this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines... will people in scotland be the first in the uk to need a covid vaccine passport to get into clubs and major live events? the scottish parliament votes on it this evening. we are trying to take proportionate action to protect the public from coronavirus, and i encourage parliament to support the measures. the deputy first minister fumbled around, _ the deputy first minister fumbled around, trying to explain what is a nightclub. — around, trying to explain what is a nightclub, yet he wants msps in this chamber_ nightclub, yet he wants msps in this chamber to — nightclub, yet he wants msps in this chamber to impose vaccine passports on these _ chamber to impose vaccine passports on these establishments, but we don't _ on these establishments, but we don't know which establishments it will effect — don't know which establishments it will effect stop a report finds "significant failures" in the care of three adults with learning difficulties who died at a private

hospital near norwich. the first international passenger flight takes off from kabul airport since the taliban took control of afghanistan — it has around 200 foreign nationals on board. migrant boats crossing the channel could be turned back at sea but the french authorities say it would be dangerous and illegal. hospital waiting lists in england are now the worst since records began, with 5.5 million people waiting for routine treatment. and emma raducanu's fairy tale in new york the teenager reaches the semifinals of the us open, the first british woman to do so for nearly a0 years.

hello, good evening. the scottish parliament votes this evening on whether or not to bring in vaccine passports for people who want to get into nightclubs, major sporting events, festivals and concerts. deputy first ministerjohn swinney said it would be a proportionate response to the risks of covid. but opposition parties have raised concerns about how the scheme would work, and both labour and the liberal democrats have said they'll vote against it. our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie is in glasgow. is this going to go through, alexandra? we is this going to go through, alexandra?— is this going to go through, alexandra? ~ ., , . ., ., alexandra? we do expect it to go throu~h. alexandra? we do expect it to go through- msps — alexandra? we do expect it to go through. msps are _ alexandra? we do expect it to go through. msps are still _ alexandra? we do expect it to go through. msps are still debating | alexandra? we do expect it to go. through. msps are still debating in the chamberand we through. msps are still debating in the chamber and we are expecting that result — the chamber and we are expecting that result around 5:30pm this evening, — that result around 5:30pm this evening, so not long to wait now. this comes — evening, so not long to wait now. this comes in the context of cases of coronavirus that have been rising over the _ of coronavirus that have been rising over the last few weeks, but over the past — over the last few weeks, but over the past few days they do seem to have plateaued, although today the figures _ have plateaued, although today the figures were up again, 6836. and

quite _ figures were up again, 6836. and quite concerning, the number of hospital— quite concerning, the number of hospital admissions, quite concerning, the number of hospitaladmissions, 928 quite concerning, the number of hospital admissions, 928 people admitted to hospital, 45 up on it yesterday — admitted to hospital, 45 up on it yesterday. the snp and the greens are expected to vote to this through. _ are expected to vote to this through, but they won't be supported by the _ through, but they won't be supported by the other parties. labour, the scottish— by the other parties. labour, the scottish conservatives or the liberel— scottish conservatives or the liberal democrats. the scottish government has said that the vaccine passports _ government has said that the vaccine passports would encourage more young people _ passports would encourage more young people irr— passports would encourage more young people in particular to get vaccinated, and they have also said that more _ vaccinated, and they have also said that more businesses are likely to be able _ that more businesses are likely to be able to— that more businesses are likely to be able to stay open if this is put in place. — be able to stay open if this is put in place. if— be able to stay open if this is put in place, if the number of cases remain— in place, if the number of cases remain high. the debate was led initially— remain high. the debate was led initially by— remain high. the debate was led initially by the deputy first minister, john swinney. any certification _ minister, john swinney. any certification scheme - minister, john swinney. sin; certification scheme cannot minister, john swinney. jifiy certification scheme cannot be based on a guarantee of no transmission but is about allowing some of our high—risk settings to operate more safely when the potential

alternative would be closer. furthermore, this will help to protect those who are more vulnerable, for example those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or who, because of underlying medical conditions, do not respond effectively to the vaccine. in addition, we believe that certification will encourage a proportion of the eligible population who remain unvaccinated to get vaccinated. that is something we have seen in otherjurisdictions. of course, like any covid measure, we should not use it for a moment longer than is needed. regulations will be reviewed against the policies intention to reduce transmission and boost the vaccination uptake, and will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. these regulations will be ready reviewed every three weeks. the scottish conservatives were very quick to respond to mr swinney. they said there wasn't enough detail in the 6—page document that they had been given several hours before the

debate started. the leader, douglas ross, as the deputy first minister about the definition of a nightclub, and mr swinney said they would be set out in regulations after the vote took place. now, douglas ross was not too happy about this, he said it was very difficult to vote if msps did not know what establishments would be impacted. and mr ross said it would cause untold damage and uncertainty to business. brute untold damage and uncertainty to business. ~ . ., ., , business. we are in a really difficult position _ business. we are in a really difficult position as - business. we are in a really i difficult position as politicians, seeking — difficult position as politicians, seeking to make a decision on an extremely— seeking to make a decision on an extremely important subject, if the government cannot give us even simple _ government cannot give us even simple information about what is a nightclub _ simple information about what is a nightclub and what is not. we were told to _ nightclub and what is not. we were told to expect a paper that would in broad _ told to expect a paper that would in broad terms tell us what to expect, a paper— broad terms tell us what to expect, a paper that was only published hours _ a paper that was only published hours before today's debate. it is 2000 _ hours before today's debate. it is 2000 words in which it still doesn't define _ 2000 words in which it still doesn't define a _ 2000 words in which it still doesn't define a nightclub, that does say there _ define a nightclub, that does say there is— define a nightclub, that does say there is going to be costs on

businesses with additional staffing and infrastructure, but as the deputy— and infrastructure, but as the deputy first minister accepted, he has no _ deputy first minister accepted, he has no idea what those costs will be. has no idea what those costs will be it _ has no idea what those costs will be it also — has no idea what those costs will be. it also states that the app will need _ be. it also states that the app will need an— be. it also states that the app will need an update, so they are going to introduce _ need an update, so they are going to introduce something for venues that he cannot— introduce something for venues that he cannot define with an app that will have — he cannot define with an app that will have to be updated going forward — will have to be updated going forward because it is not ready yet, and it— forward because it is not ready yet, and it also— forward because it is not ready yet, and it also does not provide sector specific— and it also does not provide sector specific detail on how the scheme will be _ specific detail on how the scheme will be operated.— will be operated. now, scottish labour, will be operated. now, scottish labour. they — will be operated. now, scottish labour, they are _ will be operated. now, scottish labour, they are also _ will be operated. now, scottish labour, they are also against i will be operated. now, scottish| labour, they are also against it. they have said that the government should be concentrating on vaccine uptake. they said, yes, in both nightclubs, but why not put vaccination centres in nightclubs. and they also said that eight negative covid test should be a password into a nightclub are not in actual vaccine passports. the scottish liberal democrats said he should never have to provide any aspect of your medical history to a bouncer outside a nightclub. thank you very much indeed for the latest

