temperatures elsewhere scotland. temperatures elsewhere into the low 20s. goodbye for now. this is bbc news 7 these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. white house talks between borisjohnson and joe biden — but the us president has played down the prospect of brokering a free trade deal with the uk, and issued a fresh warning over northern ireland trade. the deal with the uk, that's continued to be discussed. but the protocols, ifeel very strongly about those. and at the un president biden promises a new era in his first address to the general assembly — promising relentless diplomacy rather than relentless war. a catalogue of errors that led to thousands of people, mostly women, being underpaid by a billion pounds in state pensions in the uk if you're one

of the people who's been affected by these errors, we'd like to hear your experience this morning. you can tweet me @luxmy—g or use the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. also in the news this morning... a 31—year—old man's been charged with the murders of three children and a woman in derbyshire in the uk. damien bendall will appear in court this morning. the government is set to pay the operating costs to restart production of carbon dioxide at a key plant in the uk amid fears over food supplies a powerful earthquake strikes southeastern australia. it's felt in melbourne, canberra and sydney. and eight countries — including pakistan, turkey and bangladesh — are taken off england's travel red list, meaning people will no longer have to quarantine in a hotel when they return to england.

hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. boris johnson's hopes for securing a comprehensive free trade deal between the uk and the us appear to be fading, after president biden downplayed the issue following their face—to—face meeting at the white house. mr biden told reporters they'd discuss trade �*a little bit�* but he stressed instead the issue of peace in northern ireland he said he wouldn't want to see a change in the irish accords which might result in the closed border again. so what about the uk's trade deal hopes? one option thought to be under consideration — joining a north american trade pact. and that is the usmca deal, which involves the us, mexico and canada.0ur political editor laura kuenssberg reports from washington dc. side by side, borisjohnson�*s visit to the most famous political office

in the world finally took place. the president regaling him first with stories of the american railroad. i travel more on amtrak. if i were a conductor, i would be number one on seniority. it was far from just a friendly chat. the two men hailing working together on security, on travel, on climate. but on trade, the us isn't ready to speed towards a deal with the uk. and the us president was clear on his concerns about northern ireland. on the deal with the uk, that's continued to be discussed. but on the protocols, i feel very strongly about those. and i would not at all like to see, nor, i might add, would many of my republican colleagues like to see, a change in the irish accords and the end result having a closed border again. for no 10, though, the white house visit was third day lucky on this

trip, describing the atmosphere of the talks as very positive, saying the relationship between the new neighbours at the white house and the uk is making great strides forward. finally, after two years, borisjohnson has had his moment in the white house as the uk prime minister. on this muggy washington evening, the atmosphere inside the oval office was warm. the two men agree on many things, particularly their commitment to tackling climate change. but there is a sense, still, this is a relationship in its early days, not yet an established friendship. the prime minister still has one day on this side of the atlantic. the situation he'll face at home could give him more cause for concern. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, at the white house. our chief political correspondent, adam fleming, has this assessment of the us stance

on a british trade deal. you cannot escape what the us national interests are and there are two big national interest, what is their priority for their economy and their priority for their economy and their trade, and the uk is fairly low down on the list so they are acting in a rational way in terms of how much attention to devote to it we deal with the uk. and the other national interests and stability on the island of ireland. i do not think the us wants to progress the track until they are convinced that some of the tension around northern ireland as a result of brexit is dissipated. i think that is what is driving the us behaviour rather than the special relationship with the uk. it brings us to a point where there are multiple position on this potential trade deal between the us and america. joe biden�*s position where he is lukewarm, some people in the prime minister entourage you are

travelling with him talking about an idea ofjoining the usmca deal, which would surprise some people because it does not have a clause in it for a fourth country to join it. and the official government position in the uk, they are still pursuing a stand—alone trade deal with the united states. this morning, the agriculture secretary has been doing interviews and his message is to calm down, it is all fine. we interviews and his message is to calm down, it is all fine.- calm down, it is all fine. we are “oininu calm down, it is all fine. we are joining the _ calm down, it is all fine. we are joining the transpacific - calm down, it is all fine. we are joining the transpacific trade - joining the transpacific trade partnership in the pacific area, we are in_ partnership in the pacific area, we are in discussions aboutjoining this, _ are in discussions aboutjoining this, bilateralagreements are in discussions aboutjoining this, bilateral agreements with some 60 countries, it is a choice of the united _ 60 countries, it is a choice of the united states for the biden administration trade deals are not a priority— administration trade deals are not a priority at_ administration trade deals are not a priority at the moment and the important _ priority at the moment and the important thing with any trade agreement is to get the details right, _ agreement is to get the details right, not— agreement is to get the details right, not necessarily to put a timescale _ right, not necessarily to put a timescale on it or to be in a rush. we still— timescale on it or to be in a rush. we still want _ timescale on it or to be in a rush. we still want to do a trade agreement with the united states and

we want _ agreement with the united states and we want to progress those discussions but if it is not a priority— discussions but if it is not a priority for the biden administration at the moment, then that is— administration at the moment, then that is the _ administration at the moment, then that is the position that we understand.— that is the position that we understand. ,,., ., ,, ., that is the position that we understand. ,. ., ,, . ., understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of — understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of a _ understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of a way _ understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of a way off, it _ understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of a way off, it is - understand. saw a us uk trade deal was a bit of a way off, it is still - was a bit of a way off, it is still a bit of a way off so it will be disappointing to people who voted for brexit thinking a benefit would be a quick deal with the united states. meanwhile the united nations general assembly continues, and climate issues remain high on the agenda. us climate envoyjohn kerry says he's delighted at a pledge by china not to build any new coal fired power stations abroad. president xi jingping's announcement at the un could significantly limit the financing of coal plants in the developing world. but mr xi made no reference to energy policy in china itself, where half the world's coal is burned. translation: china must drive to peak carbon dioxide - emissions before 2020 and achieve carbon

neutrality before 2060. this requires tremendous hard work and we will make every effort to meet these goals. china will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low carbon energy and will not build new coal fire powered projects abroad. our correspondent robin brant explained that while important, this represents the most easily achieved of china's carbon reduction goals. it is significant. it's important. it's enough, frankly, for those who are calling for something clear and tangible from xi jingping as we build up to that conference in glasgow at the end of this year. but it is the low hanging fruit. this was increasingly expected in terms of a pledge from xi jingping, it was this time last year he made that pledge in terms of china striving to hit peak carbon

emissions by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2060. so he chooses the united nations for these moments, it seems. but the key words are notjust "new and build coal—fired power stations" but also "abroad". these facilities have been a big part of his belton road initiative, rather awkwardly named foreign investment and infrastructure programme. but the reality is now, the demand for them has all but disappeared. and also the detail really, really matters as always. i mean, when will this actually start? is it today? one year's time, five years' time? will this apply to plants in some countries that have been approved but not yet built? and then, what about financing? will china also endeavour to end its financing of new coal—fired power stations abroad and indeed will it put pressure on its banks, foreign banks as well

to end financing of new coal fired power stations abroad ? that detail at the moment, we don't know. and what did he have to say about what china is doing domestically as well as abroad? it is so hugely reliant on coal. well, he didn't have anything to say as far as i've seen in his speech. that is perhaps not surprising, this was the gathering of the united nations, so it was kind of global but it is the issue of domestic addiction, frankly to coal in china that is the most important issue. china is still adding new coal—fired power stations for a generation, also in its steel industry. coal and steel are the two biggest emitters of co2 in this country. it is adding new blast furnaces as well, 61 in totaljust in the first—half of this year. and it is the issue of that addiction to coal that is the most important issue here in china, but also globally in terms of

climate change. years of repeated human errors and outdated technology led to an estimated i—billion pounds' worth of state pensions being underpaid to more than ioo—thousand people. according to a report by the national audit office, 134,000 pensioners, mainly women were underpaid pensions because outdated computer systems in the 19805 led to mistakes. in total the department for work and pensions is expecting to pay the affected pensioners a total ofjust over £1 billion — that's an average of £8,900 for each person affected. here's our business reporter, sarah corker. for nearly a decade, irene from worcestershire was underpaid her state pension. she is one of thousands of women in their 70s and 80s that missed out on large sums of money because of government errors. i think it's scandalous. i think that the fact that you have

to battle for something that's rightfully yours is awful, because i was lucky, i have got richard to help me. but anybody who is a widow, perhaps not financially up with it, and they're perhaps struggling on the breadline, it could make a tremendous difference. irene has now been paid the £7,000 she was owed, but it was a battle and she's far from alone. these errors relate to married women who had small state pensions. they were eligible to claim 60% of their husbands contributions. but complex rules and errors by the dwp meant that for decades, they were underpaid. the errors date back to 1985, affecting an estimated 134,000 pensioners, including some married women, widows and the over 805. they are collectively owed more than £1 billion. the national audit office found

there were repeated human errors over many years at the department for work and pensions, blamed on complex pension rules and unautomated, outdated it systems. most of the people affected are going to be women, not all, but most — 90% of those that take this type of state pension uplifts are women. and unfortunately, i'm afraid, many of them will have died before they received the money that they are owed. so actually, in a significant minority of cases, this is money that will actually go to their next of kin. the department for work and pensions said it is fully committed to ensuring the historical errors made by successive governments are corrected, and it's improved training to make sure it doesn't happen again. a team of 500 civil servants is now working to trace women like irene who were short—changed. but it will take years to complete. sarah corker, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news...

white house talks between borisjohnson and joe biden, but the us president has played down the prospect of brokering a free trade deal with the uk, and issued a fresh warning over northern ireland trade. and at the un president biden promises a new era in his first address to the general assembly — promising relentless diplomacy rather than relentless war. a catalogue of errors that led to thousands of people, mostly women, being underpaid by £1 billion in state pensions in the uk. a man has been charged with four counts of murder after a mother and three children were found dead in derbyshire on sunday. 31—year—old damien bendall is accused of killing terri harris, her children john—paul and lacey, and theirfriend connie gent, in killamarsh near sheffield. he'll appear at southern derbyshire magistrates' court later. the government is to meet

the operating costs of a leading carbon dioxide manufacturer for a limited period, to help avoid a shortage of food, drinks and medicines. the deal will see production resume at a fertiliser plant in county durham, which was forced to close following a steep rise in gas prices. the bbc understands the agreement could cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds. the environment secretary george eustice laid out the government's intervention plans and the reasoning behind them. essentially what we are doing is underwriting some of the operating costs for the very time limited period, just the next three weeks, maximum three weeks to restart production to ensure there isn't a gap in the supply of carbon dioxide which is critical to the supply, particularly poultry and the pig sector and other parts of the food supply chain as well. so this is our... it has been an exceptional series of events, lots of turbulence in global supply chains generally. a spike in gas prices and that made production of fertiliser at this plant uneconomic and that's why they suspended it.

and coupled with that, some of the other producers of carbon dioxide have their plants closed for maintenance at the moment, so it's been something of a perfect storm, a set of exceptional events and that is why the short term limited intervention isjustified in this instance. nick allen, chief executive of the british meat processors association, gave me his reaction to the government's move. it is crucial that there was some government intervention here. i don't know the details of if this is a pay—out or not, but the intervention is actually essential. some of our members were going to run out of co2 on friday and some poultry plants were in more dire predicaments. we were right at the cliff edge, so it was really important the government stepped in here and intervened. we've now got three weeks, really, and a lot of work to do because this is possibly going to mean a complete restructuring of the co2 pricing throughout the country and possibly even internationally. of course, that is what is happening in the gas

market as well. we've got a three—week window now and we've got quite a bit of work to do, it's quite a complex supply chain to deal with. is the government's intervention the end of the crisis? this is seven brothers brewery where, you've guessed it, and seven brothers set up a brewery to the beer on. now, we have all had a crash course, haven't we, in the past few days about the intrinsic value of carbon dioxide to our food and drink supply chain. i just want to talk you through its importance here. so these are the beer fermenters come into this big units goes your malt, goes your water, where the beer will come out of once the hopes have been added. the carbon dioxide is used to purge them, basically to cleanse them of oxygen in between

each load going in. over there you have got your tins that the beer goes in and the packer over there. and you may or may not know, the carbon dioxide also goes inside the tins again, to make sure that your beer stays pure. and over here, we have got the beer pumps themselves. and keith behind the bar who we will speak to any minute. and every time a beer is pooled in your local, every time the pint is filled, carbon dioxide is used to literally push that liquid out and into your glass. let's remind ourselves, then, about why there has been so much tension around the supply of carbon dioxide. it has been well covered, hasn't it? the increase in the wholesale gas price has more than doubled since january. because of the increased demand and reduced supply. prices have got so high that some businesses couldn't afford to go on. cf industries, the american company was one of them, they make fertilisers here in the uk and carbon dioxide is their main by—product and that is sold on to businesses. makes up 60% of the supply of carbon dioxide in the uk. we know, don't we, now, that co2 is used widely in beer brewing, in fizzy drinks, in packaging,

salad packaging. a warning yesterday said that any further delay would see gaps on the shelves in the course of a few days. but that deal has now been struck. it is a multi—million pound deal by the government to back cs industries to make sure carbon dioxide flow remains. but there could be a lag of around three days before that production begins once again and that will have an impact. let's talk to keith because we just gone through the importance of carbon dioxide to you, when you heard about the deal last night, what was your reaction? a sense of relief. we weren't overly concerned before the announcement, but it was a consideration that we were looking at contingency plans to make sure we did not run out of any co2. so we can carry on brewing, basically. so you have your reserves, how long do they last for and how significant is the three day gap in that? we have got anywhere up to two weeks reserves.

that can go down pretty quickly because you can see the size of the vessels that we have here. and as you quite rightly said, we need to use large quantities of co2 to purge each tank of oxygen before we can start filling the tanks and begin fermenting. so a three day lag is quite significant. it could impact us if it actually happened. gives you something to worry about, doesn't it? has it made you rethink things at all in terms of how important. carbon dioxide as an what would happen if you didn't have it? accelerated our plans to have more of the contingency plan, projects we are working on to capture the carbon, a pie product of the fermenting process, we are looking at projects that can capture that and add it to our reserves to lessen the impact if this kind of thing happens again. it the impact if this kind of thing happens again-—

happens again. it could be a positive- — happens again. it could be a positive- i — happens again. it could be a positive. i guess _ happens again. it could be a positive. i guess the - happens again. it could be a| positive. i guess the problem happens again. it could be a . positive. i guess the problem is this is in the wider context, there are lots of things i play at the moment. it are lots of things i play at the moment-— are lots of things i play at the moment. , , ~ , moment. it seems like with this crisis it is _ moment. it seems like with this crisis it is like _ moment. it seems like with this crisis it is like the _ moment. it seems like with this crisis it is like the perfect - moment. it seems like with this | crisis it is like the perfect storm. we have had quite a few issues as an effect of the pandemic, from a logistical point of view, delivering to our customers, our suppliers delivering to us, and impact across the whole supply chain. hot delivering to us, and impact across the whole supply chain.— the whole supply chain. not “ust this business, i the whole supply chain. not “ust this business, tens i the whole supply chain. not “ust this business, tens of i the whole supply chain. notjustj this business, tens of thousands the whole supply chain. notjust i this business, tens of thousands of businesses up and down the country, may need telling us that all of these things at play will mean a shortage of products in the short at least, then if not that, definitely a case of prices being driven up in the future. it crisis averted for now but comes next? police are to be given more powers to deal with climate change protesters who ve blocked parts

of the m25 in recent days. the transport secretary, grant shapps, says an injunction has been granted by a judge, meaning that similar demonstrations could lead to imprisonment. it ll come into effect later today. a highly critical report from the uk prisons watchdog has identified a series of failings in the case of an 18 year old inmate who lost her baby after giving birth alone in her cell. the prisons and probation ombudsman found staff at bronzefield's women's prison —— who were responsible for her care —— were unclear about the estimated due date, and were not aware she could give birth imminently. as the woman went into labour, she pressed her cell bell for help but no one responded. the report says she appeared to be regarded as �*difficult�* rather than vulnerable. an earthquake has struck the australian state of victoria, damaging buildings in melbourne and causing tremors hundreds of kilometres away. geologists say the quake is the largest in south east

australia since the 1800s. shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. melbourne residents in shock assessing the damage after a magnitude six earthquake hit the state of victoria. the north—eastern town of mansfield was the epicentre, but the tremors were felt strongly in the country's second city and as far away as canberra, sydney and adelaide. the prime minister spoke just as he arrived in washington. at this stage, we have had no reports of serious incidents or worse and that is very good news and we hope that that good news will continue, but, obviously, we'll get further reports as the night unfolds here in the united states. but it can be a very, very disturbing event for an earthquake of this nature, they are very rare events in australia, and, as a result, i'm sure people would have been quite distressed and disturbed by that, particularly in the most immediate area affected. several buildings and a hospital

were evacuated in melbourne. the australian broadcasting service breakfast presenters were still in the studio when they felt the tremor. 0h, we have never had an earthquake in here before! a heart surgeon was in the middle of an operation when the earthquake hit. it was definitely extrapolated and we could feel the effects of that. fortunately, we were at the stage of the operation where we could sort of, you know, come to a halt and just wait for that to pass. we subsequently carried on and finish the surgery. large tremors of this magnitude are uncommon in australia. this quake, one of the country's largest in recent years, struck at a depth of ten kilometres. victoria state emergency service warned residents about possible after—shocks as the damage from this earthquake continues to emerge.

