this is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at 11am. the parents accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a california home have pleaded not guilty. scientists say they have taken a step towards one of the biggest goals in medicine — a universal blood test for cancer. the justice secretary will shortly make a statement on the case of rapistjohn worboys, who is due to be released after serving his minimum prison sentence. let's go to the house of commons where thejustice secretary, david gauke, is about to make a statement on the worboys case. let me set out my approach to

judicial review in general. at about one's personal feelings about a case, ministers should not choose a legal challenge that has no reasonable prospect of success. it is right that public bodies can be held to account for their actions through due process of law and are specificallyjudicial review. there has been significant public debate about the possible basis for a legal challenge in a case like this. it has been speculated there are two grounds open for me to challenge such a decision. it was one of which no board could reasonably have taken that they were significant failings a nyway that they were significant failings anyway that the decision was taken. the barfor a judicial anyway that the decision was taken. the bar for a judicial review to succeed is very high. the test for deciding if a decision it is unreasonable as not simply that the decision—makers, in this case the pa role decision—makers, in this case the parole board, could have made and turn the decision. but that no reasonable person would have come to the same conclusion on the facts of

the same conclusion on the facts of the case. similarly, on procedure, it would be necessary to identify failings to follow that processed by the parole board that would have had a material impact on the decision. having taken a material impact on the decision. having ta ken and a material impact on the decision. having taken and considered expert legal advice, i have decided it would not be appropriate for me as secretary of state to proceed with such a case. honourable members will appreciate i cannot go further and in exposing details on the advice i had been given, i know this will disappoint the victims in this case and members of this house. given the crimes for which he has been convicted, on a personal level, candidly, i share those concerns. i have taken a close personal interest in this case since assuming office, andi in this case since assuming office, and i believe it is important that all the victims have clarity as soon as possible, which is why i am before the house today. i can reassure the house and public that john worboys will not be released

until his licence conditions have been finalised. contact of meetings with victims who are chosen to receive the services on the probation victim contact scheme have taken place this week. further meetings about his release will take place next week. this will give those victims the opportunity to make representations to the parole board as to the conditions to which john worboys should be subject on release. let me be clear, john worboys will not be the least until their representations have been properly considered and his licence conditions are in place. indeed last week i asked for assurances that the views of victims were being taken into account and that robust licensing conditions would be put in place to manage his risk. i am aware that some third parties have indicated they are seeking to bring a legal proceedings themselves and

that correspondence has been served on me as secretary of state as a potential is party to any litigation. i fully support the right of victims to take their own legal advice and to challenge the decision. the approach i am taking does not mean that others who may have significant interest in the case are pro—kidded from taking action. each case depends on the circumstances of each individual bringing a claim. that is one of the reasons i do not intend to say more on this matter. i would not want to prejudice any legal challenges by commenting further on the facts of the particular case or the legal advice i have received. i will be taking advice on how my departments shall consequently engage in any proceedings, but it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. it is vitally important that the public and victims have confidence in the justice system thatis confidence in the justice system that is there to serve them. this case has exposed misuse with the pa role process case has exposed misuse with the parole process as a whole. i have

had a indicated aspects of the pa role process had a indicated aspects of the parole process should be examined. in my statement on the 9th of january i said that my department would review the case for transparency end the process for pa role transparency end the process for parole decisions, how victims are indicated with, and how they are engaged in that process. i now believe this review should go further. i have therefore expanded the terms of reference for the review to include consideration of the law, policy guidance and practice, relating to challenge is to pa role practice, relating to challenge is to parole board decision making. i have published these today and have placed a copy in the house library. i have expanded the review to include whether there should be a mechanism to alaa parole decisions to be reconsidered and how that might be best achieved whilst retaining the independence of the decision—making process. this review remains a priority for me and for government. despite this significant

expansion, i intend to complete that review before easter. i also ignores the concerns that the victim contact scheme operated by the national probation service may not have worked as well as it should have in this particular case. it is right that as well as looking at the process of an parole decisions, for all cases that we consider whether existing processes were followed in this instance. i have therefore heart her majesty's even spectre of probation to conduct a rapid fact—finding exercise to confirm whether the letter the depositions and processes relating to victims we re and processes relating to victims were adequately followed by the national probation service in this case. herfindings will national probation service in this case. her findings will inform the wider review. mr speaker, as i have said, i know members of the house are concerned about this case, about how we deal with the release of offenders. i hope this is reassured on nonmembers of the careful

consideration i have made this difficult case and that we are now giving serious and urgent consideration the ways in which the process ca n consideration the ways in which the process can be improved that reassures not only victims of these terrible crimes but the wider public. i thank the secretary of state for his statement. two weeks ago it was announced that john worboys would be released from prison, and it has been absolutely clear the victims of the buyer crimes committed by john clear the victims of the buyer crimes committed byjohn worboys feel that our criminaljustice syste m feel that our criminaljustice system has let them down. our criminal justice system has let them down. our criminaljustice system system has let them down. our criminal justice system must criminaljustice system must ensure it has the victims of crime at its core. when it fails to do so, it affects not just the core. when it fails to do so, it affects notjust the direct core. when it fails to do so, it affects not just the direct victims themselves but risks undermining the wider public trust in ourjustice system. as labour has debated since

the news on the release ofjohn worboys, it is important that the secretary of state does everything within his power to ensure that the victims ofjohn worboys's crimes as well as the wider public have faith in ourjustice well as the wider public have faith in our justice system. well as the wider public have faith in ourjustice system. many will be disappointed by the day's news, it is understood that legal advice cannot be shared and that the minister does not want to prejudice other cases being brought. but today's news makes the need for changes in april board even more pressing. the current news permit even the secretary of state of victims to bring the judicial review. they are doing and have attracted much public support for their fundraising for this. judicial review is a key tool for every citizen to be able to challenge unjust or unlawful decisions by this date or other public bodies, deep cuts to legal aid have undermined

the ability of many to pursue judicial review. i would request that the government today use its legal aid review to look again at how it can support judicial review. anyjudicial review would look at whether the parole board's decision was taken properly. if not the lead with a go back to the parole board to look at this again. as it stands, the current rules may be still would not know the reasons for any subsequent parole board decision. on this side of the house, we will hear and elsewhere repeatedly said there is no need for the review and asked into on april board transparency to debate whether there is a case for greater transparency. it should be a practical review that looks at how to ensure the public is informed of the reasons behind parole board decisions. just as the public is clear about the court was my judgments, it needs to be able to be clear about the decisions of the pa role clear about the decisions of the parole board. greater transparency

has widespread support. we welcome the widening of the review announced today and especially a mechanism to allow pa role boa rd today and especially a mechanism to allow parole board decisions to be reconsidered whilst retaining its independence. people were shocked that some of the victims found out about the decision of the release of john worboys through the media. labour has said from the outset that it is totally unacceptable and very concerning that someone not given the opportunity to participate in the opportunity to participate in the parole board hearing is the right. the victim contact scheme is responsible for informing victims of significant changes in the case, including parole board hearings. this service is managed by the national probation service, which has experienced significant difficulties, especially case overload says the government's reforms to probation services in 2014. labour have called in this house for the government to look

into the failings in the mps house for the government to look into the failings in the mp5 and victim contact scheme, so it is a step forward that the minister has asked now the inspector to conduct a fact—finding exercise into the role of the mps. he needs to also ensure that this answers the questions being asked of whether his government's wholly negative changes to the proposal that might probation service contributed to any failings in the case and how he plans to address them. listening to the statements of the victims ofjohn worboys in recent weeks, it is clear that their concerns are not limited to the decisions or indeed the functioning of the parole board. labour has repeatedly stated that the john worboys case raises so many serious questions that anything less than an independent end to end review into the handling of the case oi'i review into the handling of the case on the first report to the police of an attack to the parole board hearing would let down the victims

and the wider public will start labour has repeatedly called for this wider enquiry, but it is not clear why the secretary of state for justice has repeatedly refused this demand. it is reasonable and rational a request. it would help build public trust. i hope that he will take this opportunity in his follow—up to reassure this house that he will undertake this in the end review. i thank the honourable gentleman for his questions. in the context of wanting to ensure that the victims' position is supported, adding he was right to focus on the areas that he did, and i am grateful to him for not pressing me further on either the facts or the legal advice. in terms of the matter is that he raised, it is right that the

victims are treated with concern, sympathy and all due processes are followed, in terms of this particular case i think we need to have a proper understanding of precisely what happened and whether the support was provided in the way that it should have been. that is why i am pleased that jane stacey is undertaking that role. in terms of transparency, i do share the instincts of the honourable gentleman in terms of a need for greater transparency in parole board decisions. i know that one of the things that frustrates victims is the sense that they do not get to know what is happening and the reasons why a parole board has reached its decision. equally i think it can be a frustration for the parole board that they are not able to articulate the reasons that they have reached a particular decision. i share that, i do think

we need to look very carefully at this but we need to move swiftly. that is exactly what i intend to do. in terms of an end to end review, my focus has been on these issues of transparency and victim support. i think they are the immediate issues in front of us. i recognise that there is a debate about the original investigation and how these ipp sentences which of course we have abolished, how they... i think it is right that we focus on this particular point in terms of our review on transparency and the victims. and continue to look at how these matters are dealt with as a priority. it is clear, iwish these matters are dealt with as a priority. it is clear, i wish you a happy birthday, mr speaker, it is clear that my right honourable friend the lord chancellor has

