fans fa ns ve nt fans vent their fury at the plans for a new european super league as the prime minister pledges to take whatever action is necessary to stop ingram's richest clubs joining. these are the scenes live at stamford bridge tonight as chelsea, one of the breakaway teams, are in action. the manchester city boss also added his voice to the criticism. it's not a sport when the relation between the efforts and success, the effort and reward, doesn't exist. so it's not a sport. we'll be asking whether the new super league will go ahead in the face of mounting criticising. also tonight... international aviation and shipping are included in new targets to radically cut the uk's carbon emissions. president biden weighs in as the jury deliberates its verdict in the trial of the former police officer

accused of murdering george floyd — calling the evidence "overwhelming." covid cases soar in india. delhi has almost no intensive care beds left as the country records its highest daily death toll. and smart motorways that are being rolled out across the uk — why the government is now promising extra safety measures. and coming up on the bbc news channel, eddiejones gets the backing of the rfu and will continue as england head coach after their fifth—placed finish in the six nations. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the prime minister say he will do whatever it takes to stop plans going ahead for a new european football super league.

borisjohnson met officials from the fa, the premier league and fans representatives this morning to discuss the breakaway tournament involving six of england's richest clubs. the remaining teams in the premier league, who've not been invited to join, have unanimously rejected the proposals which would see a group of 12 clubs from england, spain and italy playing a midweek tournament. fans have gathered outside chelsea's ground in west london tonight to voice their anger at the club's plans to join the super league. our sports editor dan roan reports. the dominant force in the english game, manchester city, are among the six premier league clubs whose breakaway plot has plunged football into chaos. and, today, even their manager made clear he was no fan of the concept. it is manager made clear he was no fan of the concept-— the concept. it is not a sport when the concept. it is not a sport when the relation _ the concept. it is not a sport when the relation between _ the concept. it is not a sport when the relation between the - the concept. it is not a sport when the relation between the effort - the concept. it is not a sport when | the relation between the effort and a success, the effort and the reward, doesn't exist. so it is not

a sport. so it is not a support if success is guaranteed. it is not a sport if it doesn't matter if you lose. . ~' ., sport if it doesn't matter if you lose. , sport if it doesn't matter if you lose. . ~ .,, , ., lose. the backlash is growing. toni . ht, lose. the backlash is growing. tonight. yet — lose. the backlash is growing. tonight, yet more _ lose. the backlash is growing. tonight, yet more protests . lose. the backlash is growing. - tonight, yet more protests outside stamford bridge, home of chelsea, another of the teams involved in the bid to create a ring fenced european elite. fans, so often divided by football, no united in fury. today, the 14 football, no united in fury. today, the ia premier league clubs not involved in the plot met to discuss how they could block it, as well as holding those involved to account. the board made it quite clear that they are contemplating the most severe of sanctions against these six clubs, because they have behaved in a way which self—evidently damages the league as a whole and there are ia fellow shareholders. all i can say is that there were quite unanimous sadness, anger, disgust at the events of the last three days amongst every single one of those ia clubs. the three days amongst every single one

of those 14 clubs.— of those 14 clubs. the rebels insist the are of those 14 clubs. the rebels insist they are helping — of those 14 clubs. the rebels insist they are helping football. - of those 14 clubs. the rebels insist they are helping football. the - of those 14 clubs. the rebels insist they are helping football. the man who runs heavily indebted spanish giants real madrid and the first of the breakaway�*s architects to speak publicly, claims the billions generated will save the sport. translation: we don't have the money, apart from tv rights, so the only way to make football profitable is to make more competitive teams that are more attractive to fans of the biggest clubs from all over the world, so we came to the conclusion that if, instead of doing the champions league between seasons, we will do a super league of the biggest clubs, we will be able to recover some of the income we have lost. . ., , . , recover some of the income we have lost. _, , . , _, recover some of the income we have lost. , . , , lost. the consequences could be seismic. players _ lost. the consequences could be seismic. players from _ lost. the consequences could be seismic. players from the - lost. the consequences could be - seismic. players from the breakaway clubs have been warned they could be banned from the world cup and the most powerful man in the sport issued this warning. if most powerful man in the sport issued this warning.— most powerful man in the sport issued this warning. if some elect to no issued this warning. if some elect to go their _ issued this warning. if some elect to go their own — issued this warning. if some elect to go their own way, _ issued this warning. if some elect to go their own way, then - issued this warning. if some elect to go their own way, then they i issued this warning. if some elect i to go their own way, then they must live with _ to go their own way, then they must live with the — to go their own way, then they must live with the consequences. either you are _ live with the consequences. either you are in — live with the consequences. either you are in or— live with the consequences. either you are in or you are out. this may