eight countries — including pakistan, turkey and bangladesh — have been taken off the travel red list. it means people coming from those destinations won't be required to pay for hotel quarantine on their return to england. mauritius is another country on that list. steven obeegadoo is the deputy prime minister. hejoins me now. thank you so much for being with us. how much does a difference the easing of travel restrictions make to mauritius? greetings from sunny mauritius. it does make a difference, as you might be a way, the uk has always represented a chunk of international tourists visiting mauritius. figures stood at around 150,000 when the pandemic struck. what is going to

change? we are not on the red list of the uk we have never been on it, but what changes is that where as before a british tourist coming to mauritius upon returning had to have a pcr test before re—entering the uk will no longer require such a test. moreover, i have been informed that very shortly, the pcr test to be performed on the two after returning to the uk will be replaced by a easier lateral flow test. that is all good news which should make it easierfor british all good news which should make it easier for british tourists to visit us. ., ' . easier for british tourists to visit us. ., , . ., , easier for british tourists to visit us. ., f . ., , , easier for british tourists to visit us. ., , . ., , , ., us. how difficult has it been for mauritius while _ us. how difficult has it been for mauritius while there _ us. how difficult has it been for mauritius while there have - us. how difficult has it been for| mauritius while there have been tougher travel restrictions when it comes to the lack of tourism? you must have been hard hit as a nation? absolutely. tourism is a major part

of our economy and for about 18 months our borders have been closed. you know, we made the decision to vaccinate first and then reopen. and i am so happy, come october one, when we reopen to international travellers worldwide, we will be right at the top in terms of vaccination rates, more than two thirds of our population have received their firstjab and a staggering 88% of the adult population being vaccinated. for tourists, it means as soon as you step on board and air mauritius aircraft you're stepping onto vaccination bubble, everybody has been vaccination, the crew on the aircraft, the airport personnel, those taking you to the hotel and the hotel staff. we are extending

compulsory vaccination to a wide array of services including hospitals, restaurants and eventually public transport. so mauritius offers the prospect of a safe holiday for british tourists. you are doing a brilliantjob at selling mauritius as a holiday destination, the thing is, we know that vaccinations do not make you invincible to covid—19, there is always the concern about new variants developing, how do you balance that, the need for tourism with the need to protect your country from being ravaged by covid—19? b5 country from being ravaged by covid-19? �* , country from being ravaged by mid-19?— country from being ravaged by covid-19? �* , ., ., country from being ravaged by covid-19? a ., ., , covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although _ covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although it — covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although it does _ covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although it does not - covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although it does not offer - covid-19? as i say, vaccination is key although it does not offer an | key although it does not offer an absolute guarantee which is why the mauritian public has been well informed and practices all the standard security safety measures. also, we have a covid—19

preparedness plan. on the one hand, if we have none of the dangerous variants identified in mauritius, in the local community, there are none of the dangerous variants, on the other hand, we have a preparedness plan in terms of hospital beds, required medical equipment, high quality medical services, we are equipped, we are ready for the reopening of our borders. also, doing away with quarantine and self isolation for tourists as they come in if they are fully vaccinated of course, is accompanied by rigorous safety measures, easy access to testing including self—administered tests across the counter in the local chemist, and more significantly, we have seen a declining trend in covid—19 cases

over the last three weeks, where the hospitalisation rate of 4%, decimal 2% requiring intensive care full. i think the international statistics are very telling. mauritius rates right at the top in terms of eight international standing for covid—19 management. international standing for covid-19 management-— international standing for covid-19 management. international standing for covid-19 manauement. ., ,, , . ., management. thank you very much for “oininu us. let's get more now on our main story, the trade talks between the uk prime minister borisjohnson and the us presidentjoe biden. mr biden has played down the prospect of reaching a free trade deal, after talks with mrjohnson at the white house last night. let's speak now to angus brendan macneil, an snp mp and chair of the commons international trade select committee. thanks forjoining us today. it does

seem that the uk trade deal doesn't seem that the uk trade deal doesn't seem to be that high a priority for the us president. what does that say about our standing on the global stage? to about our standing on the global state? ., . , , ., stage? to answer your question directl , stage? to answer your question directly. it — stage? to answer your question directly, it probably _ stage? to answer your question directly, it probably doesn't - stage? to answer your question directly, it probably doesn't say| directly, it probably doesn't say very much, but it is more important economically. to have a trade deal with the ok is infinitesimally small. brexit is costing the uk economy 4.9% of gdp, put that into the context of the uk deal with canada and mexico, it's like saying for every £490 you lose, mexico might recoup a pound or two, and australia is worth about £2 as well, so all in all the prime minister has the uk in a situation where anything with the united states is going to be a pale shadow of the damage

brexit has done. hope be a pale shadow of the damage brexit has done.— brexit has done. now there are re orts brexit has done. now there are reports of _ brexit has done. now there are reports of the _ brexit has done. now there are reports of the uk _ brexit has done. now there are reports of the uk is _ brexit has done. now there are reports of the uk is looking - brexit has done. now there are reports of the uk is looking to l brexit has done. now there are i reports of the uk is looking to join an existing north american impact as part of its attempts to forge trade links, so surely that is a good substitute? it links, so surely that is a good substitute?— links, so surely that is a good substitute? , ., ., ., substitute? it is a good thing to do if ou substitute? it is a good thing to do if you damage _ substitute? it is a good thing to do if you damage your _ substitute? it is a good thing to do if you damage your self _ substitute? it is a good thing to do if you damage your self by - substitute? it is a good thing to do if you damage your self by £490 i substitute? it is a good thing to do j if you damage your self by £490 to if you damage your self by £190 to try and make some of it back, so yes, that is worth doing. i'm aware there is no mechanism for accession of other states into his tripartite north american deal, so that you have to be looked at as well. but we shouldn't mislead ourselves that this is a band—aid for the damage brexit has done, it isn't. we are going to have a market that will be a __ going to have a market that will be a —— an hour away by ferry —— we are not going to have a market that will be an hour away by ferry. the energy

costs this winter will not be fixed by this i love. worth doing as far as it goes but we need to have context for exactly what it is, and it is not a huge thing in comparison to the damage that brexit is doing to the damage that brexit is doing to the damage that brexit is doing to the economy. in to the damage that brexit is doing to the economy.— to the damage that brexit is doing to the economy. in terms of some of the demands — to the economy. in terms of some of the demands of— to the economy. in terms of some of the demands of or _ to the economy. in terms of some of the demands of or some _ to the economy. in terms of some of the demands of or some of- to the economy. in terms of some of the demands of or some of the - the demands of or some of the requests that the prime minister has tried to prioritise, one being asking the us to sort of move a bit further forward asking the us to sort of move a bit furtherforward on its commitment to tackling climate change, i mean that you can't deny has seemed to be a success in the fact the us has agreed to double its commitment to climate finance.— climate finance. yes, that is absolutely _ climate finance. yes, that is absolutely excellent - climate finance. yes, that is absolutely excellent and - climate finance. yes, that is absolutely excellent and it l climate finance. yes, that is| absolutely excellent and it is climate finance. yes, that is - absolutely excellent and it is worth doing definitely. it may be fortunate as well that president biden is in instead of donald trump, so definitely worth doing that. the criticisms there lead to engaging with china either but it is a welcome step in the right direction.

don't get me wrong, the trade steps are worth doing as well but it's in the context of the background of what we have just gone to the economy. uk no longer trade with anybody, and tariffs will increase payment. in north america trade between canada and united states some people mightjust find it easier to pave for tariff than do the paperwork. this has almost come out of the blue because boris johnson is in north america at the moment, and it doesn't know which way it wants to pivot and which postures it wants to have from a trade perspective and that is a problem for the uk. it's a problem for everyone in business, trade and exporting because the uk is not clear what it wants. it was only clear what it wants. it was only clear it wanted brexit and the damage to the economy wasn't really thought of in any further terms. angus, thank you forjoining us this morning and sharing your thoughts.

angus brendan macneil, an snp mp. new research suggests antibodies produced by llamas could help develop a new treatment for coronavirus. scientists have found tiny antibodies, called nanobodies, produced by llamas are able to bind to the virus which causes covid—19. it raises the prospect of a new way to treat people who are sick. though they stress the research is at an early stage. professorjames naismith is from the rosalind franklin institute. he helped lead the research. thank you so much forjoining us. first of all, this all sounds really bizarre. why start with the llamas? because, as you correctly said, there different than ours and as a result we can manipulate them and engineer them in ways which are not possible for human antibodies. and because they are smaller, they get to the parts other antibodies cannot reach. ., . , . , to the parts other antibodies cannot

reach. ., ., , . , ., , reach. how realistic is it literally will reach a _ reach. how realistic is it literally will reach a stage _ reach. how realistic is it literally will reach a stage that _ reach. how realistic is it literally will reach a stage that this - will reach a stage that this actually could be the global pandemic cure that we need? because it is at a very early stage at the moment, isn't it? it it is at a very early stage at the moment, isn't it?— moment, isn't it? it is an early stare moment, isn't it? it is an early stage but _ moment, isn't it? it is an early stage but what _ moment, isn't it? it is an early stage but what we _ moment, isn't it? it is an early stage but what we have - moment, isn't it? it is an early stage but what we have shown| moment, isn't it? it is an early l stage but what we have shown is moment, isn't it? it is an early - stage but what we have shown is you can treat animals with it and the animals fully recover, so the animals fully recover, so the animals get... these are hamsters, they get sick, they inhale the engineered molecules, the nanobodies, and they fully recover. and we have just seen pictures of the llama that helped with your research. ~ ., , the llama that helped with your research. ~ . , , the llama that helped with your research. ~ ., , , the llama that helped with your research._ yes! i the llama that helped with your| research._ yes! so the llama that helped with your - research._ yes! so how research. was this fifi? yes! so how did she help — research. was this fifi? yes! so how did she help you? — research. was this fifi? yes! so how did she help you? because - research. was this fifi? yes! so how did she help you? because as - research. was this fifi? yes! so how did she help you? because as you i did she help you? because as you correctly said. — did she help you? because as you correctly said, they _ did she help you? because as you correctly said, they are _ did she help you? because as you correctly said, they are slightly i correctly said, they are slightly different in their immune system, so fifi get a small ingestion of proteins as she is not infected with the virus, she goes and eats grass and does her thing, then we take a

small blood sample a few weeks later, and from that we can identify how she has managed to make these nano bodies, then we can turn them into the agents we published today. is this something that could work with other species as well, or is it specifically llamas? for example, would it work with alpacas? it has been shown _ would it work with alpacas? it has been shown to _ would it work with alpacas? it has been shown to be _ would it work with alpacas? it has been shown to be true _ would it work with alpacas? it has been shown to be true for - would it work with alpacas? it has been shown to be true for camels | would it work with alpacas? it i:s been shown to be true for camels but they are somewhat harder to handle an llamas! and it is also true for sharks but they are even harder to handle! and i want to stress the llama doesn't suffer in any way and it doesn't get infected with the disease. one blood sample and we are done with the llama, and it goes back to eating grass after that. yes, i imagine sharks might be less cooperative if we were to use them for research! just give us a sense of what exactly this would look like in practical terms if it were

successful. would it be then just being treated with this sample or specimen or antidote? how would it work in practical terms? the specimen or antidote? how would it work in practical terms?— work in practicalterms? the model we think would _ work in practicalterms? the model we think would be _ work in practicalterms? the model we think would be to _ work in practicalterms? the model we think would be to inhale - work in practicalterms? the model we think would be to inhale it i work in practicalterms? the model we think would be to inhale it after| we think would be to inhale it after you test positive, so you would give it to people early, and as soon as you test positive, you take the inhale and that would be the time to take it. alternatively you might take it. alternatively you might take it. alternatively you might take it if there is an outbreak in a hospital or old folks home or you have been in contact with somebody and that is called prophylactic therapy so that may be the route for this. ., ., therapy so that may be the route for this. . ,, , ., therapy so that may be the route for this. . ,, i. ., ., ., , this. thank you for that. professor james naismith. _ this. thank you for that. professor james naismith. and _ this. thank you for that. professor james naismith. and police i this. thank you for that. professor james naismith. and police say i this. thank you for that. professor i james naismith. and police say thank you to fifi as well for her help. i will do. the number of people having a baby with a surrogate mother in england and wales has almost quadrupled

in the last ten years. applications for court orders which transfer rights from the surrogate to the intended parents increased from 117 in 2011 to a13 in 2020. the figures emerged from research by a team at kent university and a surrogacy matching agency. jayne mccubbin has been investigating. let me introduce three families. my name's natalie, i'm 3a and a first—time surrogate. each with their own journey into surrogacy. hi, i'm carina. i'm 41 years old and i'm a mum of four beautiful children, each born through surrogacy following a breast cancer diagnosis. each have given or received perhaps the greatest gift there could ever be. this is fran. fran is mum to grace. and this is gina, and gina i was grace's tummy mummy. the gift of a brand—new life — or three.

carina's journey might have begun with a near—fatal health condition, but it's brought her, joyfully, right here. all: we are the de mons! so ena was my very first surrogate who gave birth to my daughter amala, and laura was my second surrogate, who gave birth to the triplets for me. and, you know, those women transformed my life. they made me a mum. they gave me something that many medics told me would never be possible. and, you know, they made my dreams come true. and for them, i'm forever grateful. they are a small part of a growing number of surrogate children. a report shown exclusively to the bbc shows the number of parents having a baby using a surrogate in england and wales has almost quadrupled in the last ten years. from 117 in 2011, to over 400 last year. for carina and also for frances, finding a surrogate was life—changing.

when you're given a cancer diagnosis, your whole life just changes in seconds and it's like you just fall into this hole. and then when evelyn was born, who was the first one, it felt like the first time since that diagnosis — sorry — this weight had been lifted. there was no handing over. it wasjust all four of us being in the room, part of a wonderful birth. and ijust watched a family being created, literally in front of my eyes. almost felt like i was encroaching on their moment — of the beginning of their family. it was beautiful. gina and the girls saved my life. but almost 40 years ago, surrogacy was viewed with suspicion. months after britain's first

surrogate baby was born, so too were the very first surrogacy laws. today, those laws are under review. only altruistic surrogacy is allowed here. surrogates can't advertise and they can't charge a fee — only expenses. carina paid around £75,000 in expenses for her family. because there isn't an actual legal framework that surrogacy operates within, there's a heck of a lot of trust that's needed. and the classic thing is people always say, "what if she keeps your baby? " but one thing that ena said to me, and it really opened my eyes with regards to the law and the way it stands, she said, "my biggest fear is what if you don't take your baby? because, legally, i'm that child's mum." so there are two sides to every coin here. the end of natalie's surrogacy journey is now weeks away. she and husband jack already have two children, but her surrogacy dream was born out

of the heartbreak of having a stillborn daughter. i always try and take positives from any situation. planning to bring my own home and not doing that was the hardest thing that i've ever had to do. but to have somebody else's baby that isn't genetically linked to me at all, for them to worship and love and cherish is a positive thing that's come out of a very negative, dark period. this was the embryo. these were the tests. and this — well, this is the very moment she broke the news to her intended parents, andy and gareth. i'm excited, i can't wait. the best part about being pregnant is not the stresses. i don't have to worry about what i haven't got or what i need to get, you know, all these things. i honestly cannot wait to see their faces. i have said if they don't cry,

i might punch them. it was a concern for me that, at the end of the process, how nat would feel handing the baby over. but now, meeting the guys and getting to know them, no, that's not a concern for me at all, because, like nat said, we get to sort of share in the joy that they get. all of these families agree that current laws need reform, but all agree there is no greater gift than parenthood. parenthood, to me, means the ability to nurture, create and grow your child in any way, shape orform. unconditional love from the moment they're in your arms. i wasn't able to do the first nine months of their life. but i'll be here for the rest of their lives. as long as you love them, that's all you need, really.

