plans to overhaul england's social care system are likely to be unveiled this week, amidst warnings that a rise in national insurance could provoke a "very significant backlash". hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are journalist and broadcaster caroline frost and parliamentary journalist tony grew. tomorrow's front pages. the sun leads with a full page splash on the death of girls aloud singer sarah harding, quoting her mother's discription quoting her mother's description of her as �*our shining star'. the metro echo�*s that quote and says

that proposed national insurance tax hikes could hit the young hardest. the telegraph says plans to raise national insurance to pay for social care have been criticised by three former conservative chancellors the i also reports that borisjohnson is under pressure from ministers to abandon manifesto—busting plan to raise national insurance contributions to pay for social care. the financial times says that hotels across the uk have been forced to limit bed linen changes after a boom in domestic holidays collided with a chronic shortage of laundry staff. so let's begin... with me are caroline and tony, and such sad news about sarah harding. caroline, you cover the

entertainment beat quite extensively. we've heard throughout the dayjust how much of an impact she had in the pop world and how much she meant to fans. yes. she had in the pop world and how much she meant to fans.- much she meant to fans. yes, of course it feels _ much she meant to fans. yes, of course it feels difficult _ much she meant to fans. yes, of course it feels difficult now - much she meant to fans. yes, of course it feels difficult now to . course it feels difficult now to recall, but back maybe 15 years ago in their heyday, girls aloud were just an enormously successful... up until then the most successful coral band this country ever produced and certainly the most successful terror, to reality tv show, and sarah harding with her press friendly ways, cheerful, right at the heart of that. you journalist's kind of pop star because she knew how to flick her lovely long eyelashes to the camera, always had a joke for the press, and really clearly very much enjoyed being a p0p clearly very much enjoyed being a pop star back when it really meant something. pop star back when it really meant somethina. ., , pop star back when it really meant something-— something. tony, i suppose, as caroline says. _ something. tony, i suppose, as caroline says, easy _ something. tony, i suppose, as caroline says, easy to _ something. tony, i suppose, as caroline says, easy to forget. something. tony, i suppose, as| caroline says, easy to forget the journey that sarah harding and her bandmates came along, but it was

you are a parliamentaryjournalist, and actually this was a band put together by a public vote. this was democracy and action in the entertainment world, anyway. absolutely, a fascinating tale. i think_ absolutely, a fascinating tale. i think girls aloud had more than 20 top ten _ think girls aloud had more than 20 top ten hits. they were phenomenal for many— top ten hits. they were phenomenal for many years but the really sad aspect— for many years but the really sad aspect of— for many years but the really sad aspect of the story for me is reading _ aspect of the story for me is reading about it and reading that some _ reading about it and reading that some months before she actually went and had _ some months before she actually went and had this checked out with an mri scan she _ and had this checked out with an mri scan she knew that something was wrong, _ scan she knew that something was wrong, she — scan she knew that something was wrong, she put it off, then the pandemic— wrong, she put it off, then the pandemic hit. it is such a terribly sad story, — pandemic hit. it is such a terribly sad story, and i hope may be one or two people — sad story, and i hope may be one or two people out there will think more seriously— two people out there will think more seriously about breast cancer, maybe examine _ seriously about breast cancer, maybe examine their own breasts and may be some _ examine their own breasts and may be some lives— examine their own breasts and may be some lives could be saved from this tragedy _ some lives could be saved from this traced . ., ., ., , i. some lives could be saved from this traced. ., ., .,, tragedy. caroline, to bring you back in and we will _ tragedy. caroline, to bring you back in and we will look _ tragedy. caroline, to bring you back in and we will look at _ tragedy. caroline, to bring you back in and we will look at the _ tragedy. caroline, to bring you back in and we will look at the picture . in and we will look at the picture from the front page of the daily terry laugh at this point. so glamorous —— daily telegraph. it echoes the quote from her mother

