphicke welcomed in with open arms but the case of diane abbott is still outstanding? i think there is frustration, there has been frustration, there has been frustration from across the labour party, not in the quarters that you would necessarily associate with supporters of diane abbott, but across the party, frustration at how this is being handled, and i think the confusion over the last 24 hours also, certainly since it emerged that the investigation had been completed back in the previous year, we had heard that the investigation was ongoing, so they can point to the fact that in their view, for example, the process extends beyond the formal investigation, i think that was keir starmer�*s line yesterday on the matter. but i think it is getting into uncomfortable territory about why there has not been a firm answer. there seems to been a firm answer. there seems to be some anticipation of something from diane abbott, whether she herself will declare if she wanted to stand again or not. she has not

done that so far. there could have been opportunities in the past to shut this down and round off this situation in a way suitable for both sides but so far it is still all to be decided. sides but so far it is still all to be decided-— sides but so far it is still all to be decided. . ., ., ., ., ,, sides but so far it is still all to be decided. . ., ., ,, , ., be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much. be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much- with — be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much- with me _ be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much. with me in _ be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much. with me in the _ be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much. with me in the studio - be decided. leila nathoo, thank you much. with me in the studio is - much. with me in the studio is scarlet maguire, the director at the research and polling companyjlp. welcome to bbc news. we are a week into this campaign, is there anything significant in terms of movement in the polls? i anything significant in terms of movement in the polls? i would say not et. movement in the polls? i would say not yet- so — movement in the polls? i would say not yet- so at _ movement in the polls? i would say not yet. so at the _ movement in the polls? i would say not yet. so at the moment - movement in the polls? i would say not yet. so at the moment it - movement in the polls? i would say not yet. so at the moment it is - movement in the polls? i would say not yet. so at the moment it is a i not yet. so at the moment it is a bit early to say, we have had lots of new polls out, most of them do not show much movement at all, there are signs there might be a tony bit of narrowing potentially due to the conservatives shoring up their base, which they are already struggling with hugely but at the moment it is too early to say the direction of this campaign. in too early to say the direction of this campaign-— too early to say the direction of this campaign. in terms of issues that voters _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are most _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are most concerned i that voters are most concerned about, you said to our producer that you thought that the nhs is currently underpriced in terms of

the sorts of things you are hearing, tell me more about what you come to that conclusion? i tell me more about what you come to that conclusion?— that conclusion? i do, so, when you ask voters — that conclusion? i do, so, when you ask voters about _ that conclusion? i do, so, when you ask voters about their _ that conclusion? i do, so, when you ask voters about their priorities i that conclusion? i do, so, when you ask voters about their priorities go l ask voters about their priorities go they normally say the economy, the nhs and immigration, that changes slightly depending on which group of voters you ask but broadly speaking they seem to be the three most important issues to voters. there is a common conception that it is the colony that tops everything else, however i think the state of the nhs is becoming more and more important to voters. you see this in data and you also see it in focus groups, people are very unhappy and worried about the future of the nhs, they trust labour more on the issue and there for it does not surprise me that we are to labour making hay with that today.— with that today. yes, it has dominated _ with that today. yes, it has dominated the _ with that today. yes, it has dominated the labour i with that today. yes, it has i dominated the labour campaign with that today. yes, it has _ dominated the labour campaign today. in terms of the tory strategy, what have you made of it so far? the tory strate: have you made of it so far? the tory strategy seems _ have you made of it so far? the tory strategy seems to _ have you made of it so far? the tory strategy seems to be _ have you made of it so far? the tory strategy seems to be a _ have you made of it so far? the tory strategy seems to be a defensive i strategy seems to be a defensive one, and i think that makes sense, at the moment they are holding onto less than 50% of their 2019 vote, they are doing extraordinarily poorly, so they are moving to a position of trying to get back some of those voters who have either gone

to reform or who are saying they don't know. they have made the calculation that those are the easiest voters for them to win back to try to mitigate the scale of the defeat they think they will be facing. that partly explains the policies they have been coming out with, namely the quadruple pension block and the national service. thanks for those headline thoughts. before we end this half—hour, i want to take you away from the campaign trail, and just show you some incredible pictures coming in from iceland, the south—west of iceland, because that volcano we have seen erupt so many times over recent months, again, a new eruption, again, around the town of grindavik, which had been evacuated, but new eruption starting north of that town, according to officials in a statement. and of course, we've seen over the weeks people moved away, but every now and again, you get images like this is the volcano erupts again. so, extraordinary

pictures coming in from iceland. we will give you the very latest on that and when we get more detail. welcome if you have just that and when we get more detail. welcome if you havejustjoined us, you're watching bbc news. let's turn to our main headlines here. junior doctors in england will stage a five—day strike before election day as part of their long—running pay dispute with the government. veteran mp diane abbott says she has been barred from standing for labour, sir keir starmer says no decision has been made. the conservative chairman has called him a liar. in the first televised leaders debate rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head to head next week. plenty more from the election campaign in a moment or two, but let's break away from that and head to new york, an important story we are watching here through the course of today and potentially tomorrow as well. let's see in terms of how long the jury is out for because the

judge in the donald trump fraud trial will direct the jury today before sending them out to start their deliberations. they will start late after closing arguments overran considerably on tuesday. let's go to the courthouse, let's go to our correspondence, led at orphic. let's start with a brief word about those closing arguments yesterday because they are overran, but summarise the two propositions put to those jury members, both from the defence and the prosecution.— the prosecution. yes, that's right, the prosecution. yes, that's right, the went the prosecution. yes, that's right, they went well _ the prosecution. yes, that's right, they went well into _ the prosecution. yes, that's right, they went well into the _ the prosecution. yes, that's right, they went well into the evening i they went well into the evening because both sides understand the highest stakes of this case and wanted to win overjurors. from the defence, essentially it boils down to an argument that michael cohen, the prosecution's star witness, is the prosecution's star witness, is the only one who said that donald trump knew about the scheme to falsify business records and approved it and therefore they say

president trump cannot be convicted on michael cohen's word alone. they said it was the human embodiment of reasonable doubt, the greatest liar of all time, someone who is just out for revenge and was lying to the jury about donald trump's intent. but from the prosecution, they said this wasn't just about a sex but from the prosecution, they said this wasn'tjust about a sex scandal with an adult film star, it wasn't just about falsifying business records, but that this was ultimately about donald trump trying to defraud the american voters before the 2016 election to benefit one person and one person only, donald trump. and they urged the jury to think of michael cohen as a tour guide for what they said was indisputable evidence and they said it was inconceivable that donald trump knew about the hush money payments, but didn't know about the scheme to reimburse michael cohen. and they asked jurors to use their common sense to convict donald

trump. common sense to convict donald trum -. �* ., ., common sense to convict donald trum. �* . ., ., , ~ common sense to convict donald trum, �* . . . ' ~' ., common sense to convict donald trum.�* . . . ' ~' ., , trump. and nada tawfik, of course, it has to be — trump. and nada tawfik, of course, it has to be a _ trump. and nada tawfik, of course, it has to be a unanimous _ trump. and nada tawfik, of course, it has to be a unanimous decision i trump. and nada tawfik, of course, j it has to be a unanimous decision by thejury. they will it has to be a unanimous decision by the jury. they will be sent out and be guided by thejudge in the next couple of hours, but in terms of those counts, 34 counts, how does it work? because... can there be a sort of mix of verdicts, depending on the account or... ? or if the defence wins and one count, does that automatically mean that all those other counts go the same way? look, matthew, other counts go the same way? look, matthew. there _ other counts go the same way? look, matthew, there is _ other counts go the same way? look, matthew, there is absolutely - other counts go the same way? look, matthew, there is absolutely the i matthew, there is absolutely the possibility here is a partial verdict. if donald trump is found guilty on even one of these 34 counts, he will be a convicted felon. that is the reality that he is facing. now, it is important to note that these 34 counts are all falsifying business records in the

first degree. and what they relate to our 11 checks, 11 invoices and 12 general business ledgers that prosecutors say were falsified. so it will be interesting to see, as the jury is instruction on the law in applying it, as they go through the evidence, how they reach a verdict and if they do reach a unanimous verdict because remember, the defence's entire strategy, matthew, has been to kind of poke holes in as many places as possible in the prosecution's case, in order to reach onejuror or in the prosecution's case, in order to reach one juror or another in the prosecution's case, in order to reach onejuror or another in different parts of this case, for them to hold out and potentially deliver them a hung jury. just them to hold out and potentially deliver them a hung jury.- deliver them a hung 'ury. just a final quick * deliver them a hung 'ury. just a final quick word i deliver them a hung jury. just a final quick word about - deliver them a hung jury. just a final quick word about all i deliver them a hung jury. just a final quick word about all of i deliver them a hung jury. just aj final quick word about all of the hoopla around where you are. yesterday of course we had robert de niro, we had donald trumpjunior, there must be huge interest outside of the courthouse? yes.

there must be huge interest outside of the courthouse?— of the courthouse? yes, you know, there really — of the courthouse? yes, you know, there really is _ of the courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a _ of the courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a more _ of the courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a more charged i there really is a more charged atmosphere, now that we are getting closer to a verdict. there is a notable uptick in the security presence here outside of the court. already this morning we are seeing more of donald trump's supporters turn out. yesterday was the largest crowd of protesters we had seen really over the last few weeks. so things are certainly heating up here, matthew, as we get closer to that verdict and there is no wonder why. of course, this will have massive ripple effects across the country and of course globally. sslizi, country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back — country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back to _ country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back to you _ country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back to you a _ country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back to you a little - country and of course globally. s&p, we'll be back to you a little later in our programme. thanks very much for now. nada tawfik for us now in york. let's return to the election campaign and the trails we have been seeing at the campaigning we have been seen because election campaigns

are increasingly less about kissing babies and more about viral moments on tiktok with digital campaigns much more likely to play a much bigger role in who is elected on the 4th ofjuly. let's talk about that for the next few minutes with kate dunnett, professor of digital politics at the university of sheffield. welcome here to the programme. how big a part of this campaign is it likely to be? yes. campaign is it likely to be? yes, diuital campaign is it likely to be? yes, diaital is campaign is it likely to be? yes, digital is definitely _ campaign is it likely to be? yes, digital is definitely going - campaign is it likely to be? yes digital is definitely going to be a big part of this campaign. we have only seen the main little party is launching content across multiple political platforms and we have even seen messages coming to our phone is trying to advertise their offer to the electorate. that trying to advertise their offer to the electorate.— the electorate. at first glance, what works — the electorate. at first glance, what works and _ the electorate. at first glance, what works and what - the electorate. at first glance, what works and what doesn't? | the electorate. at first glance, i what works and what doesn't? so what works and what doesn't? ’ir there what works and what doesn't? 5r there are two main strategies. on there are two main strategies. on the one hand, political parties are paying for content, so we can already see kind of record levels of money being spent on facebook advertising and also on youtube and

then the other strategy is more organic sharing, trying to get us to comment or interact or to pass on through our own networks content thatis through our own networks content that is online. and we are seeing political parties kind of invest in both of those strategies to different degrees, reflecting the kind of way that they work as organisations. give me an idea, if ou organisations. give me an idea, if you know. — organisations. give me an idea, if you know. of— organisations. give me an idea, if you know, of the _ organisations. give me an idea, if you know, of the sort _ organisations. give me an idea, if you know, of the sort of - organisations. give me an idea, if. you know, of the sort of proportion of the party's budget that they are now allocating to all of this. yes. now allocating to all of this. yes, so we know _ now allocating to all of this. yes, so we know that _ now allocating to all of this. yes, so we know that more _ now allocating to all of this. yes, so we know that more money i now allocating to all of this. ye: so we know that more money than ever before is going to social media. to give you an idea of what has been spent so far, it is about 100,000 a day by labour on meta so far, around 35,000 by the conservatives being spent on online adverts. so kind of around 20% of their overall campaign spending, i would around 20% of their overall campaign spending, iwould imagine, would be going to online. find spending, i would imagine, would be going to online-— going to online. and in terms of taruet going to online. and in terms of target audience, _ going to online. and in terms of target audience, is _ going to online. and in terms of target audience, is it _ going to online. and in terms of target audience, is it what i going to online. and in terms of target audience, is it what we . going to online. and in terms of| target audience, is it what we all assume, the younger target audience?

know, very much not, actually. you know, i think the kind of demographics that are of interest to the party are the same online as they are off—line. you know, platforms like facebook have a much older demographic than someone like tiktok that is younger, so we are going to really see political parties tailor their content to the platforms for the voters they are trying to reach. we know that men who are between 45—60 are a key battleground group at this election, so we are likely to see that group targeted on facebook advertising, for example. iloathe targeted on facebook advertising, for example-— targeted on facebook advertising, for example. who regulates digital content? we _ for example. who regulates digital content? we know— for example. who regulates digital content? we know with _ for example. who regulates digital content? we know with the - for example. who regulates digital i content? we know with the old-style content? we know with the old—style party political broadcasts, they are heavily regulated, the sorts of things we see on television, but in terms of that digital world, is there any sort of regulation in terms of what the parties put out in accuracy and all of that?— accuracy and all of that? fantastic cuestion. accuracy and all of that? fantastic question. digital— accuracy and all of that? fantastic question. digital content - accuracy and all of that? fantastic question. digital content is - question. digital content is remarkably unregulated, especially when we compare it to off—line

counterparts. online advertising is not subject to regulation at all. we know that advertising on tv, for example, is banned, otherthan know that advertising on tv, for example, is banned, other than the party political broadcasts. so a lot more is possible online. there isn't regulation of content, which quite a few people think they should be. it is very much, our system of electoral regulation is focused on financial transparency.— financial transparency. professor kate dommett, _ financial transparency. professor kate dommett, it— financial transparency. professor kate dommett, it is— financial transparency. professor kate dommett, it is a _ financial transparency. professor | kate dommett, it is a fascinating new world or developing world in terms of election campaigning. thanks very much, though, for those forts. just a reminder, that you can get right up to date with the election campaign. do head to the bbc website that has a life page routinely being updated from each of the campaign trail is there, the diane abbott story that is dominating in terms of the question being asked of the labour leader, but all of the campaign stops, you will see video, you will hear

analysis and hear from will see video, you will hear analysis and hearfrom our will see video, you will hear analysis and hear from our political teams are out and about across the uk. so head to the bbc website and also the bbc news app. back there in the next little while. let's take a look at some of the other day's main because the board of the royal mail has agreed to a £3.6 billion takeover bid from a czech billionaire. the deal will still need final sign off by the government and no decision is expected to be made before the general election. he was our business editor, simonjack. founded in the time of henry viii, royal mail still carries demonic�*s insignia. it was split off from the post office and privatise over a decade ago, allowing anyone to buy shares. czech billionaire daniel kretinsky has already snapped up 27% of them and royal mail's owners are recommending other shareholders accept his offer to buy the rest. but unions, the current government and opposition politicians want assurances which include, retaining the name and brand...

this offer is expected to accept those, but unions are still uneasy. but i might look, we feel it is a failure of privatisation. it is almost 12 failure of privatisation. it is almos- , ., , failure of privatisation. it is almos.’ ,~ ,, . failure of privatisation. it is almos- , . ,, . failure of privatisation. it is almos . almost 12 years since royal mail rivatised almost 12 years since royal mail privatised and, _ almost 12 years since royal mail privatised and, you _ almost 12 years since royal mail privatised and, you know, i almost 12 years since royal mail privatised and, you know, it i almost 12 years since royal mail privatised and, you know, it has been mismanaged for years and now it looks like we are going to be owned by a foreign equity company which we are really concerned with because quality is down, morale is down and, whilst there have been some assurances, we have been told, we are really concerned at what the future holds for royal mail, great british public service.— british public service. daniel kretinsky — british public service. daniel kretinsky made _ british public service. daniel kretinsky made his - british public service. daniel kretinsky made his fortune i british public service. daniel| kretinsky made his fortune in british public service. daniel- kretinsky made his fortune in the energy industry, but as in recent years he has diversified his interests into retail and logistics. he owns 10% of sainsbury�*s and 25% of west ham football club. a final

decision by shareholders under the government is not expected before the election. simonjack, bbc news. let's turn to ukraine because since russia launched its full—scale invasion of ukraine, almost 2,000 children have been injured or killed. and the suffering is not only physical. child psychologists report a "catastrophic" surge in young people across the country struggling with symptoms, including panic attacks and depression. our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, reports. angelina lives in the ruins of a war that's transformed her childhood. her kindergarten was destroyed in russian shelling and the eight—year—old's head is full of memories from when russian forces first tried to take kharkiv. translation: it was very scary when i was in the basement. i i thought, "when will it all end?" there were rockets flying. it was frightening.

and there was a plane that flew over us. angelina's family fled then through all this, desperate for safety. but they came back last year because this is home, despite everything. her mum shows me the shrapnel marks in the kitchen. and now russia is attacking again. translation: if they start bombing, then i tell mummy that i'll _ go into the corridor, and she sits with me. i think at least the corridor will survive an explosion. kharkiv is just a few miles from the russian border and it's a nervous place again. but ukraine's children are growing up underfire — right across the country. lera's leg was shattered in a missile attack on her city last summer.

she is gradually healing physically. translation: at first, i was really scared, i afraid of every little noise. i'm not scared like that any more. but if they say there's a missile heading for chernihiv, then ijust go crazy. it's awful. almost 2,000 children have been injured and killed since vladimir putin's full—scale invasion. but not all the pain is visible. translation: we witnessed - a catastrophic amount of children who started turning to us with different, unpleasant symptoms. do you think that there's enough help for all the children who need it? to be honest, we have a very long queue. we really do. for lera, it's the loss of her brother that's hit hardest. sasha was killed on the front line.

translation: i used to look for his face in every person i who passed on the street. i don't believe it, even now. then her sister produces sasha's last message — sending his love from the front line. lera has not heard his voice since he died. children are learning to live with the blackouts, the loss and the loneliness, and with the worry that there may yet be worse to come. translation: these school holidays are just a little bit strange. _ but when i ask angelina what she wants most... ..she wants this war to end. sarah rainsford, bbc news, kharkiv.

now two events in the middle east. the israeli military is continuing its offensive in southern gaza, despite calls for the operation to be halted to prevent the killing of more civilians. algeria has said it would draft the united nations resolution calling for an end to the killing. the us has vetoed previous resolutions and still says it still considers the israeli campaign in rafah to fall short of what it deems a major ground operation. but it said the killings on tuesday of 21 more people in a displaced persons camp were heartbreaking. israel has denied firing in the area. let's get an update from correspondence yolande knell, who injerusalem. in terms of ground troops movement, witnesses have been saying to us that those tanks have beenin saying to us that those tanks have been in the heart of the city, close to the roundabout near to the mosque there. also there have been advances of israeli troops along the gaza —

egypt border, where yesterday they took control of the highest hill, a strategically important location. so, although the israeli military is not commenting directly on its manoeuvrings, it does seem to have been making serious advances in the city, although at this stage, the us, of course, is still saying that this it considers to be a limited offensive. it is not a full—scale ground offensive, in washington's view. yolande knell. bbc news has learned that criminals are using social media to sell guides on how to carry out extortion. the guides include showing how to pose as a young woman online to trick victims into sending sexually explicit material and then blackmail them. sexually explicit material and then blackmailthem. last sexually explicit material and then blackmail them. last month the national crime agency issued an alert to schools across the uk about alert to schools across the uk about a rise in the number of cases involving children. he was our correspondent, angus crawford.

on the beach, drinking cognac, living it up. olamide shanu accused of making £2 million through sextortion. part of a gang tricking victims into sending nude images of themselves online and then blackmailing them. yesterday, in court in london, facing extradition to the us. investigators say olamide shanu was involved in the sextortion of hundreds of victims, part of a new wave of gangs based mainly in nigeria. their aim — terrify their targets, often children, and make them pay. he was shellshocked and he was literally physically shaking. there are scores of different gangs targeting children, children like lucy's 14—year—old son. and hejust came up to me and said, "mummy, i've had this message." and he just looked terrified, worried. and i said, "what, what is it?" and he showed me his phone. it was a text message, basically saying, "don't shut us down.

if you don't send us money in 24 hours, we'll send a picture to all your contacts." lucy closed her son's account, turned off the phone and never heard from the gang again. her son's fine, she's furious. we know that some teenagers tragically have ended their own lives because of this. if he hadn't been at home that morning and i hadn't been in the kitchen and he hadn't talked to me, i don't know how he would have carried on the rest of that day. you know, i don't know how it would have played out for him. a film made to warn young people in the us, where cases have surged. experts warn boys are most at risk. nigerian criminals calling themselves yahoo boys target schools, sports teams, social clubs. internet scammers over these past two years have found out that they can get very rich very quickly by scamming an untapped market, and that's teenagers. so adults have been targeted by romance scams, extortion, for many years.

and these scammers now are specifically targeting kids as as that potential market. i will be giving you guys how you can start blackmailing. it's become a global industry. look at these. diy guides, sextortion manuals openly for sale online. every friday you get a payment. he boasts that his victims have to pay him again and again. this is why i blackmail. this one takes pride in threatening people. i'm going to post it all over the internet. we decide to call one, see if he'll pick up, challenge him. hello? yeah, hello, can you hear me? yeah, i can hear you. i'm a journalist from the bbc. 0k. you're a criminal and you're exploiting children. you're extorting them and blackmailing them. what have you got to say for yourself? i'm really sorry about that. and i can actually assure that that won't continue. well, he says he won't continue, but i don't believe a word of that.

he's completely untraceable. and there are hundreds, maybe thousands of men just like him carrying out sextortion. lucy is speaking up about her child now to protect other people's. if every teenager in england knew this was a possibility, hopefully very few would become prey. angus crawford, bbc news. just a pointer because... if you've been affected by sextortion, you'll find details of help and support on the victims of crime page at... do head there. a lot of really useful information. here on the programme, we will have a full weather forecast in a moment, we are back on to the election campaign trail in a moment or two, but let squeeze in one more story, a

lovely story because, should we update nursery rhymes? new research has shown many parents think perhaps it is time to widen the musical diet for the nation's toddlers. david sillito reports now on those wanting to bring a new sound to our classrooms and playgroups. # the wheels on the bus go round and round. # round and round, round and round... the wheels on the bus, a toddler classic. but now a new version. # the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round... basically, i remix nursery rhymes and i turn them into modern sounding main stage club anthems. # people on the back go up and down... welcome to techno for toddlers. lenny pierce, just one of a number of artists trying to widen the preschool musical diet. my daughter is one and a half years old, and then when i'm at home with her, i'm making music in the next room, i canjust hear the same songs on repeat. and because i'm a music producer, i was like, oh, maybe i should try and remix this into something more modern for my tiktok.

and then i did that. and then itjust resonated with a lot of parents. # if you're happy and you know it... and it got about almost two million streams in just three weeks which is really, really crazy. and he's not alone. olly halvorson writes bespoke songs for the under—fives in their preferred musical style. because tastes here are pretty varied. so your favourite music is...? michael jackson and janet jackson. and yourfavourite, again, is? mamma mia. mamma mia? abba! what type of music do you like? johnny cash! johnny cash, yeah, you do listen to that, don't you? i johnny cash? # jordan's got a cheeky smile. and some new research has shown they're not unusual. the under—fives are often just underestimated and kind of written off. and actually what we've seen

here is that they, you know, they're like the rest of us. they like listening to a diversity of music and the music that's being produced for them should reflect that. nursery rhymes, is the traditional music serving families well? well, half of the families that we spoke to said that they thought nursery rhyme lyrics needed to be updated. yes, nursery rhymes. attempts to reform and rewrite them date back to the victorian era, but without much success. but nevertheless, parents today aren't so keen. wow! so, yeah, that's i think one of them that we're kind of over. # ella is like the sun, cos like the spring, # whatjoy you bring.# and then there are those who have to sing this stuff. angeline and olly have a pet hate. your least favourite?