applied himself to what is a very serious and troubling case with the greatest rootlessness and care. he is to be commended for having applied a difficult legal chest to what is a legal decision. going forward and welcome his extension of the review into the operation of these matters, will he agree that a policy decision that could be made as soon as possible is to change the pa role as soon as possible is to change the parole board rules to permit the pa role parole board rules to permit the parole board rules to permit the parole board to give reasons for its decision, something that is likely to get support across this house, and as he observes, would likely to be have the support of the parole board itself and would be a great reassurance to the public. the justice secretary has announced the government not seek a review of april board was my decision to release the serial sex offenderjohn worboys from prison. he says having

taken and considered expert legal advice, i have decided it would not be appropriate for me as secretary of state to proceed with such a case. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford is here. if he had ordered a judicial review, it would be a review into his own board, effectively. iwonder it would be a review into his own board, effectively. i wonder how much he was bearing in mind that fa ct much he was bearing in mind that fact that some ofjohn worboys's victims are hoping to take this path themselves. he did not make that clear, but it is not the case that just because he has dropped the idea of him bringing thejudicial review that a judicial review will not happen. it well. we know of at least two ofjohn worboys's victims who have gone through the preliminary process of sending letters and warning a review will be taken, that has all happened, it will almost certainly be launched in terms of the lodging of the papers on monday. i understand that reassurances have been given thatjohn worboys would not be released until thatjudicial review has been dealt with. the idea thatjohn worboys is going to come

out of prison next week appears to have gone away. notjust because of what the justice secretary was talking about and herbs are making sure that victims had been consulted on any conditions are around his release and what kind of conditions you have to live under, but also because of this impending judicial review brought not by the government but by some ofjohn worboys's victims. the detail on the fact that victims. the detail on the fact that victims will be making their representations to the parole board of what the conditions of his licence should be before he is released. there is a great concern thatjohn worboys was like victims have been left out of the process so far. the government appears to be did what it can to make sure they are at least involved in the discussion about the licensed conditions, about where he can live and what restrictions there are on him where he is released. one of the concerns is that he has never gone through an open prison as part of this plan for his release. he has beenin

this plan for his release. he has been in wakefield prison, prison where he still today. he has not spent any time in open conditions and has changed his name tojohn ra dford. and has changed his name tojohn radford. victims are very wise that he has not been tested in living out in open conditions, let alone out in public, and therefore they think it is an irrational decision to release him at this stage. just two years after the minimum term that he could have served in prison. it was interesting that the shadowjustice secretary did not press him on any of the specifics of the advice he had been given, clearly there was a patent agreement there. the future of the parole board is the bigger picture. —— patent agreement. of the parole board is the bigger picture. -- patent agreement. he has already said that he will look urgently and has promised to come back by easter on what to do about the parole boards transparency in

the parole boards transparency in the future, and then having to give reasons for this, but everybody seems to want. there will be some people do have concerns, but in the head of the parole board, the justice secretary and opposition say they would welcome the parole board's opportunity to get more reasons to why they think someone is safe. the big concern aboutjohn worboys is, as he's served an appropriate punishment? and is easy for being released ? appropriate punishment? and is easy for being released? tell us what you can about the legal challenge the board by some of his victims. the challenges brought by dst and in bv, two of his victims represented by the firm of solicitors. they are challenging the decision on two grounds. one is that the victims we re grounds. one is that the victims were not told about the decision, which is a small point about an important one. more broadly, they are challenging the whole decision itself. they say that the parole

board should not be rationally have reached the decision thatjohn worboys was appropriate for release just two years after his minimum term had expired. john worboys's victims had been given the clear indication over the years that he would serve a very long time in prison, and this is a minute and the man who planned his attacks and, what kind of assurance can be given a none so far that this is a person who has changed his ways. a couple from california, who are accused of abusing their 13 children, have pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse, torture and false imprisonment. david and louise turpin were arrested on sunday after one of their children escaped through a window of their home. police found them severely malnourished with some in shackles. our north america correspondent james cook reports. ..give up that right. david turpin appearing in court to deny torturing his own children and sexually abusing one of his young daughters. his wife, louise, also

pleaded not guilty. prosecutors say the siblings endured the abuse for years as their parents plumbed the depths of human depravity. one of the children at age 12 is the weight of an average 7—year—old. several of the victims have cognitive impairment and neuropathy, which is nerve damage, as a result of this extreme and prolonged physical abuse. the children were supposedly schooled here in their home, but the district attorney said some didn't even know what a police officer was. they were reportedly allowed to showerjust once a year and were taunted with food that they were forbidden to eat. the 17—year—old, who raised the alarm after climbing out of the home through a window, had been plotting the escape for two years. one of her sisters made it out with her, but turned back out of fear. this case has sent waves of revulsion across the united states and beyond.

the authorities say the siblings are doing well, but some of them at least have almost certainly suffered irreparable physical and mental damage. the parents are due in court again next month. if convicted, they face life in prison. james cook, bbc news, riverside in california. teesra has denied attempted murder in west london last september. 30 passengers in a claim and taken to hospital. his trial has been set for the 5th of march. scientists in the us are close to a major cancer breakthrough, after trials for a new universal blood test detected eight common forms of the disease. overall, the test found 70% of the cancers, but researchers say more work is needed to verify its accuracy. here's our health correspondent, james gallagher. more than 14 million people find

out they have cancer each year worldwide. the sooner they're diagnosed, the more likely they are to survive. the test, called cancerseek, is a new approach that looks for mutated dna and proteins that tumours release into the bloodstream. it was tested on eight common times of cancer, including ovarian, pancreatic and lung. —— comment types. in the study, on more than 1,000 patients known to have cancer, the test correctly diagnosed seven in 10 patients. the researchers atjohns hopkins university in baltimore say more work is needed and are starting trials to see if the test can find cancers in seemingly healthy people. they say such tests could have an enormous impact on cancer mortality. experts in the uk said the approach had massive potential. i look forward to a time in 10 years where we'll be able to go to the pharmacy and buy shampoo, we get a blood test, and we get on with our lives.

the nhs is spending more money diagnosing than treating disease because if we can diagnose it early then we can treat it sooner. the researchers' vision is an annual test that can catch cancer early and save lives. james gallagher, bbc news. the business secretary, greg clark, has denied suggestions that there was insufficient oversight of the construction giant carillion in the months leading up to its collapse. he said there had been "substantial" contact between officials and the firm when carillion issued a number of profit warnings. the government has been criticised for awarding contracts to the company despite profit warnings. a task force aimed at supporting small businesses and worker affected by the collapse met for the first time yesterday, in what has been described as a "constructive" meeting. the firm went into liquidation earlier this week, threatening around 20,000 jobs in the uk. the confederation of small businesses said it has no more than a sticking plaster. let's get an update on one of the contract.

carillion was the principal contractor for the eastlake carillion was the principal contractor for the eastla ke and bypass, and our corresponded katy austin is therefore is. katy, what's the situation with this contract? give you an idea of where we're standing, this will be the start of the lincoln eastern bypass which is just to the east of lincoln, it will link in the 815 with the a one five eight rd but they are five kilometre rd. it is important to the local economy, mentees suggestion delhi congestion, and will boost the local economy by £50 million. it is very quiet here at the moment, the subcontractors have downed tools. work going on over there, we are told that work to build a railway bridge. work still going on on that. some other contractors taking part in that work. carillion had a £55 million contract here with the council to build the roads. it has

put the county council in a difficult position, a spanner in the works. we understand there were around 70 actual carillion workers, who will be in the same position as all their staff around the country. headache? is around the subcontractors. the reason they have stopped working here is they are waiting for assurances that they will be paid and will continue to be paid as the project progresses. not a lot of work is being done yet, we think only about 10% of it. i did speak to a couple of subcontractors yesterday. they are very nervous, very uncertain. the message i got is that they have not had a lot of information about what will happen next. their workforce depends on having contracts like these. some will be local firms and it will depend how many subcontractors are on—site with a big projects like this. about five of them were still here on monday. everything is in limbo. i has bogeyed the ligature cou nty limbo. i has bogeyed the ligature county council, they are keen to

stress that they are pointed carillion before any troubles emerged, before any of those profit warnings. they are now in a difficult position as they decide how they will build this project. they are keen to point out that it will still happen, but it was meant to be completed by late 2019, so less tha n to be completed by late 2019, so less than two years ago. it is reasonable to think there might be a bit of a delay to this road been completed. we asked the council if the object started for a new contractor, if they might consider bringing the contract in—house, basically don't know yet and they are ina basically don't know yet and they are in a very complex situation where all options are on the table. work has stopped here, five days now, and we still do not know how this £99 million bypass will end up being completed and exactly when. subcontractors are still waiting to find out if and when they will be paid. joining me now via webcam is ian makgill — a specialist in contracts and who runs a company that helps businesses and government get a better understanding of procurement.