there, alexandra, on that debate in there, alexandra, on that debate in the scottish parliament. the debate is still going on in the scottish parliament. we're expecting the vote at around 5:30. we'll bring you the result here on bbc news. ryan burnell is the co—author of a new study from imperial college london, which has found a link between covid—i9 vaccine hesitancy and a perceived lack of free will over vaccine passports. ryan joins me now. just talk to us a bit more about this, because it sounds a bit counterintuitive.— this, because it sounds a bit counterintuitive. , p, , ~ counterintuitive. yes, it does. we know that from _ counterintuitive. yes, it does. we know that from a _ counterintuitive. yes, it does. we know that from a lot _ counterintuitive. yes, it does. we know that from a lot of _ counterintuitive. yes, it does. we know that from a lot of research l know that from a lot of research that when people feel like they are pressured to make a decision or to engage in some action, paradoxically that could lead to resistance and people get defensive and don't want to do the thing they are being pushed to do. that's what we thought might happen in this case. we thought that vaccine passports might

feel a lot of pressure to get vaccinated, and although that might convince some people who may be on the fence i just convince some people who may be on the fence ijust haven't got convince some people who may be on the fence i just haven't got around to vaccinating yet, it also leads to some people to become more hesitant or resistant to getting vaccinated. and this is important because, as we have been saying, it is being debated right now in the scottish parliament, whether to have vaccine passports. it looks like it is going to go through. you are saying potentially it could be counter—productive? potentially it could be counter-productive? potentially it could be counter- roductive? . ,, counter-productive? yeah, i think there is potential _ counter-productive? yeah, i think there is potential short-term - there is potential short—term benefits. in other places like france we did see that once these measures were announced and put into place there was an increase in sign—ups for the vaccine, so in the short term you might see more people getting vaccinated, but in the longer term, getting vaccinated, but in the longerterm, if getting vaccinated, but in the longer term, if people are feeling pressured, there might be a relatively small group of people who become even more reluctant to get vaccinated, and when you need a really high proportion of the population to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity, that smog can be really important. also, if people

are convinced to take the vaccine, if they feel like they didn't have the choice and were forced into a decision, then it could erode their willingness to for example get a booster jab willingness to for example get a boosterjab down the line, or even just reduce their trust in the health system or the government. so i think there are potential negative side—effects we to consider. you side-effects we to consider. you mention france, _ side-effects we to consider. you mention france, the _ side—effects we to consider. you mention france, the introduced vaccine passports and it has brought about millions and millions of french people suddenly getting the vaccine because of that requirement that they need a vaccine passports. so effectively it has worked in france, and that's a pretty big case study, isn't it? i france, and that's a pretty big case study. isn't it?— study, isn't it? ithink it all comes back _ study, isn't it? ithink it all comes back to _ study, isn't it? ithink it all comes back to how - study, isn't it? ithink it all comes back to how many l study, isn't it? ithink it all- comes back to how many people are becoming more hesitant and how many people being convinced to the vaccine, in israel where we collected some of our data, they have a very high proportion of their population who are vaccinated but there is also, among the people who

are not vaccinated, a real resistance to not getting vaccinated. and we see now that cases are rising there even with 80% of the over 12 having taken the vaccine. that group of people who are hesitant i important to focus on, and in orderto are hesitant i important to focus on, and in order to do that i think we need to be really careful about the messaging around things like vaccine passports and ensure that we are tying those messages to things that are going to motivate people to get vaccinated, which, when you can tie these importance of these passports to things like protecting the community, protecting loved ones, those are things that make people feel not so pressured to get vaccinated, so they might be less hesitant, even if things like vaccine passports are put into place. vaccine passports are put into lace. ,. vaccine passports are put into lace. , ., ., ~' vaccine passports are put into lace. ., ~' vaccine passports are put into lace. ., ,, ,~. , vaccine passports are put into lace. ., ,, , . the government has released the latest coronavirus figures for the uk. in the latest 24 hour period,

the uk has recorded 38,013 cases and 167 deaths — that's within 28 days of a positive test. 48.3 million people have received their first dose of the vaccine and 43.7 have received the second dose — that means 80% of those over 16 have been fullyjabbed. an independent review has found significant failures at a private hospital in norfolk, where three adults with learning disabilities died. the report highlighted the "excessive use of restraint and seclusion by unqualified staff" and the "over medication" of residents at cawston park. the hospital has now closed down — but relatives say their questions and distress at the time were ignored — and one mother has called her son's death a scandal. helena wilkinson reports. joanna baillie had a learning disability, autism and sleep apnoea. her parents said she was

happy and fun—loving. in 2018, joanna was found unresponsive at cawston park hospital. she hadn't been checked for two hours the night she died, despite 30 minute checks being in her care plan. there was also no attempt to resuscitate her. it makes me feel very angry. i feel if they had done what they should have done, if they had cared forjoanna as they should have done, she might have been alive today. the norfolk safeguarding adults review found there were significant failures at the hospital in the care ofjoanna and two other patients who also died. the report highlighted concerns over unsafe grouping of patients and excessive use of restraint and seclusion by unqualified staff. we need more than the dismay and distress of politicians and investments and promises. we have to see a transformation that is felt by people's families, felt by families that are struggling

today to manage the behaviours of their relatives, young relatives with learning disabilities. another patient at the hospital, ben king, who had down syndrome and learning difficulties died last year. his mother saw him the day before. she said he was gasping and couldn't talk. his hands and lips were blue, he was rocking back and forth. he pleaded with me to take him home. i wish i had put him in the car then. i drove off. that was the last time i saw ben alive. the inquest into his death heard that during his final hours he was pushed roughly and slapped. norfolk police issued this picture, showing a man they want to speak to in connection with an investigation into ill—treatment. cawston park closed in may after consistent failures in meeting standards. the owners said it was deeply sorry to the families.

the spokesperson for the department of health and social care said it was focused on ensuring all patients received safe and high—quality care and that any allegations of abuse would be taken seriously. helena wilkinson, bbc news. let's speak now to the author of the report, margaret flynn, who's in anglesey. thanks very much for being with us. the mother of one of those who died, ben king, has called this a scandal. would you agree with that? absolutely, yes. however, scandals doh't _ absolutely, yes. however, scandals doh't fix _ absolutely, yes. however, scandals don't fix anything personally, and i share _ don't fix anything personally, and i share her— don't fix anything personally, and i share her concern that change has to arise from _ share her concern that change has to arise from these dreadful tragedies. what sort _ arise from these dreadful tragedies. what sort of change? i�*m arise from these dreadful tragedies. what sort of change?— arise from these dreadful tragedies. what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious, what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious. so _ what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious, so i'm _ what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious, so i'm thinking _ what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious, so i'm thinking about - what sort of change? i'm greedy and ambitious, so i'm thinking about the | ambitious, so i'm thinking about the development of a progressive agenda that has— development of a progressive agenda that has a _ development of a progressive agenda that has a long—term impact. we can

