connections between north and south are absolutely secure, as we move further down the line, really, to make sure that we've got more prosperity coming to the north of england. there lies the problem. as hello, you're watching far as leeds city council is afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy. today at 2pm. concerned, their leader, julia blake is unequivocal, she wants this to hs2 costs head further north, happen, but even she is getting fed up. i think people are going to be as a leaked report suggests spending really disappointed. on hs2 could hit £106 billion — questions are raised over the project's future prince harry speaks out for the first time since deciding to stand back from royal duties — there were so many strong statements during the telling of his "great sadness" general election campaign about delivering for the north, investing in the north, levelling up the north. i want you to hear the truth from nobody quite knows what that means, but now we're back to a me. as much as i can share, not as a situation of no decisions being made, more dither. let's be bold. prince or a duke but harry. the same let's get on with it and let's make the decision and start to bring person that many of you have watched grow up over the past 35 years. in the transformation that we know we need. that's the viewpoint from the business perspective if you like, but there are many people who think end of an episode... it'll be a complete waste of time. the bbc director—general lord hall announces just to go back to when it first he is to step down in the summer after 7 years in the job started seven years ago, i was coming up on afternoon live invited on air to attend the

opening, which would be in 2031. i all the sport — ben croucher accepted. well, i've been asked now day one at the australian open has ifi accepted. well, i've been asked now if i will wait until 2040, and i passed with plenty of rain, but no can't, i'm already booked. that's shocks on the cup. dan evans and a how ridiculous this situation is. 2044 the end of hs2. increasingly a 15—year—old american who captured lot of people are thinking this isn't going to happen. —— 2040 for the british public at wimbledon last the end of hs2. it's only 1650 now! year. thanks ben, and matt taylor has the weather chuckles i see you write your scripts on the it has been nice to enjoy something back of an envelope. yes, it's the a little bit drier but why while it bbc cuts. i did not want to miss any has been quiet here it has been anything but elsewhere in the world. of the facts and figures. at the end i'll tell you about that a bit later of the facts and figures. at the end of it all is a serious point. the on. whole thing is just drifting away thanks matt also coming up — and up... from reality now. 2040! come on, a and up... lot of people won't be around then, to meet the south african man who's about to break the world record will they? whenever i come for sitting in a barrel suspended 80 feet above the ground. lot of people won't be around then, will they? wheneverl come up to lot of people won't be around then, will they? whenever i come up to the north there is considerable anger that we have set in the south about this line from london north, when actually it is just getting around where you are which is the problem.

hello everyone, this is afternoon live. exactly. if the priority was made to i'm simon mccoy sort out the trans—pennine express and the northern lines, which, both of them, i'm afraid to say, have more criticism than any railway line supporters say it will help better in the country, probably, then i connect the uk. now it is claimed hs think that would go a long way to mute concern about this particular two could cost billions of pounds. a problem. because the fact of the matter is, it's difficult to get from liverpool to scarborough on the government commissioned review seen trans—pennine, and sometimes it's difficult to get home last thing at by the financial times also suggests the second fave for the north of night. northern rail, at times, england so that they could be using those trains are like cattle trucks, conventional lines instead. and quite honestly, they are a disgrace. it's really good to talk to you. thanks very much. that is nationwide tonight. if you would going nowhere quickly. today's like to see more on any of those review suggests that not only the price tag could be bigger than the stories you can access them via the bbc iplayer. we go nationwide every education budget at £106 billion but weekday afternoon at 4:30pm on it another amber light once it afternoon live. reaches birmingham. it was supposed to have it split at that point with the two wider branches going to

campaigners say smart motorways manchester and leeds. this review which sometimes use the hard suggests finding out whether a mix shoulder as a traffic lane shouldn't of high—speed and conventional open without technology which trains could be used for the upper detects broken down vehicles. sections instead. london in the smart motorways are designed south gets whatever it once and then to keep traffic moving — but it s claimed that 9 people it is about penny pinching in the were killed last year, after hard shoulders were used north. i would say this to the turned into use for traffic. government today. this is the first 0ur transport correspondent judy hobson reports. big test of your commitment to the this is the m1 near sheffield. it's a smart motorway. north of england and we're watching overhead signs regulate the traffic and the very closely. in my eyes there is no hard shoulder has been converted to a fourth lane. in june, jason mercer was driving justification at all for doing one on this stretch of road when he had a minor collision. thing between london and birmingham there is a sign a bit and then something different in the further up saying the next era, emergency refuge area, is a mile away. north. business leaders in london at but where they were, there was nowhere safe. there was a barrier the north are jumping north. business leaders in london at the north arejumping at stopping them getting the north. business leaders in london at the north are jumping at the bit. vehicles further over, and then a sheer drop. with no hard shoulderjason north. business leaders in london at the north are jumping at the bitm many respects it could be better for and the other driver got out of their cars on the inside lane. some of the other cities as opposed a lorry hit them, killing them both. to manchester. leeds, sheffield, he was with me at eight o'clock liverpool is probably have more to and he was dead by 8:15. crucially, the lane that jason had gain the manchester does. the stopped and had not been closed connection between london and to traffic. manchester is already good, and according to the aa, it takes an average of 17 minutes for manchester is already good, and manchester has been a massive success manchester has been a massive success story manchester has been a massive su ccess story over manchester has been a massive the control room, run by highways england, success story over the last ten to pick up on a broken down vehicle. yea rs. success story over the last ten years. i think leeds, sheffield and and that means it's not safe for them to recover

others will benefit from the opening up stranded motorists. others will benefit from the opening up of the north to very short chain we contact the customer to say, we can't stop, where you are, because it's in a live lane, so we will contact journeys into the capital. but the prime minister is under pressure. according to the aa, it takes many of his own mps think their an average of 17 minutes for money would be better spent on the control room, run quicker and smaller projects. by highways england, to pick up on a broken down vehicle. and that means it's not safe for them to recover money would be better spent on stranded motorists. quicker and smaller projectsm feeds london and the places that have been left behind will be even further left behind. the argument to we contact the customer to say, we can't stop, where you are, push on with the project isn't really about the speed of the because it's in a live lane, so we will contact connections to london. it is about the highways agency and then taking pressure off the existing we will go to a safe area and wait for the vehicle to be delivered system. the commuter trains. and there by the highways agency. allowing the government to get on stopped vehicle technology is available, and would alert the with the next development which is control room to a breakdown. but it is only in place on two high speed trains across england. sections of the m25. no other smart motorway each new review has raised the price in the country has it. tack and it is now sitting at three these lorry drivers times the original estimate. the final decision will be made within say that is a worry. i don't really rate weeks. the opening the hard shoulders up, breakdowns and that. prince harry has spoken publicly particularly if it's of his "great sadness" at stepping down as a front—line member

of the royal family, after a weekend round a bend, driving a truck. in which buckingham palace announced the terms on which he and meghan the highways agency is sat will withdraw from royal duties. on top of the motorway. speaking last night at a function as i'm coming on, you can see everyone for his charity sentabale — slamming the brakes on, hazards on, the duke of sussex said the decision because there's a car stranded. to step back was a "leap but there's no indicating of faith," but insisted to say that lane one is shut. that he and his wife had been left with "no other option". prince harry said he loved in eight months, five stranded drivers have the uk and had hoped been killed on the smart to continue serving the queen, motorway by sheffield. without public funding, highways england has said it but it wasn't possible. will ensure there are emergency 0ur royal correspondent refuge areas every mile. daniela relph reports. in addition, they say, subject to funding, they will include stopped vehicle technology on any back on royal duty for now. the duke new smart motorways built after march this year. but claire is one of of sussex arrived for meetings with a growing number of people calling for smart african leaders at a summit in motorways to be banned until they can be made safer. london this morning. he also met the prime minister who took part in meetings at length between uk and africa but said nothing publicly. he it's akin to manslaughter to remove the hard shoulder. was more forthcoming last night at a it is. the motorway is a dangerous private dinnerfor his environment and to remove the main safety feature, you know, was more forthcoming last night at a private dinner for his charity. he was clearly at ease with his guests how can anybody think that that is going to improve the situation? including capaldi. it was here that it can only make it more dangerous. he spoke to speak publicly.

the department for including capaldi. it was here that he spoke to speak publiclylj including capaldi. it was here that he spoke to speak publicly. i want transport wouldn't comment until after the publication you to hear the truth from me as of a review into the safety much as i can share. not as a of smart motorways, which is expected shortly. princess or a duke but as harry. the judy hobson, bbc news. same person that you have watched grow up over the past 35 years but 110w grow up over the past 35 years but now with a clearer perspective. the uk is my home and i hope a place that i love. that will never change. the government has suffered its first defeat on the ee withdrawal i have grown up feeling supported from so many of you, and i watched bill. this is paving the way for the uk to leave the eu onjanuary the as he welcomed megan with open arms, sist. uk to leave the eu onjanuary the as he welcomed megan with open arms, 3ist. it uk to leave the eu onjanuary the 31st. it has been defeated over the as you saw me find the love and issue of eu citizens' rights. pearce happiness that i have hoped for all had voted by 270 to 279. —— peers. my life. finally, the second son of diana got hitched, hurray. the speech was personal with strong the government have wanted eu nationals to use a digital code which would demonstrate proof of the right to be here, but that's been hints of disappointment and frustration. we are not walking away defeated, the first government and we're certainly not walking away defeated, the first government defeat on the eu withdrawal bill in the house of lords. the vote went from you. i hope was to continue

serving the queen and commonwealth but without public funding. u nfortu nately but without public funding. unfortunately that wasn't possible. through earlier in the house of i have accepted this knowing that it commons by a large majority. all doesn't change who i am or how committed i am but i hope that helps you understand what i have come to. weapons have been banned and police that i would step my family back are searching people as they enter richmond's capitol square where from all we have ever known, to take hundreds of protesters have already gathered. this is an annual event. a step forward into what i hope can bea a step forward into what i hope can be a more peaceful life. for those with have yesterday there was strong support for the decisions he has gun owners and activists have been made. whether he has called the duke, h rjustice harry as he said frustrated by legislation passed by last night when he spoke as harry, he can shine a light on this issue and doa he can shine a light on this issue and do a lot of good for us and the democrats. children that our charity tries to serve. harry said it was his choice to step away from royal life, describing it as the only option. he china's president — xijinping — has said protecting and megan now have a year to make a people's lives should be the top

success and megan now have a year to make a success of it, free from the priority, as cases of a newly discovered pneumonia virus constraints of royal duty. in 12 tripled over the weekend. this afternoon, the head of the team months there will be a review of how investigating the outbreak told state television that human to human it has been working. what i think transmission has been confirmed, and some medical it's really interesting is that the staff had been infected. queen has left as many doors open as people are being urged not to panic. but sales of face masks are soaring, as china starts its busiest travel possible. everything is going to be period ahead of the lunar new year. subject to the 12 month review, so a special health screening points are appearing at china's train lot of this is going to be wait and stations and airports. there are now hundreds of patients infected with the see. there are so many, unresolved and unknown unknowns in this. harry could not have made it very —— much clearer that this is not the the authorities don't want millions of travellers to spread the disease solution that he wanted. soon he even further, with confirmed patients in the country. will make it home to canada with his at 35—year—old woman also became wife and baby son where he hopes he the latest international case as she arrived in south korea from wuhan. will leave a life of greater translation: the patient was identified in the quarantine phase, freedom. but will they get the and there has been no community exposure. those who have come into contact privacy and freedom they crave? the with her are currently being talk is of commercial deals, setting investigated. the seafood market in wuhan has been identified as the up talk is of commercial deals, setting upa talk is of commercial deals, setting possible source of the virus, up a production company and becoming brand ambassadors. harry has with scientists thinking it may have described this new way of working transferred from animals to people. the question though is how and living as a leap of faith. readily an infected person could then infect others. the world health organisation has

said that some limited human to human transmission seems to have happened via close contact. the chinese government says that it is doing everything it can police have launched an to control the coronavirus. investigation after a fire in a translation: since the start of this caravan. his father and brothers epidemic, china has taken an serious, earnest and professional suffered burns but escaped from the attitude towards dealing with it. ca rava n we have formulated a strict suffered burns but escaped from the caravan yesterday morning. the prevention and control plan. most health officials the bbc spoke to boarding trains in beijing seem government's plans to improve safety to believe that health officials had this under control. injails government's plans to improve safety in jails in government's plans to improve safety injails in english and england and translation: i'm not worried. i think our country's disease prevention system is reliable. wales is not enough. i have faith in the system. yes, we are worried. i have put a mask on my daughter. it will be fine. borisjohnson has set out... at a uk we should believe in our country and government. more than 700 died — africa summit in london, the prime minister said that this would be an and 8000 were infected end to preferential sub treatment following an initial cover—up of the 2002 sars outbreak here.

