a big slump in the performance of hospitals across the uk as most miss their key targets. from a&e waiting times to cancer treatment — hospitals in england, wales and northern ireland haven't met their targets for 18 months. only scotland managed to meet its a&e target this year. we'll be asking what it all means for patients in the future. also this lunchtime... dropping the charges — people will no longer be charged 55p a minute for calling the universal credit helpline after criticism from mps and campaigners. more scandal in hollywood as the head of amazon studios resigns after being accused of harassing a producer. outrage in malta after the murder of an investigative journalist who'd been critical of those in power — the prime minister's due to make a statement. and staking his claim — china's president says his country will take centre stage in political and military terms by the middle of the century. and in the sport on bbc news: fa bosses will shortly face a parliamentary inquiry over handling of racism and bullying claims made

against former england women's boss mark sampson. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the performance of hospitals has slumped across the uk, with targets for cancer, a&e and planned operations being widely missed — that's according to bbc research. nationally england, wales and northern ireland have not hit one of their three key targets for 18 months. only scotland has hit one of the targets. the findings are revealed as the bbc launches its online nhs tracker, which will allow you to see how your local service is performing on these three key waiting time targets... being seen within four hours at accident & emergency, cancer care beginning within 62 days of diagnosis,

and planned operations taking place within 18 weeks in england and scotland. our health correspondent rob sissons is at the queen's medical centre in nottingham. good afternoon. this is home to one of england's‘s busiest accident and emergency units. in fact, they saw a record number of patients for a single day this week. 700 in the space of 2a hours. record numbers of patients is one of the reasons why that performance you mentioned has slumped. we've been on the front line here in nottingham. round the clock, the nhs is treating more patients. in the cold light of day it is clear the pressure is mounting. the patients here notice it, nottingham is home to one of the uk's busiest accident and emergency departments. i am in agony. and they're just not quick enough. you can see it is under pressure straightaway when i came in. there is not enough volume of people

turning over very quickly. in order to alleviate this kind of pressure. dr malik spent seven years on the front line. he says patient demand has gone up and up. certainly from when i started practising emergency medicine, we were on average seeing 400 a day. we are now going in excess of 500 a day which seems like the norm on a daily basis. so definitely the volume, the intensity, the pressures at front line have definitely increased. now for the targets to be met nationally, the vast majority of patients have to be seen and treated promptly. individual trust performance of course varies when it comes to a&e waits, cancer waits and routine operations. so when we look across the uk, what does the bbc‘s nhs tracker reveal? four years ago the key targets were met across england 86% of the time. this year it is zero. in northern ireland, they were hitting the targets 25% of the time. again, performance has got worse.

it is also zero. wales in 2012—13 did not hit the targets and four years on it is the same picture. scotland's health boards previously achieved 42%. now the goals are being met 8% of the time. but that is the best in the uk. i think the challenge for lots of hospitals, ours included, has been an increase in demand and the population has got older with more health needs. so it gets more difficult every year to achieve some of the targets. then we do a heart scan every three months... cancer services are also under pressure. nikki was a young mum when she had oesophageal cancer. she had timely treatment but is concerned others face delays. every day is a really long day when you're either waiting to see the consultant, waiting for results, waiting for a scan. it is another sleepless night, it is another day of worry. it is that uncertainty. it is the not knowing that is really hard to deal with. although most patients are seen within target times, growing numbers are waiting longer for treatment. responding to the bbc‘s nhs tracker,

the scottish government stressed the a&e performance is the best in the uk. though they do accept some patients are waiting too long. in wales, the government stresses most patients, even though there are pressures , patients, even though there are pressures, i still treated within the target times. and the department of health has told us in england that it has done more planning for this winter than ever before and that the nhs is well placed to cope with whatever winter throws at it. our health editor hugh pym is here. these are targets, statistics, day—to—day. how difficult is it proving to be for patients? there is a human cost to this. these performance targets and standards are supposed to give patients a assurance that the nhs will deliver

ca re assurance that the nhs will deliver care ina assurance that the nhs will deliver care in a timely fashion and will not be subjected to long waits. but that has not happened across the uk as we have heard since early 2016, apart from scotland's anc in the last few months. more and more people are waiting more than four hours to be assessed in a&e. more are waiting more than 18 weeks for a routine surgery or awaiting more than two months for cancer treatment. that is the point of targets, to try to keep the nhs up to the mark with delivering and it just hasn't happened over the last 18 months. wales and northern ireland, not since 2013. the nhs is saying more and more people, there are more treatments available. can it realistically ever meet these targets 7 it realistically ever meet these targets? that is the case being made by nhs leaders and the government in terms of the department of health in england, that hundreds of thousands of more people are being seen in amd within the target times. there are more routine operations taking place. demand is rising faster than the capacity of the nhs to meet the