do some _ that has a long—term impact. we can do some interim things, like look at the fact— do some interim things, like look at the fact that the threshold for admitting adults with learning disabilities and adults with autism to institutions is too low. in fact, ben is— to institutions is too low. in fact, ben is a — to institutions is too low. in fact, ben is a case in point. he didn't have _ ben is a case in point. he didn't have a — ben is a case in point. he didn't have a mental health problem, and yet he _ have a mental health problem, and yet he was — have a mental health problem, and yet he was admitted to this hospital because _ yet he was admitted to this hospital because he was distressed. the existence — because he was distressed. the existence of these places make it to possible _ existence of these places make it to possible to — existence of these places make it to possible to use them as default places — possible to use them as default places. so we would have to do, in the interim. — places. so we would have to do, in the interim, look at the sort of companies _ the interim, look at the sort of companies offering these services. they are _ companies offering these services. they are funded entirely from the public— they are funded entirely from the public purse by the nhs, who charge and these _ public purse by the nhs, who charge and these services charge indefensible fee levels. even way back ten — indefensible fee levels. even way back ten years, there was a patient at another— back ten years, there was a patient at another hospital who the nhs paid 515.000 _ at another hospital who the nhs paid £15,000 per week for her non—care, and joanna's— £15,000 per week for her non—care, and joanna's father, who we have

'ust and joanna's father, who we have just heard — and joanna's father, who we have just heard from, he believed that his daughter's care cost £1000 a day _ his daughter's care cost £1000 a day we've — his daughter's care cost £1000 a day. we've got to ask some very searching — day. we've got to ask some very searching questions about how this money— searching questions about how this money is _ searching questions about how this money is spent and how much is spent on front— money is spent and how much is spent on front line _ money is spent and how much is spent on front line services, and one of the things— on front line services, and one of the things that i found most depressing about cawston park hospital— depressing about cawston park hospital was that people were bored out of— hospital was that people were bored out of their heads, they had no activities — out of their heads, they had no activities and there was very little connection— activities and there was very little connection between how the hospital operated _ connection between how the hospital operated and people's aspirations for themselves, and indeed their family's— for themselves, and indeed their family's aspirations for them. the chair of the _ family's aspirations for them. tie: chair of the norfolk safeguarding adults board who commissioned this report said this is not the first tragedy of its kind, and unless things change dramatically it won't be the last. do you think things are going to change dramatically? weill. going to change dramatically? well, we will see some _ going to change dramatically? well, we will see some changes _ going to change dramatically? well, we will see some changes to - going to change dramatically? well, we will see some changes to the mental— we will see some changes to the mental health legislation, and families— mental health legislation, and families very much want people with learning _ families very much want people with learning disabilities and autism to

be removed from that. however, there is a cautionary note because there are still— is a cautionary note because there are still opportunities for detaining adults with learning difficulties and autism using different legislation, and that would — different legislation, and that would rather defeats the purpose. and we _ would rather defeats the purpose. and we do — would rather defeats the purpose. and we do not want these institutions. they should not feature — institutions. they should not feature in the long—term future. because — feature in the long—term future. because they were never part of government policy. we closed long—stay institutions, that closure programme started in the 705 through to the _ programme started in the 705 through to the 80s. _ programme started in the 705 through to the 805, and here we are with the new hospital is emerging that are not part— new hospital is emerging that are not part of— new hospital is emerging that are not part of government policy. you 'ust aint not part of government policy. you just paint a — not part of government policy. gm. ju5t paint a picture for us about just paint a picture for us about what life was like there for the residents, because you talk in the report about excessive use of restraint and seclusion by unqualified staff. that is just one of the criticisms. just tell us in real terms what that actually meant. it meant that adults, adults and their— it meant that adults, adults and

their families were promised an activity— their families were promised an activity programme for the duration of their— activity programme for the duration of their stay at the hospital. and there _ of their stay at the hospital. and there were two people at the hospital— there were two people at the hospital who were, for example, excellent — hospital who were, for example, excellent 5wimmer5, including ben, and the _ excellent 5wimmer5, including ben, and the hospital promised that they would _ and the hospital promised that they would be _ and the hospital promised that they would be plenty of opportunities for them to— would be plenty of opportunities for them to engage in these interests. however. — them to engage in these interests. however, this didn't happen, the bureaucracy got in the way, they were _ bureaucracy got in the way, they were told — bureaucracy got in the way, they were told that there would have to be risk _ were told that there would have to be risk assessments, that they were not the _ be risk assessments, that they were not the staff on duty, and neither of these — not the staff on duty, and neither of these people ever got the opportunity to go swimming. that is a searing _ opportunity to go swimming. that is a searing indictment of the want of engagement with people's own personal interests. separately, there _ personal interests. separately, there was no rationale whatsoever for the _ there was no rationale whatsoever for the hospital to discharge people _ for the hospital to discharge people. this was a business, it was operating _ people. this was a business, it was operating and charging large sums of money— operating and charging large sums of money to— operating and charging large sums of money to provide care and support and treatment to people who were believed _ and treatment to people who were believed to have mental health problems. typically, people spent

days sedentary, they had very little to do _ days sedentary, they had very little to do during the day, they were bored. — to do during the day, they were bored, they were set in unsafe groups— bored, they were set in unsafe groups of— bored, they were set in unsafe groups of people, and there was little _ groups of people, and there was little attention paid to their physical health care. and that includes — physical health care. and that includes emergency health care. all i’ilht, includes emergency health care. fill right, margaret. thank you very much for being with us. the author of that report on what happened at cawston park. thank you. the government is considering whether it should be compulsory for front line nhs workers in england to be vaccinated against covid—19. some unions are warning the move would lead to more staff shortages but ministers believe it's essential to protect vulnerable patients. health secretary sajid javid said the government had a "duty" to consider making vaccines compulsory for nhs staff in order to protect the vulnerable. i think it's right that we do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable from this virus, and thatis most vulnerable from this virus, and that is why for example we have already insisted that those staff

that work in care homes get vaccinated. i think people know why thatis vaccinated. i think people know why that is so important. the reason we have launched this consultation today for the health sector, for the nhs, is because obviously hospitals are full of vulnerable people. i think it's our duty to make sure that we are considering this. we haven't made a decision but we do want to listen to what people have to say because i think it is important that we show that patient safety will always be a priority. nadra ahmed is chair of the national care association. they are thinking about it for nhs front line staff. what you think of these proposals?— front line staff. what you think of these proposals? well, i think we have moved _ these proposals? well, i think we have moved very _ these proposals? well, i think we have moved very fast _ these proposals? well, i think we have moved very fast in _ these proposals? well, i think we have moved very fast in the - these proposals? well, i think we have moved very fast in the care | have moved very fast in the care home _ have moved very fast in the care home sector, and it was quite discriminatory that it was the only bit of— discriminatory that it was the only bit of the — discriminatory that it was the only bit of the sector that was thought to be _ bit of the sector that was thought to be used to pilot this. and of course. — to be used to pilot this. and of course. it— to be used to pilot this. and of course, it has gone through. what we

