goodbye showers to come on sunday. goodbye for now. this is bbc news 7 these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. britain, the united states and australia agree a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence. this is about investing in our greatest source of strength, our alliances. and updating them to better meet the threats of today and tomorrow. in the uk, borisjohnson is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he became prime minister. north korea releases new details of its weapons test on wednesday — saying for the first time, the missiles were launched from a train. and — most workers in the uk say they'd rather not return to their offices full time — according to new research — and over a fifth would like to work

from home for good. let me know if you think working practices have changed for ever — and if so, whether that's a good thing or not — on twitter, it's @annita—mcveigh or #bbcyourquestions. also coming up this hour... out of this world — four amateur astronauts, including a billionaire — will spend the next three days circling the earth in the latest milestone for space tourism. hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the uk, the us and australia have launched a new security partnership —

with plans to develop a fleet of nuclear powered submarines. the pact, to be known as aukus, will also cover artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum technologies. the uk prime minister, borisjohnson, says the project will be crucial for the protection of their shared interests in the indo—pacific region but china has accused them of having a cold—war mentality. our defence correspondent jonathan beale reports. britain's decision to send its aircraft carrier hms queen elizabeth and other warships to the pacific is proof of the growing strategic importance of the region. the uk, us and australia are all increasingly concerned about a more assertive china. hence the decision to step up their military cooperation. and important enough for the leaders of all three countries to announce this new defence partnership, aukus for short. the uk, australia and the us will be joined even more closely together.

reflecting the measure of trust between us. the depth of our friendship, and the enduring strength of our shared values of freedom and democracy. we need to be able to address both the current strategic environment in the region, and how it may evolve. because the future of each of our nations and indeed the world depends on a free and open indo pacific enduring and flourishing in the decades ahead. as a start, britain and america will help australia build a new fleet of nuclear powered, but not nuclear armed, submarines. australia had originally asked france to help modernise its submarines, but that deal is now dead. it's not yet clear how the work will be shared, but britain hopes it will boost its defence industry. bae systems already builds the royal navy submarines and rolls—royce, the nuclear reactors. though british officials insist this defence partnership is not a response to any one country,

but about stability and security in the indo pacific, it will not be welcomed by china. jonathan beale, bbc news. the uk defence secretary ben wallace said australia's move wasn't about antagonising anyone. china is embarking on one of the biggest military spends and military investments in history. it is growing its navy, air force, at a huge rate. extremely fast. obviously, it is engaged in some controversial areas, in disputed areas, we've seen in the south china sea, the taiwan straits, are areas that we often see in our media where there is stress. china is also in dispute with some of its neighbours like vietnam and philippines, on fishing grounds, etc. we have seen that. that is china, that is what they are doing at the moment. it's right that the united kingdom alongside other allies such as australia, stand up for the rules —based system and the international law and that is why we don't recognise some of the claims made about parts of the south china sea.

we uphold the un convention of freedom of the sea and make sure we stand by that and so i think that's where we are with china but china is a global power, that is the reality of it, and we have to work with china to point out where we think things are unacceptable such as uighur or hong kong, and human rights, but also recognise the simple reality of them as a very large economy and we need to make sure we are protected from the abuse of that if that were to occur. in the past few hours, china has hit back saying australia is in breach of non—proliferation treaties. translation: the us and the uki are about to export highly sensitive nuclear powered submarine technology to australia. this, once again shows that they are using nuclear export as geopolitical gaming tool and applying double standards

which is extremely irresponsible. australia is a non—nuclear weapons state, party to the npt and party to the nuclear weapon free zone in the southern pacific. our correspondent steve mcdonell is in beijing. steve, given the size of china �*s military capability, growing all the time, how concerned is it about this alliance? ~ , alliance? well, the chinese government _ alliance? well, the chinese government condemned i alliance? well, the chinesel government condemned this alliance? well, the chinese - government condemned this new alliance? well, the chinese _ government condemned this new pact from australia. the uk, and the us. saying all three countries had severely undermined regional peace and stability and intensified the arms race. the foreign ministry spokesman said his government would be paying very close attention to the fallout of this new agreement. which, he said, was following an outdated, cold war, zero—sum mentality. he had especially strong

words for australia, given that australia would be building these new nuclear powered submarines. saying that the international community including neighbouring countries, had reason to question australia �*s sincerity so patient not happy at all that this new agreement has been announced and although china was not mentioned by name in the press conference from those three leaders, certainly, everybody can see that that is the reason for the announcement and although china was not mentioned by name in australia. the although china was not mentioned by name in australia.— name in australia. the big feature of this is the _ name in australia. the big feature of this is the nuclear _ name in australia. the big feature of this is the nuclear powered - of this is the nuclear powered submarines that australia will get as part of this deal. dearly, it's looking at cyber security, cyber warfare and so on but going back to the nuclear submarines, these will allow the australian navy to have a much greater range, they are harder to detect. what sort of territory are we talking about here, give us a

sense of the geography that is at stake. ~ ., , sense of the geography that is at stake. ~ . , ., sense of the geography that is at stake. . , ., ~ , ., ., stake. well, it means that australia in that southern _ stake. well, it means that australia in that southern part _ stake. well, it means that australia in that southern part of _ stake. well, it means that australia in that southern part of the - stake. well, it means that australia in that southern part of the world, | in that southern part of the world, will uniquely have these submarines which can stay underwater for a very long time, are quiet and are particularly deadly. it dramatically increases australia �*s military capabilities, they are also going to buy these tomahawk long—range missiles and so, some analysts have said that the chinese government is quite right in pointing out that it could result in an escalation of the arms race. in asia and the south pacific. however, the flip of that argument is that china has also been flexing its muscles in the region. building islands in the south china sea which have landing strips on them, threatening well, to invade taiwan, to retake the islands which

it sees as a rogue province and so, again, there are other analysts who have said china has brought this upon themselves with a pretty amazing failure of soft power diplomacy which has all but collapsed in terms of china �*s efforts. now, we are now seeing this wolf warrior diplomacy as it is called, china saying we are here, we are stronger, you must accommodate us but in terms of relationships with somewhere like australia, the speed with which that has collapsed is incredible, just a few years ago there was the chinese president, visiting australia, going to the football, seeing aboriginal rock paintings and now, you have australia building nuclear powered submarines, because of a perceived threat from its number one trading partner. quite incredible, really. steve, thank you for that. just a reminder this summer we are

asking you to send in your thoughts on hybrid working, working from home, this follows a survey saying most workers in the uk would prefer not to return to their offices, translates around the world, everyone having this debate. some of your tweets already. let me read those. barry says i work in a university, a lot of staff have been offered flexible working, having two or three days and working, this is not offered to all. spike says working from home should continue, it will save lives from covid and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, i have driven 5000 miles less while working from home, a lot of petrol not burned! and lee says i think it makes perfect sense to adopt a hybrid working model for staff, from my own experience since march last year my productivity is far better with no obvious distractions and office politics, work and home life balance far better now in my opinion and lets have one more from kerry. my husband has been working remotely from home since the first locked out, it's

been greatly beneficial to us as i am disabled, he is on hand if i am struggling. he has started going into days a week but we are hoping this will not increase. please keep those thoughts coming in, you can contact me on twitter. i will do my very best to read out some more of those later this hour. after a ruthless day of firing and hiring, the prime minister is set to continue the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. yesterday he fired his education, justice and housing secretaries — and demoted others — as he reshapes his senior team. dominic raab is no longer foreign secretary — he's justice secretary and deputy prime minister — with liz truss becoming only the second woman in history to hold the post of foreign secretary. gavin williamson — widely criticised for his handling of schools examinations in england — has been sacked as education secretary and leaves the government. mr williamson has been replaced by the former vaccines minister nadhim zahawi. borisjohnson has promised that his new cabinet will "work tirelessly" to unite the country, as our political correspondent,

helen catt, reports. have you still got a job, sir? there were hirings, firings and some eye—catching moves. as over several hours in westminster, borisjohnson assembled his updated team of senior ministers. the biggest promotion went to liz truss, now the second ever female foreign secretary. the prime minister has put in place a strong and united team which is going to deliver for the united kingdom. we are determined to deliver on the people's priorities and help level up the country. dominic raab, criticised recently for staying on holiday in greece while kabul fell, was moved down from the foreign office to becomejustice secretary. but he was also formally made deputy prime minister, a title not given out since 2015. it was a good day for former health ministers... reporter: are you happy with that, are you happy? | very.

nadine dorries, "very happy" to be the new culture secretary. also smiling, nadhim zahawi, who led the vaccine roll—out, now in charge of education. the former education secretary gavin williamson was among those to be sacked from the government completely. a widely expected move after he was heavily criticised for his handling of exams and schools during the pandemic. and michael gove, a minister known for getting things done, replaced robertjenrick at housing and communities, a department that will play a key role in the levelling up promise. borisjohnson has said he wants to get on with the job, but there are a few more roles to fill first. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. earlier, i spoke to our chief political correspondent adam fleming about the appointments that are due to be made today. the phase the reshuffle has entered now is the ranks below the cabinet, ministers of state and below, that started last night. we've had a few

names this morning, penny mordant is moving from the cabinet office to the department for international trade, that means as things stand, all the internationaljobs in the government are going to be done by women, whether it's at the foreign office or the department for international trade. that may change throughout the morning, one of the messages the government wants you to get from this reshuffle is lots of women have been appointed. the other big message is delivery, they want us to think this is a bunch of people who are good at getting things done, for example, michael gove going to the department for communities, that means he will be in charge of delivering, levelling up in charge of delivering, levelling up and building a lot more houses. nadeem is how from vaccines minister to education secretary, in charge of delivering that catching up in schools after the pandemic. —— nadhim zahawi. schools after the pandemic. -- nadhim zahawi.— schools after the pandemic. -- nadhim zahawi. ., nadhim zahawi. one former downing street i spoke _ nadhim zahawi. one former downing street i spoke to _ nadhim zahawi. one former downing street i spoke to earlier— nadhim zahawi. one former downing street i spoke to earlier says - nadhim zahawi. one former downing street i spoke to earlier says there i street i spoke to earlier says there are reformers in the cabinet but will they be allowed to do that

reforming? and i guess budgets come into this, will there be money to do what they want?— into this, will there be money to do what they want? also, that's another intri . uinu what they want? also, that's another intriguing thing _ what they want? also, that's another intriguing thing about _ what they want? also, that's another intriguing thing about this _ intriguing thing about this reshuffle, it shows in politics, personnel always comes before process because on the 27th of october, just a few weeks away, we 0ctober, just a few weeks away, we will have a spending review for the government allocates all the money for the next three years to each individual government department. that is overseen by the chief secretary of the treasury, basically the biggest thing a chief secretary to the treasury can do in thatjob, the chief secretary to the treasury yesterday steve barclay is now minister for yesterday steve barclay is now ministerfor the yesterday steve barclay is now minister for the cabinet office and he has been replaced by simon clark, just a few weeks before that process gets under way which makes you realise sometimes putting the right people in the rightjobs to suit the politics sometimes takes precedent over the contents of the job. that over the contents of the “ob. that was adam — over the contents of the “ob. that was adam fleming _ over the contents of the job. that was adam fleming in downing street. the headlines on bbc news... britain, the united states and australia have agreed

a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence — china calls it �*irresponsible.’ borisjohnson is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. north korea has released new details of its weapons test on wednesday — saying for the first time, the missiles were launched from a train. and let's stay with that last headline now. north korea has given more details of a ballistic missile test it carried out on wednesday, saying the weapons were launched from a train for the first time. state media showed two missiles being fired from a railway carriage. our correspondent in seoul, laura bicker, has more details. this is the first time that north korea has fired a ballistic missile from a train. the images are extraordinary. you see two ballistic missiles being fired from a carriage on the tracks in the middle of the

mountains. when you see and speak to analysts, they tell you that this actually makes sense for north korea. this is a very mountainous country, it would enable them to take these missiles through the mountains quite easily, they could hide them in tunnels and bring them out. it also causes a bit of a headache for military commanders here in south korea and the united states as they try to kind of plan anyissues states as they try to kind of plan any issues when it comes to north korea. but i think when it comes to this test, what we are wondering is how far is pyongyang going to take it because we have seen two major tests in a week, a long—range cruise missile test which did not breach un security council sanctions. and this short range ballistic test which does breach those resolutions by the united nations security council however, in the past, the us presidents have simply shrugged them off as business as usual. so what is next, what else does p young gang

have in its arsenal that it has been waiting to test? we do know from satellite images that its main nuclear reactor appears to be functioning once again, perhaps as early as march this year. so we do know they could be producing some material that could be put into nuclear weapons but how far is pyongyang going to push it at this stage? more now on the military pact between the uk, the us and australia. we can speak now to dr yu jie who is senior research fellow on china, at the asia—pacific programme at chatham house. thank you forjoining us today, what is the significance of the pact, do you think? it is the significance of the pact, do ou think? , , is the significance of the pact, do you think?— you think? it signifies and formalises _ you think? it signifies and formalises the _ you think? it signifies and formalises the tilt - you think? it signifies and formalises the tilt to - you think? it signifies and formalises the tilt to the l you think? it signifies and - formalises the tilt to the indo pacific from the uk perspective, secondly it signifies the united states are willing to take much harder military measures with countering china �*s regional

influence. it also signals from now on the great power competition will be relocated back to the asia—pacific region. be relocated back to the asia-pacific region. what does it mean for china, _ asia-pacific region. what does it mean for china, the _ asia-pacific region. what does it mean for china, the chinese - asia-pacific region. what does it - mean for china, the chinese military obviously growing year by year. what does it mean for china? i obviously growing year by year. what does it mean for china?— does it mean for china? i think the most interesting _ does it mean for china? i think the most interesting element - does it mean for china? i think the most interesting element here - does it mean for china? i think the most interesting element here is l does it mean for china? i think the l most interesting element here is the high—tech military cooperation between the three because in the last few years, china �*s navy and air force contributes to scientific and research innovation, these three countries together, somehow deterring chinese capability of doing so and secondly from the domestic point of view, china seems to support the plan, which also includes an element of self—reliance towards its own technology. and again, this is a really direct response to counter china �*s measure, high—tech sector. response to counter china 's measure, high-tech sector. from the uk perspeetive. _ measure, high-tech sector. from the uk perspective, what _ measure, high-tech sector. from the uk perspective, what might - measure, high-tech sector. from the uk perspective, what might it - measure, high-tech sector. from the uk perspective, what might it mean i uk perspective, what might it mean for other allies like the g7, or

nato? ' . , nato? the difficulties in here is while there _ nato? the difficulties in here is while there is _ nato? the difficulties in here is while there is only _ nato? the difficulties in here is while there is only three - nato? the difficulties in here is| while there is only three english speaking countries involved, secondly, regarding the g7, the uk also talked to the so—called e3 together with france, the position of france and germany have also agreed to participate in the so—called indo pacific initiative, and their voice in the european union, the interesting role as what japan will play, perhaps going further, as time develops, japan might formally alsojoin further, as time develops, japan might formally also join the so—called three countries together. how do you see the breakdown between the portion of this alliance that is dealing with the submarines, the portion dealing with cyber security and so on? cyber warfare. hagar portion dealing with cyber security and so on? cyber warfare. how does that breakdown? _ and so on? cyber warfare. how does that breakdown? that _ and so on? cyber warfare. how does that breakdown? that breakdown i and so on? cyber warfare. how does that breakdown? that breakdown is| that breakdown? that breakdown is obviouslyjust that breakdown? that breakdown is obviously just to show the significance of those elements. what is really interesting here is how much resources and financial support the uk government will be able to

mobilise in order to substantiate its promise and pledge with this there alliance, on the other hand, also running a domestic levelling up plan together. so those things, domestic affairs and foreign affairs, do they really ever go together and whether the government will spend the money carefully, i would say. will spend the money carefully, i would say-— will spend the money carefully, i wouldsa. ., ., . would say. doctor, thank you so much for our would say. doctor, thank you so much for yourtime- — germany's federal elections will take place in just under two weeks. angela merkel is not seeking re—election as chancellor having already stood down as leader of her christian democratic union party. ahead of the elections on september 26th, our europe editor katya adler is taking a roadtrip around germany. starting at duesseldorf in germany's industrial heartland, katya's second stop has taken her to ahrweiler — a spa town devastated byjuly�*s flooding — she explained how people there are finding it difficult to prepare for the election.

