a double child killer who was jailed for life in the 19805 is approved to be released from jail. colin pitchfork was the first murderer to be convicted using dna evidence. he has spent over 30 years in prison. the parole board has said it is satisfied that pitchfork is suitable for release. we'll bring you all the latest. also this lunchtime: the government's plan to cut foreign aid temporarily could face a significant rebellion in the commons today, from its own backbenches. in this year, i would say, you've just got to have a very close look at the damage. if you are going to kill people with this, which i think will be the outcome in many areas, we need to reverse this immediately. even with the measures were taken because _ even with the measures were taken because of— even with the measures were taken because of the pandemic, we will still be _

because of the pandemic, we will still be investing £10 billion in international aid. the reason why the government is bringing this matter— the government is bringing this matter forward is because we are in the middle — matter forward is because we are in the middle of a pandemic. packed airports and queues for tests. the dash for british holiday—makers to get back from portugal before quarantine starts tomorrow. over the top. the words of the culture secretary criticising the suspension of bowler 0llie robinson for racist and sexist tweets from the past. and love them or loathe them, e—scooters are to be rented out as part of a trial in uk cities. and coming up in the bbc news channel, brighton's ben white is called up to the england european championship squad. the defender replaces trent alexander—arnold, with the tournament starting on friday.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. a double child killer, who was the first murderer to be convicted using dna evidence, has been deemed ready for release, after a decision by the parole board. colin pitchfork was jailed for life for killing two 15—year—olds, lynda mann and dawn ashworth, in leicestershire in the 1980s. at the time of his conviction, the lord chiefjustice said he doubted it would ever be safe to release him, today the government has indicated it will take legal advice over whether it can challenge the decision. 0ur correspondentjessica parker is at westminster. jessica, a controversial decision, clearly. talk us through the background on the issues. this was colin pitchfork's _ background on the issues. this was colin pitchfork's third _ background on the issues. this was colin pitchfork's third review - background on the issues. this was colin pitchfork's third review by - colin pitchfork's third review by the parole board and they have decided at the age of 61 he is now a suitable for release, with numerous licence conditions attached. he had already been moved to an open

prison. at the parole board are saying is they have examined a huge range of evidence and the protection of the public is its number one priority. but this decision is provisionalfor priority. but this decision is provisional for 21 days and priority. but this decision is provisionalfor 21 days and can be reviewed. among those people who can request a review of that decision is the secretary of state forjustice, robert buckland. in order to do that, they will need to be some sort of demonstration that the process was procedurally unfair or irrational. a source close to the minister today has said they are taking legal advice as to whether it's worth using this review mechanism. they also point to plans to have a written branch review of the parole board and to toughen up sentencing, but this is a government that has pledged to tackle violence against women, so there may well be political pressure around this case, not least of all from the local conservative mp alberto costa who has described the decision to release colin pitchfork as appalling and has promised to fight tooth and nail to keep him behind bars. fik. nailto keep him behind bars. 0k. thank you —

nailto keep him behind bars. 0k. thank you very — nailto keep him behind bars. 0k. thank you very much. that's jessica thank you very much. that'sjessica parker there at westminster for us. the government's plan to cut foreign aid temporarily could be facing a significant rebellion in the commons, as a group of conservative mps has strongly criticised the move as morally devastating and lacking in global leadership. ministers want to cut the aid budget by around £4 billion this year, arguing it will still be contributing around £10 billion, and that the pandemic means spending has to be curbed. but it's up to the speaker to decide whether the amendment put forward by the rebels should be voted on in the commons later today. here's our political correspondent iain watson. pre—pandemic, the uk was a leader in providing overseas aid. at last november the chancellor announced what he described as a temporary cut, saying the spending would go back up again when public finances improved. today, his conservative critics say want to ensure the cuts really are temporary and they want a commitment from the government to increase aid from the beginning of next year. increase aid from the beginning of next ear. ., �* , ., ., ., .,

