this is bbc news. i'm ben mundy. the headlines at eight. labour says there's a "strong case" for offering all 12 to 15—year—olds covid vaccinations to avoid "further disruption" to their education. the government's scientific advisors don't support it. if it's going to free up our country more, to give us freedom and protect our children and things in schools, then absolutely, i've got no objection whatsoever. we don't know that much about it so ijust think at the moment, anybody above that age, 16 onwards, that's their choice, they can make that choice, but a child of that age can't make that choice. doctors unions call for the government to hold an emergency meeting, with gps delaying flu jabs as a shortage of hgv drivers disrupts supplies. we're hearing nothing from the politicians and the bma - is calling for the government to have a cobra meeting - because within the space of two - weeks, we've seen two major crises —

cancellations of blood l tests and now, flu jabs. in afghanistan, the taliban continues to send fighters to crush the last remaining organised resistance. two divers are presumed to have died after they failed to return to the surface while exploring a wreck off the cornwall coast. and wheelchair racer hannah cockroft wins her seventh gold medal at the paralympics, retaining her t34 800 metres title in tokyo. good evening and welcome to bbc news. labour say there's a strong case to vaccinate children aged between 12 and 15 against coronavirus to avoid further disrupting their education. ministers have asked the chief medical officers of the uk's

four nations to consider the broader implications. this after the national vaccines advisory body decided yesterday not to recommend jabs for all youngsters in that age group. our health correspondent, jim reed, reports. in the united states, they've been vaccinating children now for months. france and germany have also been pressing ahead. in this country, though, there is still uncertainty. government advisers have said the medical benefit alone does not justify jabbing all those between 12 and 15 years old. it's left parents waiting for ministers to make a final decision. if it's going to free up our country more, to give us freedom and protect our children and things in schools, then absolutely, i've got no objection whatsoever. we don't know that much about it so ijust think at the moment, anybody above that age, 16 onwards, that's their choice, they can make that choice, but a child of that age can't make that choice. around 3 million 12 to 15—year—olds live in the uk and around 11a,000

of those are already eligible for the jab because they live with an adult with a weakened immunity system. another 350,000 also qualify because they have an underlying health condition. the criteria for that has just been widened to include problems like heart disease, epilepsy, and asthma that is poorly controlled. it's very confusing. jean's son scott lives with asthma and she doesn't know yet if he will qualify for the jab under the new rules. i think we should have the choice because, as i say, it is the only area of society right now where we come together and there are hundreds of unvaccinated, so it would be amazing for us, and it isn'tjust the health aspect, but the mental health, as well, because scott is anxious about being in school and being in large numbers. but government advisers were only told to look quite narrowly at the possible health benefits and rare side effects in children. ministers have now asked this man,

the chief medical officer for england, chris whitty, and his counterparts in the other nations of the uk, to report back on the wider implications on children's lives, including education. ministers have got to look at the whole range of potential benefits and harms, and one of the things that's been very disruptive to young people has been the disruption in their schooling. a source told the bbc that the government believes there is a strong case for extending the vaccine roll—out to that younger age group. ultimately, it will be ministers in the four nations who will have to decide, as more secondary school pupils return after their summer break. jim reed, bbc news. other countries such as france, spain, poland and the netherlands have already decided to vacinante younger teens. in italy, the government is prioritising inoculation of those between 12 and 18 before the start of the new school term. professor paolo pelosi is head of anaesthesiology and intensive care

at san martino hospital in genoa. thank you forjoining us this evening, professor. maybe we can start with why did italy press ahead with this for 12 to 18—year—olds? for this decision, due to the recommendation of the italian paediatric society, since there is clear evidence now that in teenagers older than 12 our vaccination has more benefits than the potential. especially the disease may widespread in this location and become certainly a possible serious problem for public health care systems, represents up thought about

—— in september. flan systems, represents up thought about -- in september-— -- in september. can we pick up on those benefits, _ -- in september. can we pick up on those benefits, because _ -- in september. can we pick up on those benefits, because scientists l those benefits, because scientists are warning they are minimal. what was presented to force out move? really, the recommendation is that there is not a clear obligation, but between the paediatric, the family paediatrician and physician. so we describe clearly the potential benefits and... but what i can say is not among the teenager, they are really open for the vaccination. so this is extremely positive from this point of view. this is extremely positive from this point of view—