when we watch you in the morning, many of us are sitting in our kitchen, nursing a cup of tea. this is the kitchen of one lady, who is with me. you cannot sit and watch breakfast tv in your kitchen after these floods and that means, tell us how you feel coming up to these elections. is this on your mind, is this your main priority, all you can think about?— this your main priority, all you can think about? this is my home, my kitchen, think about? this is my home, my kitchen. yes. _ think about? this is my home, my kitchen, yes, every— think about? this is my home, my kitchen, yes, every morning, - think about? this is my home, my kitchen, yes, every morning, i - think about? this is my home, my l kitchen, yes, every morning, i make my coffee in my bedroom, that is a real luxury. who has coffee in their bedroom? the election, yes, i have so many things to do, the election is really in the back, yes? we don't have any people that is staring us in the streets but you have to think about it, what is going the right way to make these elections now? irate way to make these elections now? we were chatting because i think so

many people thought about the floods in the summer, they saw the devastation here in west germany, more than 180 people died in these floods. you lost your home. so many people asked, your son sought someone brown, standing on the terrace. you think it's all about the environment. green party was tipped to do so well in these elections, now is not so much but you were saying there is mixed feelings after the floods. because of diesel fuel, explain. the feelings after the floods. because of diesel fuel, explain.— of dieselfuel, explain. the land water, of dieselfuel, explain. the land water. what _ of dieselfuel, explain. the land water, what do _ of dieselfuel, explain. the land water, what do you _ of dieselfuel, explain. the land water, what do you call- of dieselfuel, explain. the land water, what do you call it... - of diesel fuel, explain. the land - water, what do you call it... people who work in — water, what do you call it... people who work in the _ water, what do you call it... people who work in the countryside, - water, what do you call it... people i who work in the countryside, farmers came to help you. who work in the countryside, farmers came to help you-— who work in the countryside, farmers came to help you. farmers came with tractors and — came to help you. farmers came with tractors and all _ came to help you. farmers came with tractors and all the _ came to help you. farmers came with tractors and all the engines _ came to help you. farmers came with tractors and all the engines and - tractors and all the engines and they drive with diesel. the aggregate, to get any energy, they have a lot of diesel, so if we do not have the diesel, i think we are really, we are still in the mud and we weren't tidying up and we could

not force the whole thing here without the diesel. so not force the whole thing here without the diesel.— without the diesel. so you are sa in: , without the diesel. so you are saying, although _ without the diesel. so you are saying, although the - without the diesel. so you are saying, although the green i without the diesel. so you are i saying, although the green party cares about the environment and many blame the floods this summer, in europe, on climate change, without the farmers who used the diesel for their tractors and their lorries, you would not have had any help. what about the politicians? so many politicians have come here and other towns in west germany affected by the floods and said, vote for us, we will look after the environment and we will make sure, we will help you. did that make you feel hopeful? the thin is, did that make you feel hopeful? tue: thing is, when did that make you feel hopeful? tte: thing is, when the did that make you feel hopeful? t"t2 thing is, when the people did that make you feel hopeful? tt2 thing is, when the people knew did that make you feel hopeful? t“t2 thing is, when the people knew that people came, like angela merkel or somebody like that, they had, they start working and it looked really nice. we had some meals and when she was here, we had fresh food and that was here, we had fresh food and that was really, what is going on here?

we have this not so good food and now we have really good food on that monday? and so, you could have noticed somebody was here and went to the kitchen and so everything is ok for them. but we really, you need help, manpowerand ok for them. but we really, you need help, manpower and money. today is the final day for care home staff in england to receive their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine — if they want to keep their jobs. mps voted in favour of requiring all care workers to be fully vaccinated by the 11th of november, unless medically exempt. but as zoe conway reports, the new rules have been criticised by some in the industry. st cecilia's needs heroes. st cecilia's care homes are so desperate for staff, they've taken to blasting the airwaves in scarborough with job ads. previous experience not essential. you just need the power to care. you came across really well in the interview.

at a local hotel, the company has just offered one lucky applicant a job on the spot. but that's not all, she'll also get £500 in cash and a mealfor two at a local restaurant. we can offer you a free mealfor two. for the recruitment team, it's hard going. the five of them have been here for hours. they've only managed to interview three people. one of the reasons why they're finding it so difficult is that the hourly wage for one of their care workers is £9.50 per hour. some of scarborough's restaurants are offering £11, even £12 an hour. ijust really wanted to use this opportunity to thank you, each and every one of you, for the work you've done, because i know you've worked extra long shifts over the last, well, it seems like forever, doesn't it? 18 months or so. double shifts, long shifts, because people have been unwell, we've been short of staff. managing director mike padgham is trying to lift his staffs' spirits. everyone in the room has been vaccinated, but other staff haven't.

under the compulsory vaccination policy, they'll lose theirjobs. sam, what do you think about compulsory vaccination? well, i'm happy to have had it done, but those people who choose not to are going to lose theirjobs because they're scared. why should they have to lose theirjobs because care homes have to have it done and other sectors aren't? i think that part is wrong. staff here have been working overtime to cover for ten unfilled posts. now they're about to become even more stretched. this company says it's about to lose four of its best carers. four women who are refusing to be vaccinated. so the company is going to have to let them go. the women say that they're genuinely frightened of the vaccine. frightened of possible side effects. i have to respect what they say. they don't want me to arrange any counselling or see experts, they've made their mind up and i think i have to respect that and i cannot keep trying to persuade them.

i have to give them space. i've even thought, as some providers are, should we just go ahead and keep them and see what happens? are you really saying that you're prepared to defy the government and keep these four unvaccinated staff members on? i'm considering what i might do in the future because to my mind, there's a risk of not having sufficient staff as well. but i'm not saying i'm going to do it. it's in my thought processes at the moment. st cecilia's is hardly alone in facing a staffing crisis. across north yorkshire, there are 1,000 care worker vacancies. the government says it's working with local authorities and providers to ensure there are the right number of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care. zoe conway, bbc news. poor quality housing in england is causing thousands of deaths every year, according to a new report from the centre for ageing better. the charity has called on the government to give more attention to the millions of homes falling below decent living standards. the ministry of housing says it's working hard to improve the quality

of homes across england. a british woman, found guilty of lying about an attack whilst on holiday in cyprus, is hoping to have her conviction overturned when the case goes before the country's supreme court later. the unnamed woman told police she had been raped by a group of 12 israeli men in ayia napa two years ago, before retracting the allegation. her lawyers have described her conviction as �*unsafe'. prince harry and meghan markle have been named �*icons' in time magazine's annual list of the world's 100 most influential people. it marks the first time the duke and duchess of sussex have posed together formally for a magazine cover shoot. other special edition covers of the magazine include singer billie eilish and olympic gymnast simone biles. we are expecting a statement in the house of commons shortly, we are expecting the uk prime minister

borisjohnson to deliver that statement. and it is going to be about the new security partnership announcement between the uk, the us and australia. with plans to develop that fleet of nuclear powered submarines. we will bring the statement to you as soon as it begins. the headlines on bbc news... britain, the united states and australia have agreed a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence — china calls it "irresponsible". in the uk, borisjohnson is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he became prime minister. north korea has released new details of its weapons test on wednesday — saying for the first time, the missiles were launched from a train. most workers in the uk say they'd rather not return to their offices full—time — according to new research — and over a fifth would like to work

from home for good. four amateur astronauts have blasted off from florida on their private mission to orbit the earth for the next three days. live now to the house of commons for a statement by prime minister boris johnson. , ., a statement by prime minister boris johnson. , ._ ., johnson. yesterday i “oined presidentfi johnson. yesterday i “oined president biden h johnson. yesterday i “oined president biden and h johnson. yesterday ijoined president biden and prime| johnson. yesterday ijoined - president biden and prime minister morrison to create a new bilateral defence partnership between our countries known as akaus. australia has asked for our help in achieving making a fleet of nuclear powered submarines, we have agreed to this request and placed our expertise in this field amassed over decades with our australian friends. the first

will be to determine the best way of delivering the advanced nuclear submarine is for australia, emphasising that they will be powered by nuclear reactors not armed with nuclear weapons so the uk non—proliferation treaty place is no prohibition on this work. the house will understand how australia's future possession of this capability will help safeguard the peace and security of the indo pacific. uk submarines are the capital ships of our age, submarines are the capital ships of ourage, propelled by submarines are the capital ships of our age, propelled by an effectively inexhaustible source of energy, allowing them to circumnavigate the world without surfacing, deriving oxygen and fresh water from the sea around then. while on patrol, they keep silent watch over vast expanses of ocean protecting shipping,

gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and guarding the trade routes on which our livelihoods depends. to design, build, operate and then safely decommission a nuclear submarine ranks among the most complex and technically demanding enterprises yet devised. 0nly six nations possess nuclear powered submarines, and to help another country joined powered submarines, and to help another countryjoined this tiny another country joined this tiny circle another countryjoined this tiny circle is a decision of the utmost gravity, requiring perhaps the closest relationship of trust that can exist between sovereign states. i hoped i speakfor the house can exist between sovereign states. i hoped i speak for the house when can exist between sovereign states. i hoped i speakfor the house when i say that i have no hesitation about trusting australia... a fellow maritime democracyjoint to us by blood and history which stood by britain through two world wars and a main sacrifice. today, the uk and

australia defend the same interests, promote the same values and face the same threats. we are as closely aligned on international policy as any two countries in the world. add one of the great prizes of this enterprise is that australia, the uk and the us will become inseparable partners in a project that will last for decades, creating opportunities for decades, creating opportunities for still greater defence and industrial cooperation. the integrated review of foreign and defence policy described britain's renewed focus on the indo pacific, a region that is fast becoming the geopolitical centre of the world, ever more important for british

trade, and therefore, for british jobs and british livelihoods. if there was ever any question about what global britain's tilt towards the indo pacific would mean in reality or what capabilities we might offer, then this partnership with australia and the us provides the answer. it amounts to a new pillar of our strategy, demonstrating britain's generational commitment to the security of the indo pacific and showing exactly how we can help one of our oldest friends to preserve regional stability. it comes after the uk's success in becoming a parallel partner of the association of southeast asian nations and our application to join the transpacific free—trade area. at the same time, this project will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the uk,

including in scotland, the north of england and the midlands. we are reinforcing our industrial base and national scientific expertise exemplified by the british companies participating in the defence and security equipment international event this week. a nuclear submarine programme exists within a different realm of engineering from any other green project, requiring a mastery of discipline ranging from proportion to acoustics. in these fields and many others we will have new opportunity to strengthen britain's position as a science and technology superpower, and by generating economies of scale, this project could reduce the cost of the next generation of nuclear submarines for the royal navy,

helping us to renew our own capabilities. while our partnership will begin with nuclear powered submarines, now that we have created akaus, we expect to accelerate the development of other advanced defence systems, including in cyber, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and undersea capabilities. this partnership will open a new chapter in britain's friendship with our closest allies. it will help to safeguard the security of the indo pacific, createjobs safeguard the security of the indo pacific, create jobs at home, safeguard the security of the indo pacific, createjobs at home, and reinforce our country's place at the leading edge of technology, and i commend this statement to the house. i call the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. i call the leader of the opposition, keir stamen— i call the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you mr speaker and can i keir starmer. thank you mr speaker and can i thank— keir starmer. thank you mr speaker and can i thank the _ keir starmer. thank you mr speaker and can i thank the prime _ keir starmer. thank you mr speaker and can i thank the prime minister. and can i thank the prime minister for advance copy of his statement? the recent events in afghanistan

show how precarious international stability can be. new challenges can emerge, and issues in far—away corners of the globe can quickly turn into threats at home, so labour welcomes increased cooperation with our allies. australia and america are two of our closest security partners, and sharing resources and intelligence with them, and enhancing capabilities makes them safer, makes britain safe, and makes the world safer. the lessons of the past few weeks is that britain must look after our most important relationships, or our influence and security quickly declines. so, mr speaker, while labour welcomes this announcement, but can i ask the prime minister to outline and a bit more detail what the agreement means in practice? the strategic review identify china as a systemic

competitor, and china's assertiveness does pose risks to uk interests in a secure pacific region, in stable trading environments and in democracy and human rights. we need to deal with those risks, defend our values and defend our interests. but the same review also rightly stated that the uk must maintain a commercial relationship with china, but we must work with them on the defining global issues of the day, like climate change and pandemic preparedness. without diplomatic strategy and skill, those goals will come into conflict, so what plan does the prime minister have to ensure that this new arrangement increases rather than decreases our ability to influence china? in order to protect our security and interests, we also need to look after our broader alliances. nato

remains our most important strategic alliance. it is also the most successful. it had delivered peace and security in europe for three quarters of a century. whatever the merits of an in—depth pacific tilt, maintaining security in europe must remain our primary objective —— of an indo pacific tilt. so can the family to say that this will not see resources directed from europe and the high north of the pacific and can you guarantee that this arrangement will strengthen rather than weaken the nato alliance, including our indispensable bilateral relationship with france? and also with the five eyes intelligence sharing arrangement with canada, new zealand and the us, and that of course it is vital to our security so can the prime minister announced that this trilateral arrangement will not

weaken intelligence capabilities by producing a two tier 5 eyes operation? and this brings potential economic opportunities for britain. we need the well—paid high skill jobs that the defence industry provides in every corner britain. the prime minister said this project will create hundreds of skilled jobs, so can the prime minister give more detail of what he has done to ensure that britain gets its fair share of any contracts come out of these arrangements, and what will he do to ensure that no region or nation in britain misses out on any job opportunities that this arrangement may bring? thank you, mr speaker. t arrangement may bring? thank you, mr seaker. . ~ speaker. i thank the right honourable _ speaker. i thank the right honourable gentleman i speaker. i thank the right| honourable gentleman for speaker. i thank the right - honourable gentleman for his speaker. i thank the right _ honourable gentleman for his welcome of this statement, and of akaus, and ijust want to of this statement, and of akaus, and i just want to answer some of the detailed points that he made. i think he began by asking whether it was in any since adversarial to china and how we will manage the

relationship with china and it is important for the house to understand that akaus is not intended to be adversarial towards any other power, but it merely reflects the close relationship that we have with the united states and with australia, the shared values that we have, and the sheer level of trust between us, that enables us to go to this extraordinary extent of sharing nuclear technology, in the way that we are proposing to do. 0bviously, way that we are proposing to do. obviously, we also have a shared interest in promoting democracy, human rights, freedom of navigation and freedom of trade around the world. i think that there is our values and perspectives that i think the whole house will support. and on his point about nato, the house should be in no doubt that this government's commitment to nato is absolutely unshakeable, and indeed has been strengthened by the mass of commitments we have made in defence

spending since the cold war, 2.2% of our gdp now goes on defence spending, and he rightly raises the question of our relationship with france, our military relationship with france, again, mr speaker, is rock—solid, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with the french, whether in the sahel where we are running a joint operation against terrorists in mali, or whether in estonia, where we are, where we have the largest nato operation. now, mr speaker, he asked recently about the jobs that this great project will unquestionably produce. what i can say is that within 18 months there will be a scoping exercise to

establish where the work should go, between the three partners, but clearly, there are deep pools of expertise throughout the united kingdom, whether in derby, plymouth or scotland or barrow, there is expertise across the united kingdom, and i have no doubt whatever that it will bring hundreds of highly skilled, high wagejobs will bring hundreds of highly skilled, high wage jobs of the kind that we want to see in our country and finally can i say mr speaker, that it and finally can i say mr speaker, thatitis and finally can i say mr speaker, that it is a pleasure to hear the change of heart about nato from the right honourable gentleman, and i have to say this, mr speaker, after he was only recently campaigning to instill a prime minister who actually wanted to withdraw from nato. . . . actually wanted to withdraw from nato. . ., ., ., , . nato. the chairman of the defence select committee _ nato. the chairman of the defence select committee tobias _ nato. the chairman of the defence select committee tobias ellwood. | select committee tobias ellwood. thank you mr speaker, we must work

with and stand up to china but this is about a long—term strategy challenging china's increasingly hostile dominance in the south china sea but as a prime minister says it is also a reminder of how we must work with alliances and rekindle an appetite to robustly defend international standards, so we cannot gloss over how bruised nato now feels after the withdrawal from afghanistan. i hope the prime minister will agree, there is an opportunity for britain to help shape western thinking and reinvigorate international resolve in what we stand for, and are willing to defend, and will he agree that this initiative is in response to the increasing constant competition that we now face, and i hope that he now recognises that our peacetime defence budget is no longer adequate, and that we will soon need to increase that budget to 3% gdp if we are to contain the threats that now we face. t