be the natural _ you are in or you are out. this may be the natural conclusion - you are in or you are out. this may be the natural conclusion to - you are in or you are out. this may be the natural conclusion to the i be the natural conclusion to the growing influence of billionaire foreign owners in the game. russian oligarch roman abramovich paved the way in 2003, buying chelsea before the florida —based glazerfamily plasma controversial takeover of manchester united. since then, the rest of the big six have fallen into the hands of hugely wealthy overseas investors. this the hands of hugely wealthy overseas investors. , , ., , ~ investors. this is a very american model of professional _ investors. this is a very american model of professional team - investors. this is a very american i model of professional team sports, it is a closed lead, to all intents and purposes and what that does is provides financial security for those clubs.— provides financial security for those clubs. , ., ., ., , those clubs. the government today said it would _ those clubs. the government today said it would consider _ those clubs. the government today said it would consider legislation i said it would consider legislation to block the proposals. the sense that football has very little to celebrate right now. well, the disapproval of manchester city boss mike highly respected manager pep guardiola earlier on i thinkjust highlights the tensions and the divisions within the game that this plan has sparked and could the wider backlash, and that, perhaps have

influenced a possible rethink here? there are suggestions within the game tonight at manchester city may be reconsidering their membership of this group. the club is yet to comment on that and it's not even clear how possible it would be at this stage for them to withdraw, but there is some positive news in terms of the super league's prospects tonight as well, because a spanish court has told fifa and uefa they must not punish either players or clubs for participating in the plan until the proposals are finalised. what happens on the pitch, it seems, may well be determined ultimately in the courts. dan, thank you. the government has announced new climate change commitments, setting the uk a legal target of cutting carbon emissions by 78% from their 1990 levels by 2035. the prime minister has described the commitment as the most ambitious in the world — but the new timetable, which is nearly 15 years ahead of the previous target, will require a fundamental restructuring in the way the uk powers itself.

our science editor david shukman reports. a greener future suddenly feels a lot closer. how we get around will be electric. more of our power will be renewable and our homes should be better insulated. the new climate target affects us all. we've already come a long way since the days when coal was dominant, with the government now speeding up the move away from fossil fuels. i want the uk to be a global leader in clean, green technology and in high wage, high skilled green jobs. that's what we're aiming to do. we think we can do both together. the uk's carbon — think we can do both together. the uk's carbon emissions had been falling pretty steadily since 1990, that's partly because of the switch out of coal and into wind and also because the electrical appliances in our homes have become a lot more

efficient. but the next steps to get us to the even lower target are going to be a lot harder. the gas boilers that heat our homes will have to be replaced. that's a tough challenge. heat pumps or hydrogen may do the job but we don't yet know. and the carbon emissions from planes will now be accounted for, for the first time, though we've yet to see the details on this and other questions. it is incredibly welcome that this really— it is incredibly welcome that this really strong target has been set and the — really strong target has been set and the next stage is that we need a plan, _ and the next stage is that we need a plan, and _ and the next stage is that we need a plan, and that plan has to be joined up plan, and that plan has to be joined up because — plan, and that plan has to be joined up because this does cross all of society— up because this does cross all of society and we have to have a plan that is _ society and we have to have a plan that is consistent, so that we are not going — that is consistent, so that we are not going off building roads at the same _ not going off building roads at the same time as trying to change to a zero carbon— same time as trying to change to a zero carbon transport system. critics point to the government's handling of plans for a new coal mine in cumbria and its scrapping of a scheme to make homes greener. another big question is who is going to pay the estimated £50 billion a year?