next year. you've 'ust got to have a very close _ next year. you've 'ust got to have a very close look — next year. you've 'ust got to have a very close look at — next year. you've just got to have a very close look at the _ next year. you've just got to have a very close look at the damage - next year. you've just got to have a very close look at the damage you | very close look at the damage you are doing. if you're going to kill people with this, which i think is going to be the outcome in many areas, we need to reverse this immediately. ah, areas, we need to reverse this immediately-— areas, we need to reverse this immediately. a fall in aid, down from 0-7% _ immediately. a fall in aid, down from 0-7% of— immediately. a fall in aid, down from 0.796 of national— immediately. a fall in aid, down from 0.796 of national income i immediately. a fall in aid, down| from 0.796 of national income to from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%, sounds small. but aid agencies say could have a huge impact on those living in developing countries and that lives are being put at risk. the uk will spend nearly £4 billion less in overseas aid this year. former prime ministers have spoken out, including gordon brown. there has been an all—party consensus for all parties for 25 years— consensus for all parties for 25 years that _ consensus for all parties for 25 years that we need 0.7% and we need to play— years that we need 0.7% and we need to play our— years that we need 0.7% and we need to play our role in the world by being — to play our role in the world by being one _ to play our role in the world by being one of the leaders in aid. this— being one of the leaders in aid. this is— being one of the leaders in aid. this is hot— being one of the leaders in aid. this is not the right time to pull things— this is not the right time to pull things away because basically this is when _ things away because basically this is when the poorest countries need help most — is when the poorest countries need help most. 50 is when the poorest countries need hel most. , ,, help most. so the political pressure is ilin: u- help most. so the political pressure is piling up on _ help most. so the political pressure is piling up on the — help most. so the political pressure is piling up on the government. - help most. so the political pressure is piling up on the government. but| is piling up on the government. but its opponents, inside and outside the conservative party, could be defeated, not in a vote but because

of house of commons procedures. the government has argued that its critics have hijacked another quite different piece of legislation to try to force through a vote on international aid. and they want the speaker of the house of commons to roll this out. and the government says it still spending more generously on aid for and almost all comparable countries. last generously on aid for and almost all comparable countries.— comparable countries. last year alone, comparable countries. last year alone. we _ comparable countries. last year alone, we were _ comparable countries. last year alone, we were the _ comparable countries. last year alone, we were the third - comparable countries. last year| alone, we were the third largest provider— alone, we were the third largest provider of— alone, we were the third largest provider of international- alone, we were the third largest provider of international aids i provider of international aids globally _ provider of international aids globally and _ provider of international aids globally. and even _ provider of international aids globally. and even with - provider of international aids globally. and even with the l provider of international aids - globally. and even with the measures that we _ globally. and even with the measures that we are _ globally. and even with the measures that we are taking _ globally. and even with the measures that we are taking because _ globally. and even with the measures that we are taking because of - globally. and even with the measures that we are taking because of the - that we are taking because of the pandemic, — that we are taking because of the pandemic, we _ that we are taking because of the pandemic, we will— that we are taking because of the pandemic, we will still— that we are taking because of the pandemic, we will still be - that we are taking because of the i pandemic, we will still be investing £10 billion — pandemic, we will still be investing £10 billion in — pandemic, we will still be investing £10 billion in international- pandemic, we will still be investing £10 billion in international aid. - £10 billion in international aid. but the — £10 billion in international aid. but the reason _ £10 billion in international aid. but the reason why— £10 billion in international aid. but the reason why the - £10 billion in international aid. - but the reason why the government is bringing _ but the reason why the government is bringing this _ but the reason why the government is bringing this matter— but the reason why the government is bringing this matter forward _ but the reason why the government is bringing this matter forward is- bringing this matter forward is because — bringing this matter forward is because we _ bringing this matter forward is because we are _ bringing this matter forward is because we are in _ bringing this matter forward is because we are in the - bringing this matter forward is because we are in the middle i bringing this matter forward is. because we are in the middle of a pandemic— because we are in the middle of a pandemic and _ because we are in the middle of a pandemic and the _ because we are in the middle of a pandemic and the treasury- because we are in the middle of a pandemic and the treasury have i because we are in the middle of a - pandemic and the treasury have spent £470 billion _ pandemic and the treasury have spent £470 billion propping _ pandemic and the treasury have spent £470 billion propping up— pandemic and the treasury have spent £470 billion propping up the _ £470 billion propping up the economy _ £470 billion propping up the economy-— £470 billion propping up the econom . , . economy. this lunchtime, the government's— economy. this lunchtime, the government's critics - economy. this lunchtime, the government's critics will - economy. this lunchtime, the government's critics will hope j economy. this lunchtime, the - government's critics will hope the speaker will come to their aid and