a lot of chaos has been released this week since monday, and the colla pse this week since monday, and the collapse of carillion. why has this colla pse collapse of carillion. why has this collapse had such a big impact? we have seen these problems before in public contracts. deals going wrong, it happened before. we have never seen it on this sort of scale. never frankly seen it when we have had such poor underlying data to understand the scope of the real problem. it is deftly something new for the government. what does the government do next in terms of trying to manage this chaos, of say there is discussion of bringing some

contracts back in—house. carillion was in partnership with some other contractors on some of those projects. 0verall, contractors on some of those projects. overall, how should the government manage this? projects. overall, how should the government manage thi57m projects. overall, how should the government manage this? it has got a short—term problem that it needs to get either contracts back in—house or to get new contractors in. that is going to be difficult. they are running out of negotiating positions. in other cases, where it is an isolated contract, they can shut down the site, make sure it is safe and secure, go back out to tender and hope that the delay is not too offensive, doesn't have the wide an impact. where we have got contracts that are part ofjoint ventures or inside other contracts that have two other dependencies, it isa that have two other dependencies, it is a lot more difficult and you can only really hope that we can get fast movement of new contractors in

to cover the work that carillion was doing. you use the word hope twice. based on evidence from the collapse of pbs companies, here in the uk and elsewhere, what is your feeling about the impact this collapse has in terms of delays to work being done to other projects? sergey magdalene is inevitable. where we are now, there are going to be widespread delays. loss of sound virtually every project they had been working on, there have been delays. it is whether they have a significant impact. sometimes they can handle them. in the education sector for example, edge not can handle them. in the education sectorfor example, edge not going to get a school bills on time, that can have a much bigger impact than the delay of the road you are

talking about, perhaps. it will depend. the weather is looking pretty disruptive at the moment across scotland. we got some heavy snow showers moving in. this is the scene in perth and kinross a short time ago. really heavy snow coming down there, and of course, with all that heavy snow around, it is likely to cause some disruption to your travel plans. south—west column with some ice, here. severe weatherwarning plans. south—west column with some ice, here. severe weather warning to be prepared for travel disruption across the glasgow area. the m 74, the mh, they could be impacted. 0therwise, the mh, they could be impacted. otherwise, it is looking at bit

drier and brighter across the east, but it will be colder this afternoon. through this evening, rain is spread into southern areas. expect some rain in cardiff and london. by sunday, telling wet and windy for all of us, but look at those temperatures, up 80 66 —— up into double figures by sunday. goodbye. this is bbc news, our latest headlines: thejustice secretary, david gauke, says he will not seek a judicial review of a parole board decision to release the serial sex offenderjohn worboys. a californian couple have denied torturing, abusing and falsely imprisoning their 13 children. scientists in the us have developed a blood test that screens for common forms of cancer. a study of patients known to have a form of the disease,

correctly diagnosed seven in ten cases. the business secretary has denied suggestions there was insufficient oversight of the construction giant carillion in the months leading up to its collapse. time for sport. let's time forsport. let'sjoin time for sport. let's join arlene foster. hi there, leave. all the action happening in australia, it seems? england have gone 2—0 up in the one—day series against australia — they won by four wickets in brisbane, with five overs to spare. australia made 270—9 after winning the toss at the gabba. aaron finch made another century but they couldn't get a partnership going. and their were a couple of wickets each from adsil rashid and joe root and jason roy made a record 180 of the england reply.

despite a quick wobble, they made very light work of the one chase. three to play they had to sydney. the british number two kyle edmund has equalled his best showing at a grand slam. he's reached the fourth round at the australian open on another day of soaring temperatures in melbourne. no wonder that he looked spent. 0n paper, he would've expected to beat his opponent, but he had problems to content with ali on. despite that, he looked in complete control when he looked in complete control when he led by a set and a break, only for his form to dip in alarmingly. he surrendered the lead, and his opponent showed ambition and

aggression in what he said was probably the longest game in his career. a 20 minute epic in the fourth set with eight break points. this was the decisive moment. edmund raced through the rest of the set in just 90 minutes. double faults proved the downfall of his opponent, and that set up edmund fought victory. britain am —— britain's number two is developing consistency, and is happy to go further than ever before. it hit 40 degrees for the second day running in melbourne with many players calling for a suspension edmund certainly struggled today it was much cooler by the time is not meant to be easy, it's a

tough one. that's the whole point of it. yeah, i guess, if people do start to become ill, then it might bea start to become ill, then it might be a concern. as far as i'm aware, everybody is just getting through. it was much cooler by the time rafael nadal took to the court — and he sailed through to round four, only dropping five games against damir zhumhur of bosnia. it took him less than two hours. nadal faces digeo schwartzman next. ross fisher is now the leading briton at the abu dhabi golf championship. tommy fleetwood has fallen off the pace. fisher shot a round of 67, for the second day in a row, to move to 10—under—par, two shots off the lead. there were prefect conditions out on the course — and ryder cup star thomas pieters took advantage, hitting some sensational shots in a round of 65, which put him one clear at the top. fleetwood is three shots adrift. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for

you in the next hour. 0llie, thank you very much. an inquest into the death of the cranberries singer, dolores 0'riordan has opened and been adjourned. she was found dead in her hotel room in park lane in central london on friday. 0ur correspondent david sillito was at westminster coroner's court. the lead singer of the very successful bands the cranberries. she was staying in london, chu was found at the hotel unresponsive. the ambulance were called and she was found dead at the scene. they are treating the death as non—suspicious, but a number of tests have been carried out. that inquest was opened, and adjourned again until in another hearing will ta ke again until in another hearing will take place on april the 3rd. david gauke says he has been given

legal advice that he cannot challenge the parole's decision. thank you very much for talking to us, today. what is your reaction to this decision, your thoughts? well, first of all, i think thejustice secretary was extremely wise, if i may say so to take legal advice in relation to what was becoming a very fraught matter in terms of the public. he took legal advice, and he has identified in the light of the legal advice that he is going to ta ke legal advice that he is going to take no further action. to that extent, i regard that a very wise response. that does not of course mean that there will be no challenge

to the parole board decision. i understand that those representing victims, particularly victims who we re victims, particularly victims who were either informed about the pa role were either informed about the parole board formal hearing, or people who would not normally have an entitlement to be informed, because they were not formally victims, because the police hadn't identified them as such, made themselves —— may themselves be seeking a judicial decision. —— judicial review of decision. i contend that about the merits of that. the justice secretary in his comments that decision he knew would disappoints the victims in this case. ultimately, do you believe that they and the public will be better served by the wider look that is going to be happening into the pa role is going to be happening into the parole board and the decision—making process that it takes? cannon well, i actively welcomed the wider review of the parole board and what has

been described as its current lack of transparency. that has been actively welcomed by the chair of the parole board, himself, publicly. the problem, as it seems to me, is that the parole board rules themselves which were modified into gaza 11, when i was a judicial member of the parole board —— which we re member of the parole board —— which were modified in 2011. that, as i seems “— were modified in 2011. that, as i seems —— it seems to me, is that could be appropriately looked at in the context of a far wider review. the one thing that we would don't wa nt to the one thing that we would don't want to do is throw the baby out of the bath and said that because of in this particular case, clearly there is active concern, that means that the parole board and its functioning is in some way defective. 0n the

contrary, i believe that although there is much to be criticised in there is much to be criticised in the criminal justice there is much to be criticised in the criminaljustice system generally, the one thing that you cannot do is to criticise the way in which the parole board has been working across the board. it has been a success... certainly, if i may interrupt, it may have been politically awkward for the justice secretary to effectively order that your judicial secretary to effectively order that yourjudicial review into that, bearing in mind that victims ofjohn worboys are hoping to take that precise action themselves. but, i just wonder if you could give us an insight into his comments when he said thatjohn worboys will not be the least enter his licence conditions are finalised, and representations from his victims, as to those licence conditions, considered by the parole board. just give us all insight into what that discussion might be like? whenever

the parole board has made a decision, it is open to the offender manager to apply to the parole board before the release of the prisoner to modify the licence condition. so, it doesn't surprise me at all that in the particular circumstances of this case, that despite the release decision about which one has heard, those representing either the offender manager, or the ministry of justice is self, have invited the pa role justice is self, have invited the parole board to modify the licence conditions. that will be a matter for the parole board, itself, or the panel that dealt with this hearing, to consider the representations that have been made. john sandals, former judge and parole board member. from boris bikes to boris buses and now the possibility

of a boris bridge. the foreign secretary has apparently floated the idea of building a 22 mile bridge in the english channel, linking the uk and france by road. tweeting that the channel tunnel could be "just a first step", borisjohnson reportedly raised the idea of a new link between the two countries during a summit with the french president. the world's longest bridge over water is in china. it's 26 miles in length and opened in 2011 in qingdao. it took ten thousand people four years to complete. ian firth is president of the institution of structural engineers. ian, very good to have you with us. this idea has been met with some derision. nigel farage calling it boris' bonkers bridge. is it feasible? yes, absolutely. it is

