tonight at ten, the house of commons approves a rise in national insurance to boost funding for health and social care. the ayes to the right, 319. the noes to the left, 248. the new levy on workers and employers will raise an extra £12 billion a year, with the nhs initially taking the lion's share. but some leaders in the care sector warn that the plans will not deliver in time to save many struggling residential homes. unfortunately, if your ship is sinking now, you don't wait three years before you provide the plug for the hole. it's just not going to happen, services are already deteriorating in quality. we'll also have the latest on the burden imposed by the new tax and whether it's fair to those

on lower incomes. also tonight: sirens. in paris, six years after the worst—ever terror attacks in the city, salah abdeslam and 19 other defendants have finally gone on trial. this week alone, more than a thousand migrants have crossed the english channel to the uk, prompting more talks between the uk and france. at the us open tennis, britain's18—year—old star, emma raducanu, reaches her first—ever semifinal at a grand slam tournament. i'm just so, so happy to have come through, and thank you so much for all of your support today. cheering and applause and a late goalfor and a late goal for poland and a late goalfor poland denies england victory in their world cup qualifying match. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, the club versus country row between brazil and the premier league — eight stars could miss matches this weekend.

good evening. by a convincing majority of 71, the house of commons has approved a new tax on workers and employers to pay for improvements in health and for better social care in england. earlier today, the prime minister, borisjohnson, insisted the tax rises, which break a key conservative manifesto promise, were essential to deal with problems made worse by the pandemic. the planned changes are a radical departure from the current system. anyone in england with assets of less than £20,000 will have their care costs fully covered from october 2023. those with assets between £20,000 and £100,000 will also receive state support, but it will be means tested. and from october 2023, personal care costs start counting towards the cap of £86,000. no—one will pay more than that

throughout their lifetime. the changes only apply in england. there are separate arrangements in scotland, wales and northern ireland, where more money will also be made available. more on the parliamentary vote in a few minutes, but first this report on the all—important reaction within the care sector, by our social affairs correspondent alison holt. mind the corner. this is where the government's reforms have to make a difference — the care front line, where the pressures to support more people and to find enough staff are felt most acutely. between them, marilyn and nigel have a0 years�* experience as care workers. they've seen problems increase and need persuading that things will change. staff shortages is the normal now, which means the current staff are working their hours plus. there is no overtime pay and no bank holidays. i'm not very happy about the tax going up, because that's not going to give us any more staff, and we'll be paying more money out

than what we should be. this is a family business with four dementia homes in norfolk. they need 122 permanent staff — they have 78. they welcome reform but are sceptical that more money will be shifted from the nhs, as promised, in three years. unfortunately, if a ship is sinking now, you can't wait three years before you provide the plug for the hole. we read reports every day of care homes failing in quality issues. they're not failing intentionally, they're failing because they don't have the necessary people. for care home residents, whilst the new care cap will limit what they have to pay to £86,000, only care costs will count towards it — not food and accommodation. the government also says local authorities will be expected to increase their fees and negotiate for self—funders, so they don't pay more than council residents. there's been a cross—subsidisation

in the sector from people that are paying privately, and that needs to end, and this new funding will mean that local authorities will be able to pay more for the care package, which hopefully will then translate itself into even more support for the workforce. it's fair to say that there's been a mixed reaction from people who work in, commission, or use care services. 0n the one hand, there's relief that there's finally a plan for them to work with. but they're also worried about the money. i'm told that in local government, the mood is one of despair. they can see the new levy increasing wages, more demand coming from people now eligible for support, and they're not convinced the money is there to cover it. conservative—run somerset county council is one of many authorities already struggling with the demand for care. here, requests have increased by 34% since the pandemic. the leader says reforms are needed but don't ease immediate pressures. i'm really pleased to see

that something is being done, but our problem is now, and then we've got all the dangers of a winter epidemic or winter problems for people if we come into a really cold period, people need additional help. so i think there's a real challenge here as we go through the next few months. they are pressures that mean there is still some way to go before those at the heart of care will be convinced that the system is going to be fixed quickly enough. alison holt, bbc news. this evening's vote in the commons approving the new levy breaks a conservative manifesto commitment not to increase taxes. some conservatives mps are known to be unhappy, and labour says the change will not only hammer working people but it could also fail to clear the nhs waiting lists made worse by the pandemic. 0ur deputy political editor, vicki young, reports. a significant moment for borisjohnson — making it clear where his priorities lie. the ayes to the right, 319. the noes to the left, 248.