further european migrants. we have the chinese government seems to have at least a dozen... we have leaders learnt from this mistake and this time around is providing regular updates. however, some scientists have warned that there could still be many more from both of the traditional uk infected people who have not yet partners, the anglophone countries, but also from francophone countries been identified by the authorities. where the uk does not have a big footprint, and they say they have come here with a message to the uk government to say they are open for business. now they are open —— the addressing a uk africa investment summit in london the prime minister said the country's departure from uk is seen as a late entrant in what the eu would mean an end to is seen as a scramble for africa. in preferential treatment for european migrants. you will be pleased to places like russia and china there hear that one thing is changing, our has been aim to bring together more immigration system. it is an issue african leaders. the uk government says that it is now keen to send people have raised with me in the more money to buck investment on the past, but change is coming our continent. and what is making africa system has become fairer, and more is so attractive is their population equal. treating people the same wherever they come from. by putting growth indicates that a quarter of people before passports we will be

consumers will live in africa. here able to attract the best talent from they are striking deals and we are told that so far the private sector around the world, wherever they may in the uk private sector has signed be. the prime minister talking this deals to the tune of £6.5 billion morning. this is ben thompson who and that is still growing to the will bring you the latest business day. might make two men have been news, but first, the headlines: a lea ked news, but first, the headlines: a leaked report claims the hs2 rail link could end up costing up to £106 arrested after two men were stabbed billion. prince harry says he is to death after fighting in the taking a leap of faith in stepping back from being a senior royal, ilford area of london. danjohnson saying there was really no other option. the bbc director—general, reports a sunday night and an e. lord horgan announces he is standing down in the summer after seven years london st. three bodies lie in the in thejob. he is down in the summer after seven years in the job. he is to down in the summer after seven years in thejob. he is to become chairman of the national gallery. road. knives pulled in a fight that here's your business ended outside peoples homes. some had the disturbance just over three headlines on afternoon live. beale's, one of britain's oldest department store chains, delete after three o'clock and tried has gone into administration putting to save peoples lives. all their 1,300 jobs at risk. founded in 1881, the firm has been hands were scratched by the knife. i trying to negotiate rent reductions

with some of the owners of its 23 stores. those stores will continue to trade saw one knife in one hammer. there during the administration process. we re saw one knife in one hammer. there china — one of the world's were another two buddies laid there. biggest users of plastic — has announced plans to reduce single—use plastics across the country. police were running all over and non—degradable bags will be banned in major cities ambulances were running all over. by the end of 2020, and restaurants people were running all over. it was won't be allowed to give out plastic like something out of a horror straws by the end of this year. movie. it was horrific. i looked down at the floor and there was a intu, which owns some of the uk's biggest big knife. not a massive knife. shopping centres including manchester's trafford centre, and lakeside in essex has asked about this big. it was laid on the investors for more money. reports say it wants to tap floor cove red about this big. it was laid on the floor covered in blood. the main shareholders for up to £1bn amid a downturn in consumer spending road it was closed up to the railway station and here too. the police are and poor results from retailers. also examining the pavement in front of those shops and businesses. i think this shows that the disturbance started in one place and move through the area. that means the police have got a huge crime beale's going into administration scene to investigate. it was a fight having this morning. that's right and it's been on the cards for a while with the owner is trying to involving two groups of men. we believe those men are from the seek find some negotiation with landlords may be to reduce rents. that is becoming a familiar tale on the high community. an three people were

streets. and potentially a new buyer if they can close some of those fatally wounded. despite the best stores but keep the majority efforts of paramedics they were operational but that doesn't seem to announced dead at the scene. an be the case, confirming this morning absolutely tragic event to take place here. three young men have they are in administration. we can speak to tom stevenson now. let's lost their lives. we need to look at the causes. what led that to happen? talk beale's. a familiar tale. a once we get those, that's what we department store chain in the high need to concentrate on. police have street finding it tough. yes, that made progress to... much more to business isjust so difficult. it is an expensive format, department stores, a lot of pressure from the understand as to what sparked such a internet, a lot of pressure from violent incident. high rents, and a lot of pressure, also, from business rates, and indeed this is one of the things which beale's has been complaining about in the weeks leading up to news about the bbc, you will have seenin news about the bbc, you will have seen in earlier bulletins the news today's news of its administration. that the directed general lord hall saying it had no support from local authorities in terms of its business will be living in the summer, and rates. that's one of its biggest gripes. let's talk about a more you will see on your screen i want to bring you the person who is national story, that of hs2, leaked breaking the story he was here with reports suggesting the cost could me now. i hope it is more than you more than doubled, it could get even

higher. businesses looking at this think. you know where he is going. as well as everybody else, trying to he is going to the national gallery. work out what it means but then, it is interesting. it is another particularly businesses who would be involved in the construction. that's huge cultural institution in britain. it is a london based right. some of the heads of the institution. i think this shows that it has been some time in coming, his biggest construction and civil engineering companies, companies leaving. not the surprise everyone like mcalpine, today calling for hsz thought it was then? a lot of people thought it was then? a lot of people thought he was going to stick around to go ahead, despite this leaked until 2022, when he would mark the report saying the cost will spiral. centenary until 2022, when he would mark the ce nte nary of until 2022, when he would mark the centenary of the bbc. a lot of his that frankly cast doubt on the friends were surprised that he was future of h52, because at £106 leaving the bbc. but the fact that he is going to the national gallery billion potentially that's nearly means that this must have been in three times the original cost the works for some time. we are not estimate for hsz. the government has a very difficult decision to make. sure whatjob he is taking though. apparently it'll be making that decision within the next few weeks, no, but the fact that he is taken definitely before the budget on the thatjob means that there has been a 11th of march, probably in early long process there, and that the february, about whether hsz should board of the bbc were fully aware of go ahead. when we are talking of something on

what was going on here. it a that scale, tom, it's rare for such surprise that he was leaving the bbc, but clearly it has been some a huge infrastructure project to be potentially given the go—ahead. those firms will be needing to make time in the works. arts run through a lot of plans now about where they his blood. he came to the bbc from get staff from, where they get the the royal opera house. yes, he equipment from, where they get their raw materials from, and theyjust can't do that, and i expect that's stayed there for about 12 years. he one of the biggest issues for had a very senior position at the businesses. it's a really big deal. bbc. he came back to the bbc at a we are talking about 30,000 jobs, moment of crisis. he came back to 2000 apprenticeships. and this is a the bbc at a time of enormous multi—year project. it's already crisis. you remember the savile been pushed back. the second half of revelations, and the treatment of it, the line which runs from mcalpine which is one of the bbc‘s birmingham up to manchester and leeds, is now not due to be biggest areas of mistakes in their completed until 2040, even if it very long time. he stayed with the ship at that time and got the bbc does get the go—ahead. this is the next 20 years of contracts for these out of that. the seven years that he companies. it's a very big deal, has been in post have seen enormous yes. are you a fan of gin and tonic? changes in global media and enormous disruption, and i think the task for his successor will be partly to have i have had a couple. their figures, a big political argument with

westminster and make the case with a conservative government who led by fevertree's figures, suggesting... people who are very publicly not today, i suspect. have you had sceptical about the existence of a licence fee, and also navigating one in the last few minutes? simon that new world. trying to find ways would like to know. ben is right, to compete with netflix and amazon not today. their sales going, but and so on. the choice of his much more slowly than in the past. successor at the moment is with the and that is a real issue for them. bbc board. clementi is replaced in growth overseas but not in the uk? the year's time and then it becomes yes, go back to 2018, sales were a government appointment. there are growing at 40%. in 2019 they those suggesting that there is something trying to protect the role announced sales would grow byjust 10%. many companies would be from government and this does ensure that for a couple more years. delighted with 10% sales growth. but throughout history the bbc has expectations are so high with a lwa ys throughout history the bbc has always had a very intense and fevertree that profits are actually complex relationship with the going to be down in the yearjust finished. that has hit the share government. to some extent, it does price. the shares were highly valued ultimately depend on some amount of on expectations that the super growth could continue in the us, in good favour from government. ultimately depend on some amount of good favourfrom government. and when there is a government appointed europe, and in the uk. now it looks

like in all of those areas growth is to the chairmanship. that government appointed for the chairmanship will run the bbc board, but will probably slowing considerably, and so shareholders, investors have run for already have, a direct to general in the hills, really. the high place. which they could get rid of valuation they were prepared to if he or she was failing to perform. attach to fevertree, it'sjust not the case any more. thanks very much, but that person needs to be there for quite some time. the battle over a well and tonic after that. i've the licence fee comes up in 2027 just built my water everywhere! it's formally, but before then, there is gin, itold just built my water everywhere! it's gin, i told you. similar picture a big mid—term negotiation and lord across europe, actually, and it's been a funny day as far as the hall says that mac you've turned markets are concerned, because your phone over because you don't there's not been much in the way of trust me, but are there any more economic news. bits of corporate details? i have called several data coming out. we talked about people over the last few minutes. intu getting in touch with their investors for more money. all of the point is about anyone, is it a job that anyone would want? people this leaving the market pretty in the private sector are also subdued. 1 euro can buy you 85p. earning much more than they would in that role. and then there is this thanks very much. i will see you huge issue over the licences.

tomorrow. i'm off for a gin and that role. and then there is this huge issue over the licenceslj huge issue over the licences.” think one huge option would be to tonic. you still only for the last split the role. this is a uniquely one. it's blue monday, which a p pa re ntly one. it's blue monday, which apparently mocks the most depressing fast role. you have a chief day of the year, but for one man it's a day like any other. vernon executive role in terms of managing kruger has been sitting in a barrel a very big organisation. you have a for more than two months. he is commercial role in terms of the streaming was. you have an editorial trying to break a guinness book of role in terms of running bbc news. old. this was set by a much younger people might actually decide that man. it was him, back in 1997. —— he thatis people might actually decide that that is too big for one person. it is going to be a supremely difficult job. i think is going to be a supremely difficult job. i think it is going to be a supremely difficult job. i think it is difficult to speculate at this stage who will get is trying to break a guinness world thejob, but my speculate at this stage who will get the job, but my feeling is that it would depend on the political and record. the 52—year—old has been washing in a small basin and commercial circumstances on the few weeks and months running up to the surviving on food hoisted by a team appointment. so, if it is a few ina surviving on food hoisted by a team in a basket. he is due to come down weeks from now, just look at the today after 67 days, but his friends speech is coming out in may and june are convinced he will stay put, from the government. if the despite some very bad cramps. conservative majority government is probably because he has to clear out sceptical about the licence fee, what is at the bottom. that might increase the importance chuckles

sorry? why would you do that? he is for someone with political nous. trying to break a record. ok. you are finished. you should go.” if... alternatively may be somebody trying to break a record. ok. you are finished. you should go. i want to stay, what's next? i'll tell who can manage talent and staff. you... listen to this... it's would you do it? certainly not. and there is absolutely zero chance of showtime! that is transport for my being asked, which is a relief for licence payers around the london's worker who went viral after him announcing tlr chains in a country. thank you very much. these boxing commentator voice was posted online. —— dlr trains. he has been are headlines this afternoon. prince harry says he is taking a leap of faith in stepping back from being a contacted about the videos and is senior royal saying they were really now working in the boxing industry. was no other option. the bbc director—general announced he is it's quite nice to have a week which standing down in the summer after seven standing down in the summer after seve n years standing down in the summer after seven years in the jobs. he is predominantly dry for many. standing down in the summer after seven years in thejobs. he is going today, blue skies overhead across a to the national theatre. and in good part of england and wales, something much like this. further sports cocoa guff continues to north, this was edinburgh through the morning.

impress. serena williams is safely fruit through. he is excited by his much more in the way of cloud, and that they cloud is going young players after wrapping up innings at port elizabeth. and in to start to push its way southwards over the next few days. the six nations squad, saracens how pressure is in charge, but it works its way out towards the west of us, come out we start to bring the flow in the atlantic, confirmed the player broke his arm so will continue to see much cloudier disguise to the rest of the week. we can enjoy the sunshine today across england and wales. yesterday. the sunniest day overall, light winds here, further north, cloud thick enough offer few spots of rain in the west of scotland, i meant national gallery. that is and quite a breeze blowing where tony holley is going. just a across the hebrides and the far north. but it is here that we've got clarification there. the mildest of the conditions. temperatures into the evening rush hour are at around ten to 12 degrees, compared to just four or five celsius across parts of the midlands, illegal migration in small boats across the channel will continue southern england and wales. to be a challenge for law enforcement bodies, according to the national crime agency. these fronts will develop quite it says that gangs based in france quickly through tonight, mist and fog developing later. are working together though cloud will gradually to smuggle people into the uk, push its way southwards, and have developed their tactics lifting temperatures. to evade detection. always milder further north. last year, more than 18 hundred outbreaks of rain across western parts of scotland and well clear

migrants made it across the channel, of a thrust, especially away mainly in inflatable dinghies. colin campbell is in dover. from eastern parts of scotland. so, into the morning, gusts around across the south, but also the chance of some dense yes, welcome to dover. a major fog patches for the morning commute across parts of central southern gateway in and out of europe for passengers on train. last year it england and wales in particular. also became a landing to stay nation for hundreds of migrants trying to get across the english channel in anyway, really from the south small boats. they say it is a big midlands southwards, there could be a bit of a sluggish journey to work, low visibility challenge trying to stop the small and of course a longer commute. boats heading in this direction. a but it will take a while for some of that to shift. further north, a lot more cloud dinghy arrives in a kent beach. it around compared to what we've seen through today so far. there will be some breaks. is summer. these are migrants who eastern parts of england and eastern have just crossed the channel. 0n parts of wales in particular. still fairly cloudy through scotland and northern ireland, a greater chance of some rain through the highlands, and far north is where occasions, up to ten launched temperatures are still highest simultaneously from french beaches. here where you've got the fog lingering. about three or 4 degrees in the afternoon. big picture then, tuesday night and into wednesday, there is some evidence of a search we've got quite a bit of a nasty area of low pressure that has tactic and it is a possibility that they think if they make a large been affecting spain and portugal recently. for us, we will be still under that number of departures in a particular area of high pressure further north, day, at least some of them are and it isjust going to be a case likely to get through, some are of finding the gaps in the cloud

as we go through the day. likely to get through, some are likely to get through, some are likely to evade law enforcement where you've seen any french law enforcement on the french through the night into wednesday coast. in 2018, iwitness morning, a touch of frost, one or two mist or fog patches, french law enforcement on the french but overall, the milder air coast. in 2018, i witness the start of the crossings. it is a desperate is starting to win out. more of these temperatures race to try and get to the uk for into double figures. that continues for these people. we also expose the thursday and friday. a greater chance though, especially by night of a little bit criminals drumming up these lists of rain working its way southwards. mostly it will be dry, but into this and camps. weekend and marked change. windier conditions return, bit more sunshine, plenty of showers, and this time milder in the south. translation: -- there and camps. translation: —— there is no evidence ofa mr translation: —— there is no evidence of a mr big controlling the immigrations, and sometimes migrants organise it themselves. unable to today at five — prince harry speaks for the first pay smugglers, massoud did just time, since announcing he'll stand that. he bought an inflatable cali down from being a full—time royal. and paddled across the channel. the "no other option" — "a leap of faith" — ships and the waves and together the and "sad" at having to step down waves we re ships and the waves and together the waves were more than three metres. as a front—line member it was just... to save my life. of the royal family — prince harry talks of his regret. waves were more than three metres. it wasjust... to save my life. i was paddling for more than nine are helpless to continue serving the