about saito being a shining star. the point tony races as well, in the pandemic some people may have put off getting things checked, reluctant to add what they see as pressure on the health service at a time when it is dealing with backlogs, but a real timely reminder that actually if people suspect something is wrong, especially if they suspect there may be a lumbar cancer, to get it checked. yes. they suspect there may be a lumbar cancer, to get it checked.— cancer, to get it checked. yes, that is the very — cancer, to get it checked. yes, that is the very silver— cancer, to get it checked. yes, that is the very silver lining _ cancer, to get it checked. yes, that is the very silver lining to _ cancer, to get it checked. yes, that is the very silver lining to these - is the very silver lining to these horrendous stories. similarly to when we lost jade goody all these years ago, it is... it reaches audiences the other figures can't reach, because she is young, beautiful, glamorous, a pop star, she appears indomitable, but as we have actually, all too vulnerable like everyone else. that will be the very slim silver lining to this very sad tale of a young lady who has just gone too soon. much loved by

herfamily, a pop starfor a few glorious shining years but a daughter and a friend for many more, thatis daughter and a friend for many more, that is what clearly came out of all those messages today. you mentioned the messages. — those messages today. you mentioned the messages, lots _ those messages today. you mentioned the messages, lots of _ those messages today. you mentioned the messages, lots of tributes. - those messages today. you mentioned the messages, lots of tributes. one i the messages, lots of tributes. one that has been posted a short while ago on instagram from nicola roberts, herfellow band memberfrom girls aloud, saying i'm absolutely devastated and i cannot accept this day has come. my heart is aching and all day everything we went through together has raced around my mind. especially this last year since the diagnosis, as hard as the year has been, our new memories are strong in my mind. so many things to say, at first it felt too personal to put them here, then i remember there are so many other people grieving her too. a part of me or us isn't here any more and it is unthinkable and painful and utterly cruel. she finishes saying she would have loved your messages today. you may does, give it everything, still with a

smile. one of the many tributes being paid to sarah harding. let's turn to another story on the front page of the metro. this is the tax crunch that the young will face if the national insurance rise goes ahead. this is a bit of a fix, the social care system needs funding, but if you put up national insurance, we are being told it would affect those who can least afford to bear the brunt of that. g least afford to bear the brunt of that. �* ., ., . least afford to bear the brunt of that. ., ., ., , ., . least afford to bear the brunt of that. ., ., ., , , that. a national insurance rise means that — that. a national insurance rise means that every _ that. a national insurance rise means that every person - that. a national insurance rise means that every person that | that. a national insurance rise - means that every person that pays tax, including the lowest paid people — tax, including the lowest paid people in the country, will now have to pay— people in the country, will now have to pay more — people in the country, will now have to pay more tax, and the reason for that is— to pay more tax, and the reason for that is so— to pay more tax, and the reason for that is so that some older rich people — that is so that some older rich people don't have to sell their house — people don't have to sell their house for— people don't have to sell their house for the care that they need. it is house for the care that they need. it is hard — house for the care that they need. it is hard to— house for the care that they need. it is hard to see why the tories think— it is hard to see why the tories think this — it is hard to see why the tories think this is a good policy for them — think this is a good policy for them. theresa may tried this in 2017 general— them. theresa may tried this in 2017 general election, immediately called

the dementia tax, she had to drop it. the dementia tax, she had to drop it it _ the dementia tax, she had to drop it it has _ the dementia tax, she had to drop it. it has been the third great of british— it. it has been the third great of british politics for a long time. boris _ british politics for a long time. borisjohnson has british politics for a long time. boris johnson has decided, british politics for a long time. borisjohnson has decided, we are told this— borisjohnson has decided, we are told this will be announced later this week, that he is going to go for a _ this week, that he is going to go for a rise — this week, that he is going to go for a rise in— this week, that he is going to go for a rise in national insurance contributions. this is going to be extremely— contributions. this is going to be extremely unpopular, with significant members of parliament, not least _ significant members of parliament, not least the mp5 elected in 2019 on a manifesto that said they were not going _ a manifesto that said they were not going to _ a manifesto that said they were not going to raise taxes, any manifest that said _ going to raise taxes, any manifest that said they were going to be engaged in levelling up the country. this looks _ engaged in levelling up the country. this looks very much like the government is more concerned about rich folk— government is more concerned about rich folk in _ government is more concerned about rich folk in the south—east of england _ rich folk in the south—east of england and working class people in those _ england and working class people in those northern and midland constituencies. there will be a significant push backs to the government over this proposal. i 'ust government over this proposal. i just think— government over this proposal. i just think inimical to both tory values — just think inimical to both tory values to— just think inimical to both tory values to do with not raising values are not— values to do with not raising values are not breaking manifesto promises, but also _ are not breaking manifesto promises, but also to— are not breaking manifesto promises, but also to do with the idea that levelling — but also to do with the idea that levelling up that they keep talking about, _ levelling up that they keep talking about, will be difficult for some of the mps _