our annual infrastructure spend in the uk is something i think more like a00 billion, so 50 billion a yearfor our like a00 billion, so 50 billion a year for our transition to a net zero doesn't seem an enormous percentage of that and, of course, that investment, most of that is not government money. most of that will be, for example, investment by pension funds and others. the government's _ pension funds and others. the government's hope is to encourage others and, ahead of the next un climate summit in glasgow later this year, the us is about to announce deep cuts in its emissions. but all eyes are on china, the world's biggest user of coal, and how quickly it will decide to go green. david shukman, bbc news. in a highly unusual move, president biden has weighed in as the jury deliberates its verdict on the trial of derek chauvin — the white former police officer the former police officer accused of murdering the black man george floyd accused of murdering george floyd

in mineappolis last may — calling the evidence "overwhelming". mr biden said he was praying for the right verdict. cities across the us are bracing for possible protests when the jury gives their verdicts. our north america correspondent nick bryant reports. even as thejury even as the jury began its deliberations, protesters congregated outside the court. tote congregated outside the court. we are congregated outside the court. - are the ones that get shot, killed ljy are the ones that get shot, killed by then. are the ones that get shot, killed b then. ., , . ., ., g by then. not since the trial of oj sim son by then. not since the trial of oj simpson has _ by then. not since the trial of oj simpson has a — by then. not since the trial of oj simpson has a verdict _ by then. not since the trial of oj simpson has a verdict been - by then. not since the trial of oj simpson has a verdict been the l by then. not since the trial of oj - simpson has a verdict been the focus of such concentration and concerned. —— concern. and it has even brought about an extraordinary presidential intervention, joe biden describing how he telephoned the floyd family last night. how he telephoned the floyd family last niuht. , how he telephoned the floyd family last ni . ht. , . how he telephoned the floyd family last niuht. , ., ., ., ., how he telephoned the floyd family last niuht. , ., ., ., , last night. they are a good family and they called _ last night. they are a good family and they called for— last night. they are a good family and they called for peace - last night. they are a good family and they called for peace and - and they called for peace and tranquillity, no matter what that verdict is, and i am praying the verdict is, and i am praying the verdict is, and i am praying the verdict is the right verdict and i think it is overwhelming in my view. as emotions have swelled, the rhetoric has become more heated and the words of a democratic

congresswoman have been criticised for ending —— inflaming an already tense situation. we for ending -- inflaming an already tense situation.— for ending -- inflaming an already tense situation. we have got to stay on the street _ tense situation. we have got to stay on the street and _ tense situation. we have got to stay on the street and we _ tense situation. we have got to stay on the street and we have _ tense situation. we have got to stay on the street and we have got - tense situation. we have got to stay on the street and we have got to - tense situation. we have got to stay| on the street and we have got to get more _ on the street and we have got to get more active. — on the street and we have got to get more active, we have got to get more confrontational. we've got to make sure that _ confrontational. we've got to make sure that they know that we mean this _ sure that they know that we mean this. ., ., this. the 'udge in the trial of derek this. the judge in the trial of derek chauvin _ this. the judge in the trial of derek chauvin warned - this. the judge in the trial of derek chauvin warned those | this. the judge in the trial of - derek chauvin warned those words could form the basis of a legal appeal if the officer is found guilty. t appeal if the officer is found ruil . , . appeal if the officer is found auil. , . guilty. i wish elected officials would stop — guilty. i wish elected officials would stop talking _ guilty. i wish elected officials would stop talking about - guilty. i wish elected officials would stop talking about this j guilty. i wish elected officials - would stop talking about this case, especially— would stop talking about this case, especially in — would stop talking about this case, especially in a _ would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner— would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner which - would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner which is- especially in a manner which is disrespectful— especially in a manner which is disrespectful to _ especially in a manner which is disrespectful to the _ especially in a manner which is disrespectful to the rule - especially in a manner which is disrespectful to the rule of - especially in a manner which is disrespectful to the rule of lawj especially in a manner which is- disrespectful to the rule of law and to the _ disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial _ disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch _ disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch in _ disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch in our- to the judicial branch in our function _ to the judicial branch in our function-— to the judicial branch in our function. , ., , , function. the 'ury has multiple charues function. the 'ury has multiple chargesto— function. the jury has multiple charges to consider. _ function. the jury has multiple charges to consider. second i function. the jury has multiple - charges to consider. second degree murder, which is causing george floyd's death unintentionally while committing a result —— a soul. third—degree murder, causing his death unintentionally by perpetrating an eminently dangerous act. and manslaughter, causing his death through culpable negligence. the city of minneapolis looks like a garrison town. the boots of 3,000 members of the national guard are on the streets. and other cities like

