these are the headlines. the situation in tigray continues to deteriorate as rebel forces say they have taken the regional capital mekele. forces have abandoned the capital despite the government saying there is a ceasefire in the region. police in western canada say dozens of people have died and the vancouver area during the unprecedented heatwave that is engulfing the region. record temperatures have been recorded during three days of intense heat which has also affected much of the western united states. aid agencies are warning that indonesia is on the edge of a covid-i9 indonesia is on the edge of a covid—i9 catastrophe as a new wave of infections drips the country. those are the main headlines.

and now on bbc news, a look back at tuesday in parliament. hello again and welcome to tuesday in parliament. the man appointed to help children catch up with lost lessons marks the government's homework. we know that our country's responding in a way, compared with some others, which, quite frankly, is a bit feeble. questions to answer. labour ask if ministers broke the rules on emails. it isn't the original scandal that gets people into the most trouble. it's the attempt to cover up, actually, the chance that there might be one. also in this programme, the speaker's patience with the government is wearing thin. again. it would be better for all- concerned if the government

simply followed its own i ministerial code and made important announcements to this house. _ but first, there's been a sharp rise in the number of pupils sent home from school in england because of covid. the latest official figures showed that more than 375,000 pupils — that's about one in 20 — were out of school for covid—related reasons. absences have quadrupled during june. the government has signalled a shift to more covid testing for schools in september rather than having to send home whole "bubbles" of pupils. but with many more children forced to isolate, mps on the education committee asked the government's former education catch—up tsar how ministers should tackle the issue. how would you deal, first of all, with this problem of bubbles being sent home and children being self—isolated? i guess with the bubbles, what i'd really like to do — and i think it's what the dfe are doing — is taking new advice and asking the scientists and asking

the experts what should we do next. ideally, of course, what we all want to do is get every child back in school every day, because that's the very best way we'll recover from the pandemic. sir kevan collins resigned from his role after the government failed to back his £15 billion recovery plan. ministers did offer their own version with extra tutoring, but at a tenth of the cost. sir kevan told the mps it wasn't enough. we do know that the impact of covid has been significant on children's learning, and that is ongoing and is sitting there and not recovering, and it will go with them. and we have international examples over time where, if you don't recover, it can become an impact on not only your academic attainment, but your lifelong earnings. there is a long—term loss, not just to the individual, but to the economy. and we know that our country's responding in a way that, compared to some others, which, quite frankly, is a bit feeble. the amount of money we're responding with at the moment, i'm not... these are significant sums that this scale of shock,

losing on average 115 days of face—to—face learning, requires a massive national effort to recover. and i worry that it's not a bit of tutoring in the corner. it's actually a fundamental approach the school needs to take. recovery now becomes the work. it's not an activity, it's an outcome. another witness put a price tag on the impact of lost education. what we estimate is that there could be between 60 to £420 i billion of overall impact to the economy based i on the current cohort - of children and the amount of learning they have lost. clearly, that's a wide estimate because these things - are difficult to nail down. the mps wondered if he should have stayed on until this autumn�*s spending review.

personally, it was a very, very difficult decision. it wasn't what i wanted to do. i saw the opportunity to be involved in the recovery as the kind of challenge of my professional life and i see it as the biggest challenge of our generation of educators. i'm very worried about our complacency, that this will happen naturally, and we don't have to intentionally and nationally lean into this. we have to mobilise to this, so i was deeply disappointed. i did consider all the options, as you said, but the quantum was so different from the amount that i thought we needed to deliver the exam question that i was asked. it was impossible for me not to step back at that point. could you have notjust said, "i'll give you till the comprehensive spending review, and if you don't do it, then it won't be acceptable," and just continue to fight the battle? um... 0therwise, some might say you threw in the towel too early. i don't throw in the towel. it's not...