hours. the english channel can be a queen, the commonwealth and my treacherous stretch of water. last military associations but without public funding. -- our hope was to year, more than 1800 migrants reach continue. unfortunately that was not the uk and small boats. 0f possible. year, more than 1800 migrants reach the uk and small boats. of that number hundred and 25 were sent back to either france or other european we'll be speaking to the boss of invictus games — a project prince harry has already countries. the majority coming guranteed his continuiing commitment to. the other main stories across the sea were from iran. 63% on bbc news at 5... of iranians were granted asylum on their first try. many more won an appeal. a spike in arrivals in the summer appeal. a spike in arrivals in the summer prompted tough talk from the prime minister. we will send you back. and the uk should not be regarded as a place where you can automatically come. they are going to make this journey. automatically come. they are going to make thisjourney. the people we see coming across in these boats have strong claims. they are likely to be successful. they are confident that numbers will print reduce and

it won't get easier to cross after brexit. as well as investigating the criminals behind at the national crime agency say they are trying to prevent small boats heading in this direction by trying to cut off the supply of inflatable dinghies to the criminal gangs based in northern france. they are trying to do that by working with french french, belgian, and dutch police. they are trained to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. they do say that smugglers are having to travel much further afield to get hold of the dinghies and boats. we are now joined by dave wood. thank you for joining us. why do you think this has become such a popular method method of trying to get the uk?m cali it makes it far more difficult

to get in on lorries. it is a more highly successful route. organised crime have never facilitated this, and those who can get in boats to ci’oss and those who can get in boats to cross the channel most of them do get to the uk and does successful to remain in the uk. what do you make of the efforts to try to stop and deter it? the question is it depends on their agencies in france and belgium and holland. the real problem is that when we intercept these migrants in the channel we tend to bring them to the uk. if we return them to france it would deter the motivation quite quickly. that really seems to me to be the solution. obviously, that involves some bilateral discussions with france in the uk to bring that as an approach. i don't think brexit will

have an immediate impact, and presumably they will have the same status as than the rest of the world. there may be some who then wish to return to the uk and won't be able to get here by traditional means so be able to get here by traditional means so they will use some of these clandestinely it's in the future. this morning, 12 migrants were rescued at to sea in a small boat just off the coast of france. 0n board the small boat with two women and child all suffering from hypothermia. they were taken back to france and i said to be safe well. many people lost their lives trying to get to the uk trying to get here in small boats. agencies fear there may be further met mortalities in 2020. well, a new in—depth online bbc briefing policy guide on immigration is published today, launching two days of special coverage on the issue. this is an enormous project which

has been put together over a number of months.. if you are writing an essay on immigration download this. peer reviewed, and lots of people from the outside have been involved. the whole idea is to put the facts out there rather than myths so that people can look at this in detail if they have got really complex details about migration in the shape of it. it is that their warts and all. so we are not trying to whitewash this picture. what does it tell us about the trend in the uk? lets start with this graph here and an example of some of the data you will see in it. going back almost 50 years, we can see that there are effectively two forms of migration in the uk. from the rest of the world, the commonwealth in places like that and then the eu. that is the blue line. up then the eu. that is the blue line. up until about 1991. some migration from poorer parts of the world. look what happens after the 1990s. let's

just animate that on. you start to rootsy rises. the reason for that is twofold. first is the end of communism. much more movement from asia into europe. secondly, changes within the eu and the creation of freedom of movement. after 2004, the picture becomes more complex because the poorer, eastern european countriesjoin the poorer, eastern european countries join the eu, the poorer, eastern european countriesjoin the eu, leading to this big rise in eu net migration. that drops off after the referendum, partly because of the referendum result, and partly because of the strength of the economy is in the east. so this is a really evolving picture. how does that match up with the perception of what is going on? the perception is a really interesting thing if you look at the data on this. this is really in recent study which has people about the proportion of migrants in the

uk. the average was 24%. people thought that the population was 24% immigrant. actually, it works out about 14%, about 9 million people. so actually... sometimes migrants are taking more benefits than —— people think that maggots are taking more benefits. it is a very complex picture. referendum, brexit debate, people are concerned. what about the government policy. this is the big policy in the coming months. an australian style points based system to control immigration. we don't know exactly what that is going to look like at the moment. the australian system is about two

things. skills, butare australian system is about two things. skills, but are end the deliberate policy in australia about expanding their population. clearly, oui’ expanding their population. clearly, our government does not want to do that. but they need to think about if they are putting this in place what are the priorities going to be. will it be a salary cap for example. these are the questions that need to be asked. it is not clear exactly what it is going to look like. be asked. it is not clear exactly what it is going to look likem what it is going to look like. it is fascinating. thank you very much. you can find out about our immigration system by going to our website. 0r or you 0ryou can or you can download the briefing guide.

the health authorities in china are scrambling to stop the spread of a new pneumonia—like virus as millions of people prepare to travel for chinese new year. the wuhan health commission has confirmed a third person has died after contracting coronavirus, and china has just confirmed 217 cases in total of the virus. now south korea has also confirmed it's first case of the disease — a 35—year—old chinese woman has been isolated by the authorities after she had travelled from wuhan to incheon airport on sunday. and, there are fears the virus might spread to hong kong too. we don't know much of the features of the virus. we don't have much information as to how it's being transmitted, what is the source of the virus, how severe it is, so there is still a lot to learn. however, the good thing is it has been identified very quickly. china has shared a genetic sequence of the virus. that has helped other countries to test people. we have

heard of cases injapan and korea. so it is obviously something everybody needs to monitor. we need to understand, really, how many people will get severely ill. we had a couple of casualties, as you mentioned in your report, so clearly we are trying to work with countries to help them monitor and detect this virus and treat those who get sick. lets ta ke lets take a look at the weather. we are extreme in every shape and form. look at the size of those hailstones there. you would really want to take shelter from hailstones that size. causing all sorts of damage across the capital, as we went through monday here, you can see the water splashing away, and the size of those hailstones. if you think it does damage, look at the cars, can you imagine that? and having an

impact on people, as well. dangerous conditions there. that comes on the back of the extreme heat wave they have been experiencing. whilst we've seen have been experiencing. whilst we've seen welcome rain across australia, it is still pretty dry on the ground elsewhere, and that same storm system, head of it, whipped up this massive dust cloud. very big issue here. this one looks scary enough from the air, take a look at what happened down on the ground. it turned from day tonight. that is mid afternoon. is that dust storm rattles across parts of new south wales. temperatures are rising a little bit, but they are more into normal conditions now, with storms, a bit of warmth, some dry weather, and storms again. whatever normal is. that's australia, what about us?

high pressure built during the weekend. look at this, lovely for some this afternoon, once again, sunshine, blue skies overhead, but not the same everywhere... this is edinburgh, early on today cloud pushing in. that cow to the north—west with high pressure in the south, then drifting its way to the atlantic. —— that cloud to the north—west. if you have blue skies today, probably the sunniest day of the week. continued sunshine for england and wales. further cloud in the north. some splashes of drizzle in the highlands and islands. 0ver the next few days we have the mildest conditions, between ten and 12 degrees as we start the evening rush—hour, compared to five celsius further south. 0nce rush—hour, compared to five celsius further south. once you have lost the sun, a frost will develop. mist and fog patches. more cloud for northern england and the midlands. the mildest of all in the north—west of scotla nd the mildest of all in the north—west of scotland again with breeze continuing. to go with the frost in the south to start tomorrow, if you

are journeying by car be aware, there will be dense patches of fog around. from the south midlands to the south coast, those areas are most at risk. the fog will take a while to shift, a couple of spots lasting all the way through to lunch time. away from that, sunshine in the south, but cloud drifting southwards across england and wales generally. a few glances of sunshine here and there. maybe sometime to the east of scotland. that cloud the north and north—west scotland. still a bit ofa north and north—west scotland. still a bit of a breeze there, too. mildest in the north, and the further south you are the colder it will be. there will be stormy conditions across spain. high pressure still with us. things fairly quiet for us as a result. grey and muggy for many parts of the country. cloud breaks are difficult to pick out, more likely to the east of high grounds, eastern parts of scotla nd of high grounds, eastern parts of scotland and england. could see some sunshine. temperatures lifting widely into double figures. we will continue that theme as we enter

thursday and friday. a few splashes of rainfor thursday and friday. a few splashes of rain for northern ireland and northern england, especially. most will be dry and cloudy. this weekend, a marked change, more wind, more sunshine, but with its showers, and this time it'll be cold in the north. goodbye for now. 0ur our latest headlines:

a leak of a government—commissioned review suggests the hs2 high speed rail link could end up costing £106 billion. prince harry speaks out for the first time since deciding to stand back from royal duties — telling of his "great sadness" — but insisting he had no other option. tony hall is to step down as director general of the bbc in the summer, after seven years in the role. a murder investigation starts in north—east london after three men were stabbed to death last night — two men have been arrested campaign are so smart motorways should not be opened until there is technology to pick out damaged vehicles and debris. —— campaigners say. last year we all got very excited about an unheard of teenager called

coco gauff at wimbledon last year. it was her first appearance in a grand slam. she knocked out serena williams. she was box office for a week. she still has not reached her 16th birthday, that's not until march, she has been at it again at the australian open. she beat williams in the first round. 7—6, 6-3. williams in the first round. 7—6, 6—3. she's not even spent two years on tour, but already she is dreaming my mission is to win as many grand slams as possible. for today, my mission was to win. i did not want to let the nerves succumb to me. there were a couple of set points, she played it well, i knew i had to ta ke she played it well, i knew i had to take it from her, she wasn't going to give it to me, so that was... today has been the best match i've played so far this year. i was more focused. today really showed what i worked on in my off season.

coco gauff described venus williams as her idol. clearly there was no room for sentiment in this game. she will probably play again on wednesday, whether permitting. what news of the brits over there? two of them very frustrated, mainly by the weather. the tournament was dominated by air quality issues because of the bushfires. there has been some rain, that has helped the pollution, but it's not conducive to good tennis. kyle edmund, she was leading in her match —— he was leading in her match —— he was leading in her match —— he was leading in his match, but it got colder. evans seeded at the slam for the first time, he came through to set upa the first time, he came through to set up a second—round meeting. it was a difficult match. it started slowly, but... lucky for me it was a

five set match, and i could sort of unravel the puzzle in the end and get through. it's the first match where i've not started great. pretty proud to come back and get through that match. it's not easy, mentally, to keep pushing through. you know, i was down all the time. elsewhere, the defending men's champion novak djokovic is going for a record, and eightth australian title. the defending women's champion also through, along with serena williams, the american needed less tha n serena williams, the american needed less than an hour to win her match 6-0, 6-3, less than an hour to win her match 6—0, 6—3, she said it was a good stepping stone for the rest of the tournament. joe root says having young players stepping up is an exciting place to be after going to have one up in their series against south africa, despite a standing of 99. they won

in port elizabeth. tobit was understandably happy with their performance. right from the start, the opening partnerships at the game up. ——joe the opening partnerships at the game up. —— joe root was. the opening partnerships at the game up. ——joe root was. they the opening partnerships at the game up. —— joe root was. they were different conditions. still challenging in many ways, it was quite difficult to score. we did not let them back in. there were times when things did not happen as fluently when things did not happen as flu e ntly as when things did not happen as fluently as we would have liked, but the partnership between ben stokes and ollie pope or something else. really pleasing for ben to continue with the form he has been in. for a young lad to go through different gears at different stages, and to really show everybody, you know, he has shown glimpses of it already, but show everybody that he belongs in this arena and on this stage. rugby now, england have named their squad for the six nations with eight uncapped players, but no place for dan cole orjack noel, piers francis, and billy vunipola. eddie

jones has no specialist number eight in the squad ahead of their opener in parisa in the squad ahead of their opener in paris a week on sunday. more for you in the next hour. thanks very much. lord hall is to leave as director—general of the bbc in the summer. he is going to the national gallery as chair. we just had a press statement from the national gallery. they said they are delighted to announce that he's been announced as chairman of the board. he will take over from sir announced as chairman of the board. he will take overfrom sirjohn kingman. he has served on the gallery board already since november 2019. his commitment to public access to culture is well known, we

look forward to working with him, says the statement. and this will last until 2024. he will then be able to serve longer after the prime minister's says so. —— pro minister's says so. —— pro minister's consideration. let's get more on the revelation that the hs2 high speed rail link could end up costing as much as £106 billion, according to leaks of a government commissioned review. the report, which has been seen by the financial times, also recommends that the second phase of the project — linking birmingham to manchester and leeds — should be paused to see whether conventional rail lines could be used instead. kevin hollen rate is a fan of the project. hejoins me now from westminster. does that figure ring true? i haven't seen the report but i've heard about the leaks, and that may well be the case. i think most people anticipated that the bill would be higher, but nevertheless,

if hs2, if there is a decision now to stop it, you will still see it from london to birmingham. that will happen anyway. it would be the worst of all worlds if this project was suspended. you are saying we are too far down the track to change our minds? yes, this a good case for h52 anyway, this is not about connecting the north to the south, it's about connecting the regions. we want a super connected north but it is point is doing that if we aren't going to connect the north to the rest of the country. £106 billion, we could go to space and back for that! the cost is getting ridiculous, isn't it? it is taxpayers money. you need to look at these things carefully. that would cost about £2 billion a year in interest payments. the calculator benefits of hs2 are around £15 billion a year, so you need to look at this in the context of a levelling up right across the uk to make sure the north has productivity

improvements. and the prosperity improvements. and the prosperity improvements that we all want to see. it is the south, london particularly, london is two and a half times more productive, two and a half times more prosperous in terms of average incomes compared to the north. we've got to spend some serious money and making sure the connectivity is there, so that the north can play its part in the future of the uk beyond brexit.“ you talk to anybody in the north the issueis you talk to anybody in the north the issue is not so much getting to london, it is connectivity in the north, shall be the money should be spent there. that is the point i made earlier. if you go from leeds to birmingham by train it is two hours. with this it'll be 49 minutes. from manchester to birmingham by train it is currently one and three quarters hours, it will be 40 minutes. it is the interregional connectivity which is the real case, the economic case, for hs2. the real case, the economic case, for h52. why not ditch the london to birmingham bitand for h52. why not ditch the london to birmingham bit and just concentrate on the northern bit? that would be ludicrous. we need to be able to

access the capital. the capital needs to be able to access the regions. that's how it works. it's expensive, of course, but how is it that germany, that france, that japan can deliver these projects? how do we get the figures so wrong? fair point. you've got to be careful with taxpayers money, of course, but nevertheless, we cannot continue to run our railways on victorian infrastructure. that's what we are doing, that's why we are seeing delays and cancellations right across the north because of the growth in population numbers, because we need to invest in the north. we can't just because we need to invest in the north. we can'tjust invest in the north. we can'tjust invest in the north and not the rest of the country. everybody believes that the northern powerhouse rails is a good idea, all the way from east to the west coast, connecting all of the northern cities, but half of that infrastructure is delivered through hs2. infrastructure is delivered through hsz. the infrastructure is delivered through hs2. the two things are interconnected, they are symbiotic, need it all. kevin hollinrake, thank you forjoining us.