provide a vote on whether the cuts can go ahead, but that's far from certain. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. critics have warned the decision to reduce the funding for overseas aid could result in tens of thousands of preventable deaths. charities says people are already going hungry as a result of the cuts, and clinics are closing. our world affairs correspondent richard galpin reports on how the money is spent. inside, you will see people reserving service.- inside, you will see people reserving service. this aid worker with the international _ reserving service. this aid worker with the international planned . with the international planned parenthood association shows us around a clinic here in mozambique. dealing mainly with reproductive health issues for women. it's busy. many women having travelled a long way to get medicines and contraceptives. it is said to work here is saving many lives, thanks to money provided by the uk and other donors. he can't believe the british government is now planning to stop funding. government is now planning to stop fundinu. , , , .,

funding. very sad. this will be a disaster. funding. very sad. this will be a disaster- my _ funding. very sad. this will be a disaster. my first _ funding. very sad. this will be a disaster. my first question - funding. very sad. this will be a disaster. my first question to i funding. very sad. this will be a | disaster. my first question to the government would be why? for young people in rural areas and even in cities who receive the service, they will no longer receive this for free. they will not have access. so the risk of getting stis, hiv and unwanted pregnancies, as a consequence, some will die. charities say dangerous tropical diseases such as guinea worm and trachoma which causes blindness are being neglected. trachoma which causes blindness are being neglected-— being neglected. imagine the pain, excruciating _ being neglected. imagine the pain, excruciating pain _ being neglected. imagine the pain, excruciating pain of— being neglected. imagine the pain, excruciating pain of having - being neglected. imagine the pain, | excruciating pain of having multiple eyelashes _ excruciating pain of having multiple eyelashes in your eye, day in, day out, _ eyelashes in your eye, day in, day out, rubbing — eyelashes in your eye, day in, day out, rubbing on your eyeball. how awful is that? _ out, rubbing on your eyeball. how awful is that? the _ out, rubbing on your eyeball. timer awful is that? the government has reduced spending on foreign aid this

yearfrom 0.7% of reduced spending on foreign aid this year from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%. due it is said to the seismic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. it is a cut of almost £4 billion. for the people of yemen, one of the world's poorest countries which has been afflicted by civil war, the cuts in uk aid are a real worry. by civil war, the cuts in uk aid are a real worry-— a realworry. the uk has been a ulobal a realworry. the uk has been a global leader _ a realworry. the uk has been a global leader in _ a realworry. the uk has been a global leader in humanitarian i a real worry. the uk has been a| global leader in humanitarian aid and especially— global leader in humanitarian aid and especially in _ global leader in humanitarian aid and especially in yemen - global leader in humanitarian aid and especially in yemen they - global leader in humanitarian aid i and especially in yemen they have been _ and especially in yemen they have been a _ and especially in yemen they have been a strong _ and especially in yemen they have been a strong voice _ and especially in yemen they have been a strong voice and _ and especially in yemen they have been a strong voice and a - and especially in yemen they have l been a strong voice and a consistent voice _ been a strong voice and a consistent voice and _ been a strong voice and a consistent voice and the — been a strong voice and a consistent voice. and the bottom _ been a strong voice and a consistent voice. and the bottom line - been a strong voice and a consistent voice. and the bottom line is - been a strong voice and a consistent voice. and the bottom line is that. voice. and the bottom line is that milliorrs— voice. and the bottom line is that millions of— voice. and the bottom line is that millions of people _ voice. and the bottom line is that millions of people in _ voice. and the bottom line is that millions of people in yemen - voice. and the bottom line is that. millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian _ millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian aid _ millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian aid from _ millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian aid from the - millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian aid from the uk - millions of people in yemen depend on humanitarian aid from the uk to| on humanitarian aid from the uk to stay alive — on humanitarian aid from the uk to stay alive in — on humanitarian aid from the uk to sta alive. . , . stay alive. in a statement, the foreiun, stay alive. in a statement, the foreign, commonwealth - stay alive. in a statement, the foreign, commonwealth and i foreign, commonwealth and development office said tough but necessary decisions had been made on how best to spend taxpayer money. but they are committed to restoring foreign aid spending to the level of 0.7% of national income when the fiscal situation allows. while the