natalie gamble is the founder of nga law, the uk 5 first fertility legal practice and director of brilliant beginnings — a not—for—profit agency in the uk which matches surrogates and intended parents. we are also joined by alyssa martin, who was a surrogate in california for a french couple, before also becoming a surrogate for a couple in the uk. ifi if i start with you, alyssa, what made you decide to become a surrogate, and was there a reason you decided to help couples in different countries?— you decided to help couples in different countries? well, i am american _ different countries? well, i am american and _ different countries? well, i am american and i _ different countries? well, i am american and i had _ different countries? well, i am american and i had several i different countries? well, i am i american and i had several friends american and i had severalfriends who were suffering from infertility for various reasons, and that made me feel so lucky to never have had any of those problems, so i felt it would be a wonderful way to give back to be able to offer my uterus

for another family, back to be able to offer my uterus for anotherfamily, to help them grow theirs. i did my first surrogacy in california when i lived there, and then my husband moved us across the pond to the uk. he is in the forces, so we get around! band across the pond to the uk. he is in the forces, so we get around! and in terms of being _ the forces, so we get around! and in terms of being a _ the forces, so we get around! and in terms of being a surrogate _ the forces, so we get around! and in terms of being a surrogate for i terms of being a surrogate for couples in different countries, how did you find the experience deferred? —— differed. -- differed. i didn't know a lot about surrogacy _ -- differed. i didn't know a lot about surrogacy when - -- differed. i didn't know a lot about surrogacy when i - -- differed. i didn't know a lot about surrogacy when i did i -- differed. i didn't know a lotj about surrogacy when i did my -- differed. i didn't know a lot i about surrogacy when i did my first and kind of learned along the way, and kind of learned along the way, and then really loved that i had that experience that i could kind of take with me when i did my second journey in the uk, where there isn't as much structure, which was one of the reasons why i reached out to

brilliant beginnings to kind of help with all of the differences between the us and the uk. with all of the differences between the us and the uk.— the us and the uk. let's bring in natalie now _ the us and the uk. let's bring in natalie now to _ the us and the uk. let's bring in natalie now to discuss _ the us and the uk. let's bring in natalie now to discuss that i the us and the uk. let's bring in i natalie now to discuss that further. how do the rules and laws around surrogacy change across different countries? and what impact does that have on uptake of surrogacy? it is really different, _ have on uptake of surrogacy? it is really different, so in california it is possible for parents and surrogates to put an agreement in place — surrogates to put an agreement in place which is recognised by law so the parents will be the legal parents _ the parents will be the legal parents of the child immediately when _ parents of the child immediately when they are born. in the uk it is much _ when they are born. in the uk it is much more — when they are born. in the uk it is much more informal so there are arrangements of trust, and then when the baby— arrangements of trust, and then when the baby is— arrangements of trust, and then when the baby is born this oregon is the legal— the baby is born this oregon is the legal mother so a court application has to— legal mother so a court application has to be _ legal mother so a court application has to be made after the birth on the legal— has to be made after the birth on the legal parents, so it often feels more _ the legal parents, so it often feels more uncertain in the uk with the law not— more uncertain in the uk with the law not recognising the right people as the _ law not recognising the right people as the parents from the beginning. what _ as the parents from the beginning. what are _ as the parents from the beginning. what are some of the impacts, the negative side of having some of theseissues negative side of having some of these issues around the legality of

it? i imagine it must leave some parents really in a tricky situation.— parents really in a tricky situation. , ., ., parents really in a tricky situation. , . ,, ., , situation. yes, and i think as we have seen _ situation. yes, and i think as we have seen from _ situation. yes, and i think as we have seen from the _ situation. yes, and i think as we have seen from the film - situation. yes, and i think as we have seen from the film you i situation. yes, and i think as we i have seen from the film you showed as well, _ have seen from the film you showed as well, it _ have seen from the film you showed as well, it is— have seen from the film you showed as well, it is notjust parents but surrogates — as well, it is notjust parents but surrogates who feel the uncertainty of the _ surrogates who feel the uncertainty of the laws here, but i think one of the big _ of the laws here, but i think one of the big impact is the way it has driven— the big impact is the way it has driven many parents from the uk to id driven many parents from the uk to go overseas — driven many parents from the uk to go overseas for surrogacy instead of looking _ go overseas for surrogacy instead of looking for— go overseas for surrogacy instead of looking for surrogates in the uk. at the moment about two thirds have children— the moment about two thirds have children born outside of the uk so that creates all sorts of complications around bringing babies back and _ complications around bringing babies back and navigating legal issues, so it is really— back and navigating legal issues, so it is really important to see what impact _ it is really important to see what impact that law has. find it is really important to see what impact that law has. and alyssa, you had sliuhtl impact that law has. and alyssa, you had slightly different _ impact that law has. and alyssa, you had slightly different experiences i had slightly different experiences depending on where you were a surrogate. was there more that could have been done to make the process easier for have been done to make the process easierfor you? have been done to make the process easierforyou? i have been done to make the process easier for you?— easier for you? i think “ust kind of havin: easier for you? i think “ust kind of having better * easier for you? i think “ust kind of having better laws, i easier for you? i thinkjust kind of having better laws, you _

easier for you? i thinkjust kind of having better laws, you know, i having better laws, you know, protecting notjust the parents but surrogates especially from having to worry about things like parentage or what expenses are going to be viewed as, and just being a lot more clear and updating these archaic laws would really be a great service to help surrogates and intended parents. help surrogates and intended arents. �* ., ., help surrogates and intended arents. ~ . . , parents. and natalie, there has been this increase — parents. and natalie, there has been this increase in _ parents. and natalie, there has been this increase in the _ parents. and natalie, there has been this increase in the past _ parents. and natalie, there has been this increase in the past decade. i this increase in the past decade. why do you think that is? what has driven this increase in demand for surrogacy in england and wales? i think there's a lot more awareness of surrogacy as an option for people for whom fertility treatment has failed. i think we are increasingly more accepting of different family forms with gay marriage and allowing single parents to engage in surrogacy, so i think it is increasingly seen as a positive way of building a family and much more accepted. programmes like this on the news didn't happen when i

started out 15 years ago, and there seem to be lots of stories around now. the more the community grows and people have success in building theirfamilies, whether here and people have success in building their families, whether here or overseas, the more they encourage others to do the same.— overseas, the more they encourage others to do the same. alyssa, what was the reaction to your choice i others to do the same. alyssa, what was the reaction to your choice to i was the reaction to your choice to be a surrogate on each occasion? the first time i think it really surprised some of my friends and family. _ surprised some of my friends and family. but— surprised some of my friends and family, but once they got used to it, they— family, but once they got used to it, they were very accepting and thankfully were there for me, to support— thankfully were there for me, to support me. by the second round they were like. _ support me. by the second round they were like, yes, of course, you're doing _ were like, yes, of course, you're doing it — were like, yes, of course, you're doing it again! and i've been thankful— doing it again! and i've been thankful to have nothing but positive _ thankful to have nothing but positive experiences from my friends and family _ positive experiences from my friends and famil . ., ., positive experiences from my friends and famil . ., ,, i. positive experiences from my friends and famil . ., ,, ., and family. thank you both for “oininu and family. thank you both for joining us _ and family. thank you both for joining us to — and family. thank you both for joining us to talk _ and family. thank you both for joining us to talk about - and family. thank you both for joining us to talk about this i and family. thank you both for i joining us to talk about this issue. as you say, it is really good to increase discussion around and get more awareness of. so thank you,

natalie gamble and alyssa martin, thank you for your time. we are going to bring you some breaking news now about the head of britain's ofgem energy regulator, jonathan brearley. he has been making some comments about the energy crisis, the rise of wholesale gas prices. he has said that the recent rise in gas prices is unprecedented and more energy suppliers could go out of business. that has just come from the head of britain's ofgem energy regulator, jonathan brearley. we know there have been some smaller gas companies, smaller energy companies that were facing the risk of going bust, we have had that news already over the past few days, but now we are hearing more energy suppliers could go out of business, according to the ofgem energy regulatorjonathan brearley. he regulator jonathan brearley. he said, regulatorjonathan brearley. he said, have a look at the change in

the gas price, it is something we don't think we have seen before at this pace and we expect more suppliers not to be able to face the circumstances we are in. we will bring you more on that as we get it. lava flowing from the volcano that erupted on the spanish island of la palma on sunday has now destroyed more than 200 houses. nearly 6,000 people who live near the cumbre vieja volcano have been evacuated. the lava is flowing at an estimated speed of 300 metres an hour down towards the sea. our correspondent dan johnson is there for us. a fourth day of eruptions here. the volcano just keeps rumbling, keeps spewing out lava. it is actually... it is probably at about the calmest we have seen it this morning. it's not as fierce as it has been for most of the last three days and nights, but it never stops and nobody can do anything to stop or control the lava that is flowing down the hillside from it. so it has scorched right across the landscape. there's a huge black scar across the hillside

here, and everything that the lava touches sets on fire, gets burned or gets buried by the sheer volume of that lava. it's really destructive. it has been a spectacular display. these are nature's fireworks, and some of nature's strongest forces at work. but it is certainly doing huge damage, notjust to the landscape here but to villages and homes. we saw a village right down at the bottom of the lava flow being evacuated yesterday. people were given the chance just to grab a few last things and get to safety before their homes were engulfed by the lava. it is really distressing to see that because people are leaving their homes behind knowing that they will never be able to go back there. even buildings that aren't actually destroyed by the lava are probably going to be cut off or be in such a dangerous position that they will have to be abandoned. so this is a really big issue for the future of those communities and how this

island recovers from this. a new project to recycle facemasks — in a bid to tackle plastic pollution — has begun in england. the masks are being melted and transformed into litter grabbers, which are being given to every school and college in cornwall. our health, science and environment correspondent, laura foster reports. ijust found it in the bush! at penpol school near cambourne, pupils don't have to go too far from the school gates before they come across litter, and each picker they're using is made from used hospital protective equipment. you can pick up a mask with these, that are made out of masks, and ijust think it's really cool. instead of chucking it away, they're something really useful. i don't understand why it would just be children rather than grown—ups.| and grown—ups have more free time as well. - the arrival of covid last year means the nhs has been using more plastic. so pre—covid, we were using about 300 masks a day, just for theatres mostly, and then covid struck and that increased to 10,000 a day.

this machine is being tipped as the answer. it melts masks and tray wraps, and can reach temperatures of over 300 degrees celsius. obviously, we need to remove the ear straps and the wire that sits over your nose. basically, it'sjust like a giant oven. you know, it melts it all down, and that makes one of the big blocks, which then gets taken away, and ground down into plastic granules and repurposed. 45 masks are needed to make each picker. the hospital recognises repurposing is not a perfect solution, but says it's better than using an incinerator. at the moment, this is the best that we have. we all want to get to reusable ppe — that's the end result, but the barriers are there for a very good reason and we must stick with them to keep our staff and patients safe. and that will happen. i think that'sjust a matter of time. all 332 schools and colleges across cornwall will be given their own pickers in the coming weeks, but the hope is that one day it

will be safe enough to re—use masks in more health care settings and further reduce the nhs's environmental footprint. laura foster, bbc news, truro. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. hello. for those of you who follow the astronomical calendar rather than the meteorological, today is the last day of summer and the start of autumn. it is the autumn equinox today. here are the sunrise and sunset times today. the eagle—eyed amongst you will notice that actually days are still around ten to 15 minutes longer than nights. that they will change friday into saturday when the nights will gradually take over with the equinox. but it does feel like autumn for some of you and that is mainly across parts of western scotland. today, some heavy persistent rain clearing away from the highlands and islands after that wet start. but rain in aberdeenshire, central scotland, argyll and bute to western parts of northern ireland by the end of the day. blustery conditions with it.

whereas for much of england and wales, lighter winds, a bit of cloud in the west, lots of sunshine to eastern areas. and it is here where, farfrom autumn, it feels like late summer. temperatures, 22, 23 degrees. we should only be at around 17, 18 degrees as an absolute max. only in the mid teens across parts of scotland. now into tonight, the first batch of cloud and patchy rain will work its way southwards. many will stay dry, but frequent showers, some heavy with hail and thunder and gales or severe gale force winds across the north of scotland. a windier night to come compared with last night. temperatures, though, for most will be holding in double figures. so not quite as chilly. two weather fronts on the chart for thursday. this one is bringing cloud and patchy rain to the south of the country, this is what brings the wild weather across scotland over night. but quickly clearing through into norway. winds slowly easing, still a blustery and a fairly cool day for orkney, shetland and north—east of scotland. cloud and patchy rain to western scotland tomorrow and whilst there will be patchy rain and drizzle towards the south west, many other areas will stay dry. some sunny spells breaking through and again in that sunshine, it will

feel unusually warm. just 11 degrees in shetland. a surge of warm air comes back again as we go into the weekend and into the week. coming up with south to south—easterly winds across the country and that means we will see temperatures maybe into the low 20s in eastern scotland on friday with some sunny spells, cloud and patchy rain across western scotland, some thicker cloud across north—west england, northern ireland at times. many having a dry and bright day, best of which in southern and eastern areas, 23 and 24 celsius certainly possible. and that warmth will continue into the weekend for england and wales certainly. maybe one or two showers on sunday, but there's always a chance of a few more outbreaks of rain in the north—west of the uk as we go through into next week. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11:00... white house talks between borisjohnson and joe biden — but the us president has played down the prospect of brokering a free trade deal with the uk, and issued a fresh warning over northern ireland trade. the deal with the uk, that's continued to be discussed. but the protocols, ifeel very strongly about those. and at the un, president biden promises a new era in his first address to the general assembly — promising relentless diplomacy rather than relentless war. the head of the energy regulator ofgem says the recent rise in gas prices is unprecedented and more energy suppliers could go out of business leaving hundreds of thousands of customers "in limbo". a catalogue of errors that led

to thousands of people, mostly women, being underpaid by a billion pounds in state pensions. a 31—year—old man's been charged with the murders of three children and a woman in derbyshire. damien bendall is due to appear in court this morning. an injunction has been granted to national highways against climate change protesters targetting the m25, meaning they could now face imprisonment. a powerful earthquake strikes southeastern australia. it's felt in melbourne, canberra and sydney. and eight countries — including pakistan, turkey and bangladesh — are taken off england's travel red list, meaning people will no longer have to quarantine in a hotel when they return.

boris johnson's hopes for securing a comprehensive free trade deal with the us appear to be fading, after president biden downplayed the issue following their face—to—face meeting at the white house. following their face—to—face meeting mr biden told reporters they'd discuss trade "a little bit" but he stressed instead the issue of peace in northern ireland. he said he wouldn't want to see a change in the irish accords which might result in the closed border again. so what about the uk's trade deal hopes? one option thought to be under consideration — joining a north american trade pact. that's the usmca deal, which involves the us, mexico and canada. but the department for international trade this morning said there were no plans for that. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports from washington dc. side by side, borisjohnson's visit to the most famous political office in the world finally took place.

the president regaling him first with stories of the american railroad. i travel more on amtrak. if i were a conductor, i would be number one on seniority. it was far from just a friendly chat. the two men hailing working together on security, on travel, on climate. but on trade, the us isn't ready to speed towards a deal with the uk. and the us president was clear on his concerns about northern ireland. on the deal with the uk, that's continued to be discussed. but on the protocols, i feel very strongly about those. and i would not at all like to see, nor, i might add, would many of my republican colleagues like to see, a change in the irish accords and the end result having a closed border again. for no 10, though, the white house visit was third day lucky on this trip, describing the atmosphere of the talks as very positive,

saying the relationship between the new neighbours at the white house and the uk is making great strides forward. finally, after two years, borisjohnson has had his moment in the white house as the uk prime minister. on this muggy washington evening, the atmosphere inside the oval office was warm. the two men agree on many things, particularly their commitment to tackling climate change. but there is a sense, still, this is a relationship in its early days, not yet an established friendship. the prime minister still has one day on this side of the atlantic. the situation he'll face at home could give him more cause for concern. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, at the white house. ina in a moment we will speak to the former uk ambassador to the us. first some breaking news coming from joe biden on vaccination. he says he wants there to be a target of 70% of

every country vaccinated by september of 2022. there have been moved by richer countries to donate vaccinations to poorer countries. america is donating 500 million doses and the united kingdom is donating 100 million doses, but that will be a massive step up in terms of where some countries are with just 3.5% of the population of the whole of africa currently vaccinated. that's a considerable target thatjoe biden has outlined, asking leaders to vaccinate 70% of every country by september of 2022. we will bring you more on that as we get it. let's speak now to lord darroch, the former uk ambassador to the us, now a crossbench peer. welcome and thank you forjoining us. i guess the word is lukewarm, to describe howjoe biden responded in terms of that uk, us trade deal.

