hello, you're watching afternoon live. today at 2: donald trump tells global leaders america is doing fantastically well — but america first, he says, does not mean america alone. there has never been a better time to hire, to build it, to invest and to hire, to build it, to invest and to grow in the united states. america is open for business and we are competitive once again. as david davis prepares to outline the uk's approach to the next round of eu talks — a tory row over what the approach should be. some of the bbc‘s leading male presenters have agreed to take a pay cut after revelations over equal pay. two bears — badly burned in last month's california wildfires are back in the wild — after doctors used hello, everyone, this is often in

life, i'm simon mccoy. it was a sales pitch from a master salesman — and from an american president a speech that was very...well, presidential. it was donald trump's debut appearance before the global business elite — and he used it to offer "america's friendship and partnership" to the world. he said a prosperous us was doing "fa ntastically well" and was open for business — but he stressed that, "america first does not mean america alone." let's go to davos now — and join the bbc‘s katty kay. two world leaders were here and they gave a successful sales pitch, talking about what a great place america is to come and do business and would they please invest their billions there. he did talk about america first but he said that did not mean america alone. let's take a listen. i believe in america. as

president of the united states, i will always put america first, just like the leaders of other countries should put their country first also. but america first does not mean america alone. when the united states grows, so does the world. american prosperity has created cou ntless jobs american prosperity has created countless jobs all around the globe, and the drive for excellence, creativity and innovation in the us has led to important discoveries that help people everywhere live more prosperous and far healthier lives. i'm joined here in more prosperous and far healthier lives. i'mjoined here in davos by martin sorrell. sir martin, what do you think the people sitting in that room, the global business leaders that you have been speaking to all week, what they will make of that?” think they will receive it very positively. when america sneezes

we'll catch a cold, so i think the american business community is right behind the president. this is a very different administration to the obama administration. i think obama was very uncomfortable with business but donald trump is buried co mforta ble but donald trump is buried comfortable with business. his speech was very much about look what i have been doing, america is strong, it is open for business. that sounds fro familiar. it sounds like a cameron message, if you like. he made that pitch in your intro. he emphasised about free trade and fair trade. he does not want america penalised. and he said, look what i have done on tax. and he has done a good job on tax. and he has done a good job on tax. he introduced it when people did not think he would do it by the end of the year. and he pointed to the success on the market. the american individuals and families have done very well on the stock

market and he said his tax bill amounts to $4000 per individual. 0nly amounts to $4000 per individual. only 30% of americans have money in those companies. he talked about apple bringing back investment and jobs and you have got to give the man credit. the only moans that i heard were when cows schwab said the media had been biased and when the president mentioned fake news. —— close schwab. he said he about victimising the bbc. it was a good trump script. he did not go off piste, very appropriate here, he did not go off script. he was on strong form. the question is, do global business leaders repay him the favour by investing in the united states. he said, i have done this to you, payback time. if you are running a global business, your

number—i market in most cases is the us and america. you might talk the gz us and america. you might talk the g2 world, i think india and prime minister modi has made a big difference. wpp is a g3 world with india included. for business leaders, this was a good message. it means the american economy will be strong this year. he was talking that 3%, 4% and may be more extravaga ntly, that 3%, 4% and may be more extravagantly, even more. what he did not touch on was in brent leave spending. he talked about knocking out 22 regulations for everyone they put in —— he did not talk about infrastructure spending. we heard other people talking about infrastructure. it will be interesting to see what happens. we have had tax now, we have had

regulation. the big question, and you have the global outlook on air at the moment, is when does the roundabout or the swing stop ayes what would cause it to stop? inflation. that would have an impact on stock market by durations. we are getting into a electoral territory beyond 2018. the assumption that the democrats will take the house i think is in some jeopardy. democrats will take the house i think is in somejeopardy. firstly you have had the tax plan. secondly there has been the government stop. it has been tapped to schumer and not to trump. i think we will see the republicans recovering around as the republicans recovering around as the economy is strong and jobs are strong. for hispanics, unemployment is down. and the stock market is

strong. if the stock market is up at the end of this year, it will be nine years on the trot. is there anything on the geopolitical front that concerns you? north korea. i am hearing things about the effect of the sanctions and blockade. particularly last night it was discussed at the briefing of european businessmen and women, actually, i think they were mostly men, sadly. 0ne worries always about the middle east. 0ne worries particularly about career, but we are seeing the olympics, interestingly, hock—macro i think thatis interestingly, hock—macro i think that is your phone ——... i think that is your phone ——... i think thatis that is your phone ——... i think that is your phone ——... i think that is your phone. i will have to throw it into the snow! north korea obviously is a worry. we will be in pyeongchang in a couple of weeks. we