about, will be difficult for some of the mp5 to sell this. about, will be difficult for some of the mps to sell this.— the mps to sell this. appears in some of the _ the mps to sell this. appears in some of the front _ the mps to sell this. appears in some of the front pages, - the mps to sell this. appears in some of the front pages, but i the mps to sell this. appears in l some of the front pages, but the metro and the telegraph, the story. caroline, the line in the daily telegraph is the revolt that boris johnson is facing from some pretty big names. johnson is facing from some pretty bi names. . ., big names. including three former chancellors _ big names. including three former chancellors. two _ big names. including three former chancellors. two very _ big names. including three former chancellors. two very different - chancellors. two very different audience facing papers, the metro and the telegraph, but one of those rare times when opposition is united. borisjohnson, we always know he's in trouble when he has to skip off to the 1922 committee, for one of hisjovial skip off to the 1922 committee, for one of his jovial meetings reassures them it's all fine, but as tony said, the young will be penalised, and nobody wants that, especially those people in the north, recent tory arrivals, but similarly receiving opposition from other people because essentially raising this kind of tax doesn't seem like a traditionally very conservative thing to do. it is fascinating that even with that huge majority in his pocket, borisjohnson can still find ways of causing controversy even

among his own. ways of causing controversy even among his own-— ways of causing controversy even among his own. tony, i thought that 'ust among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred — among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to _ among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to me _ among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to me and _ among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to me and tell - among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to me and tell me - among his own. tony, i thought that just occurred to me and tell me if. just occurred to me and tell me if i'm being far too cynical but i've seen announcements like this in the past, they fly the kite and then they know something that doesn't go quite as far, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief thinking it is not as bad as we thought it would be. do you think that might be what they are doing here, perhaps? i you think that might be what they are doing here, perhaps?- are doing here, perhaps? i think ou're are doing here, perhaps? i think you're being _ are doing here, perhaps? i think you're being too _ are doing here, perhaps? i think you're being too cynical. - are doing here, perhaps? i think you're being too cynical. i - you're being too cynical. i genuinely think the government realises— genuinely think the government realises this is a major issue. the other— realises this is a major issue. the other concern, the other concern amongst — other concern, the other concern amongst conservative mps other concern, the other concern amongst conservative mp5 is that we've _ amongst conservative mp5 is that we've racked up half £1 trillion worth— we've racked up half £1 trillion worth of— we've racked up half £1 trillion worth of debt in this covid crisis, that will— worth of debt in this covid crisis, that will need to be paid for. is this a _ that will need to be paid for. is this a prelude to more tax rises? to soften— this a prelude to more tax rises? to soften up— this a prelude to more tax rises? to soften up to — this a prelude to more tax rises? to soften up to prepare them for even worse _ soften up to prepare them for even worse economic news for their constituents? the conservatives have an issue _ constituents? the conservatives have an issue here, let's be frank about it. an issue here, let's be frank about it the _ an issue here, let's be frank about it the prime _ an issue here, let's be frank about it. the prime minister's repetition for honesty— it. the prime minister's repetition for honesty is not the best, and certainly— for honesty is not the best, and certainly some of his colleagues