# twinkle, twinkle, little star. # how i wonder what you are.# you've got a world weary look on your face. so it seems lenny�*s onto something. indeed... he's had an effect on his brother, who happens to be a wiggle. # wheels on the bus go round and round.# for those who don't know, the wiggles are australia's global superstars of the preschool hit parade and lenny has just produced their first rave album. # toot toot, chugga, chugga!# toddler techno is taking off. but as any parent knows, we'll wait and see what britain's three year olds actually demand. # we're gonna ride the whole day long!# david sillito, bbc news.

wasn't that great? before we go to the weather, let me take you to new york and show you the pictures there because in the next few minutes we are expecting donald trump to arrive. in fact, there he is, on cue, the former us president donald trump arriving and we will see the jury being sent out in the next couple of hours by the judge and then they will start their deliberations. 34 counts. but a clenched fist. normally he speaks when he goes in, but we are coming to crunch time now in this case, the hush money trial, as the lawyers go in. but as we were hearing from our correspondent outside the court, the judge will direct them and then they will be sent out. well, in terms of the duration, you can expect it to

be short, you can expect to be long, there is really no indication at this stage how long the jury will be out. but they will be considering 34 counts. so the former president now inside the courtroom. we will pause and catch up with the weather, as promised. here is ben. hello, we are seeing some sunny scenes across the uk today, but that is not the whole story. also some areas of cloud, in fact some big shower clouds that have developed and we are going to see further heavy downpours to take us through the afternoon, driven by this area of low pressure drifting slowly east. the most widespread heavy showers and thunderstorms likely to be across northern and eastern and central parts of scotland, one or two down into the far north of england and these could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time with some localised disruption. further south, of time with some localised disruption. furthersouth, northern disruption. further south, northern ireland, disruption. furthersouth, northern ireland, in wales not as much disruption, some sun and showers, temperatures up to 20 degrees. this evening and overnight shower rain

will push south across scotland, getting down into northern england. a few showers moving into northern ireland and wales on the south—west, but on balance most places try to start tomorrow, temperatures 9—11 . this area of low pressure still swelling to the north—east of us on into thursday, this band of showery rain sinking south across wales, the midlands and east anglia and getting down towards the south and tending to break up into sharp showers and thunderstorms, another area of rain likely to push into eastern england. further west not as many showers, some spells of sunshine, but a fairly brisk and fairly cool north or north westerly wind. so not feeling particularly warm. for the end of the week, this area of low pressure tends to loosen its grip and high—pressure begins to build from the west. so yes, we will continue to see an area of cloud and showery rain affecting eastern england, but further north and west it is looking largely dry with some spells of sunshine. temperatures up to around 18—19 , wouldn't be at all

surprised if some i got to 20 degrees. into the weekend it is this area of high pressure that will become dominant, but around the eye, as you can see, some fairly large areas of cloud, so it is not going to be sunny all the time. on saturday looks like we will see quite a lot of cloud pushing across much of england into wales and that could even produce the odd shower, another bank of cloud likely to roll into the north—west of scotland. but into the north—west of scotland. but in between some sunshine, things actually starting to turn a bit warmer, 20—21. actually starting to turn a bit warmer, 20—21 . similartemperatures on sunday, most places fine, some areas of cloud, but some spells of sunshine.

alliance live from london. this is bbc news. junior doctors in england will stage a five—day strike before election day as part of their long—running pay dispute. veteran mp diane abbott says she's been barred from standing for labour. sir keir starmer says no decision has been made. the conservative chairman calls him a liar. the leaders of the main parties have been out and about across the uk — we'll bring you the latest live from the campaign trail. and jurors in new york prepare to begin their deliberations in donald trump's hush money trial. hello. junior doctors in england

are to stage another five—day strike from june 27th untiljuly 2nd, just days before the general election. talks with the government started two weeks ago but have broken down. the doctors' union the british medical association has been in dispute overjunior doctors' pay for more than a year now. our health editor hugh pym reports. what do we want? pay restoration! they call it pay restoration, that is what they have been demanding in ten strikes staged in england since march last year. the junior doctor's union the bma want a 35% pay rise to compensate for inflation over more than a decade. ministers said that wasn't reasonable and awarded 9% on average last year, mediation talks started earlier this month but they stalled, and the bma has called another strike. the latest walk out byjunior doctors in england will start at 7.00am on thursdayjune 27th

and end at the same time on tuesdayjuly 2nd, that of course is just two days before polling day, onjuly 4th. last week, the government decided to walk away from negotiations, to walk away from negotiations and throw their hands up and abdicate themselves of any responsibility of solving a dispute that we have had with them over pay for the last 20 months. but there was criticism from conservative mps. it feels to me to be very political, this move, constructive talks had been held, but frankly, this is what you will get more of the labour get in, because we have passed some tough laws, when it comes to strikes, and francsly they are going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers should have done more to end the dispute. firstly i'm shocked that we're in this position, because this has been going on a very long time. i think the government should have resolved it and negotiated a settlement, and what they have effectively done is kicked it to the other side

of the general election. that is unforgivable. there are still disputes between junior doctors and the devolved administrations in wales and northern ireland. hugh pym joined me earlier and told me a little bit more about the timing of these strikes. more disruption in hospitals, thousands more appointments and operations cancelled and all in the run—up to polling day at a time when the nhs is a big campaigning issue, this adds a new dimension to it. and in terms of what it means for patients, if you look at the total going right back to the end of 2022, cancellations of treatment because of all health workers strikes including nurses and ambulance staff as well as doctors, it's more than 1.4 million. so, i think that impact is of real concern to patients and hospitals who will have to start

cancelling those procedures. victoria atkins, the health secretary covering england, has given her reaction, he says it is a reaction of anger and dismay, and she is questioning why the bma have decided to do it. she contests the idea that the government pulled the plug on talks and we have now got a war of words going on, the bma seemed to be implying that once the government had called the election, there was no point carrying on with these mediation talks because no meaningful offer could be made, no money could be pledged. the government side of the story is that the bma walked out and did not give it a chance. so, considerable acrimony over this as things stand right now. iabate acrimony over this as things stand ri . ht now. ~ ., acrimony over this as things stand riaht now. ~ . , ., right now. we have seen through the mornin: , right now. we have seen through the morning. labour— right now. we have seen through the morning, labour has _ right now. we have seen through the morning, labour has been _ right now. we have seen through the i morning, labour has been campaigning very, very hard on the nhs today, they're talking about cutting nhs waiting lists, that 18 week target, tell me the detail of what they have announced, how they plan to do that? labour are saying by the end of the next parliament, five years, if

elected, they would hit the 18 week target. that has not been met in england since 2016, and the target is that 92% of patients should start their treatment within that 18 weeks. as things stand right now it is more than 40%, 3.2 million, who are waiting longer than 18 weeks, so it is a pretty big ask. labour's wes streeting set out some of the plans in terms of how they are going to meet it earlier today. abs, in terms of how they are going to meet it earlier today.— in terms of how they are going to meet it earlier today. a plan from labour meet it earlier today. a plan from labour which _ meet it earlier today. a plan from labour which would _ meet it earlier today. a plan from labour which would deliver i meet it earlier today. a plan from i labour which would deliver 40,000 extra _ labour which would deliver 40,000 extra appointments at evenings and weekends— extra appointments at evenings and weekends using an approach that has already— weekends using an approach that has already been tried and tested in a small— already been tried and tested in a small number of hospitals but we need _ small number of hospitals but we need to— small number of hospitals but we need to take the best of the nhs to the rest _ need to take the best of the nhs to the rest of— need to take the best of the nhs to the rest of the nhs. we will double the rest of the nhs. we will double the number of diagnostic scanners, notjust— the number of diagnostic scanners, notjust more scanners but ai enabled — notjust more scanners but ai enabled scanners so that we can get through— enabled scanners so that we can get through the 1.6 million backlog of people _ through the 1.6 million backlog of people waiting for tests and scans. that was— people waiting for tests and scans. that was wes streeting for labour. the other parties will set out their plans for the nhs in the weeks

ahead. clearly now this junior doctors strike in england planned for the end ofjune into earlyjuly gives a new dimension to all the talk about plans for the nhs because this dispute is very important, it's far from this dispute is very important, it's farfrom resolved this dispute is very important, it's far from resolved and whoever forms the next government, the day after the next government, the day after the 4th ofjuly, is going to have to deal with this and quite possibly find more money from somewhere to meet the demands of the junior doctors, although the 35% they originally asked for, that has been condemned, i mean, labourthemselves are saying if they form the next government, they will not be able to meet that, they simply want to negotiate but i think it is going to be a big task for whoever is in government. we can speak now to the chief executive of the nhs confederation and former director of policy for the former prime minister tony blair. welcome to the programme, your reaction first of all to those new strike dates which have been called byjunior doctors? this new strike dates which have been called byjunior doctors?- called byjunior doctors? this is incredibly disappointing. - called byjunior doctors? this is

incredibly disappointing. we i called byjunior doctors? this is i incredibly disappointing. we have been struggling with industrial action in the nhs now for 18 months, and as hugh pym described, these strikes have a big impact. essentially what happens when junior doctors are on strike is that consultants, other senior doctors, have to work in the ward, in emergency departments, in order to coverforjunior emergency departments, in order to cover forjunior doctors, which means hospitals can cope on those days but it means that outpatient clinics and operations are cancelled which means that the very limited progress that we have been able to make on waiting lists is basically put on hold. tell! make on waiting lists is basically put on hold-— make on waiting lists is basically ut on hold. ., ., put on hold. tell me more about the im acts, put on hold. tell me more about the impacts. because — put on hold. tell me more about the impacts, because five _ put on hold. tell me more about the impacts, because five straight i put on hold. tell me more about the impacts, because five straight daysl impacts, because five straight days in a row of strike action, that really stretches things to the limit, doesn't it?— really stretches things to the limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation. _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation, the _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation, the longer _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation, the longer these i limit, doesn't it? this is another i escalation, the longer these strikes continue. 50, if you have five days of strikes, leaders in the health service have to spend a lot of time planning for that, cancelling operations, redrawing rotors, the

impact starts before the strike and it goes on after the strike, often people don't come forward if they are worried about their illness, they will try to stay away because they will try to stay away because they hear there are strikes and they will come forward when the strikes finish. so it has a kind of ripple effects. but the problem really is the accumulation of this industrial action now, over 18 months, there has been very little time when we have had a clear stretch of time to be able to tackle the issues that we really want to focus on. in be able to tackle the issues that we really want to focus on.— really want to focus on. in terms of the labour— really want to focus on. in terms of the labour plan. — really want to focus on. in terms of the labour plan, they _ really want to focus on. in terms of the labour plan, they have - really want to focus on. in terms of the labour plan, they have been i the labour plan, they have been campaigning very hard today on the nhs, you will have been listening to those details about cutting waiting lists, what is your immediate impression?— lists, what is your immediate imression? ~ ., . , impression? so, i think what wes streetin: impression? so, i think what wes streeting and _ impression? so, i think what wes streeting and the _ impression? so, i think what wes streeting and the labour - impression? so, i think what wes streeting and the labour party . impression? so, i think what wes streeting and the labour party is| streeting and the labour party is promising is deliverable in the terms that they have described it, that 110,000 terms that they have described it, that 40,000 extra appointments a week, and after all this is a target that we have met in the past. but elective waiting lists are only a part of what happens in the health service, and there are also enormous

pressures on emergency care, there are huge pressures on primary care, social care, one of the problems we haveis social care, one of the problems we have is getting people who are able to leave hospital to be able to leave hospital when there is no social care. so, if everything else was ok, then i think labour's plan is credible about the challenge will be that sometimes for example you can't do the elective work you want to do in hospitals because you are filling up all your beds with people coming through the emergency department and we're seeing the highest ever demand in emergency departments. so i think people who work in the health service and observe the health service will welcome this initiative because it brings greater investment to the health service and waiting lists matter, but i think we will all want to wait until we see the manifesto of the parties to see their overall plan for health, what are they saying about primary care, mental health, community services, urgent emergency care? so this is one bit of thejigsaw but emergency care? so this is one bit of the jigsaw but we are going to the hole saw and i guess we will

only see that when the parties publish their manifestoes. yes, by their own admission, today is only their own admission, today is only the first step, it is going to be paid for by the change of tax around non—doms, but in terms of what else is required, i understand we were saying about the manifesto, but your assessment on the scale of what is required and the cost of that? i think we have to recognise, and it is notjust me saying this, so chris whitty, the chief medical officer, and others, have said this, the health service as it currently operates is not really sustainable, the reason for that is because we have an ageing population and we have an ageing population and we have poor public health. people are living longer but they are getting sick earlier. and so what we really need is a strategy for health. the nhs is only responsible for about 20% of health outcomes. lots of other things determine whether we are sick or healthy, poverty, housing, diet, all sorts of other

things. so if we are going to have a sustainable health service, as our population ages, in a situation where we have got constrained public spending, we do need to think about how we improve the health of the population as a whole, and secondly we have got to do some thing we have been talking about for decades and have not done, which is to shift proportionately our resources from acute hospitals, which are the most expensive part of the system, into primary care, community care, and prevention. we have to move resources upstream. so i think people in the health says this will be really listening out the to little parties to see whether they have got a plan to address the fundamental sustainability of a health service and to reimagine it for the future. just health service and to reimagine it for the future.— health service and to reimagine it for the future. just one sentence if ou would for the future. just one sentence if you would come — for the future. just one sentence if you would come a _ for the future. just one sentence if you would come a long _ for the future. just one sentence if you would come a long list - for the future. just one sentence if you would come a long list you - for the future. just one sentence if| you would come a long list you just went through, if you had to put a rough pricetag on that, what do you reckon it comes to? he. rough pricetag on that, what do you reckon it comes to?— reckon it comes to? no, i don't think it is _ reckon it comes to? no, i don't think it is about _ reckon it comes to? no, i don't think it is about pricetag, - reckon it comes to? no, i don't think it is about pricetag, it - reckon it comes to? no, i don't think it is about pricetag, it is l think it is about pricetag, it is actually about how we join up in government, it is about how we understand first of all all the things that contribute to health but secondly, unless we invest in

health, it has big economic consequences, think of those 3 million people not working today, mainly for health and care related reasons. a, ._ ., mainly for health and care related reasons. ., ., reasons. matthew taylor, good to talk to you. _ reasons. matthew taylor, good to talk to you, thanks _ reasons. matthew taylor, good to talk to you, thanks for _ reasons. matthew taylor, good to talk to you, thanks forjoining - reasons. matthew taylor, good to talk to you, thanks forjoining us | talk to you, thanks forjoining us on the programme. the status of the long—serving mp diane abbott is unclear after she told the bbc she'd been barred from standing as a labour candidate in the general election only to be contradicted by sir keir starmer who said no decision had yet been taken. diane abbott was the first black woman to be elected to the house of commons nearly 40 years ago. she was suspended from the party last year after saying thatjewish, irish and traveller people didn't face racism "all their lives". she later apologised and was allowed back into the parliamentary party yesterday. our political correspondent jess parker reports. the first steps back in 1987 into a long career in parliament, as britain's first ever black female mp. good morning, my name's diane abbott. yes, i know.

if you'd like to go through... but is it now all coming to an end? what have labour said to you? diane abbott says she's dismayed by reports she's been barred from standing for labour, despite being let back in to the parliamentary party. it follows her suspension last year for saying jewish, irish and traveller people don't face racism all their lives. she apologised, so has she been barred from standing? no, that's not true, no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott. the process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day, so she's a member of the parliamentary labour party, and no decision has been ta ken barring her. also out on the campaign trail the prime minister, who said it was time to unpack the truth. the labour party have been telling

everybody this investigation into diane abbott is ongoing, it now appears it concluded months ago, so really, i guess it's a question for them to clear this all up, what happened when and be transparent with people about it. the scottish national party says she has been treated disgracefully. the liberal democrats say it is a matter for labour. diane abbott is seen as a trailblazer, an important figure in the party's story, and this whole saga has caused some unease, even anger, in labour ranks, but she has been critical of the current labour leadership while also having been a close ally of the former leaderjeremy corbyn. so, while this may all look like an unedifying mess, labour's top ranks perhaps view it slightly differently, as part of their efforts to make a clean break from the corbyn era. a prominent campaignerfor decades, a veteran mp on labour's left, no—one doubts diane abbott's place in history, but her place in sir keir starmer�*s labour party is now farfrom certain. jessica parker, bbc

news in westminster. the conservatives upping the stakes in the last hour and a half, with the chairman of the party weighing into the vow, calling sir keir starmer a liar. this is a bizarre situation that we're now seeing with the labour party. we saw literally sir keir starmer on friday telling people that this was totally unresolved, we've seen minister after minister from the shadow front bench coming out to say this isn't resolved, and yet actually this was resolved back in december and diane abbott received a formal message from the labour nec, which sir keir starmer sits on, back in february. so the idea that he didn't know what was going on is clearly nonsense. he's clearly been lying to people, and he calls for truth and honesty in politics yet he's not prepared to be clear and honest and truthful about some really big issues, especially around diane abbott.

we can now speak to a politics lecturer from the royal holloway university of london, whose area of research is race and political representation. welcome to the programme. you would have watched the last 24 hours, what have you made of this? i the last 24 hours, what have you made of this?— made of this? i think it's absolutely _ made of this? i think it's absolutely disgraceful. l made of this? i think it's - absolutely disgraceful. diane made of this? i think it's _ absolutely disgraceful. diane abbott is someone who has given nearly 40 decades of her life to the labour party as an mp, and she has been left in the dark as to whether she can stand in the election or not. diane abbott made a mistake, she showed contrition for this mistake and diane should be allowed the opportunity to decide herself whether she should stand or not. i think it appears she has been robbed of that ability to make the decision herself, and it is unclear at the moment. i think what we are searing is that diane abbott is being held to different standards to other colleagues in the labour party who have made mistakes. when it comes to the workplace, they are often held to black people in the workplace,

they are not allowed to have bad days. when you have a bad day, you are mediated afterwards. what we are seeing is diane abbott being humiliated by the party she served for nearly 40 decades.— for nearly 40 decades. labour obviously _ for nearly 40 decades. labour obviously would _ for nearly 40 decades. labour obviously would dispute - for nearly 40 decades. labour obviously would dispute there j for nearly 40 decades. labour- obviously would dispute there are different standards, but do you think there are serious questions for keir starmer to answer? absolutely. let's look and at an example, neil coyle, a labour mp who is loyal to keir starmer, he racially abused a journalist and also had a sexual harassment charge upheld against him. he is still allowed to stand. he went through a disciplinary process but he is still allowed to stand. diane abbott, she made an estate, she showed contrition, much like neil did, and yet she is not allowed to stand, or at least we don't know. so suggests to me a different standard, and also potentially raises questions about race and racism, whether black mps in the labour party are being treated differently. one report which came out a couple of years ago said that some of labour's staffers

had said some deeply traumatic things to black and asian people in the party, so we know that racism is a problem in the party, and we might be seeing that coming out at the moment beer ago in terms of diane abbott, 37 years—plus, widely described by politicians from across the bactrim is a trail blazer, she really is buffet she is. i did some research and i looked at questions and speeches and people's contributions in politics and diane abbott was someone who in my research, she was a champion of the rights of minority communities, and black communities, so i think diane abbott is someone who means a lot to black voters and minority voters because she has always been on their side when it comes to tackling issues of economic and social justice, she has a always been on the right side of history on those issues. we don't know if this is the final chapter for diane abbott, it

is still a confusing situation, given what the labour leader has said about the potential for her to stand. �* , , ., stand. but if this is the end, what do ou stand. but if this is the end, what do you think _ stand. but if this is the end, what do you think her _ stand. but if this is the end, what do you think her legacy _ stand. but if this is the end, what do you think her legacy is? - stand. but if this is the end, what do you think her legacy is? i - stand. but if this is the end, whatj do you think her legacy is? i think her lea do you think her legacy is? i think her legacy is _ do you think her legacy is? i think her legacy is that _ do you think her legacy is? i think her legacy is that she _ do you think her legacy is? i think her legacy is that she is _ do you think her legacy is? i think her legacy is that she is a - her legacy is that she is a trailblazer. i spoke to black and asian mps as part of my research and so many of them across the party, whether you are on the left or the centre or the right, they cite diane abbott as someone who is an inspiration, she was the first black woman elected, at a time when politics may be was not so welcome to black and asian mps and she has been there ever since she has been an example and a role model and someone who many ways is not in a position of power as a black woman and doesn't help others, she has always helped her younger black and asian colleagues who come into the party she has been a real support for them. party she has been a real support forthem. so party she has been a real support for them. so i think i legacy is of someone who has made mistakes in the past, may have said things and done things which people might find egregious but she always apologised, i think. she has been a trailblazer

and deserves to be treated a lot better than she has been in recent years. better than she has been in recent ears. ., ., i. ., years. thanks for your time here on the programme — the conservatives say they would close university courses offering what rishi sunak has described as "rip—off degrees" in england and instead fund up to 100,000 extra apprenticeships a year. labour described the plans as laughable. the liberal democrats said, the "shockingly low" pay for many apprenticeships was a sign of a broken system. the prime minsiter has been speaking about the plans during a campaign visit to cornwall. wonderful to be in cornwall this morning having come on the overnight sleeper and i have been having a great time meeting apprentices, who are incredibly excited about their future. that's why a future conservative government will take the bold action of closing down underperforming university degrees which are letting our young people down and instead using that money to fund 100,000 new high—quality apprenticeships, that is the best way to transform

people's lives and spread opportunity and deliver a secure future for our young people. can you identify any underperforming degrees for us, name one? and what is wrong with university for so many of our young people? university is great and it makes a fantastic option for many people but it's not the only option, i am not someone who believes that you have to go to university and all of the apprenticeships i have spoken to this morning are proof of that, describing it as the best decision they ever made. we know that there are university degrees which are letting young people down, independent studies say that around one in five people who are on degrees would have been financially better off not doing them, about one in three graduates are on non—graduate jobs, so actually we are better off providing those young people with the opportunity of a high—quality apprenticeship, the regulator will be given the powers to look at underperforming degrees, looking at the progression rates, the dropout rates, the earnings of people on those degrees and instead we will use that money to fund 100,000 new apprenticeships and that is an example of the bold action that i'm prepared to take

because that's how we will deliver a secure future for everyone in our country. in contrast the labour party are still clinging to the notion that everyone has to go to university and they want to halve the number of apprenticeships and that is not the right way forward. i spoke earlier to our political correspondent lone wells, she was speaking to me from the campaign bus. , ., ., ., bus. they have argued that the reason they — bus. they have argued that the reason they want _ bus. they have argued that the reason they want to _ bus. they have argued that the reason they want to scrap - bus. they have argued that the reason they want to scrap this| bus. they have argued that the l reason they want to scrap this is because the way the student loans system currently works is that people pay back their student loan depending on how much money they earn after they graduate, loans which get written off are subsidised by the government by the government says they could put that money instead towards funding 100,000 new apprenticeships. the prime minister today was meeting some apprentices on his visit to cornwall to promote this policy but it has been criticised by opposition parties, both labour and the liberal democrats have called this a cynical announcement, arguing that the conservatives themselves have presided over a period where the

number of apprenticeships has fallen, and labour is saying that they would invest in technical excellence colleges which they say would train our people to work in local industries in their local area. so, some criticism from opposition parties on that announcement but there are still big question mark is to be ironed out about this policy, mostly, what are these degrees that would be cut, specifically, and also, which universities in particular might get affected? that is something which could become quite a local political issue given that universities play quite a big role in different constituencies up and down the uk. lots of questions being asked about this campaign. we can get more analysis now from ben chu of bbc verify. the conservatives are proposing to create 100,000 new apprenticeships per year by 2030. funded by scrapping some university courses in england, but there is some important context to this pledge which is a sharp fall in apprenticeship numbers in recent years in 2017 the government

announced a new funding mechanism called the apprenticeship levy companies. there are no uk—wide figures for the number of people doing apprenticeships but since then the number of new apprenticeships starts in england has fallen by about 30%, down from half a million in 2017 to 340,000 last year. and within that total, the numbers doing the lowest level of apprenticeships, known as intermediate apprenticeships, such as adult care worker or chef, joan in green here, equivalent to gcse level, has fallen by 70%. by contrast, the number of higher or other apprenticeships, shown in blue, has increased in recent years, with concerns that some of the people becoming apprentices are older workers being sponsored by their employers to do expensive mba courses, which would not fit with the common perception of what an apprentice is. the number of what an apprentice is. the number of people aged below 19 start in apprenticeships, shown in red, has fallen by a third since 2017.