396 gdp if we are to contain the threats that now we face. i thank him very much- _ threats that now we face. i thank him very much. the _ threats that now we face. i thank him very much. the increase - threats that now we face. i thank| him very much. the increase that threats that now we face. i thank - him very much. the increase that we have seen in our defence spending is unparalleled in modern times. it is the biggest uplift since the cold war, £24 billion, i think everybody can see the value of that, the importance of that, and it is enabling us to take part in this historic partnership in a way that we are, and only his point about our relationship with china, ijust want to be clear with a house. yes, it is true that —— the house. there is a huge increase in the levels of trust between the us, the uk and australia. it is a fantastic defence technology partnership that we are building. but for the benefit of our friends and partners around the world, it is not actually revolutionary. we already have been

cooperating over the submarines in australia. ,, ., ., �* ., . ~ cooperating over the submarines in| australia._ let australia. snp leader ian black. let me beain australia. snp leader ian black. let me begin by — australia. snp leader ian black. let me begin by thanking _ australia. snp leader ian black. let me begin by thanking the _ australia. snp leader ian black. let me begin by thanking the prime - me begin by thanking the prime ministerfor advance me begin by thanking the prime minister for advance sight of the statement and a briefing from a national security adviser that was arranged last night. as the speaker, over the course of the past couple of weeks and months we have all witnessed on the streets of kabul, the devastating consequences of failure in international cooperation, and deepening cooperation, and deepening cooperation with allies and seeking to aid stability and security is an important step, especially if past mistakes are never to be repeated and i welcome this announcement, and in particular, the recognition of the growing cyber threat may be overdue but it is nonetheless welcome. i would overdue but it is nonetheless welcome. iwould hope overdue but it is nonetheless welcome. i would hope that the extent that this cooperation on cyber security will be extended to include other key allies, especially

include other key allies, especially in europe. mr speaker, there are a number of points i would like to raise in terms of how this agreement was reached and what has been agreed. firstly, canny primers that inform us as to what discussions have been held with other nato allies in advance of this announcement, and what its interaction will be with this initiative? were the allies informed at the recent g7 summit in cornwall? secondly, in terms of the nuclear agreements i understand and welcome that the australian prime minister has firmly ruled out that any development of any nuclear weaponry, but in terms of future obligations under nuclear nonproliferation treaties, can the prime minister give a cast—iron guarantee that this agreement can never be used as a stepping stone to nuclear weaponry if any future australian innovation were to change this approach, and in terms of the cheap political positioning this agreement signals, the us defence secretary and other

experts have previously stated that the resources of allies on the european continent would be better targeted regionally rather than risking being stretched across the pacific. with all of the focus of this agreement on the indo pacific, what risks are there that vigilant eyes are ta ken off what risks are there that vigilant eyes are taken off the threats closer to home, specifically from the putin regime in moscow, or indeed, matching up the eu and uk strategic interest in providing humanitarian assistance if needed in parts of africa? t humanitarian assistance if needed in parts of africa?— parts of africa? i thank the honourable _ parts of africa? i thank the honourable gentleman - parts of africa? i thank the honourable gentleman for| parts of africa? i thank the - honourable gentleman for what i think was a broad welcome of this akaus agreement. i do think it is historic. i do think it is good for the whole of the united kingdom, and there is no conflict with nato and nato members are fully up to speed with what is happening. it in no way affects the nato relationships which are absolutely fundamental for our security. there is no prospect of it

breaking the nuclear non—proliferation treaty, as i informed the house early on, and no risk at all that it will mean that the united kingdom or any other alloys takes a wry off the ball when it comes to the threat from the putin regime or from it comes to the threat from the putin regime orfrom russia —— our eyes off the ball. so the house should understand that this is an agreement, a defence technology agreement, a defence technology agreement that is very sensible given the huge geopolitical weight now that is to be found in the indo pacific region. the economic growth in that area is phenomenal. the security issues there are very important for our country, the maintenance of trade flows, and that is why it is vital that we take part in this agreement. mr; is why it is vital that we take part in this agreement.— in this agreement. my right honourable _ in this agreement. my right honourable friend - in this agreement. my right honourable friend said - in this agreement. my right - honourable friend said yesterday that this partnership as the aim of working hand in glove to preserve security and stability in the indo

pacific. can i ask my right honourable friend what are the implications for this pack on the stance that would be taken for the united kingdom for its response should china attempt to invade taiwan? ., ., , taiwan? the united kingdom remains determined to — taiwan? the united kingdom remains determined to defend _ taiwan? the united kingdom remains determined to defend international. determined to defend international law, and that is the strong advice we would give to our friends across the world, and the strong advice that we would give to the government in beijing. flan that we would give to the government in bei'inu. ., _, , in beijing. can i welcome this agreement? _ in beijing. can i welcome this agreement? can _ in beijing. can i welcome this agreement? can i _ in beijing. can i welcome this agreement? can i asked - in beijing. can i welcome this agreement? can i asked the l in beijing. can i welcome this - agreement? can i asked the prime minister what are the steps being taken to develop defence partnership and technology agreements with for example india, japan, south korea, singapore and others who have a lot to offer in terms of technology that we could gain from in terms of our own defence? the

we could gain from in terms of our own defence?— own defence? the honourable gentleman — own defence? the honourable gentleman makes _ own defence? the honourable gentleman makes a _ own defence? the honourable gentleman makes a very - own defence? the honourable - gentleman makes a very important point. we are currently developing partnerships around the world, including in the indo pacific region, and the future combat aircraft system fcas is something we may wish to develop with our japanese friends. this partnership is enormously _ japanese friends. this partnership is enormously welcome _ japanese friends. this partnership is enormously welcome because l japanese friends. this partnershipj is enormously welcome because it makes us safe particularly in an area of the world where there are challenges to our ability to trade and secure the interests of our allies, and those who do mission—critical work, because they are salad protectors, they are often forgotten so would he join me are salad protectors, they are often forgotten so would hejoin me in thanking them because they keep us safe, every hour of every day, and this is the first step towards further upgrading our presence in the indo pacific. t further upgrading our presence in the indo pacific.— the indo pacific. i thank you very much and _ the indo pacific. i thank you very much and i _ the indo pacific. i thank you very much and i pay _ the indo pacific. i thank you very much and i pay tribute _ the indo pacific. i thank you very much and i pay tribute to - the indo pacific. i thank you very much and i pay tribute to our. much and i pay tribute to our submariners, who have had a particularly difficult time, during

covid, when the necessity of protecting submarines has been particularly acute, and the point is very good about the further steps that we can take given the context of akaus, this isjust that we can take given the context of akaus, this is just the that we can take given the context of akaus, this isjust the beginning of akaus, this isjust the beginning of collaboration on defence technology, and i have mentioned some of the areas in which we now wish to go further, cyber, ai, undersea defences, there are many areas now, mr speaker, were countries that have shared values, a shared belief in democracy, will want to take collaboration much further. this want to take collaboration much further. a , , further. as consistent internationalist, - further. as consistent internationalist, the l further. as consistent i internationalist, the lib further. as consistent - internationalist, the lib dems welcome this enhanced cooperation with our australian allies, especially for our mutual security. the prime minister has failed on past occasions to effectively copy internationally, it doesn't mean that we're not giving credit occasions like this but in answer to the memberfor north durham in the context of standing up for our

national interest against threats from china, russia or elsewhere, will the prime minister confirmed that the uk is seeking to enhance cooperation with other allies in the indo pacific region, whether it is india, japan, south korea or others, and further to his answer can you give rather more detail or commit vows to come back more detail? == vows to come back more detail? -- commit to — vows to come back more detail? —— commit to this house. what i can say is that the combined carrier strike group is now in that region, and has been doing exercises with a total of 40 other countries, friends and partners, around the world, from india right the way through to japan, and i am not going to give much more detail out about fcas, for reasons he will appreciate, but the uk will be developing friendships and partnerships throughout that

region for the very good political, security and economic reasons that i have given the house. studio: the uk foreign minister borisjohnson making that statement boris johnson making that statement to the house of commons about the new alliance, akaus, as it is known, between britain, the united states and australia, and you defence and security partnership to counter china's drawing military presence. china's drawing military presence. china calling it "irresponsible". borisjohnson said there would be an 18 month collaboration to determine the best way to deliver the new nuclear powered submarines to australia. he emphasised that these were powered by nuclear reactors, not armed with nuclear weapons. he said that they would deter adversaries and garb trade routes. this is also about cyber security as well. —— guard trade routes. he said it opens a new chapter in britain's friendship with our closest allies,

and the announcement was welcomed by the leader of the opposition labour party, sir keir starmer. and you're watching bbc news. d grew more they will be here to take you through to one o'clock, but first, look at the weather with matt taylor. aha, one o'clock, but first, look at the weather with matt taylor. a pleasant se tember weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september day _ weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september day out _ weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september day out there _ weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september day out there for - weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september day out there for many, l weather with matt taylor. a pleasant j september day out there for many, a few changes on the way to the west. this satellite chart from earlier shows cloud spilling in through the night into the morning and that is creeping across parts of ireland and west of scotland through the rest of the day so it will turn cloudy, with rain spreading into the western half of northern ireland. staying driver some my sunny spells in the afternoon and some strength of that september sunshine. temperatures in the high teens and low 20s. a couple of degrees higher than we would expect at this stage of the year. the light winds help with that one

fuel, with more of a breeze developing towards the west. that where front starting to push its way in. rain on and off through the night in northern ireland and increasingly to the north and west of scotland, with one or two splashes further east, cumbria and northumberland to see some drizzle, but mostly staying dry, some mist and fog patches through the night, and fog patches through the night, and these are the temperatures as you start the day tomorrow, rural areas probably down into single figures. tomorrow you notice the weather front on the chart, that weather front on the chart, that weather front on the chart, that weather front is struggling to push its way eastwards in any hurry. it is all blowing along it so some bursts of rain rippling northwards on it, particularly across western scotland and northern ireland, may be edging into western wales and cornwall. away from that, eastern scotland, england and wales are staying dry with a little bit more of a breeze but nothing desperately strong, and temperatures up into the low 20s in sunny spells, particularly across eastern wales and england. going through friday

night into the weekend, that weather front moves east was back notice how it grinds to a halt. with thing still static magnets, getting difficult to pinpoint exactly where the showers and downpours could be on saturday. there will not be many around, to the east of scotland and south—west of wales, we are most likely to see some showers at times, varying cloud, when a car breaks up the sunshine comes through and it should feel pleasant with temperatures in the high teens, low 20s. some ripples running along that weather front into sunday, bringing more showers, into northern england and parts of southern scotland come across central and southern areas but away from their showers, it is going to be another pleasant day. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11: britain, the united states and australia agree a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence. the united kingdom remains determined to defend international law, and that is the strong advice we would give to our friends across the world and the strong advice we would give to the government in beijing. the prime minister is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. today is the deadline for care staff or volunteers who work in residential and nursing homes in england to have their first dose of the covid vaccine. and, most workers say they'd rather not return to their offices full time,

according to new research — and over a fifth would like to work from home for good. also coming up this hour: four amateur astronauts, including a billionaire, will spend the next three days circling the earth in the latest the uk, the us and australia have launched a new security partnership — with plans to develop a fleet of nuclear powered submarines. borisjohnson says the project will be crucial for the protection of their shared interests in the region. president biden called the agreement a "historical step." china has condemned the agreement as "extremely irresponsible." speaking in the commons, the prime minister explained what the agreement meant

to the asia—pacific region. the integrated review of foreign and defence policy described britain's renewed focus on the indo—pacific, a region that is fast becoming the geopolitical centre of the world, ever more important for british trade, and therefore for british jobs and british livelihoods. if there was any question about what global britain's tilt towards the indo—pacific will mean in reality and what capabilities we might offer, then this partnership with australia and the us provides the answer. it amounts to a new pillar of our strategy, demonstrating

britain's generational commitment to the security of the indo—pacific and showing exactly how we can help one of our oldest friends to preserve regional stability. the labour leader, keir starmer, said his party welcomed the agreement — but did ask the prime minister that more information on the agreement was needed. the strategic review identified china as a systemic competitor, and china's assertiveness does pose risks to uk interests in a secure pacific region, in stable trading environments, and in democracy and human rights. we need to deal with those risks, defend our values and defend our interests. but the same review also rightly stated that the uk must maintain a commercial relationship with china and we must work with them on the defining global issues of the day, like climate change and pandemic preparedness. without diplomatic strategy

and skill, those goals will come into conflict. so what plans does the prime minister have the prime minister have to ensure that this new arrangement increases, rather than decreases our ability to influence china? in order to protect our security and interest, we also need to look after our broader alliances. nato remains our most important strategic alliance. it is also the most successful. it has delivered peace and security in europe for three quarters of a century. and whatever the merits of a indo pacific tilt, maintaining security in europe must remain our primary objective. so can the prime minister guarantee that this arrangement will not see resources redirected from europe and the high north to the pacific? and can he guarantee that this arrangement will strengthen rather than weaken the nato alliance? let's get more on how

the agreement will work — as china accuses the countries involved of having our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, reports. britain's decision to send its aircraft carrier hms queen elizabeth and other warships to the pacific is proof of the growing strategic importance of the region. the uk, us and australia are all increasingly concerned about a more assertive china. hence the decision to step up their military cooperation. and important enough for the leaders of all three countries to announce this new defence partnership, aukus for short. the uk, australia and the us will be joined even more closely together. reflecting the measure of trust between us. the depth of our friendship, and the enduring strength of our shared values of freedom and democracy. we need to be able to address both the current strategic environment in the region,

and how it may evolve. because the future of each of our nations and indeed the world depends on a free and open indo pacific enduring and flourishing in the decades ahead. as a start, britain and america will help australia build a new fleet of nuclear—powered, but not nuclear—armed, submarines. australia had originally asked france to help modernise its submarines, but that deal is now dead. it's not yet clear how the work will be shared, but britain hopes it will boost its defence industry. bae systems already builds the royal navy submarines and rolls—royce the nuclear reactors. though british officials insist this defence partnership is not a response to any one country, but about stability and security in the indo pacific, it will not be welcomed by china. jonathan beale, bbc news. in the past few hours, china has hit back, saying australia is in breach of nonproliferation treaties.