are facing _ course, it has gone through. what we are facing is— course, it has gone through. what we are facing i5 chronic staff shortages, the vaccination policy itself— shortages, the vaccination policy itself we — shortages, the vaccination policy itself we absolutely accept that people — itself we absolutely accept that people should be vaccinated. and we want all— people should be vaccinated. and we want all of— people should be vaccinated. and we want all of our workforce to be vaccinated. what i think has been a real challenge is that it is compulsory. where people have come into work— compulsory. where people have come into work in— compulsory. where people have come into work in our services and now we know— into work in our services and now we know the _ into work in our services and now we know the vaccine doesn't stop you from _ know the vaccine doesn't stop you from getting it but it does make you less ill. _ from getting it but it does make you less ill. and — from getting it but it does make you less ill, and i think that is the important _ less ill, and i think that is the important bit. so the launch of this is very— important bit. so the launch of this is very good — important bit. so the launch of this is very good for us to know that this is— is very good for us to know that this is happening. and it will egualise _ this is happening. and it will equalise the playing field, because we've _ equalise the playing field, because we've had — equalise the playing field, because we've had people walking out of care homes. _ we've had people walking out of care homes. out — we've had people walking out of care homes, out of our care homes and going _ homes, out of our care homes and going to _ homes, out of our care homes and going to work in the nhs, but whether— going to work in the nhs, but whether it will help with the shortage of staff generally in health— shortage of staff generally in health and social care, i think not. are you _ health and social care, i think not. are you saying that staff have already left care homes, theirjob in care homes, because of this requirement that is coming down the line, that they will have to be

vaccinated?— line, that they will have to be vaccinated? ~ , ., ., , vaccinated? absolutely. care homes, we have lost — vaccinated? absolutely. care homes, we have lost a _ vaccinated? absolutely. care homes, we have lost a lot _ vaccinated? absolutely. care homes, we have lost a lot of _ vaccinated? absolutely. care homes, we have lost a lot of stuff, _ we have lost a lot of stuff, especially nurses, who were not going _ especially nurses, who were not going to — especially nurses, who were not going to be vaccinated. we have done everything _ going to be vaccinated. we have done everything physically possible, we have looked at what the hesitancy i5 ah, have looked at what the hesitancy i5 ah. we _ have looked at what the hesitancy i5 ah. we have — have looked at what the hesitancy i5 ah, we have worked with government, we have _ ah, we have worked with government, we have talked about it. but people have made — we have talked about it. but people have made that choice, and they knew that they _ have made that choice, and they knew that they didn't have to be vaccinated if they went into the hospital — vaccinated if they went into the hospital setting or if they worked in home — hospital setting or if they worked in home care, for example. 30 hospital setting or if they worked in home care, for example. so they left. in home care, for example. so they left- when — in home care, for example. so they left- when you _ in home care, for example. so they left. when you talked _ in home care, for example. so they left. when you talked to _ in home care, for example. so they left. when you talked to them - in home care, for example. so they| left. when you talked to them about why they don't want, why they feel so strongly that they don't want to be vaccinated, what they say? i be vaccinated, what they say? i think there are a number of reasons, some _ think there are a number of reasons, some of— think there are a number of reasons, some of them are cultural, some of them _ some of them are cultural, some of them are _ some of them are cultural, some of them are religious, but some of them are just _ them are religious, but some of them are just phobias. they are really worried — are just phobias. they are really worried about it, they worried about the vaccine. — worried about it, they worried about the vaccine, they are worried about the vaccine, they are worried about the speed _ the vaccine, they are worried about the speed at which it has come. we have given — the speed at which it has come. we have given them all the scientific evidence. — have given them all the scientific evidence, we've also had people saying _ evidence, we've also had people saying they are compelling us to do that. _ 5aying they are compelling us to do that. what— saying they are compelling us to do that, what will they compare us —— compel— that, what will they compare us —— compel us— that, what will they compare us —— compel us to — that, what will they compare us —— compel us to do next? with blue

being _ compel us to do next? with blue being included in this, it looks like there _ being included in this, it looks like there is some fear around what else will— like there is some fear around what else will be — like there is some fear around what else will be the next step. the government — else will be the next step. the government say, _ else will be the next step. the government say, in _ else will be the next step. tie: government say, in care else will be the next step. t'i9 government say, in care homes else will be the next step. ti9 government say, in care homes and hospitals, patients are very vulnerable, care homes are sought so many deaths at the height of the pandemic, and the government believe that this is a really crucial way of fighting the pandemic in both care homes and hospitals. [30 fighting the pandemic in both care homes and hospitals.— fighting the pandemic in both care homes and hospitals. do you agree with that? absolutely, _ homes and hospitals. do you agree with that? absolutely, but - homes and hospitals. do you agree with that? absolutely, but we - homes and hospitals. do you agree with that? absolutely, but we have to remember that part of the reasons we had _ to remember that part of the reasons we had so _ to remember that part of the reasons we had so many deaths in care homes was a _ we had so many deaths in care homes was a failing. — we had so many deaths in care homes was a failing, it was a feeling of the nhs — was a failing, it was a feeling of the nhs to send people out of hospital— the nhs to send people out of hospital who were positive. and we went through a really gruelling time in that— went through a really gruelling time in that first wave. actually, since then. _ in that first wave. actually, since then. we've _ in that first wave. actually, since then, we've had fewer deaths in care homes. _ then, we've had fewer deaths in care homes. the — then, we've had fewer deaths in care homes, the infection control money that was— homes, the infection control money that was released by government has been really— that was released by government has been really helpful, we have worked really _ been really helpful, we have worked really hard _ been really helpful, we have worked really hard with that, and our staff have worked from march, when this

virus _ have worked from march, when this virus first— have worked from march, when this virus first came out, to december, before _ virus first came out, to december, before the — virus first came out, to december, before the vaccine was even available. keeping people as safe as they possibly could. and they did a really— they possibly could. and they did a really good job. and i think they feel that. — really good job. and i think they feelthat, in really good job. and i think they feel that, in care really good job. and i think they feelthat, in care homes specifically, they felt very much as if they— specifically, they felt very much as if they were being singled out as being _ if they were being singled out as being the — if they were being singled out as being the cause of all the deaths, and i_ being the cause of all the deaths, and i think— being the cause of all the deaths, and i think that is really unfortunate, it is untrue, but of course — unfortunate, it is untrue, but of course we — unfortunate, it is untrue, but of course we believe that the vaccination i5 course we believe that the vaccination is for the individual. it vaccination is for the individual. it is _ vaccination is for the individual. it is to— vaccination is for the individual. it is to protect themselves, that is what _ it is to protect themselves, that is what we _ it is to protect themselves, that is what we have been saying to people. take the _ what we have been saying to people. take the vaccination because it will keep you _ take the vaccination because it will keep you well, and in so doing it will help— keep you well, and in so doing it will help others as well. but some people _ will help others as well. but some people are — will help others as well. but some people are just not going to be wanting — people are just not going to be wanting that. and the sector is alreadym _ wanting that. and the sector is already... we have hundred and 15.000 — already... we have hundred and 15,000 vacancies in the sector. it looks— 15,000 vacancies in the sector. it looks like. — 15,000 vacancies in the sector. it looks like, with the first part of this. _ looks like, with the first part of this. the — looks like, with the first part of this, the care home bit, the impact assessment— this, the care home bit, the impact assessment which was put out late indicated _ assessment which was put out late indicated there would be another 40.000 — indicated there would be another 40,000. we don't know what will happen— 40,000. we don't know what will happen with the health sector. i think— happen with the health sector. i think we — happen with the health sector. i