it's a long way from president trump talking about a massive uk and us trade deal. is this a rebuff? what's going on? i trade deal. is this a rebuff? what's auoin on? ., �* , trade deal. is this a rebuff? what's uaoinon? ,, �*, , trade deal. is this a rebuff? what's ttoin on? ~' �*, , ., going on? i think it's exactly what ou would going on? i think it's exactly what you would have _ going on? i think it's exactly what you would have expected - going on? i think it's exactly what you would have expected from i you would have expected from president biden. it has been his consistent position, through the campaign and immediately on taking office he said trade deals were not his priority. he has a big domestic agenda and that's where he is focusing his energies. so i never thought that a quick uk, us free trade deal was on the cards. and what the president said yesterday confirmed that. so we are where we expected. the domestic politics of it don't work forjoe biden. as a priority it isn't there. there is an issue, as laura kuenssberg mentioned, about the northern ireland protocol and i think the americans are waiting to see how that negotiation with the european union comes out before they make any

move on trade. union comes out before they make any move on trade-— move on trade. what about the --rosect move on trade. what about the prospect of _ move on trade. what about the prospect of the _ move on trade. what about the prospect of the uk _ move on trade. what about the prospect of the ukjoining i move on trade. what about the prospect of the ukjoining that| prospect of the uk joining that trade deal on the same terms as mexico and canada? will that not fly? to mexico and canada? will that not fl ? ., , ., , , mexico and canada? will that not fly? to be honest, this has a bit of a back of the _ fly? to be honest, this has a bit of a back of the envelope _ fly? to be honest, this has a bit of a back of the envelope feel- fly? to be honest, this has a bit of a back of the envelope feel to i fly? to be honest, this has a bit of a back of the envelope feel to it. l a back of the envelope feel to it. the us, canada and mexico trade deal, the successor to nafta, was brought in under the trump presidency primarily to stop us factoryjobs being outsourced to mexico so it is very much about trade on the north american continent and there are no arrangements for other countries to accede to it. it is not necessarily possible for a bespoke agreement to match up uk and us trade, and it was

still need congressional approval and that is dependent on how the northern ireland protocol might go. fitififd? is dependent on how the northern ireland protocol might go. away from the trade deal — ireland protocol might go. away from the trade deal and _ ireland protocol might go. away from the trade deal and the _ ireland protocol might go. away from the trade deal and the northern i the trade deal and the northern ireland protocol, what else did you pick up from the first meeting at the white house between the leaders? it's not the first meeting between the leaders because they did meet at the leaders because they did meet at the g7 in cornwall, but it is always an important moment, for a british prime minister to go to the oval office for a first meeting with the american president, it is the most powerful office on the planet. but actually i think overall the prime minister, setting aside the trade issue, would have been reasonably satisfied with how this has gone. he has got a move from the united states on climate change, financing for developing countries and doubling the us contribution to the development fund for climate change,

which would make it much more likely we can get a good outcome from the meeting in november at the cop 26 meeting. meeting in november at the cop 26 meetinu. ~ , ., meeting in november at the cop 26 meetinu. ~ i. .,, ., meeting. when you say he has got that move from _ meeting. when you say he has got that move from the _ meeting. when you say he has got that move from the united - meeting. when you say he has got that move from the united states, how relevant is britain's diplomacy in that, and the forthcoming cop 26 summit? or is itjust about us interests? because when we look at what is going on with the trade deal, that's about us interest primarily. deal, that's about us interest rimaril . ., , deal, that's about us interest rimaril . . , ., ., deal, that's about us interest primarily-— primarily. that is a fair point. there will— primarily. that is a fair point. there will have _ primarily. that is a fair point. there will have been - primarily. that is a fair point. there will have been a i primarily. that is a fair point. there will have been a lot i primarily. that is a fair point. there will have been a lot of| there will have been a lot of diplomatic exchanges over the past few weeks and months about this issue because it is crucial to the success of the summit in glasgow. and as hosts and chairs of that summit we have a kind of lead responsibility to try to get a good outcome. but the main player in this will have beenjohn kerry, the

former secretary of state and the climate change envoy of the united states, who has persuaded his colleagues successfully to double the us contribution. the americans are doing this because they recognise they need to take a lead globally if we are going to get a better climate change deal done. what would your reading b of the potential bumps in the road and the potential bumps in the road and the potential key shared interests in the relationship in the coming months. i the relationship in the coming months. ., �* , , ~, months. i think the biden presidency is heavily focused _ months. i think the biden presidency is heavily focused on _ months. i think the biden presidency is heavily focused on domestic i is heavily focused on domestic policy at the moment. they have a 1.9 trillion dollar covid recovery bill through congress already and there are two more big spending bills they want to get through in the next few weeks. internationally, i think it is about relations with nato. i think it's about the

challenge from china. and let's be clear, biden made throughout his campaign for the presidency, climate change a key issue, so it is also about getting a good new international agreement on climate change. as far as uk concerns, i think the key is an outcome on the northern ireland protocol that the americans think doesn't put the good friday agreement at risk. they feel they contributed significantly to that agreement, so they have a real stake in it. joe biden has very strong irish roots so we'll be watching this very closely. if we can get a deal that everyone is happy with, including the irish government and ourfriends in europe, i think there are quite good prospects because we still bring a lot to the table on defence and intelligence and security, as the august deal demonstrates. but we need to get that northern ireland

protocol issue sorted. —— the aukus deal demonstrates. the united nations general assembly continues in new york, and climate issues remain high on the agenda. us climate envoyjohn kerry says he's delighted at a pledge by china not to build any new coal—fired power stations abroad. president xi jinping's announcement at the un could significantly limit the financing of coal plants in the developing world. but mr xi made no reference to energy policy in china itself, where half the world's coal is burned. translation: china must drive | to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. this requires tremendous hard work and we will make every effort to meet these goals. china will step up support for other developing countries in developing

green and low carbon energy and will not build new coal fire powered projects abroad. a man has been charged with four counts of murder after a mother and three children were found dead in derbyshire on sunday. 31—year—old damien bendall is accused of killing terri harris, her childrenjohn—paul and lacey, and theirfriend connie gent, in killamarsh near sheffield. he'll appear at southern derbyshire magistrates' court later. police are to be given more powers to deal with climate change protesters who've blocked parts of the m25 in recent days. the transport secretary, grant shapps, says an injunction has been granted by a judge, meaning that similar demonstrations could lead to imprisonment. it'll come into effect later today. detectives investigating the murder of lyra mckee in londonderry in 2019 have arrested two men. they are 24 and 29 and were detained in derry.

they have been taken to belfast to be questioned under the terrorism act. lyra mckee was a 29—year—old journalist who was observing a riot in the creggan area when she was shot dead. this is bbc news... an 18—year—old inmate at bronzefield's women's prison who lost her baby should never have been allowed to give birth alone in her cell, according to a new report from the prisons and probation ombudsman. the investigation found there were a series of failings in the way the teenager was treated. she gave birth alone in herself overnight and the baby died. it was not yet clear if the baby was stillborn or alive after birth. i'm joined now by the prisons and probation ombudsman for england and wales sue mcallister who was behind that report. how was it that a pregnant 18—year—old was left to give birth alone in her cell, what happened and what have you been able to piece

together about that night? we found in our investigation _ together about that night? we found in our investigation at _ together about that night? we found in our investigation at a _ together about that night? we found in our investigation at a number i together about that night? we found in our investigation at a number of i in our investigation at a number of things went wrong in this case and we've identified a of our failings. first of all there was confusion about the due date, when the baby was due to be born to stop the staff looking after this young woman in the prison didn't know the birth was imminent. so when she asked for help on the evening before she gave birth her calls were ignored and she was not given access to a nurse. we found that was unacceptable. she pressed her call bell twice and on neither occasion did staff respond. why was that? we neither occasion did staff respond. why was that?— why was that? we have identified the didn't why was that? we have identified they didn't and — why was that? we have identified they didn't and have _ why was that? we have identified they didn't and have said - why was that? we have identified they didn't and have said that i why was that? we have identified they didn't and have said that is i they didn't and have said that is unacceptable and one recommendation we have made is that an investigation should be carried out by the director of bronzefield with a view to decide whether disciplinary action is appropriate. we also found the midwifery care given to this young woman in

bronzefield and the midwifery model operating in prisons is not suitable for prisons. it is not suitable for cases where, as in this case, the young woman did not engage with midwives, was not willing to have a scan, didn't attend an appointment and was clearly very frightened, including being frightened the baby would be taken away from her. one thing we have recommended is a more flexible and imaginative approach needs to be adopted in cases like this. and that all women who are pregnant and this. and that all women who are pregnantand in this. and that all women who are pregnant and in prison should be treated as having high risk pregnancies. so treated as having high risk pregnancies.— treated as having high risk reanancies. i. ., treated as having high risk reanancies. , ., . ., pregnancies. so you are saying that basically she _ pregnancies. so you are saying that basically she wasn't _ pregnancies. so you are saying that basically she wasn't engaging i pregnancies. so you are saying that basically she wasn't engaging and l basically she wasn't engaging and they just left basically she wasn't engaging and theyjust left her to that. in your report you say that staff appeared to regard her as difficult and having a bad attitude, rather than as a vulnerable 18—year—old and frightened that her baby would be taken from her. we frightened that her baby would be taken from her.— taken from her. we did find there were some _ taken from her. we did find there were some staff— taken from her. we did find there were some staff who _ taken from her. we did find there were some staff who tried - taken from her. we did find there were some staff who tried very i taken from her. we did find there i were some staff who tried very hard to engage with her and tried hard to

form a relationship. some staff got on reasonably well with her, but she was vulnerable, she had issues with trust and found it very difficult to trust and found it very difficult to trust people in positions of authority so her behaviour could be challenging. what we found was that not enough was done to try to persuade her to engage and to persuade her to engage and to persuade her to engage and to persuade her it was in her best interest to engage so sometimes when she failed to attend appointments or she failed to attend appointments or she was reluctant to attend a clinic, not enough was done to try to understand why that was. what we have recommended is that a more trauma informed approach would be appropriate in prisons dealing with women who are often vulnerable and very frightened and whose pregnancies can be very complicated. they could be the results of abuse, for example, and they might not be the happy events that they are often assumed to be when midwives are working with women in the community. that is potentially quite a big programme of education you are talking about. it is

programme of education you are talking about.— programme of education you are talking about. it is something the rison talking about. it is something the prison service _ talking about. it is something the prison service has _ talking about. it is something the prison service has agreed - talking about. it is something the prison service has agreed to i talking about. it is something the prison service has agreed to do, i talking about. it is something the l prison service has agreed to do, so they have accepted that recommendation so we will be working with them if we can to make sure that the things we found in this investigation can inform the learning, but it's a big challenge. but it is necessary, we think, to make sure that when women are pregnant and make sure that when women are pregnantand in make sure that when women are pregnant and in prison they get the care they need, the bespoke care they need and notjust simply a replica of the model that operates in the community. to replica of the model that operates in the community.— replica of the model that operates in the community. to the ministry of justice in the community. to the ministry of justice says — in the community. to the ministry of justice says that _ in the community. to the ministry of justice says that since _ in the community. to the ministry of justice says that since the _ in the community. to the ministry of justice says that since the death i in the community. to the ministry of justice says that since the death of. justice says that since the death of the baby in this situation, women have been given access to advice services on the phone and offered social services support and welfare checks are carried out for pregnant women in their third trimester. is that enough? it women in their third trimester. is that enough?— women in their third trimester. is that enough? it is a start. we know some money _ that enough? it is a start. we know some money has — that enough? it is a start. we know some money has been _ that enough? it is a start. we know some money has been put - that enough? it is a start. we know some money has been put into i that enough? it is a start. we know i some money has been put into women's prisons so that new staff can be recruited to work with pregnant women and we are very pleased that a number has been added to the number

of cell phones so women can identify support services. we identified that women who are pregnant and in prison cannot ring up their community midwife or gp, they can't contact their friend midwife or gp, they can't contact theirfriend or mother or midwife or gp, they can't contact their friend or mother or whoever they want to speak to. having the number added to in cell telephones is a good thing. the money is welcome but we will be looking at what else needs to happen and we will work collaboratively with the prison service to support them with the knowledge we have gained through this investigation. [30 the knowledge we have gained through this investigation.— this investigation. do you think this investigation. do you think this is a systemic _ this investigation. do you think this is a systemic issue - this investigation. do you think this is a systemic issue or i this is a systemic issue or something that boils down to individuals simply not responding to a human in a difficult situation? what we found in this investigation was the failure of a number of individuals to do what they should have done and we address that in this recommendation. we know, for example, that in the most recent inspection of bronzefield in 2018 it

was identified that sometimes sell call bells were not answered or were not answered quickly enough. that suggests there might be systemic or a cultural issue the director might need to address. has a cultural issue the director might need to address.— need to address. has anyone lost their 'ob need to address. has anyone lost theirjob over— need to address. has anyone lost theirjob over this? _ need to address. has anyone lost theirjob over this? my _ theirjob over this? my understanding - theirjob over this? ij�*i understanding is theirjob over this? ii understanding is that theirjob over this? i’gi understanding is that although theirjob over this? ii1 understanding is that although an internal investigation has taken place disciplinary action has not yet taken place.— yet taken place. one of the key issues you _ yet taken place. one of the key issues you identified _ yet taken place. one of the key issues you identified was, - yet taken place. one of the key issues you identified was, she i yet taken place. one of the key i issues you identified was, she has been named in your report as ms a, and it has been said in your report that ms a was concerned that she would be separated from her baby. how can that be dealt with because if a woman is in prison, it is a difficult situation. what can be the best response in that situation? it is a very difficult situation and this case was not unique. sometimes when women are pregnant in prison they know that when they give birth they know that when they give birth the baby is likely to be taken away,

either because there is a safeguarding issue and social services need to be involved, or simply because the woman has not got a place on a mother and baby unit and can't keep the baby with her. so prison staff and health care staff in prisons are used to working with women in that very difficult situation, but in this case because ms a was not willing to engage, not enough was done to work with her to understand why that was about to happen and what could be done to support her in what was a very difficult time.— support her in what was a very difficult time. . , , ., ., ., difficult time. has she had adequate su ort difficult time. has she had adequate support since? _ difficult time. has she had adequate support since? our— difficult time. has she had adequate support since? our remit _ difficult time. has she had adequate support since? our remit stops - difficult time. has she had adequate | support since? our remit stops when we ublish support since? our remit stops when we publish our— support since? our remit stops when we publish our investigation. - support since? our remit stops when we publish our investigation. it - support since? our remit stops when we publish our investigation. it is - we publish our investigation. it is not something we can be involved in. we know that the second anniversary of the baby's death is coming up so that be a particularly difficult time for her, but we know she has support and we hope that support continues to take her through this very difficult time and beyond.

prison and probation ombudsman, thank you forjoining us. years of repeated human errors and outdated technology led to an estimated one billion pounds' worth of state pensions being underpaid to more than 100,000 people. according to a report by the national audit office, 134,000 pensioners, mainly women were underpaid pensions because outdated computer systems in the 19805 led to mistakes. in total, the department for work and pensions is expecting to pay the affected pensioners a total ofjust over £1 billion — that's an average of £8,900 for each person affected. here's our business reporter, sarah corker. for nearly a decade, irene from worcestershire was underpaid her state pension. she is one of thousands of women in their 70s and 805 that missed out on large sums of money because of government errors. i think it's scandalous. i think that the fact that you have to battle for something that's rightfully yours is awful, because i was lucky,

i have got richard to help me. but anybody who is a widow, perhaps not financially up with it, and they're perhaps struggling on the breadline, it could make a tremendous difference. irene has now been paid the £7,000 she was owed, but it was a battle and she's far from alone. these errors relate to married women who had small state pensions. they were eligible to claim 60% of their husbands contributions. but complex rules and errors by the dwp meant that for decades, they were underpaid. the errors date back to 1985, affecting an estimated 134,000 pensioners, including some married women, widows and the over 805. they are collectively owed more than £1 billion. the national audit office found there were repeated human errors over many years at the department for work and pensions, blamed on complex pension rules and unautomated, outdated it systems.