businesses blame the design of the apprenticeship levy which they say makes lower level apprenticeships used by young people prohibitive to deliver. today, the conservative education minister damian hinds claimed that labour's policy would halve the number of apprenticeships. this is based on labour's proposed growth and skills levy, their shadow education minister is bridget phillipson. the levy would give companies the freedom to use up to half of their total contributions to the apprenticeship levy for non—apprenticeship training, with at least 50% reserved for apprenticeships. laboursay their apprenticeships. labour say their policy apprenticeships. laboursay their policy is to give companies more freedom to say they would not have a crude target for apprenticeship numbers, focusing on the value of workforce training instead. they also say they would introduce new technical excellence colleges aimed at training workers for local industries. education analysts warn that getting the apprenticeship system and its funding right is

vital for expanding the opportunities of young people who don't go to university and also levelling up the country economically. ben chu at bbc verify. turning to the liberal democrats, their battle bus has been in wales. speaking earlier today, sir ed was asked whether the £1 billion for agriculture would mean higher taxes for working people. here's what he had to say. we're really clear that taxes are not going to go up for people. the conservatives have put them up so much, to record levels, in a cost of living crisis. the conservatives are now the high tax party in the uk, and that is a scandal. when we publish our costed manifesto, we will show where the money will come from, for policies like our £1 billion a year extra

forfarmers, who've been betrayed by the conservatives. and for example, we've been making it clear that the cuts in taxes to the big banks really need to be reversed, and the conservatives have favoured the big banks by £4 billion a year in tax cuts. that's not right when people are struggling with conservative higher taxes. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent hannah miller, who's with the liberal democrats today. he was announcing £1 billion of funding for agriculture to kind of make food production more sustainable, more cost—effective, more productive, with technology, things like that. the money actually is for england only even though the announcement was made in wales. it is quite a sizeable chunk, really, i think the current budget in england

is about £2.4 billion, so adding an extra £1 billion is a significant amount, and he said it would be fully costed once the manifesto comes along. he was also talking about scrapping the salary threshold is for people who come to work in agriculture in the uk. and renegotiating the trade deal with australia which is due to come into effect very shortly, and there are concerns around the climate change commitments around that. so, a number of labour policies aimed at people in rural areas in particular, at farming communities, where they think that they can pick up votes. it's interesting watching ed davey because yesterday you were with that, he was talking about water quality in windermere, today it is farming, he is clearly, as we were talking yesterday, very targeted in this campaign so far, and returning to very clear themes.— this campaign so far, and returning to very clear themes. yes, so, we're

actually just — to very clear themes. yes, so, we're actually just arriving _ to very clear themes. yes, so, we're actuallyjust arriving in _ to very clear themes. yes, so, we're actuallyjust arriving in bath, - to very clear themes. yes, so, we're actuallyjust arriving in bath, a - actuallyjust arriving in bath, a seat that has been liberal democrats for most of recent elections. the conservatives did take it at one stage but generally, a liberal democrat seat, and one that they won in 2019. that is kind of them starting their tour of the south—west, where rishi sunak has been as well, a kind of labour conservative battle going on there. i asked ed davey earlier when he was worried about the conservative party going into the west country and he said he was actually quite pleased about it because it gives some sense that it might be a real battle going on, where they really hope that they can pick up a number of seats. as we were saying, to some extent, yesterday, their strategy this time is much more targeted, it's not this idea that there is going to be a liberal prime minister or anything, but kind of pitching themselves as a party who can take votes and seats away from the conservatives, really taking the battle to the conservatives, and the government

to's record, being much less critical of the labour party, and not really directly answering questions about whether they would work with labour, although i suspect that the hint is that perhaps yes, if it were to come to that, but we would have to wait and see. man would have to wait and see. alan miller with _ would have to wait and see. alan miller with the _ would have to wait and see. alan miller with the liberal _ would have to wait and see. alan miller with the liberal democrats. the welsh first minister vaughan gething will face a motion of no confidence on the 5th ofjune. it follows the collapse of the co—operation deal between plaid cymru and the labour party and a series of rows involving vaughan gething. let me point you towards the bbc website because we are covering every aspect right across the day five weeks before election day. there is the diane abbott story that has dominated much of the news today, but had to the bbc website on the bbc news app, because all the very latest videos, pictures and campaign themes from today's

campaign. much more from the campaign. much more from the campaign trail here in the next few minutes. welcome if you havejust joined us. let's turn to our main headlines this half—hour. junior doctors in england will stage a five—day strike before election day as part of their long—running pay dispute with the government. the veteran mp diane abbott says she has been barred from standing for labour. sir keir starmer says no decision has been made, the conservative chairman has called him a liar. and in the first televised leaders debate, keir starmer and rishi sunak will go head—to—head next week. much more from the election campaign here in the next few minutes. for the next few minutes, let's turn to some of the other important stories of the day, first to the middle east because the israeli military is continuing its offensive in southern

gaza, despite calls for the operation to be halted to prevent the killing of more civilians. algeria said it would draft a united nations resolution calling for an end to the killing. the us has vetoed previous resolutions and says it still considers the israeli campaign in rafah to fall short of what it deems a major ground operation. but it said the killings of 21 people on tuesday in a displaced persons camp were, quote, heartbreaking. israel has denied firing at the area. our middle east correspondent yolande knell has been expending the significance of benjamin netanyahu's national security advisor detailing how long he expects fake fighting to last. that is the first time we have really heard that said so clearly. it is important that it comes from this adviser, he has really seen as one of the closest advisers to the israeli prime minister and this comes, of course, as there is mounting international pressure for an end to the war. there has been so

much criticism domestically and internationally of israel's conduct of the war, particularly in recent weeks. and this idea has sort of persisted that israel does not have a clear vision, a clear post war strategy for gaza. and so, that will worry many of israel's international allies, coming from such a high profile official, those claims. that was yolande _ profile official, those claims. that was yolande knell _ profile official, those claims. that was yolande knell talking to us from jerusalem. let's turn to south africa because south africans are voting on one of the most pivotal general election since the end of apartheid. the nc party may lose its majority for the first time. let's get right up to speed and speak to our correspondent who is in south africa for us. describe what it is like where you are.— africa for us. describe what it is like where you are. yes, the scene behind me — like where you are. yes, the scene behind me has— like where you are. yes, the scene behind me has been _ like where you are. yes, the scene behind me has been repeated - like where you are. yes, the scene behind me has been repeated in i behind me has been repeated in thousands of polling stations across

south africa. this is a huge operation involving over 27 million registered voters. we are not quite sure how many of those voters will actually turn out to vote, but this is a vote have happening in nine provinces. it is a huge operation, there are still nine hours left of voting, voting will close at 9pm. here the queue has been going through steadily throughout the day and where i am right now at soweto it is a stronghold of the african congress party. nelson mandela's former home is just a short distance from where i am and it is in places like this that the anc needs to make sure its supporters come out to vote because it is facing the real prospect, according to opinion polls, that it could lose its majority in parliament is. and this would be the first time that the anc would be the first time that the anc would not be the majority party in parliament for three decades, since the end of apartheid. and

parliament for three decades, since the end of apartheid.— the end of apartheid. and 'ust exlain a the end of apartheid. and 'ust explain a little i the end of apartheid. and 'ust explain a little more, i the end of apartheid. and just i explain a little more, catherine, why is the anc coming to do so much more pressure this time? what have the key drivers being behind that? yes, it is really telling that even in an anc stronghold like this, when we have spoken to the party supporters there is a real sense of excitement about voting for the anc. they say they're a real challenges within south africa. some of them are the facts that there is high unemployment rates, 30% of south africans are unemployed. that number reaches 50% when it comes to young people. it is difficult for people to access health even employed middle—class south africans are finding that there are expensive and so when voters are going to the ballot box, they are wondering whether anc has done enough to create the life they were hoping for the end of apartheid. so some of the

voters we have been speaking to said, well, this is still the best option we have, but they felt the anc had squandered their 30 years in power. but you also have some younger people who are maybe not so connected to the party and when they are coming through to vote, they are telling us they are ready for change and part of that is because you have more than 70 political parties on the ballot paper this time around, parties on the right, younger political leaders and they are really interested in the prospect of where south africa is going, which is a country that is not dominated by one political party. some people believe that if you have a multitude of parties, potentially a coalition government, this time around, they think they will be able to hold their leaders more accountable, but as you would expect, there is a real possibility of coalition government never being easy to manage in any part of the world and some people are unsure about the instability that could bring for south africa.

let me bring in barbara in pretoria. give me a sense of what voters have been saying to you?— been saying to you? hello, i am actually standing _ been saying to you? hello, i am actually standing on _ been saying to you? hello, i am actually standing on the - been saying to you? hello, i am| actually standing on the grounds been saying to you? hello, i am i actually standing on the grounds of the seat _ actually standing on the grounds of the seat of government because of course _ the seat of government because of course pretoria is the political capital— course pretoria is the political capital of— course pretoria is the political capital of south africa and this is where _ capital of south africa and this is where the — capital of south africa and this is where the president has his office. they are _ where the president has his office. they are there are voting tents set ”p they are there are voting tents set up on _ they are there are voting tents set up on the — they are there are voting tents set up on the ground and we have been speaking _ up on the ground and we have been speaking to— up on the ground and we have been speaking to people here on the ground — speaking to people here on the ground. as catherine byaruhanga has been saying, there are people who are supporting the anc, some in a very flamboyant way, i spoke to one woman— very flamboyant way, i spoke to one woman dressed in a bright yellow gown, _ woman dressed in a bright yellow gown, which is the colours of the anc _ gown, which is the colours of the anc. others because they are not sure what— anc. others because they are not sure what the alternative might be and so _ sure what the alternative might be and so they are ready to accept what they already know, even though they are very— they already know, even though they are very frustrated with the reality _ are very frustrated with the reality. but the first few people i spoke _ reality. but the first few people i spoke to — reality. but the first few people i spoke to when i arrived here all talked. — spoke to when i arrived here all talked. if— spoke to when i arrived here all talked, if they really suggested they wanted to vote for another party, _ they wanted to vote for another party, sometime saying so explicitly, sometimes not. for example. _ explicitly, sometimes not. for example, the one woman said this was the first—

example, the one woman said this was the first time _ example, the one woman said this was the first time she hadn't voted for the first time she hadn't voted for the anc_ the first time she hadn't voted for the anc and had voted for another party, _ the anc and had voted for another party, and — the anc and had voted for another party, and she felt she was taking a risk because she didn't know what that would — risk because she didn't know what that would mean, they had a ready gnome _ that would mean, they had a ready gnome -- — that would mean, they had a ready gnome —— they had only known this reality— gnome —— they had only known this reality and — gnome —— they had only known this reality and wouldn't expect very much _ reality and wouldn't expect very much change because there is very much _ much change because there is very much a _ much change because there is very much a view— much change because there is very much a view that even if the anc loses _ much a view that even if the anc loses support, as the poll suggested will loses support, as the poll suggested witl stitl— loses support, as the poll suggested will still be the main party. another— will still be the main party. another man i spoke to, who was 34, said he _ another man i spoke to, who was 34, said he had _ another man i spoke to, who was 34, said he had never voted before, but was so _ said he had never voted before, but was so fed — said he had never voted before, but was so fed up with the situation and the state _ was so fed up with the situation and the state of— was so fed up with the situation and the state of basic services like water, — the state of basic services like water, roads and electricity and the corruption — water, roads and electricity and the corruption in government, he had decided _ corruption in government, he had decided to— corruption in government, he had decided to vote and was also clearly not going _ decided to vote and was also clearly not going to vote for the nc, he didn't— not going to vote for the nc, he didn't say— not going to vote for the nc, he didn't say who he was going to vote for, didn't say who he was going to vote for. but _ didn't say who he was going to vote for. but he — didn't say who he was going to vote for, but he said his strategy was a protest _ for, but he said his strategy was a protest vote so the nc would be forced _ protest vote so the nc would be forced to — protest vote so the nc would be forced to pull up its socks and take note of— forced to pull up its socks and take note of how — forced to pull up its socks and take note of how unhappy people were. so there's— note of how unhappy people were. so there's quite a lot of nuance in what _ there's quite a lot of nuance in what people are saying and how they are viewing _ what people are saying and how they are viewing what their options are the selection. in fact, one man said to me _ the selection. in fact, one man said to me as— the selection. in fact, one man said to me as well, it is good that we are having — to me as well, it is good that we are having more parties on the scene — are having more parties on the scene we _ are having more parties on the scene. we don't want to just one ruling _ scene. we don't want to just one ruling party. there has to at least

be strong — ruling party. there has to at least be strong opposition.— ruling party. there has to at least be strong opposition. barbara, i get what ou be strong opposition. barbara, i get what you are _ be strong opposition. barbara, i get what you are saying _ be strong opposition. barbara, i get what you are saying about _ be strong opposition. barbara, i get what you are saying about voters i what you are saying about voters saying to you, whatever way it goes, it properly won't be that much change, but in terms of key policy differences the main opposition, what are they? —— between the opposition and the anc party? what are they? -- between the opposition and the anc party? there are three parties, _ opposition and the anc party? there are three parties, the _ opposition and the anc party? there are three parties, the democratic alliance. — are three parties, the democratic alliance, very pro—business, very much _ alliance, very pro—business, very much seen — alliance, very pro—business, very much seen as a party looking after the interests of the white minority, although— the interests of the white minority, although it — the interests of the white minority, although it presents itself as one looking _ although it presents itself as one looking out for the interests of all the races — looking out for the interests of all the races of south africa. but that is very— the races of south africa. but that is very much how it is seen, it stronghold _ is very much how it is seen, it stronghold is in the western cape and it— stronghold is in the western cape and it has— stronghold is in the western cape and it has basically held at around 26% of— and it has basically held at around 26% of parliament for many years and it is not— 26% of parliament for many years and it is not necessarily expected to .et it is not necessarily expected to get more — it is not necessarily expected to get more than that. the other two parties _ get more than that. the other two parties that are interesting are breakaway groups or splinter groups from the _ breakaway groups or splinter groups from the anc. one of them the

economic— from the anc. one of them the economic freedom fighters, is very radical, _ economic freedom fighters, is very radical, left—wing, marxist, leninist, _ radical, left—wing, marxist, leninist, basically saying that the anc did _ leninist, basically saying that the anc did not go far enough, that there _ anc did not go far enough, that there is— anc did not go far enough, that there is still very strong economic apartheid — there is still very strong economic apartheid and the reality is to nationalise the mines, expropriate the land — nationalise the mines, expropriate the land, spend the money on free education — the land, spend the money on free education and so on. they are actually— education and so on. they are actually very vocal here in pretoria. _ actually very vocal here in pretoria, or wearing red t—shirts and t-shirts _ pretoria, or wearing red t—shirts and t—shirts and singing and dancing and t—shirts and singing and dancing and blowing horns as they pass, so they are _ and blowing horns as they pass, so they are making quite a loud noise here, _ they are making quite a loud noise here, but— they are making quite a loud noise here, but let's see what an impact they make — here, but let's see what an impact they make at the polling booth. they have held _ they make at the polling booth. they have held 10—11% for the elections they have — have held 10—11% for the elections they have been in before. then there is the _ they have been in before. then there is the new— they have been in before. then there is the new party, the mk party, which _ is the new party, the mk party, which has — is the new party, the mk party, which has reformed in december, and that is— which has reformed in december, and that is backed by former president jacob _ that is backed by former president jacob zuma, who is basically seen as throwing _ jacob zuma, who is basically seen as throwing a _ jacob zuma, who is basically seen as throwing a challenge out to the existing — throwing a challenge out to the existing president, cyril ramaphosa, and both— existing president, cyril ramaphosa, and both of— existing president, cyril ramaphosa, and both of those parties could take votes _ and both of those parties could take votes away — and both of those parties could take votes away from the anc will stop if the anc_ votes away from the anc will stop if the anc does need to make a coalition, _ the anc does need to make a coalition, if it loses quite a lot

of notes — coalition, if it loses quite a lot of notes and needs to make a coalition— of notes and needs to make a coalition with a stronger opposition party _ coalition with a stronger opposition party, ratherthan coalition with a stronger opposition party, rather than a cobbled together of smaller parties, then it might— together of smaller parties, then it might have to make concessions either— might have to make concessions either on — might have to make concessions either on the left to the eff, the economic— either on the left to the eff, the economic freedom fighters, or on the ri-ht economic freedom fighters, or on the right to _ economic freedom fighters, or on the right to the _ economic freedom fighters, or on the right to the democratic alliance, which _ right to the democratic alliance, which seems to me quite frankly you're _ which seems to me quite frankly you're less — which seems to me quite frankly you're less likely scenario the former~ — you're less likely scenario the former. ., , you're less likely scenario the former. . , ., former. barbara plett usher and catherine byaruhanga, - former. barbara plett usher and catherine byaruhanga, thank- former. barbara plett usher and | catherine byaruhanga, thank you former. barbara plett usher and i catherine byaruhanga, thank you both very much for giving us the latest on south africa's elections. a reminder that we have a special live page currently running online with the very latest from our reporters radical south africa as the nation decides. you can find that on the africa section of the bbc news website or the bbc news app. straight to york because 12 jurors in the criminalfraud straight to york because 12 jurors in the criminal fraud trial of the former us president donald trump have gathered inside the new york court to hear the judges's decisions instructions before considering their verdict. instructions before considering theirverdict. donald instructions before considering their verdict. donald trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related

to hush money payments to an adult film star. our correspondent is following developments from outside the courthouse. thea;r following developments from outside the courthouse.— the courthouse. they went well into the courthouse. they went well into the evening — the courthouse. they went well into the evening because _ the courthouse. they went well into the evening because both _ the courthouse. they went well into the evening because both sides i the evening because both sides understand the high stakes of this case and wanted to win overjurors. for the defence, it essentially boils down to the argument that michael cohen, the prosecution's star witness, michael cohen, the prosecution's starwitness, is michael cohen, the prosecution's star witness, is the only one who said donald trump knew about the scheme to falsifying business records and approved it, and therefore, they say, president trump cannot be convicted on michael cohen's word alone. they said he was the human embodiment a reasonable doubt, the greatest liar of all time, someone who isjust doubt, the greatest liar of all time, someone who is just out for revenge and was lying to the jury about donald trump's intent. but from the prosecution they said this wasn'tjust from the prosecution they said this wasn't just about a sex scandal with a former adult film star, it wasn't just about falsifying business

records, that this was ultimately about donald trump trying to defraud the american voters before the 2016 election to benefit one person and one person only, donald trump. and they urged thejury one person only, donald trump. and they urged the jury to think of michael cohen as a tour guide for what they said was indisputable evidence and they said it was inconceivable that donald trump knew about the hush money payments, but didn't know about the scheme to reimburse michael cohen. and they asked jurors to use their common sense to convict donald trump. mada sense to convict donald trump. nada tawfik, of course _ sense to convict donald trump. nada tawfik, of course it _ sense to convict donald trump. nada tawfik, of course it has _ sense to convict donald trump. nada tawfik, of course it has to _ sense to convict donald trump. nada tawfik, of course it has to be a unanimous decision by the jury. tawfik, of course it has to be a unanimous decision by thejury. they will be sent out and be guided by thejudge in the next will be sent out and be guided by the judge in the next couple of hours, but in terms of those counts, 34 counts, how does it work? because... can there be a sort of mix of verdicts, depending on the account? or if the defence wins and one count, does that automatically

mean that all those other counts go the same way?— mean that all those other counts go the same way? yes, look, matthew, there is absolutely _ the same way? yes, look, matthew, there is absolutely the _ the same way? yes, look, matthew, there is absolutely the possibility i there is absolutely the possibility here of a partial verdict. if donald trump is found guilty on even one of these 34 counts, he will be a convicted felon. that is the reality that he is facing. now, it is important to note that these 34 counts are all falsifying business records in the first degree. and what they relate to our 11 checks, 11 invoices, and 12 general business ledgers that prosecutors say were falsified. so it will be interesting to see, as the jury is instructed on the law in applying it as they go through the evidence, how they reach a verdict and if they do reach a unanimous verdict because remember, the defence's entire strategy, matthew, has been to kind of poke

holes in as many places as possible in the prosecution's case, in order to reach onejuror or in the prosecution's case, in order to reach one juror or another in the prosecution's case, in order to reach onejuror or another in different parts of this case, for them to hold out and potentially deliver them a hung jury. final deliver them a hung 'ury. final ruick deliver them a hung 'ury. final quick word h deliver them a hung 'ury. final quick word about i deliver them a hung 'ury. final quick word about all- deliver them a hungjury. final quick word about all of - deliver them a hungjury. final quick word about all of the i deliverthem a hungjury. final quick word about all of the hoopla around where you are. yesterday of course we had robert de niro, we had donald trumpjunior, there must be huge interest outside of the courthouse?— huge interest outside of the courthouse? , ~ ., courthouse? yes, you know, there reall is courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a — courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a more — courthouse? yes, you know, there really is a more charged _ courthouse? yes, you know, there i really is a more charged atmosphere, now that we are getting closer to a verdict. there is a notable uptick in the security presence here outside of the court. already this morning we are seeing more of donald trump's supporters turn out. yesterday was the largest crowd of duelling protesters we had seen,

really, over the last few weeks. so things are certainly heating up here, matthew, as we get closer to that verdict and there is no wonder why. of course, this will have massive ripple effects across the country and of course globally. that was nada tawfik. _ country and of course globally. that was nada tawfik. that is the life picture from the courthouse. let me tell you the latest word coming to us, with the judge telling those jurors, you must set aside any personal opinions you have in favour or against the defendant. so those are some of the words the judge has just told those jurors in the minutes of his final instructions before he sends them out to start considering their verdicts. we moved from new york to breaking news coming to us from scotland because msps have just voted to suspend the former health secretary michael matheson stop there he is,

the recent pictures of him. they voted to suspend him from holyrood after deciding to impose sanctions for improper expenses claim. you remember, he racked up expenses for anipad remember, he racked up expenses for an ipad on roaming charges, about £11,000, whilst on a foreign holiday. well, msps voting to impose those sanctions. he has been suspended for 27 sitting days. also they will strip him of his salary for 54 calendar days. and the scottish parliament will now debate a conservative motion calling for mr matheson, who actually left the scottish cabinet back in february, to resign as an msp. so those of the eventsjust coming in to resign as an msp. so those of the events just coming in the last few moments, with michael matheson being suspended from holyrood for 27 sitting days after he claimed those £11,000 worth for ipad roaming

charges whilst on a foreign holiday. more on that story as we get it. let's turn away to india for the next few moments because... india and pakistan are in the grip of a severe heatwave. the country's meteorological department says the country of india is likely to experience longer and more prolonged heatwave this year and is also predicting a longer than average monsoon season this year. our indian correspondent has the latest from delhi. it has been excruciatingly hot over the last couple of days and has got significantly worse as the days progress and attack yesterday one of the cities in north india touched 50 degrees, today in delhi at one of the weather stations they recorded over 50 celsius. we are still waiting for an official statement from the weather officials to suggest where that temperature

really stands, the hottest temperature that the country has ever seen because so far we have seen high temperatures like that in the desert areas in the north—western parts, so this is certainly something that is very significant that weather watchers will be looking out for their closely. but over the last couple of days, we have seen several people complaining of heat —related illnesses, going into hospitals. they have been casualties as well. and we have been trying to speak to experts to understand how the temperatures rise every year significantly, that it goes from bad to worse. they say one of the main reasons is the increased concrete isolation and increased construction that absorbs the heat during the day and instead of the temperature is coming down during the night likes to be loose to see growing up here in delhi, that is the time when the heat comes out of the concrete again, is the nights are equally warm and that is the real problem. the problem is, in india's economy, you've got a massive workforce which still works outdoors, so if you think about these temperatures and you think about the people working outdoors, that really gives you a

sense of how difficult this problem is. latest there from delhi. now, since russia launched its full—scale invasion of ukraine are almost 2000 children have been injured or killed and the suffering is notjust physical. child psychologist report a catastrophic surge in young people across the country struggling with symptoms that include panic attacks and depression. here's our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford. angelina lives in the ruins of a war that's transformed her childhood. her kindergarten was destroyed in russian shelling, and the eight—year—old's head is full of memories from when russian forces first tried to take kharkiv. translation: it was very scary when i was in the basement. i i thought, "when will it all end?" there were rockets flying. it was frightening. and there was a plane that flew over us.