translation: the us and the uki are about to export highly sensitive nuclear powered submarine technology to australia. this, once again, shows that they are using nuclear export as geopolitical gaming tool and applying double standards which is extremely irresponsible. australia is a non—nuclear weapons state, party to the npt and party to the nuclear weapon free zone in the southern pacific. damian grammaticas is in westminsterfor us. how in westminster for us. big how in westminsterfor us. big an how in westminster for us. big an announcement is this terms how big an announcement is this in terms of britain's future political worries about the rise of china? t worries about the rise of china? i think it's obviously a very strong signal. you heard of the prime minister speaking a few minutes ago in the house of commons, it signals, as he was saying, this deepening of

this partnership with australia and at the us. australia already has an alliance with the us, the uk already has a defence relationship with australia. the prime minister said in the eyes of china, it should understand that this was not a fundamental change, it is a deepening of that. he did talk about this, saying that this was part of this, saying that this was part of this tilt to the indo—pacific that the governor has talked about following brexit. really at the heart of it are these concerns about the rising military spending in china, china's growth in its military, is navy, its increasing assertiveness in its waters around china, and the need that is felt to strengthen the capabilities of countries like australia in the region. so it is significant from

that point of view. it is worth saying that the prime minister did say, that question raised about the chinese spokesman about the nuclear non—proliferation treaty, he was very clear that this is not about nuclear weapons, this is about nuclear weapons, this is about nuclear power for submarines which will not carry nuclear weapons, and therefore does not breach the nuclear non—proliferation treaty. he was asked what if a feature of stealing government decided they wanted to arm those submarines with nuclear weapons, wanted to arm those submarines with nuclearweapons, he wanted to arm those submarines with nuclear weapons, he didn't answer. as a question about outstanding commitments to america and uk's commitments to america and uk's commitment to intervene globally. given what happened in afghanistan, the us and uk havejust gone into so the us and uk havejust gone into so the retreat? tt the us and uk have “ust gone into so the retreat?— the retreat? it was a direct question — the retreat? it was a direct question to _ the retreat? it was a direct question to boris - the retreat? it was a direct question to boris johnson | the retreat? it was a direct -

question to boris johnson from question to borisjohnson from theresa may, his predecessor, who asked what would the implications be of the step with australia if china were to invade taiwan. when questioned about china and the uk's position with china's assertiveness, borisjohnson position with china's assertiveness, boris johnson skated position with china's assertiveness, borisjohnson skated around boris johnson skated around questions. borisjohnson skated around questions. to that when he simply said at the uk would uphold international law. i think what was interesting here was that he was talking about the importance of working with partners, like—minded partners, countries that wanted to defend democracy, that wanted to defend democracy, that wanted to defend open trading nature of the indo pacific region, the vital sort of security and trade interests there. in the context of afghanistan, talking about here the importance of maintaining some of those values. he was then asked if this would harm nato, the commitment

to defence and security and the structure is closer to home? and the posture against russia? there he said no. absolutely clearly he thought this would not have any impact on nato, the uk plasma commitment to nato, its relationship to france, or how it viewed russia. —— the to france, or how it viewed russia. -- the uk to france, or how it viewed russia. —— the uk plasma commitment to nato. let's speak to dr marcus hellyer, senior analyst at the defence, strategy and national security program of the australian strategic policy institute, an independent think—tank. picking up the taiwan question with you. we havejust seen picking up the taiwan question with you. we have just seen the west really rooted in many ways from afghanistan, where china a backer of pakistan, which backs the taliban, according to many analysts. if you look at this picture, would this alliance actually intervene if china made a move on taiwan? that

alliance actually intervene if china made a move on taiwan?- alliance actually intervene if china made a move on taiwan? that is a ve aood made a move on taiwan? that is a very good question. _ made a move on taiwan? that is a very good question. the _ made a move on taiwan? that is a| very good question. the withdrawal from afghanistan has always been presented by the us government, going back to the previous administration, even before that to president obama, that it was about a rebalancing into the pacific and really focusing on the pacific. in a sense, this decision by the us government in concert with the uk government to assist australia in developing nuclear propelled submarines is quite consistent with that whole shift in the us government's strategic policy. i think it is not a withdrawal but a rebalancing, that is the kind of terminology that all three governments i think would prefer to use. they taiwan contingency... it

is a fundamental question. there is no secret that this measure is being driven by china's behaviour. it started with its de facto annexation of the south china sea, is militarisation of reefs and islands in the south china sea, its coercive behaviour towards taiwan, its treatment of hong kong. essentially, is economic coercion of australia, where it has essentially tried to destroy our economy by putting essentially embargoes on australian exports to china. so this is being driven by china. your question is, what does this mean for taiwan? the us government has made it very clear that it will support taiwan. the nightmare scenario for all of the us's allies in the indo—pacific is that they will be some kind of conflict over taiwan. it is not something that australia, orjapan

for that matter, really look forward to. we are certainly not looking for a fight over taiwan. anybody starts a fight over taiwan. anybody starts a war over taiwan, a fight over taiwan. anybody starts a war overtaiwan, it a fight over taiwan. anybody starts a war over taiwan, it will be china. —— if anybody starts a war over taiwan. you would be right in saying that if the us provides this kind of technology to australia, there will be an expectation that we use it to support the us in the indo—pacific. there is also pretty cool quote in in these things. —— the question is will this alliance make it different, well it there would be the public and political will to stand up to chinese aggression if thatis stand up to chinese aggression if that is what the white house administration wants? i wore over taiwan is a nightmare scenario for everybody, and there will be no winners. —— a war over taiwan. the

best course of action that people can take is to deter china from embarking on that course of action. there are many ways you can attempt to deter, but ultimately i think it does come down to military capability. the us, as part of that rebalancing and refocusing on the pacific, is attempting to deter china and a signal resolve. the us's allies and partners in at the indo—pacific are doing that as well. just recently we saw the japanese defence minister saying that if there was a conflict over china, japan would support taiwan and the united states in that kind of conflict. china's behaviour is in classic international relations terminology, there is a lot of balancing going on. part of that is around military technology, but a

part of that is also occurring in terms of new partnerships. one of the big things that has occurred on our side of the globe here is the emergence of the quadrilateral arrangement, which is a partnership between the us, japan, australia and india. it is kind of of that which sees itself as a leader of the nonaligned movement, is now actively partnering with the us, australia and japan. that again is being driven by china china's behaviour. some breaking news here. a high court victory for the mother of a five—year—old boy against the environment agency over the wriggly geisha —— regulation of a starfish landfill site accused of emitting noxious gases that the family said risked shortening her son's life. ——

staffordshire south landfill site. there was a hearing in august. it was argued that hydrogen sulphide emissions are affecting hundreds and probably thousands of local people. in the judgment today, it was found in the favour of mrs matthews. he said based on all the evidence, he said based on all the evidence, he said there is a direct impact on matthew's home and family life through adverts and severe environmental pollution. —— through adverse and severe environmental pollution. after a ruthless day of firing and hiring, the prime minister is set to continue the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. yesterday he fired his education, justice and housing secretaries, and demoted others, as he reshapes his senior team. dominic raab is no longer foreign secretary, he's justice secretary and deputy prime minister, with liz truss becoming only

the second woman in history to hold the post of foreign secretary. gavin williamson, widely criticised for his handling of schools examinations in england, has been sacked as education secretary and leaves the government. mr williamson has been replaced by the former vaccines minister, nadhim zahawi. and in the past few minutes — john whittingdale has been removed as a media minister and will be returning to the back benchers. our political correspondent, helen catt, reports. have you still got a job, sir? there were hirings, firings and some eye—catching moves. as over several hours in westminster, borisjohnson assembled his updated team of senior ministers. the biggest promotion went to liz truss, now the second ever female foreign secretary. the prime minister has put in place a strong and united team which is going to deliver for the united kingdom. we are determined to deliver on the people's priorities and help level up the country. dominic raab, criticised recently for staying on holiday in greece while kabul fell, was moved down from the foreign office to becomejustice secretary. but he was also formally made

deputy prime minister, a title not given out since 2015. it was a good day for former health ministers... reporter: are you happy with that, are you happy? | very. nadine dorries, "very happy" to be the new culture secretary. also smiling, nadhim zahawi, who led the vaccine roll—out, now in charge of education. the former education secretary gavin williamson was among those to be sacked from the government completely. a widely expected move after he was heavily criticised for his handling of exams and schools during the pandemic. and michael gove, a minister known for getting things done, replaced robertjenrick at housing and communities, a department that will play a key role in the levelling up promise. borisjohnson has said he wants to get on with the job, but there are a few more roles to fill first. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. the headlines on bbc news: britain, the united states and australia have agreed a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's

growing military presence — china calls it "irresponsible." today is the deadline for care staff or volunteers who work in residential and nursing homes in england to have their first dose of the covid vaccine. the prime minister is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. poor quality housing in england is causing thousands of deaths every year, according to a new report from the centre for ageing better. the charity has called on the government to give more attention to the millions of homes falling below decent living standards. the ministry of housing says it's working hard to improve the quality of homes across england. polly neate is chief executive for the housing charity, shelter — shejoins me now. thank you for your time. does this report surprise you? what can send you most in it? t

report surprise you? what can send you most in it?— you most in it? i wish it did surprise — you most in it? i wish it did surprise me. _ you most in it? i wish it did surprise me, but— you most in it? i wish it did surprise me, but actually . you most in it? i wish it did surprise me, but actually itj surprise me, but actually it reflects what we're seeing in terms of the people coming to us for help with really serious, impossible living conditions caused by the state of the homes they are in the. there are about 1 state of the homes they are in the. there are about1 million homes substandard in the private rented sector, and about half a million in the social housing sector. so this is a huge problem. it is part of the housing emergency that we are in in this country. housing emergency that we are in in this country-— this country. how does per housing lead to deaths? _ this country. how does per housing lead to deaths? -- _ this country. how does per housing lead to deaths? -- poor _ this country. how does per housing lead to deaths? -- poor housing. l lead to deaths? —— poor housing. critically for a dead people, and children i would say, if you are living in damp conditions, if your houseis living in damp conditions, if your house is too cold or if you can't afford to heat your home is properly because your rent is so expensive, or if indeed at your house is too hot, actually, as well, and is not

adequately ventilated or overcrowded — all of those things can damage people's helps. may particularly if someone has underlying health conditions, or is elderly or very young, that if it can be very serious. i think it is also important to consider that poor housing has a really serious impact on people's mental health as well. if you imagine during a lockdown, we were hearing from single mums, two or three children, living in one run in temporary accommodation with may be shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. if you imagine trying to manage social distancing or self isolation in those conditions, or home—schooling indeed, the impact on people's mental health has been really serious as well. it is absolutely time. the government has got to take this opportunity to invest in homes that people on low

incomes can actually afford to live a decent life end, and we simply do not have those homes at the moment. michael gove has been appointed to the brief yesterday. can you just tell me, how things got worse in the last decade? we have had a conservative government for the last ten years now. is it geographically spread or is it worse in some parts of the country that others?- of the country that others? things have not of the country that others? things have got worse — of the country that others? things have got worse over _ of the country that others? things have got worse over the _ of the country that others? things have got worse over the last - of the country that others? things l have got worse over the last several decades. this isn't a party political issue. housing has not been a kind of top three, or even top five, policy issue for successive governments over decades. we have seen the whole idea that government should invest in social housing has kind of gone out of fashion with governments of every collar. there is absolutely no reason why a conservative government can't do this. —— of every colour the biggest social housing

initiative in our country was mcmillan, who was conservative. tide mcmillan, who was conservative. we have seen the problems come up with people worrying about new housing developments in some parts of the country. politically, that is difficult, isn't it? tt country. politically, that is difficult, isn't it?— difficult, isn't it? it is difficult, _ difficult, isn't it? it is difficult, but - difficult, isn't it? it is difficult, but i - difficult, isn't it? it is difficult, but i think. difficult, isn't it? it is i difficult, but i think part difficult, isn't it? it is - difficult, but i think part of the problem is that when people think of social housing, the picture in their mind doesn't match the reality of how sustainable and attractive these homes can be. actually, we are seeing thousands and thousands of homes being built all over the place. they arejust homes being built all over the place. they are just not the homes that we actually need. they are not homes that people on low incomes can afford. only people on quite high incomes can afford, despite what the government is saying about home ownership being cheaper. can government _ ownership being cheaper. can government stepped in to change private companies holding onto a lot of land? housing is complex, all the parties have had a lot of policy

work on it for several years. if you are going to see one or two simple steps to michael gove that he should do it now, what would you say? michael gove a somebody in the past who has spoken really positively about social housing, and it is absolutely central to a prosperous country and happy families, basically. i really hope that he will take the step. what needs to happen here is prioritise social housing instead of only prioritising home ownership. i'm not saying home ownership doesn't matter, but at the moment we are treating social housing as though it doesn't matter at all. that is what i would say to the new secretary of state. he can change that relatively straight way and he has an opportunity to do it. lets see what happens. i'm sure we will have you back on to talk about this much more. north korea has given more details

of a ballistic missile test it carried out on wednesday, saying the weapons were launched from a train for the first time. state media showed two missiles being fired from a railway carriage. our correspondent in seoul, laura bicker, has more details. this is the first time that north korea has fired a ballistic missile from a train. the images are extraordinary. you see two ballistic missiles being fired from a carriage on the tracks in the middle of the mountains. now, when you see and speak to analysts, they tell you that this actually makes sense for north korea. this is a very mountainous country, it would enable them to take these missiles through the mountains quite easily, they could hide them in tunnels and bring them out. it also causes a bit of a headache for military commanders here in south korea and the united states as they try to kind of plan any issues when it comes to north korea. but i think when it comes to this test, what we are wondering is how far pyongyang going to take it. we have seen two major tests in a week — a long—range cruise

missile test which did not breach the un security council sanctions, and this short—range ballistic test, which does breach those resolutions by the united nation's security council. however, in the past, us presidents have simply shrugged them off as business as usual. so what is next? what else does pyongyang have in is arsenal that it's been waiting to test? we do know from satellite images that its main nuclear reactor appears to be functioning once again, perhaps as early as march this year. so we do know that they could be producing some material that could be put in to nuclear weapons, but how far is pyongyang going to push it at this stage? now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. many of you are still aware, there is still a bit of strength that september sunshine out there.

pleasant afternoon on the way. west of scotland clouding over in the afternoon, this guy is turning grey in northern ireland. outbreaks of rain developing in the rest of the country for top still above the should be for the stage in september. this evening and overnight, rain country for northern ireland and the west of scotland. a bit of light into eastern scotland and cumbria and northern ireland. mist and fog patches and tomorrow morning. as we start friday, whilst england and wales will stay largely dry, rain and eastern scotland will clear. western scotland and northern ireland, rain on and off during the day. we could see some rain edge into west wales and cornwall. the rain band pushes is for saturday, just a few showers around for this weekend. a lot of dry weather into next week.

hello, this is bbc news with geeta guru—murthy. the headlines... britain, the united states and australia have agreed a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence — china calls it "irresponsible". the prime minister is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. today is the deadline for care staff or volunteers who work in residential and nursing homes in england to have their first dose of a covid vaccine. most workers say they'd rather not return to their offices full—time, according to new research — and over a fifth would like to work from home for good. four amateur astronauts have blasted off from florida on their private mission to orbit the earth for the next three days. also coming up — campaigners in the south pennines demand an alternative to areas being granted national park status.

sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's catherine. so often the opening matches of the champions league group stage, have been cautious, cagey affairs, but not last night, when it was raining goals, including at anfield, where liverpool staged a second half fight back to beat the italian side, ac milan, while manchester city beat rb leipzig in a nine—goal thriller at the etihad. our sports correspondent natalie pirks was watching. the liverpool faithful finally back for european nights at anfield, absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder. ac milan have had an absence of their own, seven years out of the champions league until now, but it looked like it was going to be a baptism of fire with an early own goal. it could have got worse but mo salah missed a chance to double the liverpool lead. and it's saved! and it was a let—off that let milan back in the game. into ante rebic and

they have equalised! withjurgen klopp scratching his head, liverpool's dominance gave way to downright sloppiness. put in by diaz! a half—time pep talk was needed and it clearly worked. at first salah and then, hello, jordan henderson, to complete another memorable comeback against milan. 3—2, the final score. it was a brilliant game, very exciting, very entertaining and with 10—15 minutes where we lost the plot, or whatever. in a moment like this, the game can be decided, but not tonight because we could adjust in enough time and did that, played really good football. and we scored two wonderful goals and won the game. manchester city came so close to landing the trophy its owners covet the most last seasons and nathan ake and got them off to a dream start against rb leipzig.