it's not the way i work. i fight as hard as i can, but in the end, when the quantum comes back as what i regard as the too small, too narrow and too slow approach, i can't stand by it. i have to be very clear and honest. later, the debate moved to the commons chamber, where labour called for sir kevan�*s catch—up plan to be implemented in full. the schools minister didn't directly answer sir kevan�*s criticisms, but he did defend the government's record. madam deputy speaker, since the early months l of the pandemic, we have beenl addressing the hugely important issue of ensuring that children are able to catch up _ on education missed - during the lockdown period. although we have spent £400 million providing 1.3 million i laptops and tablets, - as well as internet access and advice, and although- schools have responded swiftly and effectively in moving. the curriculum to be taught remotely, children learn better in a classroom i led by their teacher.

so, injune 2020, the primel minister announced £1 billion of catch—up funding. and the minister, nick gibb, said there's been more money announced since then. now, opposition mps have accused the government of filling the pockets of tory donors over the awarding of coronavirus contracts. in a heated debate, conservatives countered with accusations of party politicking, which in turn angered the speaker. it all began when the the leader of the snp at westminster asked an urgent question about a high court ruling that found the way a half million pound covid contract had been awarded was unlawful. the secretary of state ordered the use of a £560,000 emergency covid contract to conduct constitutional campaigning on the union. instead of using an emergency covid contract to order ppe for the nhs, the minister chose to order political polling. this isn't media speculation, and it isn't even a political accusation. it is, mr speaker,

a plain fact. the minister said the research was used to inform public messaging on the pandemic. these key communication campaigns were seen on television and social media, and i'm sure we will all be familiar with them. ministers had no personal involvement in the decision towards this contract, and they do not personally approve contract awards. this contract did not relate to constitutional campaigning, and any suggestion that the government carries out party political research is entirely false. focus groups conduct... commotion. labourjoined the attack on ministers. their attitude is the rules do not apply to them. - given that the judgel found apparent bias, surely this must now be - referred to the independent adviser and the cabinet secretary _ what are they scared of?

angela rayner said she understood the need to secure protective equipment for frontline workers. but while nurses were working in bin bags, l others were filling their. pockets at the taxpayers' expense. with nothing better to do, the opposition continues to sensationalise the details surrounding a handful of high—value contracts that were subject to the emergency procurement procedures at the outset of the pandemic. can my right honourable friend confirm that the government is committed to transparency surrounding the use of taxpayer money, and that all new contracts over £10,000 are published online for anybody who wishes to to see them? that didn't go down well with the speaker, who took the opportunity to condemn the absence of the cabinet 0ffice minister, michael gove. sir lindsay hoyle said he decided if urgent questions — uqs — were granted. you don't question my judgment and i'm not going to have my judgment questioned. the other thing is i do feel sorry for the minister being set up.

i'm sorry the minister wasn't here to take some questions because most of them are named for him. but this house won't be taken for granted. when statements are made outside here, continued to be made, that's why i'm going to continue to grant uqs. so, let's get used to it. the government doesn't want to come here, i'm going to ensure it's heard here. minister. the government was able - to award contracts using their high—priority lane because this house gave them the power. to do so. we did it effectively on trust. so, can i ask the minister- if she will now repay the trust that this house placed _ on the government by publishing not just the details of those contracts that were put - through that high—priority lane, but the details also| of those who introduced these contractors to government? . the minister said there were commercial sensitivities surrounding contracts awarded through the high—priority lane, which was set up for companies recommended by mps. the questioning turned to the use of private email

services by ministers. members of her own cabinet are having private e—mail exchanges, and we don't know what's in those, nor do officials. she says that the cabinet office is reviewing guidance. isn't it time that she just said this must stop? because of the national audit office officials, nobody can see what's in those conversations, and that is a very real concern to the taxpayer. she raises important matters in relation to e—mails. i cannot comment on e—mail conversations that i haven't seen. i think the important thing to know is that once... good point! laughter. but those are relevant only when officials are asked take any action, and that's the point at which official process and procedure comes into play. julia lopez. you're watching tuesday in parliament with me, david cornock. now to wales where the labour