angelina's family fled then, through all this, desperate for safety. but they came back last year because this is home — despite everything. her mum shows me the shrapnel marks in the kitchen. and now russia is attacking again. translation: if they start bombing, then i tell mummy that i'll— go into the corridor and she sits with me. i think at least the corridor will survive an explosion. kharkiv is just a few miles from the russian border, and it's a nervous place again. but ukraine's children are growing up underfire... ..right across the country. lira's leg was shattered in a missile attack lera's leg was shattered in a missile attack on her city last summer. she is gradually healing, physically.

translation: at first, i was really scared. i afraid of every little noise. i'm not scared like that anymore. but if they say there's a missile heading for chernihiv, then ijust go crazy. it's awful. almost 2,000 children have been injured and killed since vladimir putin's full—scale invasion. but not all the pain is visible. translation: we witnessed - a catastrophic amount of children who started turning to us with different unpleasant symptoms. do you think that there's enough help for all the children who need it? translation: to be honest, we have a very long queue. i we really do. for lera, it's the loss of her brother that's hit hardest. sasha was killed on the front line. translation: i used to look for his face in every person .

who passed on the street. i don't believe it, even now. then her sister produces sasha's last message. sending his love from the front line. lera's not heard his voice since he died. children are learning to live with the blackouts, the loss and the loneliness, and with the worry that there may yet be worse to come. translation: these school holidays are just a little bit strange. _ but when i ask angelina what she wants most... ..she wants this war to end. sarah rainsford, bbc news, kharkiv. here, paul mannering has nothing

more than mowing his lawn and tending to his flowers, but when he went blind he feared he would never be able to actually see his garden again. but thanks to pioneering surgery, paul is now one ofjust a handful of patients to have had his eyesight partially restored. our reporter alex dunmore has been to meet him. for 64 years, paul took his site for granted. then, after ulcers built up in his eyes, he lost all vision. he has been blind for more than a year. until now. just one month after a new type of corneal transplant, paul can safely mow his lawn, pick up the flowers... one, two, three... bind mow his lawn, pick up the flowers... one, two, three...— one, two, three... and their colours- _ one, two, three... and their colours. and _ one, two, three... and their colours. and in _ one, two, three... and their colours. and in my _ one, two, three... and their colours. and in my every i one, two, three... and their| colours. and in my every day, one, two, three... and their. colours. and in my every day, it one, two, three... and their- colours. and in my every day, it has been absolutely beautiful to me. what were your emotions when he started to be able to see again? crying. so elated. it is so unreal. i can see yourself, sitting the chair, i see my lilies over there,

the roses over there.— the roses over there. this is the cornea, the roses over there. this is the cornea. the _ the roses over there. this is the cornea, the dome-shaped i the roses over there. this is the l cornea, the dome-shaped window the roses over there. this is the i cornea, the dome-shaped window at cornea, the dome—shaped window at the front of the eye. corneal transplants are nothing new, but the one on paul's left eye, carried out by a doctor at the norfolk and norwich hospital, is pioneering. this easy donor here? that's right, that white ring _ this easy donor here? that's right, that white ring of _ this easy donor here? that's right, that white ring of the _ this easy donor here? that's right, that white ring of the donor - this easy donor here? that's right, that white ring of the donor cornea | that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches holdin- that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches holding the that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches holding the top that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches holding the top level that white ring of the donor cornea and these are the individual stitches holding the top level of the cornea in place. we separate the cornea into two layers, like slicing a victoria sponge, we have a top and bottom layer and we only remove 25% of the cells from the bottom layer. what does that mean, there's less of rejection? what does that mean, there's less of re'ection? . �* , what does that mean, there's less of re'ection? . �*, . , rejection? that's correct, there is less chance _ rejection? that's correct, there is less chance of _ rejection? that's correct, there is less chance of rejection _ rejection? that's correct, there is less chance of rejection and i rejection? that's correct, there is less chance of rejection and the l less chance of rejection and the chances 95% for five years. for less chance of rejection and the chances 9596 for five years. for 14 lona chances 9596 for five years. for 14 long months. _ chances 9596 for five years. for 14 long months, this _ chances 9596 for five years. for 14 long months, this woman - chances 9596 for five years. for 14 long months, this woman was i chances 9596 for five years. for 14 j long months, this woman was not chances 9596 for five years. for 14 i long months, this woman was notjust paul's wife, but his care. now they can finally share the household chores. it can finally share the household chores. . , , . ~ can finally share the household chores. , . ~ . chores. it has been nice. we are caettin chores. it has been nice. we are

getting there. — chores. it has been nice. we are getting there, we _ chores. it has been nice. we are getting there, we will _ chores. it has been nice. we are getting there, we will get i chores. it has been nice. we are getting there, we will get there. chores. it has been nice. we are i getting there, we will get there. we know getting there, we will get there. know that. it getting there, we will get there. - know that. it isjust getting there, we will get there. - know that. it is just fantastic. getting there, we will get there. we know that. it is just fantastic. you . know that. it is 'ust fantastic. you think so when i know that. it is just fantastic. you think so when you _ know that. it isjust fantastic. you think so when you see your bank account— think so when you see your bank account to! — think so when you see your bank account to!— think so when you see your bank account to! . ., ,., . ~ . account to! that the drawback. when ou're account to! that the drawback. when you're blind — account to! that the drawback. when you're blind you _ account to! that the drawback. when you're blind you can't _ account to! that the drawback. when you're blind you can't see _ account to! that the drawback. when you're blind you can't see the i account to! that the drawback. when you're blind you can't see the bank. you're blind you can't see the bank account and if she knows the details, i can tell you, it has taken a battering!— details, i can tell you, it has taken a battering! love back at the norfolk and _ taken a battering! love back at the norfolk and norwich _ taken a battering! love back at the norfolk and norwich hospital, i taken a battering! love back at thej norfolk and norwich hospital, paul checks in with the man he now calls his friend. in time, he will carry out the same operation on his right eye. he isjust one of out the same operation on his right eye. he is just one of a out the same operation on his right eye. he isjust one of a handful of surgeons qualified to do it. have are new with this procedure? it surgeons qualified to do it. have are new with this procedure? it was first described _ are new with this procedure? it was first described and _ are new with this procedure? it was first described and performed i are new with this procedure? it was first described and performed in i first described and performed in 2005 in italy. however, it hasn't really, due to the technicality of the procedure, it has not had widespread adoption, despite having incredible outcomes. pauli widespread adoption, despite having incredible outcomes.— incredible outcomes. paul won't disa . ree incredible outcomes. paul won't disagree with — incredible outcomes. paul won't disagree with that. _ incredible outcomes. paul won't disagree with that. i _ incredible outcomes. paul won't disagree with that. i can't i incredible outcomes. paul won't disagree with that. i can't thank| disagree with that. i can't thank that man enough. _ disagree with that. i can't thank that man enough. live - disagree with that. i can't thankj that man enough. live everyday disagree with that. i can't thank. that man enough. live everyday as disagree with that. i can't thank- that man enough. live everyday as if it is your— that man enough. live everyday as if it is your last — that man enough. live everyday as if it is your last because you never know _ it is your last because you never know what — it is your last because you never know what is the corner. alex dunlo - ,

know what is the corner. alex dunlop. bbc _ know what is the corner. alex dunlop, bbc news. _ a quick look at those pictures from south—west iceland after another volcanic eruption, the fifth in six months, a fish are opening up, a kilometre long, molten rock shooting up kilometre long, molten rock shooting up 15 metres, but largely this is inhabited, that town of grundig having already been evacuated. let's catch up with that and the weather details, here is ben. here is ben. hello, we are seeing some sunny scenes across the uk today, but that is not the whole story. also some areas of cloud, in fact some big shower clouds that have developed and we are going to see further heavy downpours to take us through the afternoon, all driven by this area of low pressure drifting slowly east. the most widespread heavy showers and thunderstorms likely to be across northern, eastern and central parts of scotland, one or two down into the far north of england and these could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time with some localised disruption. furthersouth, northern

ireland, wales, much of england, not as many showers, temperatures up to 20 degrees. this evening and overnight showery rain will push south across scotland, getting down into northern england. a few showers moving into northern ireland and wales in the south—west, but on balance most places try to but on balance most places dry to start tomorrow, temperatures 9—11 . this area of low pressure still swirling to the north—east of us on into thursday, this band of showery rain sinking south across wales, the midlands and east anglia and getting down towards the south and tending to break up into sharp showers and thunderstorms, another area of rain likely to push into eastern england. further west not as many showers, some spells of sunshine, but a fairly brisk and fairly cool north or north—westerly wind. so not feeling particularly warm. for the end of the week, this area of low pressure tends to loosen its grip and high—pressure begins to build from the west. so yes, we will continue to see an area of cloud and showery rain affecting eastern england, but further north and west it is looking largely dry with some spells of sunshine.

temperatures up to around 18—19 , wouldn't be at all surprised if somewhere got to 20 degrees. into the weekend it is this area of high pressure that will become dominant, but around the high, as you can see, some fairly large areas of cloud, so it is not going to be sunny all the time. on saturday looks like we will see quite a lot of cloud pushing across much of england, into wales and that could even produce the odd shower, another bank of cloud likely to roll into the north—west of scotland. but in between, some sunshine, things actually starting to turn a bit warmer, 20—21. similar temperatures on sunday, most places fine, some areas of cloud, but some spells of sunshine. live from london, this is bbc news.

junior doctors will stage a five—day strike _ junior doctors will stage a five—day strike ahead of their long—running pay dispute. diane abbott says she has been _ pay dispute. diane abbott says she has been banned from standing for labour~ _ has been banned from standing for labour~ sir— has been banned from standing for labour. sir keir starmer says no decision— labour. sir keir starmer says no decision has— labour. sir keir starmer says no decision has been made. on verify toda we decision has been made. on verify today we are _ decision has been made. on verify today we are examining _ decision has been made. on verify today we are examining the i today we are examining the conservatives' pledge on apprenticeships, and what labour are promising in this area. scotland's former health secretary michael matheson has just been suspended after msps voted to impose sanctions for an expenses claim on ipad running charges. in other news... jurors in new york... jurors in new york prepare to begin their deliberations in donald trump's hush money trial south africa's president votes in the country's general election that could see the governing anc party lose its majority.

hello. junior doctors are to stage another strikejust before junior doctors are to stage another strike just before the general election. talks had restarted but have broken down. the doctor's union in the bma has been in dispute over pay for more than a year now. here is a health editor hugh pym. what do we want? pay restoration! they call it pay restoration, that is what they have been demanding in ten strikes staged in england since march last year. the junior doctor's union the bma want a 35% pay rise to compensate for inflation over more than a decade. ministers said that wasn't reasonable and awarded 9% on average last year, mediation talks started earlier this

month but they stalled, and the bma has called another strike. the latest walk out byjunior doctors in england will start at 7.00am on thursdayjune 27th and end at the same time on tuesdayjuly 2nd, that of course is just two days before polling day, onjuly 4th. last week, the government decided to walk away from negotiations and throw their hands up and abdicate themselves of any responsibility of solving a dispute that we have had with them over pay for the last 20 months. but there was criticism from conservative mps. it feels to me to be very political, this move, constructive talks had been held, but frankly, this is what you will get more of if labour get in, because we have passed some tough laws when it comes to strikes, and frankly they are going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers should have done more to end the dispute. firstly i'm shocked that we're in this position,

because this has been going on a very long time. i think the government should have resolved it and negotiated a settlement, and what they have effectively done is kicked it to the other side of the general election. that is unforgivable. there are still disputes between junior doctors and the devolved administrations in wales and northern ireland. i will be speaking to matthew taylor, chief executive of the nhs confederation and former director of policy forformer prime confederation and former director of policy for former prime minister tony blair, he gave me his reaction to this announcement of more strikes. this is incredibly disappointing. we have been struggling with industrial action in the nhs now for 18 months, and as hugh pym described, these strikes have a big impact. essentially what happens when junior doctors are on strike is that consultants, other senior doctors,

have to work in the ward, in emergency departments, in order to cover forjunior doctors, which means hospitals can cope on those days but it means that outpatient clinics and operations are cancelled which means that the very limited progress that we have been able to make on waiting lists is basically put on hold. tell me more about the impacts, because five straight days in a row of strike action, that really stretches things to the limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation, the longer these strikes continue. so, if you have five days of strikes, leaders in the health service have to spend a lot of time planning for that, cancelling operations, redrawing rotors, the impact starts redrawing rotas, the impact starts before the strike and it goes on after the strike, often people don't come forward if they are worried about their illness, they will try to stay away because they hear there are strikes and they will come forward when the strikes finish. so it has a kind of ripple effects. so it has a kind of ripple effect. but the problem really

is the accumulation of this industrial action now, over 18 months, there has been very little time when we have had a clear stretch of time to be able to tackle the issues that we really want to focus on. the status of the long—serving mp diane abbott is unclear after she told the bbc she'd been barred from standing as a labour candidate in the general election only to be contradicted by sir keir starmer who said no decision had yet been taken. diane abbott was the first black woman to be elected to the house of commons nearly 40 years ago. she was suspended from the party last year after saying thatjewish, irish and traveller people faced prejudice but not racism. she later apologised and was allowed back into the parliamentary party yesterday. our political correspondent jess parker reports. the first steps back in 1987 into a long career in parliament, as britain's first ever black female mp. good morning, my name's diane abbott. yes, i know. if you'd like to go through.

but is it now all coming to an end? what have labour said to you? diane abbott says she's dismayed by reports she's been barred from standing for labour, despite being let back in to the parliamentary party. it follows her suspension last year for saying jewish, irish and traveller people don't face racism all their lives. she apologised, so has she been barred from standing? no, that's not true, no decision has been taken to bar diane abbott. the process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day, so she's a member of the parliamentary labour party, and no decision has been ta ken barring her. also out on the campaign trail the prime minister, who said it was time to unpack the truth. the labour party have been telling everybody that this investigation into diane abbott is ongoing,

it now appears that it concluded months ago, so really, i guess it's a question for them to clear this all up, what happened when and be transparent with people about it. the scottish national party says she has been treated disgracefully. the liberal democrats say it is a matter for labour. diane abbott is seen as a trailblazer, an important figure in the party's story, and this whole saga has caused some unease, even anger, in labour ranks, but she has been critical of the current labour leadership while also having been a close ally of the former leaderjeremy corbyn. so, while this may all look like an unedifying mess, labour's top ranks perhaps view it slightly differently, as part of their efforts to make a clean break from the corbyn era. a prominent campaignerfor decades, a veteran mp on labour's left, no—one doubts diane abbott's place in history, but her place in sir keir starmer�*s labour party is now farfrom certain.

jessica parker, bbc news in westminster. the chairman of the conservative party has weighed into the row calling sir keir starmer a liar. this is a bizarre situation that we're now seeing with the labour party. we saw literally sir keir starmer on friday telling people that this was totally unresolved, we've seen minister after minister from the shadow front bench coming out to say this isn't resolved, and yet actually this was resolved back in december and diane abbott received a formal message from the labour nec, which sir keir starmer sits on, back in february. so the idea that he didn't know what was going on is clearly nonsense. he's clearly been lying to people, and he calls for truth and honesty in politics yet he's not prepared to be clear and honest and truthful about some really big issues, especially around diane abbott.

a politics lecturer at the royal hollow university of london whose area of research is politics and race representation, he described the treatment of diane abbott by the party as disgraceful. diane abbott is someone who has given nearly 40 decades of her life diane abbott is someone who has given nearly four decades of her life to the labour party as an mp, and she has been left in the dark as to whether she can stand in the election or not. diane abbott made a mistake, she showed contrition for this mistake and diane should be allowed the opportunity to decide herself whether she should stand or not. i think it appears she has been robbed of that ability to make the decision herself, or it is a bit unclear at the moment. i think what we are seeing is that diane abbott is being held to different standards to other colleagues in the labour party who have made mistakes. when it comes to black women in the workplace, they are often held to

different standards, they are not allowed to have bad days. when you have a bad day, you are mediated afterwards. what we are seeing is diane abbott being humiliated by the party she served for nearly 40 decades. labour obviously would dispute there are different standards, but do you think there are serious questions for keir starmer to answer? absolutely. let's look and at an example, neil coyle, a labour mp who is loyal to keir starmer, he racially abused a journalist and also had a sexual harassment charge upheld against him. he is still allowed to stand. he went through a disciplinary process but he is still allowed to stand. diane abbott, she made an estate, she showed contrition, much like neil did, and yet she is not allowed to stand, or at least we don't know. that suggests to me a different standard, and also potentially raises questions about race and racism, whether black mps in the labour party are being treated differently. the ford report which came out a couple of years ago said that some of labour's staffers had said some deeply problematic things to black and asian people in the party, so we know that racism is a problem in the party, and we might be seeing

that coming out at the moment beer that coming out at the moment. in terms of diane abbott, 37 years—plus, widely described by politicians from across the spectrum as a trail blaizer, she really is? i did some research and i looked at questions and speeches and people's contributions in politics and diane abbott was someone who in my research, she was a champion of the rights of minority communities, and black communities, so i think diane abbott is someone who means a lotto black voters and minority voters because she has always been on their side when it comes to tackling issues of racial, economic and socialjustice, she has always been on the right side of history on those issues. labour is promising to hit a key waiting time target for nhs treatment in england by the end

of the next parliament if it wins the conservatives say they would close university courses offering what rishi sunak has described as "rip—off degrees" in england and instead fund up to 100,000 extra apprenticeships a year. labour described the plans as laughable. the liberal democrats said, the "shockingly low" pay for many apprenticeships was a sign of a broken system. the prime minsiter has been speaking about the plans during a campaign visit to cornwall. wonderful to be in cornwall this morning having come on the overnight sleeper and i have been having a great time meeting apprentices, who are incredibly excited about their future. that's why a future conservative government will take the bold action of closing down underperforming university degrees which are letting our young people down and instead using that money to fund 100,000 new high—quality apprenticeships, that is the best way to transform people's lives and spread opportunity and deliver a secure future for our young people. can you identify any underperforming degrees for us, name one? and what is wrong with university for so many of our young people? university is great and it makes a fantastic option for many people but it's not the only option, i am not someone who believes that you have to go to university and all of the apprenticeships i have spoken to this

morning are proof of that, describing it as the best decision they ever made. we know that there are university degrees which are letting young people down, independent studies say that around one in five people who are on degrees would have been financially better off not doing them, about one in three graduates are on non—graduate jobs, so actually we are better off providing those young people with the opportunity of a high—quality apprenticeship, the regulator will be given the powers to look at underperforming degrees, looking at the progression rates, the dropout rates, the earnings of people on those degrees and instead we will use that money to fund 100,000 new apprenticeships and that is an example of the bold action that i'm prepared to take because that's how we will deliver a secure future for everyone in our country. in contrast the labour party are still clinging to the notion that everyone has to go to university and they want to halve the number of apprenticeships and that is not the right way forward. ben chu of bbc verify has been taking a closer look at the numbers.

the conservatives are proposing to create 100,000 new apprenticeships per year by 2030. funded by scrapping some university courses in england, but there is some important context to this pledge which is a sharp fall in apprenticeship numbers in recent years in 2017 the government announced a new funding mechanism called the apprenticeship levy on companies. there are no uk—wide figures for the number of people doing apprenticeships but since then the number of new apprenticeships starts in england has fallen by about 30%, down from half a million in 2017 to 340,000 last year. and within that total, the numbers doing the lowest level of apprenticeships, known as intermediate apprenticeships, such as adult care worker or chef, shown in green here, equivalent to gcse level, has fallen by 70%. by contrast, the number of higher or degree apprenticeships, shown in blue, has increased in recent years, with concerns that some of the people becoming apprentices are older workers

being sponsored by their employers to do expensive mba courses, which would not fit with the common perception of what an apprentice is. the number of people aged below 19 starting apprenticeships, shown in red, has fallen by a third since 2017. businesses blame the design of the apprenticeship levy which they say makes lower level apprenticeships used by young people prohibitive to deliver. today, the conservative education minister damian hinds claimed that labour's policy would halve the number of apprenticeships. this is based on labour's proposed growth and skills levy, their shadow education minister is bridget phillipson. the levy would give companies the freedom to use up to half of their total contributions to the apprenticeship levy for non—apprenticeship training, with at least 50% reserved for apprenticeships. labour say their policy is to give companies more freedom to say they would not have a crude target for apprenticeship numbers,

focusing on the value of workforce training instead. they also say they would introduce new technical excellence colleges aimed at training workers for local industries. education analysts warn that getting the apprenticeship system and its funding right is vital for expanding the opportunities of young people who don't go to university and also levelling up the country economically. ben chu at bbc verify. we can speak now to the chief executive of the recruitment confederation. what did you make of the conservative announcement a little earlier on apprenticeships? thing as with most businesses, we willjudge this across three things that we know aren't quite working, as ben was just setting out. does that we know aren't quite working, as ben wasjust setting out. does it repair the failures of the design of the apprenticeship levy, that actually makes it too expensive for many firms to offer those 18—year—old and 16—year—old apprenticeships? does it focus the system back on those younger

workers? and does it encourage those intermediate apprenticeships to be offered? on all three, i think this a is no all round. businesses have been clear that most people think of an apprenticeship as a route into a skilled coming up for a young person, yet the system is increasingly about older workers already employed doing higher qualifications. those are great courses but they are not quite meeting the needs of getting young people into the workforce. i will]! people into the workforce. i will ick u- people into the workforce. i will pick up with _ people into the workforce. i will pick up with some _ people into the workforce. i will pick up with some of _ people into the workforce. i will pick up with some of those i people into the workforce. i will pick up with some of those thoughts in a moment or two but that basic announcement of a switch from what rishi sunak describes as mickey mouse courses to apprenticeships, does that formula makes sense? for us, hiuher does that formula makes sense? fr?" us, higher education is higher education, whether it is a higher apprenticeship or it is a degree in apprenticeship or it is a degree in a university. i think the idea of more young people getting higher skills by either of those routes is really good. i don't think it's really good. i don't think it's really for us to be setting them off against each other. in particular, some of the metrics that are being

used tojudge the some of the metrics that are being used to judge the quality of courses actually may be leave us a little bit misled, after all, if we're using purely earnings basis, in the first five or six years of a career, tojudge a course, you wouldn't first five or six years of a career, to judge a course, you wouldn't have many nurses or many people working in britain's world leading creative industries. i think we need to take a wider view and deal with university courses and apprenticeships as two things that we need lots of both of. after all the university sector is one of britain's great strengths. you said to our producer _ britain's great strengths. you said to our producer that _ britain's great strengths. you said to our producer that the _ britain's great strengths. you said to our producer that the ladder i to our producer that the ladder opportunity for young people was broken, just described a bit more in detail of what you think is going wrong in that particular area? 50. i wrong in that particular area? so, i think a really _ wrong in that particular area? so, i think a really important _ wrong in that particular area? ’ir i think a really important part wrong in that particular area? 6r i think a really important part of this is, how do you help young people who are maybe not on an academic route achieve high skills through a vocational work? so, we need more work on pre—apprenticeships, getting young people of 16 ready to do an apprenticeship, we then need more apprenticeships that are open to 16—

to 18 gavel�*s, and as we said the levy design is mitigating against that, and in favour of older workers, which needs to be addressed. thirdly, we need to look at our provider base, colleges have really suffered over the last five to ten years as fe has been a bit of a cinderella sector, for spending, and of course, that is right at the heart of building up the good partnerships with employers in local communities all over the country. good to talk to you, thanks for joining us live on the programme. turning to labour, labour is promising to cut nhs waiting lists in england if it wins the next election. the party says that by the end of the next parliament, the vast majority of patients will start treatment within 18 weeks. the target has not been met since 2016. the shadow health secretary wes streeting has been on the campaign trail earlier today, and this is what he had to say.