will he _ certainly some of his colleagues will be concerned if he is now turning — will be concerned if he is now turning around achingly significant manifesto promises, think of george bush that— manifesto promises, think of george bush that said read my lips, no new taxes. _ bush that said read my lips, no new taxes. 1992— bush that said read my lips, no new taxes, 1992 election that came back to haunt _ taxes, 1992 election that came back to haunt him because he did raise taxes. _ to haunt him because he did raise taxes, people rememberthat, grabbed his promise _ taxes, people rememberthat, grabbed his promise and that he broke it —— george _ his promise and that he broke it —— george w— his promise and that he broke it —— george w bush. the immediate issue, but also _ george w bush. the immediate issue, but also the _ george w bush. the immediate issue, but also the slightly longer issues for the _ but also the slightly longer issues for the conservative party as a whole. — for the conservative party as a whole, and for the prime minister. the problem is not that the government will lose the ball will lose a _ government will lose the ball will lose a bonus, is —— significant numbers— lose a bonus, is —— significant numbers of— lose a bonus, is —— significant numbers of their mps will rebel and the party— numbers of their mps will rebel and the party as a whole feels bruised and lie _ the party as a whole feels bruised and lie to— the party as a whole feels bruised and lie to and unhappy. that is the concern _ and lie to and unhappy. that is the concern to— and lie to and unhappy. that is the concern to stop the election is to stop the — concern to stop the election is to stop the election history and have your so— stop the election history and have your so there may be a calculation that reticular tax rise in three and a half— that reticular tax rise in three and a half years. _ that reticular tax rise in three and a half years, but a big conclusion and one — a half years, but a big conclusion and one that george w bush was not in his— and one that george w bush was not in his favour— and one that george w bush was not in his favour when that came along during _ in his favour when that came along during his — in his favour when that came along during his presidency. let's turn our attention to another story on the front page of the daily telegraph, this news about children

will be able to overrule patents when it comes to deciding whether or not they, the children, have covid vaccines. thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation said it doesn't back a blanket vaccination programme for those in the age group 12-15, but this programme for those in the age group 12—15, but this is potentially going to cause some tensions within households, isn't it? this astounds me. when households, isn't it? this astounds me- when i — households, isn't it? this astounds me. when i was _ households, isn't it? this astounds me. when i was 12, _ households, isn't it? this astounds me. when i was 12, obviously - households, isn't it? this astounds me. when i was 12, obviously not l me. when i was 12, obviously not that long ago... i couldn't be trusted to choose between a blackcurrant lollipop and a strawberry lollipop, so the idea that i would have been trusted with this kind of medical decision for myself fills me with horror... one more manifestation of the complete indecision around this which is now becoming a fudge. this is effectively, if true, the government kind of shrugging shoulders and saying we don't really know, we're just going to put on to you. the medical verdict that is already coming from thejcvi should be

enough, but clearly that is too close to call, now we're being told there other concerns, concerns, political decision—making about mental health calculations, fair enough, school numbers being kept healthy, fair enough. but this is surely a national decision to be taken at an executive level and not parlayed onto the waiting public, let alone the children of the waiting public. iam let alone the children of the waiting public. i am astounded by it. ., y waiting public. i am astounded by it. ., , ., , waiting public. i am astounded by it. tony, an interesting caveat in the quote _ it. tony, an interesting caveat in the quote saving _ it. tony, an interesting caveat in the quote saying any _ it. tony, an interesting caveat in the quote saying any 12-15 - the quote saying any 12—15 —year—olds wanting to be vaccinated and judged to be competent will then be allowed to overrule the objections by the parents. quite an important caveat, isn't it? it is. important caveat, isn't it? it is. it really interesting _ important caveat, isn't it? it is. it really interesting area - important caveat, isn't it? it is. | it really interesting area because it deals _ it really interesting area because it deals with something, a protocol, children— it deals with something, a protocol, children under 16 being able to access— children under 16 being able to access contraception. the argument there _ access contraception. the argument there is— access contraception. the argument there is that every child is just to be competent and mature enough to make _ be competent and mature enough to make that _ be competent and mature enough to make that decision, they should be

