travel to imported foreign capital is where we need to make points to oui’ is where we need to make points to our friends is where we need to make points to ourfriends and is where we need to make points to our friends and partners, is where we need to make points to ourfriends and partners, you have your key diplomat saying one thing and finding that their message is the message from overseas aid, you cared, from dfid is different. that undermines the coherence, that undermines the coherence, that undermines the coherence of our foreign policy. he will know that. it is absolutely vital that we had a coherentjoint up message for our international partners and we speak with one voice. at the time when the uk is spending £15 billion on overseas aid, 0.7% of gdp, i think the british people will want to know what we're doing right now make that spending more efficient and they will want to know what we are doing to ensure that the uk is supporting the campaign to develop a vaccine against coronavirus. i am very proud of what the uk is doing. i think it fantastic that we have secured $8.8

billion at the recent summit to develop a vaccine. and i'm very proud the work that dfid is doing. yes, of course, we will make sure that we guarantee the dfid budget, but what will happen within your department. what will happen now is that every single person, working in that every single person, working in that department in the new whitehall super department, the foreign and commonwealth and the development office, every person in that department will now have all the idealism and a sense of mission that comes from dfid, but also the understanding of the need to project uk values, uk policies and uk interests overseas. this is a long overdue reform and he should support it. i would like to associate myself with the comments the prime minister made regarding jo cox and our colleague from east dunbartonshire. i very much welcome the prime minister's statement today. can he confirm this is a merger, not a

ta keover confirm this is a merger, not a takeover and actually this has the potential of enhancing the role of international development in our foreign policy, and will he also confirm this government's commitment to invest in and support the poorest parts of our world remains as strong as ever? it certainly does. i am grateful to my honourable friend, what is actually happening is that dfid and the fco are nowjoining together to become a new whitehall super department for international affairs which will be of huge benefit to our ability to project britain's sense of mission about overseas aid and it is for too long frankly, uk overseas aid has been treated as some giant cashpoint in the sky that arrives without any reference to uk values back to the uk wishes to express or the priorities, diplomatic, political or commercial, of the government of the uk. we now go to the leader of the

snp ian blackford with two minutes. thank you, and can i associate myself with the remarks of both of the prime minister and the leader of the prime minister and the leader of the labour party about the murder of jo cox four years ago, a day i guess none of us rightly will ever forget and cani none of us rightly will ever forget and can i thank the prime minister and can i thank the prime minister and the leader of the labour party for the comments of my colleague for east dunbartonshire, i know she is very grateful of all the support that has been shown towards her. mr speaker, prior to the prime minister coming to the house today, the contents coming to the house today, the co nte nts of coming to the house today, the contents of his statement were shrouded in secrecy. we now know why. unfortunately, it is now crystal clear what is happening. the prime minister and this uk government are using the cover of a terrible pandemic to rip apart the uk's structures for international development and humanitarian aid at a time when we should be standing with the world's poorest, acting as a beacon of hope, the prime minister is playing politics. let me be

clear. the government are blatantly using challenging domestic circumstances as an excuse to wind down essential aid for the world's poorest, this is shameful and is not in our name. we are talking about people burdened with suffering every single day and on top of that, they too are dealing with this terrible pandemic. if these are the values of global britain, then they do not represent the values of the vast majority of people of scotland and we wa nt majority of people of scotland and we want no part in it. and taking this decision on dfid, this uk government has once again ignored expert advice. last december more than 100 charities specialising in humanitarian relief, girls education, global health, clean water and sanitation, strongly warned against today's announcement. they warned that merging dfid would be andi they warned that merging dfid would be and i quote, turning our backs on the world's poorest people. only

last week an interim report from the international development committee said this merger would erode accountability and shift funds from poverty reduction, so let's start with the most basic question first. let's not have the usual bluster, prime minister, answer the question for once. can the prime minister confirmed that he has actually read the interim report on this proposed merger? can you also confirm which aid charities he consulted before making his statement today? mr speaker, dfid employs around 600 people in east kilbride. can the prime minister guarantee that all these jobs are secure and they will stay in east kilbride? and finally, on the 8th ofjune my colleague, the memberfor on the 8th ofjune my colleague, the member for dundee west, wrote to the dfid secretary asking why the department was suspending all dfid projects except for the relative handful of projects that have been

identified by the government as a priority. can the government confirm if all these suspended projects are 110w if all these suspended projects are now being scrapped? if all these suspended projects are now being scrapped ?|j if all these suspended projects are now being scrapped? i must respectfully tell the right honourable gentleman that the policies that we are enacting for which he expresses such horror, the creation of this new whitehall super department actually reflects what the vast majority already does. one in 29 countries does anything different from what we are proposing, we are integrating our foreign policy. we are going to increase it and make sure we do even more to tackle poverty and deprivation around the world. tackle the education of women and girls around the world, we are going to use this powerful new whitehall department to do it, to give the uk

extra throw weight and maggot wattage, that is what we need because at the moment, we are less than the sum of our parts. as were east kilbride, here he is, he says he wants to break up the united kingdom, the right honourable gentleman, and yet he wants us to keepjobs in east kilbride. i can tell him, of course we will keep those jobs, of course we are going to support the work of those fantastic people in east kilbride, he, by his policies, would have coursed through that away. thank you, mr speaker and coursed through that away. thank you, mrspeakerandi coursed through that away. thank you, mr speaker and i am very glad my right honourable friend the prime minister has been listening to some of the things i've said over the last three years and bringing strategic alignment to foreign policy is something many of us have been calling for. i welcome this and it brings us into line with other countries, my australian opposite number who i spoke to only an hour ago appraised this decision as did my canadian opposite number, and this brings us into line with norway

and denmark, two countries very well known for delivering effective aid programmes, not just in known for delivering effective aid programmes, notjust in their own national interest but in the interests of the people they serve. i welcome this decision. may high however ask that he enforces the commitment that this is to developed the technical expertise that dfid has developed over the past 23 years and you wouldn't ask someone untrained to handle the delivery of the millions of pounds that are so well and effectively spent by people in east kilbride and actually around the world on our behalf? absolutely andi the world on our behalf? absolutely and i am glad that with his experience of foreign affairs, and all the scene around the world, he does support this initiative. it is absolutely vital that in the new department of people are multi—skilled and people understand that, as i said just now to the house, that people in the department

forforeign house, that people in the department for foreign and commonwealth and of element affairs, understand how development can be a fantastic tool for the promotion and notjust for human rights and attacking poverty around the world, but also for promoting the values and interests of this country at the same time. that, i think, of this country at the same time. that, ithink, is of this country at the same time. that, i think, is what the people of this country want to see. heading to rotherham. i am incredulous you are going down this path and with a single stroke getting rid of our soft power in international standing, ata soft power in international standing, at a time when the developing world needs us to stand together and show real leadership. let me fact check your statement. aid and foreign policy are very different, one is humanitarian, one is political. overspend is embedded infour is political. overspend is embedded in four acts of parliament, specifically to alleviate poverty, not to safeguard british interests. dfid is the department with oversight and our report of last week shows it is the most effective

and transparent at delivering aid and transparent at delivering aid and fco has been criticised in this regard. so, can the prime minister please explain how will it now be scrutinised and protected? what is the timetable of this hostile ta keover the timetable of this hostile takeover and can the pm please detail the cost of this restructure at what must be the most inappropriate time? parliament will of course have the ability to scrutinise the new department and i imagine parliament will wish to set up imagine parliament will wish to set upa new imagine parliament will wish to set up a new committee to do so. the timing of the changes is september where we expect to have it, i think she is being frankly, and i think many members opposite, are being frankly far too negative about this. this is an opportunity for us to get value from the huge investments that we make in overseas spending and to make sure that that spending continues to tackle poverty and deprivation around the world. to put the tackling of poverty and

deprivation at the very heart, think of that, at the very heart of uk foreign policy. that is something that i think members opposite should rejoice at. i have long called for britain to have a stronger, more authoritarian voice on the international stage as a force for good. but i have also called for a grand strategy, not only linking what the foreign office does and dfid does, but also trade and defence to create a grand strategy and international outlook. i have also called for better strategic oversight of dfid spending, moving away from the archaic laws which are 110w away from the archaic laws which are now out of date. i am concerned about the timing of this because there is an enduring emergency that must be a government priority. he, himself, mention the defence security and foreign policy review which was designed to understand what our whitehall architecture should be in understanding what our vision, our place in the world

shouldn't be and aspires to be. surely that should come first. kenny also confirmed that with the gdp expected to fall, because of the given 2% target for defence, is now going to be obsolete but there will be no real terms cut in the defence budget. mr speaker, i am gratefulto my honourable friend and he and i discuss these matters many time, i think he is basically right, that we do need to have an integrated strategy and we do need to have an integrated approach, and that is why this government has inaugurated the biggest, most fundamental integrated review of foreign security and defence policy since the cold war. the reason we are having this discussion is because we need to keep going. it is right we face a crisis now but we also face a post covid—19 world what the uk is going to need to be able to speak with one powerful voice on the international stage in which are idealistic ambitions for department are wholly

integrated with our views on foreign policy, and the uk will speak all the more powerfully for that. this is the position adopted by the vast majority of countries in the oecd, asi majority of countries in the oecd, as i say. all but one of 29 pursue this approach, it is the right reform at the right time. i believe the house should support it. following the point my honourable friend here in britain, we have got companies with great brands and products, there has never been a more important time to promote them overseas and in the emerging market. can the prime minister ensure that the new department will maintain the same level of global, political and economic influence that was developed under dfid while maximising opportunities for uk exporters? yes, i will and i think it is only fair that uk exporters and companies should get a proper hearing from the department, i don't know about honourable members around the house, but many a time i have