a plan from labour which would deliver 40,000 extra appointments at evenings and weekends using an approach that has already to get those waiting times down, to .et to get those waiting times down, to get those _ to get those waiting times down, to get those waiting list down, and we will double the number of diagnostic scanners, _ will double the number of diagnostic scanners, because it is outrageous that so— scanners, because it is outrageous that so many people, 1.6 million in our country — that so many people, 1.6 million in our country, are waiting, in anguish and anxiety, — our country, are waiting, in anguish and anxiety, for those diagnostic tests— and anxiety, for those diagnostic tests and — and anxiety, for those diagnostic tests and scans. we are the only party— tests and scans. we are the only party in — tests and scans. we are the only party in this election that has a serious — party in this election that has a serious plan to cut waiting lists and we — serious plan to cut waiting lists and we are the only party in this election— and we are the only party in this election with a proud track record of doing — election with a proud track record of doing it — election with a proud track record of doing it. we did it before and we will do _ of doing it. we did it before and we will do it— of doing it. we did it before and we will do it again. that of doing it. we did it before and we will do it again.— will do it again. that was wes streeting. — will do it again. that was wes streeting, just _ will do it again. that was wes streeting, just one _ will do it again. that was wes streeting, just one of i will do it again. that was wes streeting, just one of the i will do it again. that was wes i streeting, just one of the campaign stops, focusing on health. we also heard from keir starmer, with wes streeting, at several other

locations, underlying that basic message. we can talk to our political correspondent leila nathoo who has been with them through the course of the day. tell us exactly more of the detail, leila, of how labour plans to do this? because by their own admission, this is only their own admission, this is only the first steps? apologies, you can clearly see the line breaking up to leila on the campaign bus, that is always the danger of talking to our correspondents there on the campaign trail. hopefully we will try and fix that in the next little while and returned to leila nathoo who is there with the labour party out on there with the labour party out on the campaign trail, focusing on the nhs. turning to scotland, scotland's former health secretary michael matheson has been suspended in the

last hour from holyrood after msps voted to impose sanctions for an improper expenses claim. he has been suspended for 27 sitting days, after he claimed £11,000 for ipad roaming charges whilst he was on a foreign holiday. let's go live to our correspondent lorna gordon who is across this story for us. just bring us right up to date. that is a hefty suspension. is that the end, potentially, of his career? well, there is a _ potentially, of his career? well, there is a debate _ potentially, of his career? well, there is a debate ongoing i potentially, of his career? well, there is a debate ongoing in i there is a debate ongoing in parliament as we speak calling for him to resign. but yes, this is a really hefty suspension, it is a record ban in the scottish parliament. he has been banned for more than five working weeks, that exceeds the previous record of one month, and he has been docked sell equivalent, roughly, to the £10,941 that he ran up in this data roaming

charge while he was on holiday with his family to morocco. he originally said this was down to constituency work but eventually admitted that he had run up this hefty bill because his kids had used the data roaming to watch football. a very strongly worded debate in the scottish parliament this afternoon, the snp did not back the motion, they called for a review of the complaints process, arguing it was open to prejudice. but the liberal democrats said the only disagreements amongst the committee was on the duration of the committee was on the duration of the suspension, and that did not want to undermine the whole process especially when there had been so much unanimity throughout it. the scottish conservatives said anyone else who had run up such a bill would be handed their people to five. and scottish labour said there had been no admission of, no apology, just a denial, deflection and dishonesty on the part of

michael matheson. so, the debate ongoing on the second motion, as we speak. but yes, michael matheson has been handed a record suspension from the scottish parliament this afternoon. the scottish parliament this afternoon-— the scottish parliament this afternoon. �* ., ., ., , ., afternoon. and lorna, that will be a blow for the — afternoon. and lorna, that will be a blow for the snp _ afternoon. and lorna, that will be a blow for the snp because _ afternoon. and lorna, that will be a blow for the snp because it - afternoon. and lorna, that will be a blow for the snp because it has i afternoon. and lorna, that will be a l blow for the snp because it has been a huge distraction?— a huge distraction? yeah, this first week of campaigning _ a huge distraction? yeah, this first week of campaigning and - a huge distraction? yeah, this first week of campaigning and the i a huge distraction? yeah, this first week of campaigning and the snp| week of campaigning and the snp position has shifted back and forth over the last few days, john swinney, the new first minister, the leader of the snp, in position for a little over three weeks originally, said he would not back it. they put forward an amendment today to this motion, but then abstained from the final vote. motion, but then abstained from the finalvote. it motion, but then abstained from the final vote. it has certainly been a distraction from their election campaigning and the opposition parties saying that, you know, members of the public would be shocked that they are trying to defend a position where £11,000 run up defend a position where £11,000 run up by a family member was tried to claim back on expenses. this debate

ongoing, calling for him to resign as an msp, the numbers would suggest thatis as an msp, the numbers would suggest that is unlikely to pass, but nonetheless, he is now suspended for a considerable period of time from the scottish parliament, and facing this really hefty docking of his salary as well.— this really hefty docking of his sala as well. ., ., ,., ., ., salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary — salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote — salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote is _ salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote is going _ salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote is going on i salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote is going on at i salary as well. lorna gordon, that secondary vote is going on at the | secondary vote is going on at the moment, we will let you monitor that and talk to you again in about an hour. the liberal democrats battle but has been in wales today to launch their election campaign there. alongside the welsh liberal democrats leaderjane dodds, ed davey set out a rescue plan for farmers including a £1 billion in extra funding. speaking earlier, sir ed davey was asked whether that plan would mean higher taxes for working people. we're really clear that taxes

are not going to go up for people. the conservatives have put them up so much, to record levels, in a cost of living crisis. the conservatives are now the high tax party in the uk, and that is a scandal. when we publish our costed manifesto, we will show where the money will come from, for policies like our £1 billion a year extra for farmers, who've been betrayed by the conservatives. and for example, we've been making it clear that the cuts in taxes to the big banks really need to be reversed, and the conservatives have favoured the big banks by £4 billion a year in tax cuts. that's not right when people are struggling with conservative higher taxes. that was ed davey explaining some of the finances behind this pledge. our political correspondent hannah miller is with the liberal democrats again today. she told me a bit more about that pledge for farmers. he was announcing £1 billion of funding for agriculture to kind of make food production more

sustainable, more cost—effective, more productive, with technology, things like that. the money actually is for england only even though the announcement was made in wales. it is quite a sizeable chunk, really, i think the current budget in england is about £2.4 billion, so adding an extra £1 billion is a significant amount, and he said it would be fully costed once the manifesto comes along. he was also talking about scrapping the salary thresholds for people who come to work in agriculture in the uk. and renegotiating the trade deal with australia which is due to come into effect very shortly, and there are concerns around the climate change commitments around that. so, a number of labour policies aimed at people in rural so, a number of liberal democrat policies aimed at people in rural areas in particular, at farming communities, where they think that

they can pick up votes. it's interesting watching ed davey because yesterday you were with us, he was talking about water quality in windermere, today it is farming, he is clearly, as we were talking yesterday, very targeted in this campaign so far, and returning to very clear themes. yes, so, we're actually just arriving in bath, a seat that has been liberal democrat for most of recent elections. the conservatives did take it at one stage but generally, a liberal democrat seat, and one that they won in 2019. that is kind of them starting their tour of the south—west, where rishi sunak has been as well, a kind of liberal democrat—conservative battle going on there. i asked ed davey earlier when he was worried about the conservative party going into the west country and he said he was actually quite pleased about it because it gives some sense that it might be a real battle going on,

where they really hope that they can pick up a number of seats. as we were saying, to some extent, yesterday, their strategy this time is much more targeted, it's not this idea that there is going to be a liberal democrat prime minister or anything, but kind of pitching themselves as a party who can take votes and seats away from the conservatives, really taking the battle to the conservatives, and the government's record, being much less critical of the labour party, and not really directly answering questions about whether they would work with labour, although i suspect that the hint is that perhaps yes, if it were to come to that, but we would have to wait and see. hannah miller, with the liberal democrats. four nationwide opinion polls have been published in the last 24 hours, along with a second poll of voting intentions in scotland. the most recent poll surveyed more than 2000 adults online and it put labour on 47%, the tories on 20%, reform on 12%, and the liberal democrats online percent, with the greens on

7%, the snp on 3%, plaid cymru on 1%, and other parties on 2%. i have been speaking to scarlet maguire, whojoined me in the been speaking to scarlet maguire, who joined me in the studio earlier, she is the director at the research and polling company she is the director at the research and polling companijp. i asked her if the polls had changed in any way substantially since this election was called a week ago today. we had lots of new polls out, most showing no movement. signs of the lead potentially narrowing, may [each to the conservative shoring up teach to the conservative shoring up their base, but at the moment a bit too early to tell who's going to win this campaign. in too early to tell who's going to win this campaign-— this campaign. in terms of issues that voters _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are most _ this campaign. in terms of issues that voters are most concerned l that voters are most concerned about, you said to our producer you thought the nhs is currently underpriced, in terms of the sorts of things you are hearing. tell me more about why you have come to that conclusion. i more about why you have come to that conclusion. ., ,., , ., ., ,~' conclusion. i do, so when you ask voters what _ conclusion. i do, so when you ask voters what their _ conclusion. i do, so when you ask voters what their priorities i conclusion. i do, so when you ask voters what their priorities are, i voters what their priorities are, they normally say, the economy, the

nhs, immigration, that changes depending on which group voters you ask, but broadly speaking they seem to be the most important issues to voters. but there is a conception that the economy trumps everything else, but the state of the nhs is becoming more and more important to voters, you see this in data and in focus groups, people are very unhappy and worried about the future of the nhs, they trust labour more on the issue and therefore it doesn't surprise me we are seeing a labour make hay with that today. yes, it has dominated the labour campaign today. in terms of the tory strategy, what have you made of it so far? ., , , ., , strategy, what have you made of it sofar? .,y , ., , , , strategy, what have you made of it so far? .,y , ., , , , ., so far? the tory strategy seems to be a defensive _ so far? the tory strategy seems to be a defensive one. _ so far? the tory strategy seems to be a defensive one. that _ so far? the tory strategy seems to be a defensive one. that makes i so far? the tory strategy seems to i be a defensive one. that makes sense because at the moment they holding onto than 15% of their last vote, it is extraordinary how poorly they are doing, so they are moving to get into a position to get back to the kind of voters who are currently either voting reformer or are saying they don't know. they have a saying they don't know. they have a saying they have made a calculation they are the easiest voters to win back. we are yet to see whether it works,

but i think that partly explain the policies we have seen coming out of them, namely the quadruple pension lock and the national service. that the scarlet maguire _ lock and the national service. that the scarlet maguire and i think that partly explain the policies we have seen coming out of them, namely the quadruple pension lock and the national service. that the scarlet maguire and i'm going to take you straight to new york with all—important donald trump hush money trail hasjust all—important donald trump hush money trail has just told the jurors to begin deliberations. he has sent out thejury, we to begin deliberations. he has sent out the jury, we were hearing from thejudge a out the jury, we were hearing from the judge a little earlier telling those jury the judge a little earlier telling thosejury members, you must set aside any personal opinions you have in favour or against the defendant. that was some of the early instructions, but he has now told the jury to begin their deliberations. so thejury the jury to begin their deliberations. so the jury being sent out after six weeks of this trial, 34 counts for them to consider course for a guilty verdict they need a unanimous decision. but they need a unanimous decision. but thejury being sent they need a unanimous decision. but the jury being sent out to begin their deliberations in a hugely, hugely significant criminal case

involving the former president, donald trump. morgue from our correspondent in new york here on the programme in the next few minutes. —— read more from our correspondent. you are watching bbc news, well, if you havejust joined us. this is bbc news, the headlines... junior doctors in england will stage a five—day strike before election day as part of their long—running pay dispute with the government. veteran mp diane abbott says she's been barred from standing for labour. sir keir starmer says no decision's been made. the conservative chairman calls him a liar. and in the first televised leaders' debate, sir keir starmer and rishi sunak will go head—to—head next week. though is the key election headlines. let's turn for the next few minutes to some of the important stories around the world we have been following because south africans are voting in one the most pivotal general election ends in that country since the end of

apartheid. the anc may lose its majority for the first time. joining me now is catherine byaruhanga, who's in soweto, and our africa correspondent barbara plett usher. she is in pretoria. the scene behind me has been _ she is in pretoria. the scene behind me has been repeated _ she is in pretoria. the scene behind me has been repeated in _ she is in pretoria. the scene behind me has been repeated in thousandsj she is in pretoria. the scene behind i me has been repeated in thousands of polling stations across south africa. this is a huge operation involving over 27 million registered voters. we are not quite sure how many of those voters will actually turn out to vote. this is a vote dabbling in nine provinces. it is a huge operation and there are still a few hours left of voting, voting will close at around 9pm. here the queue has been steadily growing throughout the day. where i am right now, soweto is a stronghold of the ruling party, the african national congress. nelson mandela's former home isjust a congress. nelson mandela's former home is just a short distance from where i am and it is in places like

this that the anc needs to make sure its supporters come out to vote because it is facing the real prospect, according to opinion polls, that it could lose its majority in parliament and this would be the first time that the anc would be the first time that the anc would not be the majority party in parliament for three decades, since the end of apartheid. stand parliament for three decades, since the end of apartheid.— the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, _ the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, iust — the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, just explain _ the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, just explain a - the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, just explain a bit i the end of apartheid. and catherine byaruhanga, just explain a bit more why is the max one coming under so much pressure this time? what have been the key drivers of that? —— why the anc have been under pressure? yes, it is really telling in an anc stronghold like this, when he had spoken to voters there is a real sense of excitement about voting for the anc, they say there are real challenges in south africa and some of them are the fact that there is a high unemployment rate. 30% of south africans are unemployed, that number reaching 50% when it comes to young people. it is difficult for people

to access health care, even employed middle—class south africans finding that very expensive. so when voters are going to the ballot box, they are going to the ballot box, they are wondering whether the anc has done enough to create the life they all hoped for at the end of apartheid. so when some of their supporters are going to vote, they say, well, this is still the best option we have, but they feel that the anc has squandered those 30 years in power. but then you also have young people may be not so connected to the party and when they are coming through to vote they are telling us they are ready to change and part of that is because you have more than 70 political parties on the ballot paper this time around, parties on the left, on the right, younger political leaders and they are really interested in the prospect of where south africa is going, which is a country that is not dominated by one political party. some people believe if you have a multitude of parties,

potentially a coalition government, this time around, they think they will be able to hold their leaders more accountable. but matthew, as you would expect, there is the real possibility of coalition governments never being easy to manage in any part of the world and some people are unsure about the instability that could bring for south africa. catherine byaruhanga fair in soweto for us. do head to the bbc website. there is a lot of material there on the web page, just head to the africa section and you can see the latest dispatches from all of our correspondence right across south africa. as we were saying there, it is such a pivotal election there in south africa. let's return to new york. i wasjust south africa. let's return to new york. i was just breaking you that line... thejudge has sent york. i was just breaking you that line... the judge has sent out the jury line... the judge has sent out the jury in the new york trial to begin their deliberations, let's speak to our correspondence now outside the courthouse. crunch time, thejury begins their

deliberations? time, the jury begins their deliberations? ~ , deliberations? absolutely, matthew, 'ust deliberations? absolutely, matthew, just moments _ deliberations? absolutely, matthew, just moments ago, _ deliberations? absolutely, matthew, just moments ago, the _ deliberations? absolutely, matthew, just moments ago, the jurors i deliberations? absolutely, matthew, just moments ago, the jurors were i just moments ago, the jurors were sent out to begin their deliberations. before that, the judge had spent about an hour walking them through the law at play here. thejudge walking them through the law at play here. the judge telling them that they can consider three different laws, but trump, as prosecutors allege, violated new york state election law, federal election law or committed tax fraud. and they said they will have to consider whether donald trump did intend to violate those laws. first, with committing election fraud and then by trying to disguise it by falsifying business records. matthew, thejudge falsifying business records. matthew, the judge gave them an interesting instruction when it came to the prosecution's star witness, michael cohen. they said, under the

law, cohen is considered an accomplice because he participated in some of the crimes alleged here. so thejudge told in some of the crimes alleged here. so the judge told them, you may not convict an ascendant solely upon michael cohen's testimony, unless they find it is corroborated by other evidence. —— you may not convict a defendant. i think that will certainly factor heavily into the jury's deliberations, will certainly factor heavily into thejury�*s deliberations, if will certainly factor heavily into the jury's deliberations, if indeed they do find that michael cohen's testimony is corroborated. the judge has really told the jury that they should reach an agreement, that should reach an agreement, that should be their intent, if that can be done without surrendering their individualjudgment. but in doing that, he also encouraged them to keep an open mind when going through their deliberations. keep in mind, jurors were instructed not to discuss the evidence they heard with their fellowjurors until discuss the evidence they heard with their fellow jurors until this moment. so their discussions really are starting right from square one.

getting a sense of how the others interpreted the case that they heard. and another interesting point, matthew, thejury was heard. and another interesting point, matthew, the jury was given instructions on how their deliberations, the rules that will govern that. they won't be able to leave the deliberations room, except for designated breaks. they are now having to hand over their phones to court officers and they will only be allowed to talk about the case with each other because they will have to be together when anything about the case is discussed, so nobody misses an important part of the conversation. so after all of that was laid out, matthew, jurors were sent out for deliberations and it is now anyone's guess how long they will need. $5 now anyone's guess how long they will need. �* , ,. now anyone's guess how long they will need. ~ , y., ., now anyone's guess how long they will need. a ., ., ~ ., , will need. as you are talking to us, nada tawfik, _ will need. as you are talking to us, nada tawfik, we _ will need. as you are talking to us, nada tawfik, we are _ will need. as you are talking to us, nada tawfik, we are actually i will need. as you are talking to us, nada tawfik, we are actually on i will need. as you are talking to us, | nada tawfik, we are actually on the pictures of donald trumpjunior and various members of the legal team

outside the courtroom. just give me a sense of who is actually in the courtroom and the people outside. just as i am speaking, i am also seeing donald trump emerging from the courtroom and i think he is about to approach the microphone, so i'm going to pause you there, nada tawfik, and i will come back to you in a second. tawfik, and i will come back to you in a second-— in a second. , from the 'udge, who is, in a second. , from the 'udge, who is. as — in a second. , from the 'udge, who is. as you i in a second. , from the 'udge, who is, as you know, i in a second. , from thejudge, who is, as you know, there i in a second. , from thejudge, who is, as you know, there are i who is, as you know, there are conflicted and corrupt because of very, very corrupt. mother teresa could not beat these charges. these charges are rigged, the whole thing is rigged, the whole country is a mess between the borders and for collections and... you have a trial like this, where the judges so conflicted he can't breathe. he has got to his job. conflicted he can't breathe. he has got to hisjob. and it is not for me, that i can tell you. it is a disgrace. and i mean that. mother teresa could not beat these charges, but we will see, we will see how we

do. it is a very disgraceful situation. every single legal expert said this is no case and it shouldn't have been brought and it certainly couldn't have been brought seven years ago, not in the middle of a presidential election. it was all done byjoe biden. thisjudge contributed tojoe biden and far worse than that, but i'm not allowed to talk about it because i have a 939 to talk about it because i have a gag order, far worse than that, by 1000 times worse than that, he was that i have ever heard, but i can't talk about it. it will be talked about, but i am not allowed to talk about, but i am not allowed to talk about it, but it will be talked about it, but it will be talked about in the history books. what is happening here is weaponisation on a level nobody has seen it before, ever, and it shouldn't be allowed to happen, so i will stay around here because this is five weeks and five weeks of really essentially not campaigning, although i took a big lead in the polls over the last few weeks, so something is going on, because i think the people of this country see that this is a rigged deal. it is a weaponised deal for the democrats to get their political

opponent. forjoe biden, the worst president in the history of the united states, he is destroying our country, he is losing billions of people from jails and prisons, from insane asylum is, from mental institutions, drug dealers corian. venezuela, if you look at their crime statistics, they have gunned down 72% in crime because they are releasing all the criminals into our country because of this horrible president that we have. and then they have a protest of robert de niro yesterday, who was a full, a broken downfall, standing out there and he got... yesterday he got a big dose of it. but ijust want to say it is a very unfair trial, it should never have happened. it was going to happen, it should have happened seven years ago. as you know, the southern district didn't bring it, the sec didn't bring it. thisjudge didn't even let us use the

number—one election attorney. he is making the rules. he doesn't want to think about elections. he doesn't to think about elections. he doesn't to think about elections. he doesn't to think about voting and vote caps. he doesn't know anything about this stuff, this is not his profession. we had the leading election expert in the country, brad smith, ready to testify, wouldn't let him do it. they wouldn't let another gentleman who represented, and you know very well, you saw it, it was the worst i think i have ever seen the way he was treated on the stand, bob costello. wouldn't let him talk about all the hundreds of e—mails that he was sent by a gentleman, another gentleman, who i can't mention because i am gagged. every time i speak to you, you ask me simple questions and i am not allowed to give you the answer because i am that gagged by this judge. but we have a very serious problem here, our country is going bad and remember, let mejust to leave you with this, this is all because ofjoe biden and his... and i don't even think it is him, i don't think he is smart enough to think about it, but it is the people