most of the people affected are going to be women, not all, but most — 90% of those that take this type of state pension uplift5 are women. and unfortunately, i'm afraid, many of them will have died before they received the money that they are owed. so actually, in a significant minority of cases, this is money that will actually go to their next of kin. the department for work and pensions said it is fully committed to ensuring the historical errors made by successive governments are corrected, and it's improved training to make sure it doesn't happen again. a team of 500 civil servants is now working to trace women like irene who were short—changed. but it will take years to complete. sarah corker, bbc news. let's speak to joshua reddaway, director of work and pensions at the national audit office. we saw you in our report. thank you

forjoining us. if tracing people will take years to complete, the situation could get much worse for people in the meantime in terms of how much they are owed and some people might even die. what's your view of that? i people might even die. what's your view of that?— view of that? i think one of the big issues here — view of that? i think one of the big issues here is _ view of that? i think one of the big issues here is that _ view of that? i think one of the big issues here is that it _ view of that? i think one of the big issues here is that it has _ view of that? i think one of the big issues here is that it has taken - view of that? i think one of the big issues here is that it has taken a l issues here is that it has taken a very long time for the department to realise what is going on. in fact it didn't really find out itself. it only worked this out because women like the one in your report, others, and journalists and people who worked with pensions said there were issues. once the department recognise there was a problem in around april last year, it did do the right thing and was trying to find out how big an issue this was and how to deal with it. the problem is, there is no way to resolve this other than getting every single file that could possibly have an error,

and the department has identified 400,000 files it is concerned might be wrong and it has to go through them manually and check. it is doing them manually and check. it is doing the right thing but it could take a long time to do that. if it does find an error it will contact the person concerned, and that means quite a few people will be getting a letter completely out of the blue saying that we have found an error, we are very sorry, and here is a cheque. some of them will be quite small, just a few pounds, but the largest is £130,000 that we have found. that is a huge figure. most of them have been under £5,000 so far, so we shouldn't expect a lot of these £100,000 cheques but it's a lot of money to a lot of people. what happens if somebody gets a letter about a loved one who has since passed away? what happens

then? it since passed away? what happens then? , ., ., ., then? it is an unfortunate fact here that many. — then? it is an unfortunate fact here that many. many — then? it is an unfortunate fact here that many, many of— then? it is an unfortunate fact here that many, many of those - then? it is an unfortunate fact here that many, many of those who - then? it is an unfortunate fact here| that many, many of those who have been affected will have died before these errors could be corrected, and they could receive that money. there are actually two problems here beyond the fact that these people have died without benefiting from the money they were due. the first is that the department doesn't really have a way of contacting next of kin. it has some records here but it doesn't have a plan or a way at the moment on how to trace those people. the second is that the department destroyed records after four years after both the pensioner and their spouse or civil partner has died. they have to do, that's the data protection rules. but what it means is that there is a gap in the records and we may not be able

to find out the full extent of this. we are talking about errors that affect people today that in some cases started decades ago. would a souse or cases started decades ago. would a spouse or descendants _ cases started decades ago. would a spouse or descendants be _ cases started decades ago. would a spouse or descendants be able - cases started decades ago. would a spouse or descendants be able to l cases started decades ago. would a i spouse or descendants be able to get that money as part of the estate after someone has died, or does it just disappear?— after someone has died, or does it just disappear? absolutely. the law here is that the _ just disappear? absolutely. the law here is that the money _ just disappear? absolutely. the law here is that the money is _ just disappear? absolutely. the law here is that the money is owed - just disappear? absolutely. the law here is that the money is owed to l here is that the money is owed to that person and after they have dyed the money becomes part of the area state. one of the revelations is that there has to be a plan to get money to the people who do believe that their loved one who has died was owed money and that they can check with the office. if the department can't find these people then the people have to be able to find the department of. might there be other errors _ find the department of. might there be other errors that _ find the department of. might there be other errors that have _ find the department of. might there be other errors that have not - find the department of. might there be other errors that have not been l be other errors that have not been uncovered? it wasn't discovered internally, it was digging by others that has led to this so what else might be out there? that

that has led to this so what else might be out there?— that has led to this so what else might be out there? that is exactly the question _ might be out there? that is exactly the question we _ might be out there? that is exactly the question we ask _ might be out there? that is exactly the question we ask the _ might be out there? that is exactlyl the question we ask the department and they are doing quite a bit of work to find out if there is anything else. on the one hand, it is a specific set of issues here that relates to people who first claimed a state pension prior to 2016 and who didn't have a full national insurance record in their own right and who should have been entitled, and were entitled to automatic uplifts, that the department had to do. it is the department's fault, and that is the important thing, the department made the error, nobody else, and the department has to put it right will stop there are other people who could have claimed more but didn't. those people will still need to make a claim and they can get 12 months backdated if they do so. a claim and they can get 12 months backdated if they do 50. what happened was that these people should have got the uplift is at a later point and the department was meant to flag on their file but

often dwp staff did not put those flags on. and sometimes when they did put them on, they didn't action them, they didn't go back and do a review. and sometimes in going back and action in them, they got it wrong. there is a level of human error. the computer system is very old. a member of the dwp staff used three different computer systems to get the data out, dating back to around 30 years old, some of these systems. and they are really complex rules and they are highly manual processes. we said that some level of error was inevitable. you are asking if others are out there and one of our concerns is that you can't change the computer script here. they are going to have to change the system in the same system

that led to the error. it's inevitable there will be some errors going forward but i am hopeful it will only be a handful because they are aware of it and they are trying their best to sort it out now. irate their best to sort it out now. we are talking _ their best to sort it out now. we are talking about pensioners here and it is complicated. can people be proactive in this and if they call up proactive in this and if they call up how easy will it be to get to the bottom of it? one woman interviewed this morning said it took two years from herfirst raising this morning said it took two years from her first raising a potential issue and she was told repeatedly that there wasn't a problem when there was. i think one of the biggest challenges as it is very i think one of the biggest challenges as it is very difficult if you are receiving statements to know if you are getting the right amount. i'm sure many of your listeners will be worried if they are affected by this. actually what has happened is lots of people have contacted the department and 98% of those, there wasn't anything wrong with their state pension. in the one

hand, if you are affected by these errors, the department will come to you. on the other hand, i can't recommend to people and contacted because we know there are people who don't get all their benefits, don't claim, so for example there is something called pension credit which is aimed at those with the least amount of income in society, and there's a lot of people that don't claim that who could claim that. and there are people who aren't getting their full entitlement to state pension because they have not informed the department of something. that includes anyone who wanted to rely on their partners national insurance record where their partner got to state pension age and made a claim prior to 2008. it also includes anyone who is divorced after they reach state pension age and a whole series of other things. if they

don't tell the department, then they are not going to be getting their full entitlement. so yes, i would have to say if you don't think you are getting the right amount, get advice. look online, look at the things out there, and if in doubt, the department is there to try and help, i guess. the department is there to try and help. i guess-— the department is there to try and help, i guess._ thank. the department is there to try and i help, i guess._ thank you. eight countries — including pakistan, turkey and bangladesh — have been taken off england's travel red list. it means people coming from those destinations won't be required to pay for hotel quarantine on their return. with me now is the travel writer and baillie gifford prize nominee tharik hussain who has family in bangladesh. welcome, thanks for joining welcome, thanks forjoining us. what impact has it had for those countries being on the red list? you

named three _ countries being on the red list? in named three countries there which have a huge migrant community within the uk, with strong ties to families there. you mentioned the fact that i have family there myself. during this period, sadly numerous funerals have taken place and there also been festivals that normally people from this country would travel back and forth towards. then you have got countries like egypt and of course turkey as well, which rely heavily on british tourism. sol turkey as well, which rely heavily on british tourism. so i think all of the countries you have named have been affected quite dramatically by being on the red list. so presumably there is going _ being on the red list. so presumably there is going to _ being on the red list. so presumably there is going to be _ being on the red list. so presumably there is going to be a _ being on the red list. so presumably there is going to be a pent-up - there is going to be a pent—up demand for people wanting to go to those countries or come here from those countries or come here from those countries or come here from those countries to perhaps make the most of it quite quickly. yes. those countries to perhaps make the most of it quite quickly.— most of it quite quickly. yes, i su ose most of it quite quickly. yes, i suppose because _ most of it quite quickly. yes, i suppose because of _ most of it quite quickly. yes, i suppose because of the - most of it quite quickly. yes, i suppose because of the way i most of it quite quickly. yes, i - suppose because of the way things have progressed, where we have had windows open and closed, yes, we

will inevitably see potentially a bit of a rush because people are worried that that window may close again. but i also think, you know, for a lot of people, it's an opportunity to go back and see family members who they have been apart from for almost two years in some cases. and also try and catch up some cases. and also try and catch up with them and connect with them in a way they have just not been able to do up until now. find in a way they have just not been able to do up until now. and have many people _ able to do up until now. and have many people actually _ able to do up until now. and have many people actually been - many people actually been travelling? because people could but obviously they would have to quarantine in a hotel if they did. i think people who have travelled far quite sad and serious reasons, for example, you know, may be the death of a family member or even their sibling or parent, i know for a fact many people have had to do that and have gone about doing that. friends of mine who have had family pass

away have taken the opportunity to go out and have to quarantine before they can see through those particular events, yes. there's been a lot of sort — particular events, yes. there's been a lot of sort of— particular events, yes. there's been a lot of sort of controversy - particular events, yes. there's been a lot of sort of controversy perhapsl a lot of sort of controversy perhaps over which countries go on which list and they are not being —— there not being very clear criteria around which country should be on a particular list. did you ever understand it?— particular list. did you ever understand it? ., ., ., , understand it? there are two factors here really- — understand it? there are two factors here really. for— understand it? there are two factors here really. for a _ understand it? there are two factors here really. for a lot _ understand it? there are two factors here really. for a lot of _ understand it? there are two factors here really. for a lot of people, - here really. for a lot of people, when they are looking at the countries being put on green lists and taken off, especially for pakistan and bangladesh, they are looking around and seeing other countries which are perceived as politically significant to britain where the data might suggest that actually covid rates and deaths in those country are higher if not equal, yet they are being treated differently, and people are understandably asking why. the

second issue, which i think is a far deeper issue, you know, ifeel like our current leadership is one that has sadly alienating much of the countries' muslim communities. so regardless of the data, many muslims will consciously or unconsciously feel british leadership has a bias toward some of those countries may be. ,., toward some of those countries may be. , ., . ~' toward some of those countries may be. ., , ., ., be. going back to the question of how much traffic _ be. going back to the question of how much traffic there _ be. going back to the question of how much traffic there is - be. going back to the question of| how much traffic there is between the countries that have come off the red list and the uk, what would the normal levels be? obviously things have changed dramatically during covid. will the capacity step up to accommodate the numbers previously who might come back quickly or may they won't? i who might come back quickly or may the won't? ~ who might come back quickly or may the won't? ,, , ., , ., who might come back quickly or may they won't?— they won't? i think people are going to be cautious _ they won't? i think people are going to be cautious still _ they won't? i think people are going to be cautious still because - they won't? i think people are going to be cautious still because there i to be cautious still because there is no denying that rates were high in these countries and the data coming forward he told us that. most

people who have family in countries like bangladesh and pakistan and turkey are aware that it is still very risky, these countries can still be potentially risky places to go. loss people are uncomfortable about travelling generally so i don't think we will see the numbers pre—covid, and i think people will only travel when absolutely essential in my opinion. tharik hussain, thank— essential in my opinion. tharik hussain, thank you _ essential in my opinion. tharik hussain, thank you very - essential in my opinion. tharik hussain, thank you very much | essential in my opinion. thariki hussain, thank you very much for joining us. lava flowing from the volcano that erupted on the spanish island of la palma on sunday has now destroyed more than 200 houses. nearly 6,000 people who live near the cumbre vieja volcano have been evacuated. the lava is flowing at an estimated speed of 300 metres an hour down towards the sea. our correspondent dan johnson is

there our correspondent danjohnson is there for us. a fourth day of eruptions here. the volcano just keeps rumbling, keeps spewing out lava. it is actually... it is probably at about the calmest we have seen it this morning. it's not as fierce as it has been for most of the last three days and nights, but it never stops and nobody can do anything to stop or control the lava that is flowing down the hillside from it. so it has scorched right across the landscape. there's a huge black scar across the hillside here, and everything that the lava touches sets on fire, gets burned or gets buried by the sheer volume of that lava. it's really destructive. it has been a spectacular display. these are nature's fireworks, and some of nature's strongest forces at work. but it is certainly doing huge damage, notjust to the landscape here but to villages and homes.

we saw a village right down at the bottom of the lava flow being evacuated yesterday. people were given the chance just to grab a few last things and get to safety before their homes were engulfed by the lava. it is really distressing to see that because people are leaving their homes behind knowing that they will never be able to go back there. even buildings that aren't actually destroyed by the lava are probably going to be cut off or be in such a dangerous position that they will have to be abandoned. so this is a really big issue for the future of those communities and how this island recovers from this. a court injunction has been granted a court granted injunction has been granted and is now in force to stop climate change protestors from blocking the m25. climate change activists from a group called insulate britain have blocked parts of the motorway several times in the last few days and could now face imprisonment as a result of the ruling by a high courtjudge. we arejust we are just hearing that the crime and policing minister will update mp5 on that injunction in a commons statement later. let's speak now to surrey�*s police and crime commissioner lisa townsend. thank you forjoining us. just explain what that injunction will

mean. it explain what that in'unction will mean. , ., , ., , mean. it is great news for everybody who travels — mean. it is great news for everybody who travels through _ mean. it is great news for everybody who travels through surrey - mean. it is great news for everybody who travels through surrey on - mean. it is great news for everybody who travels through surrey on the i who travels through surrey on the m25. it gives police more powers to act quicker and prevent some of this, and it means those who are arrested are able to be held on remand, keeping them off our streets. ~ ., remand, keeping them off our streets. ~ . ., ., streets. what will it mean for policing? _ streets. what will it mean for policing? it — streets. what will it mean for policing? it is _ streets. what will it mean for policing? it is great _ streets. what will it mean for policing? it is great news - streets. what will it mean for policing? it is great news for| policing? it is great news for olicin: policing? it is great news for policing because _ policing? it is great news for policing because our- policing? it is great news for policing because our officers| policing? it is great news for - policing because our officers have been spending so many hours dealing with this. on roads and in contact centres, so it means they can be in neighbourhoods doing the policing they want to do and i'm sure residents everywhere will want to see. , ., residents everywhere will want to see. , . �* ., residents everywhere will want to see. �* ., ., see. insulate britain say there have been 338 arrests _ see. insulate britain say there have been 338 arrests as _ see. insulate britain say there have been 338 arrests as a _ see. insulate britain say there have been 338 arrests as a result - see. insulate britain say there have been 338 arrests as a result of- been 338 arrests as a result of these demonstrations. what if they decide actually it continues to keep the profile of what they are doing in the public eye and they continue? 130 of those arrests have taken place in surrey alone, and not one single surrey resident has been part

of that, so these are people travelling to the m25 to disrupt. i would say to them they are losing public will on this, they are tone deaf if they think the public are with them on this issue. while we may support the aims around climate change and i think we would all agree that, you've only got to look at the prime minister this weekend what he has been doing, this is not the way to go about raising their issues. ., ., ., , ., , ., the way to go about raising their issues. ., ., ., , ., issues. how dangerous would you say the rotest issues. how dangerous would you say the protest is? _ issues. how dangerous would you say the protest is? it's _ issues. how dangerous would you say the protest is? it's been _ issues. how dangerous would you say the protest is? it's been incredibly i the protest is? it's been incredibly dangerous- _ the protest is? it's been incredibly dangerous- just — the protest is? it's been incredibly dangerous. just yesterday - the protest is? it's been incredibly dangerous. just yesterday we - the protest is? it's been incredibly dangerous. just yesterday we had | the protest is? it's been incrediblyl dangerous. just yesterday we had a protest and run onto the m25 causing a lorry to swerve out of the way. that lorry driver, through his incredibly quick thinking, was able to avoid what could have been an incredibly serious accident and killing somebody of course, so it is dangerous for the protesters everybody who uses the roads. it's dangerous if you are somebody relying on emergency services to get to you, so it puts lives at risk, it

puts livelihoods at risk, at a time when we are looking at rising energy prices, rising food prices and wages not able to keep up, so there are some very serious issues clearly facing the whole country, facing surrey residents who want to go about their daily lives. what about their daily lives. what sentence — about their daily lives. what sentence could _ about their daily lives. what sentence could people - about their daily lives. what sentence could people potentially get forjoining these protests and getting arrested after the injunction?— getting arrested after the injunction? getting arrested after the in'unction? ., ., , injunction? that would be something for the cps to _ injunction? that would be something for the cps to look _ injunction? that would be something for the cps to look at _ injunction? that would be something for the cps to look at within - injunction? that would be something for the cps to look at within the - for the cps to look at within the sentencing guidelines. i know surrey police force are gathering all the evidence they can, dash cam footage, cctv and witness statements from people who have seen what is going on, they will put that together and present it to the cps. that will then decide what charge can take place and it is up to the courts to decide on the sentences but i hope the sentences reflect the disruption and the danger happening on our roads. but and the danger happening on our roads. �* ., . ., , roads. but how much does the injunction _ roads. but how much does the injunction actually _

roads. but how much does the injunction actually add - roads. but how much does the injunction actually add to - roads. but how much does the injunction actually add to the l injunction actually add to the police powers? because currently if someone goes onto the motorway to protest, as we have seen, they get arrested, it is not a legal thing. absolutely, it's been incredibly frustrating. obstruction of the highway, although incredibly serious and puts lives in danger, is not an imprisonable offence. we can take people into custody, and we have seen custody suites filling up right across surrey but the cps are very unlikely to press charges because it doesn't carry an imprisonable offence. we know they have been carrying out criminal damage with the paint on the road, public nuisance, so it is very important the police are able to arrest them and take these charges forward. the advantage of the injunction is that it allows the police to act quicker on this and holding remand, which keeps people off our streets because the same people are being released and coming back onto the m25 to