but the game caught fire and at 3—2 jack grealish showed just why city paid a record fee for him. a hat—trick for leipzig's christopher nkunku made it lt—3 but late goals forjoao cancelo and jesus made it 6—3 city in the champions league. we may only be seven games into the new championship season, but nottingham forest are now looking for a new manager. afterjust 11 months in charge, manager chris hughton has been sacked this morning. forest are bottom of the league, with just one point from their first seven games — their worst start to a season for 108 years. england's women will welcome three of the world stop sides next february for the first staging of a new annual invitational women s tournament. the lionesses will bejoined by germany and spain, both also ranked in fifa s top ten — with the fourth competing nation to be announced soon. there'll be three double—header matches played across seven days in a round—robin format. four—time world champion

sebastian vettel and canadian lance stroll, son of the owner, will race for aston martin again next season in an unchanged driver line—up. vettel won four formula one championships in a row with red bull between 2010 and 2013. executive chairman lawrence stroll said that he was "delighted to be continuing with such an excellent blend of youthful talent and experienced expertise. " mo farah's former coach alberto salazar will have to serve the whole of his four—year ban after losing his appeal, in the court of arbitration for sport. salazar was banned for a series of doping violations, by the us anti doping agency two years ago, and appealed the decision. salazar ran the nike oregon project, the training base of mo farah. farah has not been accused of doping, and left the set up in 2017. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website.

we will also have the build—up to the woman's one—day international against new zealand in the cricket. today is the final day for care home staff in england to receive their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine — if they want to keep their jobs. mps voted in favour of requiring all care workers to be fully vaccinated by the 11th of november, unless medically exempt. but as zoe conway reports, the new rules have been criticised by some in the industry. since a serious care homes are so desperate. they have taken to blasting the airwaves in scarborough with job adverts.— with job adverts. previous experience _ with job adverts. previous experience is _ with job adverts. previous experience is not - with job adverts. previous i experience is not essential, with job adverts. previous - experience is not essential, you 'ust experience is not essential, you just need — experience is not essential, you just need the power to care. at a local hotel _ just need the power to care. at a local hotel the _ just need the power to care. git 2 local hotel the company has just offered one lucky applicant the job on the spot. but that is not all.

she will also get £500 in cash and a mealfor two at a she will also get £500 in cash and a meal for two at a local restaurant. for the recruitment team it is hard going. the five of them have been here for hours. they have only managed to interview three people. one of the reasons why they are finding it so difficult is that the hourly wage for one of our care workers is £9 50 an hour, some of scarborough's restaurants are offering £11 an hour, even £12 and r. t offering £11 an hour, even £12 and r. , ., ., offering £11 an hour, even £12 and r. ijust wanted to use this opportunity _ r. ijust wanted to use this opportunity to _ r. ijust wanted to use this opportunity to thank - r. ijust wanted to use this opportunity to thank each i r. i just wanted to use this i opportunity to thank each and r. i just wanted to use this - opportunity to thank each and every of you for the work you have done because i know that you have worked extra long shifts over the last, it seems like forever, 18 months, double shifts, longships, because people have been unwell and we have been short of staff. the people have been unwell and we have been short of staff.— been short of staff. the managing director is trying _ been short of staff. the managing director is trying to _ been short of staff. the managing director is trying to lift _ been short of staff. the managing director is trying to lift the - director is trying to lift the spirits of his staff. everyone in the room has been vaccinated but other staff have not. under the compulsory vaccination policy, they will lose theirjobs. what you think

about compulsory vaccination? t’m about compulsory vaccination? i'm ha - to about compulsory vaccination? i'm happy to have it done, but those people _ happy to have it done, but those people who choose not to will lose theirjobs — people who choose not to will lose theirjobs because they are scared? why should they have to lose their jobs? _ why should they have to lose their jobs? because the care homes have to have it _ jobs? because the care homes have to have it done _ jobs? because the care homes have to have it done and other sectors are not. have it done and other sectors are not i_ have it done and other sectors are not ithink— have it done and other sectors are not. i think that part is wrong. staff— not. i think that part is wrong. staff here _ not. i think that part is wrong. staff here have been working overtime to cover for ten unfilled posts. now, they are about to become even more stretched. this company says it is about to lose four of its best carers. four women who are refusing to be vaccinated, so the company is going to have to let them go. the woman say that they are genuinely frightened of the vaccine, frightened of possible side effects. have to respect what they say. they don't want me to arrange counselling orsea don't want me to arrange counselling or sea experts, they have made their mind up and i have to accept i cannot persuade them, you have to give them space. some providers are

thinking should bejust give them space. some providers are thinking should be just go ahead and keep them and see what happens? shire keep them and see what happens? are ou keep them and see what happens? are you saying you are prepared to defy the government on keeping these four unvaccinated staff members on? t0 mi; unvaccinated staff members on? to my m mind it unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is — unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is a — unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is a risk— unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is a risk of— unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is a risk of not _ unvaccinated staff members on? to my my mind it is a risk of not having - my mind it is a risk of not having staff as well, but i'm not saying how i will do it, i am just in my thought processes at the moment. saint cecilia's is hardly alone in facing a staffing crisis. across north yorkshire there are 1000 care worker vacancies. the government says it is working with local authorities and providers to ensure that there are the right number of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care. zoe conway, bbc news. let's speak now to vic rayner, ceo of the national care forum, which is the membership organisation for not—for—profit organisations we have been hearing that this is a real problem. what do you think is the right way forward �*s as it a question of increasing pay to fill the shortfall? is it right to make

covid jabs compulsory?- the shortfall? is it right to make covid jabs compulsory? covid “abs compulsory? there are a lot of covid jabs compulsory? there are a lot of things _ covid jabs compulsory? there are a lot of things we _ covid jabs compulsory? there are a lot of things we need _ covid jabs compulsory? there are a lot of things we need to _ covid jabs compulsory? there are a lot of things we need to do - covid jabs compulsory? there are a| lot of things we need to do urgently about the challenges facing the workforce, and compulsory vaccination is a part of that, but it isn't the full picture. we are hearing from members that they are losing large numbers of staff, and it has accelerated very quickly over the last month and a bit. i think what we need to do is to look at a whole range of different initiatives that might support things. one of the things we are asking government to look at very urgently is to bring in some sort of retention or thank you bonus for staff across the whole sector. ~ . ., ., ., , ., sector. much with that have to be to make a difference _ sector. much with that have to be to make a difference 's _ sector. much with that have to be to make a difference 's patients - sector. much with that have to be to make a difference 's patients we - make a difference �*s patients we have seen it done in scotland and wales and figures of £500 have made a real difference and employers are telling us that that is the sort of thing that would really make staff feel valued, and would make them stay. feel valued, and would make them sta . ~ ., ., g, feel valued, and would make them sta . ~ ., ., ., ., .,

feel valued, and would make them sta .~ ., ., ., ., ., , feel valued, and would make them sta. ., ., ., ., stay. what we have got to do is stop the existing — stay. what we have got to do is stop the existing well-trained _ stay. what we have got to do is stop the existing well-trained and - the existing well—trained and skilled staff that we have leaving the sector. it is great to bring new people in, and we are delighted and really want to welcome new staff, but we are hearing that those who come in, and have done over the past year because they have lost their job in another sector, or because they have heeded the call to come into care, the tone of the rights of the staff coming in are much higher than they would be in normal circumstances, so that is not great for those individuals, not great for the organisations and ultimately not great for those receiving care and support so we have to try to stabilise the workforce, so that we have great quality care, being provided by highly skilled staff. [30 provided by highly skilled staff. do you think others like we heard in that report might consider employing staff if it comes to the crunch, evenif staff if it comes to the crunch, even if they have not been vaccinated, which would be illegal? people with take that very seriously, and for most people what they are doing is trying to work

with the staff that they have, and trying to help them to take on board any of the questions, concerns, that they have about vaccinations. the important thing to remember is that this deadline, the 16th of september, today, by which staff have to start their first vaccination in order to fulfil it in time for the 11th of november, that was notjust about time for the 11th of november, that was not just about staff who don't want the vaccine but those who are exempt and it was only yesterday and the day before that the government finally produced guidance on who was exempt matter, by that time, organisations have had to start disciplinary notice proceedings for staff who have not had the vaccination. and it may turn out that they are actually exempt but the government has not helped at all in relation to this because it has been so delayed in terms of getting out exemption advice. idrui’itt been so delayed in terms of getting out exemption advice.— been so delayed in terms of getting out exemption advice. will there be roblems out exemption advice. will there be problems with _ out exemption advice. will there be

problems with redundancy, - problems with redundancy, disciplinary and legal challenges around these processes? t disciplinary and legal challenges around these processes?- around these processes? i don't think ou around these processes? i don't think you want _ around these processes? i don't think you want to _ around these processes? i don't think you want to go _ around these processes? i don't think you want to go away - around these processes? i don't think you want to go away with l around these processes? i don't i think you want to go away with the fact that everybody in care once as many people as possible to be vaccinated. however, going about it this way has created a huge amount of difficulty for organisations and individuals, and large amounts of costs have been built into the system, legal costs, consultation costs and so forth. undoubtedly, there will be organisations who now, with this exemption advice, particularly, have to undo lots of the work that they have been doing already, working with staff, to build in what is essentially what the government have put forward is self—certificating around exemption, at the last hour. tz�*it: self-certificating around exemption, at the last hour.— at the last hour. vic rayner, many thanks. let's return to the news that that the uk, us and australia have announced a historic security pact in the asia—pacific, in what's seen as an effort to counter china. it will let australia

build nuclear—powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the us. our australia correspondent shaimaa khalil explains what this means for the country. it is a big dealfor australia, and a substantial boost to its defence capabilities. it is also a significant step by both the uk and the us, a clear message about how seriously they are taking security and stability in the indo pacific, and the positioning of australia as a key player in ensuring that their interest in the region are well protected. for the first time the us is sharing nuclear propulsion technologies with australia, among other things including cyber, quantum technologies, as well as artificial intelligence. the three leaders reiterated that these will not be nuclear armed submarines. they will be nuclear propelled, or powered submarines. in a separate press conference we heard from the australian prime minister scott morrison who said that the relatively benign

environment that this region has enjoyed for decades is now behind us. he called this partnership a forever partnership, and said that these were game changing technologies, for game changing developments in the area. now, the optics of this announcement werejust as crucial as now, the optics of this announcement were just as crucial as the announcement itself. the three leaders of the us, uk and australia, appearing together via video conference. that sends a message of the strength of the alliance, and while officials have said that this wasn't really about any particular country, there is very little doubt that, at the heart of this, is a concern about china's growing influence and military presence in the region. don't forget as well, the region. don't forget as well, the other dynamic at play. the worsening relationship between australia and china, that saw beijing imposing a number of economic sanctions on canberra. now,

with this global rivalry between the united states and china growing and sharpening, and that aligns with the united states, between the us and australia getting stronger, we can expect that tensions will grow between australia, and its key trade partner, china. isabel hilton is a journalist who has reported extensively from china and hong kong. thank you for your time today. what do you think of this pack? what does it tell us about the threat from china as the west sees it? china has sent a china as the west sees it? china has spent a great _ china as the west sees it? china has spent a great deal _ china as the west sees it? china has spent a great deal is _ china as the west sees it? china has spent a great deal is building - china as the west sees it? china has spent a great deal is building up - spent a great deal is building up its armed forces recently including its armed forces recently including its maritime armed forces, which is a relatively new development for china so from the acquisition of the second planned aircraft carrier to a substantial submarine fleet, and the militarisation of the south china

sea and the steady acquisition of port facilities across the pacific, this presents a profile of a country that has a greatly increased capacity, and even if that capacity is not intended to be aggressive, it has given china the capacity to deny access, essentially, to other forces, because it poses a real threat, even to the us navy, which hitherto has been the most powerful in the world, and may still be but is nevertheless threatened by these developments. is nevertheless threatened by these developments-— is nevertheless threatened by these developments. there has been a lot of talk about — developments. there has been a lot of talk about taiwan. _ developments. there has been a lot of talk about taiwan. do _ developments. there has been a lot of talk about taiwan. do you - developments. there has been a lot of talk about taiwan. do you think. of talk about taiwan. do you think the chinese leadership have real intent there �*s the the chinese leadership have real intent there '_ intent there 's the chinese leadership _ intent there 's the chinese leadership has _ intent there 's the chinese leadership has a _ intent there 's the chinese leadership has a real - intent there 's the chinese - leadership has a real intention as they would put it to "recover" thai wine and what is in doubt and the timing. i personally do not think that the chinese leadership is keen to launch an armed assault on pie

because it would have pretty catastrophic global consequences. —— assault on taiwan. but we cannot rule it out depending on what else might be going on, if china has a major internal crisis or it feels that taiwan is reaching for actual independence then that might precipitate something, and then, for britain, and this is quite a surprising move for britain, and i think it illustrates the dilemma, the quandary, that britain finds itself in post—brexit, that it is caught between two ambitions, one, to have a very strong and warm relationship with china for economic reasons and the other two have strong, warm relations with the united states more traditional strategic security reasons, and these two are increasingly in conflict, so for britain, were there to be an armed conflict over taiwan, and given that britain has now committed itself to this security

relationship, would britain fight? i think this is a question that the prime minister is going to have to think about very hard at this point. what was the chinese coverage of events in afghanistan �*s it looked too many like a retreat by the us and uk, against what happened in afghanistan, with the taliban backed by countries like pakistan, which is backed by china? does that mean that china will feel less worried about any increased aggression, thinking that ultimately the us is not going to stand up against it in the way that they have done in the past? the chinese that they have done in the past? t“t2 chinese groove from the us with role and the manner and haste orbit, that perhaps the united states for domestic political reasons had lost its appetite for being the global policeman. —— the chinese drew. but that doesn't read across directly to

theissues that doesn't read across directly to the issues we have been discussing, because the whole world has an interest in staff —— free passage across the south china sea, and china has consolidated its position within the first island chain including the south china sea, and could in theory do great different —— great damage to the free passage of goods and shipping in that area, so even if the united states has given up on nation—building, or on the endless war in afghanistan, it is unlikely to give up on being a pacific naval power, because that is a much more fundamental part of economic dominance, of security dominance. there are real strategic security issues in play, they are. and the other thing about afghanistan, although china to size the united states for being in afghanistan and for leaving afghanistan, the fact is that china has vital interests in afghanistan

which it is going to have to look after, and it is pretty complicated, including, for china, this could destabilise the region. it has investments in the belt and road, it is a close ally of pakistan, and this will take a lot of chinese management and it is a strategic challenge that china has not yet had to face. ~ , ., challenge that china has not yet had to face. ~ i. ., ., ~' challenge that china has not yet had to face. ~ i. ., ., ~ ., ., challenge that china has not yet had to face. ~ i. ., ., ., to face. when you look over all that the growth — to face. when you look over all that the growth of _ to face. when you look over all that the growth of china's _ to face. when you look over all that the growth of china's influence - the growth of china's influence around the world, do you think this move that we are seeing announced this week, is it enough? is it too late, in a way? previous governments here in the uk, this conservative government under david cameron, reached out to china. some say, bromley. reached out to china. some say, bromle . ., , ., ., ., bromley. -- romly. the language of the olden bromley. -- romly. the language of the golden decade _ bromley. -- romly. the language of the golden decade and _ bromley. -- romly. the language of the golden decade and being - bromley. -- romly. the language of the golden decade and being china's| the golden decade and being china's best friend in the west, we not hearing that any more and it would not resonate in beijing, if it were. the difficulty with china, it is a

very difficult —— different —— different proposition to the conflict with the soviet union because it is the world's second largest economy and we are deeply entwined in terms of economic relations, the supply chain, questions which are now global, so it is a complicated business. i think that it is quite important to set some red lines, but be prepared to stick to them. a lot of chinese influence is wielded in non—military terms, but in economic terms, it is wielded in the united nations where, for example, resolutions criticising china's contact are defeated because china's contact are defeated because china wields tremendous influence in the general assembly by virtue of being the world's second largest economy. so it is a complicated set of pensions. we have to live with