uk does still spend significant amounts of money on overseas aid, there is clearly concerned about the impact the cuts will have on the message they bring. richard galpin, bbc news. british tourists are scrambling to return to the uk from portugal before the need to quarantine comes into force early tomorrow morning. holiday—makers have told the bbc of their struggle to get back, amid a shortage of tests and flights. caroline davies reports. queues for covid tests at the airport. today is the last day travellers can come back from portugal without having to quarantine, and for some it's not been an easyjourney. when we were just about to board the aircraft, our final check, the ryanair staff said we did not have the right test. they disembarked us and popped us back out the other side of the airport. and left us to it, basically. we've spent the rest of the day with this queue behind us, queueing for another

type of covid test. others say its left a bitter taste after a longed for holiday. thanks very much for making my life a misery and ruining what should have been a good holiday for the family, and a long long awaited holiday. and yes, we do accept that things change, but you need to give people time to get home. you know, this four or five days, whatever it was, has not been enough time. tens of thousands of people, who, by the way, followed his guidance and went to a green listed country. the government announced on thursday that portugal, which was at the time one of the main tourist destinations on the green list, will be turning amber after a rise in cases and concerns about a new mutation of the virus. but the portuguese government have said they don't understand the logic in the decision and neither do the travel industry. how is the industry now feeling about the summer? i think they are just in utter despair. i think itjust beggars belief, especially when you've got countries coming out,

like spain today, saying that brits no longer need to have their vaccine passports, they no longer need to show a negative covid test to get into the country. countries are opening up and britain is closing down, and i think people arejust confused and frustrated as to why that's happening. the transport secretary has said the public has always known that travel will be different this year and we must continue to take a cautious approach to reopening international travel in a way that protects public health and the vaccine roll—out. the summer is crucial for the travel industry. this decision has made many worried, and some are calling for sector specific support. if the government is going to have this kind of risk package, then it's going to be difficult to see how we can have that summer season. the best case scenarios we get three months in the summer. if we cannot have that season, then ultimately were going to have to have a serious conversation with the treasury about what they can do to support us through to the end of the year. the department — through to the end of the year. the department for transport has

previously said it estimates the air transport industry will receive their own £7 billion in government support by september 2021. the future of summer travel and the industry's fortunes are still up in the air. caroline davies, bbc news. in a week's time, minsters must decide whether to press ahead with the final stage of covid unlocking in england. the decision on whether or not to continue with masks and social distancing has been complicated by the rapid spread of the new delta variant, first found in india, and there is division among scientists about the way ahead. here's our health correspondent anna collinson. 0ften 0fte n large 0ften large occasions with many guests, weddings during the pandemic had to be more restrained. injust two weeks' time, restrictions on life events like these are due to be lifted, but with increasing coronavirus cases, the 21 june vow might be broken. the number of people admitted to hospital with the

delta variant is rising, though it is said not significantly, scientists warn the more opportunity the virus has to spread, the more likely for new variants to arise. there are calls for a short delay. we want this to be the last lockdown we ever going to and we do not want to go into reverse situation which would be much more damaging for the economy, for businesses and long—term welfare. so that's why people are calling for a few more weeks, not necessarily months, before we unlock fully.- weeks, not necessarily months, before we unlock fully. every 'ab that takes place i before we unlock fully. every 'ab that takes place strengthens h before we unlock fully. everyjab that takes place strengthens the j that takes place strengthens the shield of immunity against coronavirus. in the uk's successful roll—out has now reached young adults. in northern ireland and much of wales, a jab is available to over 18 is, while in scotland and england, it's anyone over 30. though england, it's anyone over 30. though england is preparing to invite those in their 20s this week. but with many poorer countries trailing far behind, former prime minister gordon brown a surge in wealthy nations to help fund global vaccinations. it is