commit crimes again. so being able to keep them away from the m25 and off our streets and out of surrey is what we all want. lisa off our streets and out of surrey is what we all want.— what we all want. lisa townsend, sor 's what we all want. lisa townsend, sorrv's police _ what we all want. lisa townsend, sorry's police and _ what we all want. lisa townsend, sorry's police and crime - sorry's police and crime commissioner, thank you. the headlines on bbc news... white house talks between borisjohnson and joe biden — but the us president has played down the prospect of brokering a free trade deal with the uk, and issued a fresh warning over northern ireland trade. the head of the energy regulator ofgem says the recent rise in gas prices is unprecedented and more energy suppliers could go out of business, leaving hundreds of thousands of customers in limbo. a high court injunction sought by the government to stop climate change protesters targetting the m25 is now fully in force, meaning protesters could face imprisonment if they continue demonstrations stopping traffic. calls to national stammering helplines have doubled since the start of the pandemic, according to the michael palin centre for stammering

and the charity stamma. the organisations say an increase in referrals throughout the pandemic is partly due to increased anxiety and the impact of talking on online platforms, which can put people who stammer on the spot. with me is kirsten howells, a speech and language therapist at the charity stamma, who has a stammer herself. also i'm joined by ronan miller, who has a stammer and is now working on a mobile app to help others. thank you both very much forjoining us. kirsten, tell us more about why you think the number of calls have doubled. i mentioned there people feeling put on the spot on online platforms. tell us more about what has been going on.— has been going on. yes, i think there are _ has been going on. yes, i think there are lots _ has been going on. yes, i think there are lots of _ has been going on. yes, i think there are lots of specific - has been going on. yes, i think there are lots of specific things| there are lots of specific things associated with the pandemic which may have created some specific challenges for people who stammer. you mentioned online platforms, the

move to online meeting platforms, and also facemasks, so there are lots of reasons why people might have been contacting the helpline is more with queries and questions, and looking for information. i5 more with queries and questions, and looking for information. is it eo - le looking for information. is it people who _ looking for information. is it people who knew _ looking for information. is it people who knew they had a stammer and had been managing it but have been encountering new difficulties as a result of those factors? or is it people developing stammers? at what age would somebody normally develop a stammer? 50. what age would somebody normally develop a stammer? so, stammering can start at any _ develop a stammer? so, stammering can start at any age. _ develop a stammer? so, stammering can start at any age. the _ develop a stammer? so, stammering can start at any age. the most - can start at any age. the most common time that it might first crop up common time that it might first crop up is between the ages of two and five years, but it can start in order children and in adults, so it really can start at any point throughout the age range. find really can start at any point throughout the age range. and what have ou throughout the age range. and what have you been _ throughout the age range. and what have you been seeing _ throughout the age range. and what have you been seeing on _ throughout the age range. and what have you been seeing on the - have you been seeing on the helplines? have some adults been

developing stammers that they didn't previously have? it is developing stammers that they didn't previously have?— previously have? it is very difficult to _ previously have? it is very difficult to know _ previously have? it is very difficult to know to - previously have? it is very difficult to know to what i previously have? it is very - difficult to know to what extent the pandemic directly interact. i think what is very likely is the sources of support that people might have been accessing prior to the pandemic became less available during the pandemic, and that resulted in more people calling in. it is very difficult to draw direct links between the pandemic and whether there is more stammering or less stammering, but there are also lots of other factors which might have been influencing people who stammer and the way that they experience society around them. so stammering for many people is just the way that some of us talk. it's not a good thing or a bad thing, it isjust a way of talking that is a little bit different from the majority. it doesn't mean people are weird or

broken or nervous, it is a different pattern of talking. so if you find yourself in a situation where perhaps you are less able to chat with people about that, perhaps isolation during the pandemic means people are put off from their natural networks, their friends and family, and that might have created some calls to our helplines. what we get lots of other calls from teachers and employers who are looking for ways to better support employees and students and staff who stammer, so it is not only people who stammer who are using the helplines. who stammer who are using the hellines. ., ~ who stammer who are using the hellines. . «i , ., who stammer who are using the hellines. ., «i , ., , helplines. thank you, kirsten. ronan, helplines. thank you, kirsten. ronan. i'm — helplines. thank you, kirsten. ronan, i'm interested - helplines. thank you, kirsten. ronan, i'm interested in - helplines. thank you, kirsten. l ronan, i'm interested in hearing about your app but first tell us about your app but first tell us about your app but first tell us about you and the impact stammering has had throughout your life. i know you first identified it at five. how

have you managed and what impact has the pandemic had on you? so as have you managed and what impact has the pandemic had on you?— the pandemic had on you? so as you sa i have the pandemic had on you? so as you say i have stammered _ the pandemic had on you? so as you say i have stammered all— the pandemic had on you? so as you say i have stammered all my - the pandemic had on you? so as you say i have stammered all my life, i say i have stammered all my life, sometimes more, sometimes less, which is how it goes for most people i think. at certain points it has been a challenge for me, but at other times i guess it has served to help me in other ways. and i have reached a point now where i am a proud member of the stammering community. i count a lot of others in the stammering community as friends, and my work revolves around it, so at this point my life is a huge positive i think. in terms of the pandemic, as kirsten says, you know, using zoom and skype and all of these platforms can be a real

challenge. for us, and for others as well who are not used to speaking on these type of platforms. and i think lots of people who stammer have had to adapt and move away from perhaps situations where they felt more uncomfortable speaking. if you combine that, if you think about work and other stresses and the fact that all of us are living through this pandemic, it is quite understandable that some of us would feel a bit anxious, i think. understandable that some of us would feel a bit anxious, ithink. but also as kirsten alluded to, people who stammer will stammer sometimes more, sometimes less. what is really important is the reaction of others and how people are able to interact

with us and their responses, and i think perhaps seeing different phases on a screen as we do on these calls perhaps highlights some of those responses that can trigger even more anxiety.— even more anxiety. sorry to interrupt — even more anxiety. sorry to interrupt you, _ even more anxiety. sorry to interrupt you, but _ even more anxiety. sorry to interrupt you, but can - even more anxiety. sorry to interrupt you, but can you l even more anxiety. sorry to l interrupt you, but can you tell even more anxiety. sorry to - interrupt you, but can you tell me what you mean by that because i think when you said probably everybody has found zoom difficult, i think that is absolutely true. it is not the most natural way of communicating. what do you mean about the faces? the responses? i think a common experience for lots of people whose daughter is when they do starter or they are experiencing a block —— when people do stammer or when they are experiencing a block, the person they are talking to is not sure about what is happening and without

any will may be responding in a way that can make more anxiety in the person who stammers. and that often happens in a one—to—one situation, but if you imagine being in a zoom call where you can see the reactions of five, six, nine, ten people, that anxiety that comes from those type of responses is obviously multiplied. so if you take your first example of people being on the spot, if you imagine you are not just on one spot, you are on ten spots, i think it is quite easy to understand how that can be quite a struggle for some people. completely, yes. intimidating. so, ronan, tell us about the app. 501 ronan, tell us about the app. so i

can't take — ronan, tell us about the app. so i can't take the _ ronan, tell us about the app. sr i can't take the credit for this app. at the owners —— at the university of reading we are part of a joint project which is developing this app to support people who stammer. and people can look for it, it is on the 3pp people can look for it, it is on the app stores and things, and the theory is this is a tool that people can use. another option, i think, for people. a lot of people who stammer don't have options and a lot of people who stammer don't have access to in person support. and there is a lot of misinformation out there is a lot of misinformation out there about stammering as well. so this is an attempt to bridge that gap, and often people demand support as they wish and just another option

out there for people to try and feel more comfortable with their communication.— more comfortable with their communication. ., «i . ., communication. thank you so much for 'oinin: us. communication. thank you so much for joining us- ronan _ communication. thank you so much for joining us. ronan miller— communication. thank you so much for joining us. ronan miller and _ communication. thank you so much for joining us. ronan miller and kirsten i joining us. ronan miller and kirsten howells, it has been helpfulfor everybody to hear what you were saying and think about how we respond when others are talking on how we listen. thank you. labour leader, sir keir starmer, will meet union bosses this lunchtime to discuss his plans for changing how leaders are elected in the future but the plans have so far proven to be controversial, and one union boss has said she won't be going to the party conference. iain watson is at westminster. that's right, the new leader of unite taking over from that's right, the new leader of unite taking overfrom len mccluskey, sharon graham, has taken a different approach. she was elected on a platform that emphasised the union should be

moving away from westminster politics and a really big signal that she is serious about that is that she is serious about that is that she's not even attending the labour conference. the first leader of unite not to attend a labour conference, she said she could do something much better with her time. we currently have 16 disputes going on all— we currently have 16 disputes going on all the _ we currently have 16 disputes going on all the way from tesco drivers to weetahix— on all the way from tesco drivers to weetahix so— on all the way from tesco drivers to weetabix so a different array of workers — weetabix so a different array of workers in _ weetabix so a different array of workers in pursuit. i think what i need _ workers in pursuit. i think what i need to— workers in pursuit. i think what i need to do— workers in pursuit. i think what i need to do is be with those workers in dispute _ need to do is be with those workers in dispute and personally take leadership in relation to that. on this occasion i won't be at the labour— this occasion i won't be at the labour party conference because i think— labour party conference because i think nry— labour party conference because i think my place is with my members and i_ think my place is with my members and i need — think my place is with my members and i need to be with them while those _ and i need to be with them while those disputes are taking place. what _ those disputes are taking place. what is — those disputes are taking place. what is interesting is that other union leaders will be meeting keir starmer this afternoon, and he is trying to convince them they should back his plan to change the way labour leaders will be elected in future. he wants to give the unions, party members and mp5 an equal say.

at the moment it is a one member, one vote election, the members are in charge, and that's got quite a bit of resistance from the left of the party. sharon graham is totally opposed to that change. he will need to try to persuade some of the unions this afternoon of the merits of his case, but certainly those on the left believe it is a plan to try to move away from where labour was in the run—up to the 2019 election, and the shadow chancellor at that time, john mcdonnell, a close ally ofjeremy corbyn, launched a scathing attack on keir starmer '5 plans this morning. to scathing attack on keir starmer 's plans this morning.— plans this morning. to bounce it throu~h plans this morning. to bounce it through in _ plans this morning. to bounce it through in this _ plans this morning. to bounce it through in this way _ plans this morning. to bounce it through in this way i _ plans this morning. to bounce it through in this way i think - plans this morning. to bounce it through in this way i think is - plans this morning. to bounce it| through in this way i think isjust being _ through in this way i think isjust being seen— through in this way i think isjust being seen as a manoeuvre, and i think— being seen as a manoeuvre, and i think actually what he should be doing _ think actually what he should be doing is— think actually what he should be doing is having a proper consultation process. also, if he was only— consultation process. also, if he was only elected 18 months ago, he should _ was only elected 18 months ago, he should go— was only elected 18 months ago, he should go back to the electorate and say these _ should go back to the electorate and say these are my proposals, have a

proper— say these are my proposals, have a proper leadership election. look at the contrast they will be in the media — the contrast they will be in the media. you have borisjohnson strutting — media. you have borisjohnson strutting the world stage, doing deals— strutting the world stage, doing deals withjoe biden strutting the world stage, doing deals with joe biden and other world leaders _ deals with joe biden and other world leaders trying to prepare for cop and we _ leaders trying to prepare for cop and we have the labour leader in grubby— and we have the labour leader in grubby stitch up deals. keir starmer would say we _ grubby stitch up deals. keir starmer would say we need _ grubby stitch up deals. keir starmer would say we need to _ grubby stitch up deals. keir starmer would say we need to increase - grubby stitch up deals. keir starmer would say we need to increase the l would say we need to increase the share of the vote given to mp5 and trade unionists who might not be fully signed up labour party members as a way of trying to reconnect with the public, but the left are not buying it, so even if he gets the support of some unions today, it looks like there will be a big internal row dominating the first day or two of the conference. thank ou. the chief executive of ofgem has said that "well above" hundreds of thousands of customers may be left in limbo as their energy supplier goes bust in the coming months. giving evidence to mp5

on the business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, jonathan brearley said many suppliers were under huge pressure and warned the surge in gas prices was not expected to be temporary. coming up, it is going to be prime minister's questions. borisjohnson minister's questions. boris johnson is minister's questions. borisjohnson is in the united states so dominic raab will be standing in for him. we will bring you coverage as soon as it begins at midday.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the head of the energy regulator ofgem has warned mp5 that soaring wholesale gas prices may not be temporary — saying more energy suppliers could go out of business leaving hundreds of thousands of customers "in limbo". let's cross live now to the house of commons for prime minister's questions. thank you, mr speaker. i have been at a reply on behalf of my right and the prime minister. a5 at a reply on behalf of my right and the prime minister. as the house will no, he has been at the un general assembly in new york where he held meetings with world leaders, in particular leaders of countries vulnerable to climate change. he

also met president biden for discussions on climate, covid and international security.— discussions on climate, covid and international security. thank you, mr speaker- _ international security. thank you, mr speaker. gps _ international security. thank you, mr speaker. gps have _ international security. thank you, mr speaker. gps have done - international security. thank you, mr speaker. gps have done a - mr speaker. gps have done a brilliantjob delivering the brilliant job delivering the vaccination brilliantjob delivering the vaccination programme. they have had to work long hours in challenging circumstances and now they are having to deal with a huge covid backlog. a5 having to deal with a huge covid backlog. as a result, many of my constituents have contacted me, frustrated by how difficult it is to see their gp face—to—face. this week, i have been contacted by someone who has been diagnosed with cancer after being taken to hospital. she said to me, "i can't help but wonder if, if they had caught it sooner, if i had seen someone in person instead of trying to describe my symptoms over the phone", so can i ask my sport what the government are doing to tackle the government are doing to tackle the covid backlog and get face—to—face gp appoints back as soon as possible? i face-to-face gp appoints back as soon as possible?— soon as possible? i thank my honourable _ soon as possible? i thank my honourable friend. _ soon as possible? i thank my honourable friend. i- soon as possible? i thank my honourable friend. i know i soon as possible? i thank my honourable friend. i know he | soon as possible? i thank my l honourable friend. i know he is soon as possible? i thank my - honourable friend. i know he is a huge champion of the nhs and i know

of the work he has done on the reinstatement of breast cancer screening clinics among other things. ijoin him in thanking gps for the heroicjob they have done to see us through the pandemic. while appointment numbers have returned to pre—pandemic levels, of course the public expect to see their gp face—to—face when necessary. as he will be aware, the chancellor has funded a £36 million package to deal with the nhs backlog as well as pursuing our plan for social care. now the deputy leader of the and, angela _ now the deputy leader of the and, angela rayner. now the deputy leader of the and, angela rayner-— angela rayner. thank you, mr seaker. angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker- the _ angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. the honourable - angela rayner. thank you, mr- speaker. the honourable member angela rayner. thank you, mr— speaker. the honourable member makes an important point that crossley house, people are concerned about. i share the deputy leader's comments regarding the work of the gps and our local primary care services. but mr speaker, can i begin by offering my commiserations to the prime minister after he flew away to the us and made absolutely zero progress on the trade deal that he promised

us. i can i ask the deputy prime minister, does the deputy prime minister, does the deputy prime minister still believes that british workers are amongst the worst idlers in the world?— workers are amongst the worst idlers in the world? thank you, mr speaker. i sa to in the world? thank you, mr speaker. i say to the — in the world? thank you, mr speaker. i say to the right _ in the world? thank you, mr speaker. i say to the right honourable - in the world? thank you, mr speaker. i say to the right honourable lady, - i say to the right honourable lady, for a start, i think it is excellent news that because of the engagement we have had with the us, they have immediately given us the boost to trade and businesses by reinstating travel from the uk to the us. when it comes to british workers, can i just say to her that we have got payroll employment levels back to what we saw before the pandemic. we have got youth employment rising, we have got youth employment rising, we have got youth employment rising, we have got businesses advertising over 1 million have got businesses advertising over 1millionjob5 at have got businesses advertising over 1 million jobs at a record have got businesses advertising over 1millionjob5 at a record high, and fastest economic growth in the g7 this year. fastest economic growth in the g7 this ear. . ., fastest economic growth in the g7 this ear. i ., ._ fastest economic growth in the g7 this year-_ mr - this year. angela rayner. mr speaker. _ this year. angela rayner. mr speaker, still— this year. angela rayner. mr speaker, still no _ this year. angela rayner. mr speaker, still no trade - this year. angela rayner. mr speaker, still no trade deal. |