with barely a murmur, conservative mps backed billions of pounds in tax rises to raise money for the nhs and social care, while labour mps voted against. it feels like a distortion of the political landscape, and it brings risks for the prime minister and the labour leader. borisjohnson�*s overriding some tory anxiety. he believes voters are prepared to pay for better funded public services. in order to deal with the problems of the nhs backlogs, you also have to fix social care. we're taking the tough decisions, mr speaker, that the country wants to see, we're putting another £36 billion in. but the labour leader says the extra taxes are falling on the wrong people. working people will pay higher tax, those in need will still lose their homes to pay for care, and he can't even say if the nhs backlog will be cleared. well, he gesticulates, but they're all breaking their manifesto

promises and putting up taxes on their working constituents for this?! _ of all the ways to raise public funds, why is the prime minister insisting on hammering working people? mr speaker, we're proud of what we've been doing throughout this pandemic to look after working people. under the plans, some will still have to fork out as much as £86,000 for their care, which could force them to sell their home. mrjohnson�*s promised to stop that happening, suggesting people will be able to take out insurance to protect themselves. there's no doubt the prime minister is taking his party down and unfamiliar path — notjust these tax rises but others announced back in march. together, that's set to take the uk tax take to historically high levels, the highest level that it's been since 1969, and at levels that haven't been sustained in the uk's history, so we're really into uncharted water. and for some tories, it goes against every instinct. if you create an nhs tax,

you have an nhs tax forever. it will never go down, it can only go up. no party's ever going to stand an election saying, "i've got a good idea, vote for me, i'll cut the nhs tax." many conservatives share this concern — several didn't back the plan. but tonight borisjohnson has the green light to raise our taxes and keep spending. putting and keep spending. up taxes is not something the putting up taxes is not something the conservative party relishes, but many tory mps accept it is necessary to help the nhs in the covid recovery and meet the growing demand they are hearing from their own constituents. they do want to know more about the social care reforms, they should get there was more details next month, but one thing today was very clear — borisjohnson was absolutely delighted that labour mps voted against his plans tonight. i think until sir keir starmer gives more detail about what he would do, this could be tricky territory for

his party. vicki, many thanks for the latest, vicki, many thanks for the latest, vicki young, hour deputy political editor. ministers have insisted that dealing with the huge waiting list for nhs treatment in england is the reason why most of the extra revenue raised will go initially to the national health service and not to the care sector. but the prime minister, borisjohnson, speaking to our health editor, hugh pym, nonetheless refused to set any targets for reducing those waiting times. you see people come forward... the prime minister was back at the hospital trust where he was treated in intensive care during the first covid surge. he's announced a new three—year funding dealfor the nhs in england to help clear the backlog of cancelled operations. this is a training area at st thomas's hospital with no patients, so no masks required, when i asked what impact the new money might have. in england, there are more than 300,000 waiting more than a year for an operation. before the pandemic, it was nearer 1,000. how much is that going to come down? give us an idea. we are going to work as fast

and as hard as we can, hugh. but don't you need to give some targets as to where you want to get to? we want our nhs to... they think they can do 9 million treatments with the money we're giving them. we hope that that will be... i'm sure they can do it, and we want the backlogs to be cleared as fast as possible. now we need to put the funding in to fix the backlogs, to pay the nurses, but also to do the underlying reforms. can you get those one—year waits down to where they were pre—pandemic? of course that's what we want to do, but i'm afraid, and we should be very clear about this, things may well get more difficult before they get better, because we don't, as we sit here now, we don't know the rate at which people are going to come back. but health service representatives have said the funding

is less than what's needed to tackle all the challenges ahead. we are grateful that there is extra money for us to address this backlog, but it's important for us to be honest and to say that if covid continues, those costs continue, we won't have enough to address both that and the backlog. covid will continue and the question is, how much and for how long? hospital admissions are rising week on week, and the prime minister struck a downbeat note. the numbers of infections remain high, or high—ish, and i am certainly concerned. what i'm particularly concerned about is that in great hospitals like this, 75% of the people who are succumbing to covid still are not vaccinated. he denied claims that the proceeds of a new levy would be entirely consumed by the nhs and said social care would get a fair allocation. that's for the longer term. he knows for now, the virus

is the main priority. hugh pym, bbc news. so let's take a look at the latest uk coronavirus figures, and there were nearly 39,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means an average of 38,925 cases per day in the last week. the figures also show there were 7,907 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus yesterday. 191 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. that takes the average number of deaths per day to 133 over the last week. 0n vaccinations, nearly 89% of people over the age of 16 have had theirfirstjab, and just over 80% have had both doses. let's turn to the day's other main news. in paris, the trial of 20 men accused of involvement in the terror attacks at the bataclan theatre in 2015, in which 136 people died, has finally started.

it's being seen as a supremely important moment for the thousands of people who found themselves, directly or indirectly, caught up in france's worst—ever terror attacks, as gunmen targeted the capital's bars and venues, including the bataclan concert hall. 0ur paris correspondent lucy williamson sent this report. the sirens sounded again in paris today for the men accused of terrorising this city six years ago. sounds that once accompanied that fear and panic, now accompanying the defendants on their way to justice. it was a night when security felt uncertain, when no—one in paris knew where to run. as islamist gunmen targeted bars, restaurants, the football stadium, the bataclan concert hall.