help fund global vaccinations. it is ossible help fund global vaccinations. it is possible to _ help fund global vaccinations. it 3 possible to ramp up the production of vaccines in such a way that we don't have to make a choice between vaccinating a young and making of the world and vulnerable people, nurses, doctors, health care workers putting lives at risk every day. younger people are less likely to die or face severe convocations from coronavirus, so there is a suggestion that they might be more hesitant to get a vaccine. to encourage them, dating apps and encouraging users to display a badge if they have been vaccinated. for me, if they have been vaccinated. for me. having _ if they have been vaccinated. for me, having vaccine badges allows people _ me, having vaccine badges allows people to — me, having vaccine badges allows people to make a more informed choice _ people to make a more informed choice i— people to make a more informed choice. i would only be comfortable dating _ choice. i would only be comfortable dating someone who been vaccinated to protect _ dating someone who been vaccinated to protect wider society.— to protect wider society. scientists and businesses _ to protect wider society. scientists and businesses are _ to protect wider society. scientists and businesses are demanding - to protect wider society. scientistsj and businesses are demanding the government must make a decision

soon. it suggested wearing face coverings and working from home might be extended and if 21 june coverings and working from home might be extended and if 21june is delayed, talk to will only be until some point injuly. anna collinson, bbc news. the culture secretary 0liver dowden says the england and wales cricket board has gone over the top, after it suspended the fast bowler 0llie robinson from all international cricket for racist and sexist comments he made on twitter in the past. the ecb suspended the player yesterday, while it investigates the tweets. andy swiss is in our sports newsroom. just fill us in on what has happened. just fill us in on what has happened-— just fill us in on what has hauened. , ,., , , ., happened. this is a very unusual intervention _ happened. this is a very unusual intervention by _ happened. this is a very unusual intervention by the _ happened. this is a very unusual intervention by the culture - intervention by the culture secretary, 0liver dowden. to remind you of the background, 0llie robinson, is a cricketer who made his debut for england last week against new zealand at lord's. 0n the very first day of the match, a series of tweets emerged that he

posted in 2012 and 2013, when he was 18 and 19 years old, tweets that were racist and sexist in nature. 0llie robinson apologised, said he was ashamed and embarrassed. he insisted he wasn't racist and sexist and he had learned from his mistakes, but late last night the england and wales cricket board announced they would be suspending 0llie robinson from international cricket pending an investigation. today though, that decision has been criticised by culture secretary 0liver dowden. he said 0llie robinson's tweets were offensive and wrong. they are also a decade old and written by a teenager, he said. the teenager is now a man and has rightly apologised. he added that the ecb has gone over the top by suspending him and should think again. we should say it is pretty rare for a culture secretary to criticise the disciplinary process of a sporting body in quite such a forthright way, but as things stand,

0llie robinson is still suspended for england's second test against new zealand, starting later this week. �* , ,, ,, new zealand, starting later this week. �* _, ,, new zealand, starting later this week. , ,, ,, ., ,, week. andy swiss reporting, thank ou. the time is 1:17pm. our top story this lunchtime: a double child killer — who was the first murderer to be convicted using dna evidence — has been deemed ready for release, after a decision by the parole board. the government has indicated it will take legal advice over whether it can challenge the decision. and some of the world's most popular tourist destinations rush to vaccinate their populations in the hope that holidaymakers return. coming up on the bbc news channel, becky downie has been left out of britain's gymnastics team for the tokyo 0lympics. it comes after she was granted an extra trial following the death of her brother last month. greece says people living on its islands are being prioritised for covid jabs, as it pushes to win

back holiday—makers to its most popular destinations. the country has set a target of vaccinating all residents by the end of the month, in what it's calling "0peration blue freedom". 0ur europe correspondent nick beake reports from the island of milos. reaching the serenity of the greek islands has been a distant dream during much of the pandemic. but milos is now waking up and sprucing up, getting ready to welcome back visitors with open arms. for yannis, a diving instructor, there will be customers once more, descending to this shipwreck he discovered. these ancient food jars, thought to be more than 2000 years old, still visible. but its modern medicine, in the form of the covid vaccine, that's raising his spirits. translation: this year, there is the vaccination. i we are vaccinated, most of our customers are vaccinated,