the headlines: the hs2 project could cost u p the headlines: the hs2 project could cost up to £106 billion. more on that coming up. a leap of faith and stepping back from being a senior royal for prince harry, stepping back from being a senior royalfor prince harry, he said there was no other option. the bbc director—general, lord hall, announces he is standing down after seven announces he is standing down after seve n years announces he is standing down after seven years in the job and will take the topjob at seven years in the job and will take the top job at the national gallery. here's your business headlines on afternoon live. beale's has gone into administration. the firm had been trying to renegotiate production with some of its owners of the 23 stores it operates. those stores will continue to trade during the

administration process. china, one of the world's biggest users of plastic, has announced plans to reduce single—use plastics across the country. none degradable bags will be banned in major cities by the end of 2020 and restaurants won't be allowed to give out plastic straws by the end of the year. intu has asked investors for more money. reports say it wants to tap shareholders up for £1 billion because of poor results from retailers. costs, hs2, heading north. this is fascinating. recently i went to birmingham to the other end of this first stage. work there is clearly under way. i spoke to the chief executive then. i said cost and timing overruns, this will

happen at a much bigger expense, and it'll take a lot longer to deliver. their issue is that this isn't necessarily about speed, this is about capacity. they say, yes, all of them headlines about numbers, and about how quickly you can get to where you want to go, but this is about capacity. the rail lines are too full. but £106 billion! but then they have a problem calling it hs2. they wanted to call it high capacity two. but that's not as catchy. it will still be £106 billion. yes, and i know you've been talking about connecting centres and businesses weighing into this, as well, because it has issues for them too. as we heard there, some of the issues are about cost, some are about speed, some about capacity, all the while businesses saying they cannot plan. what do you make of this? uncertainty is what is hampering

business investment on the project as it is. we have seen quite a few leaks now of the report or parts of it, which is damaging to the eventual outcome. what we need government to do now is publish the report and crucially respond to it, as well. give a clear path forward as well. give a clear path forward as to what will happen with hsz. lots of speculation about whether those stretch beyond birmingham. about getting to leeds, manchester, whether they would be delayed even more. given where you are coming from, i imagine that would be disastrous for the north of england. very much so. we are only seeing delays which are going to take the project further and further down the line. what we need now is a decision, and some progress being made. but, actually, how we integrate with the northern powerhouse, as kevin was talking about, how that integrates with the east—west connectivity from liverpool to hull is absolutely

crucial. spending some time on how to integrate with the northern powerhouse rail is important. we need to do that as a matter of urgency to really realise the benefits that can come out of this. and all of this talk about cost is right. cost is crucial. we cannot let the project go way beyond where it should be. however, the benefits of doing this far outweigh the cost. this is a once in a generation situation. we can redo the economy of the country. we can make the north as prosperous as the south. we can create business opportunities right around the country. what do you want to see happen next? you are talking about decisions being made, but we've also heard about the idea ofa but we've also heard about the idea of a connection between liverpool, leeds, and manchester is what is so desperately needed. very much so. you have stood on piccadilly's platforms with us and spoke to businesses about what they want, and they spell it out in very clear terms, that without that connectivity they cannot grow, they cannot invest in the way they want

to. we have stories of businesses based in manchester and newcastle going to london because it is far easier to go to one of those other cities. that urgently needs to be addressed. the prime minister is committed to leeds manchester, three days after he became prime minister, but what about the rest of the network? we need to urgently address that. and we need to integrate it with hsz. we produced a report last year to show you how to do that, a road map on connecting the two, and crucially how you can start working on that project very soon indeed. thanks very much. a quick look at the numbers. i mentioned intu, the retail downturn taking its toll. asking for £1 billion. and stagecoach, part of the west coast main line, it was banned from bidding, they are suing the government as a result. more details later on. thanks very much.

campaigners say smart motorways which sometimes use the hard shoulder as a traffic lane should not open without technology which detects broken down vehicles. smart motorways a re detects broken down vehicles. smart motorways are designed to get traffic moving but a disclaimer nine people were killed last year after ha rd people were killed last year after hard shoulders were used for traffic. a report from our correspondent follows. this is the m1 near sheffield. it's a smart motorway. overhead signs regulate the traffic on the hard shoulder has been converted to a fourth lane. injune, jason mercer was driving on this stretch of road when he had a minor collision. there is a sign a bit further up saying the next era, emergency refuge area, is a mile away. but where they were, there was nowhere safe. there was a barrier stopping them getting the vehicles further over, and then a sheer drop. with no hard shoulderjason and the other driver got out of their cars on the inside lane. a lorry hit them, killing them both. he was with me at eight o'clock

and he was dead by 8:15. crucially, the lane that jason had stopped and had not been closed to traffic. according to the aa, it takes an average of 17 minutes for the control room, run by highways england, to pick up on a broken down vehicle. and that means it's not safe for them to recover stranded motorists. we contact the customer to say, we can't stop, where you are, because it's in a live lane, so we will contact the highways agency and then we will go to a safe area and wait for the vehicle to be delivered there by the highways agency. stopped vehicle technology is available, and would alert the control room to a breakdown. but it is only in place on two sections of the m25. no other smart motorway in the country has it. these lorry drivers say that is a worry. i don't really rate the opening the hard shoulders up, breakdowns and that. particularly if it's round a bend, driving a truck.

the highways agency is sat on top of the motorway. as i'm coming on, you can see everyone slamming the brakes on, hazards on, because there's a car stranded. but there's no indicating to say that lane one is shut. in eight months, five stranded drivers have been killed on the smart motorway by sheffield. highways england has said it will ensure there are emergency refuge areas every mile. in addition, they say, subject to funding, they will include stopped vehicle technology on any new smart motorways built after march this year. but claire is one of a growing number of people calling for smart motorways to be banned until they can be made safer. it's akin to manslaughter to remove the hard shoulder. it is. the motorway is a dangerous environment and to remove the main safety feature, you know, how can anybody think that that is going to improve the situation? it can only make it more dangerous.

the department for transport wouldn't comment until after the publication of a review into the safety of smart motorways, which is expected shortly. judy hobson, bbc news. joining me now is the head of road policy at the rac, nicholas lyes. just explain to those who are perhaps not fully aware of what will happen, these smart motorways, you don't have a hard shoulder at all? that's right. all lane running motorways where the hard shoulder has been removed and permanently turned into a running lane. the difference is you will have a refuge area and up to half a mile apart. difference is you will have a refuge area and up to half a mile apartm area and up to half a mile apartm a car breaks down, if there is a minor accident, car is pulled over, immediately the name will be shut, but there is a time lag isn't there?

—— the lane. but there is a time lag isn't there? -- the lane. yes, in some circumstances it can take between 20 minutes from when the car breaks down and when the lane is actually closed. 20 minutes! i've been speaking to police officers. they have said they won't drive on them. lots of people are feeling these motorways a re lots of people are feeling these motorways are not safe. the actual evidence suggests they are as safe as conventional motorways with a ha rd as conventional motorways with a hard shoulder. the concerns we have isa hard shoulder. the concerns we have is a motoring organisation is what happens when a vehicle breaks down. because a vehicle that breaks down that cannot make it to a refuge area automatically there is a much greater risk of them being in a collision. what is the policy? will you still attend a car that has said it has broken down in a smart motorway area? if the vehicle is in a refuge area we will attend to the vehicle. if it is on the live lane we will only send out patrols if highways england or the police or both of them have closed the lane and are protecting the lane. but you don't have a hard shoulder in which

to reach them. you will be stuck in the traffic like everybody else? that's right. it will take time for us that's right. it will take time for us to get there in many instances. and highways england will make sure the vehicle is removed to an area of relative safety. that could be a refuge area or a slip road. some people have died as a result of this. is this a real risk to motorists? we have concerns about smart motorways. we had these concerns for many years. as the government is doing this review, we advise them to look at a few areas where they can make this more say. we wa nt where they can make this more say. we want to see more emergency refuge areas. we think 1.6 miles distance between each area is too far apart. we also want to see the latest technology used on all stretches. we'd also like to see the closed read signs in force because we believe they are very important. thanks very much. let's take a look at the weather.

blue skies like this in york and repeated very much over england and wales. cloudier in northern ireland to finish the day, particularly in the west with spots of drizzle. breezy in scotland compared to the rest of the country. but with this wind coming off the atlantic this is where the evening temperatures will be at the highest, around 12 degrees, compared to 4 degrees in the south and quickly turn into a frost once the sun has gone down. more cloud will drift south overnight. temperatures lifting for some across wales, northern england, and the midlands. staying frosty and southern areas. and we could see some dense patches of fog around for tomorrow morning's commute. parts of southern england and mid and south wales, it could be a problematic rush hour. some fog lingering at all rush—hour. cloud amounts increasing across england and wales today. the best of any cloud breaks is in the east on higher ground.

this is afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. hs to curse head further north as it's reported that spending could hit 100 billion pounds. prince harry pete speaks out for the first time after standing back from royal duties telling of his great sadness. i want you to hear the truth from me, as much as i can share. not as a prince, or a me, as much as i can share. not as a prince, ora duke, but me, as much as i can share. not as a prince, or a duke, but as harry. the same that you have watched grow up over the past 35 years. a murder investigation starts in north—eastern london after three men we re north—eastern london after three men were stabbed last night. the end of an episode. tony hall announces he

will step down after seven years in thejob. he is going to the national gallery. a rain interrupted day at the australian tennis when coco gauff was knocked out by venus williams to reach the second round of the grand slam. to be an assignment some of us have enjoyed a dry spell since mid—september. will it last though, and where in the world a re it last though, and where in the world are we seeing things a bit more extreme. more detail on that in the next half hour. also coming up. we are going to meet the south african man who is going to beat the world record for sitting in a barrel 600 feet above the ground.

supporters say it will help better connect to the uk. some critics fear it will destroy the unit —— the countryside. now it is feared that an hs2 could cost £106 billion. a pause in the second phase to northern england so that experts can consider using conventional lines instead. going nowhere quickly.. yet another pause has been considered for the north of england. it has been suggested that the final price tag could be bigger than the education budget at £106 billion. it was supposed to split at birmingham with two branches going to manchester enter leeds. this review suggests that finding out whether a

mix of high—speed and conventional trains could be used for the upper sections instead. in london and the south gets whatever it once, and thenit south gets whatever it once, and then it is about penny pinching in then it is about penny pinching in the north. i would say this to the prime minister and the government today. this is the first big test of your commitment to the north of england, that we're watching very closely. in my mind, there is no justification at all for doing one thing between london and birmingham and then doing something different in the north. might make business leaders in their north are jumping at the bit for better connections. in many respects it will be better than some of the... other cities public have more to gain the manchester does. connection from the capital to manchester is already good. manchester has been a massive success story good. manchester has been a massive su ccess story over good. manchester has been a massive success story over the past ten yea rs. success story over the past ten years. i think leeds, sheffield and others will benefit from the opening up others will benefit from the opening up of the north to very short train

journeys into the capital. the prime minister is under pressure. many of his own mps think that money would be better spent on quicker and smaller projects. drags more economic activity down to london, and the places that have been left behind will be even further left behind. the idea to press on with the project is not really about connections to london. it is about taking pressure off the existing system, commutertrains, taking pressure off the existing system, commuter trains, and letting them get on with the high—speed trains development across england. the final because it is now sitting at three times the original estimate. a decision will be made within weeks. prince harry has spoken publicly about his great sadness of stepping down from the

royalfamily over sadness of stepping down from the royal family over the terms on which he and meghan will step back from royal duties. he has described it as a leap of faith. back on royal duty for now. the dupe of cancer six arrived for a meeting with african leaders at a summit this morning. he also met the prime minister and took pa rt also met the prime minister and took part about meetings in the uk and africa but said nothing publicly. he was more forthcoming last night had a private dinnerfor his was more forthcoming last night had a private dinner for his charity. he was clearly at dinner with guests including the singer lewis capaldi. it was here he chose to speak publicly for the first time about decisions he has made.” publicly for the first time about decisions he has made. i want you to hear the truth from me as much as i can share. not as a prince or a duke but as harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the next 35 years but now with