been asked why on earth are such and such are one a test —— our water sanitising project, was not properly listened to and didn't get a chance of support from the uk budget. we wa nt to of support from the uk budget. we want to have entirely fair procurement. we do not wish to see taxpayer money waster, but it is also vital that we in the uk can do great things around the world, whether in clean technology, zero carbon energy generation or whatever. it is vital that uk producers should get a fair crack of the whip. can i associate myself with the remarks of the prime minister on the latejo cox and the memberfor east minister on the latejo cox and the member for east dunbartonshire. britain's's international aid should have one overriding purpose, to help the world's tourist. confusing this objective for britain's aid budget with other foreign security policies and objectives is a massive step backwards. when the world's purist

are exposed to the worst pandemic for a century, why has the prime minister chosen this moment to step back from britain's leadership in the fight against global poverty? isn't the leader of the opposition right, this is an appalling version of distraction politics? now is exactly the moment when we need to intensify and to magnify britain's voice abroad - to make sure that voice abroad and to make sure that when we make our points in other countries about tackling poverty, that we are listened to, that her majesties ambassador in that country is listened to with the attention thatis is listened to with the attention that is due to the person who commands the whole canopy of our foreign policy. that is absolutely vital for our success and that is what we are going to achieve. thank you, madam deputy speaker. can i congratulate my right boyfriend on maintaining his reforming agenda? —— my right honourable friend. can he

assure the house this is an opportunity to drive the uk's interest globally and to protect the most vulnerable around the world? he mentions the uk... this is an opportunity to plan leading roles in national organisations like the wto and so on? yes indeed, and as he knows, next year the uk takes up the chairmanship of the g7, we have the cop26 climate chairmanship of the g7, we have the co p26 climate change chairmanship of the g7, we have the cop26 climate change summit in her voice in these proceedings will be greatly magnified by having a single powerful voice for the projection of the uk views overseas. this is a big step forward for global britain. so jeffrey donaldson. thank you, northern ireland wants to play its full pa rt northern ireland wants to play its full part in the rest of the united kingdom in promoting this country overseas. we are proud of what the united kingdom has done across the world. as northern ireland

approaches its centenary next year, while the prime minister assured me that whether it is new free trade agreements, whether it is promoting the united kingdom as a whole through our dramatic missions, and indeed drawing on the expertise of people from northern ireland in providing uk aid overseas, that we will be able to play our full part in these new arrangements? of course ican give in these new arrangements? of course i can give my honourable friend this assurance and northern ireland will play a full part, notjust in these arrangements but as he knows and as he fought for, in all the free trade deals that we do. thank you, can i welcome the statement from my right honourable friend and also his commitment to our continued effort in terms of international aid? he may know that just last week there was a report that some 100 million people can be driven into extreme poverty because of the covid—19 crisis and in many developing countries the economies are already

hit hard by falling investment, but i know that many are also concerned by increasing talk of protectionism by increasing talk of protectionism by advanced economies, including by some people in this country? can i ask my right honourable friend to ta ke ask my right honourable friend to take this opportunity to commit britain to fighting protectionism in all its forms because trade is as important as aid? absolutely and i think my right honourable friend raises a profoundly important point. there is a risk now that some countries may seek to return to a protectionism, to a beggar my neighbour approach, that is not the approach of the united kingdom. of course we want to build up our own manufacturing capabilities, to make sure we have the resilience in my economy when crisis hit, but we also depend on whole the free and fair trade and that is what we will fight for —— a leg my neighbour approach.

international aid is about assisting people who are living in unimaginable poverty. the prime minister's answers today have been concerning, well the priority of the new department be to help the most vulnerable people in the world or will be to increase the uk's voice abroad? it will do both. let mejust explain to the honourable lady that it is no use, a british diplomat one day, going into see the leader of a country and urging him not to cut the head off his opponent. and to do something for democracy in his country, if the next day another emanation of the british government is going to arrive with a cheque for £250 million. we have to speak with one voice, we must project the uk overseas in a consistent and powerful way and that is what we are

going to do. so long as the kingdom and this house resembles a stunt by 1984'sjunior and this house resembles a stunt by 1984's junior anti—sex league, the recovery necessary to sustain his global ambition and indeed the 15 billion of international development aid will evade us. surely, yard is more than enough? mr speaker, my right honourable friend invites me to comment on social distancing rules and he is wholly right that we will continue to review those rules. iam will continue to review those rules. i am determined to make life as easy as possible for our retailers, for our hospitality industry, but we must defeat this virus, as i am sure he knows. and i'm sure the people of

this country understand, we are making great progress as a country. the number of deaths have massively come down, the number of new hospital admissions have massively come down, we continue to make progress but we must make sure we get the virus fully under control before we make the change that he wa nts. before we make the change that he wants. thank you, madam deputy speaker. the prime minister said the dividing line between aid and foreign policy runs through our whole system but back in 1994 when that dividing line didn't exist, we ended up with a scandal where we poured billions of pounds of taxpayer's money into a scheme that was to win a foreign trade deal on arms. that led to the introduction of the international development act in 2002 to outlaw linking aid to foreign policy, so can the prime minister give us a guarantee that is not his objective? the gentleman is

entirely right, there was a scandal involving it and he and i remember it vividly, it was wrong that huge sums were given in aid for a project that didn't have a good business case, by the international developed act protects us from that kind of mistake and that kind of approach. we will not take that approach, this is not a return to the idea of tied aid, this is about coherence and projecting our mission abroad. it is about protecting the uk abroad. projecting our mission abroad. it is about protecting the uk abroadm combining these two departments, does my right honourable friend to share my ambition that global britain can be a world leader in new clea n britain can be a world leader in new clean technologies like fusion and quantum and hydrogen technology and the life sciences? and as today we celebrate sussex day, also the export of english sparkling wine, creating thousands of high—quality,

well—paid jobs and growth industries? yes, indeed. he is absolutely right what he says about fusion research where we lead the world, he is right about what he says about vaccines, about hydrogen, andindeed says about vaccines, about hydrogen, and indeed satellite technology where we also lead the world, he is com pletely where we also lead the world, he is completely correct in what he says about sussex wines which are the world's or among the world's finest. he is the captain of the ship of state as we navigate the perilous waters of brexit, of covid—19, of civil unrest and his priority is to rearrange the deck chairs of whitehall. if this really is a merger, presumably, iwillallow whitehall. if this really is a merger, presumably, i will allow you to chant out then i will ask my question, if this really is a merger, will be right honourable memberfor merger, will be right honourable member for berwick—upon—tweed to a site on the front bench and the right honourable member who sat on

the bench, be applied equally for the bench, be applied equally for the newjob of colonial secretary?” don't know quite what plan he is on. we are going forward with a single new whitehall department for international affairs which i believe will add greatly to this country's global through weight. those members opposite should applaud this stage, it reflects what is done by the overwhelming majority of countries in the oecd, most of our friends of countries in the oecd, most of ourfriends and of countries in the oecd, most of our friends and partners, of countries in the oecd, most of ourfriends and partners, all i can think of, we should get with the programme and honourable members mustn't shout at the prime minister. we are here to ask questions, not make long preambles to questions. if we do not

have shorter is, everyone is not going to get the chance to ask their question. if the questions are shorter, i know the prime minister will thus be able to give shorter answers. can i welcome this change and the logic of it is overwhelming, and the logic of it is overwhelming, and it is going to be a great day for our diplomatic clients? but that does depend on the values are going to underpin our global britain. whether we are going to be able to exercise leadership of the relief of poverty, justice and international rule of law will depend on those values. they are getting an immediate test. in two weeks' time when our ally israel is going to annex elements of the occupied palestinian territories, a grave breach of international law. i am sure we must try to divert them from the prospect with real sanctions if they breach international law. before the prime minister even

answers that question, nobody was listening. short questions and then the prime minister can give short answers. yes, i believe that what is proposed by israel would amount to a breach of international law and we strongly object, and we profoundly —— in a profoundly two state solution and we will continue to make that case. thank you, madam deputy speaker. if the prime minister is serious about global britain why as he left a world leading aerospace and defence industry in a downward falling pattern? we have already seen thousands of job losses pattern? we have already seen thousands ofjob losses in communities that can ill afford to lose them. with the right action now, the uk could lead the global race ina now, the uk could lead the global race in a green revolution in fence and aerospace. can he make this his vision of global britain rather than

and other unnecessary whitehall reorganisation? that is indeed what we are doing. i have spoken to the head of rolls—royce and other countries about the vision for aerospace that she describes. there isa aerospace that she describes. there is a big opportunity for this country to lead the world in low—carbon aerospace technologies and that is what this government is going to do. with the prime minister agree with me that global britain is not just about pursuing agree with me that global britain is notjust about pursuing an ambitious independent trade policy but at its heart, it is about championing values and would he further agree that in order to make this a reality, we must strengthen our voice on the world stage and be unafraid to collar countries who threaten these values and rules —based international order?” believe this will be a profoundly beneficial change, both for the fco and fort dfid, because you will infuse the whole of our foreign policy, as i say, with that missionary zeal, that sense of