given— make that decision, they should be given contraception without their parents— given contraception without their parent's consent. that in itself is a hugelv— parent's consent. that in itself is a hugely controversial idea. i'm not a hugely controversial idea. i'm not a parent— a hugely controversial idea. i'm not a parent hut— a hugely controversial idea. i'm not a parent but i can imagine if i did have— a parent but i can imagine if i did have a— a parent but i can imagine if i did have a significant objection to vaccination for whatever reason, i thought— vaccination for whatever reason, i thought they were not appropriate, the idea _ thought they were not appropriate, the idea chow could go behind a parent— the idea chow could go behind a parent plus my back and receive a vaccine _ parent plus my back and receive a vaccine the — parent plus my back and receive a vaccine the parentthinks they should not receive _ vaccine the parentthinks they should not receive as dangerous. carolyn is i’ilht not receive as dangerous. carolyn is right that _ not receive as dangerous. carolyn is right that this is the sense of the government trying to pass it along, not making — government trying to pass it along, not making a decision nationally... i not making a decision nationally... i can— not making a decision nationally... i can see _ not making a decision nationally... i can see many problems with this. you asked — i can see many problems with this. you asked me earlier if this was the sort of— you asked me earlier if this was the sort of thing — you asked me earlier if this was the sort of thing where they might fly a kite and _ sort of thing where they might fly a kite and withdraw, i think this is much _ kite and withdraw, i think this is much more _ kite and withdraw, i think this is much more likely to be the sort of policv _ much more likely to be the sort of oli _ , much more likely to be the sort of oli _ ., much more likely to be the sort of oli . ., ,, ., ., policy. good to know i was not completely — policy. good to know i was not completely off _ policy. good to know i was not completely off the _ policy. good to know i was not completely off the mark - policy. good to know i was not completely off the mark that l policy. good to know i was not - completely off the mark that theory for something. let's taint our final study on the front page of financial times. hotels in the uk have a problem —— let's turn to our final story. i

don't know how to get them quite so floppy and pumped up, but i always fail to achieve the same hotel towel and linen standard at home. this means people will not be getting fresh towels and linen every day, caroline. shill fresh towels and linen every day, caroline. �* , ., ., , caroline. all they need to do is actually put — caroline. all they need to do is actually put the _ caroline. all they need to do is actually put the rope _ caroline. all they need to do is actually put the rope into - caroline. all they need to do is actually put the rope into the l actually put the rope into the suitcase. —— the robe. this is a problem we would have been delighted to have a year ago, we should remind ourselves. on the other hand it is a symptom of all sorts of shortages and staff blockages as we come out of lockdown, and as we adjust to the new reality, which as we are seeing various industries are... everywhere i go i see recruitment ads for staff, waiting staff particularly, hospitality staff. this is obviously another symptom of that. i think in perspective, in context of what we have all been through, not the worst of all problems. i would be willing

to take my towel if i can be assured of a nice holiday in a lovely comfy hotel somewhere.— hotel somewhere. tony, we are already encouraged _ hotel somewhere. tony, we are already encouraged in - hotel somewhere. tony, we are already encouraged in hotels i hotel somewhere. tony, we are already encouraged in hotels to | hotel somewhere. tony, we are - already encouraged in hotels to not ask for towels and things to be replaced, if we don't need to, from an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know— an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know about _ an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know about you _ an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know about you but _ an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know about you but i - an environmental perspective. yeah, i don't know about you but i don't - idon't know about you but i don't wash— idon't know about you but i don't wash towel— i don't know about you but i don't wash towel every day. sorry if had two a _ wash towel every day. sorry if had two . , ., wash towel every day. sorry if had two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that. two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that- it — two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that. it can _ two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that. it can remove _ two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that. it can remove there. - two a bit of drama on the papers, we love that. it can remove there. this i love that. it can remove there. this is art of love that. it can remove there. this is part of an — love that. it can remove there. this is part of an issue _ love that. it can remove there. this is part of an issue to _ love that. it can remove there. this is part of an issue to do was shortages _ is part of an issue to do was shortages across the country. some people _ shortages across the country. some people sav— shortages across the country. some people say it is brexit, some say the pandemic. a bit of both. this is another— the pandemic. a bit of both. this is another eye—catching example of the problems— another eye—catching example of the problems the country will face in the next — problems the country will face in the next few months and probably the next few _ the next few months and probably the next few years as well. tom.r the next few months and probably the next few years as well.— next few years as well. tony and caroline, next few years as well. tony and caroline. we _ next few years as well. tony and caroline, we will _ next few years as well. tony and caroline, we will have _ next few years as well. tony and

caroline, we will have to - next few years as well. tony and caroline, we will have to leave i next few years as well. tony and caroline, we will have to leave it there for the moment but we will go through some more injust there for the moment but we will go through some more in just under 45 minutes at 23: 30. caroline and tony will be back at 11.30 for another look at the papers. goodbye for now. hey, welcome to click! we are back after a summer of silliness. i hope you managed to have some kind of break yourself. i tell you, the best thing about being back on this sofa for me is i get to see my good mate, back in her box! it's been weeks since we've done it