absolutely doable. indeed, when the tunnel was being rigid way back in margaret thatcher's day, there were original alternatives being considered seriously at that time. the feasibility of building a bridge across the channel is not an issue. there are risks, and there are issues, in terms of balancing the cost and the economic returns, and there will be considerations of vessel impact risk and other issues to be considered, but these are familiarfor people to be considered, but these are familiar for people like to be considered, but these are familiarfor people like me to be considered, but these are familiar for people like me who design bridges. i do not see an issue with it. so, the 1981 project, what were the barriers to that, what were the things that chip that up?” think the tunnel would have been based on a whole raft of different factors. security, abb didn't want

people to drive their own vehicles. —— maybe they didn't want people to drive. who wants a had a broken down lorry in the middle of the tunnel. so, there were lots of factors, environmental ones, and so one, and of course cost. that would have been a factor as well. i did remember, because it was a while ago now, but i remember another company that... we would be talking about a large number of spans. not just we would be talking about a large number of spans. notjust one expand. there are plenty of examples, around the world, technically known particular difficulty doing it across the channel. the biggest issue is perhaps the volume of shipping. that was my next question. what sort of challenges with that post to the design and construction of any project crossed the channel? tenner well, clearly, gresham —— project crossed the channel? tenner well, clearly, gresham -- well, clearly, these days, if we have any

idea about gps and all the other things, nowadays we have all sorts of possibilities of being able to control vessels and so on, but there would still be probably very significant vessel impact. these bands would be quite big. imagine, during construction, there would be a lot of management of vessels while things were being built. these are some of the factors that would have been considered back in 1970s and 80s, as well. but, they are not unusual factors. as i 80s, as well. but, they are not unusualfactors. as i say, there are plenty of secrecy. and, let's imaginea plenty of secrecy. and, let's imagine a project was given the green light, how long would it take to construct? yes, a long time. the overall sawdust planning and construction time would probably be —— the overall construction planning. it all depends on the cost

and other things that people were prepared to pay. it is interesting that boris mentioned this as an opportunity, because i think it is absolutely an idea, but i would say that. but, if there were anything happening to the channel, what is the potential impact on the british economy, potentially huge. that is a very good question, indeed. thank you so much forjoining us. in a moment a summary of the business news this hour but first, the headlines on bbc newsroom live: the government will not seek a review of the parole board's decision to release rapistjohn worboys. apologies, we cannot have a headline

report, just now. infested and hazardous. these are the conditions that hundreds of inmates are facing at liverpool prison. that is according to a new report. as well as problems with rats, broken windows and blocked to i lets, rats, broken windows and blocked toilets, it also found that two thirds of inmates had easy access to drugs. 0ften smuggled by the growing use of drones. with more than one seized every week. and, violence had also increased. more than a third of prisoners said they felt unsafe at the time of the inspection. prisoners said they felt unsafe at the time of the inspectionlj prisoners said they felt unsafe at the time of the inspection. i was horrified when i read this report. it is the worst report that i have ever seen into a british prison, and thatis ever seen into a british prison, and that is the assessment, too, of the

very experienced inspector team. they said these were the worst living conditions in prisoners that they had ever experienced. her majesty's prison and probation service, acknowledge that the conditions at the prison were not acceptable. it said that they had already taken immediate action by appointing a new governor, and the cleanliness has also proved. it also said it is putting a huge amount of energy and money into trying to improve the prison health care service, there. the inspection took place in september last year. but, last month, whistle—blowers told the bbc that inmate at liverpool prison had died or been injured due to poor care. which an extra foundation trust has apologised for. today's report comes after the government was ordered to make immediate improvements to nottingham prison over 50 concerns. it then there are

believed to have taken their own lives in two years. the time is ten to 12. a summary of the business news injust a moment, but first those headlines. scientists say they've taken a step towards one of the biggest goals in medicine — a universal blood test for cancer. a drop of1.5% a drop of 1.5% since november, means

that for 2017 as a whole, we had the lowest annual growth since 2030. carpetright shares have plunged 45% after warnings that full—year profits would be much less than expected — due to a ‘sharp deterioration' in uk trade, and disapointing sales in the key post—christmas period. in the 11 weeks to 13 january, like—for—like sales fell 3.6% in the uk. the floor coverings specialist now expects profits to be between £2 million and £6 million, compared with analysts' estimates of about £14 million. europe's biggest bank hsbc has agreed to pay $101m to settle a us criminal investigation into rigged currency transactions. the bank admitted its traders twice misused confidential information provided to them by clients for its own profit. construction firm carillion collapsed on monday,

leaving a question mark hanging over thousands of uk jobs. last night, business secretary greg clark met with representatives from businesses and trade unions to figure out what happens next earlier we spoke to our business correspondentjonty bloom. those contracts tend to be continuing, so the government and local government have been providing the money to keep employing these people. some companies like nationwide, they are bringing the staff into the company to continue cleaning the offices, and so on, so it is not all down to government. but, the government wants to be seen to be supported. this was the second largest construction company in the uk. it takes out a huge capacity of building and service providing. the government is probably going to have to renegotiate or the carillion

contract, find the reported it, and probably pay them more. that's not forget, carillion was running his contract, and went back for —— went bust. the ons the 0ns said that the larger picture was one of slower growth. retail sales effected to contribute almost nothing to economic growth in the last three months of 2017. let's go live now to patrick 0'brian. a research director at global. really good to do. the weakest year for retail sales that we have scenes 13. does this show that consumers are squeezed by invitation. does this show that consumers are squeezed by invitationlj does this show that consumers are squeezed by invitation. i think it is. with prices going up, across the board, especially in food, people

have too spent on those essentials. they have less money left over to spend on other areas, such as clothing, and big—ticket items, as well. where consumer confidence is so low. the ons also poised our changing shopping habits. lots of people are choosing to shop in november rather than december, taking advantage of those black friday sales. yes, it really shows that black friday has been a bit of a spectacular own goal for uk retail. they are going and putting out items on promotion, they really could be selling in the run—up to christmas. some pulling forward of that spending in november doesn't recover in december. there have been hq casualties on the market is not a view casualties on the market, today. carpet ride being one of the largest. —— carpetright.

today. carpet ride being one of the largest. -- carpetright. it releasing to be the indication of a real pull—back, and we would expect that other furniture players that will have some worrying data coming out in the new year. it seems to indicate a real slowdown in december thatis indicate a real slowdown in december that is following through to early january for carpetright. it israeli bad news, because with housing transactions looking to be flat, and with the economic outlook, it is difficult to see how retailers such as carpet right are going to improve initial time. 0k, many as carpet right are going to improve initialtime. 0k, many tags, patrick 0'brian for us. sterling has... the pound, it initially fell on the data, and had its light tarmac highest level against the dollar since the brexit vote. the index

little changed overall. i was mentioning carpetright, earlier. that is the business for this hour. it is almost noon. the headlines are coming up on the bbc news channel. in a moment we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two — first we leave you with for a look at the weather... we have got some sunshine further north and west. you can see that cloud there. those buckled cloud toward the north—west. those are indicating those showers. a beautiful scene in folkestone, at the moment. from one of our weather watchers, here. sundries guide in scotland, but in between those blue skies there some heavy showers and a lot of snowfall. while that looks

pretty, it is not that nice for all of you, because it is going to cause some disruption, this afternoon, particularly in the south—west of scotland, where there is a met office be prepared warning in place right through the afternoon into the evening. elsewhere across scotland, some wintry showers considering. to use in scotland, however, it will stay largely dry with some sunshine. by stay largely dry with some sunshine. by the end of today, we could see up to ten or 15 centimetres of rain or fresh snow. travel disruption likely from that. we could see a bit of sleet, some hail paps across wales. generally speaking, down towards the south east it was remain dry and fairly bright. but, despite that it will feel cold. these are the maximum tablet is will stop two or three degrees in open areas, and factor in the winter chill, but it will feel much colder than those temperatures suggest. still some

snow to come across scotland overnight. a bit of snow over the bar north—west of england. but later, rain will ‘s bread into south wales and south—west england. during saturday, we have got some rain, some hells no, —— hill snow. northern and eastern areas, a much drier and brighter day on saturday afternoon. now, during sunday, we will see this weather front move its way in. that is quite an active feature. behind it, mild error is moving in from the south—west. as that ramiz in to the cold air, there will be a snow spell for a time because parts of scotland, and north—west england into the pennines. very heavy rain, but as you can see, temperatures up to about nine to 12 degrees in the west. turning colder for about nine to 12 degrees in the west. turning colderfor all about nine to 12 degrees in the west. turning colder for all of about nine to 12 degrees in the west. turning colderfor all of us, —— sorry, mild for all of us, into

next week. that's it from me. goodbye. this is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at midday: the government will not seek a review of the parole board's decision to release rapistjohn worboys. i know this will disappoint the victims in this case and members of this house. given the crimes for which he has been convicted, on a personal level, candidly, i share those concerns. the parents accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a california home plead not guilty to torture, abuse and false imprisonment. scientists say they've taken a step towards one of the biggest goals in medicine — a universal blood test for cancer. also coming up: an ambitious architectural suggestion from borisjohnson. the foreign secretary has floated the idea of building a bridge between the uk and france. new zealand prime minister jacinda ardern announces that she is pregnant. and in cricket, england havejust