will see one career. it is sport mirroring politics. —— we will see one korea. we need a government in germany. you will see that and angela merkel is in a strong position. thank you forjoining me in davos. after his speech, mr trump criticised the media for the way he has been treated since becoming president. let's have a listen. the other thing is i get a disproportionate amount of press or media. throughout my whole life somebody will explain some day white, but i have always gotten a lot. as of businessmen and was a lwa ys lot. as of businessmen and was always treated really well by the press. i have always had a good press. i have always had a good press. it wasn't until i became a politician that i realised how nasty, how mean, how vicious and how

fa ke nasty, how mean, how vicious and how fake the press can be, as the cameras starts going off in the back! interesting that there were some groans in the room when donald trump made those remarks. we had two donald trumps. donald trump giving his sales pitch inviting leaders to invest in his country, taking a victory lap of davos and getting a very good reception. as we have been hearing, business leaders in davos remarkably positive about the american president. and then you have donald trump off script, off message, talking about the fake media and how he has been treated badly and also saying i have been very successful at making money during the course of my career and thatis during the course of my career and that is perhaps what influenced me to becoming president as well. donald trump always keeping us in the headlines especially when he goes off the prompter. thank you. downing street has distanced itself from comments made

in davos by the chancellor, philip hammond — after he said any future change to the uk's trade relationship with the eu could be "very modest". his remarks, during a speech at the world economic forum, were seized upon by tory leave campaigners, and criticised by a number of cabinet ministers. the brexit secretary david davis is due later today to give details of the government's plans for the transition phase after the uk leaves the eu next year. here's our political correspondent leila nathoo. the alpine air of davos, a chance for philip hammond to reassure business about brexit. but some of the chancellor's comments here have received a frosty reception back home. in a speech last night, he said of britain and the eu... "we're taking two completely interconnected and aligned economies with high levels of trade between them and selectively moving them, hopefully very modestly, apart. " i think the context is important. i was speaking about our trade relationship with the eu, and it is the government's policy that we want to maintain the maximum possible access to markets and the minimum friction at our borders, because that's good for the british economy, it's good for british jobs and it's good for british prosperity.

number 10 had sought to put distance between the pm and her neighbour, saying, leaving the single market and the customs union was not a "modest change". around the cabinet table and across the conservative party, divisions over brexit have once again been exposed. leavers fear their vision of a clean break with the eu is being derailed. well, i think this is not a good position for the chancellor to be in, to be undermining the prime minister. that it is of the utmost urgency that he should unite his position with that of the prime minister, and with that of the conservative party. i think a little bit of freelancing in davos is very unhelpful. theresa may has walked a delicate path, trying to reconcile the competing brexit visions within her party. signs of a wobble in that fragile arrangement have again raised questions about her authority. anyone who uses the word timid about this prime minister is absolutely wrong. this is the prime minister who gave

us absolute clarity after the brexit vote that we were going to get back control of our laws, our borders and our money — the most profound strategic decision that any prime minister needs to make. she's under pressure from all sides, at home and abroad, as the process of leaving the eu continues and the tussle over what brexit means goes on. 0ur political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. theresa may needs this controversy just before david davis's speech like a hole in the head? absolutely right, simon! she does indeed. what was interesting that this briefing for politicaljournalists at downing street this morning, it was made clear that although there is full confidence in the chancellor, the prime and the star had not spoken to him since he made those remarks about the very modest change in the trading relationship, that is the context after brexit. they were

unable to tell us whether she had approved of that wording in advance, or whether she had seen his speech in advance. what they were able to say was david davis will be speaking on behalf of the government in the next hour or so, so we are supposed to be taking his words as gospel, thatis to be taking his words as gospel, that is what the cabinet agreed. what he will focus on i think is an attempt to some extent to keep people like jacob rees—mogg happy. i am not sure that he always succeeds! what he will try and emphasise is during this relatively short period of transition, the relationships that have to be negotiated with the eu in the next few weeks, during that period they would nonetheless be freed to negotiate our own trade deals so he wants to focus on this. it is on this backdrop of cabinet difficulties and some friction between the chancellor and some conservative backbenchers who backed

leave. some have begun to poke their heads above the parapet. there does seem to be some blatant manoeuvring. gavin williamson is suddenly getting a lot of coverage in the press. what is going on? he has been pretty steep at getting press coverage, whether it is deciding terrorists should be killed or saving the hero dogs from our conflict in the middle east. he was featured in the papers because of his personal life, but something that happened a long time before. to some extent that would clear out of the way, something that may have been uttered at another time, more sensitive time, could have been used against him. we have not only had philip hammond and the prime minister having confidence in him, distancing herself from his words and also borisjohnson as well who was following his own policy in how any brexit dividend should be spent. again, the prime minister and

downing street distanced herself from some other ministers. not ideal circumstances for theresa may. i am not expecting her to suddenly be deposed orfall on her sword, but it does show the tensions beneath the surface. another leave campaigner bernard jenkin suggested she was perhaps being a bit hobbled by her own cabinet. thank you. iain watson in westminster. and later this afternoon, you can see the full speech from brexit secretary davis davis — that's here on bbc news after 2.30pm. you're watching afternoon live, these are our headlines: donald trump tells global leaders america first does not mean america alone, and his country is open for business. the uk economy grew by 0.5% during the fourth quarter of 2017, official figures show. downing street distances itself from comments made by the chancellor — after he said any change to the uk's relations with the eu could be "very modest".