around him in the office, they are smart, they are fascist, they are communist, but they are smart and they are ruining our country. but we are going to win this election, november to fifth is going to be most important day in the history of our country, we are going to take back our country from these facets and these folks that are destroying us with inflation and with everything they do, how stupid they are, allowing 15—17,000,000 people into our country, totally un—vetted, totally unchecked. we are going to bring back our nation, november five, remember, the most important day in the history of our country. in the meantime, this trial is rigged, thank you.— in the meantime, this trial is ried, thank ou. , ., ., rigged, thank you. does that mean... there donald — rigged, thank you. does that mean... there donald trump _ rigged, thank you. does that mean... there donald trump are _ rigged, thank you. does that mean... there donald trump are saying - rigged, thank you. does that mean... there donald trump are saying there | there donald trump are saying there was a gag order, doing his best to coming pretty close to breaking it again, talking about a corrupt trial, talking about a rigged trial, talking about thejudge trial, talking about a rigged trial, talking about the judge being conflicted and talking about the weaponisation byjoe biden, as we

have seen so many times before, using it as a campaign pulpit. but despite all the bluster bear from donald trump, a huge, huge amount at stake as thejury donald trump, a huge, huge amount at stake as the jury is sent out to begin their deliberations and they will be out looking at those 3a different counts. and we will continue to monitor that there. let me quickly bring in a reporter who is listening to that. a huge amount of bluster, but as i was saying there, huge amount at stake for donald trump?— there, huge amount at stake for donald trump? that's absolutely ri . ht, donald trump? that's absolutely right. matthew. _ donald trump? that's absolutely right, matthew. look, _ donald trump? that's absolutely right, matthew. look, donald . donald trump? that's absolutely - right, matthew. look, donald trump is going to spin this verdict anyway he wants, no matter what it is. we have seen him speaking outside of the courtroom now for weeks, trying to get out this narrative to his supporters that there is essentially nothing to see here with this trial,

but he did nothing wrong and while thejury is right but he did nothing wrong and while the jury is right now deciding but he did nothing wrong and while thejury is right now deciding on that exact point. he has tried to argue this case out in the public domain, saying this is potentially an attempt to keep them out of the white house and it that there are no merit to this case, it is a cold case ultimately about documents and a lawyer of his who is a liar. it is a case for prosecutors to put forward, not only a compelling case forward, not only a compelling case forward, not only a compelling case for his formerfixer, inside troubles world, a tabloid executive, trump still holds in high regard, a former aide who was with him every day, hope hicks, but also the adult film star, stormy daniels, whose story is really at the centre of this case and so i think what

prosecutors were trying to impress upon the jury was, listen to what everyone else has told you in this case and believe them over the one person, donald trump, who is telling you none of that happened. mada you none of that happened. nada tawfik, you none of that happened. nada tawfik. thanks — you none of that happened. nada tawfik, thanks very _ you none of that happened. nada tawfik, thanks very much - you none of that happened. nada tawfik, thanks very much for the latest there from new york. head to our website for more from our correspondence inside the courthouse, but let's get back to the uk election campaign trail because risk free rishi sunak hasjust started a campaign trail speech in devon, so let's hear the prime minister. ~ ,., ., minister. when i said i would restore economic— minister. when i said i would restore economic stability, - minister. when i said i would restore economic stability, that| minister. when i said i would. restore economic stability, that is what i have done and the conservatives we stick to the plan and that stability has been restored. so the question now for all of you is where do we go from here? who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you and your families? foundation into a secure future for you and yourfamilies? the foundation into a secure future for you and your families? the tracer at the election is whether we build on

the election is whether we build on the progress we have made or whether we go back to square one with no plan and no certainty. the only certainty you have with the labour party is there going to run out of your money and put up your taxes, as clear as night follows day. we have at the treasury trot up all the spending commitments they have made and if you do all that and see what the black hole is, it amounts to £200,000 for every working family in our country on higher taxes, £200,000, and that is not going to deliver any financial security for any of you and i don't want to see that happen. i touched early on the world we're living in. i don't need to tell you we're living in perhaps the most dangerous absurd time since been seen since the end of the cold war. russia, china, and authoritarian states working together in a way that threatens our values, interests, notjustabroad, but at home as values, interests, notjust abroad, but at home as well and values, interests, notjustabroad, but at home as well and that is going to have an impact on us,

freshly need the integrity of our borders, amongst other things and these uncertain times call for bold and a certain action to chart a clear plan and that is what i am intent on delivering. we are the ones who put a bold plan on the table. if you need to make it clear that if you come here illegally, you won't be able to stay. we need to have an alternative to stop people coming here in the first place and across europe the penny has dropped that is the right approach, multiple other countries agree that is the right thing to do, but the one person who hasn't got that message is keir starmer. he wants to release everyone we have detained, cancelled flights, offer an amnesty to illegal migrants, making us the soft touch of europe and a magnet for illegal migrants across the continent, so whether it is that or any other issues, there is that or any other issues, there is no way you can trust the labour party to keep our country is a free

country and our borders safe and secure. keir starmer wants you to believe this election is over before it has started, the result is a foregone conclusion. every single day i will work very hard to your trust and you know what? i don't think the british people like that being taken for granted. if you think about it, the last few days, the first week of this campaign, you have seen what we are about, bold actions to transform our country, a modern new form of national service to provide skills and opportunities to provide skills and opportunities to our young people, foster our service and make our society cohesive, strengthen our country's resilience security. yesterday an announcement, to protect pensioners, make sure they are not taxed, raise for them and today a new announcement on apprenticeships, stop young people going off 2 degrees are not going to support them or their way and instead use them or their way and instead use them to create thousands more high—quality apprenticeships or big ideas that will allow us to deliver

a secure future. watch as we heard from the labour party? not a single new idea in the week. not a single new idea in the week. not a single new idea in the week. not a single new idea they have put on the table. that is the track record of keir starmer and the labour party. this was someone who was happy to abandon every single promise that he made to become labour leader as soon as he got thejob. what become labour leader as soon as he got the job. what makes you think you want to do exactly the same thing if he became prime minister? and if he can't stand for anything himself, how can he stand up for all of you? in contrast, as you can see, we've got a clear plan. we are prepared to take bold actions and thatis prepared to take bold actions and that is how we are going to deliver a secure future for you and everyone else across the country. and i am working hard for a country where we can all have confidence in ourselves and our communities, a renewed sense of pride in our country, a britain where all of your hard work is rewarded and we keep cutting your taxes and where the opportunities that were there for the previous generation are there for the next and a country where, above all, your

safety and defence is assured. that is the secure future i want all of you. that is the secure future i want for all of our country. and with your support, it would be delighted to deliver it for you. thanks very much. applause right. 0k, we're going to open it up to some questions, sol right. 0k, we're going to open it up to some questions, so i don't know who has a microphone or who is going to go first, but looking around, yes! miss? my to go first, but looking around, yes! miss?— to go first, but looking around, es! miss? g . , . , yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my auestion yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for _ yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you — yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you is, _ yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you is, if _ yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you is, if we - yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you is, if we are - yes! miss? my name is caitlin, my question for you is, if we are to i question for you is, if we are to bring _ question for you is, if we are to bring in — question for you is, if we are to bring in national service is a readily— bring in national service is a readily available service for 18—20 wear-olds. — readily available service for 18—20 —year—olds, how are you going to ensure _ —year—olds, how are you going to ensure a — —year—olds, how are you going to ensure a contingency plan for those kids, _ ensure a contingency plan for those kids, essentially, so that they have the support they require when they come _ the support they require when they come back? mental health support, housing, _ come back? mental health support, housing, physical support, physio? all of— housing, physical support, physio? all of those benefits and accommodations that you need to make in order— accommodations that you need to make in order for— accommodations that you need to make in order for them to be able to integrate — in order for them to be able to integrate back into society after

they have completed their service? are you _ they have completed their service? are you talking about young people, caitlin, who go and join the military component of it? yes. 0k, areat. military component of it? yes. 0k, great- what — military component of it? yes. 0k, great- what do _ military component of it? yes. 0k, great. what do you think about this idea? �* . ., , �* . idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors — idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to _ idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to it _ idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to it just _ idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to it just yet. - idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to itjust yet. i - idea? and undecided. it doesn't have all the factors to itjust yet. i am - all the factors to it just yet. i am waiting _ all the factors to it just yet. i am waiting to — all the factors to it just yet. i am waiting to see more of the facts and figures _ waiting to see more of the facts and figures and — waiting to see more of the facts and figures and also i think more of the plan before — figures and also i think more of the plan before i put a full opinion to it. . , ., . , it. ok, great. let me tell you a bit about it now— it. ok, great. let me tell you a bit about it now because _ it. ok, great. let me tell you a bit about it now because it _ it. ok, great. let me tell you a bit about it now because it is - it. ok, great. let me tell you a bit. about it now because it is something i'm really excited about and i have been talking to people about it wherever i have been over the last few days. what is going to happen is every young person is going to have a choice of what to do, so they can either choose to do the military component, which will be for one year and that will be highly selective and competitive, no one will be forced to do it, it was something people choose and apply to do and as i said, it will be selective and competitive. the alternative, which most people will end up doing, is to do roles in civic resilience, so if you think about search and rescue, first aid,

supporting elderly people, as many did during covid. so there will be a range of different options, but overall the idea is that young people get a new range of skills and opportunities that will set them up for life. i don't know about you, but i think service gives you purpose, so beyond the skills that you get as a young person, you will have that ability to contribute to something that is bigger than yourself and i think that is a wonderful thing. yourself and i think that is a wonderfulthing. in yourself and i think that is a wonderful thing. in the process, everyone doing this together will foster that culture of service more broadly across the country and ensure but i think service gives you purpose, so beyond the skills that you get as a young person, you will have that ability to contribute to something that is bigger than yourself and i think that is a wonderful thing. yourself and i think that is a wonderfulthing. in yourself and i think that is a wonderful thing. in the process, everyone doing this together will foster that culture of service more broadly across the country and ensure that our society is be more resilient and secure to face the

dangers and the things that come down the line. so that is the rough plan for how it is going to work. your broader question about how do we integrate people back into civilian life, i think presumably you are asking a bit more also about people who had been in the armed forces more generally and i know. if you are drawing everyone from lots of different backgrounds to do the same things together, i think that will be a wonderfully positive thing. and then of course, having lots of people over the years training all of these things and have that experience, whether that is on the armed forces side or the civilian side, it will mean that our country overall will be more resilient and secure to face the dangers and the things that come down the line. so that is the rough plan for how it is going to work. your broader question about how do we integrate people back into civilian life, i think presumably you are asking a bit more also about people who had been in the armed forces more generally and i know there are veterans here and thank you all very much for your service. i am determined to make this the best country in the world to be a veteran and that is why for the first ever time there is a veterans minister sitting in our cabinet, around the cabinet table, johnny mercer, you may have heard about him and johnny knows, i have told them, i have said, whatever you need from your studies people around the cabinet table, you just get it so

whether it is support or health care that you have touched on, mental health and physical health and that is why we have the last courage and opera store to help them, whether it 0pera store to help them, whether it is housing and we have that fortitude to help them there, and the last one we and even the event we just did when we talked about that, i was saying to the companies, the companies, the best business decision you can make, to all the ceos decision you can make, to all the ceos who were there, i said, the best business decision you can make is to hire a veteran because those of you who have served an enormous amount of skills and experience that are unique, so do companies, we need to get more companies to realise, they don't have to hire someone from they don't have to hire someone from the armed forces out of an act of charity or giving some back, they should do it because it is an incredible business decision because all of you bring an enormous amount to the table. that is what we are working towards, we are making progress, more to do, but i am determined to get there, to be the best place in the world to be a veteran. ~ ., , ., . , veteran. who is next? introduced is somethina veteran. who is next? introduced is something called _ veteran. who is next? introduced is something called opera _ veteran. who is next? introduced is something called opera prosper, i something called 0pera prosper, which _ something called 0pera prosper, which is — something called 0pera prosper, which is something to help support people _ which is something to help support people leaving the armed forces get into fantasticjobs like you have all of— into fantasticjobs like you have all of you — into fantasticjobs like you have all of you here, and even the event we just— all of you here, and even the event we just did — all of you here, and even the event we just did when we talked about that, _ we just did when we talked about that, i_ we just did when we talked about lhal, iwas— we just did when we talked about that, i was saying to the companies,

the best— that, i was saying to the companies, the best business decision you can make, _ the best business decision you can make. to — the best business decision you can make, to all the ceos who were there. _ make, to all the ceos who were there. i— make, to all the ceos who were there, i said, the best business decision— there, i said, the best business decision you can make is to hire a veteran _ decision you can make is to hire a veteran because those of you who have _ veteran because those of you who have served an enormous amount of skills— have served an enormous amount of skills and _ have served an enormous amount of skills and experience that are unique. — skills and experience that are unique, so do companies, we need to .et unique, so do companies, we need to get more _ unique, so do companies, we need to get more companies to realise, they don't _ get more companies to realise, they don't have _ get more companies to realise, they don't have to hire someone from the armed _ don't have to hire someone from the armed forces out of an act of charity— armed forces out of an act of charity or— armed forces out of an act of charity or giving some back, they should _ charity or giving some back, they should do— charity or giving some back, they should do it because it is an incredible business decision because all of you _ incredible business decision because all of you bring an enormous amount to the _ all of you bring an enormous amount to the table — all of you bring an enormous amount to the table. that is what we are working — to the table. that is what we are working towards, we are making progress. — working towards, we are making progress, more to do, but i am determined to get there, to be the best place — determined to get there, to be the best place in the world to be a veteran — best place in the world to be a veteran. who is next! am indeed. as a mature _ veteran. who is next! am indeed. as a mature apprentice, level. without certificates — a mature apprentice, level. without certificates our employees have to sit the _ certificates our employees have to sit the functional skills exam. could — sit the functional skills exam. could you _ sit the functional skills exam. could you look at taking higher qualifications into account, for e>

was speaking to an older gentleman who had done exactly that later on in life. he had tried a few times unsuccessfully and kept going to get his functional skills qualification, which we support in maths and english, and i think i have been talking a lot about the importance of maths and you will know that here, you work in a technical business, but more generally we just need more people to be more familiar with mass at any stage in their lives. 0ne with mass at any stage in their lives. one of the things i have done, which is a small thing, but it has put more funding for people who are at any point in their life want to either resit their maths gcse or indeed pick up a functional skills qualification later in life because my general view is for people who are prepared to work hard, who want to gain new skills, i want to have their back because that is the best way to give them the opportunity to build a more secure life for them and theirfamily and build a more secure life for them and their family and actually talking to the gentleman earlier today, it wasn'tjust talking to the gentleman earlier today, it wasn't just the financial security of the job had brought him, that when he did his functional skills qualifications, it was the confidence and the fulfilment that it had given him personally, i think there is a really inspiring story, you are right, but people are more mature getting the support they need and i will certainly take away your very practical suggestion about making it easier to recognise all those things. who's next? yes? hi.

those things. who's next? yes? hi, daniel. i those things. who's next? yes? hi, daniel- i hear— those things. who's next? yes? hi, daniel. i heara lot those things. who's next? yes? hi, daniel. i hear a lot of talk about apprenticeships and also pensions, but if— apprenticeships and also pensions, but if you _ apprenticeships and also pensions, but if you sort of look around this room: _ but if you sort of look around this room. a — but if you sort of look around this room. a lot— but if you sort of look around this room, a lot of people are bang in the middle — room, a lot of people are bang in the middle. what are you going to be doing _ the middle. what are you going to be doing for— the middle. what are you going to be doing for us, — the middle. what are you going to be doing for us, for the people that may already have homes, they already have mortgages, they already have those _ have mortgages, they already have those commitments we don't need to .et those commitments we don't need to get up. _ those commitments we don't need to get up. we _ those commitments we don't need to get up, we just need to be able to maintain — get up, we just need to be able to maintain ourselves together? a great cuestion. i maintain ourselves together? a great question. i think, _ maintain ourselves together? a great question. ithink, looking _ maintain ourselves together? a great question. i think, looking around - question. i think, looking around the room, many of you will hopefully have kids who will benefit from what we have announced today on apprenticeships and many of you will have parents and grandparents who will benefit from the announcement we made on pensions yesterday. but the most important thing i can do for all of you are in work is to make sure your hard work is rewarded. that is what i believe and thatis rewarded. that is what i believe and that is the type of country i want to build. that is why, as soon as it was possible, i wanted to start cutting your taxes and that is what we are now doing. all the things you just talked about, i want to make sure at the end of every month you have more money in your bank accounts and i couldn't do that when i first got this accounts and i couldn't do that when ifirst got thisjob accounts and i couldn't do that when i first got this job because i accounts and i couldn't do that when ifirst got thisjob because i had a job to get inflation down, it was 11% when i first got this job, or the impact it had on all your bills,

but now we stuck to our plan, inflation is back to normal, in the economy is growing again, wages are rising again and that is why we are now able to start cutting your taxes. forsomeone now able to start cutting your taxes. for someone on an average salary of about £35,000, it is a £900 tax cut this year, which hopefully will give you the confidence to think the future is better and my simple pitch to you would be, we are making enormous progress now. the economy has turned a corner, you remember how hard it has been for a few years. we are at this point now where we can start looking to the future with more confidence, so for people working hard like all of you, you stick with us, we are going to keep cutting your taxes to give you that financial security, to buy your home, move home, have a holiday, do whatever it is you want to do and the alternative on offer because all elections are a choice, the alternative on offer is a party that is going to put up your taxes. as i said, as clear as night follows day. the labour party have got! million things they said they are going to spend money on, they don't have the

money to pay for it and that means you are going to pay for it in higher taxes and i don't want that, i want you to have a more financially secure future when your hard work is rewarded and your taxes are being cut and that is the most important thing i can do for you and we are on the cusp now of really being able to look forward with confidence that we can do more than we have done. i don't necessarily disagree with anything — i don't necessarily disagree with anything you said here today. what i do see _ anything you said here today. what i do see in— anything you said here today. what i do see in the mornings is these polls. _ do see in the mornings is these polls. yes, _ do see in the mornings is these polls, yes, and you are quite a way behind _ polls, yes, and you are quite a way behind labour at the moment. polls, yes, and you are quite a way behind labourat the moment. how much _ behind labourat the moment. how much confidence do you have of those polls are _ much confidence do you have of those polls are a _ much confidence do you have of those polls are a true reflection of six weeks' — polls are a true reflection of six weeks' time? my other question is, if you _ weeks' time? my other question is, if you are _ weeks' time? my other question is, if you are not prime minister in six weeks' _ if you are not prime minister in six weeks' time, — if you are not prime minister in six weeks' time, will you be a season ticket _ weeks' time, will you be a season ticket holder at st mary's?-

ticket holder at st mary's? thank ou for ticket holder at st mary's? thank you for agreeing _ ticket holder at st mary's? thank you for agreeing with _ ticket holder at st mary's? thank you for agreeing with the - ticket holder at st mary's? thank you for agreeing with the things. ticket holder at st mary's? triag�*ua; you for agreeing with the things i'm saying, first of all, that's nice to hear. the only poll that matters is july four when you all get to choose our future. july four when you all get to choose ourfuture. thus july four when you all get to choose our future. thus the one july four when you all get to choose ourfuture. thus the one i'm july four when you all get to choose our future. thus the one i'm focused on an as you can see, i hope, i am working my socks off to talk to as many people as i can over the next five weeks and talk about all the things we have been talking about, the big thing that matters, the choices that are ahead of you and what i can do to make your lives better and delivered a secure future and i'm not worried about the polls. i'm out there talking to people and thoroughly enjoying myself. i got the sleeper train last night from london which was an experience and i had a great day and i will be doing this every day between now and july four. i started last week but this is great and this is the start of my devon campaign. i think we are an

important moment and you know that working here that the world is more uncertain and dangerous than it has beenin uncertain and dangerous than it has been in decades so i think this is a pivotal moment for the country and having just got through quite a tricky time, we have done that together, you have worked and sacrificed and we have got through it and that's why i'm determined to build on the progress we made and deliver a more secure future for you but if that doesn't happen and it doesn't happen byjust saying that the choice for all of you at this election. it's who do you trust to stick to a good plan? who do you trust to take the bold decisions to deliver the more secure future for you? you cannotjudge willis into being, you cannot wave a placard round saying change and expected to change and hopefully over the next few weeks i can convince all of you that i am the one that's prepared to take bold action. whether its national service or protecting pensions and pensioners and raising defence spending which is something that labour has not matched i believe that the world is either dangerous resident and if you do,

why our increased defence spending? get in 90 in a more proportionate way that prioritises your bill and energy security and secure our borders with the rwanda scheme and that's what i'm about. bold ideas and sticking to the plan is working on delivering a secure future and i'm already at a season—ticket holder at st mary's but it's fair to say i don't get to any games but my family were all at wembley at the weekend and it was a very good results. nerve—racking last 15 minutes i'm looking forward to watching some more premier league football next season. you forgotten? —— are you a football fan? it was very good and my family were at wembley and they had a great time and it was an amazing moment so very emotional about that unhappy about it. ithink emotional about that unhappy about it. i think we have to give some questions from the media so disc bbc. , n, ,., , .,

questions from the media so disc bbc. , , ., ., , bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt ou are bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt you are meeting _ bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt you are meeting plenty _ bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt you are meeting plenty of— bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt you are meeting plenty of people . bbc. chris mason. there is no doubt| you are meeting plenty of people out and about _ you are meeting plenty of people out and about but are you changing many minds? _ and about but are you changing many minds? . , ., and about but are you changing many minds? , , ., .., and about but are you changing many minds? , y., .. , minds? chris, you can see where havin: a minds? chris, you can see where having a conversation _ minds? chris, you can see where having a conversation here - minds? chris, you can see where having a conversation here but i l minds? chris, you can see where i having a conversation here but i am determined to talk to as many people as i can across this country over the remaining weeks of this campaign and that's how i started it and as you heard i am enjoying myself and enjoying the conversations with people about the things that matter and, yes, i am people about the things that matter and, yes, iam changing minds. everywhere i have been today talking with the things we have announced over the past few days, bold ideas are going to transform our country for the better and deliver a secure future to everybody here. national service will be one of the most extraordinary things that happens to our country and the skills and opportunities it will provide young people in the culture of service that it will foster and the way it makes our society more cohesive and strengthen our resilience. i don't think there will be a single idea as big as that in this election campaign. that's what i'm about. that's what i am about, doing bold

things and building on our plan that's working economically to deliver more secure future and people are responding to it. i have had so many people talking to me about national service and they are excited about it and i've had people saying i wish you could extend to my children but they are too old and i think people are excited about what we are doing and and then there was an announcement on pensioners to ensure pensioners do not pay tax on state pensions and we raised the threshold for pension but labour is not match that. there will be a retirement tax if labour wins the next election and i don't want that. today public announcement to say we should be letting young people down —— mick should be like new pivot and the 4 degrees that don't work for them and we should use that money to fund high—quality apprenticeships and your business is like this and i have a meeting dozens of apprentices today, all of whom who have sent us the best decision they have made and i want more young people to have an opportunity so we are just one week into this and we are putting big ideas on the table and a choice at the election is clear but if you have no ideas and plans in the labour party we are the ones to

deliver a secure future and i will continue talking to people. next. gb news. thank you for taking the question — news. thank you for taking the question. the missed targets on the nhs waiting lists is one of the biggest — nhs waiting lists is one of the biggest regrets and you have said that _ biggest regrets and you have said that. ~ ., ., ., .., biggest regrets and you have said that. ~ ., ., ., ., that. we are going to come away with the questions _ that. we are going to come away with the questions and answers - with the questions and answers session and he says he has a clear and bold plan contrasting that with the labour leader to say keir starmer has no plan but repeating that message. we heard it a few times in this campaign that labour would cost voters £2000 each, which we will look to verify here on the programme over the next couple of days. but let's come away from that and keep an eye on that and return to our correspondent in the next little while but i want to welcome you if you havejoined us here on bbc news and take you to the top story dominating today. that news earlier we had a junior doctors in