this year. angela rayner. mr - speaker, still no trade deal. and those were the words of the deputy prime minister in his book which wrote alongside the foreign he secretary, the home secretary and the business secretary. and his actions, mr speaker, speak even louder than those words because whatever they say, their political choices have made it harderfor working families to get by. so can the deputy prime minister tell us how much his universal credit cut and national insurance hike will take from a worker on £18,000 a year? say a shop worker or a travel agent? year? say a shop worker or a travel arent? ~ ., ., year? say a shop worker or a travel aaent? ., ., ., agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady _ agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady is _ agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady is that _ agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady is that the - agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady is that the use - agent? what i would say to the right honourable lady is that the use the l honourable lady is that the use the uplift was always meant to be temporary —— the uc was meant to be temporary. we have paid the wages of nearly 12 million workers through this pandemic. we are coming out

with rising jobs, rising wages. we would have done none of that if we had taken her advice, not come out of lockdown. labour have got no plan. of lockdown. labour have got no lan. of lockdown. labour have got no ian, , ., , ., i' �* ., plan. our plan is working. angela ra ner. plan. our plan is working. angela rayner- lots _ plan. our plan is working. angela rayner. lots of _ plan. our plan is working. angela rayner. lots of words _ plan. our plan is working. angela rayner. lots of words for - plan. our plan is working. angela rayner. lots of words for "i - plan. our plan is working. angela rayner. lots of words for "i don'tj rayner. lots of words for "i don't know", rayner. lots of words for "i don't know". so _ rayner. lots of words for "i don't know". so let _ rayner. lots of words for "i don't know", so let me _ rayner. lots of words for "i don't know", so let me help _ rayner. lots of words for "i don't know", so let me help him. - rayner. lots of words for "i don't know", so let me help him. his. know", so let me help him. his government chose to cut the income of a worker on £18,000 a year by over £1100. and mr speaker, that is almost exactly the same as an average annual energy bill. just as energy prices are ballooning, they have chosen to take the money that could cover a year's worth of bills out of the pockets of working people. the deputy prime minister has said the solution is for people to work harder. so can he tell us how many days a worker on the minimum wage would have to work this yearin minimum wage would have to work this year in order to afford a night at a

luxury hotel, say in crete? if she wants to talk about taxes and easing the burden on the lowest paid, i will remind her, easing the burden on the lowest paid, iwill remind her, whenever a labour party has got into government, the economy has nosedived, unemployment has soared and taxes have gone through the roof. underthis and taxes have gone through the roof. under this government, we cut income tax, saving every worker £1200 each year. we have introduced an extension of the national living wage. we doubled the free childcare for working parents, worth up to £5,000 for every child every year. when labour takes office, unemployment goes up and the economy goes down. unemployment goes up and the economy aoes down. i ., ._

unemployment goes up and the economy goes down-_ mr— goes down. angela rayner. mr seaker, goes down. angela rayner. mr speaker. he — goes down. angela rayner. mr speaker, he talked about - goes down. angela rayner. mr speaker, he talked about the l goes down. angela rayner. mr- speaker, he talked about the economy and he doesn't even know how much his own holiday cost. so let me tell him. a worker on the minimum wage would need to work an extra 50 days to pay for a single night at his favourite resort. probably, mr speaker, even more if the sea was open. the same week that the government was cutting universal credit, working people face soaring energy bills. the prime minister cfedit, working people face soaring energy bills. the prime minister has said it isjust a energy bills. the prime minister has said it is just a short—term problem and we will leave it to the market to fix. so can the deputy prime minister guarantee that no one will lose their gas or energy supply or be pushed into fuel poverty this winter? i , , , be pushed into fuel poverty this winter? i , ,, ,, . be pushed into fuel poverty this winter? i , ,, winter? the business secretary has made very clear _ winter? the business secretary has made very clear that _ winter? the business secretary has made very clear that energy - winter? the business secretary has. made very clear that energy supplies will continue. our number one priority is to protect consumers. i would just remind her, though, of

her words. would just remind her, though, of herwords. it would just remind her, though, of her words. it was in the guardian on the 11th of may, so it must be true. she said the labour party must stop talking down to people. working class people don't want a hand—out, they want opportunities. they are getting those opportunities. they are getting those opportunities under a conservative government, with catch—up tutoring for over 2 million children this academic year, thousands ofjobs for million children this academic year, thousands of jobs for young million children this academic year, thousands ofjobs for young people under our kick—start scheme and helping over1 million people on long—term unemployment out under the restart scheme. she is right, labour talked down to working people. under the conservatives, they get to rise up the conservatives, they get to rise up and fulfil their potential. angela rayner. well, mr speaker, i notice we have a shortage of hot air this week. butjust as the prime minister isn't here but the deputy prime minister is doing his best to shore up supplies, you know what, mr

speaker, he talks about opportunities. the government have axed the green homes grant, scrapped axed the green homes grant, scrapped a zero carbon homes standard and lost the storage facility that held three quarters of our gas. their failures, mr speaker, paved the way for this crisis that will hit families and businesses. and as usual, it will be the british people that will have to pay the price. so can the deputy prime minister guarantee that none of the workers employed by the energy companies will end up unemployed because of his government's failures? what will end up unemployed because of his government's failures?- his government's failures? what i said to the _ his government's failures? what i said to the honourable _ his government's failures? what i said to the honourable lady? - his government's failures? what i l said to the honourable lady? there is no shortage of hot air on that side of the benches. the business secretary has been kristele clear. we are seeing the challenge of wholesale gas prices rise all over

the world. we will maintain supply this year. the business secretary has taken targeted action to support the two critical c02 plans to make sure that not only do we see energy supplies through, but also food distribution. forall supplies through, but also food distribution. for all her cheap political points, they have no plan on that side of the house. if we listened to the labour party, we wouldn't have opened up, we wouldn't be bouncing back, and jobs and wages would not be rising. mr be bouncing back, and 'obs and wages would not be rising.— would not be rising. mr speaker, ma be he would not be rising. mr speaker, maybe he should _ would not be rising. mr speaker, maybe he should go _ would not be rising. mr speaker, maybe he should go back- would not be rising. mr speaker, maybe he should go back to - would not be rising. mr speaker, maybe he should go back to his i would not be rising. mr speaker, i maybe he should go back to his sun lounge and let me take over, because the truth is, they were warned about the truth is, they were warned about the problem is that we face and the energy crisis we face. and there we have it, nothing to help the people up have it, nothing to help the people up and down the country who are working themselves into the ground and still struggling to make ends meet. this is a conservative party that does not care about working people. families across the country are worried about heating their

homes while he is complaining about having to share his with his 115 room taxpayer funded having to share his with his 115 room taxpayerfunded mansion having to share his with his 115 room taxpayer funded mansion with the foreign secretary. just as the truth hurts, doesn't it? just as his government are making choices that are making working families' lives harder. a typicalfamily are making working families' lives harder. a typical family are facing a tough winter this year. universal credit, down 1000 quid. the rent up 150 quid. gas bills at 150 quid. taxes up and food prices are soaring. working people will have to choose whether to feed their kids or heat their homes. the choice for the deputy prime minister is, will he make their lives easier or harder? so what will he choose, mr speaker? will the government cancel the universal credit cut? the

will the government cancel the universal credit cut?— universal credit cut? the right honourable — universal credit cut? the right honourable lady _ universal credit cut? the right honourable lady should - universal credit cut? the right honourable lady should check| universal credit cut? the right - honourable lady should check have facts, because not a penny of taxpayers between money funds chevening. let me also tell her, the most disastrous thing for energy bills of hard—working people across this country would be to follow labour's plan to nationalise the energy companies, which the cbi say would cost as much as £2000 on bills. mr speaker, this government is the one taking action to take the country forward with a plan for the nhs, a planfor covid, and our plan is working. employment up, job vacancies up, wages up. if we had listened to the party opposite, we would never have come out of lockdown. we are the ones taking the difficult decisions, getting on with thejob, and our plan is working. rob butler.

the job, and our plan is working. rob itutler-_ the job, and our plan is working. rob butler. . , «i , , ., rob butler. last week, members of the armed forces _ rob butler. last week, members of the armed forces parliamentary - the armed forces parliamentary scheme from across this house attended our defence academy and what is striking is the number of services personnel from overseas who come to the uk to benefit from its world—class professional defence and security education. does my right honourable friend agree that this is a further illustration that far from being a fifth wheel on the carriage, the uk is at the heart of ensuring global security, that the aukus pact is one of the best way to meet emerging threats, particularly in the south china sea? mr; emerging threats, particularly in the south china sea? my honourable friend is bang _ the south china sea? my honourable friend is bang on. _ the south china sea? my honourable friend is bang on. the _ the south china sea? my honourable friend is bang on. the aukus - friend is bang on. the aukus partnership is incredibly important for our security. partnership is incredibly important for oursecurity. it partnership is incredibly important for our security. it builds on what we said in the integrated review about promoting stability in the in the pacific. it builds on our negotiations. it builds on our membership as a dialogue partner of the association of southeast asian nations, the first new member in over 20 years, and it will have huge opportunities forjobs and

opportunities for jobs and businesses opportunities forjobs and businesses here at home and part of the levelling up agenda.— the levelling up agenda. deputy leader of the _ the levelling up agenda. deputy leader of the snp. _ the levelling up agenda. deputy leader of the snp. thank - the levelling up agenda. deputy leader of the snp. thank you, i the levelling up agenda. deputy i leader of the snp. thank you, mr seaker. leader of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. across _ leader of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. across scotland - leader of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. across scotland and - leader of the snp. thank you, mr speaker. across scotland and the j leader of the snp. thank you, mr - speaker. across scotland and the uk, millions of families are seeing their incomes slashed by this tory government, with a toxic combination of tory cuts, tax rises and the growing cost of brexit. the prime minister promised he would make energy bills more than £60 per household cheaper after brexit. instead, they could skyrocket by £550 at the worst possible time. the uk government is slashing universal credit by £1040. furlough is ending prematurely and a tory tax hike will leave the majority of families hundreds of pounds worse off next year. this is a tory cost of living crisis and yet again, lower and middle—income families will suffer most. will the deputy prime minister agree with me, it is time to scrap tory cuts to universal credit and to introduce an emergency energy

payment for low income families so no one has to choose between heating and eating this winter? can i no one has to choose between heating and eating this winter?— and eating this winter? can i say to the honourable _ and eating this winter? can i say to the honourable lady, _ and eating this winter? can i say to the honourable lady, many- and eating this winter? can i say to the honourable lady, many of- and eating this winter? can i say to | the honourable lady, many of those issues are devolved to scotland. the energy price gap will save 15 million households up to £100 each year. we are also taking targeting measures to extend a warm hand discount, that will be £150 knocked off the bills —— warm home discount, that will be 150 pounds knocked off the bills to seasonal bills. we are introducing cold payments and a winter fuel payment to recipients of state pension will stop the crucial thing is that we have got rising employment and rising wages and that will benefit everyone, in scotland and across the uk.— will benefit everyone, in scotland and across the uk. thank you, mr seaker. and across the uk. thank you, mr speaker. that's _ and across the uk. thank you, mr speaker. that's a _ and across the uk. thank you, mr speaker. that's a disappointing i and across the uk. thank you, mr i speaker. that's a disappointing and perplexing response from the deputy

prime minister, who perhaps needs to go back and look again and i have to say to him, warm words don't hit homes. and unless these tory cuts are reversed, we will see even more families pushed into hardship and crisis. mr speaker, yesterdayl families pushed into hardship and crisis. mr speaker, yesterday i met with the east renfrewshire citizens advice bureau. they warned with a cost of living tsunami hammering families. the universal credit cut, tory tax hikes, soaring household bills because of this government's choices. people are having to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. between heating their homes and feeding theirfamilies. for all the feeding their families. for all the empty feeding theirfamilies. for all the empty rhetoric you cannot level by making people poorer. so can the deputy prime minister explain why he is stubbornly refusing to consider introducing an emergency energy payment that would help families through a very difficult winter? has through a very difficult winter? as i said, mr speaker, the price cap in place will save 15 million

households up to £100 each year. on top of that because of the approach we have taken with the national living wage, full—time workers will be £4000 per year better off. can i also say to her, given the challenges that we understandably face, people expect including scotland for us to come together, stop this scaremongering, stop this sewing of division, and that's why i would have thought she welcomed the fact that some of the challenges that the scottish ambulance service is facing, that we have the british armed forces helping the people of scotland. the armed forces helping the people of scotland. , , ., ., ., , ., ., scotland. the bus and train operator firstgroup continue _ scotland. the bus and train operator firstgroup continue to _ scotland. the bus and train operator firstgroup continue to slash - scotland. the bus and train operator firstgroup continue to slash our - firstgroup continue to slash our transport services in west dorset despite receiving millions of pounds of public money with no revenue risk at all and the worst rail line frequency in the country on one line. will the deputy prime minister directly intervene to save what little service we have on that three hourly frequency line, or will he

actively worked to get a new operator that will? can actively worked to get a new operator that will?— actively worked to get a new operator that will? can i thank my honourable _ operator that will? can i thank my honourable friend _ operator that will? can i thank my honourable friend and _ operator that will? can i thank my honourable friend and i _ operator that will? can i thank my honourable friend and i know- operator that will? can i thank my honourable friend and i know he l operator that will? can i thank my| honourable friend and i know he is operator that will? can i thank my l honourable friend and i know he is a great champion for the people in his constituency. i also understand that the pipe —— department for transport has been engaging with the operators in his constituency. i understand that south—western rail intend to increase service levels to the pre—covid timetable by may 2022, and they have ambition to an increase in its train service frequency on the great western railroad. the dft will continue to work with them and i continue to work with them and i continue to work with them and i continue to support him in championing commuters on their services. ~ ., . , championing commuters on their services. ., ., , , ., services. without a green new deal, the covenant — services. without a green new deal, the covenant is _ services. without a green new deal, the covenant is struggling _ services. without a green new deal, the covenant is struggling to - services. without a green new deal, the covenant is struggling to meet l the covenant is struggling to meet its carbon reduction targets under the paris agreement. at the same time the international energy agency is making clear there should not be any new exploitation of oil or gas fields if the world is to meet the