a clearer perspective. the uk is my home. and a place that i love. that will never change. i have grown up feeling supported from so many of you, and! feeling supported from so many of you, and i watched as he welcomed meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that i had hoped for all my life. finally, the second son of diana got hitched. hurray. the speech was personal with strong hints of disappointment and perhaps frustration. what i want to make clear is we are not walking away. and we simply are not walking away. and we simply are not walking away from you. our hope was to continue serving the queen, the commonwealth and main military associations but without public funding. unfortunately, that wasn't possible. i have accepted this knowing that it doesn't change who i am 01’ knowing that it doesn't change who i am or how committed i am. i hope

that helps you understand what it had come to that i would step my family back from all i have ever known to take a step forward into what i hope can be a more peaceful life. for those with harry yesterday there was strong support for the decisions he has made. whether he is called the duke orjust harry, as he said last night when he spoke as harry, he can shine a light on this issue and do a lot of good for us and for the children that our charity tries to serve. harry said it was his choice to step away from royal life, describing it as the only option. he and ben dent have a year to make a success of it. they are free from the constraints of royal duty. in 12 months there will bea royal duty. in 12 months there will be a review and how it is working. what i think is interesting about the agreement that has been reached is that the queen has left as many

doors open as possible. everything will be subjected to this 12 month review. there are so many unresolved and unknown unknowns in this. harry could not have made it any clearer that this is not the solution he wanted. soon he will return to canada with his wife and baby son, where he hopes he will lead a more private life with greater freedom. but will they get the privacy and freedom they crave. the talk of a commercial deal, setting up a production company and becoming brand ambassadors. harry has described this new way of working and living as a leap of faith. two men aged 29 and 39 have been arrested on suspicion of murder after three men were stabbed to death after fighting in the ilford area of north—east of non—london. police say that they were known to each other end of the seat

community. a sunday night in an e. london st and three bodies lie in the road. the latest victims of violence, knives pulled outside of peoples puzzle ‘s home. this man tried to save lives. a knife wound to the shoulder in the chest and head wound was damaged. the hands we re by head wound was damaged. the hands were by the knife. i saw one knife and one hammer. there were two bodies laid there. police were running all over and ambulances all over. people were running all over. it was ad like something out of a horror movie. absolutely horrific. i look down on the floor and there was a big knife. nota look down on the floor and there was a big knife. not a massive one, but may be this big. it was on the floor covered in blood. the main road is closed right up to the railway

station and the parallel residential street is taped up to. police are also examining the pavement in front of those shops and businesses. i think this shows that the disturbance started in one place and then moved through the area. as the police have got a huge crime scene to investigate. we believe the men are from the seat community. the result of that those fights is that three people were fatally wounded. despite the best efforts of paramedics on the scene they were pronounced dead at the scene. the consequences are clear. three young men have lost their lives. we have to look at the causes. what led that to look at the causes. what led that to happen?. 0nce to look at the causes. what led that to happen?. once we get those, that is what we need to concentrate on. two men are being questioned on suspicion of murder, but there is much more evidence together and much more to understand about what sparked such a violent incident with

such a deadly result. the bbc director—general tony hall has announced he will step down over the summer. he is taking a topjug at the national gallery. our media correspondent gave us this interview on the move. it is another huge cultural institution in britain, it isa cultural institution in britain, it is a london based institution. it shows that it has been some time in coming his leaving the bbc. white maxing another surprise yvonne thought it was then? the fact that he is leaving the bbc as a surprise because a lot of people thought he would stick around until 2022 when he would mark the centenary of the bbc. and a lot of his friends were surprised that he was leaving the bbc. but the fact that he is going to the national gallery means that this must have been in the works for

some time. we are not sure what job he is taking. no not yet. but he must have been going through a process there, and whilst going through that process must have made the board of the bbc fully aware of what was going on here. so, it was something of a surprise that he was leaving the bbc, but merely for tony hall it has been some time in the works. mike mackie came from the royal opera house. answering his blood. he spent quite a long time at the royal opera house. he had a very senior position at the bbc, and he came back to the bbc at the moment of some crisis. he had won substantial plaudits for making it more sub accessible. he came at a time of crisis. you remember the savile revelations in the treatment of lord mccarthy which was one of the bbc public mistakes biggest

m ista kes the bbc public mistakes biggest mistakes in a very long time. he got the bbc out of the headlines for the wrong reasons. in those years we have seen wrong reasons. in those years we have seen enormous wrong reasons. in those years we have seen enormous changes in global media and enormous disruption. i think the task for his successor will be partly down to a political argy argument with westminster, with argy argument with westminster, with a conservative majority government led by people who are very sceptical about the existence of a licence fee, and also navigating that new world. trying to find new ways to raise money to compete with netflix and amazon and apple. the choice of his successor at the moment is with the board and clementi. he is replaced in a few years time and thenit replaced in a few years time and then it becomes a government appointment. there are suggestions that there is something trying to protect the role from government and this ensures that for a couple of yea rs. this ensures that for a couple of years. throughout its history, the bbc has always had this very strange

and intense, uniquely british relationship with the government. it serves the government rather than the state broadcaster but to some extent it is closely linked with the government. when there is a government. when there is a government appointed to the chairmanship. that government appointees will run the bbc board, but will probably already have a director—general in place which they could get rid off if he or she is failing to perform, but it is likely that that next director—general needs to be there for quite some time. the next battle over the licence fee comes up in 2027, but before then, in 2022 there is a mid—term negotiation, and lord hall says that someone else should lead the bbc through that. i have called several people in the last ten minutes. the point is, is it is a

job that anyone would particularly want? people in the private sector alone ending —— are earning far more than a director—general would in. and then there is the issue of the licences. one interesting option would be to split the role. this is a unite neatly vast role. a chief executive role of managing a very big organisation. a commercial role in the streaming walls. an editorial role in running bbc news. people might decide that that is too big for one person. it is going to be a supremely difficultjob. i think it is too early to speculate at this stage given to six months away, he was going to get the job. my assessment would be that whoever gets thejob, it assessment would be that whoever gets the job, it would depend assessment would be that whoever gets thejob, it would depend on assessment would be that whoever gets the job, it would depend on the political and commercial some circumstances leading up to

appointment. so, just look out for the speeches emanating from number ten in may orjune which will give a sense of how the government is thinking about the licence fee. if the conservative majority government is sceptical about the licence fee, that might increase the input of someone that might increase the input of someone with political nous. if there was some... that might lead people to consider somebody who can manage talent and staff and lead in the streaming walls. would you do it? and certainly not. and there is absolutely zero chance of my being asked. lord hall will be taking the position of chair of the national gaelic livery once he leads the bbc.

the hsz the hs2 project could end up costing as much as £106 billion. bbc director general lord hall announces he is standing down after seven yea rs he is standing down after seven years as director—general and taking a topjug in the national gallery. coco gauff shines on the grand slam stage as she knocks venus williams out. england captain joe stage as she knocks venus williams out. england captainjoe root praised his exciting players after wrapping up an innings with south africa. english six nations squad contains six uncapped players, but this player will miss the tournament altogether as it is claimed he has broken his arm. illegal migration and small boats across the channel will continue to be a problem.

illegal migration in small boats across the channel will continue to be a challenge for law enforcement bodies, according to the national crime agency. it says that gangs based in france are working together to smuggle people into the uk, and have developed their tactics to evade detection. last year, more than 18 hundred migrants made it across the channel, mainly in inflatable dinghies. colin campbell is in dover. these are migrants who have just crossed the channel. 0n these are migrants who have just crossed the channel. on occasions, some up to ten launched simultaneously. there is some evidence of a surge tactic, and it isa evidence of a surge tactic, and it is a possibility that they think if they make a large number of departures in a particular day at least some are likely to get through or evade law enforcement on the french coast. in 2018, i witnessed the start of the crossings. it is a desperate race to try to get to the ukfor

desperate race to try to get to the uk for these people. we also expose the criminals drumming up business in french migrant camps. the national crime agency say there is no evidence of a mr big controlling their smuggling operations, that sometimes migrants organise them themselves, unable to afford to pay smugglers massoud did just that. he bought an inflatable kayaking ballet and paddled across the channel. the ships and the waves together there we re waves ships and the waves together there were waves more than three metres. i wasjust that mac were waves more than three metres. i was just that mac saved my life. i just panel paddled that mike the english channel can be a treacherous stretch of water. last year more than 1800 migrants reached the uk and small boats. 0f than 1800 migrants reached the uk and small boats. of that number hundred and 25 were sent back to

either france or european countries. the majority coming across the sea are from iran. in 2019, 62% of iranians were granted asylum in their first try. many more one under appeal. a spike in arrivals in the summer prompted tough talk from the prime minister. we will send you back. in the uk should not be regarded as a place where you can automatically come. some claim it is empty rhetoric. they are going to make thisjourney. empty rhetoric. they are going to make this journey. the empty rhetoric. they are going to make thisjourney. the people we see coming across in boats have extremely good asylum claims. they are likely to be successful. they are likely to be successful. they are confident that numbers will reduce. it will not get easier to cross after brexit. the senior immigration consultant at their uk law firm specialising in the

immigration law has joined law firm specialising in the immigration law hasjoined us. how will this new system work? festival it is important to outline the fact that there is going to be nearly 400 million individuals, eu nationals going to be affected by this decision to brexit. so, the uk leaving the eu. so, in orderfor the uk to make sure that they are doing this properly, it is very important. so, the migration advisory committee has been told to come forward by the uk government to research and put forward a policy for moving forward with the australian points based system, and obviously the skilled workers in the uk. obviously, boris johnson coming forward to say i want this australian points—based system, reiterating the fact that this is

going to bring in the brightest and the best talent into the uk, is clearly just going the best talent into the uk, is clearlyjust going to sidelined those lower skilled industries, especially industries such as construction, hospitality to name a few. these individuals in these industries are going to be sidelined. safer interrupt ten, but wouldn't the government argue that there is the flexibility in the system that if those industries say they are so short of decent people that they need to boost the numbers that they need to boost the numbers that it that they need to boost the numbers thatitis that they need to boost the numbers that it is flexible enough to do that? there is a proposal to put that it is flexible enough to do that? there is a proposalto put in place a 12 month scheme to allow individuals to come in from eu countries to the uk, it worked for 12 months, however they will be expected to leave the uk after those 12 months, and there will be a 12 month cooling off period before they can re—enter the uk. month cooling off period before they can re-enter the uk. what about the businesses in the uk who currently

employ eu citizens? what about them? they need to apply for the europeans settled scheme status. they have untiljune 2021 settled scheme status. they have until june 2021 with settled scheme status. they have untiljune 2021 with the deal. with no deal it is december 2020. but putting the processes in place. failure to do so, the new immigration rules coming into force pending the white paper later this month, will mean they need to apply for temporary leave to remain. eu citizens currently living in the uk, will they currently face new restrictions in order to stay? of course, yes. in terms of players. businesses will be expected to play employees visa fees. that is looking

to go up from 600 to £800 this year. those individuals trying to bring theirfamily those individuals trying to bring their family members over to the those individuals trying to bring theirfamily members over to the uk, will be subjecting their partners to an english language test and another requirement will need to be met as well. that will be a problem for lower earners in the uk. thank you so lower earners in the uk. thank you so much for your time this afternoon. you can find out more about our immigration system by going to this website. you can also download the briefing. now, here on afternoon live, there is a police investigation under way after a fire ina caravan investigation under way after a fire in a caravan which killed a three—year—old boy. the boy and his brother who is four had been saying at the caravan. his father and brother suffered burns but escaped

from the caravan yesterday morning. the number of prisoners developing a drug problem has more than doubled over the last five years according to research. i think tank on that make the government does not dispute the findings but says that staffing levels in prisons are at their highest in years. one of britain's department store stores has gone into administration. it began trading in bournemouth in 1881. borisjohnson has set out its hopes for post—brexit trades to african states. addressing a uk— africa investment summit he said that the uk's departure from the eu would put an end to preferential treatment to eu migrants. you will be here to --

you will be pleased to hear my friends that the system is changing. change is coming and our system is becoming fairer and more equal, as between all our global friends and partners. treating people the same wherever they come from. by putting people before passports, we will be able to attract the best talent from around the world, wherever they may be. if you are scared of heights or confined spaces this is not the story for you. we are talking about vernon kruger. he has been sitting ina vernon kruger. he has been sitting in a barrel suspended 25 metres above ground for more than two months. it is to break a guinness world record of sitting on a pole for 64 days. it was set by a much younger man. it was him back in 19 97. this is the long pole, and right at the top of the barrel, and there

he is, vernon, inside. it overlooks tillstrom the south african town, he has been washing in a small basin and surviving on food hoisted up by his team in a small basket. he is due to come down today after 64 days inside, but his friends are convinced he will stay put, despite some very convinced he will stay put, despite some very bad cramps. we didn't show what was just underneath did we? let's have a look at the weather. matt taylor has that. this is australia. of course, after recent weeks, you would have thought that a change in weather is welcome but it is causing problems. it is causing a huge amount of

problems. this is parliament house. look at the size of the hailstones there. imagine those falling from there. imagine those falling from the sky. you can understand why people took four covered in canberra. look at the state of that. bringing down branches from trees and lots of leaves as well. splash is there in the monitor as well. causing huge amounts of damage. cars parked up. lots of damage, and huge costs for insurance comparable needs. just up the road, into new south wales, the same storm system, don't forget the ground is very dry in many areas. it brought this. and massive dust storm starting to encroach the towns in new south wales. her boots, it means drafting or drifting. from the aerial view,