england are to stage another five—day strike from during the 27th untiljuly the 2nd, just days before the general election. talks with the government restarted two weeks ago but have broken down. the doctors union has been in dispute over junior doctors pay for more than a year. here's our health editor. they call a pay restoration and that's what they have been demanding intent strikes staged in england since march last year. the junior doctors union want a 35% pay rise phased in over a few years to compensate for inflation over more than a decade. ministers say that was not reasonable and want a 9% on average last year and mediation talks started earlier this month but they stalled and the bma has called on the strike. the latest walk—out by junior on the strike. the latest walk—out byjunior doctors in england will start at 7am on thursday during the 27th and end at the same time on tuesdayjuly the 2nd and that is

just two days before polling day on july the 4th. just two days before polling day on july the 4th-— july the 4th. last week, the government _ july the 4th. last week, the government decided - july the 4th. last week, the government decided to - july the 4th. last week, the | government decided to walk july the 4th. last week, the - government decided to walk away july the 4th. last week, the _ government decided to walk away from negotiations and throw their hands up negotiations and throw their hands up and abdicate themselves of any responsibility of solving a dispute that we have had with them over pay for the last 20 months. but that we have had with them over pay for the last 20 months.— for the last 20 months. but there was criticism _ for the last 20 months. but there was criticism from _ for the last 20 months. but there was criticism from conservative l for the last 20 months. but there - was criticism from conservative mps. it seems a very political this move, constructive — it seems a very political this move, constructive talks had been held but frankly— constructive talks had been held but frankly this is what you will get more _ frankly this is what you will get more of— frankly this is what you will get more of if— frankly this is what you will get more of if labour get in because we have passed tough laws when it comes to strikes— have passed tough laws when it comes to strikes and frankly they are going — to strikes and frankly they are going to — to strikes and frankly they are going to be unravelled. the labour leader said — going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers _ going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers should - going to be unravelled. the labour leader said ministers should have l leader said ministers should have done more to end the dispute. firstly i am shocked we are in this position— firstly i am shocked we are in this position because _ firstly i am shocked we are in this position because this _ firstly i am shocked we are in this position because this has- firstly i am shocked we are in this position because this has been. firstly i am shocked we are in this i position because this has been going on a very— position because this has been going on a very long — position because this has been going on a very long time. _ position because this has been going on a very long time. i— position because this has been going on a very long time. ithink- position because this has been going on a very long time. i think the - on a very long time. i think the government— on a very long time. i think the government should _ on a very long time. i think the government should have - on a very long time. i think the i government should have resolved on a very long time. i think the - government should have resolved it and negotiated _ government should have resolved it and negotiated a _ government should have resolved it and negotiated a settlement - government should have resolved it and negotiated a settlement and i government should have resolved it i and negotiated a settlement and what they have _ and negotiated a settlement and what they have effectively _ and negotiated a settlement and what they have effectively done _ and negotiated a settlement and what they have effectively done is - they have effectively done is connected _ they have effectively done is connected the _ they have effectively done is connected the other- they have effectively done is connected the other side - they have effectively done is connected the other side ofl they have effectively done is i connected the other side of the general— connected the other side of the general election. _ connected the other side of the general election. that's - general election. that's

unforgivable. _ general election. that's unforgivable.— general election. that's unfor: ivable. ., , general election. that's unfor: ivable. .. . , , unforgivable. there are still dipped dis - ute unforgivable. there are still dipped dispute between _ unforgivable. there are still dipped dispute between junior _ unforgivable. there are still dipped dispute between junior doctors - unforgivable. there are still dipped dispute between junior doctors in l dispute between junior doctors in the dispute betweenjunior doctors in the devolved administrations in wales and northern ireland. bbc news. i talked to here earlier on the programme and we start by talking about the timing of the strike action. ~ ., about the timing of the strike action. a, , , ., about the timing of the strike action. , , ., , ., , action. more disruption in hospitals and thousands _ action. more disruption in hospitals and thousands of— action. more disruption in hospitals and thousands of more _ action. more disruption in hospitals l and thousands of more appointments and thousands of more appointments and operations cancelled and all in the run—up to polling day at a time when the nhs is a big campaigning issue and this adds a new dimension to it and in terms of what it means for patients, if you look at the total going right back to the end of 2022, cancellations of treatment because of health worker strikes including nurses and ambulance strikers and doctors, it's more than 1.4 million so i think that impact is of real concern to patients and hospitals who will have to start cancelling those procedures. victoria atkins has given her

reaction and she says it is a reaction and she says it is a reaction of anger and dismay and she is questioning why the bma have decided to do it and she contests the idea that the government pulled the idea that the government pulled the plug on talks and we now have a war of words going on. the bma seem to be implying that once the government had called the election, there was no point in carrying out these mediation talks because no meaningful offer could be made and no money could be pledged. the government side of the story is well, the bma walked out and didn't give it a chance. considerable acrimony over this as things right now. ~ . . acrimony over this as things right now. ~ . , ., now. we have seen through the mornin: now. we have seen through the morning that — now. we have seen through the morning that labour _ now. we have seen through the morning that labour has - now. we have seen through the morning that labour has been l morning that labour has been campaigning very hard on the nhs today. they are talking about cutting nhs waiting lists, that 18 week target. tell me the detail about what they have announced and how they plan to do that.— how they plan to do that. labour is sinned b how they plan to do that. labour is signed by the _ how they plan to do that. labour is signed by the end _ how they plan to do that. labour is signed by the end of— how they plan to do that. labour is signed by the end of the next - signed by the end of the next parliament in five years, if elected, they would hit the 18 week

target. that hasn't been met in england since 2016 and the target is that 92% of patients should start their treatment within that 18 weeks. as things stand right now it's more than a0%, 3.2 million but we are waiting longer than 18 weeks so it's a big ask in labour spokesman says he set out the plans about how they will meet it. abs, spokesman says he set out the plans about how they will meet it.- about how they will meet it. a plan from labour— about how they will meet it. a plan from labour which _ about how they will meet it. a plan from labour which will _ about how they will meet it. a plan from labour which will deliver - from labour which will deliver 40.000 — from labour which will deliver 40,000 extra appointments at evenings — 40,000 extra appointments at evenings and weekends to help bust the backlog and using an approach that has— the backlog and using an approach that has been tried and tested in a small— that has been tried and tested in a small number of hospitals but we need _ small number of hospitals but we need to— small number of hospitals but we need to take the best of the nhs to the rest _ need to take the best of the nhs to the rest of— need to take the best of the nhs to the rest of the nhs and double the number— the rest of the nhs and double the number of— the rest of the nhs and double the number of diagnostic scanners, not 'ust number of diagnostic scanners, not just more _ number of diagnostic scanners, not just more scanners but ai enabled scanner— just more scanners but ai enabled scanner so — just more scanners but ai enabled scanner so we can get through the 1.6 scanner so we can get through the to million — scanner so we can get through the 1.6 million backlog of people waiting — 1.6 million backlog of people waiting for tests and scans. that was wes extruding _ waiting for tests and scans. trust was wes extruding for labour. the other parties were set out their plans for the nhs but now the junior

doctors strike in england is planned for the end ofjune and intojuly gives a new dimension to all talk about plans for the nhs because this dispute is very important and it's far from dispute is very important and it's farfrom resolved dispute is very important and it's far from resolved and whoever forms the next government, the day after july the 4th, they will have to deal with this and quite possibly find more money from somewhere to meet thejunior more money from somewhere to meet the junior doctors demands, although the junior doctors demands, although the 35% they originally asked for, that has been condemned and labour has been saying if they form the next government they will not be able to meet that and they simply want to negotiate but i think it be a big task for government. matthew ta [or is a big task for government. matthew taylor is the — a big task for government. matthew taylor is the chief _ a big task for government. matthew taylor is the chief executive - a big task for government. matthew taylor is the chief executive of - a big task for government. matthew taylor is the chief executive of the l taylor is the chief executive of the nhs and former director of policy of tony blair and this was his response to morejunior doctors tony blair and this was his response to more junior doctors strikes. tony blair and this was his response to morejunior doctors strikes. this to more 'unior doctors strikes. this is to more junior doctors strikes. this is incredibly — to more junior doctors strikes. tn 3 is incredibly disappointing and we have been struggling with industrial action with the nhs for 18 months and as has been described, the strikes have a big impact. what

happens whenjunior strikes have a big impact. what happens when junior doctors is on strike is consultants and other senior doctors have to work in the ward and emergency departments in order to coverforjunior ward and emergency departments in order to cover forjunior doctors which means the hospitals can cope on those days but what it means is that outpatient clinics are cancelled, operations are cancelled and that means that the very limited progress that we have been able to make a waiting list is basically put on hold. ., ., on hold. tell me more about the imacts on hold. tell me more about the impacts because _ on hold. tell me more about the impacts because five _ on hold. tell me more about the impacts because five straight i on hold. tell me more about the i impacts because five straight days in a row of strike action, that really stretches things to the very limit, doesn't it? this really stretches things to the very limit, doesn't it?— limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation that _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation that the _ limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation that the longer - limit, doesn't it? this is another escalation that the longer the i escalation that the longer the strikes continue. if you have five days of strikes, leaders in the health service have to spend a lot of time planning for that, cancelling operations, redrawing approaches. the impact starts before the strike and it goes on after the strike, often people don't come forward, they are worried about

their illness and they will try to stay away because they hear the strikes and they will come forward with the strikes finish so it has a ripple effect as well but the problem is the accumulation of this industrial action. problem is the accumulation of this industrialaction. over problem is the accumulation of this industrial action. over 18 months there has been very little time and we have a clear stretch of time to be able to tackle issues that we really want to focus on. that was matthew taylor. _ really want to focus on. that was matthew taylor. let's _ really want to focus on. that was matthew taylor. let's turn - really want to focus on. that was matthew taylor. let's turn to - really want to focus on. that wasj matthew taylor. let's turn to the other story that dominated the day, diane abbott who is still unclear as to her status as she had been told she was barred from standing as a labour candidate in the general election only to be contradicted by sir keir starmer who said no decision had yet been taken. diane abbott was the first black woman to be elected to the house of commons nearly a0 years ago. she was suspended from the party last year after signing thejewish, irish and traveller people face prejudice but not racism. she later apologised and was allowed back into the parliamentary party yesterday. we have been seeking further comment

from diane abbott and reporters asked various questions as she appeared in public at little earlier. ~ , ., appeared in public at little earlier. ~ . appeared in public at little earlier. ~ , , ., appeared in public at little earlier. , ., earlier. will you be standing as an independent? _ earlier. will you be standing as an independent? one _ earlier. will you be standing as an independent? one of— earlier. will you be standing as an independent? one of labour- earlier. will you be standing as an independent? one of labour said | earlier. will you be standing as an i independent? one of labour said to ou? we independent? one of labour said to you? we support — independent? one of labour said to you? we support jeremy _ independent? one of labour said to you? we support jeremy corbyn? i you? we support jeremy corbyn? what's your— you? we support jeremy corbyn? what's your message _ you? we support jeremy corbyn? what's your message to - you? we support jeremy corbyn? what's your message to keir - you? we support jeremy corbyn? - what's your message to keir starmer? no comments there as questions were fired at diane abbott. let's hear from the labour leader, sir keir starmer as he was asked questions earlier in the day.— earlier in the day. that's not true. no decision _ earlier in the day. that's not true. no decision has _ earlier in the day. that's not true. no decision has been _ earlier in the day. that's not true. no decision has been taken - earlier in the day. that's not true. no decision has been taken to - earlier in the day. that's not true. | no decision has been taken to bart diane abbott. the process that we were going through ended with the restoration of the whip the other day so she is a member of the parliamentary labour party and no decision has been taken barring her. that was sir keir starmer. let's speak to jacqueline mckenzie who was a lawyer and friend of diane abbott

and also a labour party member. thank you for being here on the programme. i will come to keir starmer but i know you have spoken to diane abbott. what has she made of the last 2a hours. l to diane abbott. what has she made of the last 24 hours.— of the last 24 hours. i haven't soken of the last 24 hours. i haven't spoken to _ of the last 24 hours. i haven't spoken to her _ of the last 24 hours. i haven't spoken to her today - of the last 24 hours. i haven't spoken to her today but - of the last 24 hours. i haven't spoken to her today but in i of the last 24 hours. i haven't - spoken to her today but in exchanges yesterday she was completely shocked by the treatment meted out to her, particularly the revelation that a decision had been made since december when all this time, some 13 months, she has been existing under a cloud of anxiety and fear and it's absolutely really shocking that somebody in her position, someone who has been in the labour party for about five decades, she is a grandee of labour, she has been a parliamentarian for 37 years, she served her country and she served her constituents very well and we have seen that evidenced by the fact that her writings and majority has

gone up exponentially each election and the last election which was so polarised and the issue of anti—semitism so at the forefront of it and her majority was still 33,000. i have worked in hackney and i have seen diane and i have been brought into direct contact with the jewish community in her constituency has a hugejewish community and it is in a barrel that has the second—largestjewish community in the country and i have seen her attend in the community, have very close relationships with the late rabbi and she's a very close friend of another rabbi and i think this is appalling that she is acknowledged as she made a mistake and it was offensive and she has acknowledged all of that she has withdrawn the statement, she did the anti—semitism training, treat her with some dignity. training, treat her with some dirni . ~ ,

training, treat her with some dirni . ~ . , dignity. we were playing the clip from sir keir _ dignity. we were playing the clip from sir keir starmer _ dignity. we were playing the clip from sir keir starmer and - dignity. we were playing the clip from sir keir starmer and he - dignity. we were playing the clipj from sir keir starmer and he has denied that any decision on standing has been made. do you think there are serious questions for the labour leader to answer? l are serious questions for the labour leader to answer?— leader to answer? i think there are serious questions _ leader to answer? i think there are serious questions for _ leader to answer? i think there are serious questions for him - leader to answer? i think there are serious questions for him to - leader to answer? i think there are | serious questions for him to answer if he is really in the know. i don't know if he knows everything this going on but only last week we heard say that a decision had been made and that investigations are still ongoing and that there was an expectation that the b and decision in time to say she could stand and be put down on the ballot paper and all of that and we heard other labour leaders saying the same thing and then we find out yesterday that and then we find out yesterday that a decision had been made in december and then there was the leak and that appears to have come from labour headquarters which says she refused to take the anti—semitism training and then we find out that she had taken it. i think it's all very disturbing and we understand this morning that diane's own words were

that she was barred from standing later in the day we heard the leaders they will thus not the case. who is driving this process and what's going on? what is the party playing in this?— playing in this? those are the questions _ playing in this? those are the questions you _ playing in this? those are the questions you want _ playing in this? those are the| questions you want answered. playing in this? those are the - questions you want answered. does she want to stand and if she cannot stand as a labour candidate will she stand, comedy thing, as an independent? l stand, comedy thing, as an independent?— stand, comedy thing, as an indeendent? ., �* ~ ., ., independent? i don't know what her wishes are- — independent? i don't know what her wishes are- i _ independent? i don't know what her wishes are. i have _ independent? i don't know what her wishes are. i have a _ independent? i don't know what her wishes are. i have a feeling - independent? i don't know what her wishes are. i have a feeling that - independent? i don't know what her wishes are. i have a feeling that if l wishes are. i have a feeling that if labour was of the view that you have had almost four decades in parliament and there are lots of young people coming up who we would like to perhaps run as a new candidate and we would like them too often do something else, we accept your apology, we acknowledge that your apology, we acknowledge that you have done this training and we acknowledge you a good record of service, i think diane might well have decided to stand down but what has been missing from this process,

which has not been transparent at all, has been any consideration given to her and the fact that she is finding what her fate is at the same time as the rest of the country through a leak is really quite shocking for somebody of such historical importance. in terms of whether she can stand as an independent might mean that she won't because the machinery needed to do that in the time available is such that i don't think she has the capacity. i don't know that for sure but that's my hunch and i think she would like to be able to think about whether she would want to stand in the next election or whether she would want to gracefully stand down and do something else. we would want to gracefully stand down and do something else.— and do something else. we have to leave it there _ and do something else. we have to leave it there but _ and do something else. we have to leave it there but we _ and do something else. we have to leave it there but we are _ and do something else. we have to leave it there but we are grateful i leave it there but we are grateful for your time, thank you for speaking to us. let's get back out the campaign trail as we are watching rishi sunak speaking at the latest campaign event in devon so let's go straight to our

correspondent who has been travelling with the prime minister. it was really clear in that short questions and answer session that the prime minister coming back to those basic claims that he has a plan and labour does not. that's riuht. i plan and labour does not. that's right- ithink— plan and labour does not. that's right. i think we _ plan and labour does not. that's right. i think we will— plan and labour does not. that's right. i think we will hear - plan and labour does not. that's right. i think we will hear the - plan and labour does not. that's i right. i think we will hear the same speech from the prime minster many times in this election campaign trail. we have heard him give the same speech today here in devon and yesterday in leicestershire and staffordshire as well and the day before in cheshire so certainly this is a message he will hammer home through this election campaign. today his main focus was this announcement about apprenticeships and the fact the government wants to cut what they see as rip—off degrees, ones which they say have a high level of dropout rates but also statistically do not lead to higher earnings are higherjob prospects after people graduate and instead invest in 100,000 new apprenticeships. that's one of the things today. he has faced criticism

from opposition parties about this particular pledge and labour and the liberal democrats have raised a point as apprenticeships under the conservative government have fallen and labourare conservative government have fallen and labour are saying that they will be investing in technical excellence colleges to try and train people up in local communities to work in local industries but certainly, you are right that the sort of contrast that rishi sunak is trying to draw in the narrative is trying to start this campaign is that he has a plan and keir starmer doesn't and keir starmer�*s message has been that the conservative record is something he thinks people don't want to see more of an his message is to vote for change. of an his message is to vote for chan . e. . of an his message is to vote for chance. .. ,, . , , of an his message is to vote for chance. , . , , ., change. on this apprenticeship idea, he has been — change. on this apprenticeship idea, he has been pressed _ change. on this apprenticeship idea, he has been pressed many _ change. on this apprenticeship idea, he has been pressed many times - he has been pressed many times because he has described mickey mouse courses and what those courses are and how many of them are there are and how many of them are there are because there is a body that can look and can investigate into universities and can sanction and

confine and that exist without the need for any new legislation. that's ri . ht and need for any new legislation. that's right and the _ need for any new legislation. that's right and the prime _ need for any new legislation. that's right and the prime minister- need for any new legislation. that's right and the prime minister hasn't| right and the prime minister hasn't given any specific examples of specific courses or universities that this policy might affect so, so far the only detail they have given is broadly what types of degrees they will be looking at and as i mentioned, this includes things like courses that statistically have higher dropout rates and statistically do not necessarily lead to higher pay or drop prospects after graduating but i think that a lack of detail is something they have been pushed on today and so far there are no answers and i think this is a theme we are seeing so far in the election campaign until those manifestos get published by all the parties, quite a lot of things are getting announced with out much detail on how they would work in practice and there are many unanswered questions in this campaign. interestingly it was here in devon when he was facing questions he was asked about the specifics of these plans, whether

with his apprenticeship plan or his national service plan to make all those 18 euros to some form of national service i think that detail is something people are going to be continuing to ask in this campaign trail. ., .. continuing to ask in this campaign trail. ., ., ., . ~ ., trail. you have to get back on the cam aiun trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus _ trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus i — trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus i will— trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus i will let _ trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus i will let you - trail. you have to get back on the campaign bus i will let you get i trail. you have to get back on the i campaign bus i will let you get away stop thank you very much. let's go from one campaign trail to another. the liberal democrats are back in wales for the election campaign trail there alongside the welsh liberal democrat leader, ed davey set out a rescue plan for farmers, including a £1 billion in extra funding. let's speak to our political correspondent who has been with the liberal democrats throughout the course of the day and she is currently there in tarmac path. tellest or what ed davey is saying about —— bath. how will he fund an extra billion pounds? ilighten

fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to — fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to plan _ fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to plan two _ fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to plan two he _ fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to plan two he said - fund an extra billion pounds? when it comes to plan two he said he - it comes to plan two he said he would have to wait for the manifesto but he said will be fully costed. i what they choose to fund is very much a political choice and he decided that putting money into farming and agriculture is where his votes would be. that £1 billion is for england only. about the budgets of the moment it's about £2.a billion so it's quite a sizeable increase or would be if it were to come to pass. england only, even though he chose to announce itjust on the english — welsh border technically in wales but there were other policies in their about scrapping the salary threshold for visas and people who come to do seasonal work on farms and also wanting to reopen the trade deal with australia to introduce greater climate change protections around that soak the liberal democrats clearly changed to make choosing

agriculture and farming are something where they think their votes could be one and i think that is true of where we were in wales this morning but in bath, i'm not surrounded by green fields and farmers but it's a south—western area where there will be targeting and they think they could pick up votes again by talking about issues that affect rural communities there. thank you very much, hannah. let's head to scotland because scotland's former health secretary has been suspended today from holyrood after msps voted to impose sanctions for an improper expenses claim. he was suspended for 27 sitting days after he claimed £11,000 for ipad roaming charges while he was in a foreign holiday. the snp leader and first ministerjohn swinney has been

speaking following today's vote. what i have set out is there are deep flaws in the process that has been undertaken and i'm glad the parliament has recognised those deep flaws but if there are deep flaws in the process i couldn't support it because of those deep flaws and that's the point i made to parliament last week. ., ., ., , parliament last week. parliament has acknowledged — parliament last week. parliament has acknowledged those _ parliament last week. parliament has acknowledged those issues. - parliament last week. parliament has acknowledged those issues. has - parliament last week. parliament has acknowledged those issues. has the l acknowledged those issues. has the film acknowledged those issues. has the right decision been made? parliament has decided that _ right decision been made? parliament has decided that sanction _ right decision been made? parliament has decided that sanction has - right decision been made? parliament has decided that sanction has to - right decision been made? parliament has decided that sanction has to be i has decided that sanction has to be on houston as a parliamentary decision and respect that and accept it but that's the conclusion. that's not what i have said. i said this process was flawed and in no walk of life and i made this point many times, in no walk of life would be permissible for somebody to sit on a

disciplinary panel who i have expressed public comments about the case. people have been put off plans because of that and people have been put off a jury because of that and parliament has accepted a conclusion based on that point. i raised these issues and i'm glad parliament has accepted that the substance to the issue i have raised and they will now be explored by the parliamentary body and i welcome that but i also accept that the matter is concluded because michael matheson has been sanctions, parliament has decided that and unreservedly accept that. this is a really happy suspension for that is a record ban in scottish parliament. he's been banned for more than five working weeks, that exceeds the previous record of one month. he's been docked as salary,

equivalent roughly to the £10,9ai and £7a that he ran up in this data roaming charge while he was on holiday with his family to morocco. he originally said this was down to constituency work but eventually admitted that he'd run up this hefty bill because his kids had used the date or romaine to watch football. a strongly worded debate in scottish parliament this afternoon. the s&p did not back the motion, they called for a review of the complaints process arguing it was open to prejudice. —— s and p. the liberal democrat said the only disagreement was on the duration of the statement and wrong to undermine the whole process especially when it be so much unanimity be tweeted. the scottish conservatives and anyone else who bring up such a bill would

be handed the p a5. scottish labour said there been no admission of error, no apology, just denial, deflection and dishonesty on the part of michael matheson. the debate ongoing on the second motion as we speak, michael matheson has been handed a record suspension from the scottish parliament this afternoon. the family of amy grey from pool who is fatally stabbed to death at bournemouth beach over the weekend has released a statement. seen on the right as paying tribute to her wife amy in a statement. she said words cannot describe the pain that we feel... lets go live to speak to our correspondent duncan kennedy end format. a very moving statement for thatjust format. a very moving statement for that just tell us