think we are looking at a really challenging time at one of the worst moments _ challenging time at one of the worst moments as we face potentially infection— moments as we face potentially infection rates rising, hospital staff— infection rates rising, hospital staff are — infection rates rising, hospital staff are all so exhausted. everyone is exhausted having done this for two years — is exhausted having done this for two years. and it's the worst time with winter— two years. and it's the worst time with winter pressures. all two years. and it's the worst time with winter pressures.— with winter pressures. all right, thank ou with winter pressures. all right, thank you very _ with winter pressures. all right, thank you very much _ with winter pressures. all right, thank you very much for - with winter pressures. all right, i thank you very much for discussing with us. a commercial plane has taken off from kabul airport, carrying about 200 foreign nationals — the first to leave afghanistan since the us withdrew its forces at the end of august. the qatar airways plane is heading to doha. engineers from qatar and turkey have been working to restore the airport's operations, which officials say is now 90% operational. there had been growing frustration that the taliban were blocking charter flights out — since the withdrawal of western troops. meanwhile, journalists in afghanistan say that they have been detained and beaten by the taliban

when attempting to cover protests. among the groups protesting, women have taken to the streets demanding their rights. it comes as the taliban announced a new government this week with no female representatives. 0ur south asia correspondent yogita limaye has more on the flight from kabul airport. 200 people are on board the special charter— 200 people are on board the special charter flights that is going from kabul— charter flights that is going from kabul to— charter flights that is going from kabul to doha in qatar. and this includes — kabul to doha in qatar. and this includes us nationals and other foreign — includes us nationals and other foreign nationals. that is the information we have as of now. the 0atari _ information we have as of now. the qatari special envoy held a press conference at the kabul airport earlier— conference at the kabul airport earlier today, and he said that the airport— earlier today, and he said that the airport is— earlier today, and he said that the airport is up— earlier today, and he said that the airport is up and running, the flight — airport is up and running, the flight that took off today was a special — flight that took off today was a special chartered flight, they are expecting another such flight to go on friday— expecting another such flight to go on friday as well. and here's hoping that the _ on friday as well. and here's hoping that the airport will open to commercial airlines a5 a5 that the airport will open to commercial airlines a5 as well. one

of the _ commercial airlines a5 as well. one of the things, though, that needs to be sorted _ of the things, though, that needs to be sorted before regular scheduled planes _ be sorted before regular scheduled planes can start taking off from kabul _ planes can start taking off from kabul airport is who will be securing _ kabul airport is who will be securing it. we've heard from the 0atari _ securing it. we've heard from the qatari officials earlier this week that have — qatari officials earlier this week that have said they are in talks, in negotiations with the taliban on this issue — negotiations with the taliban on this issue. and it's only when that is finalised — this issue. and it's only when that is finalised that we will actually i5 finalised that we will actually see proper commercial aircraft beginning to land into kabul and take off — beginning to land into kabul and take off. :, ,, : :, , :, , take off. the home secretary wants to start turning _ take off. the home secretary wants to start turning back _ take off. the home secretary wants to start turning back at _ take off. the home secretary wants to start turning back at sea - take off. the home secretary wants to start turning back at sea some i to start turning back at sea some boats carrying migrants across the english channel. the so called "pushback" tactics would only be used in limited circumstances. but the french authorities believe they would be dangerous and a breach of international maritime law. so far, this week alone, more than fifteen hundred migrants have crossed the channel by boat. jon donnison reports. watch your hands. children first.

the government has pledged to stop the boats. but with more than 1,500 migrants being intercepted and brought ashorejust this week, it's failing. the home secretary has been seeking greater assistance from france. but despite objections from paris, priti patel now says in limited circumstances, the uk border force will be authorised to turn migrant boats back. even some of her own mps are not convinced. it sounds good and i have every sympathy for the home secretary, who's in an impossible position. but in practice it isjust but in practice it is just not going to happen. but these flimsy boats, even with tougher made, any boat coming up alongside would capsize these boats anyway and we're looking at people getting into trouble in water and inevitably, ifear, drowning. it's incredible that there haven't been any so far in british waters.

then we would be blamed for that, so it sounds good pushing them back, but it's not going to work in practice. camped out around the beaches of northern france, there are hundreds of migrants waiting to make the crossing in search of a better life in the uk. injuly, the government agreed to pay the french an extra £54 million to step up patrols and tackle people smugglers. but france has said britain turning boats back at sea would be dangerous, foolish and illegal — and for the union that represents uk border force staff, that means the government's plan is a non—starter. the key to this, it does require that the french cooperate. you can'tjust turn a boat back and let it go, you have got to turn it back into a receiving boat from the other country. if the french will not receive them, we are not going to turn anyone back. but the government and its supporters say the uk needs to use every possible tactic available

to stop people smuggling. drastic action is required and i'm sure that home office lawyers, foreign office lawyers, they have really looked at this carefully and they have decided that it's perfectly legal. so we'll see what happens. whether it stops the flow of illegal crossings, i'm not sure it will. as we head into autumn and the recent period of good weather and calm seas comes to an end, the number of migrants risking the journey will go down. but long—term for the government, it appears to be a problem without an easy fix. jon donnison, bbc news. now for the weather with darren betts. hello. low pressure moving right across the uk, bands of rain, we are now starting to see some fund

re—downpours breaking across north wales. they'll drift away northwards into scotland and it's going to be wet overnight across northeastern parts of scotland. it does become much drier and we still have this quite warm and we still have this quite warm and muggy air until the morning. there won't be a great deal of sunshine again on friday. this time we'll see showers developing more widely as we head into the afternoon. probably fewer showers across wales in the southwest of england. but more across eastern parts of england. those could be heavy and thundery. temperatures of 23-24 . heavy and thundery. temperatures of 23—24 . elsewhere, heavy and thundery. temperatures of 23—24. elsewhere, highs of around 20 or 21. hello, this is bbc news with ben brown. the headlines... covid vaccine passports for scotland?