in sport, the defending champion roger federer reaches the final of the australian open. his opponent retired with severe blisters on his feet. there will ne no whitewash for england in their one day series with australia as they slipped to defeat in the fourth 0d! in adelaide. they lost their first 5 wickets for just 8 runs, as the hosts chased down 196 to win by 3 wickets. and british paralympic champion sophie hahn denies cheating the classifcation system in para sport. the father of one her team—mates claimed she was benefiting from competing in the wrong category. i will be back with more on those stories are little later. several of the bbc‘s leading male news presenters have agreed to take a pay cut, after revelations about unequal pay at the corporation. jeremy vine, nick robinson, john humphrys, huw edwards, jon sopel,

nicky campbell have all agreed, either formally or in principle, to reduce their salary. it follows carrie gracie's resignation as china editor, in protest at the unequal pay between male and female international editors. here's our media correspondent david sillito. arriving at work this morning wasjeremy vine, one of the bbc‘s highest—paid presenters. however, he has now agreed that his pay, more than £700,000, should be cut. i think it needs to be sorted out. i support my female colleagues who have rightly said that they should be paid the same when they are doing the same job. it is just a no—brainer. it wasn't a problem for me to accept one. it is all part of the fallout from this, the moment the bbc was forced to reveal the pay of its highest—paid presenters. not only is there a question of the size of the deals, there is a big gap between male and female presenters. the bbc says it has agreed a series of pay cuts, among them john humphrys, nicky campbell, huw edwards and jeremy vine, before

a meeting with mps next week to discuss the issue. i don't think people making voluntary sacrifices or individual gestures is a way to solve what appears to be a very large problem. if a job is worth paying an amount of money for, it is worth paying that amount of money for whoever does it, a man or woman. four of the bbc's leading male news presenters say they will take a pay cut in the wake of carrie gracie resigning. this was the slightly uncomfortable moment when the news presenters found themselves in the news bulletin. and it is not the end of it. a bbc review of staff pay is due out in the next few days, along with a face—to—face meeting with mps. 0ur media editor amol rajan is here.

i will ask you what everyone has been asking this morning, what on earth is going on? i think the bbc feels very strongly that they have got to move after the revelations last year. it is worth bearing in mind the bbc resisted these disclosures coming out. they said it would be inflationary or a poacher‘s charter. not many people have been poached and pay rises are not happening, it is paid equally as which are happening. there is a select committee next week and it was important for the bbc's view to get ahead of the story by taking action. the question is whether six necessary and useful gestures, and they are gestures, will address the fundamental issue of equal pay across the whole of the organisation which affects thousands of people. i think the short answer is it will not. there are other questions about why these people have been targeted. these are six important and loud moves, it does not really address

the fundamental problem. but the corporation, like any other business, will say this is perfect, if we get people bringing their own salaries down, this will solve a huge problem? there is an issue of the gender pay gap across the whole of the organisation, our men and women getting the same, and there is the question about equal pay. there was suggestion that there seemed to be lots of women who are getting paid be lots of women who are getting pa id less be lots of women who are getting paid less than men for the same job. there are two ways you can get a quality, you can take the person who is hired down or the person who was lower bringing them higher. it seems to be the case of bringing male pay down. this is also the case of legacy deals. a lot of the salaries we are talking about today where generous deals which existed or came from times when the market in news was a lot more bubbly or competitive, where people were more likely to be poached and there was a

ferocious war for talent. i think that has gone. the economics of the tv industry is where entertainment has the most competition. there is a tacit acceptance that in this new world, those times have vanished, in the new world those salaries did seem not only an just in terms of gender but too big. and in the house of commons next week carrie gracie is giving evidence and the next list will come out in july is giving evidence and the next list will come out injuly and the bbc will come out injuly and the bbc will have to make sure it is a darn sight better than the last one. there is negotiations which take a lot of time, grievance procedures and time is an important factor in this. it is worth saying when we talk about carrie gracie and how much international editors should be paid, it is easy to look at a frozen moment in time and sake this person is paid less than this person but it is paid less than this person but it is asa is paid less than this person but it is as a result of a number of decisions over many years. one thing