format. a very moving statement for thatjust tell us more. intern; format. a very moving statement for that just tell us more.— that 'ust tell us more. very much so. thatjust tell us more. very much so- from — thatjust tell us more. very much so. from both _ thatjust tell us more. very much so. from both amy's _ thatjust tell us more. very much so. from both amy's wife - thatjust tell us more. very much so. from both amy's wife and i thatjust tell us more. very much - so. from both amy's wife and indeed her mother, this poignant tribute issue this afternoon to the dorset police press office. the first official photograph from the family showing amy on the left wearing the glasses next to her wife. what was clearly a much happier day for them. beaming at the camera, both smiling and in that photograph officially released this afternoon. in her tribute to amy sian writes in full that words cannot describe the pain we feel. she says amy was the most loving wife and mother, her giggly laugh and big smile will be hard to be without. a larger—than—life character, i will miss you immensely, my love. also, amy's mother sharon mick macklin has issued her own tribute to her daughter in her statement she says as a family we're devastated to of lost one of the most amazing, funny,

kind and energetic souls. she says, when amy entered a room filled with laughter and her presence cannot be ignored. she was beautiful inside and out. here in bournemouth alongside us we've got the cliffs, the hillside covered in greenery and all day again we've seen police officers scrambling down on ropes poking away, prodding away, sometimes clearing to look for any kind of evidence in connection with this assault. took place about for hundred yards down the beach from where i'm standing. separately, dorset police have told us last night that working together with the metropolitan police they arrested 20—year—old man from south london in the croydon area, working together with a met there were intelligence officers and some aren't police officers. that 20—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. separately, in terms of the 38—year—old woman who

is also stabbed in the same incident on friday night, there's been no fresh update today from the police on her condition. the most recent update we had was yesterday in which the police that she remains in a hospital in a serious condition. duncan kennedy in bournemouth, thank you. let's cross to new york. jurors in donald trumps hush money trial had begun their deliberations in the first criminal trial of the form american president. thejudge told them to set aside any opinions they had about mrtrump them to set aside any opinions they had about mr trump and warned them not to convict them solely on the testimony of former lawyer michael cohen. just five months away from the presidential election donald trump is facing 3a counts of falsifying business records to allegedly cover up a hush money payment to the adult film star stormy daniels. in the final weeks of 26 election campaign. mr trump

address journalists of 26 election campaign. mr trump addressjournalists and of 26 election campaign. mr trump address journalists and accused the processes be rigged and corrupt. lif processes be rigged and corrupt. if mother teresa cannot beat those troubled charges. we will see how we do. it's a very disgraceful situation every single legal scholar and expert said this is no case, it shouldn't be brought for that and it certainly could be brought seven years ago, not in the middle of a presidential election. that years ago, not in the middle of a presidential election.— presidential election. that was donald trump _ presidential election. that was donald trump outside - presidential election. that was donald trump outside the - presidential election. that was - donald trump outside the courtroom. let's go to nata tawfik following what's happening there in new york. just tell us a little more of some of the comments the judge made to thosejurors before he of the comments the judge made to those jurors before he sent them out. those 'urors before he sent them out. ., , . ., , ., out. he gave them instructions on the law and _ out. he gave them instructions on the law and also _ out. he gave them instructions on the law and also the _ out. he gave them instructions on the law and also the general- the law and also the general instructions that judges always the law and also the general instructions thatjudges always give to jurors. instructions thatjudges always give tojurors. some you mentioned there about keeping an open mind, not

being guided by any bias against donald trump. but focusing on the facts of this case, reminding them that the burden of proof is on the prosecution. he really urge them to listen to each other�*s opinions very carefully because ultimately they need to make a unanimous decision in order to reach a verdict. on the specifics of the law he said, donald trump, to find him guilty you have to first find that he either personally or along with others falsified business records. secondly, that he did that with the intent to conceal another crime. he said there are three different laws that they can consider, that trump tried to violate new york or federal election laws or tax laws. so jurors will be going through that to see and take the box if those laws were followed. he also gave them special

instructions about michael cohen saying that he is under the law considered in accomplice in this case and therefore in order to convict donald trump they must find that michael collins testimony was cooperated by other evidence. if it was not they say he cannot convict donald trump solely on michael collins word for that jurors donald trump solely on michael collins word for thatjurors would lead out of the room, they didn't look at donald trump when they left to make this historic decision for the though weight is now on to see if they will be able to reach that unanimous decision.— if they will be able to reach that unanimous decision. nata tawfik in new york, thank _ unanimous decision. nata tawfik in new york, thank you _ unanimous decision. nata tawfik in new york, thank you very - unanimous decision. nata tawfik in new york, thank you very much. i unanimous decision. nata tawfik in i new york, thank you very much. you head to the bbc website because we have correspondents and reporters inside the courtroom. if there is any further activity from that trial we will cross that and you can get right up to date for the head to the website, head to bbc news. i'm back with more stories injust website, head to bbc news. i'm back with more stories in just a website, head to bbc news. i'm back

with more stories injust a moment or two. with more stories injust a moment ortwo. let's with more stories injust a moment or two. let's pause from all of that. let's head to the bbc sports center. mark, good evening. hello from the bbc sport centre. we're going to start with football and theres a managerial merry go round to bring you up to date with ,. round to bring you up to date with. from burnley to bavaria — vincent kompany has been appointed bayern munich head coach on a 3 year deal. the former manchester city captain retired from playing in 2020, he moved from anderlecht to manage burnley in 2022 and guided them to promotion to the premier league last year in his first season in charge. the clarets though suffered relegation from the top flight in may after finishing 19th. barcelona have confirmed hansi flick as their new manager on a two year deal. it ends months of uncertainty at the club. the 59 year old former germany manager takes over from xavi who was sacked last week. sonia bompastor will officially be the new head coach of chelsea's women's team taking overfrom long serving emma hayes who has become

head coach of the us women's national team. bompastor has been in charge of lyon for the last three years leading them to a league and european double in herfirst full season in charge. let's turn our attention to the clay courts of paris with several stars in second round french open action on wednesday. action on wednesday. the standout tie taking place on court philippe chartrier sees world number one iga swiatek going head to head with quadruple grand slam winner naomi osaka. and it's the inform swiatek, with four titles to her name already this season who dealt the first blow breaking early in the opening set break it earlier in the opening set before the japanese opponent brought back to four games. she even had set point on the server of the pole saving it. currently leading the tie—break 5—i saving it. currently leading the tie—break 5—1 against naomi osaka.

beaten in straight sets by the unseeded soviet canon. the american believe she's returning to the kind of formants are when the australian open in 2020. she didn't win a single match betweenjanuary and april this year, ending that run in lleida in spain, which she says started her revival. are you back, would you say? yeah, i think so. if are you back, would you say? yeah, i think so. , ., are you back, would you say? yeah, i think so. y., . ~ are you back, would you say? yeah, i thinkso. �* think so. if you back, i'm back. when did _ think so. if you back, i'm back. when did you _ think so. if you back, i'm back. when did you start _ think so. if you back, i'm back. when did you start feeling - think so. if you back, i'm back. when did you start feeling thatj think so. if you back, i'm back. - when did you start feeling that way? after i_ when did you start feeling that way? after i won _ when did you start feeling that way? after i won my first match for the because i was going to eat my match losing streak this year, i'm glad it's coming together here. obviously, this is the place where you want everything to come together. over on the men's side. carlos alcaraz needed to dig deep to beat inspired qualifier jesper dejong and reach the french open third round. spain's alcaraz looked subdued at times in a 6—3, 6—a, 2—6, 6—2 victory over a player ranked 173 places below him, a rusty performance from two time grand slam winner who twice had to come from a break down in the fourth set.

in the end though doing what he had to do. earlier, ninth seed stefanos tsitsipas overcame a third—set wobble to beat germany's daniel altmaier 6-3, 6-2 6-7, 6-a. he also had to recoverfrom a being a break down in the fourth, with altmiar threatening to level the matchbut the greek continues his bid for a first grand slam title. england's women are in charge of the final odi against pakistan in chelmsford, a fabulous batting display courtesy of nat sciver—brunt�*s incredible 12a off 117 balls laying the platform so far. this one her ninth century in 106 od! matches which saw england to 302 for five. england already 1—0 up in the series and looking good with ball in hand as well. lauren bell removing both pakstani openers. currently 50 for three.

the rematch between the undisputed heavy weight champion, oleksander usyk, and tyson fury, will take place on december the 21st according to officials in saudi arabia. usyk became the first man to beat fury when he won on a split decision just under two weeks ago. but it's unlikely that all four heavyweight belts will be on the line in the rematch with the ibf planning to strip usyk as he will not be facing its mandatory challenger next. and that's all the sport for now. voting is continuing in south africa, in a general election described as potentially the most pivotal since the end of the aprtheid era. anger over the economy, corruption scandals and soaring crime could mean the african national congress loses its majority for the first time in 30 years. just give us a sense as the day comes to a close but it has been like. . . . . comes to a close but it has been like. , ., , , ., comes to a close but it has been like. , ., , ., , like. this has been a significant da for like. this has been a significant day for south — like. this has been a significant day for south africa. _ like. this has been a significant day for south africa. we're - like. this has been a significant i day for south africa. we're seeing reports in different parts of the country and their are long queues of

people waiting to cast their ballots. it's reminiscent in some places of the vote back in 199a when millions of black south africans were able to vote for the first time after the end of the apartheid regime. where i am, as you can see the accuser dying down at the moment. voting is due to close in about two hours' time. as i mentioned, in some parts of the country there are people still waiting to vote. the word from the election commission is if you are in the queue at 9pm when polls are due to close you can still go ahead and cast your ballot. there's been an interesting development that we're hearing from colleagues across the country, including here in johannesburg and that there are voter management devices enrolled by an electoral commission but i haven't been working. they're contributing to some of the delays. we're hearing from opposition parties in particular who are

unhappy about these developments. wondering what impact it will have for the as we're speaking we were bad in a warm winter sun for that right now it's gotten dark, i've had to put a coat on because the temperatures drop as soon as the sun sets. the worry is that with such conditioned in the darkness some voters might choose to turn away and not cast their votes the electoral commission has had to handle a lot of these complaints over the past few days there's been a lot of misinformation as well about the veracity of some votes, the tempering of ballot boxes but this really casts a shadow of what is a momentous election, which could see the ruling anc lose its majority in parliament for the first time. catherine, aside from the process, tell me a few things at the voters have been saying to you. lose tell me a few things at the voters

have been saying to you. i've been here the whole _ have been saying to you. i've been here the whole day. _ have been saying to you. i've been here the whole day. it _ have been saying to you. i've been here the whole day. it was - here the whole day. it was heart—warming to see different generations walking through the polling station here. you had the elderly being escorted in. you had a young, first—time voters who were so excited about casting their ballots. the key word for today is change. and different voters have different ways of looking at it. we spoke to a mother who came in with her 1a—year—old son and she said to us, i'm into mines, on the one hand and looking back to the past, the anc was a key pillar in the end of the apartheid regime. she is thankful for the change that is happened not only for her before her family. then she looks to the future, she looks at things like the high unemployment rate, she looks at struggles with access to electricity as well as health care and she says i also have the cast of you for the future. there was a young man who was voting for the first time for that he is

just 22 years old. there are always complaints around the world are whether young voters are interested in casting their ballots after seeing so many elections around the world for that he said to us, for me and my friends we're politically astute. we know our mind that we know the power of the ballot. he was here for himself to make a change he saysin here for himself to make a change he says in south africa. we've also been hearing from the president and he says he is here, he sure that voters will back his party to maintain its majority in parliament. catherine, thank you so much for the live in soweto. we have a my page running online with all the very latest from our reporters across south africa as a nation votes you can find that on the africa section of the bbc news website. northern india is sweltering under a severe heat wave with the meteorological

office declaring a red alert warning office declaring a red alert warning of the danger of heat related illnesses. one heat station in new delhi showing 52 c. officials now say they are reviewing the data and sensors to see if it got mistake. delhi is also facing a water shortage and demand for electricity has soared as those who can use fans and air conditioners. to ukraine because since russia launched its full—scale invasion almost 2000 children have been injured or killed and the suffering is notjust physical. child psychologists report a catastrophic surge in young people across the country struggling with symptoms that include panic attacks and depression. our eastern europe correspondent has this report. angelina lives in the ruins of a war thatis angelina lives in the ruins of a war that is transformed her childhood. her kindergarten was destroyed in

shelling. the eight—year—old head is full of memories from when russian forces first tried to take her key. translation: -- kharkiv. it forces first tried to take her key. translation: —— kharkiv. it was very scary when i was in the basement. i thought, when will it end? there were rockets flying off, it was frightening. and there was a plane that flew over us.— that flew over us. angelina is family fled — that flew over us. angelina is family fled through _ that flew over us. angelina is family fled through all- that flew over us. angelina is family fled through all this, i family fled through all this, desperate for safety. when they came back last year, this is home despite everything. her mum shows me the shrapnel marks in the kitchen and out russia is attacking again. translation: if they start bombing then i tell mummy that i'll go into then i tell mummy that i'll go into the corridor. and she sits with me. i think at least the corridor will survive in explosion.—

survive in explosion. kharkiv is 'ust a survive in explosion. kharkiv is just a few _ survive in explosion. kharkiv is just a few miles _ survive in explosion. kharkiv is just a few miles from - survive in explosion. kharkiv is just a few miles from the - survive in explosion. kharkiv is i just a few miles from the russian border and it's a nervous place again. but ukraine's children are growing up underfire, right across the country. her leg was shattered in a missile attack on her city last summer. she is gradually healing physically. summer. she is gradually healing -h sicall. �* ., �* .. summer. she is gradually healing -h sicall. ~ ,, ~ ., , physically. translation: at first i was really scared, _ physically. translation: at first i was really scared, afraid _ physically. translation: at first i was really scared, afraid of - physically. translation: at first i was really scared, afraid of every i was really scared, afraid of every little noise. i'm not scared like that anymore. but if they say there's a missile then ijust go crazy, it's awful. there's a missile then i 'ust go crazy, it's awful.fi crazy, it's awful. almost 2000 children have _ crazy, it's awful. almost 2000 children have been _ crazy, it's awful. almost 2000 children have been injured - crazy, it's awful. almost 2000j children have been injured and killed since vladimir putin full—scale invasion. but not all the pain is visible. full-scale invasion. but not all the pain is visible.— full-scale invasion. but not all the pain is visible. translation: we're witnessinu pain is visible. translation: we're witnessing a — pain is visible. translation: we're witnessing a catastrophic _ pain is visible. translation: we're witnessing a catastrophic amount i pain is visible. translation: we're witnessing a catastrophic amount ofl witnessing a catastrophic amount of children— witnessing a catastrophic amount of children who started turning to us

with different unpleasant symptoms. do you _ with different unpleasant symptoms. do you think that there is enough help for all the children who needed? to help for all the children who needed? ., . ., . help for all the children who needed? ., , ., , ., ., , needed? to be honest, we have a very lona needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue. — needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue. we _ needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue, we really _ needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue, we really do. _ needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue, we really do. it's - needed? to be honest, we have a very long queue, we really do. it's a - long queue, we really do. it's a loss of her— long queue, we really do. it's a loss of her brother _ long queue, we really do. it's a loss of her brother that - long queue, we really do. it's a loss of her brother that has - long queue, we really do. it's a loss of her brother that has hit | loss of her brother that has hit hardest for was killed on the front line. �* ,. �* hardest for was killed on the front line. �* ,, ~ , ., ., line. translation: i used to look at 28 for his face _ line. translation: i used to look at 28 for his face and _ line. translation: i used to look at 28 for his face and every _ line. translation: i used to look at 28 for his face and every person - 28 for his face and every person that passed on the street. i don't believe it, even now.— believe it, even now. then her sister produces _ believe it, even now. then her sister produces sashes - believe it, even now. then her sister produces sashes last - believe it, even now. then her- sister produces sashes last message. sending his love from the front line. she has not heard his voice since he died. children are learning to live with the blackouts, the loss and the loneliness. and with the worry that there may yet be worse to come. ~ ,, �*

worry that there may yet be worse to come. ~ ,, ~ ,. come. translation: the school holida s come. translation: the school holidays are _ come. translation: the school holidays are just _ come. translation: the school holidays are just a _ come. translation: the school holidays are just a little - come. translation: the school holidays are just a little bit - holidays are just a little bit strange. holidays are 'ust a little bit stranue. ~ ., ,~' holidays are 'ust a little bit stranue. ~ ., ~ ., holidays are 'ust a little bit stranue. . ~ ., ., strange. when i ask angelina what she wants most... _ strange. when i ask angelina what she wants most... she _ strange. when i ask angelina what she wants most... she wants - strange. when i ask angelina what she wants most... she wants this | strange. when i ask angelina what i she wants most... she wants this war to end. as we come to the end of this half—hour let's return to the general election, the campaign for them every day we've been seeing all them every day we've been seeing all the campaign stops in every day we will be digesting the days election campaigning in newscast. let'sjoin adam fleming, one of the presenters. he is ready to take me through for the adam, what if you got on the show tonight? l the adam, what if you got on the show tonight?— show tonight? i was scrolling throu . h show tonight? i was scrolling through tiktok _ show tonight? i was scrolling through tiktok yesterday - show tonight? i was scrolling j through tiktok yesterday and show tonight? i was scrolling i through tiktok yesterday and in between the videos of taylor swift lip sayings and where to get good baked goods that was quite a funny meme taking the mickey out of one of the conservative parties policy announcements. it was actually quite funny, which is surprising for

political content. it took me a while to realise it was actually posted by the labour party from their new tiktok account. that took me even more by surprise because actually, the official content for political parties is very rarely something you would laugh at on tiktok. i summoned our disinformation and social media correspondent to talk me through with the parties are doing on tiktok. and whether there are any rules about what they can say because not all this content is particularly accurate it turns out there on a huge number of rules about that sort of stuff. that's one of the things will be talking about. and there will be chewing over the events of the day, what you've been covering extensively as well. it’s covering extensively as well. it's interesting _ covering extensively as well. it's interesting you are saying about the digital campaign on social media because we're on the programme talking about the exact conclusion, what the parties are doing, who's doing well, the sort of things that are getting eyeballs but also exactly that point you are making

about the lack of rules for the in 70 different aspects of campaigning there are set rules but not in that particular area for that what else have you got on the show? also, this is robabl have you got on the show? also, this is probably our— have you got on the show? also, this is probably our fifth _ have you got on the show? also, this is probably our fifth election - have you got on the show? also, this is probably our fifth election where i is probably our fifth election where everyone said this is going to be the social issue. in the previous work really, but i think this will be. we will brainstorm the announcement byjunior doctors in announcement by junior doctors in england announcement byjunior doctors in england that they'll go on strike just before election day, what impact that might have for that might have no impact at all. will try to get to the bottom of what is happening with the veteran labour mp diane added for the great thing about a podcast as i can get all the pvc smartest political brains, sit in the studio for 25 minutes minutes just compare notes and actually get to the bottom of something a bit better then when you're doing it on rolling news and you happen to focus on everything. ijust discovered one of our colleagues to you and i speak to a lot on air about british politics has got a massive phobia of

caterpillars. laughter. maybe we won't talk about that but that's the thing you discover when you spend more time with your colleagues. adam, great start for will tune in later. you're absolutely right about diane abbott, still much confusion as all of us try to get to the bottom of whether she can stackable web are likely to hear a decision for them either way we've heard from keir starmer, a friend of diane abbott. i showed chewing it later. thank you very much for taking us through a little preview. let's close the show by looking at another volcanic eruption in southwest iceland. we seen another. look at those pictures. a kilometre long rock and moulding as being spewed up 50 metres we're told. an area that is uninhabited but certainly those who've seen it have been talking aboutjust how dramatic the scene is

for the currentlyjust aboutjust how dramatic the scene is for the currently just a aboutjust how dramatic the scene is for the currentlyjust a few hundred metres i am actually with the national commission are making a film about them using drones from a remote sense. film about them using drones from a remote sense-— film about them using drones from a remote sense. using the computer to monitor the — remote sense. using the computer to monitor the area. _ remote sense. using the computer to monitor the area. it _ remote sense. using the computer to monitor the area. it is _ remote sense. using the computer to monitor the area. it is totally - monitor the area. it is totally surreal to be here today, this kind of came out of nowhere. we weren't even planned to be in the area for that we just happen to be nearby. as you say, this is a strange time on the peninsular after 800 years the volcanic system in the area actually several have woken up for that we had a series of ongoing eruptions in the area for the last couple of years. specifically since november. the general feeling of excitement has shifted as eruption has moved closer to the towns causing widespread evacuation of the town

and people relocate permanently. we're currently experiencing the first hours of another one of those fires. i'm surprised he's not driving away very quickly. that's it from us. hello. it's been another day of heavy downpours for some parts of the uk. i think they will become fewer and further between. i think they will become fewer and further between as we head towards the weekend and even today, some of us got to see some sunshine, gorgeous scenes there for a weather watcher in whitstable in kent. but this area of low pressure still close by. so there is a bit more rain to come. in fact, this little weather feature bringing some really heavy downpours southwards across scotland and then getting down into parts of northern england. as we head on through the night, we will also see some showers for northern ireland pushing down into wales and the south west of england. but many other areas starting tomorrow morning on a dry note, temperatures surrounds nine, ten or 11 degrees.

so into tomorrow morning, this band of cloud and rain, quite heavy bursts of rain still pushing southwards across northern england, down into wales, into the midlands, east anglia, and then getting down towards the south coast where it'll break up into some sharp and perhaps thundery showers, more cloud and rain for this east coast of england. that will make it feel quite disappointing, particularly when combined with the strength of the wind further west, not as many showers, more dry weather, some spells of sunshine and temperatures perhaps getting up to around 19 or possibly 20 degrees in sheltered spots. now, as we move out of thursday into friday, the focus shifts from this area of low pressure, which starts to roll away eastwards. the focus shifting to this area of high pressure just starting to build in from the west. now still cloud and some showery rain across some eastern counties of england. but further north and west, it should be largely dry, spells of sunshine, a bit more cloud here as well, into the north west of scotland, maybe only 1a degrees for stornoway, but given some sunshine, glasgow could get to 1919 in cardiff as well. but given some sunshine,

glasgow could get to 19, 19 in cardiff as well. some spots likely to get to 20 degrees and this area of high pressure still with us as we head into the weekend, but with some fairly large areas of cloud circulating around it. so it won't always be sunny. on saturday it does look like we'll see quite a lot of cloud across parts of england, maybe into wales and another bank of cloud trying to roll into northern ireland and the north west of scotland. but where we do see some sunshine temperatures doing quite nicely, 20, perhaps up to 21 degrees. and as we head into the second half of the weekend, i think similar temperatures, high teens, low 20 celsius, a fair amount of cloud at times, but still with some spells of sunshine.

just a week before the general election. the prime minister tonight calls the strike politically motivated. the doctors' union says talks with the government have produced no pay offer. good evening from devon. on the day that labour are talking about the nhs, news of the strikes has left rishi sunak livered. —— livid. also tonight — confusion over whether or not the labour mp diane abbott can stand at election. she says she's been barred, sir keir starmer says she's not. an investigation finds the singapore airlines flight that hit severe turbulence dropped 180 feet in less than five seconds, leaving one passenger dead. and spectacular images from iceland as the volcano springs to life again. on bbc london — more on the diane abbott row. plus a sharp rise in

the number of reported sexual harassment offences among girls and teens on london transport.