china —— tensions. we are working out how to live with china, how we cooperate, and where we do not, and you can see the european union and the united states and indeed great britain grapple with where there's different boundaries are, and we will continue to grapple, i am afraid. the first space mission in history to be crewed entirely by amateur astronauts has taken off from florida. the four civilians on board include a healthcare worker, a scientist, a data analyst and a billionaire. they'll spend the next three days circling earth. our north america correspondent, david willis, has more. after months of rigorous training, it was time to slip into the custom—made spacesuits and make their way to the launch pad for a milestone flight into orbit. a trip funded by billionaire businessmanjared isaacman to raise funds for charity,

the crew also includes sian proctor, the first black woman to pilot a spacecraft as well as 29 year old cancer survivor hayley arceneaux. i definitely am excited to represent those that aren't physically perfect. i want to bring this experience back and share with everyone i encounter, and just what this represents for the new age in space travel and who can be an astronaut. after being helped into their seats by the ground crew, it was time for lift—off. a remotely controlled space capsule atop a reusable spacex rocket, powering into orbit from florida's famous kennedy space center. destined to transport the quartet of amateur space travellers deeper than the international space station. spacex is hoping to schedule flights like this around six times a year. after circling the globe once every 90 minutes at a speed of roughly 17,000 miles an hour, the craft is expected to touch down

off the coast of florida in three days' time. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. with millions of visitors each year, national parks are among the most popular tourist destinations in the uk. but competition to be awarded the special status of national park can be fierce, because of the investment that comes with the title. now, campaigners behind one unsuccessful bid — the south pennines in the north of england — say a new system of recognition is needed. judy hobson reports. in the hills above burnley, it's obvious to see why this area was once in the running to become a national park. this rich landscape is steeped in cultural and industrial heritage. but what the south pennines doesn't have is a brand. above us is burnley, pendle hill. sweeping across, you've got the yorkshire dales in the background. helen noble is on a

mission to change that. she wants the south pennines to be recognised as a national landscape which she believes will help protect it. it would certainly give everyone a sense of place, somewhere that's well known. but for us, it's very much about bringing that investment into the area. this deserves being looked after. it deserves that investment and for us, the community and the landscape has great diversity, and we think that should be celebrated. the south pennines park covers 460 square miles, cutting across greater manchester, lancashire and yorkshire, and its home to 450,000 people. why notjust have this area designated a national park? very simply, we don't want to be bound by the legislation that might bring us. what we want is a park that's agile, that can adapt to the challenges that it faces, and we think that this new approach, doing things differently, will help us to achieve that. this is a local landmark,

the singing ringing tree. walkers here told us why they think the area is so special. it'sjust stunning, everywhere you look you've got magnificent views. it's like everything, the amount of money that you can spend on it, the better it's going to be. i it's just a really lovely placel to walk, just look at the view. where else would you go? it's on your doorstep. it's that sense of place, the stunning uplands that we are currently at, but also that intermixed with the urban areas and the mill towns and the wonderful people that live here. many local councils and businesses are behind the campaign, which aims to protect this landscape for everyone to enjoy. judy hobson, bbc news. that is where i grew up and it is

stunning, i can confirm. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. a pleasant september day out there for many, a few changes on the way to the west. this satellite chart from earlier shows cloud spilling in through the night into the morning and that is creeping across parts of ireland and west of scotland through the rest of the day so it will turn cloudy, with rain spreading into the west of northern ireland. staying dry for some with sunny spells in the afternoon and some strength of that september sunshine. temperatures in the high teens and low 20s. the light winds help with that warm feel in the east with more of a breeze developing towards the west. that weather front starting to push its way in. rain on and off through the night in northern ireland and increasingly to the north and west of scotland, with one or two splashes further east, cumbria and northumberland to see some drizzle, but mostly staying dry, some mist and fog patches through the night, and these are the temperatures

as you start the day tomorrow, rural areas probably down into single figures. tomorrow you notice the weather front on the chart, that weather front is struggling to push its way eastwards in any hurry. wind is all blowing along it so some bursts of rain rippling northwards on it, particularly across western scotland and northern ireland, maybe edging into western wales and cornwall. away from that, eastern scotland, england and wales are staying dry with a little bit more of a breeze but nothing desperately strong, and like today temperatures up into the low 20s in sunny spells, particularly across eastern wales and england. going through friday night into the weekend, that weather front moves east was but notice how it grinds to a halt. with thing still static, getting difficult to pinpoint exactly where the showers and downpours could be on saturday. there will not be many around, but to the east of scotland and south—west of wales, we are most likely to see some showers at times, varying cloud,

when cloud breaks up the sunshine comes through and it should feel pleasant with temperatures in the high teens, low 20s. some ripples running along that weather front into sunday, bringing more showers, into northern england and parts of southern scotland, across central and southern areas but away from the showers, it is going to be another pleasant day. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news, the headlines: britain, the united states and australia agree a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence. it announced two new pillar of our strategy, generating britain's commitment to the indo pacific and showing exactly how we can help one of our oldest friends preserve regional stability. the prime minister is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. today is the deadline for care staff or volunteers who work in residential and nursing homes in england to have their first dose of the covid vaccine.

the mother of a five—year—old boy wins a high court case against the environment agency over a staffordshire landfill site — accused of emitting noxious gases that risk shortening her son's life. also coming up this hour: out of this world — four amateur astronauts, including a billionaire — will spend the next three days circling the earth in the latest milestone for space tourism. the uk, the us and australia have launched a new security partnership — with plans to develop a fleet of nuclear powered submarines. borisjohnson says the project will be crucial for the protection of their shared interests in the region. president biden called the agreement a �*historical step.�* china has condemned the agreement

as "extremely irresponsible". speaking in the commons, the prime minister explained what the agreement meant to the asia—pacific region. the integrated review of foreign and defence policy described britain's renewed focus on the indo—pacific, a region that is fast becoming the geopolitical centre of the world, ever more important for british trade, and therefore for british jobs and british livelihoods. if there was any question about what global britain's tilt towards the indo—pacific would mean in reality or what capabilities we might offer, then this partnership with australia and the us provides the answer. it amounts to a new pillar of our strategy, demonstrating britain's generational commitment to the security of the indo—pacific and showing exactly how we can help one of our oldest friends to preserve regional stability.

the labour leader, keir starmer, said his party welcomed the agreement — but did urge that the treaty didn't harm the uk's commercial and environmental relationships with china. the strategic review identified china as a systemic competitor, and china's assertiveness does pose risks to uk interests in a secure pacific region, in stable trading environments, and in democracy and human rights. we need to deal with those risks, defend our values and defend our interests. but the same review also rightly stated that the uk must maintain a commercial relationship with china and we must work with them on the defining global issues of the day, like climate change and pandemic preparedness.

without diplomatic strategy and skill, those goals will come into conflict. let's get more on how the agreement will work — our defence correspondentjonathan beale reports. britain's decision to send its aircraft carrier hms queen elizabeth and other warships to the pacific is proof of the growing strategic importance of the region. the uk, us and australia are all increasingly concerned about a more assertive china. hence the decision to step up their military cooperation. and important enough for the leaders of all three countries to announce this new defence partnership, aukus for short. the uk, australia and the us will be joined even more closely together. reflecting the measure of trust between us. the depth of our friendship, and the enduring strength of our shared values of freedom and democracy.

we need to be able to address both the current strategic environment in the region, and how it may evolve. because the future of each of our nation and indeed the world depends on a free and open indo pacific enduring and flourishing in the decades ahead. as a start, britain and america will help australia build a new fleet of nuclear powered, but not nuclear armed, submarines. australia had originally asked france to help modernise its submarines, but that deal is now dead. it's not yet clear how the work will be shared, but britain hopes it will boost its defence industry. bae systems already builds the royal navy submarines and rolls—royce, the nuclear reactors. though british officials insist this defence partnership is not a response to any one country, but about stability and security in the indo—pacific, it will not be welcomed by china. jonathan beale, bbc news. damian grammaticas is in westminsterfor us.

this has been billed as a pretty big announcement and they are not naming jonah but— announcement and they are not naming jonah but that is the key but growing _ jonah but that is the key but growing threat, isn't it? —— mark china _ this is all about strengthening relationships with the a view to the assertiveness of china anders military expansion and expansion of its navy and military activities in the south china sea and increasing deployment of its navy into the indian ocean, the pacific ocean so all of this is about it and what is seen as china's assertiveness with which it has been dealing with countries like astoria and its neighbours in south—east asia. the prime minister very obviously in the statement he made a little earlier in the house of commons didn't mention china and try to skirt around that whatever he could, to

try to delicately trade around that issue but he was asked pointedly by several different members of parliament and the leader of the opposition and in those answers he said this was not adversarial towards china, china should understand this was not a revolutionary step and there were trade partnerships established with the stroller and when asked by his predecessor theresa may what the implications would be if china invaded taiwan he said it international law would be preserved and he said it was all about international law and freedom of navigation and preserve the balance in the indio pacific and indian ocean region. i'm joined now by the shadow foreign secretary, lisa nandy.

is this the right strategy for the uk? it looks as though it may be part of a partnership very much going against china, despite the fact it is such a big economic power and military power and this government has made efforts to do business with it. tt government has made efforts to do business with it.— business with it. it has been a good start and we _ business with it. it has been a good start and we have _ business with it. it has been a good start and we have been _ business with it. it has been a good start and we have been urging - business with it. it has been a good start and we have been urging fori start and we have been urging for some time we need close cooperation with our allies in order to cope with our allies in order to cope with the challenge china presents, china is deeply embedded in the global economy including here in the uk and there is no global challenge that can be solved without the active participation of the chinese government whether it be climate change are covid. we have seen genocide committed and the rights and freedoms of people in hong kong in particular have been eroded. it

is right in my view for the government to be working much more closely with our allies, particularly with australia who has been working on the frontier and from whom we can learn as well as support. but this is only the start of a much more coherent approach from the government towards china and we can't continue the situation where one government department is rolling out the red carpet while the other is sanctioning chinese officials. we need a proper strategy to deal with this at home as well as abroad. �* ., ., ., ~' to deal with this at home as well as abroad. �* ., ., ., ~ .,. ., ., abroad. and if china took action on taiwan, abroad. and if china took action on taiwan. which _ abroad. and if china took action on taiwan, which theresa _ abroad. and if china took action on taiwan, which theresa may - abroad. and if china took action on taiwan, which theresa may raised| abroad. and if china took action on | taiwan, which theresa may raised in the house of commons today, would the house of commons today, would the ukjoin in assertive the house of commons today, would the uk join in assertive action? the house of commons today, would the ukjoin in assertive action? t the ukjoin in assertive action? i have to agree for once with the prime minister because it is about promoting peace and security in the region by providing much greater

balance. that is one of the reasons we have been urging the government for closer cooperation with our partners for some time and i think this will be a way to promote this balance and try to prevent that scenario from coming to pass. in the end china wants to be a global player, it is in the interest of china to have a constructive relationship with the rest of the world including the uk and the announcement today the help to create the conditions in which that will occur. , ., ., will occur. there is a new foreign secretary. _ will occur. there is a new foreign secretary. liz _ will occur. there is a new foreign secretary, liz truss _ will occur. there is a new foreign secretary, liz truss is _ will occur. there is a new foreign secretary, liz truss is she - will occur. there is a new foreign secretary, liz truss is she the - secretary, liz truss is she the right person sickness forward being that she has been very focused on global britain and trade deals? th global britain and trade deals? t�*l my view i would be the right global britain and trade deals? t�*t my view i would be the right person to do that and i was very much hoping for a woman to be at the second time at the foreign office but i was hoping it would be me he

let mike rather than her. i think it is time to reset what has been our youth approach for the past decade. the international relationship and decade three allowances europe —— make alliances with europe and we have seen as an unreliable partner on the world stage. i think this gives us an opportunity to reset that confused and incoherent approach. i very much hope in the interests of britain does. she was very much i remain free the brexit referendum but very much got in touch with brexit after the board. —— she was very much supporting remain. —— after the vote for brexit. we have certainly seen it at the three department about free trade with the rest of the world and i have serious concerns about the

way it is been used to rort some of the core principles and values britain has tried to uphold whether it be climate change are the environment or food standards of the right of our workforce in britain. i was somebody who campaigned to remain but i'm very focused and forced britain becoming a success but that success cannot come at the expense of our environment what our workforce, living conditions hid in the uk. that —— here in the uk. that is not what brexit is all about. dominic raab has been ousted. do you feel sorry for him? what you think of the reshuffle so far? fin a feel sorry for him? what you think of the reshuffle so far? on a human level sympathy _ of the reshuffle so far? on a human level sympathy for _ of the reshuffle so far? on a human level sympathy for anyone - of the reshuffle so far? on a human level sympathy for anyone who - of the reshuffle so far? on a human| level sympathy for anyone who goes to a reshuffle, i have been through them myself many time on our benches

and a really unpleasant experience. i think it is extraordinary that he remained in the post for so long after presiding over the greatest foreign policy crisis in a generation and it is really extraordinary the result of that was the prime minister chose to promote him to deputy prime minister only in this government would she be promoted. after that series of failures of that order.- failures of that order. election footin: , failures of that order. election footing. it _ failures of that order. election footing, it doesn't _ failures of that order. election footing, it doesn't look- failures of that order. election footing, it doesn't look like i failures of that order. election i footing, it doesn't look like that is what the government is focused on? is labour ready? idate is what the government is focused on? is labour ready?— on? is labour ready? we will be ready whenever _ on? is labour ready? we will be ready whenever that _ on? is labour ready? we will be ready whenever that moment . on? is labour ready? we will be i ready whenever that moment comes because the country needs us to do so, notjust as an opposition but as an alternative and that is very much what keir and i are focused on. you're watching bbc news.

we will keep you updated on the defence agreement. the mother of a five—year—old boy has won her high court case against the environment agency over the regulation of a staffordshire landfill site accused of emitting noxious gases that risk shortening her son's life. joining me now is the mother of mathew richards, rebecca currie, and also rebekah carrier, the lawyer representing this case. thank you both very much indeed for joining us. tell us the reaction to thejudgment you have heard joining us. tell us the reaction to the judgment you have heard today. it's just amazing, that i know it'sjust amazing, that i know otherwise. we have won it. —— there

are no— otherwise. we have won it. —— there are no other— otherwise. we have won it. —— there are no other words. why otherwise. we have won it. -- there are no other words.— are no other words. why are you expecting _ are no other words. why are you expecting it? — are no other words. why are you expecting it? so _ are no other words. why are you expecting it? so much _ are no other words. why are you expecting it? so much i- are no other words. why are you expecting it? so much i didn't i are no other words. why are you i expecting it? so much i didn't know what i was expecting. so might it has come as a shock. i didn't expect to high court in london and to come out and win it. t high court in london and to come out and win it. ~ , ., , and win it. i think it is really overwhelming _ and win it. i think it is really overwhelming not _ and win it. i think it is really overwhelming notjust i and win it. i think it is really overwhelming not just for l and win it. i think it is really i overwhelming notjust for her and the rest of her community who have been living with here that smells really bad for months and months —— living with er conditions. her son has a serious health condition and she was doing what she could to get better for she was doing what she could to get betterfor him.