point of view. we've already seen durin: point of view. we've already seen during this _ point of view. we've already seen during this pandemic— point of view. we've already seen during this pandemic across - point of view. we've already seen during this pandemic across the l during this pandemic across the world that this age group is key, so how important do you believe this decision is in tackling the spread of covid—19? decision is in tackling the spread of mid-19?— of covid-19? this i think is very important _ of covid-19? this i think is very important decision _ of covid-19? this i think is very important decision because - of covid-19? this i think is very important decision because i i of covid-19? this i think is veryl important decision because i am italian myself, and more important, the italian paediatric society believes that this is one of the best ways to control the further possible spread of the disease and also reduce the circulation of the virus in immunising the potential increases in possible areas. but most important, i think italy is open very likely as soon as the fda will approve the vaccination for children between five to 12 and open

discussion for other patients. you mentioned _ discussion for other patients. you mentioned that _ discussion for other patients. you mentioned that the 12 to 18—year—olds and italy are keen to get vaccinated. that's the message you're hearing. i wonder what the messaging has been like on the covid vaccinations across italy for that particular age group. the message was that if you _ particular age group. the message was that if you do _ particular age group. the message was that if you do that, _ particular age group. the message was that if you do that, you - particular age group. the message was that if you do that, you have l was that if you do that, you have first advantages not only from health care point of view, but also for community point of view in terms of possible increase in relationships. 0n the other side, to convenience them, orfrom relationships. 0n the other side, to convenience them, or from an ethical point of view this is extremely important. when you become vaccinated, you also are doing something positive for the society. and this was very well accepted by

italian teenagers, so this is extremely good.— italian teenagers, so this is extremely good. professor paolo pelosi, thank _ extremely good. professor paolo pelosi, thank you _ extremely good. professor paolo pelosi, thank you for _ extremely good. professor paolo pelosi, thank you forjoining - extremely good. professor paolo pelosi, thank you forjoining us l extremely good. professor paolo l pelosi, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. pelosi, thank you for “oining us on bbc news. . ~ pelosi, thank you for “oining us on bbc news. ., ~ , ., , pelosi, thank you for “oining us on sac news.— let's take a look at the latest uk coronavirus figures, and there were just over 37 and a half thousand new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means an average of 35,051 per day in the last week. the figures also show there were 7,5a1 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus two days ago. 120 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. that takes the average deaths per day to 112 over the last week. 0n vaccinations, more than 88% of people over the age of 16 have had their first jab, and more than 79% of people over 16 have had both doses. some gp surgeries in england and wales have begun cancelling appointments for the winter flu jab

after delays to the delivery of doses of the vaccine. a shortage of lorry drivers is believed to be behind the problem. doctors have warned it will have a serious impact on workloads and patients. they are now calling on the government to act, as daniela relph reports. 35 million people will be offered the vaccine to combat the flu virus this autumn and winter. those targeted have a higher risk of serious illness if they contract flu, but actually getting your flu jab is now riddled with delays. the vaccine is not being delivered to gp surgeries in parts of england and wales, causing them to postpone appointments and flu clinics. i think it could be a real issue for patients and for general practice, and that, of course, if general practice is in trouble, then patients are in trouble. because it's notjust a question of delaying it, it's all the cancellations of the many, many clinics, the many appointments, which have already been booked in. seqirus supplies vaccines to gps and pharmacies.

it's warned that road freight challenges have disrupted their work. there simply aren't enough lorry drivers to distribute the vaccine. the concern is that any delay in delivering the flu jab could have a knock—on effect on the wider nhs. with increased pressure on hospitals, during a winter when medics already know they will have to deal with both flu and covid. more flu cases, potentially caused by a delay in vaccines, plus high levels of covid in the community, plus the nhs trying to deal with other issues really is a bit of a perfect storm. i think there's a high level of anxiety amongst my clinical colleagues who are really, really tired and going into another difficult winter. surgeries are already limiting blood tests due to a chronic shortage of test tubes. doctors' leaders are critical of the government's handling of the disruption. we're hearing nothing from the politicians and the bma - is calling for the government to have a cobra meeting - because within the space of two -

weeks, we've seen two major crises — cancellations of blood l tests and now, flu jabs. we want to hear from our politicians and hear- why there are no contingency plans. gp surgeries now face managing further delays and cancellations, as well as the worry and anxiety of their patients. daniela relph, bbc news. dr carter singh is a gp in nottinghamshire. we just received a message from the department of health saying it is untrue to say there is a flu vaccine shortage. delivery from one supplier is delayed by one or two weeks. and i know him impact on the vaccination programme overall. dr carter singh is a gp in nottinghamshire. let's start with your reaction to that. there is no impact on the programme. i