the scottish government defends its plans from criticism from msps. we are trying to take proportionate action to protect the public from coronavirus, and i encourage parliament to support the measures of. the deputy first minister fumbled around _ the deputy first minister fumbled around trying to explain what is a nightclub. — around trying to explain what is a nightclub, yet he wants msps in the stranger— nightclub, yet he wants msps in the stranger to— nightclub, yet he wants msps in the stranger to impose vaccine passports 5tranger to impose vaccine passports -- msps— 5tranger to impose vaccine passports -- msps in— stranger to impose vaccine passports —— msps in this chamber. white a report finds �*significant failures' in the care of three adults with learning difficulties who died at a private hospital near norwich. the first international passenger flight takes off from kabul airport after the taliban took control of afghanistan. it has around 200 foreign nationals on board. migrant boats crossing the channel could be turned back at sea, but the french authorities say that would be dangerous and illegal.

more sports news with gavin, hi gavin. britain's emma raducanu says it is a "weird feeling" to have reached the us open semi—finals. the teenager will continue her extraordinary in the early hours of tomorrow morning when she takes on greek 17th seed maria sakkari in new york. the 18—year—old is yet to even drop a set. she beat the olympic champion belinda bencic in the quarters in straight sets. remarkably, this is the furthest any british woman has gone in the competition sincejo durie back in 1983. raducanu is also the first ever qualifier to get to the semi—finals at flushing meadows, but her opponent says she is feeling confident. i had to play really well to be here, so that gives me a lot of confidence because i've meet some very, very good players this time.

i'm actually feeling really well. i don't want to jinx it. my tennis looks and a great place right now, and mentally, i don't want to get too excited because i have to play tomorrow. if i had a day off, it would be different. but i'm very excited to play the second semifinal. on the eve of the fifth test against england, india's cricket team have cancelled a training session at old trafford after another member of their coaching team tested positive for coronavirus. the players have been told to stay in their hotel rooms after undergoing testing this morning. the tourists have a 2—1 lead in the five test series, and england's returning vice captain jos buttler says covid remains an issue for all players. ellie simmonds, the five—time paralympic champion, has confirmed she is retiring from competitive swimming. simmonds represented great britain at four paralympics as well as winning nine world para—swimming championship titles and ten european golds. in a statement, she says...

that's all the sport for now. olly foster his back at 6.30 with sportsday. as we've been hearing, emma raducanu has become the first british woman to reach the semi—finals of the us open in nearly 40 years. what is even more remarkable is the teenager, who was ranked 338 in the world before wimbledon, is now the british number one, and just two wins away from herfirst grand slam. we can speak now to the last british woman to play in the semis at the us open, jo durie. thanks so much for being with us. everyone is mentioning your name because you were the last british

woman to do it all those years ago. has it taken you by surprise, emma's staggering run at the us open? i think like everyone else, it is pretty amazing to come through qualifying and then to get to semifinals of the actual tournament without even losing a set. a few months ago, a lot of people would not really have heard of emma raducanu, but now we all know her name in tennis. we know that she was going to be good, but how good, we didn't know. at the moment, she's showing us how good she could be. what advice would you have for her? having been in a semi—at rushing meadows —— flushing meadows, it's a mental battle. virginia wave was talking about this. there's no doubt in my has that talent, but can she deal with the stress and strain of such a big arena? so

deal with the stress and strain of such a big arena?— such a big arena? so far, she looks as thou . h such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's _ such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's loving _ such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's loving it. _ such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's loving it. i - such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's loving it. i know i such a big arena? so far, she looks as though she's loving it. i know at| as though she's loving it. i know at wimbledon, she struggled a little bit with trying to cope with everything, but she was thrust into the limelight so quickly from nothing, and now she's really learned from that. she looked like she's having fun. she's got that great smile on court. she's playing fantastic tennis and she's really worked hard to get to this point of her career. there's loads more to come, but at the moment, she's in this kind of place where i'm sure she feels she can beat anybody. any of those four could win this grand slam. it's so exciting.— of those four could win this grand slam. it's so exciting. what makes secial? slam. it's so exciting. what makes special? she _ slam. it's so exciting. what makes special? she hasn't— slam. it's so exciting. what makes special? she hasn't dropped - slam. it's so exciting. what makes special? she hasn't dropped a - slam. it's so exciting. what makes special? she hasn't dropped a set| special? she hasn't dropped a set yet. special? she hasn't dropped a set et. ,, �* , special? she hasn't dropped a set et, ,, �*, :,y special? she hasn't dropped a set yet. she's actually got through re yet. she's actually got through pretty easily. _ yet. she's actually got through pretty easily, which _ yet. she's actually got through pretty easily, which is - yet. she's actually got through pretty easily, which is more i pretty easily, which is more astounding. i think she's got very good basics. herstrokes astounding. i think she's got very good basics. her strokes are very reputable under pressure. she seems as though she's got good mindset and

she's always worked very hard to get this far. so, i don't think emotionally, she is too up or down. she's very focused and constant on what she does, and she can attack. boy, can she attack what she wants to. and her serve holds up under pressure. the whole package is there. �* . pressure. the whole package is there. �*, :, : :,�* , there. it's fantastic for british tennis. there. it's fantastic for british tennis- we — there. it's fantastic for british tennis. we had _ there. it's fantastic for british tennis. we had andy - there. it's fantastic for british tennis. we had andy murray, | there. it's fantastic for british i tennis. we had andy murray, now we've got emma raducanu, and she's so young. whatever she does, she's got years and years ahead of her. oh, she has. i mean, she can enjoy this moment. i hope she really does. i hope she enjoys the semifinal and takes a lot from it, but let's hope she has a nice long career. and i hope she's surrounded with really good people who will protect her, because a lot of social media and journalists are all getting excited,

but they have to protect her and make sure she can go out and play the tennis that she's capable of. last question, what i asked rhetorically, can she do it? yes can. rhetorically, can she do it? yes can- any _ rhetorically, can she do it? yes can- any of _ rhetorically, can she do it? yes can. any of those _ rhetorically, can she do it? yes can. any of those four - rhetorically, can she do it? .93 can. any of those four could win this grand slam, and i would put emma absolutely there. she could do it, but i hope she plays well and has a great experience. did you en'o it has a great experience. did you enjoy it when — has a great experience. did you enjoy it when you _ has a great experience. did you enjoy it when you played? i i has a great experience. did you i enjoy it when you played? i loved it. i can't enjoy it when you played? i loved it. | can't tell— enjoy it when you played? i loved it. i can't tell you _ enjoy it when you played? i loved it. i can't tell you how— enjoy it when you played? i loved it. i can't tell you how much i loved it. ijust wish the match could go on and on, i was having such great fun.— could go on and on, i was having such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too. such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too- real— such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too. real pleasure _ such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too. real pleasure to _ such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too. real pleasure to talk i such great fun. let's hope chief has fun too. real pleasure to talk with l fun too. real pleasure to talk with you. you're watching bbc news. hospital waiting lists are now the worst since records . five 5.6 million people were waiting for routine hospital treatment at the end ofjuly, according to the latest figures from nhs england.