philadelphia are boarding up, because this verdict will reverberate throughout the land. the spot where george floyd was killed felt this morning like the eye of a brewing storm. for activists, this whole area has become a landmark of injustice, a haunting reminder of america's racial breach. now, i can't remember a president making that kind of intervention at such a key moment but, asjoe biden was at pains to point out, the jury has been sequestered, its members would not have heard those words and the white house also has to decide what the president says after the verdict is delivered. plans are being put in place for a possible address to the american people. nick bryant, thank you. india is battling a second wave of coronavirus infections. there've been record numbers of new infections and deaths and in the capital delhi — more than 99% of intensive care beds are full. there's also a severe shortage of oxygen in the city. the situation in smaller towns

is said to be even worse. our correspondent yogita limaye is in in delhi. india now finds itself at the epicentre of this pandemic? that's right and i have been to two of the biggest public hospitals in the city over the past 2a hours. in each one, i have seen people with their loved ones on stretchers, waiting outside, trying to get in. they are being told the hospital is full. at one his hospital, i met a man who had brought his own oxygen cylinder and was giving his mum oxygen through that because he wasn't able to get into the hospital. one man told me it was the tenth place he was visiting, hoping his mother could get the treatment she needs. i have been to crematoriums where people are having to wait 1a, 16, 18 hours to perform funeral rites for their loved ones because there are so many bodies coming in and this is the situation in the capital delhi, which has

better infrastructure than most parts of the country. today, prime minister narendra modi addressed the nation, hoping to reassure indians that the government is responding, but there has been strong criticism over why india was so unprepared to deal with a second way.— deal with a second way. yogita lima e, deal with a second way. yogita limaye, thank _ deal with a second way. yogita limaye, thank you. _ let's turn now to the coronavirus pandemic, and the latest government figures show that there were 2,52a new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 2a—hour period, which means that, on average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 2,a76. the latest daily figure for the number of people across the uk in hospital with coronavirus isjust under 2,000. 33 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 26 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 127,307. as for the continuing vaccination programme, 99,672 people have had theirfirst

dose of a covid—19 vaccine in the latest 2a—hour period, taking the overall number of people who've had their firstjab tojust over 33 million. the number of people who've had their second dose of the vaccine in the latest 2a—hour period isjust under 27a,000. that takes the overall number of people who've had both jabs to a little under 10.5 million people. police say a bomb left near a police officer's car outside her home in northern ireland was an attempt to kill her and her young daughter. the explosive was attached to a container of flammable liquid in londonderry yesterday. officers believe the dissident republican group the new ira was responsible. our ireland correspondent, emma vardy, reports. the explosives were designed to cause a fireball, say police, which would have engulfed the office a's car and anyone in it. the officer herself found the device at home.

what is really distressing here is a terrorist placed the bomb on the wheel of the car, directly at the point where the victim's three—year—old daughter sits. this demonstrates the complete and utter disregard for the life of a mother and her toddler. this disregard for the life of a mother and her toddler.— disregard for the life of a mother and her toddler. this simply beggars belief. police _ and her toddler. this simply beggars belief. police think _ and her toddler. this simply beggars belief. police think the _ and her toddler. this simply beggars belief. police think the group - and her toddler. this simply beggars belief. police think the group known | belief. police think the group known as the new ira were behind the attempt to kill a police officer, believed to be the first in over a year by the dissident group who opposed northern ireland being governed as part of the uk. although a number of the suspected leaders of the new ira were arrested last year in an operation by police and m15, it's known that the group remains a threat and continues to be prepared to plan and carry out attacks against police. in 2019, a bomb found in dairy�*s craigen estate and a device under a car in belfast were both said to have been attempts to murder officers. today, northern ireland's first and deputy ministers