we also have the tests, and we're not afraid. we know if someone has the virus or not, and this is how we go on. greece has been prioritising its islands when it comes to covid vaccinations. that's because so many of them are hugely dependent on tourism. and they want to show that they are as safe as possible as they compete with destinations right across europe, trying to win back their visitors. they've nearly vaccinated all of the locals on milos, as well as the summer workers from the mainland. but are they worried about visitors from further afield bringing with them new covid variants? if they are careful and they do their tests before they come here, they are vaccinated, and they wear their masks in public places, everything will be fine. we don't have to be super stressed. in 2020, greece welcomed only a quarter of its usual visitors. and it's notjust the bars and restaurants that want to see

the numbers bouncing back. milos' goat's cheese producers would be in business again. as the hotels reopen, the orders come in. "everything here is a chain," the boss tells us. and stella, whose honey is said to be the best on the island, is praying that better times and tourists are just around the corner. the tourists are very important for my shop. because they buy marmalade and sweets for presents for families and friends, and they are really important to come back soon. at milos primary school, these young greek philosophers have been contemplating the pandemic. "our hearts hurt," the lyrics go. everyone's hope is that freedom returns. the greek islands have started their summer serenade but many visitors will have to wait

a little longer before they can come here and surrender their hearts. let's speak to nick in milos now. looking at those pictures, people will be desperate to think about quite when they might be able to go on holiday to greece again but how soon is that likely to be?— soon is that likely to be? greece and the greek— soon is that likely to be? greece and the greek islands _ soon is that likely to be? greece and the greek islands are - soon is that likely to be? greece and the greek islands are not. soon is that likely to be? greece | and the greek islands are not yet soon is that likely to be? greece - and the greek islands are not yet on the uk government's green list for travel. 0bviously really disappointing for people who love to come on holiday here. and also disappointing for these communities, notjust on milos but on the likes of crete, costs and corfu where over the years they have become so reliant on british holiday—makers. we are at the start of the week, monday, and all the restaurants you see behind us, they don't know how much fresh fish and meat to buy in the coming days. the hotels don't know whether to bring in extra staff if there is an upturn in visitors.

it is all pretty uncertain. we saw the goat cheese maker, and stella, who makes marmalade and honey, they simply don't know when orders will be coming in. greece is trying to be as optimistic as possible, they have declared summer season open. to be fair, we have met some visitors from the likes of france and germany but they are not coming back in great numbers. i think people here are mindful that the emergence of new covid variance across europe and the world could scupper some of their best laid plans. but looking at the positives across europe, vaccination rates are going up and here in greece they are insistent that by the end of this month they will have vaccinated all these islands and they say that's a real cause for optimism. they say that's a real cause for optimism-— they say that's a real cause for otimism. ., , ., thailand is beginning a mass vaccination programme, as it battles its third and worst wave of the covid epidemic. it's having to scramble to source more vaccines, but is desperate to reopen forforeign tourism.

let's speak now to our correspondentjonathan head who is in bangkok for us now. ina similarway, in a similar way, this is being driven by a desire to kick—start tourism again. it’s driven by a desire to kick-start tourism again.— tourism again. it's essential to thailand- _ tourism again. it's essential to thailand. tourism _ tourism again. it's essential to thailand. tourism makes - tourism again. it's essential to thailand. tourism makes up i tourism again. it's essential to - thailand. tourism makes up about one fifth of the economy here and unlike places like greece, they have had in effect no foreign tourists at all for more than one year now, leaving parts of the country that used to rely on tourists, they look like they are from a postapocalypse. everything has shut down. it is very important for them. thailand did a very good job in containing covid this year, but at the expense of basically sealing the country off and they have been very slow to get their vaccine roll—out started. it is in essence, it only started today. they have been doing essential workers and very vulnerable people before that. up until now only about 2% of the population has had both doses of a vaccine. it is quite impressive what we saw today, there have been