won the second one—day in tennis, kyle edmund which is the fourth round of the open. —— reaches the fourth round. good afternoon. welcome to bbc newsroom live the government will not seek a review of the parole board's decision to release rapistjohn worboys. justice secretary david gauke said it would not be appropriate to seek a judicial review of the case after taking "considered and expert" legal advice. shadowjustice minister imran hussain said: "many will be disappointed by today's news." and added that it makes "the need for changes in the parole board even more pressing." he made the announcement in the last

hour. having taken having ta ken and having taken and considered legal advice, i have decided it would not be appropriate for me totally seedless such a case. honourable members will appreciate that i cannot go further and expose details of the legal advice i have been given. i know this will disappoint the victims in this case and members of this house. given the crimes of which he has been convicted, on a personal level, candidly, ishare those concerns. i have taken a close personal interest in this case, and since assuming office as the sexy state forjustice, i'd leave it is important and that the victims have clarity, which is why i am before the house today. i can reassure the house and public thatjohn worboys will not be released until his licence conditions have been finalised. i understand that contact and meetings with victims who are chosen to receive the services of

the victim contacts team have taken place this week and further meetings about his release will take place next week. this will give those victims the opportunity to make representations to the parole board as to the conditions to whichjohn worboys should be subject on release. let me absolutely clear, john worboys will not be released until their representations have been properly considered and his licence conditions are in place. indeed, last week i asked for assurances that the views of victims will be taken into account and that robust licensing conditions would be put in place to manage his risk. i am aware that some third parties have indicated they are seeking to bring legal proceedings themselves and that correspondence has been served on of state as a potential is the leading party do any litigation. i fully the leading party do any litigation. ifully support the leading party do any litigation. i fully support the rights of victims to their own legal advice

and to challenge the decision. the approach i am taking does not mean that others who may have significant interest in the case are precluded from taking action. each case depends on the circumstances of each individual ringing a claim. that is one of the reasons i do not intend to save more on this matter. daniel sandford has been expanding ata daniel sandford has been expanding at a judicial review is still likely to ta ke at a judicial review is still likely to take place. it is not the case thatis to take place. it is not the case that is because he has dropped the idea of him bringing thejudicial review that a judicial review will not happen. it well. we know of at least two ofjohn worboys boult victims who have gone through the preliminary process of sending letters a nd preliminary process of sending letters and warning that a judicial review will be taken, that has all happened. that review will certainly be lost in terms of the lodging of the papers on monday. i understand that the assurances had been given

that the assurances had been given thatjohn worboys would not be released until the judicial review has been dealt with, so the idea thatjohn worboys is going to come out of prison next week appears to have gone away. notjust because of what the justice secretary was talking about in terms of making job victims had been consulted on any conditions around his release and whatever conditions he would live under, but also because of this impending judicial review brought not by the government but by some of john worboys bogside victims. not by the government but by some of john worboys bogside victimsm not by the government but by some of john worboys bogside victims. it was interesting the detail about victims making their representations to the pa role making their representations to the parole board of what the conditions of his licence should be before he is released. there is a great concern that somehowjohn worboys bouu concern that somehowjohn worboys boult victims had been left out of the process. the government appears to be doing what it can to make sure they are at least in the discussion about the licence conditions, where he can live and what kind of restrictions there are on him when he is released. 0ne restrictions there are on him when he is released. one of the concerns is that he has never gone through an

open prison as part of this plan for his release. he has been in wheatfield prison, closed prison, where he still is. he has not spent any time and labour conditions and has changed his name tojohn ra dford. has changed his name tojohn radford. victims are very worried that he has not been tested at all in living out open conditions let alone out in the public. therefore they think it is an irrational decision to release him at this stage, just two years after the minimum term that he could have served in prison. joining me now is the barristerjeremy brier. thank you for coming along. why do you think the justice secretary reached this decision, following detailed legal advice? it sounds like the legal advice forms a basis for the decision. he had previously said he would carry out the judicial review, but the grounds he would

need to fulfil would be to show there had been a procedural irregularity or unfairness by the pa role irregularity or unfairness by the parole board, or to show they got it so wrong that it was such an irrational decision that no reasonable board could have come to it. it sounds like the government lawyers behind the scenes were telling him, you'rejust not going to win. he may have decided that his first big public case asjustice secretary could have been a big loser, and he did not want to take the risk. politically, it would have been bad for him to go ahead with a judicial review, yet at the same time you could tell from what he was saying that he was very aware of the impact that decision is going to have onejohn worboys's victims. impact that decision is going to have one john worboys's victims. he knows how serious it is for the victims and the public. it is difficult to weigh legal advice, because the give legal advice before proceedings. but he could have tested it, he could have said, i had been told it is difficult but i am still good to give this judicial review a go. but he now hopes other

people might take up the mantle. the context for all of this, and he mentioned it, is that he knows others, including some ofjohn worboys's victims, are trying to ta ke worboys's victims, are trying to take legal proceedings to challenge the parole board was my decision. he would be clearly supportive of that. but it is not a little awkward for him. i think he would support it, i think the public would support it. various groups will have standing to bring thatjudicial review, but the interesting question here is, we just don't know what the reasons the board had to come to the decision. i'm interested to know for example whether he is privy to some of those findings and reasons that we do not know. i think the long—term questions for the justice secretary is whether there is any questions about transparency for the parole board and when the public have a right to know the basis on which pa role right to know the basis on which parole is given. it is clear and 12

from the review into all of this that that passes for the future, the rules may change, whether we ever know retrospectively what happened in this specific case, well, that is difficult to say. and we just don't know. that is why i suspect he is hoping that other groups will take up hoping that other groups will take up the on and big up their own judicial review so it can be tested fully in court. but without him having to suffer the political consequences of it. the double oppose my decision not to issue a judicial review into john a judicial review intojohn worboys. david and louise turpin were arrested on sunday after one of the children escaped the window of their home. police found severely

malnourished that some in shackles. north america corresponded to james cook reports. ..give up that right. david turpin appearing in court to deny torturing his own children and sexually abusing one of his young daughters. his wife, louise, also pleaded not guilty. prosecutors say the siblings endured the abuse for years as their parents plumbed the depths of human depravity. one of the children at age 12 is the weight of an average 7—year—old. several of the victims have cognitive impairment and neuropathy, which is nerve damage, as a result of this extreme and prolonged physical abuse. the children were supposedly schooled here in their home, but the district attorney said some didn't even know what a police officer was. they were reportedly allowed to showerjust once a year and were taunted with food that they were forbidden to eat. the 17—year—old, who raised the alarm after climbing out of the home through a window, had been plotting the escape for two years. one of her sisters made it out with her, but turned back

out of fear. this case has sent waves of revulsion across the united states and beyond. the authorities say the siblings are doing well, but some of them at least have almost certainly suffered irreparable physical and mental damage. the parents are due in court again next month. if convicted, they face life in prison. james cook, bbc news, riverside in california. scientists in the us are close to a major cancer breakthrough, after trials for a new universal blood test detected eight common forms of the disease. overall, the test found 70% of the cancers, but researchers say more work is needed to verify its accuracy. here's our health correspondent, james gallagher. more than 14 million people find out they have cancer each year worldwide. the sooner they're diagnosed, the more likely they are to survive. the test, called cancerseek, is a new approach that looks

for mutated dna and proteins that tumours release into the bloodstream. it was tested on eight common types of cancer, including ovarian, pancreatic and lung. in the study, on more than 1,000 patients known to have cancer, the test correctly diagnosed seven in 10 patients. the researchers atjohns hopkins university in baltimore say more work is needed and are starting trials to see if the test can find cancers in seemingly healthy people. they say such tests could have an enormous impact on cancer mortality. experts in the uk said the approach had massive potential. i look forward to a time in 10 years where we'll be able to go to the pharmacy and buy shampoo, we get a blood test, and we get on with our lives. patients with early disease will not have any symptoms, so this test is to meet that challenge by having a broad sweep of various different types of cancer a simple blood test. the researchers' vision is an annual test that can catch cancer early and save lives.