explosion. salah abdeslam, the only suspected attacker to survive that night, is facing the most serious charges. 19 others are accused of involvement, including mohamed abrini, also wanted by belgian prosecutors in connection with the attacks in brussels. today, a message from abdeslam. as the trial opened, the judge asked for his profession. "fighter with the islamic state," he replied. this case includes almost 2000 civil plaintiffs, many of whom have opted not to testify. translation: the suffering is unspeakable. _ it is inexpressible, but they expect tough justice. the acts these defendants are accused of are particularly monstrous. the trial is being held in a specially built chamber inside the old courts ofjustice to fit its scale and security demands. this trial is the antidote to the chaos and panic of that

night six years ago, the moment when the french state reasserts control and turns national trauma into national history. joseph's wife armelle died in the bataclan that night. they had gone out to celebrate the launch of the riverboat company he now runs alone. how does he feel about looking salah abdeslam in the eyes? translation: to me, he is | nonexistent, he isjust a face. i have seen the attackers myself that night at the bataclan. when they were shooting at us, they shot at us twice. the first time, we were able to escape. the second time, no. joseph told me he was afraid of coming here today. fear is something he knows about. justice is the antidote he needs. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. the education minister, gavin williamson, has admitted making a "genuine mistake" after he confused the footballer marcus rashford with

the rugby player maro itoje. in an interview with the evening standard newspaper, mr williamson said he'd held talks on zoom with the manchester united forward, who campaigned for free school meals provision during the pandemic. but aides later confirmed he'd actually met mr itoje. in today's tennis in new york, a remarkable achievement in the us open for britain's emma raducanu, who's swept to victory against switzerland's belinda bencic. it means the 18—year—old from kent is through to her first—ever semifinal at a grand slam tournament. she has made history, she is the first ever player to make it through to the semifinals from the qualifying rounds. live to flushing meadows and our correspondent samira husain. after a two year absence the crowds are back at the us open and ready

for new heroes. they mightjust have found one in great britain's emma raducanu. the moment the dream got even bigger for british tennis sensation emma raducanu. the teenager, who came through qualifying here, nowjust a match away from earning a place in the us open final. today, she needed to get past belinda bencic, last month's olympic champion, who started the strongest, immediately breaking serve. strong start from bencic. but raducanu quickly composed herself, adjusted her game and powered to a one—set lead. well, she got fortunate, but she capitalised on it. the momentum continued into the second set, raducanu dictating the play and breaking her opponent again before bringing up match point. game, set and match, raducanu. it was a really tough match for me, and i'm just so, so happy to have come through, and thank you so much for all of your support today! thank you! the teenager from kent now

finds herself the hottest new attraction in world tennis. emma raducanu has won over the hearts of the new york crowd, just as she won over the wimbledon crowd. it's already been quite a summer for the british teenager. one reason she's made it this far is her apparent ability not to get distracted by the new fame and attention. the other, of course, is her skill on the tennis court, which will be on full display tomorrow night when she plays in the semifinals. samira hussain, bbc news, new york. the home secretary priti patel has held talks with her french counterpart to discuss the surge in the number of migrants crossing the english channel in small boats. this year has seen a significant increase in those arriving on uk shores compared with the previous 12 months. this week alone, more than 1000 people have made the journey. our europe correspondent nick beake reports from calais. they'd set off in the early hours, and by mid—morning they were being escorted on to british soil. they'd made it.

a perilousjourney, but one more migrants are prepared to take now the weather in the channel has improved. at the same time, the home secretary was talking to her french counterpart about how they can stop this latest surge in crossings. she had threatened to withhold some of the £50 million promised to france to help deal with the problem unless more boats are intercepted. hundreds of mostly young men are in the calais area, dreaming of a new life in britain. we were told smugglers are asking for £3,000 for a place on a boat, money that most do not have. we met 23—year—old mohammed, who was a medical student in sudan. he says he will keep on trying the sea route, because there is a much higher chance of success than trying to get on a truck. i go to port maybe four times per week, but i am not successful to now. by truck, it is more difficult, and the degree of success may be, like, 10%.