idealism that characterises the very best of our age experts. they are the best in the world. they will now be the absolute heart of uk foreign policy and that is the right place for them to be. all i am hearing from today's exchange is that we will only help the poorest in the world if they are buying british goods and i, madam deputy speaker, cannot... words fail me at the carol the abdication of briton's global response ability towards the poorest in the world and we are shooting ourselves in the foot. we know the cobit crisis can only be resolved if the poorest countries can get rid of the poorest countries can get rid of the virus or control it —— covid—19. will he reconsider this globally illiterate and morally apprehensive —— reprehensible move? illiterate and morally apprehensive -- reprehensible move? should you look at what this country is doing

to tackle coronavirus around the world, giving more than other countries to tackle the virus. i don't know if she saw what happened at the recent summit, but she should be proud of what the country is doing to tackle this virus around the world. as someone who started their career in emerging markets, cani their career in emerging markets, can i welcome this move? with the pm agree with me that as the world changes this speaks to how developing countries want to receive aid, not in isolation but as part of aid, not in isolation but as part of a comprehensive dialogue across trade, investment, technology, diplomacy and defence that they can achieve their own goals? my honourable friend is entirely right andi honourable friend is entirely right and i think the confusion that you find in capitals of our partners around the world must end, they must understand that the uk government speaks with a single voice as a powerful, clear message from a new international department that i think will do a power of good around

the world. we already punch above our weight, this will help us to punch even harder. it's sc would be prime minister agree that one thing that needs to look at is tackling corruption? yes, indeed, in the uk leads the world in tackling corruption and money laundering, and once again, that agenda is going to have four more weight through the integration of the two departments. madam deputy speaker, it's hard to see this decision as anything but a populist stu nt decision as anything but a populist stunt which lies in the face of what the coronavirus pandemic tells us, that we are all interconnected in this world. can the prime minister tell the house what consultation the government has carried out with humanitarian and development experts

as well as leading aid organisations before this decision was made?” as well as leading aid organisations before this decision was made? i can assure the honourable lady that there has been massive consultation over a long period of time and it is my own personal and direct experience that the uk, although it does a fantasticjob with development aid, could do even better if we had a powerful single integrated voice of the kind that i am describing that we will bring into existence in september. thank you, madam deputy speaker, can i welcome my right honourable friends decision, when i was international chairman of the party there were often tensions between the deputy in the foreign office about how would be funny, and my right honourable friend will also know that our friends and allies in the caribbean we re very friends and allies in the caribbean were very let down after the hurricanes and not being able to get the support they were needed, they would also be aware of the money that we have put into the refugee

camps for the syria crisis. so can my right honourable friend confirmed to me that this is indeed making a stronger and more efficient approach and that the more vulnerable to people in society are things that we need to see in the uk? that is right, and one of the absurdity of the rules as apple honourable island states and the caribbean were not actually eligible for that, and we had to fight to get that changed, and out with a super department we will be able to arguments one across all of ourfriends in will be able to arguments one across all of our friends in the world for new perspectives on those particular problems work together to tackle them. at this time of national crisis, wouldn't the prime minister be better using what he describes as the megawatt age to actually sort out the domestic problems we are facing? for example the 20,000 job

losses in the caravan industry, or the threat... deep threat to trade —— the threat to returning to school safely? i am sure that she will want tojoin me and encouraging all of the schools to come back and for the pa rents to the schools to come back and for the parents to be welcome their students a comeback, i'm sure that the right and when we'll be saying that it is safe to go back to school. we are keeping the department for

international trade separate, working hard on free trade deals, as a must for the moment, but it is very important that in post, in mission around the world there will bea mission around the world there will be a single point of reference for governments that need to understand what the uk position is and it is a powerful change. at the ambassadors around the world will be newly authorised to project the uk's point of view. newly empowered, newly authorised to project the uk's point of view. how is it compatible with global britain to be the only country in the world at this stage of the pandemic, and as the rest of europe opens up, to be putting up a great big coastal business sign in the form of his quarantine policy? it's curiously says that because as far as i know, the quarantine policy is actively supported by shadow foreign secretary at the very least and indeed supported by the labour

party, so as own party supporting it. the reason for the policy is of course to prevent the reinfection of this country as we drive the virus down by people coming back from countries where it is out of control. thank you. does the prime minister agree with me that it is in britain's interest you have a poverty reduction programme across the world? well the guarantee after this change that the government will still continue to concentrate on health and education, particularly of girls across the world not only for the benefit of britain but humanitarian purposes so we can carry on the policy reduction programme. yes, and at the heart of the mission of the new department will be 12 years a quality education for every girl in the world. i think the single best thing you could do for the future of our planet. we now

go to work york to rachel maskell. we are in the midst of a pandemic, a trade crisis and an error: —— economic crisis. while the prime ministers with struggling to respond to each of these, why has he decided that now is the time to distract his attention with this reorganisation to water down aid as opposed to address the crisis sitting on his desk? we are getting on with the business of governing this country, improving our international performance, making sure that the uk is able to speak with a single powerful voice of a season that is vital to... now in this crisis, and as vital as the crisis comes to an end. reassessing our role in the world and now is the perfect time for it. does my friend mike agree with me that as we take this broad step, we have a lot to learn from

our other partners? —— does my honourable friend agree with me? here i thank my friend. he is bang on the money and we are simply coming in line with what, as i say, not just australia, canada coming in line with what, as i say, notjust australia, canada or new zealand already do but 28 out of 29 oecd countries do. thank you. dfid has funded outstanding research projects with partners in the developing world. the prime minister has a keen eye for detail so he will be well aware that all too often, the home office applies a colonial mindset to prevent these very same partners travelling to the uk. as the prime minister talks of coherence and value for money, we now see department is working in collaboration —— might well be now see department is working in collaboration over money still be wasted by home office? they are

doing an outstanding job in containing illegal immigration in small boats, working very closely with our friends and partners in france. i wrestled with this issue when i was foreign secretary but i think it is the right thing to do because in africa today, there is competition, intense competition between countries that do not promote democracy and human rights as part of their aid agenda, like china, and countries like britain that do. if they are going to support those british values, we need to speak with one voice but given that one of those values is eradicating extreme poverty, with the prime minister consider allowing a junior minister, who will be responsible for dfid, just attend cabinet so people can see that commitment to eradicating poverty being on the mission that mike undiminished. i'm gratefulfor being on the mission that mike undiminished. i'm grateful for his support and i know he wrestled with theissue support and i know he wrestled with the issue when he was doing the job

that i once did as well. i think he has come to the right conclusion. as for his suggestion on how we will work it in government, i listened to what he had to say. the world increasingly thinks that this country under this prime minister is a basket case. the highest excess death rates in the world, the deepest economic collapse, school is returning and complete and utter chaos and a quarantine introduced after the horse has already bolted. ata after the horse has already bolted. at a moment of international crisis, the biggest idea that the prime minister has it he should change the letterhead from the foreign office. this is a nonsense. doesn't he realise that this isn't a statement on global britain, it is a statement from little england. i was very sad and disappointed to hear the remarks of the right honourable gentleman opposite. i think it's an important

change that is making in the way that we work our foreign policy. i think you should applaud it, you should welcome it and, by the way, he should also not run this country down. thank you. prime minister, whatever you think about removal of statues and whatever it is you're trying to say that mac signal with what looked like a very regressive move, there is a clear desire at this moment among people including the context of the black lives matter campaign to examine the ambiguous legacy of the british empire. given the vital work of dfid in addressing and developing, some say it is a legacy of the british empire. this is not a particularly shameful moment for you to abolish the very department that is trying to address those inequalities? we are not abolishing the role of the international... we are exhorting

them, enhancing them, making them pa rt them, enhancing them, making them part of one of the senior departments of this country, able to project british views overseas and yes, of course we will continue to tackle injustice around the world but we will be able to do it with a more powerful voice than ever before. thank you. i welcome my honourable friend's statement and strongly endorse the merger of dfid and the foreign & commonwealth office to aid, develop and diplomacy at the centre of our foreign policy. does it great meal at the commonwealth is a powerful good in the world —— my power for good commonwealth is a powerful good in the world —— my powerfor good in the world —— my powerfor good in the world —— my powerfor good in the world and we should work strategically with commonwealth countries in leadership, aid and trade issues? i thank my honourable friend very much. he is right that commonwealth is a powerfulforce friend very much. he is right that commonwealth is a powerful force for good, 53 nations united with a shared tradition and a shared

ambition to encourage free trade around the world and we will develop and many other important causes which will of course be addressing at the summit when we can hold next year. thank you. they can lift the potential for a bout of poverty and it can be prime minister give me a cast—iron guarantee that the plans he has announced today that cannot result in any diminution of the uk government was my previous support to free trade across the road from palestine to the ivory coast? of course. i think today's statement is a hugely positive opportunity for the uk to truly lead the world in

tackling climate change and decarbonisation, and to help some of the poorest in the world to help and preserve their livelihoods, but well my friend reassure us that he will use brilliant uk science to create newjobs are in the uk and two level up newjobs are in the uk and two level up right across our country?” newjobs are in the uk and two level up right across our country? i thank my friend. she is great with green technology, green finance, wind turbines, new battery technology and we are proceeding apace with those investments. thank you. i wonder when the prime minister will give our folks back for those who can't attend parliament. the prime minister is famous in his approach to detail and i notice he said the trade commission will be under the