like this, isn't it? how's your summer been? how are you? oh, it's good to be back and it's lovely to see you too. and my summer has been good, thank you. i've spent two hours a day working out, which is my idea of a break. i know, i've seen your instagram. you've been hitting it hard! hmm. what have you been up to? i've been exercising my brain. i've been trying these, um, interactive puzzle books, which i've become a bit of a fan of. on each page there's some sort of weird puzzle here and once you've worked out what's going on, you scan the qr code and it takes you to a website and tells you whether you're right or not. and that, ladies and gentlemen, is my idea of fun. goodness, and you must be cleverer than ever now? dangerously intelligent, that's me. but anyway, it's back to business now — and september means back to school. and hopefully the kids are going to get a whole year in the classroom. yeah, but because the last 18 months have been so disrupted, schools and kids now face a big challenge — and that's the fact that every child has had a different level of schooling and has different

gaps in their education. but it looks like machine learning might be able to help with the children's learning. four years ago we visited a school which had started using century ai to bolster their teaching. this is software that assesses students as they learn, finding where the gaps are, and prompting them with teaching materials that suit their needs. what it will do is we track all your behaviours, and your mouse movements and how you learn. have they paused? are they scrolling up or down? what words are they looking at? how long are the words? you know, has the child been guessing? have they been skipping? are they hesitating? have they taken longer to answer this question versus another one? well, you know if you know how long it takes for them to read across different subjects. so it's really trying to analyse and learn how the student is behaving across the content. the really clever part is that it

tracks learning across subjects, so it can differentiate between a student who is struggling with a mathematical equation, and one who's struggling with how the maths question is posed. in that case, it may suggest more literacy tasks. when the pandemic hit, software like this became increasingly important as students were forced to learn from home. and during the first lockdown, united learning, one of the largest groups of schools in england, introduced another adaptive learning platform to 46 of their secondary schools. sparx maths has thousands and thousands of questions and thousands and thousands of hours of exemplification as well — videos explaining how to do certain operations. now, that means that no teacher ever has to sit down and work out a specific set of questions for specific children to do, cos the software understands at what point of learning those children are at. also, it marks those questions, so the teacher doesn't have to sit for hours marking them in a book

and correcting them as well, which i know from personal experience can consume your entire life. over the last 18 months we've all needed as much help as we could get as our kids have flipped between school and home learning and we've flopped into bed each night exhausted after being parents, teachers and workers. for some children, learning at home has helped them to blossom, but, for many, tech will never beat the teacher. earlier in the year, i met andria zafirakou, the best teacher in the universe — and that's notjust according to her pupils, mind. she won the global teacher prize in 2018. the one thing that we have to bear in mind is that, you know, by using technology in assessing young people, it's not as good as that one—to—one teacher experience, and having that one—to—one knowledge with a teacher willjust open up their mind a little bit

more, and push them a little bit more to thinking about things which they've never thought about. there is no doubt that technology can be extremely beneficial in the classroom, but choices made by ai could set a direction for the rest of a child's life. and ultimately tech can only augment teachers and free up time so that they can do what they do best — teach. of course, nothing can beat physically being in the classroom, but even pre—pandemic, some students weren't able to be at school — for example, those with serious illnesses. but now, thanks to the help of some robots, some of these children might able to attend classes remotely. jen copestake's been finding out more. and can you blink your eyes? that's so cool. qasim is a student at seven kings school in east london.

he has a serious medical condition which means he hasn't been able to go out since the beginning of the covid pandemic, but comes to class instead in a robot avatar. how long have you been going to school like this, qasim? well, originally, it was to do with the lockdown and everything. also, i had a surgery too, so that was also one reason. are you recovering from the surgery now? yeah. i have the impression qasim is a very brave person. you come across very well, qasim. oh, thank you. laughs. is this your first time working with a robot in this way, or have you done it before? oh, it has been several months already, isn't it, qasim? so, did theyjust say you're going to be working with a robot instead of a child? everybody was excited. there are 500 av! robots going to school in this way across the uk and more than 1,500 in europe. it's controlled from a child's home via an app. where are you talking to us from?