spoke personally to the officer targeted. l spoke personally to the officer tarueted. ~ , ., ., targeted. i think it is fair to say that in speaking _ targeted. i think it is fair to say that in speaking to _ targeted. i think it is fair to say that in speaking to her - targeted. i think it is fair to say that in speaking to her there i targeted. i think it is fair to say that in speaking to her there is| that in speaking to her there is still a fair degree of shock and it's only sinking in, the magnitude of what could have happened to herself and her young family. it is believed a lockdown may have helped curtail dissident republican activity over the last year, but this is a reminder of the danger that remains. emma vardy, bbc news. the time is 6:17pm. our top story this evening. more criticism from fans and officials over the plans to form a football breakaway super league. taking the temperature in birmingham. the candidates for west midlands mayor make their pitch ahead of next month's election. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel. we'll have more on the fight for football's future, as some fans make their feelings known as chelsea, one of the 12 super league breakaway clubs, are in action at stamford bridge tonight.

smart motorways — they use technology to improve the flow of traffic, changing speed limits and, in some cases, using the hard shoulder as another lane. the technology has been installed in four areas in southern england, with plans to extend it across the whole of england by september next year. but, today, the government said no more smart motorways will open without additional safety measures in place. campaigners have been questioning their safety. here's our transport correspondent, caroline davies. i was with jason and we were at a coffee shop in town, it was a friday. we were sat chatting and at eight o'clock he got up to leave, kiss me goodbye, told me he loved me and apparently he was dead by 815. claire's husband jason died on his drive to work injune 2019, hit by a lorry on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder. since then, she has campaigned against them. common

sense tells you _ campaigned against them. common sense tells you a _ campaigned against them. common sense tells you a smart _ campaigned against them. common sense tells you a smart motorway . sense tells you a smart motorway with no hard shoulder cannot be safer. the hard shoulder is the only safety feature on a very dangerous environment and if you remove it, you don't make it safer. but environment and if you remove it, you don't make it safer.— you don't make it safer. but more motorways _ you don't make it safer. but more motorways without _ you don't make it safer. but more motorways without a _ you don't make it safer. but more motorways without a hard - you don't make it safer. but more. motorways without a hard shoulder are being built. this is one stretch of road currently being converted into a smart motorway, meaning all of the lanes here, including the one that used to be the hard shoulder will be used for traffic. converting the hard shoulder is intended to ease congestion without having to use more land. cameras should spot when a vehicle stops in a lane and then close it with a red cross illuminated above. in 2019, 15 people died on smart motorways with no hard shoulder, for more than the year before. the department for transport says they are still safer than conventional motorways and that they are rolling out new technology to spot when a vehicle breaks down even faster. one young man died on a smart motorway in 2018, he was