that has been under discussed is that has been under discussed is that a lot of the seeming injustice toa that a lot of the seeming injustice to a lot of women in particular is an inherited and humility deficit over the course of a career. those deals that were being manufactured ten yea rs deals that were being manufactured ten years ago or whatever it might be for some of the people taking a pay cut today, a lot of the time women were not in the room when those deals were made. there is a lot of anger about what is going on now and a feeling of what has been inherited over many years. a lot of that will take more than a select committee hearing to resolve. thank you. let's take you over to middlesbrough. we are awaiting david davis coming to the podium. he will talk about the approach that uk will ta ke to talk about the approach that uk will take to talks with eu when they get underway in the next week. he will say the uk will be able to negotiate trade deals as soon as it leaves the european union. the audience is pretty much in place so we will take you to that speech as soon as david

davis takes to that podium. new guidance from the nhs medicines watchdog, the national institute for health and care excellence, says most sore throats can be treated with paracetamol. research suggests that antibiotics are being prescribed in 60% of cases — potentially contributing to the development of strains of bacteria which can't be treated by the drugs. here's our health correspondent dominic hughes. the overuse of antibiotics is leading to the development of bacteria resistant to these life—saving drugs. leading health experts have warned this poses a serious threat to the uk. if we lose the ability to fight infection, common medical procedures such as caesarean sections and cancer treatments could become too risky. prescribing antibiotics to treat a sore throat is a prime example of the way they can be misused. sore throats account for nearly one in four of gp appointments in the uk related to the infections of the lungs and airways. research suggests that in 60% of those cases, antibiotics are prescribed. but most sore throats are caused by a viral infection, on which antibiotics

will have no effect. we've become a bit, erm, acclimatised to thinking that we need an antibiotic whenever we've got something wrong with us. and we don't, and we just have to be re—educated, i suppose, to think what we can do for ourselves, and to, importantly, preserve the use of antibiotics for really serious infections. the latest advice from the nhs medicines watchdog reminds doctors and nurses that most sore throats will get better within a week, and only the most serious bacterial infections need antibiotics. most patients are best advised to drink plenty of fluids and to take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help pain relief. professor dame sally davies is the chief medical officer for england and joins me now. welcome to afternoon live. is this aimed at doctors or patients? we are

pleased the more patients understand about this, 90% of sore throats are caused by viruses, which you have heard, don't respond to antibiotics. in fact, for some bacterial infections we do need antibiotics either, so to which helps gps and patients decide when you do need and baltics, when you don't, and the small number of patients in the middle grey area able to discuss having a prescription they only cash in if they deteriorate, we hope will reduce prescription and help preserve our antibiotics for the future. we cut you off at the start but you are saying it is aimed at both. i wonder what the effect will be, if people don't take action now, what happens to our future use of antibiotics? we know drug resistant infections are going up around the

world. 700,000 people are dying across the world at the moment and there are not new antibiotics in the pipeline. you have heard about ca esa rea n pipeline. you have heard about caesarean section is being protected by antibiotics, hip replacement and people with cancer get infections. without and latics we will go back to 40% of people or more —— without antibiotics we go back to 40% of people or more dying of infections. the message is if you leave it alone it will get better and it will get better within a week? it will get better within a week? it will get better generally with a week. take paracetamol or i prison, drink fluids and if you are ill start with your pharmacist or other medical advice —— ib pro finn. your pharmacist or other medical advice -- ib pro finn. and if you're ill don't sit next to other people

in the office. and if you sneeze catch it in a paper handkerchief, bin itand catch it in a paper handkerchief, bin it and then wash your hands with warm water and soap. thank you for joining us. let's have a look at the weather. colds and sniffles are not something they are worried about in australia. yesterday i said it was very hot and i got tweets saying it is summer, you fool. it is their summer but it is very hot in australia. we have widespread temperatures in the mid upper 30s. temperatures will start going down. it is australia day today. a few celebrations have been cancelled such as in adelaide where it is too hot to be out. the temperatures will come down and we are still talking about 25, 26, so not particularly cold. also there is some heavy rain on the way in the northern territories. it is monsoon season at the moment but they have about 2000

millimetres coming in the next five to six days. in london in a year we have about 500 millimetres. so very hot but some heavy rain on the way. 0k, hot but some heavy rain on the way. ok, that is there but what about here? a much quieter story. we do have some blue skies and the best of the brightness the further west you are. as we go through into the weekend, we have got change on the way. we have this weather system coming in from the west. that will replace this area of high pressure which have kept things fairly settled. we will see high level cloud pushing into northern ireland and north—west scotland. not feeling particularly warm, despite plenty of brightness. as we go through this evening and overnight, the weather front edges its way into the west. there will be outbreaks of rain for western parts

of scotla nd outbreaks of rain for western parts of scotland and england. there will be some patches of mist and fog forming and perhaps they touch of frost rulli. as the game into saturday the weather front works its way is to. the isobars are quite tightly packed. it will be fairly breezy as we go through the day. some gales in some places. it will bea some gales in some places. it will be a touch cooler where we see the clearest skies. the rain pushing into wales and the south—west. as we go through the day it will work its way is to do. heavier in the north. some drier, brighter intervals coming in from behind for scotland, in two parts of northern ireland and northern england as well. you can seek temperatures are on the up. a maximum of 12 celsius as we

introduced milder air. that keeps on coming in from the south—west as we move into most of us, sunday will be another very mild day. in the south, there will be some cloud around. a few showery outbreaks in the west. the rain sitting across glasgow. further north there will be brightness but the temperatures will not be as mild. for most of us some mild temperatures on the way. it will be windy and we have some rain at times. hgfigegrg'hg'glag tgtg' the acidifica- that america first does not mean america alone. the uk economy exceeded expectations to grow by 0.5% during the last three months of 2017, official figures show.