first minister has published what he says are "practical proposals" for reforming the way the united kingdom is governed. mark drakeford told the senedd that the proposals which include giving wales powers over policing and criminaljustice set out a formula for a union that can thrive and prosper, not in spite of devolution, but because of it. sadly, the present uk government fails every day to help make the case for a union of solidarity between the peoples of this multinational state and the benefits it can all bring to us. the result, as sir david liddington, former deputy prime minister only two years ago, said in a lecture last month, "the union," he said, "is in greater peril than at any moment in my lifetime." the argument for the union

constantly has to be made and debated and discussed. the vaccination programme, the investment of £8.2 billion, to wales government acts to come forward, all these are positive developments of the constitutional debate but we don't accept there is a need for criminaljustice and policing to be devolved and indeed when the silt commission looked at this they said they come in with a £100 million price tag. we need to have a proper blinkers off debate. - it is true on both sides - of the independent discussion. no one should pretend that taking ultimate control- of our own destiny will be a walk in the park. from day one. most serious changes come with serious challenges. - but if, as first minister, - are serious about strengthening wales hand, to me, you have to embrace all options - too, blinkers off. the first minister said now was not the time to debate independence. we had that moment.

we had that moment only a short number of weeks ago. in studio after studio, i stood alongside his party leader, the prospect that he has just outlined in front of the welsh people. time after time at the very centre of that party's campaign was the prospect of the prospects we just heard. that was the point at which it was discussed, and we saw the verdict of welsh people. that is why i think this is not the moment to go on thinking that we should spend the next five years talking about a proposition that won't be in front of the welsh people. mark drakeford. the health minister lord bethell has defended his use of personal email addresses, saying he was "absolutely rigorous" in making sure that government business was carried

out through the "correct formal channels". lord bethell is under pressure over claims that he used personal emails inappropriately. the good law project today have published e—mails using the noble lord's private e—mail address. and ijust would say i think transparency is the word i'm looking for here. because the spotlight has been turned on the noble lord in recent days, including a formal complaint to the lord commissions about the issuing of patters. and she recommended transparency. because i suppose it is not the original scandal that gets people into the trouble, it is the attempted cover up or actually the chance there might be one. lady brinton asked if his position was �*tenable�*. yesterday, a number ten spokesperson explicitly denied that government ministers have used private e—mail addresses. they said both the former health secretary and lord bethell understand the rules around personal e—mail usage, and only ever conducted government business through their departmental e—mail addresses. this is directly contradicted

by the second permanent secretary in meetings minutes published by the sunday times. those minutes clearly state that former health secretary matt hancock corresponds only with private office via a gmail account. and as the good law project have reported, on the 19th of april 2020, lord feldman e—mailed lord bethell on his private address about the availability of covid—19 test kits by a canadian company. "certainly worth contacting to see if they can help. and the pricing seems competitive." it is self—evident this is government business and specifically within the lord bethell's portfolio. and lord feldman, who was co—chair of the conservative party, was writing to the minister at his private e—mail address on government business. i note in addition the ministers meeting with abington health on the 1st of april 2020 was not disclosed on the ministerial meeting schedule. i am absolutely rigorous to ensure that government

business is conducted through the correct formal channels. my lords, contracts are negotiated by officials, not by ministers. submissions from officials are handled through departmental digital boxes, and that is right. 0fficial decisions are communicated through secure government infrastructure. my lords, i have read the ministerial code, i've signed the ministerial code and i will seek to uphold it in everything that i do. the guidelines are clear. it is not wrong for ministers to have a personal e—mail address. i have corresponded with a very large number of noble lords in this chamberfrom both my parliamentary address and from my personal address. and that is right, and i will continue to do so. in their enthusiasm, third parties often seek to engage ministers through whatever means they can find, and that includes