authority of uk ambassadors in a statement today. in latin america, there are 12 ambassadors and one trade commission so how will that work? mr speaker, the obvious answer is in country, there was a single head of mission that is the ambassador. that is how it works and it is very important that everybody understands that, and i repeat what isaid to understands that, and i repeat what i said to my friend, the right honourable leader of the snp, we will ensure that we keep that investment in east kilbride, keep supporting east kilbride, which of course he, by his desire, to break up course he, by his desire, to break up the united kingdom, would be throwing away. thank you, madam deputy speaker. i always remember malcolm bruce, the former chair of international develop and committee

saying the thing about dfid is it's not as good as it thinks it is but not as good as it thinks it is but not as good as it thinks it is but not as bad as what its critics say andi not as bad as what its critics say and i worried we shouldn't lose the expertise accumulated department but one area that has been big improvements, which i hope the prime minister with agreement and give a commitment to protecting as in the area of scrutiny and accountability of every single pound of aid money thatis of every single pound of aid money that is spent, will he give the commitment today that there will be no reduction, no dim definition and the quality of the scrutiny of the money spent in our name? i think we can be proud of the scrupulous nurse the way aid is spent on the parliamentary oversight will continue in the current way. thank you, madam deputy speaker. in a sudden change to plan, i am wondering what the prime minister's thoughts are to the previous premise of david cameron's comments to merge the department is a mistake and he believes ultimately less respect for

the uk overseas. does he agree with the uk overseas. does he agree with the former prime minister? no, i profoundly disagree with that. there is an incoherence in uk foreign policy which we can now rectify and have a better, more powerful, more positive voice for this country overseas which puts the idealism of development aid professionals at the heart of our foreign policy and that is what we are going to do. finally we go to rutland and melton. thank you, madam deputy speaker. ithank my right honourable friend at the coal face my right honourable friend at the coalface and my right honourable friend at the coal face and i welcome this decision which will end bureaucratic wrangling is, hopefully in the disparity between fco and dfid staff and everyone works as one team because that is how we support those

in need. will he confirm that those raging against a retreat from the world stage... this is a massive opportunity for this country to protect itself more powerfully abroad and what we want to see and know we're going to achieve is a union of the idealism, the passion, the commitment of dfid with the diplomatic, political skills of the foreign office to make sure that we intensify our mission as one of the great development powers of the planet. that is what we are going to do. thank you. studio: we will pull away from the announcement from the prime minister announcing that the overseas aid department and the foreign office will be merged, the move to combine

the department for international element follows a review into international spending. the new department will be called the fcd oh, the foreign commonwealth and development office. let's talk to our political correspondent chris mason. it gives the uk more mega wattage, in the words of the prime minister. it was one of those phrases we heard there, the other quite a resting phrase, justifying this decision to rewrite the whitehall organic gram is the idea that in his view, the international development budget was seen as a giant cashpoint in the sky. what does he mean by that? he wa nts to sky. what does he mean by that? he wants to see a greater correlation between where the uk's aid money goes which by international standards is a big pot of money, both as a proportion of our international income, enshrined in law by 0.7% of our gross national

income, but in absolute terms as well, better tied to uk international interests and it is his belief that having all of that decided under one departmental umbrella, under a supercharged foreign office that is also in charge of international development will better achieve that. the government has been heading in this direction for some time, the ministers in the foreign office and in the department for international development where one in the same apart from each department having its own secretary of state. over the summer there is going to be a reorganisation, the aim is it will be completed by september, the current secretary of state for international development will be no more as far as thatjob is concerned because that job will more as far as thatjob is concerned because thatjob will no longer exist and dominic raab will be the head of this new super department. the government says it is committed to that law that says a 0.7% of national income should be spent on international development stopped it is worth pointing out that because the economy is shrinking as a result of the coronavirus, there is going

to be last element money to spend and precisely where those cuts happen will be very, very important in the coming months. a little bit of reaction, you it being welcomed byjeremy hunt, the former foreign secretary, but pointedly in the last few minutes criticised openly and directly by the former prime minister david cameron. is marcus rashford a fan of dfid? let's hope not if you are borisjohnson, otherwise that campaign for his insta nt otherwise that campaign for his instant reinstatement might be sorted in the next 24—hour. we can speak now to the shadow education secretary, rebecca long—bailey. marcus rashford, well, he has scored here, hasn't he? he is an absolute superstar and i think all of our thanks goes to markets, campaigners such as the good law project and

sustain, and the great people who have been contacting their mps over the last few days who have certainly got a welcome u—turn on the cards, thatis got a welcome u—turn on the cards, that is a victory for the 1.3 million children that were looking to be hungry over the summer holidays. i am getting grief on twitter for describing this as a u—turn but sometimes u—turns are good, and this is one of those. u—turn but sometimes u—turns are good, and this is one of thosem isa good, and this is one of thosem is a really good u—turn and it is one we have been urging the government to make for some time. i think it is a small victory for humanity and hopefully we will have a good debate this afternoon in the comments and we will look beyond the small victory because critically, free school meals are an indication ofa free school meals are an indication of a wider problem and that is child poverty. what we want to see now is the government taking real action on eradicating child poverty and making sure that children have the academic and emotional support that they need coming out of this crisis, but they also have a bedrock of support within their home, all the way through from free digital devices

from those who do not have them and food in their bellies through the summer holidays. i have got to leave it there but thank you very much. michael gove is on his feet, we are getting an update on those talks on bricks between the uk government and the eu. again, bio video conference. iam the eu. again, bio video conference. i am grateful to the vice president of the european commission for the very constructive way in which progress was made under his chairmanship. in that meeting i set up chairmanship. in that meeting i set up our plans to implement the protocol on ireland and northern ireland and updated the eu in our ongoing work to protect the rights of eu citizens in the uk. this is a priority for the uk government. i also sought assurance for our part that the eu intended to meet its obligations under the withdrawal agreement around the protection of the rights of our national is currently living in the eu. we have concerns in this area and we will continue to press the eu to ensure that our citizens' rights are

properly protected. mr speaker, madam deputy speaker, forgive me, if we are to make the progress that we all want to see in our negotiations on the future relationship, we all need to be both clear eyed and constructive stop our eu partners agreed yesterday that during the full negotiations completed to date, we have all gained greater clarity and understanding of our respective positions. discussions have been productive, legal text have been exchanged and even, this has occurred, as both sides have had to deal with uniquely difficult challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. but as my right honourable friend the paymaster general advised the house last week, following the fourth round of negotiations, it is still the case there has been insufficient movement on the most difficult areas where differences of principle remain. we are committed in line with the political declaration to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement with the eu, built on the precedence of the agreement that the eu has reach with other sovereign states

such as canada, japan and south korea. and we are ready to be flexible about how we secure an fta which works for both sides. the uk however, has been clear throughout that the new relationship we seek with the eu must fully reflect our regained sovereignty, independence and autonomy. we did not vote in june 2016 to leave the eu but still to be run by the eu. we cannot agree to be run by the eu. we cannot agree toa to be run by the eu. we cannot agree to a deal that gives the eu court of justice a role in our future relationship. we cannot accept restrictions on our legislative and economic freedom, unprecedented in any other free trade agreement. and we cannot agree to the eu's demand that we stick to the status quo on their access to british fishing waters. so there must be movement and the clock is ticking. the transition period ends on december the 31st, that was a manifesto pledge on which this government was elected and it was the instruction from the electorate in the 2016

referendum. to leave the single market and the customs union and to grant the opportunities of full economic and political independence. for yea rs economic and political independence. for years on from the referendum result, no one can argue that this isa result, no one can argue that this is a rushed or persisted step, it is delivering at last on democracy. we will manage the adjustment required at the end of the transition period in electable and pragmatic way to minimise any challenges and to maximise all opportunities, but the call from opposition politicians to extend the transition period is not in the national interest. staying under the eu's ctrl after this december it would mean paying money into eu budgets, that we could spend on our nhs. excepting new laws under which we would have no say, laws shipped in the interest of others and being stopped from taking the actions we need to supercharge our economic recovery. that would clearly not be in our national interest. and of course, there was no intrinsic reason why a deal

cannot be concluded in good time. the director general of the world trade organisation confirmed that the uk that a deal between the eu and the uk can be reached in a timely way if the political will is there. the uk's political will is there, we still have the time to bring a deal home. that is why the prime minister has led the drive to celebrate these talks, to reach agreement and to ensure that next january we leave the regulatory reach of the eu and embrace the new opportunities our independence will bring andi opportunities our independence will bring and i commend the statement to the house. thank you, madam deputy speaker. four years ago today i was in leeds general infirmary wherejo cox parents and her sister —— with her parents and her sister. today we remind ourselves of jo her parents and her sister. today we remind ourselves ofjo cox, her values and she stands for. i thank the ministerfor an

values and she stands for. i thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement today. following the meeting on friday, but the uk and eu confirmed there is not going to be an extension of our negotiations beyond the end of this year. that puts the focus firmly on both sides to secure the deal that they described in the poetical declaration. the right honourable gentleman knows full well what a guarantee leaving only on deputy oh terms before our country. last year the minster told the oxford farming conference that small farmers would be hardest hit by the barriers on ta riffs be hardest hit by the barriers on tariffs and trading on wto terms, this is on top of what many farmers feel from a lack of legal safeguards on cheap imports with animal welfare standards. this is not an ice littered incident of uncertainty. in the automotive industry nissan say we have modelled every possible ramification of brexit and the fact remains our entire business is not sustainable in the event of wt0 tariffs. similarwarnings sustainable in the event of wt0 tariffs. similar warnings have been made by vauxhall‘s owners about their future presence in made by vauxhall‘s owners about theirfuture presence in ellesmere port. the minister has been clear in