james gallagher, bbc news. i enjoyed by a doctorfrom cancer research uk. thank you for coming along. ——i research uk. thank you for coming along. —— i canjoin. this is one of the holy grails for cancer research. they have been tried to develop this kind of test for a very long time. you must be very pleased, it is positive news. absolutely. diagnosing cancer earlier is really important because the lady diagnosing cancer the more likely the treatment will be successful. early detection is a strategic priority for us because it could potentially save a huge tub of lives. it is important to note that in this research the test where an odd people who already had cancer. clearly it is going to be very important to see what the success rate is in people who were not showing any signs of the disease. rate is in people who were not showing any signs of the diseasem is important to stress that although

this study did look at a large number of people, they were already diagnosed, so it is not at the moment to tell whether they such a tested used to diagnose cancer earlier. that is what we really want to know. alongside the study who did not look or prove that such a tested help save lives from cancer. that is also really ported. by the idea of early detection, you have said, that clearly does save lives. 0ne early detection, you have said, that clearly does save lives. one could extrapolate that potentially this sort of test could save lots of lies. such aye in the future, guess, if proven in further studies. at the moment, wejust if proven in further studies. at the moment, we just did if proven in further studies. at the moment, wejust did not if proven in further studies. at the moment, we just did not have wasted diagnose them early. we also do not have strategies in place to treat or manage such patients if we did diagnose them earlier. we did not currently know what we might do with this information. if there was a universal blood test to prove... how

would that be used? would it be offered on a yearly basis, to people in high risk groups for cancer, the general population? that's as i can a lot of testing. presumably it could save the nhs a lot of money. and a lot of lives. such aye that is interesting. it will need to be looked at in greater detail. would it be cost—effective to be screaming people once a year, just once every other year? we need to think about other things such as what we do with this information. we would not want people to become complacent if they we re people to become complacent if they were tested negative in such a test, because one of the most important things to do is for people to be aware of what is normal for their body and to go to their gp in the notice anything that is not normal for them. we would not want such a test out this to replace people from going and speaking to their doctor. justin alford, thank you for coming along. the headlines on bbc newsroom live:

the new government will not challenge the decision to release john worboys. —— the government will not. the pair is accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a california home plead not guilty to torture, abuse and false in prison and. and as we havejust torture, abuse and false in prison and. and as we have just been discussing, scientists say they have taken a step towards one of the biggest goals and medicine, a universal blood test for cancer. ok, let's get more on the sporting action. england's cricketer‘s have gone 2—0 up in their one day series against australia. they won by four wickets in brisbane chasing down their target of 271 with five overs to spare. suddenly the scenes using little

more screen. even when faced with batting like this from a stellar pot by karen finch, england's one—day side refused to panic. finch made 100 again, but when he fell, australia stumbled, england taking advantage and taking wickets. chris woa kes advantage and taking wickets. chris woakes hair, his side camera creative. the innings was. 270, it never really looked enough. england would have defied a new zealander, jason roy in making his history in his first match of this series. here he lasted four balls. there were plenty waiting behind him in the queue. firstjonny bairstow and then alex hales, both passing 50. the clatter of quick wickets did little to throw them off their stride. it is only a passing concern. woakes for the second time in a day providing the late innings flourish. england full of confidence and with good reason. the british number two kyle edmund has equalled his best

showing at a grand slam. he's in to the fourth round at the australian open. the last british player in the men's or women's draw came from two sets to one down against the georgian nicoloz basilashvilli. he also reached the us open fourth round two years ago. temperatures have hit 40 degrees for the second day running. lots of players have been complaining and say that play should be stopped, organizers haven't done that but say they will review their extreme heat policy at the end of the tournament. after his five sets, edmund was certainly feeling the heat it was much cooler by the time rafael nadal took to the court — and he sailed through to round four, only dropping five games against damir zhumhur of bosnia. it took him less than two hours. nadal faces digeo schwartzman next. ross fisher is now the leading briton at the abu dhabi golf championship. tommy fleetwood has fallen off the pace. fisher shot a round of 67, for the second day in a row, to move to 10—under—par, two shots behind the leader, thomas pieters.

and rory mcilroy is still enjoying his return to competition after three month out with a rib injury. he's four under for the day, with two holes to play. fleetwood is also still out on the course — he's now three shots adrift. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. the business secretary, greg clark, has denied suggestions that there was insufficient oversight of the construction giant carillion in the months leading up to its collapse. he said there had been "substantial" contact between officials and the firm when carillion issued a number of profit warnings. a task force aimed at supporting small businesses and workers affected by the collapse met for the first time yesterday, in what has been described as a "constructive" meeting. meanwhile the federation of small businesses has said the money made available to firms hit by the collapse of the construction giant is no more than ‘a sticking plaster‘. carillion was the principle contractor for the new

east lincoln bypass. 0ur correspondent katy austin is there for us now. katy, what's the situation with this contract? it remains the same. there is very little going on behind me. we are at the start of what will be the linking east bypass. it will connect the aa one —— a 15 with the a15 eight, seven .5 kilometres. this is an important local infrastructure project, so £99 million project, made the cut congestion and boost the local economy. the early work going on right now is on the foundations for the railway bridge, which is part of the overall project. the reason work as started because darragh where a number of subcontractors, so carillion held the major contract of road—building, £33 million contract, but the subcontractors downed tools funny wait for assurances over whether they will continue to be paid. i

have spoken to a couple of those local businesses, a very uncertain time for them. the message i got was that they had not got a lot of information about what the next steps well. never do a number of carillion workers here, they are in the same position as workers up and down the country. there is some concern about what will happen to those small businesses involved in engineering, road servicing, etc. what has the council said about the future of the development itself? ligature county future of the development itself? ligatu re county council future of the development itself? ligature county council is in a tricky situation, a very tricky one. it isa tricky situation, a very tricky one. it is a complex contract. —— lincolnshire county council. at the early stages, about the side in what they will do next. the timescale was meant to be up and running by the end of 2019. it is reasonable to think there will now be a delay in that happening. a new contractor does have to be brought on board. we have asked the council if they have started looking, if they will be

considering bringing the project in—house. they said basically do not know yet, they have a lot of work to do, they were also very keen to point out that they are pointed carillion before any of the trouble is that we have heard so much about started, which led to the company collapsing. at the moment they want to do here into the future, to com plete to do here into the future, to complete what is an important project for lincoln. this take a look at some of the other developing stories. a teenager has pleaded not guilty to try to kill passengers in a bomb attack on the london underground. the 18—year—old denied attempted murder and causing an explosion at parsons green tube station in west london loss of temper. 30 passengers were taken to hospital. his trial has been set for the 5th of march. an

inquest into the death of the crabby sing and dolores 0'riordan has been opened and adjourned. she was found dead in her hotel room in london. the lead singer of the cranberries was staying in london and was found any hotel in mayfair unresponsive. the added service was called and she was declared dead at the scene. the police said that they are treating the death as non—suspicious, but at today's inquest that was that a number of tests have been carried out, the results of which will not be known for a nobel of weeks. that inquest was opened and adjourned until another hearing will take place on april the 3rd. two fishermen are missing after their boat capsized off the coast of western scotland. lifeboats were lost after receiving a distress signalfrom loch lost after receiving a distress signal from loch fine lost after receiving a distress signalfrom loch fine in lost after receiving a distress

signal from loch fine in argyll & bute yesterday evening. royal navy divers have been helping in the search. another man rescued is recovering in hospital. 0ne search. another man rescued is recovering in hospital. one is earmarked to help transform the nhs have instead been spent on managing existing pressures, according to a report from the national audit office. in 2017, trusts received more than £3 billion of additional cash injections to help fund day—to—day activities. it said growing presence and searching the man had cost a reallocation of resources . man had cost a reallocation of resources. the duration of adolescents is increasing, and now lass from the age of ten and 24, according to insiders. they say that young people continuing their education for longer as well as delayed marriage and parenthood have pushed back popular perceptions of when adult food begins. writing in the health journal, when adult food begins. writing in the healthjournal, the searchers argue a change in the definition of adolescence is needed to ensure laws and government policies pay appropriate. increasing costs on the

build of the uk's do aircraft carrier programme is putting the bodies of other defence projects at risk, according to mps. a public accou nts risk, according to mps. a public accounts committee report said the programme, which includes two new carriers costing £6 billion, is hugely complex and costly. the mod said that it was committed to keeping costs down. 40. make of all those stories, and the rest of the dues, you can go to our website... now the possibility of a boris bridge. the foreign secretary has a p pa re ntly bridge. the foreign secretary has apparently floated the idea of building a 22 mile bridge across the english channel, linking the uk and france by road. that the channel tunnel could be just the first step, borisjohnson reportedly raised the idea for a new link between the two countries during a summit with the french president yesterday. 22 miles

sounds like an overly ambitious idea for a road bridge, sounds like an overly ambitious idea fora road bridge, but sounds like an overly ambitious idea for a road bridge, but there are already a number of overseas bridges around the world which are even longer. do take a look at these poor prove. this is the late pontiff can cause weight near new orleans. up until eight years ago it was the longest oversee that act over water bridge in the world. 24 miles long. that prospect to the post in 2011 when the bridge in china was finished, an incredible 26 miles. it took 10,000 people for years to complete. somewhat closer to home, i have been speaking to the past president of the estate use of structural engineers, ian firth, who says boris boult idea for a cross—channel bridge is not as wild as some are suggesting. when the tunnel was being rooted, there were alternatives being

considered. the feasibility of building a bridge across the channel is not an issue. there are risks and issues in terms of balancing the cost versus issues in terms of balancing the cost versus economic issues in terms of balancing the cost versus economic returns, and there will be considerations impact and risk and other issues to be considered, but these are familiar for people like me, who build bridges. i do not see an issue. the 1981 project proposed project, what where the barriers to that? but when things that trip that up? the decision for a total would be based ona decision for a total would be based on a whole raft of different factors. social political, security will stop people being able to drive their own vehicles. bigger tv tunnel ona train. their own vehicles. bigger tv tunnel on a train. who was to broke down lorry in the middle of a tunnel‘s there is a lot of factors,

environmental and so on. trust that the cost would have been a factor as well. i don't remember because it was a while ago now, but i know that our company was a while ago now, but i know that ourcompanya was a while ago now, but i know that our company a multiple long span bridge, it was... there are plenty of exa m ples bridge, it was... there are plenty of examples around the world. there is technically no particular difficulty with doing it across the channel. the biggest issue perhaps is the shipping. that was my next question. what other charities would that pose to the design and construction of any bridge across the channel? the design we need to cope with the possibility... these days, we never had any idea of things like intelligence and gps, now we have digital, possibilities of being able to control vessels and so on. there would still probably a