but growth for the year as a whole was only 1.8%, the slowest for five years. as david davis prepares to outline the uk's approach to the next round of eu talks — a tory row over what the approach should be. two bears are back in the wild after suffering from damaged pause. doctors used fish skin grafts to heal them. some of the bbc's leading male presenters are in talks over taking a pay cut after revelations over equal pay. i want to show you what is happening in middlesbrough, we await david davis, he is about is beginner next few minutes, giving details of the government's plans for the

transition phase after the uk leads the european union next year. the audience awaits him. watching him alongside his iain watson in westminster. how significant could this be? downing street says david davis is speaking on the half of the government, and that should be perhaps no surprise, but given philip hammond's comments and the language he used, toxic words too many brexiteers, modest changes to trading relationship, the government says david davis is setting out the official position on transitional arrangements with the eu. negotiations begin next week in brussels, the eu has set out its negotiating terms on this. the government is hopeful of getting agreement on those terms within the next eight weeks, so we can move onto the bigger talks on trade. this is significant milestone in that

process. david davis is emphasising to people that wanted to leave the eu all along is that the transitional period is post—brexit, it isn't simply membership entirely by other means or by a different name. he will stress that we would have the freedom to negotiate our own trade deals. we might not signed them until the transition is over, but you can negotiate trade deals during 20—24 months of transition. this is only a negotiating position thatis this is only a negotiating position that is esoteric what is going to happen? that is right. we will set out what the government calls our ambitions for transitional period. the word ambitions suggests it isn't a guarantee, so as well as negotiating within the period, i don't think there will be an eu bloc in that, or theyjust want to make sure the trade deals aren't implemented until after the transitional period. but he also wa nts to transitional period. but he also wants to do, saying in effect, where we have trade deals as part of

membership of the european union, he wa nts membership of the european union, he wants those agreements to continue or roll over into the transition period and beyond. that may well be more controversial. the eu will take a close interest in whether or not we get those deals. michel barnier said he has so far received no official request from the government to do so. i imagine that will be one key thing to be discussed from next week and onwards. thank you very much. we will leave that for the moment. that is the scene in middlesbrough. when david davis ta kes to middlesbrough. when david davis takes to the podium, we will take you there. sport now on afternoon live. we may have to pull away, but roger federer is through but not in the way he would have liked. his opponent was forced to retire. he struggled with blisters on his feetin he struggled with blisters on his feet in the semifinal of the australian open. six time champion roger federer made smooth progress into another

australian open final in melbourne this morning but there was extreme disappointment for his south korean opponent hyeon chung, who had to retire with blisters when a set and 5—2 down. federer will defend his title against marin cilic on sunday, in what's a repeat of last year's wimbledon final. what are the chances? he is playing marin cilic, the man he beat in the wimbledon final. it isa he beat in the wimbledon final. it is a repeat of the wimbledon final last year. fedorova came out on top that time. he will fancy his chances again this time. ina in a tournament full of upsets, few would forecast a downturn in fortu nes would forecast a downturn in fortunes from roger federer. with the roof closed in melbourne, the atmosphere and provide for his semifinal, but few things could distract the greatest. the swiss won the toss, electing to receive and showed his intent, breaking the unseeded outside at the first attempt. and early on, the south korean got in inkling luck wasn't going to be on his side. at 36, there are cracks appearing in federer‘s game. but at 21, chung lacked the experience to exploit them, resisting the inevitable was made harder by chung with his

mobility hampered. federer was blistering, too, but with brilliance. it all proved too much, and trailing 5—2 in the second set, the pain was such that chung couldn't continue. it was a bittersweet victory for federer, who will face a tougher challenge trying to win his 20th grand slam against marin cilic on sunday. meanwhile, the british pair of gordon reid and alfie hewett were left ruing a number unforced errors as they lost the wheelchair doubles final to frenchmen stephane houdet and nicolas peifer. the reigning us open and wimbledon champions were beaten 6—4, 6—2 at melbourne park. england have lost the fourth one day international against australia after making a dreadful start to their innings. australia chased down a respectable 196 to win by three—wickets. england do though, retain an unassaliable 3—1 series lead. disappointment in that fourth 0di.