that. there is no impact on the programme-— that. there is no impact on the rouramme. , , ., programme. i was shocked but not surrised programme. i was shocked but not surprised to _ programme. i was shocked but not surprised to hear _ programme. i was shocked but not surprised to hear this _ programme. i was shocked but not surprised to hear this morning - programme. i was shocked but not surprised to hear this morning that there was some delay in the suppliers from one of the distributors of the flu vaccination. we're already dealing with significant disruption in relation to a shortage in blood tests. for me, i would say that if there is a shortage or a delay in flu vaccination delivery, then that could potentially have a massive effect on the roll—out of the flu vaccine. effect on the roll-out of the flu vaccine. ., , ., .,. , effect on the roll-out of the flu vaccine. ., , ., , ., vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of its members _ vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of its members are _ vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of its members are shaken _ vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of its members are shaken by - vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of its members are shaken by this - vaccine. to be an ace in the sum of i its members are shaken by this news, so how concerned are you —— the bma? i think this is a very challenging yearfor us because i think this is a very challenging year for us because the eligibility of who can receive the vaccine this year has been broadened and we're

being asked to vaccinate more people than we've ever vaccinated before, and that's alongside on top of not instead of, also being responsible for rolling out the of the covid—19 vaccine. which we've already in general deliver the lion's share of —— the third jab. i think practices are already contacting their patients to book them in, arranging doctors and nurse rodeos to try and optimise the uptake for the vaccine —— nurse rota. optimise the uptake for the vaccine -- nurse rota-_ optimise the uptake for the vaccine -- nurse rota. maybe you can under stand the timescale _ -- nurse rota. maybe you can under stand the timescale here. _ -- nurse rota. maybe you can under stand the timescale here. what - -- nurse rota. maybe you can under stand the timescale here. what is l stand the timescale here. what is flu likely to hit? how long do we have to fix any problems developing? usually, most practices will receive their flu vaccines around mid—september, and the head of that

delivery date, not the practice is usually arrange their clinics proactively and contact patients, and i think what we need to do here is mitigate any delays or disruption caused by any of the delays in delivery, and i think we need to work collaboratively together and try to reorganise any clinics who have been booked already if there is any possibility of delay to those vaccine deliveries. also, we need to ensure that, and my personal plea would be to patients, if you are affected by any cancellations to your flu vaccine date, please bear with us. please show some understanding and please be patient with us. we're trying to work as hard as we can behind the scenes to ensure optimal uptake and maximum coverage of the flu vaccine, especially this year, when we're already dealing with massive numbers

in general practices of covid amnon covid related general medical issues. ,, ., ., , , issues. should we have seen this delay coming- — issues. should we have seen this delay coming. the _ issues. should we have seen this delay coming. the delivery - issues. should we have seen this delay coming. the delivery from | issues. should we have seen this . delay coming. the delivery from one supplier is delayed by one or two weeks. in the previous leaks, we've seen mcdonald's hit, so should we seen mcdonald's hit, so should we see that this could have been affected? i see that this could have been affected? ~ �* , see that this could have been affected? ~' �*, ., , ., affected? i think there's always a otential affected? i think there's always a potential with _ affected? i think there's always a potential with delivery _ affected? i think there's always a potential with delivery operation | potential with delivery operation couege potential with delivery operation college issues to effect any walk of life —— haulage. i think there should always be plans in place to organise alternative methods to try to minimise any disruption and delays, especially when we're coming out of the pandemic and we're already creating roto �*s and schedules for delivering the flu

vaccine. i think it's never been more important for the health care sector to be more prepared and be resilient to try and prepare for the winter pressures that we might be facing in the months to come. especially the flu vaccine is really important to protect health care workers and nhs staff who rely on early administration to protect themselves so early administration to protect themselve— early administration to protect themselve , , ., , themselves so they can help millions of atients themselves so they can help millions of patients joined _ themselves so they can help millions of patients joined the _ themselves so they can help millions of patients joined the winter - themselves so they can help millions of patients joined the winter months| of patients joined the winter months to provide care on the front line. good luck with it all. many thanks forjoining us. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are nigel nelson — who's political editor at the people and the sunday mirror — and also the political commentatorjo phillips. the headlines on bbc news... labour says there's a "strong case" for offering all 12 to 15—year—olds covid vaccinations

to avoid "further disruption" to their education. the government's scientific advisors don't support it. doctors' unions call for the government to hold an emergency meeting, with gps delaying flu jabs as a shortage of hgv drivers disrupts supplies. and the taliban continues to send fighters to crush the last remaining organised resistance in afghanistan. let's get more on those ongoing battles in afghanistan that have been reported in the panjshir valley, the final area of the country not controlled by the taliban. the militants say they are making progress, but the resistance led by former vice president saleh claims it remains in control. while, back in kabul, the head of pakistan's powerful military intelligence agency, general faiz hameed, has arrived for a one day visit. it's thought he may advise on the formation of a new taliban government which is yet to be announced. dan johnson reports.