some of the longest waits are for people needing hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery. and ambulance waiting times also continue to miss their target. our health correspondent anna collinson reports. this cctv footage shows the agonising wait for help after a man's heart stopped beating. an ambulance crew takes over half—an—hour to arrive. the target is seven minutes. shortly after, the patient passed away. his son, a doctor, believes the delay caused his death. every minute of delay counts in the situation where you have a cardiac arrest. cpr is important, but it will not in itself save a patient. it gives you a bit of time before somebody gets a defibrillator. by the time the ambulance crew came, there was nothing to shop, it was a flat line, he had gone. caring for 450,000 covid patient has had a knock—on effect on care, including ambulance response times.

caring for 450,000 covid patient has had a knock—on effect on care, including ambulance response times. figures from nhs england show the average weight in august was slightly down compared tojuly, but higher than it has been for more than three years. the most serious category one calls average at around 8.5 minutes, above the seven minute target. the response time for category two calls, which includes heart attacks and strokes, averaged at nearly 39 minutes. the aim is 18. long waiting times are being seen across the uk but are measured differently, so cannot be compared. how are you doing? doing really well. there is little waiting around at this early diagnosis centre, aimed at alleviating demands on hospitals. dedicated to patients who may be at risk from cancer, it carries out procedures like colonoscopies and as an example of the millions of extra tests the nhs has carried out over the summer. no polyps, no cancer. nothing to worry about. during the pandemic, many patients

failed to come to hospital because they were worried about contracting the coronavirus. this diagnosis centre is set away from emergency care. if you go straight through these doors, you go into a safe covid—free zone. but some patients are still staying away. it's been a priority for us to support patients to see their general practitioner, to be referred on to the hospital, to have the diagnostic test because the earlier we diagnose a condition, the better will be. the government says it's investing billions of pounds into tackling covid pressures, but it's seems there's not enough. the the department of health has to have an honest conversation with the general public that the nhs is failing people, even in emergencies and we need to have a constructive discussion on how we fix it. health officials have warned the nhs will face even more challenges as we head into the difficult winter months.

anna collinson, bbc news. a football fan has posted a racial slur after the club's defeat to manchester city. simon claimed that the use of a racial slur was unintentional and caused by autocorrect. phil mackie has more from the magistrate court. simon sellwood, a lifetime west from fan had gone to the zone on facebook and posted a comment on a thread about one of the west from midfielders. he said he'd intended to call him a buffoon, but instead out a corrected to a racial epithet. he denied a charge under militias

communications. today, thejudge communications. today, the judge said communications. today, thejudge said he'd made an unreliable witness that she didn't effectively believe his version of beliefs. she asked why when he was arrested three days after making that post on facebook, he didn't talk about autocorrect at the time. she found him guilty. he will be sentenced at the end of this month at birmingham magistrate court. as he left court with his wife, he was still protesting his innocence. i've got a statement from the club he belongs to, and it says west bromwich albion has a proud history of fighting discrimination, and their message to just borders is clear — racism is unacceptable and will be tolerated. they've given him a lifetime ban. they've also thanks

the police, and says police pop —— he scenes in his entire week looking for incidents like this. this is the first successful prosecution since he was appointed by west midlands police. simon sellwood will be sentenced at the end of the month.— the end of the month. phil mackie re ”ortin. the end of the month. phil mackie reporting- it _ the end of the month. phil mackie reporting. it comes _ the end of the month. phil mackie reporting. it comes at _ the end of the month. phil mackie reporting. it comes at the - the end of the month. phil mackie reporting. it comes at the day... l the end of the month. phil mackie i reporting. it comes at the day... he told them racism is becoming normalised because of the prevalence of abuse online. they were in the sport is sliding backwards as a result. , , :, :, , :, :, :, result. the perpetrators are allowed to stand behind _ result. the perpetrators are allowed to stand behind a _ result. the perpetrators are allowed

to stand behind a court. _ result. the perpetrators are allowed to stand behind a court. -- - result. the perpetrators are allowed to stand behind a court. -- a - to stand behind a court. —— a curtain _ to stand behind a court. —— a curtain all— to stand behind a court. —— a curtain. all this we use from beyond the whole _ curtain. all this we use from beyond the whole curtain. they are anonymous and this is a problem for everyone _ anonymous and this is a problem for everyone. the fact that you can be anonymous — everyone. the fact that you can be anonymous online... you can go to a game. _ anonymous online... you can go to a game. and _ anonymous online... you can go to a game. and if— anonymous online... you can go to a game, and if you throw a banana on a pitch. _ game, and if you throw a banana on a pitch. there _ game, and if you throw a banana on a pitch, there will be repercussions. 0nline. _ pitch, there will be repercussions. 0nline. you — pitch, there will be repercussions. online, you can post a banana and posted _ online, you can post a banana and posted to — online, you can post a banana and posted to a — online, you can post a banana and posted to a black player with racist connotations and define. there are no repercussions. how is that right? leo ferdinand. the national television awards returns over the past few months of british public. the winners will be revealed this

evening and nominees include coronation street and new nominees including normal people and marcus rashford. we are nowjoined by correspondent tim muffett who is at the 02 area in east london. next year. hello from the national television awards. the first big awards since lockdown restrictions have eased. lots of different categories. line of duty is up for four nominations. i'm joined by alan carr. previous winter. i’ge four nominations. i'm “oined by alan carr. previous winter._ carr. previous winter. i've won two m self. carr. previous winter. i've won two myself- l'm — carr. previous winter. i've won two myself. i'm here, _ carr. previous winter. i've won two myself. i'm here, so _ carr. previous winter. i've won two myself. i'm here, so we're - carr. previous winter. i've won two myself. i'm here, so we're up- myself. i'm here, so we're up against strictly, britain's got talent and the last singer. i'm

dreading it because i'm going to... i'm awful at speeches! i dreading it because i'm going to... i'm awful at speeches!— i'm awful at speeches! i can't believe that _ i'm awful at speeches! i can't believe that for _ i'm awful at speeches! i can't believe that for a _ i'm awful at speeches! i can't believe that for a second. i i'm awful at speeches! i can't i believe that for a second. many of us embrace television, what we are big lockdown discoveries. this feels like years ago. i loved tiger king and love island. if i'm allowed to say that. and love island. if i'm allowed to sa that. :, :, , say that. how important is it, what's it like _ say that. how important is it, what's it like to _ say that. how important is it, what's it like to be _ say that. how important is it, what's it like to be back? i say that. how important is it, | what's it like to be back? this say that. how important is it, i what's it like to be back? this is so nice and _ what's it like to be back? this is so nice and this _ what's it like to be back? this is so nice and this is _ what's it like to be back? this is so nice and this is my _ what's it like to be back? this is so nice and this is my work- what's it like to be back? this is i so nice and this is my work because everyone is so busy, so we can never get dressed up and look fabulous and be good friends. it's brilliant. have a great evening. mr; be good friends. it's brilliant. have a great evening. my pleasure! lots of different _ have a great evening. my pleasure! lots of different categories. - have a great evening. my pleasure! lots of different categories. a i have a great evening. my pleasure! lots of different categories. a newl lots of different categories. a new category, offered documentaries.