their personal e—mails. that is not the same as using a personal e—mail or formal departmental decision—making. in terms of the meetings with abington health, i completely recognise the comments that were made, and the meeting schedule from that week, which was overlooked because of an administrative oversight, has now been uploaded to the internet and i would be glad to share a link to that register. labour has called for changes to the rules surrounding international travel during pandemic. the party wants the amber list from the government's traffic light system to be scrapped and vaccine passports to be introduced to open up travel. but the conservatives have defended the system and last week anounced quarantine rules for the fully vaccinated would be changing later this summer. ahead of an urgent question in the commons, the speaker again shared his thoughts about the way the government was treating parliament. i will continue to make sure

this house gets an opportunity to scrutinise the government, but it will be better for all concerned if the government simply followed its own ministerial code and made important announcements to this house where members are elected to represent their constituents to ensure that ministers and secretary of states can be scrutinised with questions, not via the media, but via mps! the transport secretary promised to return to the house with further updates. but this was his reply to the question from labour. after 15 months of restrictions and lockdowns, i know everybody in the house is determined to get this pandemic behind us so that we might finally begin to think about returning to some sort of normality. decisions over how to control our borders during these unprecedented times are of course never easy. in everything we do, the overwhelming priority to protect the public and the hard—won gains that have been made. the opposition wanted

more concrete plans... in the old days of the pandemic, the public were willing to support the government as it learned on the job. but frankly, patience has run out. it is important that action is taken now. mps from across the commons sought more detail from the minister... the government always seem to be behind the curve. - they always seem to be having to deal with the current crisis l and not thinking ahead . as to what the next crisis will be around travel and at the border. . i wonder today if we can hear more a lot of reasons why. it is all very difficult - for the secretary of state to come with a plan today, i but can the secretary of state give a firm date as to - when he will have a clear plan that the public will. really will be calling for as the travel industry too? for the domestic restrictions being eased, we have a road map with data and date. for international travel, can we have the equivalent, a flight path, so that we know what will happen and when, and by what measure?

they also wanted to know more about support for the aviation and travel sectors... does he understand the disappointment and anger at the failure to extend additional support to the travel industry to prevent the potential loss of tens of thousands of more jobs? and one mp wanted to know when his own holidays would be less complicated... i went to gibraltar for- the weekend of the 11th—14th ofjune, i was astonished by the hoops i had to goi through on return i from the green rock. i had to take three tests . and fill out a very complex passenger locator i form to come home. given that 49% of our— population have now been double vaccinated, can my right friend have a look at reducing - the cost, the bureaucracy, and the time wasting that| occurs when people return - to the uk from even the safest countries like the rock of gibraltar, which is i a green area?

there was one plea though to make sure changes to going abroad didn't delay easings at home... as the government seems to have panicked at the slightest rise of infections, will he not put at risk any return to the fatuous restrictions over the winter? there has to be a balance. better controls at the border than destroying our freedom at home. madam deputy speaker, i think it is true to say that as i mentioned in my opening remarks, people are fed up with the restrictions, and the good news is that the evidence clearly shows divergence between the number of cases, the number of people going into hospital and, thank goodness, the number of deaths, so i have high confidence the 19th ofjuly will be that day and i look forward to people being able to regain some of the freedoms of that have been lost

over this year and half. in answer to the other mps, the minister said more detail would be announced in the house "as soon as next month". next month begins on thursday. now, labour has called on the government to do more to help rape victims in england and wales following a record drop in prosecutions and convictions. earlier this month three senior ministers apologised and said they were deeply ashamed that the vast majority of victims never saw their case reach court. we are taking steps to ensure we tackle this horrific crime and restore confidence in the criminaljustice system as outlined in the rape review published ten days ago. we will return the volume of rape cases through the courts to at least 2016 levels by the end of this parliament and are taking steps to improve the quality of investigations and reduce the time taken for victims to be given their phone back during the course of investigations.