very significant vessel impact protection. these bands would be quite big. we would be talking about quite big. we would be talking about quite fast spans in navigation channels. during construction there would be a lot of management of vessels pilot is being built. these are some of the factors that would be considered back in the 1970s and 80s well. i think they are not unusual factors to deal with, because there are plenty of sea crossings already. lets imagine a project like this was given a green light, how long could it take to construct this sort of bridge? light, how long could it take to construct this sort of bridge7m light, how long could it take to construct this sort of bridge? it is a long time, the planning and construction time would probably be eight or nine year enterprise. these things do take a while. it all depends on the course and other things that people are prepared to pat’- things that people are prepared to pay. it is interesting boris mensur this is an opportunity, which i think is an absolutely excellent

idea. if there was anything happening to the tunnel, if it was to close, what is the potential impact on the british comic? potentially huge, i would say. tap an alternative crossing seemed to me to bea an alternative crossing seemed to me to be a pretty good idea. —— to have an alternative crossing. we have heard from a solicitor for two of the victims. they have concerns that they will be going ahead and launching judicial review proceedings against the parole board next week. this was expected, it was alluded to by david gauke in his statement, but the solicitor for two of worboys' victims, has confirmed

that there will be a challenge. we intend to launch a judicial review against the parole board, next week. we have also had a statement from the maher tonne of london, reacting to the government's announcement, saying that the decision by the pa role saying that the decision by the parole board to releasejohn worboys is astonishing, and it is extremely disappointing that the government is expecting this —— accepting this without challenge. david gauke said that he had taken detailed legal advice on whether to order a road judicial review as well. the london maher tonne said that —— mayor said he had considered a judicial review,

as well. those lines is coming to us in the last few minutes. it is just after half past 12. let's catch up with the weather forecast. a real mix, today. we have got some blue sky, but some weather warning. particular heavy destructive snow and ice across the south—west of scotla nd and ice across the south—west of scotland in particular, an amber warning. because the ten to 15 centimetres falling on top of what has already fallen across this region. meanwhile, further east across scotland, and down toward southern and eastern parts of england, lots of beautiful sunshine and blue skies. the falling of snow over the highest ground, most of the showers is a way through tonight, but we will see more rain working in from the south—west, telling it to snow on the hills of wales. a cold

night to come, further north, rats that set us up for more sunshine across scotland and northern england, tomorrow. further rain and hills note to come. further tiptoes around to mac to 5 degrees. —— temperatures around two to 5 degrees. this is bbc news room live. thejustice secretary, david gauke, says he will not seek a judicial review of a parole board decision to release the serial sex offenderjohn worboys, following legal advice. a californian couple have appeared in court to deny torturing, abusing and falsely imprisoning their 13 children. scientists in the united states have developed a blood test that screens for common forms of cancer. a study of patients correctly diagnosed seven in ten cases. experts here say the research is "enormously exciting"

but more work is needed. the business secretary has denied suggestions there was insufficient oversight of the construction giant carillion in the months leading up to its collapse. more now on the news that the government will not seek a review of the parole board's decision to release rapistjohn worboys. speaking in the commons in the last hour, justice secretary david gauke said it would not be appropriate to seek a judicial review of the case after taking "considered and expert" legal advice. we can now speak to the shadow justice secretary richard burgon — he joins us from our leeds newsroom. thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us, today. interesting to hear that line from the maher tonne of london, in the last few moments saying that it is extremely disappointing that the government is accepting this without challenge. it looked in the house of comments, your colleague is taking a

slightly more understanding position of the government's decision. well, we haven't seen the legal advice, and we understand that the secretary of state forjustice cannot share that advice, but what i would say is that advice, but what i would say is that victims in the wider public will be disappointed at this news today. today they have announced that they will not be progressing with thejudicial that they will not be progressing with the judicial review, however victims are bringing the judicial review of their own. that is backed by widespread public support, asking for evidence that it has actually been crowdfunding. this case raises so many questions. what we have requested the is an independent end end review. right through to the pa role end review. right through to the parole board hearing, because the concerns of victims and the wider public are not of course limited to the parole board and the parole board decision. anything less than

that end to end review we do feel would let down victims. we are disappointed that the secretary of state forjustice missed the opportunity to agree to request that, today. i do hope that it would be in the victims' interest. we have just had a statement from the parole board. the parole board knows the secretary of state forjustice's decision not to proceed to a review. we are glad that he has agreed to as ingestion. we also read welcome the expanded terms of reference for the ministry ofjustice ‘s review. we think this is a sensible course of action to take to make sure that the public and especially victims have confidence in the parole boards work. what is your immediate action? it is important that victims are at

the heart of the justice process. as things stand, the parole board is banned from revealing its reasons for the decisions. we think that that shouldst change. we welcome in a view into the parole board, because we believe that there should because we believe that there should bea because we believe that there should be a change which means that the public can be aware, in serious cases like this, of the reasons for someone's release or otherwise. there is unanimity, isn't that? we have pushed for the government to expand on its parole board review to make sure that it is not a question of whether or not the parole board should be more transparent, but to make sure that changes are made to make sure that changes are made to make it more transparent. we welcome today the move in that direction. we still do think there should be com plete still do think there should be complete end to end review of the whole process, victims are worried about the way that the police handled this case, as well. victims report that they were last orders

believed by the police. there are also questions about the way that the police dealt with the evidence. questions can be asked about the whole justice process, and questions can be asked about the wholejustice process, and that questions can be asked about the whole justice process, and that is in interest to the victims, but also in the interest of helping to regain public confidence in ourjustice system, as well. the justice secretary said in his statement that he had taken considered legal advice. it sounds as though it would have been politically awkward for him to order a judicial review into the parole board, given that the pa role the parole board, given that the parole board had already made it clear that it that it was operating within the regulation set up for it to abide by. so, the prospect of success in ordering a judicial review would have been low parts for the secretary of state. do you think that a labour minister in the same position would have made the same position, knowing that victims of worboys are taking this path, this legal path to seek a judicial review? it is right that the

secretary of state look into the pub ‘s ability of a judicial review. the reason that he is not —— possibility ofa reason that he is not —— possibility of a judicial review. now, the victims have brought their own judicial review, and they are crowdfunding that, which rings me to a wider point about the fact that thejudicial review is a wider point about the fact that the judicial review is a very important part of our system, and an bell unjust decision should be challenged. i do think we need to make sure that the expense of judicial reviews should be priced out. that begs a wider question, the fundraising. 0ur reference is for an end to end review, because we think that the victims and the public

deserve no less. it cannot be confined to the parole board ‘s decision. there are questions to be a nswered decision. there are questions to be answered about the whole process, from the police first learning about the attacks, right through until the end. if we want to get to the bottom of what has happened, of how victims have been let down by the system, in this case, then we need the secretary of state, now to agree to that end to end independent review. shadowjustice secretary, that end to end independent review. shadow justice secretary, richard bergen, thank you for your time, today. this weekend marks one year since donald trump officially took over the office of us president. he came into the white house promising to change the face of american politics and transfer power "back to the people". his victory against hillary clinton, who had the support of the washington establishment, marked the beginning of a new era for america. let's go now to pittsburgh, pennsylvania where we are joined by our north america, laura trevelyan. what do you think have been the

defining moments of this first year of the trump presidency? so many, where to start? but, certainly the tax cuts, the people here in south—western pennsylvania, we're outside pittsburgh, in the mon valle. for people around here, what used to be the industrial heartland, people are very happy about the tax cuts. however small it may be. even when when republicans control. i have been asking people who responded to donald trump's call to make american great again, promising to bring back people'sjobs make american great again, promising to bring back people's jobs and dreams, how they feel he has done in his first year in office cuts?