the past, why it is important to get a deal. so will he explain again today why a deal is better than leaving on wto terms? the prime minister's states his own authority on having an oven ready deal but today in the minster‘s statement he said we want to intensify talks in july and to find, if possible, an early understanding of principles underlying in the agreement. madam deputy speaker, that doesn't sound like an oven ready deal to me. it is the cause of great concern to all of us. yet, the ingredients of such a deal, were published and the country expects to be delivered upon. the minister refer back to his manifesto pledges to end the transition period at the end of this year, so may i remind him of some other pledges in that manifesto. first, note tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions across all sectors. will the government give uk industries and workforces peace of mind and prevent their business models rupturing in the coming months? later on thursday, the

government published a statement indicating a u—turn on birth control is, perhaps recommending that the government simply has not done enough to prepare for new rules that they wanted to introduce —— border controls. however, this does nothing to help british businesses exporting to help british businesses exporting to the eu. the minister said in his statement the government will manage the commitments required but you cannot make that pledge unilaterally. how the government help exporters who will face these rules from day one? second, there ma nifesto rules from day one? second, there manifesto told voters the brexit deal will safeguard workers' rights, consumers and their mental protections, does the minister agree with me it is essential uk defence the standards in all trade negotiations with other countries? people want see the uk in a race to the top, not to be forced in a race to the bottom overseen by an overseas president. first, we were promised rod's acuity partnership, there is no greater priority than keeping the british people safe and secure. on the 3rd ofjune the right honourable member for maidenhead asbury assurance that as of the 1st of january the uk will have access

to the quantity and quality of data that it currently has with regards to uk criminal record data? can the minister provide an answer because two weeks ago the minster mac was unable to. fourth, we were told that whatever happens the uk will respect the good friday agreement. many northern irish businesses, including manufacturing firms, have integrated supply chains across the united kingdom. unite and gmb members are reeling from the prospect of more redundancies following the covid—19 crisis and we need to stem the tide ofjob crisis and we need to stem the tide of job losses, not crisis and we need to stem the tide ofjob losses, not exacerbate them. firms in northern ireland need to know the real world detail of the business environment they will be operating in, the precise checks and controls need to implement and the operational readiness of the systems they will be using in just 29 weeks' time. it is farfrom they will be using in just 29 weeks' time. it is far from reassuring that according to page 28 of the uk command paper, so far the government is committed to producing full guidance to businesses before the end of the transition period, so that could be december. and it

simply is not good enough for british businesses. finally, on the same day the prime minister claimed the impasse can be resolved in a deal achieved injuly, the impasse can be resolved in a deal achieved in july, the government signed up to the negotiating rounds concluding on the 2ist negotiating rounds concluding on the 21st of august. it's july a serious proposal or is it one of those over promises we have become accustomed to from this prime minister? agreed in haste to win a headline only to fall by the wayside when reality bites. with that in mind and thinking firmly about what is best with the united kingdom, labour wa nts with the united kingdom, labour wants the government to succeed in achieving the deal that they promised and to avoid the perils of the alternative. the government must fulfil its pledges to the british people in order to protectjobs, secure our food and medical supplies and protect our citizens safety and security. we urge both sides to show they flexibly required to achieve a deal in our national interest. cani can i thank the honourable lady for her response and her questions and

her response and her questions and her support for a united effort to secure a good deal. can i also extend my sympathy to her and others who were close friends ofjo cox, her death four years ago was an unimaginable tragedy and i can't begin to think what it must be like for those close tojo. she asked about an over ready deal. that deal was cooked before january 31st. that is why we left the eu. it was a deal that supported support across the house of commons and we are now taking all the steps necessary to ensure that that deal can be effectively implemented. of course, we also seek a future trading relationship with the eu, but we are ready if the eu is incapable of closing that relationship, of trading on our own steps, that why those steps in relation to the

border were taken to provide certainty and the flexibility for business to continue. she mentioned a variety of sectors that will be affected by our relationship with the eu. agriculture. it is naturally the eu. agriculture. it is naturally the case of course that we want to maintain tariff—free access for our farmers to european markets, but it is wills the case that we run a deficit with the eu, if there were to be no deal, it would be european producers who would be adversely affected. but that would be in nobody‘s interests. she also mentioned of course the importance of manufacturing and i agree it is important we secure a deal that works in manufacturing's interest, but pits important to recognise —— but pits important to recognise —— but it is important to recognise there was speculation we would see a flight there was speculation we would see a flight of manufacturing jobs. nissan has reshored production to the uk and unilever decided to keep its

headquarterses in the uk. studio: that is michael gove giving an update on the talks between the eu and the uk. following with the meeting with the president of european council and the european parliament. the uk decision not to ask an extension to the transition period means it will end on 31st september and as you heard, a call for compromise from both sides, but also the clock is very much ticking. we will have more reaction to that throughout the afternoon. borisjohnson has confirmed that the government will now fund school meals for eligible children in england over the summer holidays. it comes after pressure from footballer marcus rashford who was himself a recipent of free school meals when growing up.

those eligible will get six—week vouchers to cover summer break. number ten says the one—off decision is based on "unprecedented situation" and said the prime minister welcomed marcus rashford's contribution to the debate around poverty. well this was the immediate reaction from the footballer who tweeted ‘i don't even know what to say. just look at what we can do when we come together, this is england in 2020.‘ and the labour leader, sir keir starmer gave his reaction in the commons. the government has u—turned on free school meals. can i put on record my thanks to marcus rashford for the part that he has played on this issue and the victory for 1.3 million children affected? let's talk to the chair of the education committee the mp robert halfon. your reaction to what is a u—turn? well, i was over the moon, i have been campaigning for this for some time, sending out public letters. i said that i was going to vote with the labour party this morning and i

was really pleased that the government have changed their mind on this and if i had the power to do soi on this and if i had the power to do so i would put marcus rashford in no 10 running policy. he is an incredible guy. was it the well—argued and the gentle way that he spoke about this that carried the day? how much credit does he have for this? he has a lot of credit. he has lived and breathed food hunger, he knows what he is talking about. he has actually donated and raised huge amounts for food charities. he is not one of these virtue signalling stars who fly from hollywood and then preach about protecting the environment. he is just a good man. he spoke for millions and captured the public admiration and he is a hero of our

time. that is why he should be in no 10. traditionally a u-turn is a cause for a government to feel some embarrassment, but sometimes u—turns are done because the government simply changes its mind and should be applauded for doing so, or not? whatever the reasons, people say it isa u—turn, whatever the reasons, people say it is a u—turn, the fact is the government have listened. myself and some other committee members and other conservative mps, we were campaigning on this for a number of yea rs campaigning on this for a number of years and it has been a log, but we have got the decision that we needed that the children needed, that families needed who have big financial anxieties at the current time. let's say to the government, when they have done the right thing, thank you for listening to marcus rashford thank you for listening to the political pressure and hopefully this children will be fed over the summer. boris johnson is hosting the briefing later, if i was in his

team, i would briefing later, if i was in his team, iwould be briefing later, if i was in his team, i would be phoning marcus rashford to see what he is doing at 5 o'clock. exactly, iwould rashford to see what he is doing at 5 o'clock. exactly, i would have him in running the social mobility commission. he is a serious individual and he is so different to any other celebrity i have seen. most other celebrities i've seen. he was clearly just an most other celebrities i've seen. he was clearlyjust an incredible, i have never met him, i knew that he was a foot paler, i —— footballer, i didn't know a huge about him, but he is an extraordinary man who has changed single—handedly policy in our country, but made a difference to hundreds of thousands of children and he gave us a bit of courage, us political people, in parliament and thatis political people, in parliament and that is why... he was a huge influence. i had been campaigning on it, on a conservative if i use another footballer analogy, to say you're playing for the other team is a big thing to do, but i felt i had to do it. i'm glad the government

have changed their mind. when he tweeted this is england 2020, what do you think he ments by that? -- meant by that? i think he meant we can be united as a country and stand up can be united as a country and stand upfor can be united as a country and stand up for what is right, addressing social injustice, supporting equal opportunity and getting people on the ladder of opportunity. and i think that is what summed up his tweet. that is the brilliance of this man, just his one line tweet managed to encapsulate everything that he had been campaigning for and the right decision made by the government to ensure that families who need it get free school vouchers over the coming months. thank you. coronavirus—related deaths in the uk have fallen to their lowest number since the week that lockdown was announced. that's according to the latest weekly data from the office for national statistics. taken together with similar data

from scotland and northern ireland — the figures also show that there have now been more than 64,000 extra deaths than would normally be expected in the uk since the coronavirus outbreak began. when thejobs figures came in — they were perhaps not as bad as feared. but the warning is that they will be. with more than 9 million workers currently furloughed because of coronavirus there's concern many of them won't have jobs to come back to. the office for national statistics says while the overall unemployment rate remains stable, other data suggests the jobs market is in turmoil — the number of people claiming work—related benefits in the uk more than doubled to 2.8 million between march and may and the total number of paid employees in the economy fell by more than 600,000. our business correspondent sarah corker reports. no sector is immune from this economic emergency, but hospitality is one of the biggest casualties, with more job losses to come. if we didn't close one of our three