they have all made documentaries about things that are very personal to them. it'll be interesting to see how those ones get on. as i did before, line of duty a big success. three of the actors are all nominated for best acting. it will be interesting to see if there are any awkward books. the best presenter for the 19th time in a row, and the last time someone else won that category, it was michael barrymore in 2000. that's an extraordinary record. let me put you on the spot. what was your lockdown tv favourite? i could 'ust re eat your lockdown tv favourite? i could just repeat what — your lockdown tv favourite? i could just repeat what alan _ your lockdown tv favourite? i could just repeat what alan said. - your lockdown tv favourite? i could just repeat what alan said. i - your lockdown tv favourite? i could just repeat what alan said. i could l just repeat what alan said. i could go for... the popularity of

streaming services rocketed during lockdown in a way people didn't present. there are more streams nominees in this event then there has ever been to before. i have to say tiger king came out of nowhere. i'm going to go with that. as the evening pans out, it'll be interesting to see there are lots of other successes. the evening kicks off in a couple of hours, so you can see how the first big awards do since lockdown restrictions were eased. �* . since lockdown restrictions were eased. fl :, since lockdown restrictions were eased. �*, :, :, , since lockdown restrictions were eased. �*, :, :, ,, eased. it's going to be good. thank ou ve eased. it's going to be good. thank you very much. _ eased. it's going to be good. thank you very much, tim, _ eased. it's going to be good. thank you very much, tim, enjoy - eased. it's going to be good. thank you very much, tim, enjoy it. i in afghanistan, the taliban has suggested women may be banned from playing sport — in particular, cricket. that's led to australia threatening to cancel a test

match between the two countries' men's teams. here's the taliban representative with the comments which sparked the row. translation: it is the media era and there will be photos _ and videos and then people watch it. islam and the islamic emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed. girls do not need sport, they'll get exposed and not follow the dress code and islam does not allow that. even if we face challenges and problems, even if it causes opposition, we will not leave our islamic values. that is the taliban's you. those comments prompted this response from cricket australia.

earlier, i spoke to melinda farrell from sporting news in australia for more on this story. it was a highly anticipated test match. the first one between these two sides. and the international community in general has wanted to encourage afghanistan, ever since they certainly became full members and were able to play tests. it has been a feel—good story in cricket, i guess you could say, of at least the past ten years. but with those comments that you heard coming from an official with the taliban, if cricket australia substantiates those comments, and it does appear that women will be banned from playing cricket, they have decided to take, i guess, what you would have to say

is a political stance in deciding not to play that test match. it's a terrible shame, because cricket has been really growing, hasn't it, in afghanistan? it really is. i mean, it grew in the past 20 years out of the refugee camps, particularly in northern pakistan. it took root there and has really flourished to become the most popular sport in the country. with very, very passionate cricket fans. and each time they have reached a milestone in cricket, when they're able to play t20 internationals, then they were able to play one—day internationals and play in world cups, and then when they became just one of 12 countries in the world to have full member status and be able to play test cricket, it has been a huge journey for afghanistan cricket. and this is clearly a huge step back. some of their players have become international 5tar5, particularly in t20 tournaments around the world, so we are yet to see how it affects any of that.

but a very difficult time for all of those players, of course. and for the female players, whose safety has to be the biggest priority, i think, as well for the world's cricket community. and if cricket australia do go ahead with this, would you expect that decision to be followed by all of the other cricketing authorities around the world? well, that's hard to say. before that test was due to be played, the icc t20 men's world cup to be held in october and november, and afghanistan are a part of that. so the icc has, for now, adopted a wait and see, a cautious approach stop they say they are very disturbed a cautious approach they say they are very disturbed by these latest comments by the taliban official. so, at the moment, they are not due to meet as a board until towards the end of that tournament. they could, though, call an emergency meeting before that if they decide...

for members to discuss and decide whether or not afghanistan remains a full member of the icc. and as somebody who loves cricket and knows an awful lot about cricket, when you hear that taliban spokesperson say girls do not need sport, what goes through your mind? it's quite chilling, isn't it? i mean, women's sport in general has grown so much. we've seen women's cricket grow internationally so much. less than 18 months ago, we saw 86,000 people watched the women's t20 world cup final at the mcg, so there has been so much progress. afghanistan only contracted female players, 25 of them, towards the end of last year. the icc bent the rules for afghanistan in allowing them to become full members because normally a country or board would have to have a national team and a pathway system for women. so they had bent the rules for afghanistan anyway, but you know that they had actually

formed a national team, they were supposed to play oman at sometime this year, so they hadn't even got the opportunity to play yet. it's just devastating for those female players, and just generally as well for the men as well. there was so much excitement about that test match. i've seen afghanistan play numerous times around the world, and it's a beautiful atmosphere when they do play. they play with so much joy. their fans are full of excitement and joy when they watch. so it's a very complex and horrendous situation all around and some really difficult decisions, i think, and discussions to be had at an international level as they decide the future of afghanistan cricket. ina in a moment, george will be here with bbc news at six. now, let's look at the weather with darren

bett. how's it looking? i'm going to tell you this time, i blame to last time, which was very rude. we'll start off with what's happening today because we've seen some big changes. here in cambridgeshire, temperatures reached 25 degrees. still quite warm, but for charter hall, where we had 29 degrees yesterday, a significant drop because we find much more cloud around and we've had some storm clouds too. recently, there haven't been to many thunderstorms, but this is the radar picture and it's towards the northwest england that we see some heavy first of rain and some thunderstorms too, and they will rage on for the next three hours, bringing risk of flooding. it's going to remain wet overnight in the

northeast of scotland. many other areas become dry with showers becoming fewer. but it's quite warm and muggy, so we will find mist and pasty followed by the morning. that will tend to lift and we will find those showers developing through the day and becoming more widespread into the afternoon. this time, if you are showers for wales in the southwest, but many more showers for eastern parts of england. we are still looking at temperatures reaching 23 or 24 degrees. not bad for this time of year. as we head into the weekend, two things will happen. it will become drier. that will start to drop the temperatures from the northwest. we start the weekend with some rain in northern most parts of scotland, but elsewhere, fewer lighter showers and

many places will be dry. much of the way of sunshine, and those temperatures are starting to drop away in scotland and northern ireland. still quite warm towards more southern and eastern parts of england, highs of 23 celsius. the rain has gone from northern scotland. many parts of the country will be dry with a lot of cloud. this looks like it will stay away, but that cooler and fresher air is pushing down into england and wales. we got highest temperatures of around 20 or 21 celsius.

today at six... a report into three deaths at a private specialist hospital for special needs patients warns of further lethal outcomes at similar. —— at similar institutions. cawston park hospital in norfolk is now closed — but the report says other institutions like it should no longfer receive public money. joanna bailey's care plan said she needed half hourly checks — on the night she died she'd been left alone for two hours. it makes me feel very angry because i think that if they'd done what they should have done, if they'd have cared forjoanna as they should have done, she might have been alive today. this is not the first scandal to hit institutions like this — we'll be asking why they've not been shut down. also tonight... the rise in nhs waiting lists across england hits a new record — more than five and a half million people are waiting for routine