targets. a senior nhs leader in england has said to date, more money is required and they are looking ha rd is required and they are looking hard at the autumn statement. at the same time, jeremy hunt the health secretary has said for england that they are keen to get back to this 95% a&e target next year. whether that can be delivered or not as well as routine surgery, as well as all the other targets around the uk and the other targets around the uk and the devolved administration, is very much a question in the air at the moment. thank you. to find out how your local hospital service is performing on waiting times for cancer, a&e and planned operations, go to the bbc‘s nhs tracker at bbc.co.uk/nhstracker. the helpline for benefit claimants moving to the new universal credit system is to become a free phone number after numerous complaints. the service was criticised when it emerged some callers using the dedicated number were being charged up to 55 pence per minute. labour and some conservative

backbenchers are still calling for more changes to the system. the rollout of the new universal credit payment will be debated in the house of commons this afternoon. here's our political correspondent iain watson. newcastle was one of the first areas in the country where the government's flagship welfare reform was implemented, universal credit brings together six existing benefits for both unemployed people and those on low incomes. but it is paid six weeks in arrears and the labour—led local council says claimants are being forced into debt. some government minister thought waiting six weeks was a good idea. i don't think so. i think that is creating lots of difficulties. and for those who are really struggling, that just makes the whole situation worse. and this is more local difficulty. so far around 600,000 people receive universal credit. but the government wants to speed up its introduction with another half a million people scheduled to move onto it in the coming months. exactly a week ago the labour leader asked why calls to the universal credit hotline

cost up to 55p a minute. today the work and pensions secretary had some good news. given the recent attention and concern that this could place a burden on claimants, i have decided that this will change to a freephone number over the next month. but that wasn't enough forjeremy corbyn. he pressed the prime minister to pause the further roll—out of universal credit until more extensive changes were made. the fundamental problems of universal credit remain. the six—week wait, rising indebtedness, rent arrears and evictions. will the prime minister now pause universal credit and fix the problems before pressing ahead with the roll—out? pausing universal credit will not help those people who will be helped by going to universal credit, getting into the workplace and bringing home more pay for their families. and the government say that half the people on universal credit do not have to wait six

weeks for their money. because they are entitled to advance payments. although these come in the form of a loan. and it is notjust opposition mps who are concerned about the roll—out of universal credit. more than 20 conservative mps have written to the prime minister setting out their worries. many of them would like to see universal credit paid within four weeks rather than six weeks. and one of those potential rebels suggested that even more pressure would now need to be applied to her own government. i and several of my colleagues will keep making the case to say that it is undermining the principles behind universal credit because if people get into debt, and have real difficulty right at the start of the process, they are unlikely to conservative rebels are likely to join forces with labour today. but they hope the government will make more concessions on universal credit by the time of the budget next month. ian watson, bbc news.

our assistant political editor norman smith is in westminster. the argument over universal credit rage on. is there any likelihood of a rethink on it? on the face of it you would say mrs may drew a pretty clear line in the sand. we are going to scrap the phone charges but not halt the roll—out and not rethink the six—week delay to payment. but it may be far from over and the reason for that is postman pat and his little black and white cat. in other words, once this roll—out gathers pace, mps may be bombarded by letters from claimants being moved on to universal credit and having to wait six weeks before they get the cash and critics calculate that this could become a bit like previous rows over tax credit and personal independence payments when, because of that mounting public reaction, eventually the government was forced to think again. and tory mps are pointing to the fact that in

january, there is already meant to bea january, there is already meant to be a planned review of the roll—out and the hope is that by then, by then, maybe there could be more government concessions. told us about the eu withdrawal bill. there appear to be delays coming back to the commons. it was expected soon. is the delay significance? it is. we now learn that this key bit of brexit legislation will not begin its passage through parliament until mid november. what does it tell us? that the government needs time. it needs time to go through the 300 amendments that have been tabled for the bill, but to fend off and prise apart the alliance is being fought between tory rebels and opposition mps intent on amending the bill to ensure parliament can veto any deal that mrs may strikes. one other thing, this will inevitably fuel the sense that brexit is sort of moving into slow mode, that it is getting

snarled up, stored in brussels and now it is getting slowed down in westminster. this matters because the clock is ticking down until our planned departure in march 2019. thank you. average earnings including bonuses increased by 2.2% in the year to august, according to official figures — but wages continue to lag behind inflation. it's likely to increase expectations that the bank of england will raise interest rates next month. the office for national statistics also said unemployment fell by 52,000 between june and august, to 1.4 million — equalling the lowest level since 1975. more than four million people are in financial difficulty because they can't pay bills or keep up with payments on credit, according to a study of 13,000 people. the financial watchdog, the fca, says millions would be in danger of money worries if their mortgage or rent were to go up. our personal finance correspondent simon gompertz reports. thank you very much. how many can

cope with rising prices or an interest rate increase on their mortgages that is expected soon? or rent going up? everywhere it is a worry. i am on minimum wage and that is what i'm getting. ijust would not cope. it means you have less money left over the end of the month. i live with my boyfriend, he'sa month. i live with my boyfriend, he's a student, so it is difficult for us. b fca says 4.1 million people are behind on bills or credit and 5 million would struggle with mortgage or rent increases. there are significant numbers of people in the uk who have suffered some form of financial difficulty and in particular we highlight the age group from 25 to 34, where as many as 13% of people have missed bill payments and got themselves into some kind of financial situation.