sites, the whole business would collapse as soon as we... literally as soon as we open, we reckon within three to four weeks, cash would drain out. after 12 weeks in lockdown, restaurant owners peter and elaine now have a quarter of a million pounds of unpaid bills, so they're closing their manchester branch permanently. 31 people are losing theirjobs. you're telling them a big part of their life has gone, or is about to go, and, yeah, nothing prepares you. no. we've got really close relationships with the staff, the staff are notjust names, you know? they're people we've grown really close to. i'm sure there have been tears, haven't there? yeah. loads. the restaurant's manager, isaac, knows thejob hunt will be incredibly tough. the reality we are facing now here, it has been replicated already in other places, with other talented managers. and we need to understand that the competition

will be quite fierce. today's figures show the most challenging jobs market for decades. this graph shows payroll data, including redundancies, retirement and those whose contracts have ended. look at the drop between march and may. 600,000 people lost theirjobs and there was a dramatic fall in job vacancies, plummeting around 60%. i think by the summer there's every chance we'll have 3 million people unemployed, and it'll be the top, top priority for government to be setting out how it can restart hiring, can support employers to keep more people on. the outlook would be much bleaker if it wasn't for the government's furlough scheme, subsidising the wages of around 9 million workers but the fear is it could simply be delaying redundancies and today's figures suggest the young are likely to be the hardest hit. you just think, why couldn't we get help, why would nobody help us? when shearings holidays in wigan went bust in may,

holly and 2,500 others lost theirjobs over night. she said she was at the start of her dream career. i think i cried for the rest of the day. it was just devastating. ifelt gutted, i'm getting upset now because it was a bit more like, "oh, my god, this has actually happened." numerous things went through my mind, financial support, being able to help my mum, me and my boyfriend were saving for a house. it was like starting all over again. the hospitality and travel industries will take yea rs to recover. the number of people claiming work—related benefits has hit 2.8 million, a 27 year high, and it's predicted to rise further in the months ahead. sarah corker, bbc news. the office for international development is to merge with the foreign office. borisjohnson said the foreign, commonwealth and development office

would enable to make the most efficient use of the uk aid budget, which is the third biggest in the world. the former prime minister, david cameron said merging the two departments was a mistake. we must now strengthen our position in an intensely competitive world by making sensible changes, so i have decided to medium term dfid with the other department to make a new department. this will unite our aid with diplomacy. dfid has amassed world class expertise and all its people the take pride in how they have helped to transform the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the world. to select but a few exa m ples. across the world. to select but a few examples. they have strif tried

to protect children from polio, which is now on the verge of global eradication. they have paved the way for millions of girls to attend school for the first time in count a res school for the first time in count ares such as pakistan. as i have seen for myself. they have done their utmost to ease the suffering in syria. and in sierra leone they we re in syria. and in sierra leone they were central to a defeat of the ebola outbreak. this is the finest demonstration of british values, following in the tradition of the country that ended the slave trade and resisted totalianism. and it is that vision and expertise that will now be at the heart of a new department. taking forward the work of uk aid to reduce poverty and that will remain central to our mission. the foreign secretary will be empowered to decide which countries will receive or seize to receive aid

and delivering a single uk strategy for each country, overseen by the national security council, which i chair. those vat zwris will be —— strategies will be implemented by the relative uk ambassador, who will lead all of the government's work in the host country. the prime minister. the headlines on bbc news: a government u—turn, children in england will now get free school meals over the summer holidays. it follows pressure from footballer marcus rashford and senior politicians. the price of lockdown — the number of uk workers on company payroll fell by more than 600,000 in two months. the number of people claiming unemployment—related benefits more than doubles. hope for coronavirus patients on a ventilator — for the first time a drug has been shown to cut the risk of dying from covid—19 new zealand — which hadn't recorded any coronavirus cases for nearly a month — has confirmed new infections in two

people who'd recently arrived from the uk. both women, who are from the same family, had travelled from the uk and were given special permission to leave quarantine to visit a dying parent. charlotte rose reports. these new cases will come as a blow to the country which has been held up as a beacon on fighting covid, with just 22 deaths from the virus. it had gone 24 days with no new infections, the result of an early lockdown and strict border controls which remain in place, with only citizens and essential workers allowed in. the two women, one in her 30s, another in her 40s, had travelled to new zealand from the uk, stopping at doha and then brisbane en route, but it's not clear where they picked up the virus. they didn't have any unwell family members orfriends in london that they can think might have had an infection that they could have been infected by, so it's possible they picked up the infection either in the uk or at the airport or potentially on one of the flights.

they were a week into the mandatory fortnight quarantine in an isolation facility in auckland but were allowed to leave on compassionate grounds to visit a dying parent in wellington, 400 miles away. they travelled in a private vehicle driven by another family member, who is now at risk of infection, as well as all the passengers and crew on board the flight they took. they are all being chased and contacted. in a video update the prime minister says that although the women followed all the rules, the testing regime had failed. there is already an expectation that no one leaves quarantine until they have completed their two weeks and been tested. of course, that was our expectation already, so there has been a failure in this case. as a result, the country is pausing all compassionate leave and introducing compulsory testing every three days for those returning home. new zealand became the latest

country to lift all restrictions on its citizens, seeing the return of sport and even black lives matter protests over the weekend. but as things start to return to normality, it knows the fight against covid is a marathon, not a sprint. charlotte rose, bbc news. for the first time a drug has been shown to cut the risk of dying from covid—19. trials showed dexamethasone, a cheap and widely available steroid, reduced the risk of death by a third among patients on a ventilator. on the basis we can track anybody done. on the basis we can track anybody done. peter horby is professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health for the nuffield department of medicine, which has conducted the research into dexamethasone. hejoins me now. he is in the back of a cab! i want to talk to you, because this is for the first time some good news on treating this disease? yes, i know, i'm as delighted as anybody. it is fantastic. we have been running this

trial for three months and fantastic. we have been running this trialfor three months and it fantastic. we have been running this trial for three months and it is fantastic to have some good news. this drug is very affordable and widely available and can have a good impact on improving survival in a large proportion of hospitalised patients. more specifically, patients. more specifically, patients who are on ventilators? well, it is broader than that, actually we showed the benefit in patients who required oxygen on the ward with about a 20% reduction in the chance of dying, as well as a reduction in the rate of death of those on ventilation. that was a bigger reduction of 35%. it is not a vaccine, but this is hugely significant? no, it is. we were surprised by the results. we were hopeful that the drug would have a benefit, that is why we trialled it, but we were staggered by the size of benefit. it is fantastic news. we are not talking about an expensive

drug? no, the whole treatment course in the uk is about £5. so on intensive care, you treat eight people to save one life. so we are talking a very small amount of money to save a life. that is great, particularly in overseas countries, low income countries, where the drug is even cheaper. in early-morning it is even cheaper. in early-morning it is of other drugs, we are familiar with some hydroxychloroquine is one that has been talked about remdesivir and this is different? yes, this changes the game in a sense, because it is widely available. it has been used for over 60 years and it is on the who essential medicines list and is available in every country and costs pounds. and in india, it costs less than a pound for a treatment course probably. it is something that could

be available for i. -- for all. it is something that those with milder symptoms would benefit from? we did not see a benefit in those who didn't require oxygen on the ward, so it is not a drug for people at home or people who haven't got any respiratory disease. i'm looking at a tweet from professor chris whitty, who said it is the important result for a drug trial so far, safe and well known drug, many thanks for those who took part and made it happen. you don't get better praise than that? no and i'm pleased to ta ke than that? no and i'm pleased to take it on behalf of an enormous tea m take it on behalf of an enormous team who made this happen. they have been working night and day for three months. and thanks to the patients who agreed to take part in trial.m there a eureka moment when you

realise how big a deal this is? yes, it can take a while to sink in. we had to sort through the data and look at the different effects in different sub groups, within a day or two it started to become clear that we were on to something really important. the bottom line is from today, around the world, this discovery is going to save many lives? yes, i believe it will. it is incredible. if you look at, we were looking at the numbers this morning, 30,000 in hospital deaths in the uk, the effect we are seeing with the drug could have reduced that by about 5,000 deaths, just in the uk. has anybody said thank you to you yet? i have had quite a lot of positive responses on e—mails and tweets, thank you very much.” positive responses on e—mails and tweets, thank you very much. i know lots of viewers will say the same, thank you for your work and many

congratulations, it is a great break through. thank you. more borders across the continent are opening up as countries ease their restrictions. yesterday belgium, france, germany and greece lifted border checks and today austria has lifted restrictions at its border with italy and is ending quarantine requirements for more than 20 european countries, though restrictions remain in place for travellers from the uk. bethany bell is at the brenner pass on the border between austria and italy and sent this report. austria's border with italy is open again. there is still a partial travel warning for lombardy, the region with italy's worst outbreak of coronavirus. but freedom of movement is returning. border checks at the brenner pass are gone for the first time in three months. european governments are keen to get business and tourism moving again. but the summer holiday season

is still looking uncertain. austria has ended quarantine requirements for more than 30 european countries, but not for britain. the government here is worried about infection rates in the uk. france and the netherlands also insist on quarantine for travellers arriving from britain and now there are signs that spain may do the same when it reopens its borders in a few days' time. yesterday afternoon, the british embassy in madrid tweeted that people travelling from the uk wouldn't have to self—isolate in spain. but last night, that advice appear to have changed. we will be checking what the uk will be doing and we will be in a dialogue with the uk to see whether or not we should be introducing reciprocity as they have different measures than the rest of the european union. applause. hundreds of german visitors arrived in majorca yesterday, the first tourists allowed