i don't know if you've been able to explain to him he is too young to understand it. tie explain to him he is too young to understand it.— explain to him he is too young to understand it. ., , ,, ., , understand it. he does know there is somethin: understand it. he does know there is something going _ understand it. he does know there is something going on _ understand it. he does know there is something going on and _ understand it. he does know there is something going on and over- understand it. he does know there is something going on and over the i understand it. he does know there is| something going on and over the last few months but he doesn't knowjust how big it is. few months but he doesn't know “ust how big it is.— how big it is. what does it now mean? what — how big it is. what does it now mean? what are _ how big it is. what does it now mean? what are the _ how big it is. what does it now mean? what are the legal- mean? what are the legal implications of this? the mean? what are the legal im - lications of this? implications of this? the 'udgment civen toda implications of this? the 'udgment given today focuses i implications of this? the 'udgment given today focuses very i implications of this? the judgment given today focuses very much i implications of this? the judgment given today focuses very much on i given today focuses very much on what the environment agency needs to do moving forward to prevent breaches of the right to life of matthew and he is a very sick little boy and the evidence was that the emissions were shortening his light. the environment agency or other body with responsibility to make sure we all have clean air to breathe and matthew needs to act for him more decisively and reduce their

emissions so the report gave the levels which is very difficult and scientific staff but essentially they said that as soon as possible they said that as soon as possible the people in silverdale must live with the level of emissions below the level at which they will smell it and by january at the level of emissions has to come down to a level that is safe for matthew and other vulnerable people. the focus on the whole case was on matthew and his health which becky was told by his health which becky was told by his consultant was being affected and the also talked about and looked at the fact about it with other vulnerable children and vulnerable elderly people and people who cannot live their daily lives because the homes are filled with toxic gas. it's all about what environment agency do next. for it's all about what environment agency do next-— it's all about what environment agency do next. for your son, how difficult has _ agency do next. for your son, how difficult has it — agency do next. for your son, how difficult has it been _ agency do next. for your son, how difficult has it been to _ agency do next. for your son, how difficult has it been to watch i agency do next. for your son, how difficult has it been to watch mbli difficult has it been to watch mbl with this background, what do you

hope now? to watch him being ill? tt is very difficult to watch a son coughing and vomiting and choking and you going to his room in the morning and you're hit with a brick wall of toxic gas. it really has not been nice but i am hoping know matthew will be able to grow to play in the garden and the local part and not be poisoned. —— and in the local park space. not be poisoned. -- and in the local park space-— not be poisoned. -- and in the local park space. she said she went to the local caravan — park space. she said she went to the local caravan park _ park space. she said she went to the local caravan park in _ park space. she said she went to the local caravan park in rhyl_ park space. she said she went to the local caravan park in rhyl and i park space. she said she went to the local caravan park in rhyl and she i local caravan park in rhyl and she said matthew slept and did not have to use _ said matthew slept and did not have to use his_ said matthew slept and did not have to use his inhalers and could run around _ to use his inhalers and could run around like _ to use his inhalers and could run around like a normal little boy and as soon _ around like a normal little boy and as soon as — around like a normal little boy and as soon as he came home she said he had to— as soon as he came home she said he had to use _ as soon as he came home she said he had to use his— as soon as he came home she said he had to use his inhalers and could not run _ had to use his inhalers and could not run around and the smell was terrible — not run around and the smell was terrible. that is terrible because the outcome is a little child being

poisoned — the outcome is a little child being poisoned in his own home. an poisoned in his own home. gi�*i extraordinary portrait you poisoned in his own home. gi�*t extraordinary portrait you paint for us. thank you both very much and congratulations on your victory. we will follow up i am sure on this see what changes i made. —— see what the changes are. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's katherine downes england's women will welcome three of the world's top sides next february for the first staging of a new annual invitational women's tournament. the lionesses will be joined by germany and spain, both also ranked in fifa's top ten — with the fourth competing nation to be announced soon. there'll be three double—header matches played across seven days in a round—robin format. we may only be seven games into the new championship season, but nottingham forest are now looking for a new manager. afterjust 11 months in charge,

manager chris hughton has been sacked this morning. forest are bottom of the league, with just one point from their first seven games — their worst start to a season for 108 years. leicester, west ham, rangers and celtic are all in europa league action this evening, with spurs playing at rennes in the new europa conference league. fans will no doubt be hoping for another entertaining night's football following last night's goal—fest in the champion's league which included manchester city's 6—3 win over red bull leipzig. jack grealish scored on his champions league debut and city's manager pep guardiola promised that this was just the start of things to come. hopefully it can be the first of many. i have the feeling that every day he is playing better in many things, i'm pretty sure he will be better in the future and yeah, his contribution was again high, it was good and delight for his game.

now rugby union and george north has signed a new two—year dual contract with ospreys and the welsh rugby union. north has played 102 internationals for wales and three tests for the british and irish lions. the wales back is currently sidelined by a long—term knee ligament injury suffered in april. four—times world champion sebastian vettel and canadian lance stroll, son of the owner, will race for aston martin again next season in an unchanged driver line—up. vettel won four formula one championships in a row with red bull between 2010 and 2013. executive chairman lawrence stroll said that he was "delighted to be continuing with such an excellent blend of youthful talent and experienced expertise," mo farah's former coach, alberto salazar, will have to serve the whole of his four—year ban after losing his appeal in the court of arbitration for sport. salazar was banned for a series of doping violations by the us anti doping agency two years ago, and appealed the decision. salazar ran the nike oregon project, which was the training base of mo farah. farah has not been accused of

doping, and left the set—up in 2017. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories, plus all the build up to england women's first one day international against new zealand in bristol on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport after a ruthless day of firing and hiring, the prime minister is set to continue the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. yesterday he fired his education, justice and housing secretaries and demoted others as he reshapes his senior team. dominic raab is no longer foreign secretary — he's justice secretary and deputy prime minister — with liz truss becoming only

the second woman in history to hold the post of foreign secretary. gavin williamson — widely criticised for his handling of schools examinations in england — has been sacked as education secretary and leaves the government. mr williamson has been replaced by the former vaccines minister as we were just hearing — there are big changes at the department for education. let's talk about this with the national education union. their general secretary is kevin courtney and hejoins me now disappointed to lose gavin williamson? t disappointed to lose gavin williamson?— disappointed to lose gavin williamson? , , g, williamson? i said yesterday we are sor -- williamson? i said yesterday we are sorry -- we — williamson? i said yesterday we are sorry -- we can _ williamson? i said yesterday we are sorry -- we can pretend _ williamson? i said yesterday we are sorry -- we can pretend that i williamson? i said yesterday we are sorry -- we can pretend that gavin i sorry —— we can pretend that gavin williamson is gone and we are sorry but we are looking forward to working with nadhim zahawi and that is a lot to do in the light of covid and the levelling up agenda. we do not know who will be the schools minister as nick gibb has lost his position but we want to engage and there is a lot to work on around

covid and gcse exams and one third of children feel these exams every year because of the way we set the boundary and teacher recruitment and retention and primary skill assessment. there is so much want to talk about and see what common agenda we can forge.— talk about and see what common agenda we can forge. there has been seen to be some _ agenda we can forge. there has been seen to be some grade _ agenda we can forge. there has been seen to be some grade inflation i agenda we can forge. there has been seen to be some grade inflation and. seen to be some grade inflation and some of the exam results in the last two years and chaotic systems for deciding exams. what needs to happen and what does government now need to do to try to give a clear focus for next summer?— do to try to give a clear focus for next summer? there is a question about next — next summer? there is a question about next summer. _ next summer? there is a question about next summer. there i next summer? there is a question about next summer. there is i next summer? there is a question about next summer. there is lastl about next summer. there is last summer, next summer and future summers to come. last summer gavin williamson just refused to engage with any discussion of any plan b. we were approaching him and senior civil servants in october of last year saying we know you want exams to run but if they cannot let stock know about the measures if they cannot. he wouldn't do that and that led to more stress for students and

more workload for teachers. we are going to have an issue next summer that the children taking gcse exams next summer will have missed more education and other european groups by a long way so there is what we have to do in detail around that. but we need to look at gcse exams as a whole. i had the ex head of ofsted on the bbc today programme this morning saying he thought there was an argument for wholesale reform of gcse and assessing children at 18 rather than 16.— rather than 16. would you back scra -in~ rather than 16. would you back scrapping gcse? _ rather than 16. would you back scrapping gcse? there - rather than 16. would you back scrapping gcse? there are i rather than 16. would you back i scrapping gcse? there are certainly thins scrapping gcse? there are certainly things going — scrapping gcse? there are certainly things going really _ scrapping gcse? there are certainly things going really badly _ scrapping gcse? there are certainly things going really badly wrong. i scrapping gcse? there are certainly things going really badly wrong. atl things going really badly wrong. at the moment government decides, they decide grade boundaries which mean one third of children every year get a failing grade for the english and maths gcses and most of those children, there are many more of those in the red wall seats so any incoming conservative government

minister that is committed to levelling up with needs to look at that issue with us. the news to be a consultation about the future of gcse but most countries that have education going to 18 would not have the whole number of exams we have at the whole number of exams we have at the age of 16 so there is something to look at on that.— to look at on that. does that need to look at on that. does that need to ha en to look at on that. does that need to happen right— to look at on that. does that need to happen right now? _ to look at on that. does that need to happen right now? i _ to look at on that. does that need to happen right now? ithink- to look at on that. does that need to happen right now? i think your| to happen right now? i think your colleagues have talked about whether gcses are fit for purpose. does that need to happen immediately with this new minister and post? that need to happen immediately with this new minister and post?— new minister and post? that will not ha en new minister and post? that will not happen before _ new minister and post? that will not happen before next _ new minister and post? that will not happen before next summer- new minister and post? that will not happen before next summer so i new minister and post? that will not | happen before next summer so there is the immediatejob happen before next summer so there is the immediate job of looking at the exams children will do next summer but having gone through this experience and seeing how much stress there is in those exams at 16, there is a call and a place know to look further ahead at changes on that and it is notjust my union

that and it is notjust my union that are saying that, the times has got an education commission looking at that. that is not the agenda we need to look at. we need to look at covid has disrupted the education of children across the country but there has been more disruption if your parents have to go out for a living and can't work from home and if your mother is a cleaner or your father is a cleaner or if they are security guards are are working outdoors they are more likely to have got covid and you're more likely to have missed education and we can see that statistically and that means children in the red wall seats for the conservatives and the red wall seats will have missed education and we need to think about how we reduce that and how we have c02 monitors in place and ventilation. we want to work with nadhim zahawi an education copy.

kevin collins wanted £15 billion and 3 billion has been promised so far. we want more education recovery the more disadvantaged schoolers and since 2015 schools were cut in funding. this started getting some of that money back but the school is the most disadvantaged were cut the most sole schools in the red wall seats cut the most so when a government looking at levelling up needs to look at those issues with us as well, as you can imagine we would want to say, teacher recruitment and retention and proper support for staff and skills really need to be the focus for schools. fix, need to be the focus for schools. a big intro for nadhim zahawi. have you reached out to him during his appointment and given that he is a very successful business person in his own right, will he bring private sector focus and drive to this? gavin williamson was also a private—sector businessman before being enrolled so that not

automatically bring success but i think nadhim zahawi, what we want to see and what we hope is he will have a hearing with the prime minister and with the treasury and we would want with them on increasing that level with the treasury and the prime minister and we hope you listen to us and the profession and listening to my union and other unions in the and work with us on that. so we are really open to doing that. so we are really open to doing that. we are not party politically affiliated so we are very opt for working with him but there is a very big agenda. i am not here setting out a shopping list of a whole set of trades union demands, i am saying there are a lot of issues in education that need resolving. he won't be able to resolve, nobody could resolve all of them immediately so we would like to work with him on forging a common agenda of the stars to address them and lays out a plan for addressing them.

the primary assessment has grown so much in this country that curriculum is quite dry and our primary schools. that needs to be looked at. we are really different to other countries around the other advanced educational countries, so there is a big agenda of work that could be done. . ~ big agenda of work that could be done. ., ~ i. big agenda of work that could be done. . ~' ,, , big agenda of work that could be done. ., ~ i. , . poor—quality housing in england is causing thousands of deaths every year, according to a new report from the centre for ageing better. the charity has called on the government to give more attention to the millions of homes falling below decent living standards. the ministry of housing says it's working hard to improve the quality of homes across england. henry smith is from the centre for better ageing, the charity behind the report. thank you forjoining us. what are your key findings? ailiilur thank you forjoining us. what are your key findings?— thank you forjoining us. what are your key findings? our homes ought to be a sanctuary, _ your key findings? our homes ought to be a sanctuary, a _ your key findings? our homes ought to be a sanctuary, a place _

your key findings? our homes ought to be a sanctuary, a place where - your key findings? our homes ought to be a sanctuary, a place where we| to be a sanctuary, a place where we feel safe and can house to our friends and neighbours, where we can thrive but the reality is that over £4 billion while the most basic health and safety standards. nearly half of them are lived in by somebody over the age of 55 and the older you get the more likely you are to live in one of these homes so our homes are literally killing us. we have this incessant focus on home—building but we are not recognising that our existing homes are a national asset we need to invest in. ~ . are a national asset we need to invest im— are a national asset we need to invest in-_ are a national asset we need to invest in. ~ . ., ., , invest in. which are the worst part ofthe invest in. which are the worst part of the country? — invest in. which are the worst part of the country? there _ invest in. which are the worst part of the country? there are - invest in. which are the worst part of the country? there are areas i of the country? there are areas across the _ of the country? there are areas across the country _ of the country? there are areas across the country and - of the country? there are areas across the country and one - of the country? there are areas across the country and one of i of the country? there are areas i across the country and one of the most important thing is we want to do is set up a good home agency in every part of the country, a network to provide trusted information and advice, links to financial products available and trusted tradespeople. people do not have the confidence and trust in their own abilities to improve their homes so we need to

seek this network available in every part of the country. we seek this network available in every part of the country.— part of the country. we have a new housin: part of the country. we have a new housing minister, _ part of the country. we have a new housing minister, michael - part of the country. we have a new housing minister, michael gove, . part of the country. we have a new| housing minister, michael gove, as part of the reshuffle yesterday, presumably a bigger focus on part of the reshuffle yesterday, presumably a biggerfocus on housing and its many complex challenges. what are the single moves by government you would urge him to do? we need to provide government backed loans. finance is one of the biggest barriers to people improving their homes so government loans, as they have done across the country, across the world rather, we know that they work, we know government can provide those loans and there is a huge opportunity when decarbonising our housing stock to make other changes, the other hazards in the homes that hinder people's help so we need to take a holistic approach to improving our housing stock. there are rants improving our housing stock. there are grants to _ improving our housing stock. there are grants to try — improving our housing stock. there are grants to try and _ improving our housing stock. there are grants to try and improve - are grants to try and improve housing but it's complicated, people worry about the disruption and

expense but it's urgent, isn't it? absolutely, there was no way we can meet our net zero commitments without improving the energy efficiency of our homes and addressing the fact they are too cold in the winter and overheating in the summer so we have to address our housing stock, we have to decarbonise it before it's too late. why has britain's housing been allowed to fall into the state of disrepair? allowed to fall into the state of disre air? ., , , .. , allowed to fall into the state of disre air? ., , , .., , ., disrepair? there has been decades of underinvestment _ disrepair? there has been decades of underinvestment in _ disrepair? there has been decades of underinvestment in housing - disrepair? there has been decades of underinvestment in housing stock. i disrepair? there has been decades of| underinvestment in housing stock. we haven't prioritised it is the key national infrastructure it is, we instead focused on home—building which is important but we haven't looked at the existing problem or homes present, we haven't recognised this health link to our housing. many people don't acknowledge that health conditions are linked to the quality of their housing. during the pandemic we have all been stuck in our homes and we all know about the

problems in our housing so we have to make the most of this recognition across government and across the public and grab the opportunity with the decarbonisation agenda to improve our housing stock. in the decarbonisation agenda to improve our housing stock. in terms ofthe improve our housing stock. in terms of the research _ improve our housing stock. in terms of the research you _ improve our housing stock. in terms of the research you did, _ improve our housing stock. in terms of the research you did, what - improve our housing stock. in terms of the research you did, what was i of the research you did, what was the most shocking set of findings about how bad housing is? what are people living with day in, day out? we held dialogues with people across ten years and some of the findings were shocking, people saying their homes were killing them, they don't have the access to finance or trusted information and they don't have the confidence to seek help so it comes down to this important role at local areas, it comes down to this important role at localareas, places it comes down to this important role at local areas, places people can go to for information. people are crying out for help and don't understand why there is not greater recognition of the need to improve our housing services are called to government, you must recognise the