for the moment, we will move on to paralympic news. paralympic champion sophie hahn says it was "heartbreaking" to have her impairment questioned. the five—time world champion has cerebral palsy, but at a parliamentary hearing into paralympic classification in october, the father of one her team—mates claimed she was benefiting from competing in the wrong category. in her first interview since then, she gave her reacton to the claims. i was very angry and upset. i never imagined seeing my face all over the internet, and on the tv. for me, i just worked unbelievably hard. i put in hours of training on the track. it's just very heartbreaking for me, and doesn't do the sport any good. we wa nt and doesn't do the sport any good. we want to inspire people, we want people with disability to come and try it out. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. we are awaiting david davis and that

speech on brexit. in middlesbrough right now, the introductions are underway. he is sitting on the left of your screen. we will take you over there when he gets to his feet. it's bring you some other news. at least 37 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in a fire at a hospital in south korea. about 200 patients were in sejong hospital, in the south east of the country, and an adjoining nursing home at the time. it is south korea's deadliest fire in almost a decade and there are fears the death toll could rise. from seoul, our correspondent laura bicker reports. black smoke billowed from the emergency wing, as firefighters tried to get to patients trapped inside. there were nearly 200 people in the building. many were elderly. those who escaped needed urgent treatment. 0thers died on their way to hospital, most from smoke inhalation. firefighters said they did

everything they could. translation: we prevented the fire from spreading to the second floor in the early stages, so that we could secure the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. as crews inspect the blackened shell of the hospital, it was revealed that no water sprinklers had been installed. this is the deadliest blaze in a decade in south korea, and the government said there would be a thorough investigation. translation: the president has ordered an investigation to figure out the exact cause of the fire and come up with measures to prevent more fires at building complexes, as well as preparing support measures to promptly cope with the personnel and property damage caused by this fire. just last month, 29 people were killed in a fire in a sports centre in sejong. an inquiry found there were too few emergency exits, and it had been built with flammable materials. questions are now being asked about safety regulations in south korea, and what needs to be

done to prevent something like this happening again. laura bicker, bbc news, seoul. david davis still hasn't got to his feet. as the broader picture is slower and more uneven, andy verity has the details. in the 0xfordshire countryside near wantage, this family run company makes cutting—edge machines that use ultrasound and short wave radiation for physiotherapy. last year, it saw a surge in orders, not from europe, but from the united states and

china. the companies like this, any worries about brexit for the distant future. what counts for a lot more is what is happening in the global economy. that has been growing more than most corners and its expected. —— economists. what counts for a lot more is what is happening in the global economy. that has been growing more strongly than most economists expected. exporters like this have been able to tap into growing markets in north america and asia and grow themselves. because there is no free trade deal with china like there is with the eu, each product for export has to be approved by the chinese authorities, meaning years of filling out documents and other bureaucratic hurdles which is an informal barrier to trade. this is the export capital of england. importing and exporting goods used in sectors across the economy. it acts as a gateway to the world, but also across the uk and europe. by the way, rotterdam was the alternative, so... as we get on

with the job of leaving the european union, a move back overwhelmingly backed by the people of teesside, there are new opportunities for port site this as you outlined in your speech. and for businesses like the ones in this room. casting their site to new markets around the world. today, iwant site to new markets around the world. today, i want to talk specifically about the bridge that we plan to build to smooth the path to our new relationship with the european union after brexit. a strictly time—limited implementation period, which forms a sound basis for the uk's future prosperity. it will allow us to grasp the benefits of brexit by setting in place the fundamental building blocks for the country as we leave. and a bridge that will give more certainty and clarity to ports like this and businesses right across the united kingdom and europe. firstly, let me set the scene. at the end of last

year, we made an important breakthrough in the brexit negotiations, it was a land mark which we can be proud of, citizens rights will be protected and reassurance to the wide range of businesses and institutions that have a vested interest in our discussions. it also meant that millions of british people, which ever way they voted in the referendum could be reassured that we are one step closer to securing europe's open trading exit from the european union. securing our parliamentary independence as we leave, and a sensible deal that ensures a smooth exit from the european union when we leave on the 29th of march, 2019. in the coming days and weeks, my officials and i will travel to brussels to meet with our counterparts and talk about the next phase. we will launch explorer tree talks about the future

relationship, but our immediate goal, is to reach an agreement on the implementation period. and because our objectives are largely the same, i am confident that political agreement can be reached at the march european council. now, i know there are many people that question why we need an implementation period. some of them very strongly and sincerely, so i wa nt to very strongly and sincerely, so i want to explain why we need this period on the terms the prime ministers set out in florence. fundamentally, it is in no one's interest in the united kingdom or the european union to see businesses delayed decisions about their future, or rushed through contingency plans based on guesses about the future deal, rather than planning on the basis of knowledge. without a bridge to the future, that's exactly what they would have to do. we would see delayed investment, slowing job creation, and the stifling of hard won economic growth upon which our