the mon valley in western pennsylvania is the birthplace of us steel. this factory was once owned by the 19th—century magnate, andrew carnegie. in its heyday, it implied thousands. donald trump tapped into the sense of industrial decline, winning by promising to put america first. 0ver lunch, i asked trump voters for their verdict. it seems like he cares about the working class. he cares about the people who are trying to make a living, and have big businesses, and things like that, and small businesses. he cares about that kind of stuff. some of the stuff he does, i agree with, like the tax cuts, looking at... the working class people, but i'm not a big fan of all the rants on social media. i think they could do away with all of that. how you feeling about that vote? a little disappointed. this small business owner in the mon valley was hoping that mr when i went into the voting

booth, and pulled the lever i was satisfied. i am having buyer's remorse. why? because it is not consistent. john fetterman is a democrat in trump country. when you get out into some of these areas, that no one is visiting, and no one is taking the time to care, left it really open for someone to step in like a donald trump and say, hey, i'm the guy who can fix this. the populist mayor of braddock with a tattoo of the town's zip code, counts this on his party to understand trump's appeal. it's got to be more than, you know, trump's awful, vote for us. and i think it has to come back to ernest, progressive, populist messages. in his inaugural address a year ago, donald trump promised people in towns like braddock that he would give them back theirjobs and their dreams. as in early electoral test here in pennsylvania, of whether the voters feel he has delivered, there is a special election in his

state. in what should be a safe republican seat, but the president is taking no chances. a real friend and a spectacular man, rick saccone. that's the candidate, here. mr trump doesn't want to lose this election, and he was in the mon valley thursday, with this message. very simply, your pay checks will be much bigger, because under our tax cuts, you will be keeping more of your hard earned money. the question is whether mr trump can get the credit here for an improving economy, all if the heat generated economy, or if the heat generated by his tweets and feuds is distracting... even his own voters. that really is the burning question. lots of people i have spoken to think that a lot of what he is doing is good. but, they do feel that he

cannot get out of his own way. a good examples that is the drama in washington right now, because it is highly possible that the government will shut down tonight because there is no agreement on how to keep funding it, and donald trump has just treated in the last hour, shut down coming! it is almost as if he enjoys the drama of it. a year after that in oral address, when donald trump promised to stop the carnage, that resonated with people here who felt left behind by industrialisation, and they are still waiting for donald trump to deliver on that promise. thank you so much laura. joining us here in the studio... now is leslie vinjamuri, associate professor of international relations at soas, and associate fellow on the us programme at the independent international affairs thinktank, chatham house. thank you so much forjoining me. trump, one yearon,

thank you so much forjoining me. trump, one year on, interesting to hear one person who laura interviewed talking about by as remorse, but actually a lot of those who voted for trump are still incredibly enthusiastic about the president, aren't they? jenna maxwell, the numbers are consistent. they are in between 35 and 45% approval ratings, moving around a bit. but, they are low, historically low for a president, and they have been low for available time. compare to previous president in that early time in office. considering, especially, that here was a free seeping victory, i think you have to put it on that context of this number is actually being low in relative terms. there has been a consistency across that space. slightly paradoxical, isn't it, those numbers cut he has not got a lots done. they did get that tax

cut, that was very significant, but the thing about tax reform, is donald trump's base, that low and consistent number, they have really supported him on the basis that he will deliver some benefits of the ordinary person. if you look at how americans responded to the tax reform, most americans were not happy with this plan. it was deemed to be pushed through very quickly, and it was seen to be a tax cut for the rich. for corporate america, and a wealthy americans, regardless of the fact that the tax rates came down at least in the short term for all americans. that is not how it has been perceived. it has been pursued very much as an elitist tax proposal. so, not the message that he has been delivering. he also, remember, in his first year, tried to roll back health care. he didn't succeed. he has taken a stab at it in the tax reform. but the significant thing here, in that first year, when he was arguing

against it, american popular support for health care rose quite considerably. so, what is actually happening on a number of proposals don't reflect the consistency of that base. i think, what we are like a dizzy going forward is an expectation that trump deliver more, undoubtedly, his style —— likely to see going forward. certainly not with african americans, as we saw. the racist laggard is not resonating. he has got to be able to deliver. it will come down to what is the alternative. who will be ultimately running against them. do you think the republican establishment is going to enable him to continue? will be republican party, weather has been so much division within the gop, are they going to support him? they have supported him in moments, on tax reform, although even in the house there were republicans who voted against that tax proposal. but, i

think it is going to be corrugated going forward to stick with this president, especially with the tone and the rhetoric and the inflammatory language and the racist language, doesn't come down. it makes it very difficult as we approached mid—term elections for republicans to cutting it where they need to stand. just a very brief thought on how trump is viewed by the rest of the world club runs on. we have seen the global ratings have come down considerably. he has fed least well, surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly with his allies. here is down to 25% global leadership rating in europe and in the americas, said the numbers do not look good. 0n the americas, said the numbers do not look good. on any number of discrete policies, there is a real division emerging between the us and europe. ready so much, leslie. thejustice secretary, david gauke, says he will not seek a judicial review of a parole board decision to release the serial sex offenderjohn worboys,

following legal advice. the government will not challenge the decision to release rapistjohn worboys. the parents accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a california home plead not guilty to torture, abuse and false imprisonment. scientists say they've taken a step towards one of the biggest goals in medicine — a universal blood test for cancer. new zealand prime minister jacinda ardern announces that she is pregnant. new zealand's light youngest prime ministers in 1986 is about to face her first challenge. ministers in 1986 is about to face herfirst challenge. she is planning to have her first herfirst challenge. she is planning to have herfirst child injune. she intends to be back in her desk afterwards, but says she will be

contactable and available during her maternity leave. she found out about her pregnancy in october, six days before she became prime minister.|j had to announce it eventually. there's only so long you can see that you are eating too many christmas pies. i was showing from about 12 weeks. wanna eventually we had to say, and it as good a time as any. at 37, she says that she plans to be prime minister and a mum, and it confident that she can juggle these two roles. i am not the first woman to multitask, i am not the first one to work and have a baby. i know that these are special circumstances, and there will be many women who have done this well before i do. i acknowledge those women. i am about to sympathise with them a lot as i said the birds with all women who suffered morning sickness. but, iam excited, very

excited, and you know, together that we are going to make this work, and new zealand is going to help us raise our first new zealand is going to help us raise ourfirst child. new zealand is going to help us raise our first child. on her first day as opposition leader last year, she was controversially asked by a tv talk show host whether she had to decide between having a career and being a parent. news that she is pregnant is rare for international leaders. when pakistan's prime minister had a baby in 1990, that was reported to be a first for an elected world leader. whether it's cutting down hours, working from home orjob sharing, since 2014 uk employees have had the right to ask for flexible working. but less than half of parents feel it is an option for them according to the charity working families, which is calling on the government

to do more to help parents achieve a work—life balance. 0ur consumer affairs correspondent nina warhurst reports. should ourjobs work around our families or should ourfamilies be built around our jobs? for kaytie, the crunch came when she had pippa. in her global marketing role there wasn't an option to go part—time and stay in glasgow and after 12 years with the same company she took redundancy. it is hard because you have given an awful lot of who you are to that one job and then suddenly you are out of that, almost cast out, not intentionally. it's difficult to know who you are, where you are going next, what do i do now? kaytie has now set up a craft shop and she loves it, but can't help wondering what might have been. since 2014, if you've worked somewhere for more than six months you've been entitled to ask for flexible working. so that might be fewer hours, maybe working from home or perhaps a job share. but your employer has been allowed

to say no if they've found its detrimental to their business and that, combined with a slow cultural shift in some places, means not everybody feels it's working for them. more than half of parents surveyed felt flexible working isn't a genuine option for them. nearly two in five said their current hours mean they don't get to say good night to their kids. and more than 13% said they are working the equivalent hours of an extra day a weekjust to get theirjob done. do you know what time that meeting's going to finish at? but things are changing, for some at least. with five kids, john needs a job that works for him and he's found it. he starts at 9:30am every day and doesn't work school holidays. does that mean things are nice and calm at home? i wouldn't say that, with five kids. things would never be calm, however, it is a lot less stressful. less stressful for staff and the boss says better for business. since expanding flexible working, productivity has gone up by 30%. we've found is there's

lots of mothers and fathers at home who have got great skills and capabilities, but little or no access to childcare or it's too expensive and they've never thought of asking for term—time working. and this way they can do both. they can do both, basically. the government told us: kaytie says getting to pick noah kaytie says getting to pick noah and pippa up every day is the best job she's ever had, but she hopes that if they become parents it won't come at the cost of compromising their careers. in a moment the news at one. first the weather. good afternoon, there is an wintry

sunshine to be enjoyed out there, but for some of us, a lots of snow. we do have a warning for significance now and eyes across south—west scotland. be prepared for destruction across this region. if you have got to travel plans, later today, heavy snow and ice could cause destruction. keep you up—to—date with that. plenty of sleet and snow showers across the north of scotland. five to ten centimetres of fresh snow falling on what is already lying. to the east of the pennines stays a bit drier, with uncertain as the head through the sunshine, and some rain and some sleety showers across parts of the south—west of injured. snow on the highest ground. into the evening, a

cold night ahead. keep the risk of further snow showers for a time, but they either way later on in the night as this band of rain approaches from the south. so we could see a bit of snow on the leading edge of that, into the chilterns, the cotswolds can see a bit of snow, during saturday morning. it should turn back to rain, ithink, crosses morning. it should turn back to rain, i think, crosses region of southern england and wales. further north across the country,... saturday night will be a particular cause night as the winds fall. freezing fog patches possible before the letter next batch of hell snow arrested during the early hours of sunday morning. as the rain bugs into that cold air, we could see significant snowfall. it will be bringing my other parents wake, but

for a time on sunday, we could see that heavy rain turning to snow. the shock of snow possible here for a time, heavy rain across parts of northern england and wales, too. a public outcry over the case led to calls for a review of the parole boards decision, but the justice secretary said he would not seek one. having taken legal advice, i have decided it would not be appropriate for me as secretary of state to proceed in such a case. honourable members would appreciate i cannot go further and expose details of the legal advice i have been given. i know this will disappoint the victims in this will disappoint the victims in this case and members of this house. lawyers are two of the victims said they will pursue a judicial review of the parole board's decision to release warboys at the end of this month. everything about warboys'