like, from my ipad at home. oh, wow. they can control the movement of the robot on the table, change facial expressions, raise hands, and even sleep. is the blue meaning you're asleep? yes. do you ever put that on in the class? no. laughter. qasim, i'm just going to carry you to the next classroom. sure. at the end of the day, qasim is put away to charge. he's occasionally had to call his teachers to remind them to switch him on for class. there's something real about it — it's got a head, it moves, it talks. you know, it's almost like qasim is embodied in the robot, so it's brilliant! it feels absolutely fine, actually. so we get quite used to it and we call the robots actually by the child's name, and because the child's voice is coming out of the robot, and they're quite often laughing and joking with us, it feels like a perfectly natural relationship — it's normal. so it's the first time i'd seen a robot interacting in this way in a classroom,

and it was quite unexpected. it really did feel like qasim's presence was coming through that robot, and the children in the classroom seemed to enjoy it too. the first prototype avi, 3d print, first prototype comp, which is a computer screen with a robot body. the idea of interacting with robots as avatars rather than video screens came from karen dolva and her team at no isolation in oslo. raspberry pi in there. camera, microphone. so if a child raises a hand, these lights will light up. these are tiny led lights. then you have the antenna for good reception. you have the 4g module in here, you have the camera board, so this is what will sit in the forehead of the robot and let you actually stream. karen found her experience at university to be isolating, and difficult to make new friends.

this led to a period of loneliness and depression. i at least isolated myself. i don't think i realised how much i'd pulled away from everyone else until people started literally trying to get me back, which i'm very grateful for today. karen started looking at isolation and loneliness in pensioners before redirecting attention to children in hospitals who couldn't get to class. they were using video conferencing to get lessons, but she wanted to make a more private way. we were out observing and actually saw a reaction where a kid logged on and everyone in class is saying, like, "you're looking ill", then the kid logs off again, which is heartbreaking. like, you don't want that to be the experience you have when you show up in class. qasim is now looking forward

to getting back to class in person, and should be able to start again this autumn. how long have you been away from school, qasim? i left some time in february, i think. january, february sometime. then i stopped again. i haven't been in quite a long time. what's that been like to shield for such a long time? eventually, just, it's like, quite annoying, i guess, because you can't do anything. since the pandemic, we've really been amazed by the broad range of use cases that we've seen, but also we've seen an extreme rise in the level of anxiety amongst students. and just by having that window into the classroom, they gain more confidence, they're able to speak with their peers and their teachers, and the idea of returning to school becomes less daunting. what do you guys think, having qasim interacting like this? i think that it's good from his point of view. he's able to ask the teacher for questions if he needs help. | if we didn't have this robot then| i don't think he would be getting the same education that he's getting now. - bell rings.

that is the bell, which means school's out. that is it for the short version of this week's click. more on the full—length version, of course, which is waiting for you right now on iplayer. and, as ever, you can find the team on social media, on youtube, instagram, facebook and twitter @bbcclick. thanks very much for watching. class dismissed! hello there. finally we have some much—needed sunshine and warmth across east england and wales today. there was some rain around and that will continue to drift slowly south across the borders into the north of england, weakening all the time. quite a lot of cloud through scotland and northern ireland, and some cloud, patchy mist and fog across south wales

and south—west england. a relatively mild start to monday morning. some beautiful sparkling blue sunshine across much of england and wales first thing. that will gradually break up any cloud across northern england as well. could see some fog lingering for cornwall. that weak front producing a few spots of rain, slowly easing into the afternoon. a light southerly breeze for most, feeling quite pleasant, and temperatures on the up. low 20s for scotland and northern ireland, highest values of 27 somewhere in the south—east. take care.

welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... in afghanistan, the leader of the resistance group fighting the taliban says he's willing to enter peace talks. with the future still uncertain for many, we have a special report from rural afghanistan on life there under the taliban. football's world cup qualifier between brazil and argentina is dramatically abandoned after a row about covid quarantine rules. tributes to former girls aloud singer sarah harding, who's died at the age of 39 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. and as the tokyo paralympics comes to an end with

a spectacular closing ceremony, how does japan feel about the event?