that is people like kelly in scarborough, a single mum aged 32. she resorted to expensive credit and told us this week how she had to get a debt relief order, a form of bankruptcy. bit whacked up and they give you more credit than you can afford to pay back and i looked online, oh, we're giving you another thousand pounds to spend with us. too many have no financial buffer. 15 million failing to save for a pension 6.5 million with no savings to speak of, like kelly. at the citizens advice bureau kelly went to do, they are seeing more people facing a financial squeeze. do, they are seeing more people facing a financial squeezelj do, they are seeing more people facing a financial squeeze. i think it is rising prices and wage stagnation. two of the big factors for young people in particular. half of the adult population are said by the regulator to be financially vulnerable in some way. that is many millions living on the edge.

the head of amazon studios — its film and television business — has resigned after being accused of harassing a producer. roy price had also been facing claims that he did nothing after an actress told him that she'd been sexually assaulted by harvey weinstein. it's the latest twist in the scandal which is engulfing hollywood, as our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba reports. roy price's position as head of amazon's multi—billion dollar film and tv division made him one of entertainment‘s most powerfulfigures. he has resigned after being accused of repeatedly sexually harassing the tv producer two years ago. it has been reported that british actress anna friel has also alleged he made unwanted advances towards her. and last week hollywood actress rose mcgowan said she told price that she had been raped by harvey weinstein. and that price ignored her. game of thrones star lena heady is the latest actress to accuse weinstein. she says she was left in tears after he attempted

to invite her to his hotel room. a screen writer who worked at one of weinstein's companies for close to a decade has said weinstein's behaviour was well—known. on social media scott rosenberg said, let's be perfectly clear about one thing. everybody knew. and do you know how i'm sure this is true? because i was there and i saw you and i talked about it with you. you, the big producers, you, the big directors. you, the big agents. you, the big financers. harvey weinstein unequivocally denies any allegations of nonconsensual sex. the hollywood community is now calling for significant change. i feel empowered that we can actually do something about this and it feels amazing. legal actions need to be put in place to protect people on film sets. and we just need to make a community of support where people feel like they can go and find support and find help.

a social media request from actress alyssa milano to respond, me too, if people have been sexually assaulted or harassed, has led to an outpouring from hundreds of thousands ranging from celebrities to members of the public. the multiple allegations against harvey weinstein are being investigated in america and the uk. our top story this lunchtime: a big slump in the performance of hospitals across the uk as most miss their key targets. and coming up, born in 1907, the woman who has just turned 110. coming up in sport: manager brendan rodgers says scottish champions celtic will stick to their footballing traditions when they visit german giants bayern munich in the champions league this evening. china's president xijinping has

signalled that china plans to play a bigger role in world affairs. mr xi told the communist pa rty‘s five yearly congress that china faced profound global changes and that beijing aims to become a great political and military power by mid—century. he also vowed to continue a zero tolerance approach to party corruption. john sudworth is in beijing. there were no surprises. this was a speech in the best traditions of this political system but a couple of themes rang out first of all his obsession with party discipline and cleaning up corruption and secondly his talk about national rejuvenation. this rising china. he is busy building something that many observers once thought impossible. successful, dynamic economy and one

in which the communist party still retains tight control. the rain wasn't the greatest of omens. the communist party is meant to be able to control the weather. but inside, nothing could be allowed to dampen the mood. in a speech tinged with nationalism xi jinping struck an optimistic tone and insisted that only the communist party could fulfil china's rightful destiny. translation: let's strive hard to build a wealthy society and achieve the victory of chinese socialism, realise the chinese dream of the great rejuvenation and fulfil people's expectations for a better life. while state media carries wall—to—wall coverage of the congress, the rest of china largely carries on as normal.

i have no problem with a rising powerful china, this man tells me. but he adds, i hope one day we too can have democracy. for many the event is an inconvenience. for days now beijing has been in security overdrive with surveillance stepped up and neighbourhood patrols sent out in force. there was once a hope that mr xi would be a political performer. —— reformer. instead he has spent his first term in office clamping down on dissent and purging his rivals. so the world's biggest authoritarian state is confirming its leader in office for another five years. but for china watchers the interest is not in the system of course, but the man. seen by many to be accruing more power to himself than any leader since chairman mao.