but by the sea, maybe, like, 70 to 80%. tourists enjoying perfect conditions on the northern french coastline this afternoon, but in the coming days these calm waters will be the starting point for more attempted crossings. the authorities here say the smuggling gangs are using one specific tactic more and more. they put maybe a dozen migrants in a small boat and attract the attention of the french coastguard, but actually it's a decoy, and further down the shore hundreds of migrants are able to get into much larger boats and leave undetected. the local mp here claims they have doubled patrols but face an impossible task. we need also to tackle why the migrants want to cross. it means the british government needs to change some pieces of internal law to make it harder for migrants, illegal migrants, to find accommodation,

houses and jobs in the uk. but this is a long—standing problem that has resurfaced in this post—brexit world, and will need cross—channel cooperation. nick beake, bbc news, calais. a plan backed by the usa to ease the energy crisis in lebanon has been agreed by four of the governments in the region. they will now try to work out the challenging logistics of piping egyptian natural gas to lebanese power stations via syria. but with electricity, petrol, medicines and even drinking water running out fast because of lebanon's economic crisis, as our middle east correspondence quentin sommerville reports. lebanon has seen some dark days, but these may be its longest nights. a country that has been brought to its knees by political crisis can now no longer keep the lights on. in the old city of sidon,

it is as dark as a tomb. hassan has lived through wars and occupation, his currency has collapsed, his savings vanished, along with a functioning state. without fuel or money, everything is running short. translation: i take medication for a chronic disease. _ we were told we may find it in beirut, but for double the price and even then we still couldn't get it. we can't find cough medicine and panadol. but with a little improvisation, there is some escape in these hot summer nights. a solar powered lamp post has become a beacon for this community. "we are electricity refugees," says this woman. "i can't stay at home." hoarding has become commonplace, petrol stations a front line where men are killed in fuel disputes. the army has been deployed.

translation: for ten days we come to this petrol station _ and they say there is no petrol. the government checked and it turned out he has 211,000 litres. twilight in beirut, and it's the generator cartels that control the city's power. but many neighbourhoods simply can't get the fuel to run them. in the last few minutes, this neighbourhood has got power for the first time in ten days. but lebanon's crisis is about more than just blackouts, this has been a disaster in slow motion. almost everybody saw it coming. lebanon's politicians have simply stood by and watched their country slip into the abyss. there's been no government here for a year. meanwhile, lebanon has been drained of life. but what of the good times?

at the rooftop of the bosanova hotel, an evening escape from the madness below. christine built the business through two pregnancies, but after the port explosion and the financial crisis, she is ready to leave. there's an incredible strength in people, but when it comes to, you know, finding medicine, finding bread, things like that, it doesn't matter how resilient you are. for all its flaws, lebanon still sparkled in the region. its night life, universities, health care — all that was best is draining away as the country slowly spirals out of control. quentin somerville, bbc news, beirut.

football, and england, wales and northern ireland have all been playing tonight in their respective world cup qualifiers. the only goals were in the england match. it had all been going rather well for england on the pitch. five games played, five won, but as yet another partisan crowd made their feelings known, poland were looking to break england's stride. england just could not get going in a feisty that continue to boil over after the half—time whistle. both sides possessed world—class strikers but as lewandowski fluffed his lines, england's captain went straight down the other end and showed him how it was done. who else but mr reliable when england needed a breakthrough. now it's not the time for

complacency and jordan pickford almost dropped a clanger. poland refused to give up, england's100% record was over in their biggest test but they still remain in pole position. forthe test but they still remain in pole position. for the first time since the pandemic there were no restrictions on the crowd in cardiff, but as the welsh faithful roared, wales when put against estonia. gareth bale came closest to breaking the deadlock but could not repeat his heroics, wales will lament the most opportunity to beat the weakest side in their group. 16,000 were at windsor park to see northern ireland face a side whose play—off penalty denied that a spot at the last world cup. there was revenge of sorts, bailey peacock—farrell with a first—half penalty save over switzerland, eight point enough to at least keep northern ireland's world cup hopes

alive. time for the news where you are, good night. today, we've seen more unusually high temperatures for september, but things are starting to change. these are the temperatures we still got. could be quite an uncomfortable night for sleeping. not only do we have the high temperatures and humidity, we also have this band of thundery downpours in the southeast, moving northwards. more showers coming into wales, where we have those downpours earlier on. these are the temperatures at the end of the night. and elsewhere, we're going to find showers breaking out more widely. these will turn heavy and thundery, bringing the threat of some localised flooding. where it's a bit drier in the afternoon across some eastern parts of england,

temperatures still warm for the time of year, just not as hot as it has been of late. and we've got the potential for some more thundery downpours to develop during friday.

this is bbc news, the headlines... the sole surviving suspected gunman from the 2015 attacks in paris has appeared in court at the start of a landmark trial. salah abde—slam and 19 others are accused of involvement in the coordinated jihadist attacks that killed 130 people. the former president of afghanistan, ashraf ghani, has released a statement apologising for leaving kabul abruptly as the taliban took power. he said it was the only way to avoid bloodshed in the city. large numbers of women have held another protest in kabul in defiance of the taliban rulers. it comes a day after the taliban announced a new interim government with no female representatives. and emma raducanu's us open dream remains on course. the 18—year—old british qualifier is through to the semifinal at flushing meadows, after yet another straighty sets victory in her quarterfinal against the olympic champion.