to those in the ground is that her boot the date ten —— as day turned into night. back to normal conditions for this time of year now in australia. a bit of heat and a few storms and a bit of heat and if few storms and a bit of heat and if few storms and a bit of heat and if few storms which will continue in canberra and melbourne. anything else going on? lots more. i will tell you about some snow tomorrow in canada and spain that are interlinked. canada and spain are interlinked? i'll tell you about it tomorrow. white men and you must tell me what you got up to in dalston. uk wise, much quieter. we are having a dry spell at the moment since mid—september. some of our friends enjoying the sunshine there in west wales. 0ther canine friends

underfairly gloomy in west wales. 0ther canine friends under fairly gloomy skies. clad starting to push on after what was a sunny weekend in scotland and northern ireland. that cloud will become more of a future for all of us over the next few days. that will bring in more of a law westerly wind bringing in more clad from the north. light winds fairly present even though there is a in the air. the hebrides and here the highest temperatures up to ten and 12 degrees. at the end of it there will be for us falling under the clear skies. as the cloud is drifting southwards, after an initial dip the temperatures will rise overnight. to go with the thrust, quite widely across the south, this is where we will also see tomorrow morning some pretty dense fog patches to get us

through the morning commute. that could cause a few issues south of england. some of that flood could linger to the end of the morning, may be towards lunchtime too. there will be some sunshine around to start the day. tomorrow in england and wales there will be a lot more clad but probably a drier day. along the south coast. still plenty of clad fur northern ireland and scotland. temperatures up around ten and 12 degrees. high pressure is still with us as we go through into wednesday. this area of low pressure causes stormy conditions in spain at the moment. the high pressure means dry weather for many on wednesday. there will still be some splashes of rain in the north west and scotland. slightly milder air starting to push around that high pressure system. more of a scene figures back into double figures where they should be for this time of year. greater chance for a little bit of rain to

the north and east. it is going to turn a bit cooler as well particularly across northern areas and milder in the south. a leak of a government commissioned review suggest the hs2 rail link could end up costing £106 billion,

more than three times the estimated cost. prince harry speaks out for the first time since deciding to stand back from royal duties, telling of his great sadness but insisting he had no other option. tony hall is to step down as director—general of the bbc in the summer director—general of the bbc in the summer after director—general of the bbc in the summer after seven years director—general of the bbc in the summer after seven years in the role, he has taken a top job at the national gallery. a murder investigation starts in north—east london after three men we re north—east london after three men were stabbed to death last night. two men have been arrested. let's go to ben croucher with the latest sport. talking about coco gauff, a name which sprang to the headlines last year, and i think she is destined to be so for many years to come. yes, an absolute superstar, if not already, then in the future. a win at wimbledon last year when we first heard about this talented 15—year—old and people in the us have been raving about coco gauff knocking out six time winner and serena williams at wimbledon. then

everybody started to pay attention. she is still 15, she does not quite fly under the radar so much any more, and neither her nor serena williams have ceded, but they still put on a show called an coco gauff put on a show called an coco gauff put on a show called an coco gauff put on another fine display to win through the second round —— through to second round. she is still young but she still has plenty of ambition. my mission is to win as many grand slams as possible. for today, my mission was to win. i did not want to let the nerves succumb to me. there were a couple of set points, she played it well, i knew i had to take it from her, she wasn't going to give it to me, so that was... today has been the best match i've played so far this year. i was more focused. today really showed what i worked

on in my off season. talking like a champion. apparently venus williams is her idol. not much of that sentiment on court today. how are the brits doing over there? no brits have been knocked out yet. admittedly the weather played its part. joanna konta did not make it out on court because of the rain in melbourne. kyle edmund lead in the first set before play was abandoned. dan first set before play was abandoned. da n eva ns first set before play was abandoned. dan evans has made it through. he had to do it the hard way. he beat the american mackenzie mcdonald. he could meet novak djokovic in round three. the defending men's champion was made to work hard by struff. novak djokovic is working towards an eightth australian open championship. serena williams needed less tha n championship. serena williams needed less than an hour to see off her opponent, and william said it was a good stepping stone for the rest of

the tournament after beating potapoba. —— potapova. joe root says having young players stepping up is an exciting place to be after going to have one up in their series against south africa, despite a standing of 99. they won in port elizabeth. tobit was understandably happy with their performance. it's nice to get the first one out of the way. your first dream is to play for england, your second is to get a big score. hopefully it is just the start. rugby now, england have

named their squad for the six nations with eight uncapped players, but no place for dan cole orjack noel, piers francis, and billy vunipola. eddie jones has no specialist number eight in the squad ahead of their opener in paris a week on sunday. more for you in the next hour. another blow for saracens and england. saracens will be relegated from the premiership after breaching the salary cap. eddie jones is not paying that too much attention at the minute. my the minute. my concern is picking the best players. then the best players coming in and competing hard, playing with pride and passion for england. it's disturbing for the clu b england. it's disturbing for the club competition, but i'm sure like everything else it'll work itself out. kansas city chiefs against the san francisco 49ers in the nfl super bowl. san francisco beat green bay. three touchdown passes and ran well in himself as kansas city beat the tennessee titans for the first time in 50 years they have made it through to the greatest show on turf, some call it.

thanks very much. we have the latest update as of last night. prince harry has spoken of his great sadness about leaving his royal duties after striking a deal with the queen that allowed him and his wife to step away from their official roles. this means they will also be stepping away from a royal income. apart from the period where he will receive an allowance from his father, prince charles. that means the couple will be earning their own cash. how will they do this? let's talk to a pr agent joining us from gloucestershire. the next few weeks and months will be crucial as to how they establish this. there's been a lot of discussion about how long they planned this move. the website was commissioned back in march last year. perhaps this was hijacked by the story that outed they were

making a break. but clearly they must have started discussions now. they would probably base their brand on the likes of the clintons, the 0bamas, or0prah on the likes of the clintons, the 0bamas, or oprah winfrey. they want to change the world. they believe they have voice and value. that would mean looking at all elements of their life. and selling them. but writing, public speaking, etc, and probably invest in companies. 0r they might be asked to sit on board for companies and take an interest in what they hold dear to themselves such as health and well—being, rights for minorities. it will be difficult for them because they will walk a tight rope. the microscope will be on them. they are still a story. they won't evade any more negative press. people will be watching very carefully at how they strike this balance between their brand, and what they stand for, and

the connection is still with the royal family. he the connection is still with the royalfamily. he went the connection is still with the royal family. he went on to the website and the brand. the website sussexroyal, the word royal will have to come off the website, won't it? who knows. there are many lesser mortals who trade on the royal brand who might have once worked at buckingham palace. they have not been as aggressive as they might be with those brands. it's a different world if they start, you know, promoting themselves as harry and meghan windsor. they have the brand equity. people know them. it helps that she is american. and they want to be open for those deals in the us, so that helps. it's early days. we have seen this story shift in shape for a number of weeks. i think anybody would find it difficult to

see where the story ends. this is a continuing soap opera. it keeps giving to the media. we will see how this shapes up. but this certainly —— they certainly will be fighting ha rd —— they certainly will be fighting hard for something they have trademarked. they've gone a long way in trademarking all of the names around it which they might earn. in trademarking all of the names around it which they might earnm would seem that they cannot possibly achieve what they want to achieve without the varied media attention that they say has driven them away from being royal. that's a point. damned if you do, damned if you don't. entrance into the royal family from, how should we say it, particularly from women, they've a lwa ys particularly from women, they've always suffered. i can remember the negative headlines princess diana got. fergie... camilla... kate... all of these people have suffered from media attention. and, you know,

it isa from media attention. and, you know, it is a 3—ring circus. although they really dislike the negativity because they are expecting everybody to love them and they want a positive coverage, that's not the way the media works. they are not bullying, but they are being hard—nosed bullying, but they are being ha rd—nosed about how bullying, but they are being hard—nosed about how they cover things. that has brutalised their relationship. harry has an in—built negativity towards british media. why shouldn't he? in the way he perceives the british media treated his mother. he certainly won't allow his mother. he certainly won't allow his wife to be treated the same way. his defences are up all the time. the search for positive coverage, looking for people who might give them a softer ride, has drawn us to this situation now, which has driven them apart from what is his duty, many people believe. this barrier comes down between the young and the old. the old audience think harry should think about what he was bred to the income in the sense of duty. the younger audience see him

something new, fresh, and modern, and that he should be able to live his life in the way he chooses. thanks forjoining us. health authorities in china are scrambling to stop the spread of a pneumonia like a virus as many people prepared to travel for the chinese new year. a third person has died after contracting the virus. china has confirmed 217 cases in total of the virus. south korea has confirmed its first case of the disease. a35—year—old chinese woman has been isolated by authorities as she travelled from wuhan on sunday. there are fears the virus might spread to hong kong, as well. i'm joined by michele roberts. what is this virus and how dangerous is it. belongs to a family of virus and they range and how severe they are. some are very mild like a common cold, others are like tsars, which

killed around 700 people. this current one lies somewhere in between. we don't know where to pin it yet on that scale. it has killed three people, there are three confirmed deaths since it emerged in december. 0ver confirmed deaths since it emerged in december. over a couple hundred of people have been reported to have been affected. —— others are like sars which killed 700 people in 2003. experts think it originated in an animal source 2003. experts think it originated in an animalsource and 2003. experts think it originated in an animal source and that spread to people. they think there is the possibility that there is some spread from person to person, as well. however, if it was very rampant we would have seen a lot more cases. there is caution rather than alarm at the moment. given that the spread seems to be fairly confined, the concern will always be that you only need one person to get ona that you only need one person to get on a flight to anywhere else and you

open upa on a flight to anywhere else and you open up a whole new problem here. pa rt open up a whole new problem here. part of the way to tackle this is close monitoring. with any infectious disease it is difficult to stop it spreading at all. but it is containment. it's about trying to trace who might have it, who they might have come into contact with, and minimise the risk to people. simple measures like using a tissue when you cough, sneeze, throw it in the bin, wash your hands, those can make big differences in containing this type of thing. thanks very much. campaigners say smart motorways that sometimes use the ha rd motorways that sometimes use the hard shoulder as a traffic lane should not open without technology which detects broken down vehicles. smart motorways are designed to keep traffic moving but it's claimed nine people were killed last year after ha rd people were killed last year after hard shoulder swear used for traffic. a report from our correspondent

follows. this is the m1 near sheffield. it's a smart motorway. overhead signs regulate the traffic and the hard shoulder has been converted to a fourth lane. in june, jason mercer was driving on this stretch of road when he had a minor collision. there is a sign a bit further up saying the next era, emergency refuge area, is a mile away. but where they were, there was nowhere safe. there was a barrier stopping them getting the vehicles further over, and then a sheer drop. with no hard shoulderjason and the other driver got out of their cars on the inside lane. a lorry hit them, killing them both. he was with me at eight o'clock and he was dead by 8:15. crucially, the lane that jason had stopped and had not been closed to traffic.

according to the aa, it takes an average of 17 minutes for the control room, run by highways england, to pick up on a broken down vehicle. and that means it's not safe for them to recover stranded motorists. we contact the customer to say, we can't stop, where you are, because it's in a live lane, so we will contact the highways agency and then we will go to a safe area and wait for the vehicle to be delivered there by the highways agency. stopped vehicle technology is available, and would alert the control room to a breakdown. but it is only in place on two sections of the m25. no other smart motorway in the country has it. these lorry drivers say that is a worry. i don't really rate the opening the hard shoulders up, breakdowns and that. particularly if it's round a bend, driving a truck. the highways agency is sat on top of the motorway. as i'm coming on, you can see everyone slamming the brakes on, hazards on, because there's a car stranded. but there's no indicating to say that lane one is shut. in eight months, five stranded drivers have been killed on the smart motorway by sheffield. highways england has said it will ensure there are emergency refuge areas every mile.

in addition, they say, subject to funding, they will include stopped vehicle technology on any new smart motorways built after march this year. but claire is one of a growing number of people calling for smart motorways to be banned until they can be made safer. it's akin to manslaughter to remove the hard shoulder. it is. the motorway is a dangerous environment and to remove the main safety feature, you know, how can anybody think that that is going to improve the situation? it can only make it more dangerous. the department for transport wouldn't comment until after the publication of a review into the safety of smart motorways, which is expected shortly. judy hobson, bbc news. ben thompson has the latest business news in just ben thompson has the latest business news injust a moment, but first ben thompson has the latest business news in just a moment, but first the

headlines: they leaked report warns that the hst rail project could end up that the hst rail project could end up costing as much as £106 billion. -- hsz. up costing as much as £106 billion. —— hs2. prince harry said there really was no other option but to ta ke really was no other option but to take a step back from his royal duties. lord hall are stepping down in the summer after seven years in thejob as bbc in the summer after seven years in the job as bbc director—general and will be taking a top job at the national gallery. these are the business headlines: beale's has gone into administration, putting 1300 jobs at risk. founded in 1881, the firm has been trying to renegotiate the rents and some reductions on the stores, the 23 stores, it operates. those stores will continue to trade during the administration process. china, one of the world's biggest users of plastic has announced plans to reduce single—use plastics across the country. non—degradable bags will be banned in major cities by

the end of 2020 and restaurants won't be allowed to give out plastic straws at the end of the year. intu, which owns some of the biggest shopping centres in the uk including the trafford centre in manchester and lakeside in essex has asked investors for more money. they want up investors for more money. they want up to £1 billion amid a downturn in consumer spending and poor results from retailers. are we generally falling out of love with gin and tonic? absolutely not! i know! sales up 1096, shares down 20%, doesn't seem fair. this is the company that has become synonymous with making tonic, fevertree. that's the problem, it's become synonymous, because it used to be a niche brand. that's right, the more mass—market it becomes the less people are willing to pay a premium price, so they've been struggling after record figures over the past few years.