the taliban says kabul is being cleaned and decorated ahead of a new government and cabinet being announced. many afghans see their freedoms being raised under a new taliban regime. for three weeks, bank queues have grown while afghans have wondered what taliban rule will bring. they are still waiting and still hoping. translation: our demand from the islamic emirate i is to activate the schools and for students and to provide jobs for the people. we want them to prevent armed robberies and to reduce killings. translation: security is good all over the country. _ people are happy, but the lack of work and the non—announcement of the government is worrying people. everyone is confused and people do not know what the future of the homeland will be because everyone is confused. the head of pakistani intelligence is in kabul, possibly playing a part in shaping the new power structure. his presence will be enough

to convince some of pakistan's influence over the taliban. he says he's working for peace and stability. north of kabul they are still fighting. the taliban has pushed deeper into the panjshir valley, a traditional bedrock of opposition. there have been many injuries on both sides but the resistance has denied taliban claims of victory and says there will be no surrender. in kabul, these women are refusing to surrender their rights, testing a brave move in uncertain times. reports taliban used tasers against them may be a hint of what they face in the new old afghanistan. danjohnson, dan johnson, bbc news. coastguards say they believe that two divers have died while exploring a shipwreck off cornwall. the pair were diving around the hms scylla, which was sunk in 2004 to create an offshore reef. johnny rutherford has more. the two men were on a planned dive when they failed to return to their diving boat at the popular diving site of hms scylla,

just behind me here at whitsand bay. a third diver had surfaced, raising the alarm, and coastguard were informed around quarter to eight last night that two divers were trapped on the wreck. a full—scale search was launched, including the rnli lifeboats from plymouth and looe and the coastguard helicopterfrom newquay. there was a helicopterjust circling around the bay and about, what, half an hour after, we saw the boats start to come out with searchlights. it was pitch black. it's sad — we were there watching tv and going to bed, and you have that feeling that someone's in trouble or something is happening, and it's not very pleasant. the search continued into the small hours and again this morning. devon and cornwall police have informed the missing men's families, and both the coastguard and the police request people not to go near or indeed dive the scylla site. johnny rutherford, bbc spotlight, whitsand bay, cornwall. a man's been charged in connection with the death of a woman who fell from arthur's seat in edinburgh on thursday night.

the woman's been named as 31—year—old faziyahjaved from pudsey in west yorkshire. a 27—year—old man's expected to appear at edinburgh sheriff court on monday. a police officer has been seriously injured in a crash after officers tried to stop a car on the m62. the motorway between snaith and goole was closed for more than 15 hours following the incident last night. the independent office for police conduct has been notified. a small aircraft has crashed into the sea after getting into difficulties during a display at the bournemouth air festival. these pictures show the plane flying earlier this afternoon. both the stunt pilot and the wing walker taking part in the performance escaped with only minor injuries. all other flying events today were suspended. let's go back to the latest in afghanistan. 0ngoing battles have been reported in the final area not

controlled by the taliban. aqil shah is professor of south asian politics at the university of oklahoma. he's also a visiting scholar at the carnegie endowment for international peace. many thanks for joining many thanks forjoining us on bbc news. maybe we can start by touching on the relationship between afghanistan and pakistan, because we understand pakistan intelligent leader is in kabulfor a one—day visit. the former leader once described that relationship as brothers, so can you expand? the pakistani brothers, so can you expand? tia: pakistani services intelligence brothers, so can you expand? ti2 pakistani services intelligence is the most powerful intelligence organisation the country has had long—standing ties with the taliban. the taliban are essentially proxies of the pakistani military, so they have been allies of pakistan and they have given them a safe haven in

they have given them a safe haven in the past. they have been supported through training, logistical support and pakistan is the only, one of the only three countries that recognised the previous taliban regime. as you pointed out, the first high—level official delegation from any country, it's no coincidence that it's headed by the general who has the isi. ., , , ., the 151. how significant is that visit? i think _ the 151. how significant is that visit? i think it's _ the 151. how significant is that visit? i think it's very - the 151. how significant is that. visit? i think it's very important because it's _ visit? i think it's very important because it's one _ visit? i think it's very important because it's one thing - visit? i think it's very important because it's one thing to - visit? i think it's very important because it's one thing to fight l visit? i think it's very important. because it's one thing to fight an insurgency and quite another to form a stable government that will not only satisfy the taliban constituencies, but will also be acceptable to the international community. the taliban have said again and again that they want an inclusive government, but i think they're having problems. they have