at three and a half hours, this was a humdinger of a speech. even mr xi's predecessor hu jintao, touching his watch, appears to signal it could have been, well, a tad shorter. despite the length, though, you don't have to look hard for the main message. the world's second—largest economy will remain firmly under the command of a one—party state. and if anyone had any lingering doubts, mr xi has surely now swept them away. next week at the end of this congress mr xi will unveil his leadership key, the standing bureau of the politburo and surely they will tell something more about exactly how much power he really wield. a us—backed alliance of syrian fighters says it has taken full control of raqqa,

ending three years of rule in the city by so—called islamic state. kurdish and arab fighters have battled for more than four months to retake control of the city, which was seized by is in 2014. our correspondent feras kilani has gained access to raqqa, and sent this report. this is what is left of the so—called islamic state capital. the empire is over. can we now say that racket is completely free of so—called islamic state? almost 99%. other any areas still under is control? no. the empire, it has taken four months for the fighters

to clear the area. the fighting has damaged almost every building in the city. the stadium was the hub of the islamic state intelligence operations here in raqqa. a huge battle was expected to retake it. but when they arrived it was cleared. islamic state fighters and the families had some safe passage out of the city. the bbc witnessed hundreds of is members here in raqqa under the cover of darkness. these experienced militarist survived another day. is may have fled the city but hundreds of explosives littered the streets. the city has been left broken without any population. the militants may have been defeated but the fight against is continues. she was malta's most famous investigative journalist —

a woman who was not afraid of being critical of those in power. but on monday — 53—year—old daphne caruana galizia was killed when the car she was driving exploded as she left home. there's been outrage and shock in malta — with thousands taking to the streets. this evening the prime minister of malta will make a parliamentary statement about her death. from malta, daniel sandford reports. we have been watching this morning as 20 or so specialist scene of crime officers have been poring over the hillside over there wearing specialist forensic suits. they are working both in the fields and on the road which daphne caruana galizia was driving down when her car exploded. she had just left home when the car bomb detonated inside the vehicle. her body was thrown out of the vehicle and the car ended up in one of the fields over there. this is a very, very important scene of crime. this is where one of malta's most well—known investigative journalists

was killed on monday afternoon. daphne caruana galizia was a thorn in the side for many people in the maltese political establishment. she criticised the prime minister, the prime minister's wife. the attorney general. she criticised the police. her concern was that politics in malta was becoming corrupted by money from overseas, by the arrival of the online gambling industry. by organised crime. and she wrote about it. and of course the great worry is that somebody that she was investigating decided that she had to be killed, that her investigations had to come to an end. and her family and friends are concerned that the people who are investigating her death are the very police that she criticised, overseen by the very same politicians that she criticised. so this has become a very delicate investigation on a mediterranean island which is in a deep state of shock. the northern ireland secretary, james brokenshire, has said

the talks to form a new devolved government in the province have reached an impasse. he said if there was no further progress, the government in westminster would have to set a budget by the end of october. northern ireland has been without a first and deputy first minister since january, and a functioning executive since march. a corner as court has concluded that neglect by a surrey care home has contributed to the death of a severely autistic man. he died at an assisted facility near epsom. the coroner ‘s court described as a gross failure at the factory gp had not been called when mr dawson appeared to ill. and finally 110 years ago — edward the seventh was on the throne. rudyard kipling had won the nobel prize for literature and amyjohnson was born. today she is celebrating her 110th birthday in cumbria with her daughter doreen who is 87.

amy moved to the uk from jamaica in the 1960s. her 110th birthday means she's now become one of only four ‘super centenarians' in the uk. it also means she has been sent another card from the queen. 110. thank you, god. me must sing it? yes, could you do that? it's my birthday, you must sing it to me! well, exactly, we'll all sing it. # happy birthday dear amy. # happy birthday to you! 0h! and celebrating with her 87—year—old

daughter. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. it has been quite a mixture of weather today, some blue skies and sunshine across parts of england but for many of us remaining cloudy and damp. we had some heavy rain early on in the south—east. any breaks that we have had, the fog lifting but everything moving slowly north. so clouding over war across northern england. largely dry across scotland and the south—west. but for wales, the midlands and south east, rather dull and damp. not a particularly warm afternoon. a bit more rain to come this evening and and a lot of

low cloud. some wore mist and fog especially over the hills. it is a warm enough night at around ten or 11 degrees. the rain is coming in from the atlantic and will be a big feature by the backend of tomorrow. although it could arrive sooner in northern ireland. ahead of the main area of rain we have more rain developing across central and southern england. perhaps up into the midlands. a glimpse of sunshine either side of that. temperatures little higher than today but wet and windy weather coming in from the west. low—pressure tracking in overnight. this is much larger and deeper. we will come