shopping malls, railway stations and hospitals. the health system is good and they have thrown everything at it, but they are starting now in june and they have got these very infectious variance now spreading fast. they are getting up to 4000 new cases of covid a day and in a way it's a race between the spread of covid and the speed at which they are getting vaccines. they are making their own astrazeneca in a factory here but they have never made vaccines before, it is only starting to produce them now and like everyone else they are struggling to buy vaccines on the open market. they think they can get vaccinated up to 100 million doses by the end of this year. that would mean half a million people every day, and we don't think they have even managed that today, on their first day. even managed that today, on their first da ., ., ., ., ., ., ,, ,., kent county council has warned that child migrants arriving at dover may be turned away within days, because its services are overwhelmed. it's begun legal action against the home secretary, saying the government is refusing to deal with the problem

of unaccompanied youngsters who travel in small boats. it says more than 240 children have arrived alone so far this year. mark easton reports. already this year, 4000 migrants have reached the uk coast having set out from france in small boats. among them, around 250 unaccompanied children — 60 more than in the same period in 2020. the challenge right here and now is that day after day we see these small boats coming through. we see the organised gangs expanding, and expanding the routes, and very worryingly more vulnerable children are coming in, especially young girls and children. three quarters of those are being cared for in kent, with the county's director of children's services warning he'll no longer be able safely to accept new arrivals from the end of this week. the council's lawyers have issued a formal claim forjudicial review against the home secretary, demanding the government require other english local authorities to share the burden. in a statement, the leader of kent county council,

roger gough, has said, "the wholly disproportionate strain on kent's children's services continues to be overlooked. we must ensure that all uk local authorities with capacity share in the support of these children. enough is enough." the fact is that there is a capacity issue in the area. with things like college places for these young people. and it is really... there are loads and loads of councils standing by to accept these young people, but the reason the scheme has failed in the past is because it's not being funded properly by central government. it costs money to look after young people. a consultation on making the currently voluntary child migrant transfer scheme mandatory closed more than eight months ago, but the home secretary has yet to publish any response. the home office says its proposed reforms of immigration policy will put the people smugglers out of business. mark easton, bbc news. electric scooters have become a common sight in towns and cities across the uk.

they're a convenient and clean way to get around, but many pedestrians and road users see them as a hazard, and it's still only legal to use them on private land. ministers are keen to weigh up their risks and benefits, and now london isjoining other cities in a pilot scheme to rent them out. here's our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt. electric scooters have been involved in some horrific accidents, like this one in lithuania. thank goodness, this time, the rider walked away. joyriders on rental e—scooters put themselves in danger. but they also put others at risk. they're a threat to pedestrians and to other road users. and the scooters themselves get in the way. elaine knows the risks. she is partially sighted and relies on inca to help guide her around town. i heard some screaming, and then the next thing i knew,

i'd actually been hit by somebody that had come round the corner, gone straight into me, i then lost my balance, ended up falling on inca. bruised my elbow and my knee, which then meant, you know, you just don't go out. the department for transport told the bbc the incident is a matterfor the police. 31 towns are already part of the government's e—scooter rental trials, with six london boroughs getting e—scooter rental schemes today. the aim is to learn more about the risks and benefits of e—scooters, says the department for transport. it believes they can help reduce congestion and pollution, but wants to make them safer and to find ways to reduce bad behaviour. so the government believes these things can encourage us all to leave our cars at home. the idea is they kind of extend the transport network by giving us another way to get around. and the operators of the london

scheme say many of the issues people have with e—scooters can be addressed. we are using designated parking areas, so when you finish your ride, you go to lock the scooter on your app, you go to press "end ride", if you're outside of a parking zone, what we'll do is actually show you within our app where the nearest appropriate parking location is, and how you can get there. some environmental campaigners are saying now private e—scooters should be legalised too. the research shows that private e—scooters are what really get people out of their cars. because they own them, they're not leaving them around. screaming. so if you hate e—scooters, be warned. the chances are, you will be seeing more of them in our towns and cities in the years to come. justin rowlatt, bbc news, milton keynes. time for a look at the weather.

here's matt taylor.