eight, and she has been working on new plans and is pleased there is in progress. t new plans and is pleased there is in ro . ress. , ., , new plans and is pleased there is in rouress. , ., , ., progress. i understand these are the roads that we _ progress. i understand these are the roads that we have _ progress. i understand these are the roads that we have right _ progress. i understand these are the roads that we have right now - progress. i understand these are the roads that we have right now but - progress. i understand these are the roads that we have right now but i i roads that we have right now but i do also appreciate that this is a continuous process and this will have to be reviewed continuously as well, so i don't think it works right now. well, so i don't think it works right now— well, so i don't think it works riaht now. �* ., ., ., ., right now. but motorways without a hard shoulder _ right now. but motorways without a hard shoulder remain _ right now. but motorways without a hard shoulder remain controversiall hard shoulder remain controversial and the government's promise of new tech sounds old tucson. ih and the government's promise of new tech sounds old tucson.— tech sounds old tucson. in 2016, we were assured _ tech sounds old tucson. in 2016, we were assured by _ tech sounds old tucson. in 2016, we were assured by highways _ tech sounds old tucson. in 2016, we were assured by highways in - tech sounds old tucson. in 2016, we| were assured by highways in england and the _ were assured by highways in england and the department for transport that the _ and the department for transport that the roll—out of future smart motorways from 2016 would not take place and _ motorways from 2016 would not take place and let the technology was there _ place and let the technology was there -- — place and let the technology was there —— unless the technology was there. _ there —— unless the technology was there. so— there —— unless the technology was there. so on— there —— unless the technology was there, so on that basis this is five years— there, so on that basis this is five years late — there, so on that basis this is five years late rather than being brought forward _ years late rather than being brought forward by— years late rather than being brought forward by a year. mp5 years late rather than being brought forward by a year.— forward by a year. mps are due to look at these _ forward by a year. mps are due to look at these types _ forward by a year. mps are due to look at these types of _ forward by a year. mps are due to look at these types of motorways| forward by a year. mps are due to i look at these types of motorways in the next few months to see how safe and smart they are. caroline davies, bbc news. the unemployment rate fell slightly to a.9% between december and february. but, overall, there were 813,000 fewer workers on payrolls than in march last year — with under—35s accounting

for 80% of the losses. the office for national statistics said the figures show the jobs market remains subdued, with five million people still on furlough. the equalities minister has hit out at "bad faith" attempts to discredit the findings of a controversial report on racial disparities. kemi badenoch told mps "appalling abuse" had been meted out to members of the commission on race and ethnic disparities and false assertions have been made about their work. her statement comes one day after a un working group accused the report of attempts to "normalise white supremacy" and urged the government to reject its findings. the trial has begun for three men charged with perverting the course ofjustice in the aftermath of the hillsborough disaster more than 30 years ago. former south yorkshire police officers donald denton and alan foster, and a former police solicitor peter metcalf,

are accused of altering police statements following the tragedy in 1989, in which 96 liverpool fans died. they deny the charges. our correspondent, judith moritz reports. when liverpool played nottingham forest at the hillsborough ground in 1989, the fans arrived full of excitement. but the day turned to disaster, as overcrowding began outside the ground and a gate was opened to let fans in. a crush on the terraces which resulted cost 96 lives. afterwards, the police officers who were there were asked to write statements. senior officers are said have been warmed that they should regard themselves as the accused and prepare accordingly. it is alleged there was an effort to minimise blame that might be heaped upon south yorkshire police. peter metcalf was a solicitor

representing the force. it is said he advised statements to be altered. donald denton was a chief superintendent who led a team to collect and review the statements. alan foster, on the right, was a detective chief inspector said to have been known as the action man of the process. all three men deny perverting the course ofjustice. sarah whitehouse qc said to the court, "you may be wondering, haven't we had countless enquiries, trials and inquests?" "yes," she said, "it's true, we have, but this trial will be the first and only time that a jury of 12 people considers the evidence you are about to hear in a criminal trial." the case is being heard at the lowry theatre in salford, which is being used as a temporary court because of the coronavirus pandemic. the court heard that hillsborough is well known as the scene of a terrible disaster and that it's also been connected in the minds of many as linked with a cover—up. the jurors were told to forget everything they've heard before and concentrate only on the evidence presented to them. judith moritz, bbc news, salford. the welsh conservatives have promised to cut income tax if they succeed in creating thousands of newjobs over

the next four years. launching their senedd election manifesto, the party said it would cut the basic rate by 1% before the next election — and focus on building the economy. what people want to think about from their politicians on may the 6th is that those politicians are going to go back to cardiff bay and actually enact the economic changes, the economic reforms that will create qualityjobs in every part of wales. 65,000 jobs this manifesto talks to, about creating 15,000 green jobs and making sure there are opportunities via the 150,000 apprenticeships that this manifesto addresses, that we will look to create. among the host of elections taking place in a little over two weeks time are those for directly elected mayors in england — the people who oversee the big city regions, with powers over transport, housing and skills. our political correspondent, alex forsyth, has been speaking to those standing in the race to be the next metro mayor of the west midlands. mixing drinks marks a welcome return