delayed the formation of the government, so the isi chief and his delegation is probably going to consult with the taliban on what to do. some reports suggest pakistan is going to officially help the taliban reorganise their intelligence capabilities and maybe organise their military forces.— capabilities and maybe organise their military forces. some western countries are _ their military forces. some western countries are hoping _ their military forces. some western countries are hoping to _ their military forces. some western countries are hoping to influence i countries are hoping to influence the new government through pakistan. some western countries will not recognise the taliban led government, so how crucial role do pakistan having all of this? well. government, so how crucial role do pakistan having all of this?- pakistan having all of this? well, i think pakistan _ pakistan having all of this? well, i think pakistan is _ pakistan having all of this? well, i think pakistan is absolutely - think pakistan is absolutely pivotal. to anything that will happen in afghanistan, whether it is the shape of the future government or whether it is the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding as we

speak. so, pakistan really holds the key and i think pakistan's generals are confident that they can can vent members of the international community that the taliban run afghanistan and the best way forward is to engage them and support them, to help them stabilise afghanistan, partly because the threat of terrorism from groups like isis k. pakistan thinks it's in a very advantageous position to shape how the world engages afghanistan and how afghanistan's government is shaped and how stable afghanistan is. i think they're quite confident that they have the leverage over the taliban to leave them direction that might be more compatible with

recognition. some sort of acceptance by the international community so that the taliban can at least be de facto legitimised. bill that the taliban can at least be de facto legitimised.— facto legitimised. all the while, the taliban _ facto legitimised. all the while, the taliban delayed _ facto legitimised. all the while, i the taliban delayed announcement from this new government. how much is this role having on a delay on the announcements? i is this role having on a delay on the announcements?— is this role having on a delay on the announcements? i think that's art of the the announcements? i think that's part of the story — the announcements? i think that's part of the story because - the announcements? i think that's part of the story because that's i the announcements? i think that's| part of the story because that's the only pocket of resistance. but i think broader than that, looking beyond that, i don't think they have the capacity to understand. power—sharing is a democratic concept. the taliban do not understand power—sharing. they're probably likely going to include some token members of different ethnic groups and different political parties, but at the end of the day, they feel they have achieved a military victory. they

have conquered afghanistan and defeated a superpower, though they're likely to monopolise all the key levers of power �*s. qui they're likely to monopolise all the key levers of power 's._ key levers of power 's. aqil shah, many thanks _ key levers of power 's. aqil shah, many thanks for _ key levers of power 's. aqil shah, many thanks forjoining _ key levers of power 's. aqil shah, many thanks forjoining us - key levers of power 's. aqil shah, many thanks forjoining us on - key levers of power 's. aqil shah, | many thanks forjoining us on bbc news. and to the tokyo paralympics, where great britain have won four gold medals on the penultimate day of the games. in the athletics, hannah cockroft triumphed in the t—31i 800 metres to claim the seventh paralympic title of her career and aled sion davies retained his title in the f63 shot put. meanwhile, charlotte henshaw and laura sugar won their events in the para—canoeing. our sports correspondent, andy swiss, reports. domination at its most dazzling. hannah cockroft has never lost a race at the paralympics and in the 800 metres, her supremacy was starker than ever. she was almost in a different postcode as she crossed the line more than ten seconds clear... commentator: it's a new paralympic record! ..and all that, remarkably, after

injuring her hand in the warm up. i just didn't really think about it. and then i came off and i was like, "my hand really hurts!" yeah, i'm not sure what it looks like under here but we're going to leave this on for now. and there was another gold for another of the class of 2012, aled davies retaining his shot put title which he dedicated to his baby daughter phoebe. in the canoeing, meanwhile, there was success for the sport switchers. laura sugar used to sprint on the track, but now she's doing it on the water, and quickly. for sugar, the sweetest of victories. and there was another for charlotte henshaw, the former swimmer edging out team—mate emma wiggs. swapping the pool for a paddle, she later told me, turned out to be a pretty good move. i feel very, very fortunate to have found another sport that i love. i might have been completely rubbish and i might not even have been on the team to tokyo

so it was a complete leap of faith and one i'm now glad that i took. the british team have won medals across more sports at these games than they have ever done before, and once again the venues here in tokyo brought a variety of success. the british team won its first paralympic medal in badminton. dan bethell taking a historic silver. but the day's most magical moment was in the football. the players can't see the ball. they can only hear it. it has a bell inside. so, how about this for a wonder goal? brazil's raimundo mendes sparking jubilation as his spectacular solo effort meant they beat argentina and retained their title. truly, a golden goal. andy swiss, bbc news, tokyo. the weather is coming, first political thinking. now on bbc news. political thinking with nick robinson.