continent depends. it should come as no surprise, therefore, that similar argument is for this bridge, the implementation period, have been employed by both sides. firstly, it will allow the knighted kingdom to build new infrastructure, and set up new systems to support our future partnership —— united kingdom to build, and allow for frictionless trade. it would ensure our businesses are ready and would only have to adjust to one set of changes. secondly, it willallow european governments to do the same. ports like teesport, like rotterdam, like antwerp, will need time to prepare. as i told business leaders last year, while we are planning for all scenarios, many european union governments will not put their plans in place until the deal is struck. thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we need to ensure that the move to our future relationship

is in keeping with both sides legal commitments. as the prime minister set out in florence, the european union is not legally able to conclude an agreement with the united kingdom as an external partner while we are still a member state. it's only possible for us to sign this agreement when we are outside the european union. and such an agreement on the future partnership will require the appropriate legal application, which will itself take time. this will need to happen during the implantation period. extending article 50, staging a member of the european union for a further few yea rs, european union for a further few years, will not solve that problem. it will not solve the problem either of navigating the legal structures of navigating the legal structures of the european union. in fact, it will create a new uncertainty about when and whether we leave the union. so it's only by being outside the

european union but continuing with the existing structure of ralls and regulations that we can meet the requirements for a smooth, orderly and successful exit. and britain's argument is reflected in the european union's stance. so there is much we agree on. we agree the fermentation period should be delivered as part of the withdrawal agreement to be adopted in article 50, meaning it can be adopted quickly and efficiently. it should see the uk outside the european union, no longer a see the uk outside the european union, no longera memberstate, and on the need we also agree on the need for this period to have a strict time limit, guided by how long it would take us to prepare and implement the new processes. and we agree on the need to base this period on the existing structure of rules and regulations, including crucially on continued access to each other‘s markets on current terms. i want to stress, this is not

a zero—sum game. we both stand to benefit. that is why britain and the european union are on the same page for the need for this period. for such a period to work, both sides must continue to follow the same sta ble must continue to follow the same stable set of laws and rules. without comprising the integrity of the single market and the customs union, to which we will maintain access union, to which we will maintain a ccess o n union, to which we will maintain access on current terms. maintaining the same regulations across all sectors of the economy, from agriculture to aviation, transport to financial services, as part of a new international treaty. in keeping with the existing structure that the eu rules, that will allow a sugar time—limited role for the european court ofjustice in that period. during this implementation period, people will of course be able to travel between the uk and eu to live and work. and as agreed in december, we will fulfil a financial commitments we have made during the period of our membership. with

britain upholding its responsibilities during this period, it follows the european union will need to respect our rights and our interests, too. and this means we must discuss how regulators and agencies can best provide continuity and clarity for businesses during this period. in a way, the it will benefit everyone. of course, we will leave the institutions of the union next march. but we will still make our voice heard. this will be able relationship where respect flows both ways, as we move from being a member to its closest partner. a relationship will notjust be for the short—term, but one that will endure to our mutual benefit for decades and generations to come. it is with that spirit that we should approach the fermentation period as the bridge to this new relationship. that means each side committing to not undermining one another. it

usually takes around two full years for legislation to make its way through the european union system into law, virtually all of the laws will come into effect during this time will be drafted while the united kingdom is a member state. however, we will have to find a way to agree a way of resolving concerns if laws are deemed contrary to our interests, and which we have not had our say. we will agree an appropriate process for this temporary period. that means we have the means to remedy any issue through dialogue as soon as possible. that is very important. if there are new laws that affect us, we have the means to resolve any issues during that period. the implementation period has implications beyond the relationship

between the uk and the european union. it is also relevant to our relationships with the rest of the world, both for existing international agreements, struck during membership of the european union, and the new trading relationships the united kingdom will build on the outside. the existing international agreements we are existing international agreements we a re party existing international agreements we are party to should continue to apply during this period. they are an important part of the existing eu structure of rules and regulations to which we remain a part during the plantation period. they cover a wide range of areas from aviation through to security. they also include trade agreements the eu has struck while we are members. these trade deals are, by their definition, mutually beneficial. whether ui dutch manufacturer or a british one, it is in the uk and eu's interest that the

agreements have been signed during this period. it is also within the interest of the countries that have signed trade deals with the european union. so since the terms of trade between the uk and eu will not have changed, a simple is that ford is for all parties to agree the united kingdom will continue to be a party to those agreements. while we continue to work on ensuring they maintained their effects in perpetuity. 0f maintained their effects in perpetuity. of course, the biggest international challenge we face is ensuring the security of our continent. throughout this period, as in ourfuture partnership, the united kingdom and the european union will need to work together. and respond to the ever—changing threats we face in the areas of terrorism to cybercrime. these are both known and unknown threats. therefore, there should not be any obstacles therefore, there should not be any o bsta cles at therefore, there should not be any obstacles at all to jointly deciding to ta ke obstacles at all to jointly deciding to take action in the face of these shared challenges during the