to work for staff at this bar in sutton coldfield. but, for many people across the west midlands, that won't be the case. the region's economy has been hit hard. how to rebuild is proving central in the race to become mayor. thank you, john, that's lovely. andy street became the first mayor here four years ago and thejohn lewis boss turned tory politician has made an ambitious promise if he's re—elected. i've given a very clear commitment, 100,000 jobs in just two years, and that's from the sectors that were already doing well, areas like construction and digital, from the sectors that of course are going to be new growth sectors after the pandemic. it's really important, clearjob opportunities now, it's not fantasy, they're available to us right now to get after. hi, it's liam byrne from the labour party. how are you? his labour rival is busy canvassing support. a long serving local mp and former minister who says it is existing inequalities that have left the region reeling. this was the workshop of the world, this region. we want to be the green workshop of the greener planet.

we want to bring back industry. we want to build homes that people can afford. we want to back our young people. we are not getting the kind of action that we need and, look, we are a region where we believe actions speak louder than words and we want a mayor who is going to put those values into practice every day. from the black country, with its industrial roots, through birmingham to coventry, this region is no stranger to regeneration. that's what's needed now and with power over transport, skills and housing, the mayor's role is key. covid rules have somewhat muted this campaign, but there is much at stake. the contest here is being closely watched. for the conservatives, it's a test of whether they can keep support they've recently won in traditional labour areas. for labour, it is a test of whether a party under new leadership can regain lost ground. other parties, too, are pushing. the lib dem candidate pounding the streets with her son. for me, it's about people and resident's, that who's voting and i want to support people

in their general concerns, understand what their issues are and what their own personal challenges are and come up with solutions that work for the people on the ground. the green party's back out on the doorstep. what i'm trying to focus on, really, is the deep—rooted systemic issues that have been in place for a really long time, more so thanjust thinking about a short—term recovery, because we need more than that. we need better than that, really. and, in a salon for his first trim, the reform party candidate hoping to cut through. we are essentially hoping to get - young people and the poorest people who have been hit hardest - by the lockdown back into work, back into education, - get them back up to speed, etc, as fast as possible. the race here won'tjust determine who helps this economically important region get moving again, but reveal the political parties' grip in some of the country's are key battlegrounds. alex forsyth, bbc news in the west midlands. time for a look at the weather. here's matt taylor.

good evening to you. the strength of april sunshine has been hiding the fact of how cold april has been so far. just take five towns from across the country. these, believe it or not, over the first 20 mornings have had 15 of them with frost on the ground, and if you are a keen gardener, you poppy don't want to hear that we are not quite done yet. for towns and cities from each of the nations, whenever you see a temperature lower than two or three, this is where you can see your frost and there is more to come this week although tonight not as rustic across some parts of england and wales because there will be more cloud around. —— as frosty. the weather front is producing cloud around. —— as frosty. the weatherfront is producing rain cloud around. —— as frosty. the weather front is producing rain and is working south towards north england, north wales in the middle and there are no ruling out an isolated frost but it's scotland and northern ireland are likely to wake up northern ireland are likely to wake up to the frosty conditions tomorrow. but a lot more sunshine tomorrow. but a lot more sunshine tomorrow and light winds. more cloud for england and wales and some of the low cloud towards the south—east corner as we saw today, from the

cloud, one or two showers down towards wales in the south—west by the end of the day and more of a breeze for england and wales and thatis breeze for england and wales and that is bringing in colder air, most noticeably across the eastern coastal districts, at around nine or 10 degrees tomorrow with highs towards call of 16 or 17 celsius. scotland and northern ireland with more sunshine and light winds, you will feel warmer. as high—pressure bills and for all going from wednesday into thursday, over the top as the winds are light, clear skies, mist and fog and a more widespread frost for thursday morning but the sunshine will be more abundant again and particularly strong sunshine lifting temperatures after the chilly start into the mid if not high teens across many central and western areas. cold towards the east but as we go through the rest of the week temperatures rise temporarily, then drop but it stays very dry. so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one, we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.