they've had a big race. now they are finding it quite difficult to keep it going. they've lost their fears! i wasn't going to do that don't, but there you are. —— they've lost their fizz. it's about trying to work out where the grease is coming on. keeping it on ice! save your puns for later. fraser, please save us from these puns. it's interesting, isn't it, was once premium, no longer, it seems, and that's the issue. i don't think that's the issue. i don't think that's the issue. the issue is around the gin market. the ascent has been incredible. four years ago only one in ten houses bought a bottle of gin in the year, that is up to a quarter. an incredible rise. sales worth about £750 billion for taking home alone. many more times that in

clubs, bars, and restaurants. sales grew in the dim category last year by 12% but they have slowed. just over christmas there was growth nothing like that. we may be approaching what people are calling peak gin. fevertree are an incredible story. they've been associated with the rise of gin and they offered a much more premium product and aspirational brand people wanted to drink. but they haven't got everything on their own terms now. competitors have seen what has gone on. the likes of coca—cola, britvic, schweppes, they've all moved into the space, which makes things more difficult. and the nature of gin is changing. it's no longer that clear bottle. the flavoured gins are where the growth are, they don't necessarily go well with tonic, they go well with things like lemonade and cola drinks, which fevertree offer, as well. not my cup of tea. gin might

be losing some of that appeal, what are we buying instead?” be losing some of that appeal, what are we buying instead? i don't think any other spirit is taking up the mantle. people are trying to look for the next gin. you know, whiskey, brandy, rum, all of these are candidates. what gin has managed to do over the years is the fact it has been moved from being perceived as an older person is drink to being very popular with younger drinkers. about half of 18 to 24—year—olds say they drink gin, which is an extraordinary turnaround. everybody is looking for what the next big thing is. with all of these drinks, people are looking for novelty. once gin is tapped into it, people then wa nt gin is tapped into it, people then want something local, and perhaps provenance. gin has done all of that but the other drink success stories of the last few years have done that, and that has been press echo and craft beer. —— has been

prosecco. fevertree, sale still up, just not as quickly. yes, and particularly in the rest of the world. it is a great export success story. things are more difficult in the uk, and that's on the back of some fairly soft consumer confidence. the economy has not necessarily been that strong. and around christmas there was all of the uncertainty around the general election and what would happen, so that meant spirits across the board had a much softer christmas, and that has been reflected in some of the retail stories we've been hearing over the last few weeks. absolutely, we will be talking about that in a minute. thanks for that. i ama that in a minute. thanks for that. i am a bit of that in a minute. thanks for that. i ama bit ofa that in a minute. thanks for that. i am a bit of a white port and tonic. you just want to divert from the fa ct you just want to divert from the fact he got the story completely wrong. that's not true. i spent half a minute talking about tonic, and it's nothing to do with tonic, it is all about it's nothing to do with tonic, it is allabout gin! it's nothing to do with tonic, it is all about gin! anyway... that talk about a story we have talked about

before, and that is beale's. we knew it was in trouble, went into administration today. this morning, yes. a worrying time for the staff there. 1300 people. based in the south and south—west of england. founded back in 1881. this has been around a long time. one of the uk's oldest. the administrators have been called in. they were trying to renegotiate the rent they pay. trying to renegotiate whether they could close some of the stores but also by a buyerfor the could close some of the stores but also by a buyer for the whole business. it's just the latest in a long line of firms finding it really difficult to operate on the high street. the big question is whether there is a future. not only the stores on the high street but these big department stores. richard hyman spoke to me early and this is what he had to say. department stores are struggling to keep up with the competition. they are expensive to run. they generally trade on lots of different floors. they sell lots of

different floors. they sell lots of different things which, in effect, requires them to have lots of different, disparate skills. knitting all of that together, and making that all work profitably, is getting harder and harder. department stores aren't going to be wiped out completely, but there are going to be far fewer of them. and that reflects shopping patterns and the changing economics of retailing. it is getting much, much harder to operate a department store profitably. let me show you the numbers. two on there, intu, the owner of things like the trafford centre and some of the big out—of—town department stores, particularly in thurrock, down over 6.5%. they have asked investors for more cash to keep things going. they've struggled with the retail downturn that beale's has highlighted. stagecoach, that was

the bidding consortium for a lot of the bidding consortium for a lot of the rail network, including the west coast main line, it was barred from bidding. stagecoach say that process wasn't done fairly, so they are suing the government. the let's ta ke let's take a look at the weather forecast with matt taylor. after the weather so far this winter it's quite nice to have a week which is predominantly dry for many. blue skies overhead across a good part of england and wales. something much like this. further north, this was edinburgh through the morning. much more in the way of cloud. that they can cloud will push south over the next few days. high pressure in charge. as it works its way to the west, we will get this off the atlantic, so we will see cloudy skies through the west of the week. enjoy the sun showing today. they can offer some spots of rain in the

west of scotland. quite a breeze blowing across the hebrides and the far north. we have the mildest of conditions here, temperatures into the evening rush hour around 10 degrees, compared to 5 degrees for parts of the midlands and southern england. ross will develop quickly there tonight. mr fogg developing later. —— frost will develop. always mild further north, outbreaks of rain over western parts of scotland and well clear of a frost, especially for eastern parts of scotland. there is the chance of dense fog patches for the morning commute across parts of central southern england and wales. anywhere from the south midlands to the south, there could be a sluggish journey to work, low visibility, and a longer commute. it will take a while for some of that to shift. further north, more cloud around compared with what we've seen today so compared with what we've seen today so far. there will be some breaks for eastern parts of england and eastern parts of wales. cloudy through scotland and northern

ireland. greater chance of some rain for northern areas. tuesday night and into wednesday, we have a nasty area of pressure which has been affecting spain and portugal recently. it'll be a case of finding gaps in the cloud as we go through the day. overnight wednesday morning, touch of frost, some fog patches, and the milder air is starting to wind out, and we will see temperatures in double figures. that continues for thursday and friday. greater chance of some rain overnight working southwards, but most other areas will be dry. windy conditions return, a bit more sunshine, plenty of showers, and this time out in the south, this weekend. —— this time milder in the south.

this is afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. hs2 cass had further north. it could hit £106 billion. questions are raised over the projects future. prince harry speaks out for the first time after deciding to stand back from royal duties speaking of his sadness. i want you to hear the truth from me, as much as i can share. not as a prince, ora duke but as harry. the same person you have watched grow up over the past 35 years. the murder investigation sta rts 35 years. the murder investigation starts in north—east london after three men were stabbed last night. two men have been arrested. the bbc director general lord hall announces he is to step down over the summer

after seven yea rs he is to step down over the summer after seven years in the job. he he is to step down over the summer after seven years in thejob. he is to become director of the national gallery. another grand slam performance from coco gauff. she has knocked venus williams out of the australian open in the first round. details from melbourne at half possible. now the weather it with matt taylor. i'm in the sunshine. blue skies overhead for many today, but will it be replaced by cloudy weather over the next few days or will it stay drive? also, coming up, and up, and up. we will meet the south african who is about to break the world record for sitting in a barrel suspended 80 feet above the ground.

this is afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. hs2 is claimed to connect the united kingdom. some fear it will destroy the countryside. now it is projected that it may cost more than £100 billion. that is more than three times its estimated costs. —— it's initial estimated costs. going nowhere quickly. yet another pause has been recommended for chains in the north of england. today's leaked hs2 review not only reveals that the end because could be £106 billion but it is another amber light for the line once it reaches birmingham. it was supposed to split at that point with two branches heading to

manchester and leeds. this review suggests finding out whether a mix of high—speed and conventional trains could be used for the upper sections instead. london in the south gets whatever it once, and thenit south gets whatever it once, and then it is all about penny—pinching in the north. i would say this to the prime minister and the government today. this is the first big test of your commitment to the north of england, and we're watching very closely. to my mind, there is no justification at all for doing one thing between london and birmingham, and then doing something different in the north. business leaders in the north are chomping at the bit for better connections, and are already planning extra spending. in many respects it will be better for some of the other cities as opposed to manchester. if you look at leeds, sheffield and liverpool. connectivity between manchester and the capital is already good. manchester has been a massive success story over the past ten years. i think leeds and sheffield and others will benefit from the

opening up of the north to very short trainjourneys opening up of the north to very short train journeys into the capital. the prime minister is under pressure. many of his own mps think the money would be better spent on quicker and smaller projects. the money would be better spent on quicker and smaller projectsm drags more economic activity down to london. it feeds london. in the places that have been left behind will be even further left behind. but the argument to push on with the project isn't really about the speed of connections to london. it is about taking pressure off the existing system, the commuter trains. and allowing the government to get on with the next phase of development which is high speed trains across the north of england. each review has raised the price tag, and it is now sitting at three times the original estimates. the government will make its final decision between within weeks. joining me now to discuss the project is a railway planning is

consultant. 0n project is a railway planning is consultant. on that basis, does that figure of £106 billion ring true. good afternoon it is good to talk to you. i have no inside knowledge of class. it's all could be up to and almost certainly isn't in the end. it is normally more. just remember the estimate for the hs2 is considerably less than that. itjust seems to make a good headline. people remember it. i think the important thing is to get this report published and then we know what we're dealing with. we know what we're dealing with. we know what decisions need to be made. i would also make the point that the cast uncertainty seems to be in the northern area because the design hasn't progressed so far as the route out of euston as to the west

midlands. i don't think this should be reason for opposing the dash delay the west midlands section because that that make what missing here? you say that, but if the work doesn't go on the northern part of this, then the very region that needsit this, then the very region that needs it most is not going to receive any benefit whatsoever. that is not true, because once the first chain -- is not true, because once the first chain —— first stage, london to west midlands, trains to manchester and glasgow for example will use the high—speed route to a junction near lichfield and crewe, so there would be about half an hourjourney time—saving even with just phase one in place. then phase two improves on that to give you nearly an hour journey saving to manchester for

instance. and much fasterjourneys between birmingham and manchester and leeds, where their present ra i lwa ys and leeds, where their present railways are so slow. it still emphasises that link north to south, when the real issue seems to be within the north. certainly, there are issues within the north. we all know about the overcrowding in the unreliability of trains around manchester. remember that new rolling stock and longer trains are coming on stream now, which will help to address the immediate problem, and i think the best financial case for more new infrastructure in the north comes, if it is an extension of the north—south routes. if it is an extension of the north-south routes. the issue is not so north-south routes. the issue is not so much one of speed, it is one of capacity. £106 billion in anybody‘s money is an awful lot. especially at a time when people are saying that we perhaps shouldn't be talking about commuting in future but

thinking about other ways of doing ourjobs. it's nice but it doesn't seem ourjobs. it's nice but it doesn't seem to be happening so far. i live in an area where many people commute to london and the trains are crowded and people have quite horrendous working days and travelling conditions. i don't think it is wrong to address that. but it is not really a choice between speed and capacity. capacity is the reason for building any new infrastructure at all whilst speed is the opportunity that follows from building new infrastructure. what i think we need isa infrastructure. what i think we need is a new pair of tracks out of euston towards birmingham liverpool and manchester, and if we are going to build a new layer of tracks, then they should be built to the highest possible standard. but that should that be at any price? there does seem that be at any price? there does seem to be an argument about whatever money there is going to be

we must pay it. is that of a valid argument? it can't be at any price obviously. but you also have to think about what the penalty is of not doing it. what is the cast of not doing it. what is the cast of not building a railway that will last for 200 years probably?m not building a railway that will last for 200 years probably? it is good if you forjoining us. thank you william but of your time this afternoon. prince harry has spoken publicly at his great sadness of stepping down as a member of the royal palate family. the royal palace announced the terms the prince and his wife would step down from duties. the prince describes the new venture is a leap of faith. backin the new venture is a leap of faith. back in royal duty for now. the duke of sussex arrived for meetings with african leaders that this summit this morning. he also met the prime minister and took part in meetings about links between the uk and

africa, but said nothing publicly. he was more false coming last night ata he was more false coming last night at a private dinner for his charity. he was clearly at ease with gas which included the singular lewis capaldi. here, he's chose to speak publicly for the first time about the decisions he has made.” publicly for the first time about the decisions he has made. i want you to hear the truth from me, as much as i can share, not as a print ora duke much as i can share, not as a print or a duke but as harry. the same person you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but now with a clearer perspective. the uk is my home and a place that i love. that will never change. i have grown up feeling supported from so many of you and i watched as he welcomed meghan with open mother arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that i have hoped for all my life. finally, the second son of diana got hitched. her rail after mac might

make the speech was personal with strong hints of disappointment and perhaps frustration. what i want to make clear as we are not walking away. and we're certainly not walking away from you. i hope is to continue serving the queen and the common continue serving the queen and the common wealth in my military associations but without public funding. unfortunately, that wasn't possible. i have accepted this but it doesn't change who i am and how committed i am. i hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that i would step my family back from all i had ever known, to take a step forward into what i hope can be a more peaceful life. for those with harry yesterday there was strong support for the decisions he has made. whether he is called the duke orjust harry as he said last night, when he spoke as harry, he can shine a light on this issue and do a lot of good for us and the children that

our charity tries to serve. harry said it was his choice to step away from royal life, describing it as the only option. he and meghan now have a year to make a success of it, free from the constraints of royal duty. in 12 months there will be a review of how it is working. what i think it's really interesting about the agreement that has been reached is that the queen has come wisely i think, left as many doors open after this 12 month review. there are going to be so many unknown unknowns in this. harry could not have made it any clearer that this is not the solution he wanted. soon he will return to canada with his wife and baby son, where he hopes he can lead a more private life with baby free —— with greater freedom. but will they get the privacy and freedom they get the privacy and freedom