implementation period. 0ur shared challenges during the implementation period. our top priority will always be the safety of our citizens. while the aim of the opening change in period is to provide certainty and continuity, we must keep sight of the fact that this is a bridge to a new future partnership, where crucially the united kingdom is outside the single market and outside of the customs union. where united kingdom courts are sovereign once more. and where the united kingdom can take advantage of its status as an independent trading nation, forging its own way in the world. during the meditation period, the uk must be able prepare for this new relationship not just able prepare for this new relationship notjust for the european union, but with the rest of the world, too. the united kingdom will be able to design a new immigration system that works in the national interest, that welcomes talent from around the world, and people want to come to britain to

work hard and contribute. during the period when people from the eu move to the uk freely, they will have a rich tradition system in place. it will have no bearing on people's ability to work offered, but it will allow us to plan better for future public services and prepare for a future immigration system. as an independent country, no longer a member of the european union, the uk will once again have its own trading policy. this is a vital aspect of this period. for the first time in more than 40 years, we will be able to step out and sign new trade deals with old friends and new allies around the globe. increasingly, we trade with key emerging markets in the world in asia and america. the uk's fastest—growing export market between 2005 and 2014 included with countries like china and brazil.

these are the future. we will be able to build on this in coming yea rs. able to build on this in coming years. of course, maintaining access to each other‘s markets on current terms, it means we replicate the customs union during the fermentation period, including the rights and obligations, and trading agreements entered into by the eu, but participating in a customs union should not and will not preclude us from signing independent trade agreements. although of course they will not enter into force until the input meditation period has ended. talking to other countries about our future trade will allow businesses like those in this ring to take action and make decisions based on the new opportunities that will be open to them. it will also allow us to kick—start a new global race to the top in quality and standards. because britain cannot outcompete

emerging economies with cheap labour. there we must work with international partners to drive up quality and standards. and with 90%, 90% of future growth expected to happen outside of europe's borders, driven by development in new technology and innovations, and industries that haven't even yet been invented, the premium for agility in national policy—making has never been higher. 0ver policy—making has never been higher. over the coming years and decades we asa over the coming years and decades we as a country need to be flexible and nimble to take advantage of the changing landscape of the global economy. we start from an incredibly strong position. a world leader in engineering, life sciences, medicine, media,, ertz, law. from

our skilled workforce to our world —class our skilled workforce to our world—class universities, all the simple fact that english is the language of business across the world, we are well equipped to take advantage of the opportunities. getting ready for that is all part of our preparation for when the increment haitian period is over. britain and european union are enjoying their new partnership. we wa nt enjoying their new partnership. we want companies to have confidence to employ workers and make plans. the value of the implementation period is strongly correlated to the speed with which political agreement is reached. many decisions that businesses and governments need to ta ke businesses and governments need to take have long lead times for investing in a new office or a factory, to hiring people, businesses like those represented in this room need to start making these decisions well before they become

operational. speed is of the essence, because the longer we leave talking about the plantation period, the less valuable it becomes to the business right across europe. the next few months, therefore, are unprecedented, an unprecedented chance for the uk and eu to work together to build on the progress we have already made and provide that much—needed clarity and security, for our firms, much—needed clarity and security, for ourfirms, our much—needed clarity and security, for our firms, our economies and much—needed clarity and security, for ourfirms, our economies and our citizens. that's what they expect us to do, and that's what we will do. thank you. applause applause i have time for a few questions. shall we start over here, mr gibson?

lam shall we start over here, mr gibson? i am sorry it is a little cold that we have a warm welcome for you. i think and trust you will be aware that our mayor has written to the chancellor outlining the benefits and opportunity of a freeport. could we ask for your support, not only will that benefit to boy— macro we ask for your support, not only will that benefit to boy—macro but the rest of the united kingdom. —— teesport. i should not worry about the cold, my mother came from around here and she went swimming off the tyneside beaches. she must be one tough lady. i think there is a project underway to provide us with an analysis of how it will work. people tend to think of freeport is as being like entrepreneurs but it

is something that being outside the eu will be much easier to do. i will look at it with the most open mind possible as well as with the sympathy of another north—east dinner. mr matthews?” sympathy of another north—east dinner. mr matthews? i am managing director of the company that already compete successfully with companies from india and china and the rest of the world from a total deliver cost point of view. i think there was one word missing from your speech today and that was skills. this is an area that welcomes industry and is geographically advantaged in terms of manufacturing, but my question to you is where does skill lie in the plans post— brexit? if you is where does skill lie in the plans post—brexit? if we don't have skills to drive productivity,

manufacturing, engineering, we will run out of steam. manufacturing, engineering, we will _§—, manufacturing, engineering, we will run out of steam. f a very = run out of steam. that is a very good 555“ have "' ‘tbe, ,, w. was 75 is, 1 : was 75 is, we 1 : was sf is, we for ss : was sf is, we for brexit was help not the