further, we will improve the culture ofjoint working between police and prosecutors and hold each part of the system to account with performance score cards. the crown court backlog currently stands at a record high of almost 60,000 cases and figures show that for sexual offences, there's been a 67% rise in cases awaiting trial. in the secretary of state's own words, rape victims have been failed by this government. and the rape review accepted that court delays have contributed to the plummeting rape prosecutions. rape victims deserve a criminal justice system that works for them and not against them. so why did the government vote against labour's amendments to the police crime and courts bill which called for the first tracking of rape cases to be rolled out across england and wales? mr speaker, the honourable lady is right that delay in the criminaljustice system, both from report to charge and from charge the court has a significant impact on victims

and is a driver of victim atrition and cases therefore not proceeding. we are very focused on compressing each of the various parts of the criminaljustice system so they work efficiently and speedily in line with getting quality cases in the court that will hopefully secure convictions. while we haven't supported the measures in her bill, the ones he put forward, she will in time be able to see the performance and the timing of various parts of the criminaljustice system through the publication of comprehensive of scorecards which will allow us to judge over time, about whether the number of cases will rise, which i believe they will quite significantly, but then whether more measures are needed to be taken to drive further progress. the public maiming of a rape - victim who bravely come forward is devastating for the individual concernedl but on the current legislation, perpetrators of this crime get| no more than a mere £200 fine. at a time when 44% of victims

of rape are actually pulling - out of the justice systemj before their day in court, does the minister not agreej that such lax laws can deter even more potential victim from coming forward? - and if so, why did his _ government vote down proposals which would've strengthened the prosecuting powers- against such perpetrators? those proposals were not appropriate for support. we are having a think announcement shortly. kit malthouse. and that was tuesday in parliament. thank you for watching. i hope you canjoin me at the same time tomorrow for wednesday in parliament, including prime minister's questions. until then, from me, david cornock, bye for now.

hello there. so far this week, its northern and western areas which have seen the best of the sunshine and the highest temperatures. further east has been cloudier with outbreaks of rain. but as we move towards the end of this week, it looks like high pressure will start to build in, so it will turn sunnier across eastern areas. there'll still be the odd shower here and there, and then into the weekend, it looks more unsettled. for wednesday, you can see the pressure pattern — high pressure to the north and west, so largely clear with some sunshine here, but low pressure again over the near continent will affect eastern parts of the country. we'll start quite grey, i think, through this morning for many areas, but the sunshine will become more widespread across scotland and northern ireland, western england and wales. the odd shower here, there may be a odd heavy one. but eastern england, the southeast, again, a rather grey day with some patchy light rain or drizzle, feeling cool across north sea coasts with a fresh breeze here, further west with the sunshine into the low 20s celsius. it looks like it could be another grey day on wednesday for wimbledon — and then, thursday and friday, it'll turn sunnier and warmer with temperatures reaching the mid—20s celsius. so through wednesday night, we hold onto the cloudy skies again across the east and

southeast, the odd shower here. further north and west, though, you can see clearer skies — so it'll be a bit cooler where we have those clear spells, single—figure values in places. for most, i think we're looking at 10—12 celsius. for thursday, that area of low pressure starts to pull away from the east, but still close enough to produce thicker cloud and the odd shower — again, a fairly brisk northerly breeze across eastern areas will peg temperatures back. but elsewhere, plenty of sunshine around scotland and northern ireland, the midlands, western england and wales — apart from the odd shower, most places should be dry, and again, temperatures reaching the low—20s celsius. on friday, higher pressure builds in, so it looks like we should see more sunshine around even across the south—east. and it'll be warm, 25—26 celsius. there could be the odd shower around, it might well be plenty dry, but emphasis will be on dry and sunny weather. as we head on into the weekend,

though, low pressure starts to take back control, meaning we will start to see increasing amounts of showers, particularly on sunday where some of them could be really heavy and thundery. but it'll be a mixture of sunshine and showers both saturday and sunday, like i mentioned, with sunday seeing the heaviest of those downpours.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. in ethiopia — rebel tigrayan forces take back their regional capital from the government, but nearly two million people have fled their homes, and the need for aid is growing. 0ur teams are ready, our supplies are ready. however, as we have stated in the last eight months, the challenge has always been we have not had consistent access to reach people who need the help most. canada's heatwave turns deadly. police say dozens have died in vancouver as temperatures hit record highs. delta variant feels record