serious well—being impact that our housing have and especially on the nhs, with an ageing population that challenges all of us will have as we get older with limited mobility, we will be spending more time in our homes and therefore more susceptible to the problem is that poor quality housing presents.— to the problem is that poor quality housing presents. henry smith, thank ou. the supreme court in cyprus has begun hearing an appeal by a british woman, who was convicted of lying about being raped by a group of israeli men and teenagers. the 21—year—old was charged with wasting police time after retracting a claim that she'd been attacked in aiya napa injuly 2019. our correspondent anna holligan is following the trial. you might remember this case because it reverberated around the world, this young woman, 19 at that time, she went to the police think she had been right by up to 12 young men in

a hotel room in the resort of ayia napa. she was then accused of lying and eventually convicted of public mischief which is essentially wasting police time so the hearing has just ended, wasting police time so the hearing hasjust ended, her wasting police time so the hearing has just ended, her lawyers wasting police time so the hearing hasjust ended, her lawyers have beenin hasjust ended, her lawyers have been in court and made two main arguments, the first was they said the original retraction statement should never have been included in this trial because of the way it was secured so they say she was held inside the police station for more than six hours without a lawyer or translator, she was put under extreme pressure at a time when she was suffering from post—traumatic stress disorder because of the alleged sex attack. cypriot police denied any wrongdoing and her lawyers also referred to the evidence from a forensic linguist who said a british teenager could never have written the statement and their second ground was they said their second ground was they said the original trialjudge didn't give

her a fair the original trialjudge didn't give hera fair hearing the original trialjudge didn't give her a fair hearing so he wouldn't let her lawyers at the time, and we were there watching this, he wouldn't let him talk about the alleged right. he kept on saying and in some cases shouting this is not a rape trial and they said if they have looked at that evidence it would have sent she was indeed sexually assaulted and so that would have proved in itself that she was not lying, she didn't waste police time, so that has been their argument in court today. anna holligan. _ argument in court today. anna holligan, thank _ argument in court today. anna holligan, thank you. _ ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you an update on the street we brought you earlier about the high court ruling which affected the little boy whose health has been affected by gases released from a landfill site and we have just got a statement from the environment agency, who says we have every sympathy with the local community who should not have to live with the distress caused by

landfill gas released by the quarry so we are requiring the operator to take action. the court agreed we are required to rely on assessments from public health england and did not find a breach by the environment agency of its legal obligations. they say they will use their regulatory powers to bring hydrogen sulphide emissions under control but will seek to appeal some aspects of thejudgment relating to will seek to appeal some aspects of the judgment relating to the role of the judgment relating to the role of the court. they say this does not affect our determination to tackle the problem at the site in the interests of the community and the environment. today is the final day for care home staff in england to receive their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine — if they want to keep their jobs. mps voted in favour of requiring all care workers to be fully vaccinated by the 11th of november, unless medically exempt. but as zoe conway reports, the new rules have been criticised by some in the industry. st cecilia's needs heroes. st cecilia care homes are so desperate for staff, they've taken to blasting

the airwaves in scarborough with job ads. previous experience not essential. you just need the power to care. you came across really well in the interview. at a local hotel, the company has just offered one lucky applicant a job on the spot. but that's not all, she'll also get £500 in cash and a mealfor two at a local restaurant. we can offer you a free mealfor two. for the recruitment team, it's hard going. the five of them have been here for hours. they've only managed to interview three people. one of the reasons why they're finding it so difficult is that the hourly wage for one of their care workers is £9.50 per hour. some of scarborough's restaurants are offering £11, even £12 an hour. ijust really wanted to use this opportunity to thank you, each and every one of you, for the work you've done, because i know you've worked extra long shifts over the last, well, it seems like forever, doesn't it? 18 months or so.

double shifts, long shifts, because people have been unwell, we've been short of staff. managing director mike padgham is trying to lift his staffs' spirits. everyone in the room has been vaccinated, but other staff haven't. under the compulsory vaccination policy, they'll lose theirjobs. sam, what do you think about compulsory vaccination? well, i'm happy to have had it done, but those people who choose not to are going to lose theirjobs because they're scared. why should they have to lose theirjobs because care homes have to have it done and other sectors aren't? i think that part is wrong. staff here have been working overtime to cover for ten unfilled posts. now they're about to become even more stretched. this company says it's about to lose four of its best carers. four women who are refusing to be vaccinated. so the company is going to have to let them go. the women say that they're genuinely frightened of the vaccine. frightened of possible side effects.

i have to respect what they say. they don't want me to arrange any counselling or see experts, they've made their mind up and i think i have to respect that and i cannot keep trying to persuade them. i have to give them space. i've even thought, as some providers are, should we just go ahead and keep them and see what happens? are you really saying that you're prepared to defy the government and keep these four unvaccinated staff members on? i'm considering what i might do in the future because to my mind, there's a risk of not having sufficient staff as well. but i'm not saying i'm going to do it. it's in my thought processes at the moment. st cecilia's is hardly alone in facing a staffing crisis. across north yorkshire, there are 1000 care worker vacancies. the government says it's working with local authorities and providers to ensure there are the right number of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care. zoe conway, bbc news. let's return to the news that that the uk, us and australia have

announced a historic security pact in the asia—pacific, in what's seen as an effort to counter china. it will let australia build nuclear—powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the us. 0ur australia correspondent shaimaa khalil explains what this means for the country. this is a big dealfor australia and a substantial boost to its defence capabilities. it is also a significant step by both the uk and the us, a clear message about how seriously they are taking security and stability in the indo—pacific and the positioning of australia as a key player in assuring the very interests in the region are protected. for the first time the united states is sharing nuclear propulsion technologies with australia, among other things, including cyber quantum technologies as well as artificial intelligence. the three leaders reiterated that these will not be nuclear armed submarines, they will be a nuclear propelled,

or powered submarines. in a separate press conference we heard from the australian prime minister, scott morrison, who said the relatively benign environment that this region has enjoyed for decades is now behind us. he called at this partnership a forever partnership and say that these were game changing technologies for game changing developments in the area. the optics of this announcement were just as crucial as the announcement itself. the three leaders of the us, uk and australia appearing together via video conference. that sends a message of the strength of the alliance. while officials have said that this wasn't really about any particular country, there is very little doubt that at the heart of this is concern about china's growing influence and military presence in the region. don't forget, as well, the other dynamic at play here, the worsening relationship between australia and china that saw

beijing impose a number of economic sanctions on canberra. now, with this global rivalry between the united states and china growing and sharpening, and that alliance between the united states and australia getting stronger, we can expect that tensions will grow between australia and its key trade partner, china. the writer and journalist isabel hilton told me what the pact says about how the west views china. china has spent a great deal building up its armed forces recently including its maritime armed forces, which is a relatively new development for china so from the acquisition of the first second—hand

aircraft carrier to a substantial submarine fleet, and the militarisation of the south china sea and the steady acquisition of port facilities across the pacific, this presents a profile of a country that has a greatly increased capacity, and even if that capacity is not intended to be aggressive, it has given china the capacity to deny access, essentially, to other forces, because it poses a real threat, even to the us navy, which hitherto has been the most powerful in the world, and may still be but is nevertheless threatened by these developments. there has been a lot of talk about taiwan. do you think the chinese leadership have real intent there? the chinese leadership has a real intention as they would put it to "recover" taiwan

and what is in doubt is the means and the timing. i personally do not think that the chinese leadership is keen to launch an armed assault on taiwan because it would have pretty catastrophic global consequences. but one cannot rule it out depending on what else might be going on, if china has a major internal crisis or it feels that taiwan is reaching for actual independence then that might precipitate something, and then, for britain, and this is quite a surprising move for britain, and i think it illustrates the dilemma, the quandary, that britain finds itself in post—brexit, that it is caught between two ambitions — one, to have a very strong and warm relationship with china for economic reasons and the other is to have strong, warm relations with the united states for more traditional strategic security reasons, and these two are increasingly in conflict, so for britain, were there to be an armed conflict over taiwan, and given that britain has now committed itself to this security relationship, would britain fight? i think this is a question

that the prime minister is going to have to think about very hard at this point. the headlines on bbc news... britain, the united states and australia have agreed a new defence and security partnership — to counter china's growing military presence — china calls it "irresponsible." the prime minister is expected to announce more ministerial appointments in the biggest shake—up of his government since he entered downing street. today is the deadline for care staff or volunteers who work in residential and nursing homes in england to have their first dose of the covid vaccine. the first space mission in history to be crewed entirely by amateur astronauts has taken off from florida. the four civilians on board include a health care worker, a scientist, a data analyst and a billionaire. they'll spend the next three days circling earth. 0ur north america correspondent, david willis, has more.

after months of rigorous training, it was time to slip into the custom—made spacesuits and make their way to the launch pad for a milestone flight into orbit. a trip funded by billionaire businessmanjared issacman to raise funds for charity, the crew also includes sian proctor, the first black woman to pilot a spacecraft. as well as 29—year—old cancer survivor hayley arceneaux. i definitely am excited to represent those that aren't physically perfect. i want to bring this experience back and share with everyone i encounter, and just what this represents for the new age in space travel and who can be an astronaut. after being helped into their seats by the ground crew, it was time for lift—off. a remotely controlled space capsule atop a reusable spacex rocket, powering into orbit from florida's famous kennedy space center.

destined to transport the quartet of amateur space travellers deeper than the international space station. spacex is hoping to schedule flights like this around six times a year. after circling the globe once every 90 minutes at a speed of roughly 17,000 miles an hour, the craft is expected to touch down off the coast of florida in three days' time. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. extraordinary. after decades of decline for british butterflies, there may soon be good news on the horizon, thanks to a new — if a little unorthodox — project in bedfordshire. the banking on butterflies initiative helps create special environments to act as a buffer against climate change. richard westcott has been to visit. yes, they look a bit random. but these huge, muddy, e—shaped banks are a scientific experiment. the first of its kind in the world.

as they get covered in plants, they'll attract butterflies. you see here that that the sun is on the southern facing side. we've got a shady aspect on the north. butterflies warm up in the sun in the morning and then if it gets too hot for them, they can shelter. with climate change, things getting warmer, it's really affecting the butterflies, is it, already? yes, exactly. so lots of butterflies are moving northwards to get to the temperatures that they need. but many species can't move northwards so we need to be looking at how we can create habitat and create these changes in topography on our nature reserve and in the wider landscape. some butterfly species are very sensitive to changes in temperature. by catching... i said by catching, yeah, keep going. some classy net work there, did you get it? i did, i did, it's a meadow brown. by catching and then taking the body temperature of different species with a small probe, researchers can monitor how they're coping with climate change.

we've looked at this and found that species that are good at keeping their body temperatures stable have better long—term population trends in the uk, and species that are less good at it have got more negative trends, they are declining more rapidly. and so what we are interested in here is whether these banks can help butterflies cope with those changes. so providing north facing slopes that might be a little bit cooler and south facing slopes that might be a little bit warmer, does that help butterflies that struggle with temperature control to adjust their body temperature in response to changes? the real science starts next spring. but there were still a few stragglers left this year. small white. you see that lovely yellow underwing. so the really interesting thing about the white butterflies is that they're the ones that really stand out with the best ability to control their own body temperature. and we think that that is probably to do with their colour. they're not difficult to catch in open air. this is a really interesting one.

this is a small heath, which is one of our most widespread butterflies, found across the uk but also one of our fastest declining. and we don't really know why, we're not at the bottom of it. and itjust got caught in a spider's web. oh, no! two thirds of butterfly species are in decline. they are pollinators and play a key role in our environment. this makes the point perfectly, really, doesn't it, why we are interested in butterflies. it's not just about the butterflies, but they are an important part of the food chain and other things eat them. therefore, if we know the butterflies are doing well, we know they are supporting the rest of the ecosystem. as the weather gets warmer and some butterflies struggle... where did it go? i can see it, it's going to go over that fence. scientists hope their new experiment will help more survive. it's gone. richard westcott, bbc news, bedfordshire. chasing butterflies, what a job. with millions of visitors each year,

national parks are among the most popular tourist destinations in the uk. but competition to be awarded the special status of national park can be fierce, because of the investment that comes with the title. now, campaigners behind one unsuccessful bid — the south pennines — say a new system of recognition is needed. judy hobson reports. in the hills above burnley, it's obvious to see why this area was once in the running to become a national park. this rich landscape is steeped in cultural and industrial heritage. but what the south pennines doesn't have is a brand. above us is burnley, pendle hill. sweeping across you've got the yorkshire dales in the background. helen noble is on a mission to change that. she wants the south pennines to be recognised as a national landscape which she believes will help protect it. it would certainly give everyone a sense of place, somewhere that's well known.

but for us, it's very much bringing that investment into the area. this deserves being looked after. it deserves that investment and for us, the community and the landscape has great diversity and we think that should be celebrated. the south pennines park covers 460 square miles, cutting across greater manchester, lancashire and yorkshire, and it's home to 450,000 people. why notjust have this area designated a national park? very simply, we don't want to be bound by the legislation that might bring us. what we want is a park that's agile, that can adapt to the challenges that it faces, and we think that this new approach, doing things differently, will help us to achieve that. this is a local landmark, the singing ringing tree. walkers here told us why they think the area is so special. it'sjust stunning, everywhere you look you've got magnificent views. it's like everything, the amount of money that you can spend on it,

the better it's going to be. i it's just a really lovely placel to walk, just look at the view. where else would you go? it's on your doorstep. it's that sense of place, the stunning uplands that we are currently at, but also that intermixed with the urban areas and the mill towns and the wonderful people that live here. many local councils and businesses are behind the campaign, which aims to protect this landscape for everyone to enjoy. judy hobson, bbc news. it is stunning, it's my part of the world, i know. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. a pleasant september's day out there for many, but a few changes on the way to the west. this satellite chart from earlier shows cloud spilling in through the night into the morning and that is

creeping across parts of ireland and west of scotland through the rest of the day so it will turn cloudy, eventually rain spreading into the west of northern ireland. staying dry for some with sunny spells in the afternoon and some strength of that september sunshine. temperatures in the high teens and low 20s. a couple of degrees higher than we would expect at this stage of the year. the light winds help with that warm feel in the east with more of a breeze developing towards the west. that weather front starting to push its way in. rain on and off through the night in northern ireland and increasingly to the north and west of scotland, with one or two splashes further east, cumbria and northumberland could see some drizzle, but much of england and wales staying dry, some mist and fog patches through the night, and these are the temperatures as you start the day tomorrow, rural areas probably down into single figures. tomorrow you notice the weather front on the chart,

where we see rain, that weather front is struggling to push its way eastwards in any hurry. wind is all blowing along it so some bursts of rain rippling northwards on it, particularly across western scotland and northern ireland, maybe inching into western wales and cornwall. away from that, eastern scotland, england and wales are staying dry with a little bit more of a breeze tomorrow but nothing desperately strong, and like today temperatures up into the low 20s in sunny spells, particularly across eastern wales and england. going through friday night and into the weekend, that weather front moves further east but notice how it grinds to a halt. with things static, it's getting difficult to pinpoint exactly where the showers and downpours could be on saturday. there will not be many around, but to the east of scotland and south—west of wales, we are most likely to see some showers at times, varying cloud, when cloud breaks up the sunshine comes through and it should feel pleasant with temperatures in the high teens, low 20s. some more ripples running along that

weather front into sunday, bringing a few more showers, into northern england and parts of southern scotland, across central and southern areas but away from the showers, it is going to be another pleasant day. goodbye for now.

the covid boosterjab programme is underway — as some healthcare workers and patients receive their dose. the booster is given at least six months after someone's second dose — everyone over 50 across the uk is eligible. we'll have the latest on the start of the programme. the other headlines this lunchtime diplomatic fallout, as britain, the us and australia agree a defence pact — the prime minster denies china's claim that it'll undermine regional stability. aukus is not intended to be adversarial towards any other power, mr speaker, but it merely reflects the close relationship that we have with the united states and with australia. who's in and who's out — more ministerial changes expected,

as the large—scale cabinet reshuffle continues.