they crave. the courses —— the talk is ofa they crave. the courses —— the talk is of a commercial deal, becoming ambassadors. harries described this new way of working and living as a of faith. police have launched an investigation after a fire in a ca rava n investigation after a fire in a caravan which killed a three—year—old boy. the boy and his brother who was four was staying with their father in a caravan. the brother and father have suffered burns but escaped from the caravan yesterday. the number of prisoners developing a drug problem has more than doubled over the past five yea rs. than doubled over the past five years. that is according to new research by the think tank reform. it says that the staffing levels in england and wales aren't enough to tackle reoffending. the government says that staffing levels are at the highest in years. two men have been remanded on suspicion of murder after the stabbing of three youths

in the northern area of eastern london. the men are thought to be known to each other and from a sikh community. a sunday night on the e. london st. knives pulled in a fight that ended right outside people place like home. this man heard the disturbance just after eight o'clock. he tried to save lives. a knife wound there on the shoulder and chest. the huns were scratched bya and chest. the huns were scratched by a knife. i saw one knife and one hammer. there were two bodies laid there. there were police running all over and ambulances running all over. people running all over. it was like something out of a horror movie. it was horrible. it was absolutely horrific. i looked down on the floor and there was a big knife. not a massive knife but it

about this big. it was lying on the floor covered in blood. the main road here is closed up to the railway end this residential street is taped of two. the police are also man “— is taped of two. the police are also man —— cordoned off the pavement outside the shops and offices. the police have got a huge crime scene to investigate. it is a fight involving two groups of men. they are thought to be from the sea community. the result of that fight we re community. the result of that fight were nice were used, three people we re were nice were used, three people were fatally wounded. despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people were pronounced dead at the scene. the consequences are clear. three young men have lost their lives. we have to look at the causes. what like that to happen? once we get those, that's what we need to concentrate on. detectives have made progress and two men have

been remanded on suspicion of murder. there is much more to understand about what sparked such a violent incident with such a deadly results. the headlines. a leaked report says that the hs2 could end up costing £106 billion. harry said he is taking a leap of faith stepping back from life as a royal. bbc director—general tony hall says he will retire over the summer and become director of the national gallery. coco gauff impressed on her australian open debut knocking out venus williams. england against south africa, to one up in the series with the final match in

johannesburg on friday. this player is ruled out of the six nations after breaking his arm against the saracens yesterday. legal migration in small boats across the channel will continue to bea across the channel will continue to be a tech challenge illegal migration in small boats across the channel will continue to be a challenge for law enforcement bodies, according to the national crime agency. it says that gangs based in france are working together to smuggle people into the uk, and have developed their tactics to evade detection. last year, more than 18 hundred migrants made it across the channel, mainly in inflatable dinghies. colin campbell is in dover. yes, welcome to dover. a gateway into europe for trade. last year it also became a landing to stay nation for hundreds of migrants trying to get across the english channel

small boats. to get the here they must cross... . the national agency says it is a big challenge stopping the boats heading in this direction. i dinghy on a beach, it is summer. these are migrants who have just crossed the english channel. 0n migrants who have just crossed the english channel. on occasions, up to ten more launched simultaneously from french beaches. there is some evidence of a surge tactic and it is a possibility that they think that if there are a large number of departures in a particular day is more some are more likely to get through and some are more likely to evade french law enforcement on the french coast. are dangerously overloaded dinghy taking to water. in 2018 i witness the start of the crossings. it is a desperate race trying to get to the uk for these

people. we also expose the criminals drumming up business in camps. the national crime agency say there is no evidence of a mr big can trolling the smuggling operations, that sometimes migrants organise it themselves. unable to afford to pay smugglers, massoud did just that. he bought an inflatable kayak in cali and cross the channel. the ships in the waves, together the waves were at more than three metres. i was just saved my life. ijust paddled nonstop. the english channel can be a treacherous stretch of water. last year more than 1800 migrants reached the uk and small boats. that number 125 were sent back to either france

or other european countries. the majority coming across the sea are from iran. in 2019, 60 3% of iranians were granted asylum in their first try. many more won on appeal. a spike in arrivals in the summer appeal. a spike in arrivals in the summer prompted tough talk from the prime minister. we will send you back. in the uk should not be regarded as a place where you can automatically come. some claim it is empty rhetoric. they are going to make thisjourney. empty rhetoric. they are going to make this journey. the empty rhetoric. they are going to make thisjourney. the people we empty rhetoric. they are going to make this journey. the people we are seen make this journey. the people we are seen coming make this journey. the people we are seen coming across make this journey. the people we are seen coming across in these boats have very strong asylum claims. they are likely to be successful. they are likely to be successful. they are confident that numbers were reduced. it will not get easier to cross after brexit. the national crime agency are also trying to prevent small boats heading in this direction by trying to cut off the supply of the outboard engines and

the inflatable dinghies to the smuggling groups and the migrant groups over in northern france. the national crime agency says it is trying to do that by trying to reach out to the suppliers and retailers of the equipment in france and elsewhere in europe to try and stop them falling into the wrong hands. this morning, 12 migrants were rescued in a small boats by a french patrol ship. a board small thing he we re patrol ship. a board small thing he were to women and a small child all said to be from mild hypothermia there me. they were —— they are all said to be safe and well. last year, three migrants died trying to reach these shores. the national crime agency fears there could be further fatalities in 2020. and you can find out more about our immigration system by going to our website slash uk immigration. and you can download

the latest briefing died from a website. let's get more now on one of our top stories. the announcement from lord tony hall that he is to step down as bbc director—general and takena step down as bbc director—general and taken a job at the national gallery. he has headed the bbc for seven yea rs. gallery. he has headed the bbc for seven years. he is going to the national gallery. i think that is interesting. it is another huge cultural institution in britain. i think this shows that it has been some time in coming his leaving the job at the bbc. white makes another surprise everyone thought it was then? the fact that he is leaving then? the fact that he is leaving the bbc as a surprise. a lot of people thought he would stick around until 2022 where he would mark the centenary until 2022 where he would mark the ce nte nary of until 2022 where he would mark the centenary of the bbc, and a lot of his friends are surprised that he was leaving the bbc. but the fact that he is going to the national means that he —— that this has been

in the works for some time. it suggests that the board of the bbc we re suggests that the board of the bbc were fully aware of what is going on here. it is a surprise that he is leaving the bbc but clearly for tony hall it has been some time in the work. he came from the royal opera house and clearly the outsider in his blood. yes he had a very senior position at the bbc after the royal 0pera position at the bbc after the royal opera house. he came back to the bbc at the moment of crisis. he received plaudits for making the bbc more accessible. he came back at a time of crisis. you remember the savile revelations. i think he stabilised the ship. he stayed with the ship at that time and got the bbc out of headlines for the wrong reasons. but the seven years that he has been in

post has been enormous changes in global media, enormous disruption, andi global media, enormous disruption, and i think the task for his successor will be partly to have a political argument with the —— with westminster and those who were very sceptical about the existence of a licence fee, and also like navigating that new world. trying to find ways to raise money to compete with netflix for example. might make the choice of his successor at the moment is with the bbc board and chairman david clementi. he is replaced in two years time and then it becomes government replacement. there is a suggestion that he was trying to protect the role from government. throughout its history the bbc has already —— always had this strange and intense relationship with government. to

some extent it does depend on a certain amount of good favour from government. particularly when there isa government. particularly when there is a government appointed to the chairmanship. that will run the bbc board but will probably already have a director—general in place, which they could get rid of if he or she is failing to perform, but it is likely that that next director—general is someone who needs to be there for some time. the next battle is over the licence fee in 2027, but before then in 2022 there is a sort of mid—term negotiation and lord hall has said that someone else should be the person to lead the bbc through that. i have had several calls in the last ten minutes. white make the point is about anyone that back as it is a job that anyone would particularly bunt? people in the private sector

are already much more than the director—general wouldn't. and as you have said, there is this huge issue approaching and that is the one of the licences. 0ne issue approaching and that is the one of the licences. one interesting option would be to split the role. this is a uniquely fast role. you have a chief executive style role in terms of managing and a big organisation. you have a commercial role in terms of competing in the streaming wars. you have the political realm. it is going to be a supremely difficultjob. it is too early to speculate at this stage he was going to get the job, but my assessment would be that who gets thejob would depend on assessment would be that who gets the job would depend on the political and commercial circumstances in a few weeks and months before the appointment. so if it isa months before the appointment. so if it is a few weeks from now, look out for the speeches that emanate from number ten for the speeches that emanate from numberten in for the speeches that emanate from number ten in may and june. this will give you a sense of what the

government is thinking about in terms of the licence fee. if their majority government is sceptical about the licence fee that would call for someone with political nous. if there will were words about the licence fee, that would call for someone the licence fee, that would call for someone who can the licence fee, that would call for someone who can manage the licence fee, that would call for someone who can manage talent for example. would you do it? certainly not. and there is zero chance of my being asked which is a relief for licence payers all around the country i'm sure. canadian troops have been sent to newfoundland. 0ver the weekend blizzard place inches of snow that make the snow has been piling up so high that some people have had to dig themselves out of their homes. we will stay with those

pictures until they finish. we just gotan pictures until they finish. we just got an idea of how bad the snow is out there. let's have a look at the weather forecast closer to home now. further north we have got some cloudy and breezy conditions across the north of scotland. across the atlantic, brings the mildest of the air. ten to 12 degrees here and lower across the midlands and southern england. clad in the north will push it further southwards and... temperatures will hold up in the highlands. flag for the commute over central southern england and wales. that could cause a few issues on the commute to work. it could ta ke to on the commute to work. it could take to the end of the morning for

some, but over overall a great day in england and wales. always more cloud in scotland and northern ireland threatening a few spots in northern ireland best of sunshine in the east.

the headlines: a leak of a government commissioned review suggest the hs2 high—speed rail link could gusts up to £106 billion, more than three times the estimated cost. prince harry speaks out for the first time since decided to stand down from royal duties, telling of his great sadness but saying he had no other option. —— could cost up to £106 billion. tony hall is to step down as bbc director—general and is to become the chairman of the national gallery. a murder investigation start in north—east london after three men were stabbed to death last night. two men were

arrested. an urgent safety review into smart motorways is to be released. nine people were killed last year after hard shoulders were turned into useful traffic. campaigners say they should not open until there is technology which detects broken down vehicles. we get the sport now, we can go over to ben. we got excited by a certain young lady last year who has got people excited this time around, coco gauff. that's right, 15 years old and lighting up the tennis world. some of the biggest superstars in tennis have shot to prominence in their teens. you think about martina hingis, kim clijsters, serena williams, maria sharapova, some of them winning grand slams and their teenage years, most destined for greatness from an early age. coco gauff looks like the next big thing in tennis, stilljust 15. gauff looks like the next big thing in tennis, stilljust15. she is knocked serena williams out of a grand slam twice already in the last

12 months. wimbledon last year, and now a two set win in the first round of the australian open. 7—6, 6—3 it finished. she's up to 69 in the world. she faces lower ranked player in the next round, and she is already talking like a seasoned pro. my mission is to win as many grand slams as possible. for today, my mission was to win. i did not want to let the nerves succumb to me. there were a couple of set points, she played it well, i knew i had to take it from her, she wasn't going to give it to me, so that was... really the mission, i think. today has been the best match i've played so far this year. i was more focused. today really showed what i worked on in my off season. victory for coco gauff, but no major shocks to report generally in the australian open. serena williams through. novak djokovic and roger

federer have progressed, as well. minimal action in the outside courts as there has been rain for most of the afternoon and evening in melbourne. how are the brits doing? very well. good news for british number one dan evans, seeded at a grand slam for the first time, but looked to be on his way out in the first set against mackenzie mcdonald. he recovered to win the next three. reached the second round. he has lost 14 matches in which he has lost the first two sets, but came through to get to the next round. kyle edmund was leading his match before it was called off because of bad weather. joanna konta did not make it out on to court, she is due to play tomorrow. chris silverwood and captain joe is due to play tomorrow. chris silverwood and captainjoe root have heaped praise on their youngsters following their innings victory over south africa in the third test in port elizabeth. needing formica wickets to when it looked to be a quick morning session. 0nly pope took his sixth catch of the match to

go with a first—innings century. england were kept waiting with an entertaining but ultimately futile 71. -- ollie entertaining but ultimately futile 71. —— 0llie pope. entertaining but ultimately futile 71. -- ollie pope. right from the start, the opening partnership set the game up. challenging conditions. different conditions. still challenging in many ways. it was difficult to score. at no point did they let them back in from there. it did not happen as fluently as we would have liked at times, but the partnership between 0llie and ben we re partnership between 0llie and ben were something else. really pleasing for ben to continue in his form. it's been outstanding. for a young quy it's been outstanding. for a young guy like 0llie to play like that, to go through different gears at different stages and really show everyone. he has shown glimpses of it already, i know, but show eve ryo ne it already, i know, but show everyone he belongs in this arena and on this stage. eddiejones has

and on this stage. eddie jones has named and on this stage. eddiejones has named eight uncapped players in his england squad for the six nations, but he is without a recognised number eight after billy vunipola broke his arm playing for saracens yesterday. he suffered a similar injury for micro times in two years and will likely miss the tournament. no place for dan cole. this will not improve the mood at saracens after it's confirmed they have been relegated from the premiership after breaching salary cap roles. eddie jones premiership after breaching salary cap roles. eddiejones thinks it could be positive for the national side. my side. my concern is picking the best players in the best players coming in and competing hard, playing with pride and passion for england. it's disturbing for the club competition, but i'm sure like everything else it'll work itself out. that's all of your sport for now, more for you in next hour.

today we are in leeds. harry, you are going to tell us more about a story we've been covering a lot and thatis story we've been covering a lot and that is the hs2 story. £106 billion, this is turning into a financial farce. it is and that's the problem. there are two reasons why people in the north are worried. they're worried about the impact on the environment. that straightforward. the second thing is the financial aspect. —— that is straightforward. when this was first mooted the cost was £50 billion. we all said that is an awful lot north south