into spain since the borders were shut in march. british tourists may be able to join them if london and madrid can resolve the quarantine issue. but for now, the uk are still warning against all nonessential travel abroad. bethany bell, bbc news. another line on marcus rashford and the u—turn from the government on free school meals. he has tweeted, this was never about me or you, this was never about politics, this was a cry out for help from vulnerable pa rents cry out for help from vulnerable parents and i simply provided a platform for their voices. i stand proud that we have listened and we have done what it right. i'm thankfulfor have done what it right. i'm thankful for you have done what it right. i'm thankfulfor you all have done what it right. i'm thankful for you all that we have given these family just

thankful for you all that we have given these familyjust one less thing to worry about tonight. the well being of our children should a lwa ys well being of our children should always be a priority. the manchester united and england football. the hashtag sir marcus rashford is appearing on twitter. any way. huge praise for him from across the world of politics and elsewhere for the england footballer. we will have more on that later. you're watching bbc news. north korea has admitted that it's blown up a joint liaison office with south korea that was supposed to foster peace between the two sides. the office was set up two years ago in the north korean border city of kaesong, following a summit between the countries' leaders. there has been heightened tension between the the two neighbours in recent days. chinese and indian troops have been involved in a deadly clash on their disputed border in kashmir. the indian army says three of its soldiers,

including a colonel, have been killed. chinese state media say there were also casualties on the chinese side. there have been weeks of escalating tensions after india began construction work in the area. the us supreme court has ruled that employers cannot fire workers for being gay or transgender because it violates their legal protections on the basis of biological sex. the judge, justice neil gorsuch, said any employer who fires someone for being homosexual or transgender, is actually firing them for ‘traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex'. the ruling has been welcomed by lgbt rights advocates. prince charles and camilla visited a gloucester hospital to thank people involved in responding to the covid crisis. strict social distancing was in place throughout the visit in which the royal couple met a range of health care professionals in the grounds of gloucestershire royal hospital in their first royal engagement with the public since the coronavirus outbreak began.

now it's time for a look at the weather with chris. hello there. our unsettled, showery weather pattern is going to continue for much of this week, and that means, yes, there will be warm spells ofjune sunshine. afternoon thunderstorms bringing the risk of some low clouds and flooding, and often it is going to feel warm and quite humid as well. now, this afternoon, this evening, no exception, some of the heavier storms working across southwest england, wales, northwest england, and west scotland, although probably a few more showers and thunderstorms than we have seen over recent days over of south east england, and the midlands as well. overnight it will take a while before though showers fade a while before those showers fade away, and then it turns really quite grey again across northeastern areas with some low cloud and mist and fog patches forming overnight, and it will be another fairly warm and humid kind of night. on into tomorrow's forecast, it's another day of sunshine and showers. the showers really get going as we head into wednesday afternoon,

they will become widespread across wales and a across a good part of the midlands and southern england, some of them capable of bringing some surface water flooding. hello, this is bbc news with simon mccoy. the headlines: a government u—turn, children in england will now get free school meals over the summer holidays. it follows pressure from footballer marcus rashford and senior politicians. the government has u—turned on free school meals. can i put on record my thanks to marcus rashford for the part that he has played on this issue and the victory for 1.3

million children affected? hope for coronavirus patients on a ventilator — for the first time a drug has been shown to cut the risk of dying from covid—19. the price of lockdown — the number of uk workers on company payroll fell by more than 600,000 in two months. the number of people claiming unemployment—related benefits more than doubles. borisjohnson says plans to merge the department for international development and the foreign office will unite aid with diplomacy. but former prime minister david cameron says it's a mistake. new zealand records two new cases of coronavirus — both had come from the uk, ending 24 days of no new infections. and not so royal ascot, the horses are there, and the jockeys are wearing masks — but there's no queen.

getting the latest figures from the department of health and social care on the cut of the figures and the number of deaths reported —— casualty figures. the daily death figure is 233, so that's the latest total there. the department saying that that was up from 41,736 from the day before. so now 41,969 people have died, these figures in hospitals, care homes and the wider community. the figures do not include all debts across the uk which is thought now to have passed 53,000. that is the latest mortality figures. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc

sport centre, here's chetan. we're going to start with what is one of the highlights of the british sporting summer — racing at royal ascot. but this year it's all happening behind closed doors which means even the queen isn't in attendance for the first time in 68 years. one person who is there though is our sports news reporter laura scott whojoins me now. a totally different feel to racing there this year? it really is, it's really quiet here. i am it really is, it's really quiet here. iam by it really is, it's really quiet here. i am by one of the main gates are normally there would have been a hive of activity behind me, the parade ring steps are normally packed full of people, they would have been here for a much earlier in the day, the queen would have been here for the royal procession, but it is so different this year. we are not allowed inside and actually only 500 people are. it is very quite, there are clear signs that this is not normal. there are signs on the road for social distancing, there are temperature checks on arrival in the car park. in fact, the noise from the traffic on ascot high street is louder than anything

inside the racecourse. no spectators — but still plenty of excitement on day one including a thrilling finish to the queen ann stakes? exactly, it was something to entertain those watching at home, circus maximus winning on a photo finish denying frankie dettori, but ina finish denying frankie dettori, but in a later race he did to get that victory. he treated the few people here to a flying dismount yes, that photo finish, really a highlight of day one. we have got more updates on royal ascot on the bbc sports website as well. discussions have started about fans attending premier league matches again, according to the chief executive richard masters. he hasn't put a timeframe on the return but says talks are under way with the governement. matches resume from tomorrow behind closed doors, with players wearing black lives matter on the back of their shirts

in support of the movement, something masters believes is the right thing to do. i don't see the statements that are being made as political statements, they are ethical values and i do think the players are now speaking with a clearer voice and i see that asa with a clearer voice and i see that as a good thing. one of the things we have been able to do over the last three months is talk more regularly with the club captains and i have enjoyed that process, i enjoyed the process of listening to them and i think that is culminated with the activities and messages you are seeing at the weekend. womens football in scotland's been gifted 250,000 pounds to help it through the pandemic — from a philanthropist in edinburgh. it's been described as the biggest single investment in the women's game, with hopes the figure will rise to over 300,000 pounds through gift aid. james anderson, who made the donation, has also given over three million pounds to the 42 professional mens clubs in scotland. tennis and world number 40 nick kyrgios has described the us

open organisers as "selfish" for intending to hold the grand slam at the end of august. it's expected to be announced later how the event will take place without fans. but kyrgios says he'll need a hazmat suit for travelling and then be in quarantine for 14 days after returning to australia. the us has the highest reported number of deaths in the world from coronavirus, with rafael nadal and novak djokovic saying they might not travel to the event due to saftey concerns. the t20 cricket world cup is "unlikely" to go ahead — that's according to cricket australia. the country was set to hold the 16 team tournament in october: it seems unlikely trying to get 16 countries into australia where most countries into australia where most countries are still going through covid—19 spiking, i think it is unrealistic or be very difficult. we look forward to a number of

different options with those who are working with us at the moment. we await a definite decision on that. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. let's get more now on the government's decision to merge the foreign office with the department responsible for foreign aid, the office for international development. the new department will be called the foreign, commonwealth and development office. in the last hour, the former prime minister, david cameron said the merger of the two departments was a mistake. borisjohnson said the new ‘super department‘ would strengthen britain‘s position in the world. dr liam fox was the last minister to have joint responsibility at the foreign office and the department for international development under the conservative prime minister sir john major. dr fox joins us now. it is ancient history now. we will all it is ancient history now. we will a ll start it is ancient history now. we will all start feeling old if you are going on like that, i should ask you about marcus rashford and what he has achieved. i think it was

inevitable the government will come to this decision, it was logical given that school meals were provided during the easter recess, that it was done during the summer recess was a foregone conclusion. 0k, recess was a foregone conclusion. ok, now david cameron says this merger of these two departments is a huge mistake, you disagree with him? ido, it huge mistake, you disagree with him? i do, it brings us into line with other countries like australia and new zealand where the departments are merged into one. the key element as we maintain our legal obligation to spend a 0.7% of developing and i think bringing them together not only gives us a single foreign policy but actually can provide greater facilities for that single policy by using the platforms that have developed over time separately from both the foreign office and dfid, it can actually give us a biggerjoint office every choose to use it. david cameron says less experience a less respect for the uk overseas. that is pretty strong from

a former prime minister. it is strong but i disagree with him. i think the key element will be utilised the skills of the departments, whether we can keep the skills of the dfid in terms of development delivery alongside... see how much the ex ceo had lost compared to that time whenjohn major‘s government was in place. i think the more that we built up and use the synergy in the departments of the better. i think it is a decision which... white is always the question reforms of government and structures, if applied well,... it seems a strange time to be doing this. period in the middle of an absolute crisis in health and terms. it is something that has been discussed for a long time, in

january the government setting out what a post brexit world has changed... it makes sense... there we re changed... it makes sense... there were a number of available... i think this is a sensible one that they are taking forward and as i say, it brings us into line with a lot of international practice of comparable countries such as australia who sometime ago decided it was worthwhile to bring those two elements together in terms of the effect they could have together. we are having slight problems with your line, but thank you very much for joining us. thank you for your time this afternoon. good to see you. oxfam gb‘s chief executive is danny sriskandarajah. i don‘t know if you heard what liam fox was saying but he thinks this is a good thing, is it? no, ithink it‘s a backwards step that risks costing millions of lives. the uk has been known in the last couple of decades as a world leader on development and that is in part

because we have had a specialist apartment that has had a laser sharp focus on ending extreme poverty. we know that approach is working, it has been shown in other countries where the development department has been subsumed inside out foreign policy department, that the money gets reduced. that is our fear, especially at a time of covid—19 where this pandemic is risking pushing half a billion more people into poverty, so this is a time when we need even more of a focus on ending extreme poverty and we really worry about the applications of today‘s decisions. worry about the applications of today's decisions. that is a hell of a claim, costing millions of lives is what you said. the impact of aid spending on lives is... you know, these are investments that are a life and death in many parts of the world, the prime minister earlier today compared the ukraine to zambia

and asked why a country like the ukraine which has more strategically important, should be getting more aid. but the reality is that extreme poverty in the uk as fallen to almost zero whilst in zambia more than half of all zambians live in extreme property dashing —— the ukraine. the money can save millions i lives ukraine. the money can save millions. lives or at improve the ability of people to see through this pandemic in this crisis. what about those who say actually this is a simple vocation of government, this is the left hand knowing what the right hand is now doing any unified —— and a unified approach on foreign affairs. report after report, and even last week the cross— party after report, and even last week the cross—party commons select committee on international is an element, have all argued that putting the

development ministry of the foreign—policy ministry will not actually promote a more global britain, that by diluting the quality of our aid impact we are actually risking the amazing profile that britain has. they respect that britain has for our commitment to helping the poorest around the world and so, i don‘t think the evidence is there that this will necessarily improve our standing is there that this will necessarily improve ourstanding in is there that this will necessarily improve our standing in the world. soft power, how important is it? isn‘t britain, if we are honest, just trying to punch above its weight these days? look, i take the role of international development in projecting a global britain really seriously. it is not by accident that organisations like oxfam were founded in this country, this is one of the most generous internationalist countries in the world. we are home to some of the most important actors in international development, and human rights, and part of that story has been its separate department and a piece of legislation that has

enacted our society‘s commitment to helping the poorest around the world. just at a time when we need to be reinforcing that image of a caring and internationalist britain, we fear that today‘s decision is going to send the wrong message to those partners around the world that we wa nt those partners around the world that we want to convince we are still a caring internationalist nation.” we want to convince we are still a caring internationalist nation. i am most grateful to you for your time. thank you so much. on police reform today — during a ceremony at the white house rose garden. the move follows a nationwide call for changes to the use of force — and even the dismantling of police departments accused of corruption. it sounds like a radical idea to some — but it‘s exactly what happened in camden, newjersey — and it worked. nada tawfik reports. this is what cracking down on crime looks like in camden, newjersey. all right! here we go! police officers patrol a neighbourhood once known

as heroin highway... i like the way y‘all, you know, doing y‘alljob. ..guided by the mantra that they are guardians of the community, not warriors. here i feel safer with my cousins and my kids coming out, man. halfway between new york city and washington dc, camden was infamous as america‘s poorest and most crime ridden city. now it‘s gaining national attention for the way it‘s rethinking policing. in 2013, the city‘s police department was disbanded. one of the officials that led the county takeover was lou cappelli. he said it took bipartisan cooperation, perseverance and a willingness to go to battle with the police unions. oh, it was a big fight. and we were told all along, until the day this happened, "you‘re not going to be able to do this, we are going to stop you in court." they had political... trying to get political support, people coming to our meetings, death threats. camden has rejected the tough

on crime law and order approach that has disproportionately affected black americans, changing not just its policies but its culture too. and as a result, the city is experiencing its lowest crime rate in 50 years. i try to, you know, get through this uniform... captain zsakhiem james was hired back onto the new force. as a black man, he says he‘s had negative interactions with the police. it‘s one of the reasons he became an officer in the first place. we train in de—escalation, and that‘s the key. de—escalation in conversation, it‘s the focus of our department. building partnerships with the community and other agencies, we realise that we couldn‘t arrest our way out of the problem so we had to change our tactics. during a recent march in the aftermath of george floyd‘s death, camden officer stood in solidarity with protesters. while community block parties in policing alone

cannot solve racial equality, camden‘s officers are seeing the value in redefining theirjob description. the headlines on bbc news... a government u—turn, children in england will now get free school meals over the summer holidays. it follows pressure from footballer marcus rashford and senior politicians. the price of lockdown — the number of uk workers on company payroll fell by more than 600,000 in two months. the number of people claiming unemployment—related benefits more than doubles. hope for coronavirus patients on a ventilator — for the first time a drug has been shown to cut the risk of dying from covid—19. parents of severely disabled children say they feel forgotten during lockdown. new figures from the disabled children‘s partnership suggest that in 76% of cases, disabled children and their families have been surviving since march without any of their normal care and support. ellie costello reports.

this is spike. at nine days old, he had a heart attack and a stroke. he suffered severe brain damage. he has cerebral palsy, is epileptic and is deaf, so has very limited communication. since the start of lockdown, spike‘s mum has cared for him alone. she is just one of the many parents in the uk in this difficult position. the disabled children‘s partnership has surveyed more than 4000 parents of kids with complex needs. more than three quarters of those families say that all care and support has been withdrawn since lockdown began. the majority of these parents report worsening mental and physical health of not only themselves but their children. we‘ve kind of had to just wing it and make it up as we‘re going along, really. i received this letter saying that he‘s been identified as vulnerable, you need to shield him, there was no guidance in that at all. so i then get to a point,

eight weeks later, that i‘m absolutely on my knees, and just begging for help. aside from the emotional strain, one in five families said they would go into debt as a result of caring for a disabled child during the pandemic. yay! he can‘t walk, he can‘t talk, he can just about scratch his nose. prior to lockdown, ten people helped to care for sam. rachel managed alone for two weeks but it became too much. there are safeguarding issues. as a nurse, i go to work and i can‘t work more than 14 hours, i can‘t work more than 12 hours, without legislation and regulation saying i can‘t. i certainly can‘t work 14 days in a row and be deemed safe in my practice, yet as a parent of a child

with complex needs, i‘m making decisions about medications, i‘m making clinical decisions about seizures. in response to claims that some parents are working hours that would be officially deemed unsafe, the government told us that they are... ellie costello, bbc news. as we heard earlier from laura scott, one of the traditional highlights of the british summer, royal ascot, is under way. but there are only a few hundred people on site to witness flat racing‘s biggest meeting instead of the usual thousands. sean magee is a racing journalist and historian of royal ascot, hejoins me now. there is no queen, no crowds, it is not really royal ascot, is it? it very much is. what you get, you

don‘t get huge crowds getting in your way, what you get is a terrific view of the reason, the best resources in the world. i have been watching it all afternoon because of course they will not let me in and it has been really terrific, really successful. but you have never seen anything like this before? absolutely not, nothing like this. royal ascot itself has been subject to various things over the centuries, it was founded in 1711 so there is a lot of sentries to get through. there has been nothing like it, there have been other reasons for cancellation or moving a meeting or the sort of thing, but the idea of running royal ascot with an empty sta nce of running royal ascot with an empty stance is just extraordinary. of running royal ascot with an empty stance isjust extraordinary. —— empty stance. it seems to me, the evidence of the first day, which we are nearly through, it has worked very well. the racing itself has

been terrific. as i say, some of the other things... i mean, been terrific. as i say, some of the otherthings... i mean, the thing about royal ascot is it makes its various arenas, the is the horses, the fashion, the champagne, all these things together. do you think these things together. do you think the horses are going to miss it? the horses are fine. they are not so distracted by the stands, you have not got 70,000 people shouting your name. i think the evidence is today has just been tremendous, i am really buoyed up by it. and the queen herself, is there is one passion we know she has, it is this particular horse racing and this particular horse racing and this particular event. she will be missing this as much as she is messed. she will, but on the other hand, there is no point in having a royal procession which is of course the high point of the royal visit to royal ascot, there is no point in

the royal procession if there is nobody in the stands to way back at you. it is all to do with waving in royal procession. —— wave. i think people are saying today is the first day she has ever missed the royal procession. it is not strictly true, she certainly missed one in 1955 when there was a political crisis because of the rail strike. take the back. i suspect she would have been watching the tv. i am a bit disappointed because you are not dressed in tops and tails, and there are virtual royal ascot parties going on. i would have thought you‘d be part of that. there are, i spent a lot of time studying my wardrobe thinking which outfit should i wear. the thing is on thursday, which is gold cup day, the most prestigious day, i will be wearing morning dress

and soi day, i will be wearing morning dress and so i thought i‘d build up towards it. i might wear a tie tomorrow for instance. but you are right, the dress code of ascot is very, very precise. it hasn‘t applied this year because there is nobody to apply it to, but i am sure come next year everything will be back to normal and this amazing race meeting, royal occasion, etc, will carry on. more healthy than ever. let‘s all hope so. it seems a long way away at the moment but we will look to next year. thank you very much. scientists have decoded sounds made by queen honeybees. they found that two distinct noises — toots and quacks — alerted worker bees to the queen‘s intention to swarm. the researchers hope their work will help beekeepers predict how their colonies will behave. our science correspondent victoria gill has been listening to the toots and quacks. bees buzz. busy and vital pollinators.

the buzz of honeybee activity is, despite the insect‘s ongoing decline, a very familiar sound. these sounds, though, might be less familiar. tooting and quacking. they‘re the toots and quacks of queen honeybees... tooting and quacking. ..duets detected during the late spring swarming system. by recording them and observing how the colony behaved, researchers revealed their crucial role in bee society. scientists used vibration detecting devices in the honeycomb to record and decode the signals. we think that the signals are sending information to the colony, to the worker bees. so rather than talking to other queens, the researchers found that a tooting queen was moving around the colony,

but were ready to emerge.