2050 target for carbon neutrality. yet the government is potentially investing in the new oilfields in the north sea and other supporting other oil wells across the uk. how do the government have any credibility when it had a pledge to cease funding oil and gas companies yet this is still going ahead? can i sa to the yet this is still going ahead? can i say to the honourable _ yet this is still going ahead? can i say to the honourable gentlemen, thank him for his question. we launched the landmark north sea transition deal to transform the offshore oil and gas sector in preparation for net zero so we have a plan. we have a record—breaking investment in wind power and world leading hydrogen strategy and we are the first major economy in the world to set net zero into law. on monday the prime minister announced £550 million which will be allocated to support developing countries to hit net zero, we are leading by example

at home and abroad. has net zero, we are leading by example at home and abroad.— at home and abroad. as you know, warrington — at home and abroad. as you know, warrington is _ at home and abroad. as you know, warrington is one _ at home and abroad. as you know, warrington is one of— at home and abroad. as you know, warrington is one of the _ at home and abroad. as you know, warrington is one of the fastest. warrington is one of the fastest growing towns in the north of england. but our hospital, which is mostly victorian, is a creaking at the seams. over the last year, the hospital have recruited an additional 240 new nurses and more than 100 doctors. but we need more beds. so can i ask the deputy prime minister to speak to the health secretary and ask him to back our bid for a new hospital in warrington?— bid for a new hospital in warrington? bid for a new hospital in warrinaton? ., ., «i , warrington? can i thank my honourable _ warrington? can i thank my honourable friend, - warrington? can i thank my honourable friend, he - warrington? can i thank my honourable friend, he is - warrington? can i thank my honourable friend, he is a l warrington? can i thank my - honourable friend, he is a powerful champion for patients and his constituents. we have now received applications to be one of the new eight hospitals in our new programme and i understand an expression of interest has been submitted by proposing developments across both warrington hospitals. i cannot, not withstanding the smart way he has

gone about his intervention, comment on particular applications but i can say they will be a decision by spring 2022. say they will be a decision by spring 2022-_ say they will be a decision by s-urin 2022. ,., ~ ., «i spring 2022. may i start mr speaker, by welcoming — spring 2022. may i start mr speaker, by welcoming today's _ spring 2022. may i start mr speaker, by welcoming today's announcement| spring 2022. may i start mr speaker, i by welcoming today's announcement of £1 billion of investment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions at ineos's grangemouth plant. a big step in the right direction. now i must ask the deputy prime minister this. can he outline exactly for us what it is his government has against the scottish government requiring real living wages for scottish workers and net zero obligations in its green ports?— and net zero obligations in its ireen orts? ., , ., green ports? can i 'ust say to the honourable _ green ports? can i 'ust say to the honourable lady, — green ports? can ijust say to the honourable lady, net— green ports? can ijust say to the honourable lady, net zero - green ports? can ijust say to the honourable lady, net zero is - green ports? can ijust say to the honourable lady, net zero is at i green ports? can ijust say to the l honourable lady, net zero is at the heart of everything we do and we have raised the national living wage which will save the full—time worker £400 every year. mr

which will save the full-time worker £400 every year-— which will save the full-time worker £400 every year. mr deputy speaker, later today at _ £400 every year. mr deputy speaker, later today at the _ £400 every year. mr deputy speaker, later today at the subsidy _ £400 every year. mr deputy speaker, later today at the subsidy control - later today at the subsidy control bill will give us all a welcome chance to replace clunky and bureaucratic eu derived laws with faster, more flexible uk laws instead. will the deputy prime minister agree with me that subsidies need strong control so they are not misused by heaven forbid a future labour government? ministers have already committed to make the uk a world leader in subsidy transparency so who will will look carefully to publish details of more subsidies in future rather than if you are at the current bill suggests? can rather than if you are at the current bill suggests?- rather than if you are at the current bill suggests? can i thank my honourable _ current bill suggests? can i thank my honourable friend, _ current bill suggests? can i thank my honourable friend, -- - current bill suggests? can i thank my honourable friend, -- ratheri current bill suggests? can i thank- my honourable friend, -- rather than my honourable friend, —— rather than fewer? we will be discussing our landmark subsidy control bill today which will allow us to seize opportunities, having left the eu. our new control system will provide quicker and more flexible support to british business but he is right about what he said about transparency and decisions on subsidies that were previously subject to approval by unelected eu

bureaucrats will now be decided subject to the scrutiny and rigour of honourable members on both sides across the house and that will give us the transparency and the accountability he wants. mr speaker, i have accountability he wants. mr speaker, i have known — accountability he wants. mr speaker, i have known the _ accountability he wants. mr speaker, i have known the honourable - i have known the honourable gentleman for some time and always got on quite well with him. he represents one of the wealthiest constituencies in the country. can he assure me that he still believes in the redistribution of income in our country? does he really believe in levelling up? and if he does, will he make sure that channel 4 stays in leeds, stays in the public sector, because it is essential in the growth of our tech economy in the growth of our tech economy in the north of england? mr the growth of our tech economy in the north of england? mr speaker, we ut the uk the north of england? mr speaker, we put the uk infrastructure _ the north of england? mr speaker, we put the uk infrastructure bank- the north of england? mr speaker, we put the uk infrastructure bank in - put the uk infrastructure bank in leeds because we love leeds. and he asked about inequality and levelling up, the levelling up agenda will help those in the midlands and the north but it will also help those in london in the south—east by easing

the pressure on the economy, easing the pressure on the economy, easing the pressure on tax revenues and easing the pressure on planning. thank you, mr speaker. the cabinet says that to protect the most vulnerable, it is compelling care worker to be vaccinated against covid—19 even though this is expected to force out 40,000 carers who have been on the front line throughout the pandemic. would my right honourable friend set out why the same approach isn't being taken to protect the most vulnerable in the national health service? i would like to thank— the national health service? i would like to thank my _ the national health service? i would like to thank my honourable - the national health service? i would like to thank my honourable friend. | like to thank my honourable friend. we are very clear, vaccines are saving lives and boosting the economy because they have allowed us to open up. that's particularly important for the risk to vulnerable people including carers in care homes, and over 90% of care home staff have received their first dose. ahead of the november deadline. we encourage others to get vaccinated, and the dhc is currently considering whether to make

vaccination of notjust covid but also flew the condition of employment in front line workers in health and care settings.— health and care settings. will lace a health and care settings. will place a huge _ health and care settings. will place a huge burden _ health and care settings. will place a huge burden on - health and care settings. will place a huge burden on the - health and care settings. will| place a huge burden on the public sector, from local government to police and fire services. can the deputy prime minister tell the house for the financial impact of this will be, both north and south of the border, and if additionalfunding will be provided to ensure there are no cuts to vital public service? can i sa to no cuts to vital public service? can i say to the — no cuts to vital public service? can i say to the honourable lady, the treasury assesses these measures carefully. we are supporting hundreds of thousands ofjobs carefully. we are supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs for young people under our kick—start scheme. there is a range of other measures we are taking including the research scheme. and of course, we look —— the restart scheme. and we look —— the restart scheme. and we look at the tax burden. but i would remind her, we are the ones who have taken... we are the ones that have

saved the average worker £1200 every year, we have doubled the free childcare for working parents and frankly, to the honourable lady, we are mindful of the pressure on public services as with the private sector, we are doing everything we can. the snp a post coming out of lockdown. ., , . can. the snp a post coming out of lockdown. . , . ., ., lockdown. order! please! we have got to t lockdown. order! please! we have got tot and lockdown. order! please! we have got to try and get — lockdown. order! please! we have got to try and get you _ lockdown. order! please! we have got to try and get you some _ lockdown. order! please! we have got to try and get you some questions, i to try and get you some questions, it's your— to try and get you some questions, it's your own — to try and get you some questions, it's your own side stopping asking the question. too long an answer. thank— the question. too long an answer. thank you. — the question. too long an answer. thank you, mr speaker. much of the reason i stand in the chamber today is a chain of events following my dad dying after a single punch assault, so we are launching one punch awareness week. will he support it and can extend an invitation to all colleagues to join us after pmqs to support this? ila

us after pmqs to support this? no how much this means to her personally and members across the house would be very proud of the tenacious way she is pursuing a campaign. of course i willjoin her in westminster hall and i would encourage other members to do the same. ., ., ., ., same. following the informed and artisan same. following the informed and partisan comments _ same. following the informed and partisan comments from - same. following the informed and| partisan comments from president biden over the —— —— the ill informed and partisan comments from president biden overnight, the deputy prime minister at the able to point out to those in the us that actually care about the politics of northern ireland,... the situation is time critical. does the deputy minister agree with me that a solution that restores northern ireland's place within the united kingdom internal market is the only way to avert the collapse of the institutions and such a solution must be found in weeks rather than

months? i must be found in weeks rather than months? «i ., ., ., , ., , months? i think the honourable lady, we absolutely — months? i think the honourable lady, we absolutely agree _ months? i think the honourable lady, we absolutely agree that _ months? i think the honourable lady, we absolutely agree that having - months? i think the honourable lady, we absolutely agree that having a - we absolutely agree that having a smart and pragmatic approach is the only way that we will be able to uphold the good friday agreement, for all communities in northern ireland, and notwithstanding what the reporting has said, i know having been with the prime minister and the president previously that he understands our view and we have understands our view and we have understand it —— macro explained our position as well as taking into account what the eu has said. the house will — account what the eu has said. tue: house will know that account what the eu has said. tiie: house will know that the river wye is one of the most beautiful rivers in our country, and also, a priceless national asset. yet it's being threatened by phosphate pollution. will my right honourable friend press colleagues in the mint and in number10 friend press colleagues in the mint and in number 10 to work with us to —— in the government and in number 10 to push agencies and interested bodies to a long—term integrated plan to clean up the river why? of

course the government understands. —— of course the covenant understand and he champions the river wye eloquently and we will do everything we can to preserve it for future generations. we can to preserve it for future generations-— we can to preserve it for future generations. we can to preserve it for future uenerations. ~ , , . ' :: :: , generations. with less than 100 days until christmas, _ generations. with less than 100 days until christmas, many _ generations. with less than 100 days until christmas, many of— generations. with less than 100 days until christmas, many of our- until christmas, many of our constituents will be choosing to shop for children's toys online. there have unfortunately been incidents of young children swallowing small parts like batteries and magnets which require invasive medical intervention. with rogue traders out there, how can consumers be satisfied that toys they purchase via online marketplaces are safe, marked as age—appropriate and meet the required safety standards? i age-appropriate and meet the required safety standards? i have ounu required safety standards? i have young children — required safety standards? i have young children and _ required safety standards? i have young children and i _ required safety standards? i have young children and i know- required safety standards? i have young children and i know what i required safety standards? i have i young children and i know what it's like at christmas, as well as being a time of great happiness, there is also a certain degree of trepidation when they go for the presence in the way she describes. i can reassure

her, manufactures and distributes us must provide information on age—appropriate use of toys. the uk officerfor product age—appropriate use of toys. the uk officer for product safety will take action to —— action to remove products online that pose a risk and our product safety framework is being reviewed to make sure it is fit for purpose and updated for new products going onto the market and it protects consumers. stoke—on—trent has so far received £29 million from the transform for cities fund. after 70 years of neglect from the labour party, stoke—on—trent is firmly on the map but we have a levelling up fund bid to stop when my right honourable friend ensure that stoke—on—trent, which is now hungry, gets itsjust deserts. he which is now hungry, gets its 'ust deserts. . . which is now hungry, gets its 'ust deserts. , ., ., , which is now hungry, gets its 'ust deserts. ., , . ., deserts. he is a doughty champion for his constituency. _ deserts. he is a doughty champion for his constituency. he _ deserts. he is a doughty champion for his constituency. he is - deserts. he is a doughty champion for his constituency. he is right, i for his constituency. he is right, we will do all we can put the only

reason we are seeing that level of prosperity is because we have employment rising, youth unemployment coming up and rising wages stop that's happening under this government because the opposition has no plan whatsoever. can i take this opportunity to thank you personally for the kindness you showed during my recent illness. does the right honourable gentleman agree, the town hall is no better than whitehall when it comes to levelling up, and will he pass on my suggestion to the prime minister that he hopes a cross—party summit in downing street with local government leaders and mayors to discuss how they can be empowered to unlock that potential. can i discuss how they can be empowered to unlock that potential.— unlock that potential. can i think the riaht unlock that potential. can i think the right honourable _ unlock that potential. can i think the right honourable gentleman, whatever our differences, it's fantastic to see him back in the chamber contributing and holding the government to account. i think the agenda for levelling up has got to

involve a team effort, central government, local authorities and the many metro mayors across the country so i support what he said and we will do everything we can to work with him. in and we will do everything we can to work with him.— and we will do everything we can to work with him. in stroud there is an action network— work with him. in stroud there is an action network that _ work with him. in stroud there is an action network that held _ work with him. in stroud there is an action network that held a - work with him. in stroud there is an action network that held a well- action network that held a well attended retrofit fare to help people learn about the benefits of insulating homes and the options available to stop will my right honourable friend congratulate the group on the constructive approach to this difficult issue and provide the house with the confidence that the house with the confidence that the government is making even more, creating even more solutions for energy efficient homes and let us know when there will be more details? . ., «i know when there will be more details? . . «i , know when there will be more details? . ., «i , ., ., details? can i thank my honourable friend and i— details? can i thank my honourable friend and i support _ details? can i thank my honourable friend and i support all _ details? can i thank my honourable friend and i support all the - details? can i thank my honourable friend and i support all the local- friend and i support all the local efforts at the local level she is pursuing and we are backing that up at national level, requiring all new build homes by 2025 to have low carbon heating and world leading levels of energy efficiency, on top of the record investment in wind

power, and on top of producing a world leading hydrogen strategy and bringing the world together because it will require an international solution at the cop 26 global climate summit in november. 239 'obs at the climate summit in november. 239 'obs anhevauxhau— climate summit in november. 239 'obs at the vauxhall plant in i climate summit in november. 239 'obs at the vauxhall plant in luton * climate summit in november. 239 jobs at the vauxhall plant in luton south i at the vauxhall plant in luton south were at risk this week due to a semiconductor chip shortage and furlough ending this month. the government has failed to safeguard jobs, failed to maintain key strategic supply lines and failed to support the uk's facility in areas such as silicon. what will number ten do to ensure the uk automotive sector remains competitive globally unskilled jobs in town like luton are saved. i unskilled jobs in town like luton are saved-— unskilled jobs in town like luton are saved. ., �* «i �*, are saved. i don't think it's quite riaht to are saved. i don't think it's quite right to say _ are saved. i don't think it's quite right to say the _ are saved. i don't think it's quite right to say the government - are saved. i don't think it's quite l right to say the government hasn't been supporting workers. we paid the wages of nearly 12 million workers throughout this pandemic. clearly that can't continue indefinitely but i can reassure her specifically that the government is investigating and

supporting gigafactories and we will create the jobs of the future in her constituency and right across the uk. i ., , constituency and right across the uk. ~ ., , uk. all of us here en'oy the opportunity * uk. all of us here en'oy the opportunity to h uk. all of us here en'oy the opportunity to eat _ uk. all of us here enjoy the opportunity to eat british i uk. all of us here enjoy the i opportunity to eat british food uk. all of us here enjoy the - opportunity to eat british food and drink and enjoy british flowers. i join all cornwall mp5 pressing this home secretary to remove the seasonal workers scheme next year. will the deputy prime minister please speak to the home secretary to remind her of the urgency of getting the seasonal agricultural workers scheme renewed. mt; workers scheme renewed. my honourable friend is a powerful champion for his constituency in the region. i will of course pass on his suggestion and advice to the home secretary was that i believe she has been lobbying and is mindful of the impact on seasonal workers and we will make sure we get the right balance. pt. will make sure we get the right balance. i ., ., , balance. a former 'unior minister for courts balance. a former 'unior minister foroourtsano—

balance. a formerjunior minister for courts and justice _ balance. a formerjunior minister for courts and justice once - balance. a formerjunior minister for courts and justice once told i for courts and justice once told this house he was absolutely committed to doing everything he could to improve the treatment of victims in the justice system. six years and three manifesto commitments later we are still waiting for them to deliver a promised victimless bill. that junior minister is now the sixth justice secretary, so will he commit here today to delivering that long overdue victims bill and bring justice to millions of victims across the country, including my own constituents, who was left homeless, jobless and traumatised with the court system. flan jobless and traumatised with the court system-— court system. can i think the honourable _ court system. can i think the honourable lady. _ court system. can i think the honourable lady. i— court system. can i think the honourable lady. i can - court system. can i think the - honourable lady. i can absolutely make that commitment i can tell her on day one i looked at the plans and expedited the work we are doing. if she will give me a chance, i have not been in the job a full week, but i can also tell her that what we are doing right now with the victims strategy that we published in july, we have provided a national police

lead that reports directly to the home secretary. we have invested 30 million in making streets safer at night, particularly important for women so they have that reassurance they need so that there are no no—go areas and no de facto curfews. we have also introduced 24/7 rape and sexual assault helplines. can i say to her that in terms of standing up for the victims of crime, i lament the fact that the labour party voted against our police crime sentencing courts bill requiring all violent offenders, all rapists and all child rapist to serve at least two thirds of their sentence behind the bars. you can't stand up for victims unless you stand up for tough sentencing. unless you stand up for tough sentencing-— unless you stand up for tough sentencing. that is the end of questions- — sentencing. that is the end of questions- i— sentencing. that is the end of questions. iwill— sentencing. that is the end of questions. i will let _ sentencing. that is the end of questions. i will let people i sentencing. that is the end of i questions. i will let people leave before _ questions. i will let people leave before i— questions. i will let people leave before i read out... questions. i will let people leave before i read out. . ._ our political correspondent helen catt is going to be

watching for us. dominic raab and angela rayner, it was entertaining.— dominic raab and angela rayner, it was entertaining. pretty spiky. they are the understudies _ was entertaining. pretty spiky. they are the understudies this _ was entertaining. pretty spiky. they are the understudies this week - was entertaining. pretty spiky. they are the understudies this week for l are the understudies this week for pmqs with the prime minister in the us, dominic raab appeared in the first time in his new position as deputy prime minister. until a week ago he would have been in the states with the prime minister but he was fielding questions in the house of commons. and angela rayner, the labour deputy leader, who asked quite a lot of questions, quite a lot of political barbs and references to dominic raab a's holiday in greece and a current spat between him and foreign secretary liz truss as to who will use the official foreign secretary's residents. opposition parties were pretty united in the points they were making today, the issue of cost of living. angela rayner and kirsten oswald from the snp both pointing to a range of different policies and situations over recent weeks. for

instance, the government decision to remove their £20 uplift to universal credit coinciding with a rise in gas prices and the raising of the cap and a number of other policies that they say amount to a cost of living crisis for normal workers. angela rayner particularly gave the example of a shop worker or travel agent on £18,000 per year and how it would impact them. angela rayner also wanted guarantees that nobody through the energy crisis would be left unemployed or without heating this winter. kirsten oswald as well pointing to the issue of, as she put it, the choice between heating and eating. on the government's side, dominic raab reiterating that the uplift to universal credit was always meant to be temporary and the government paid the wages of nearly 12 million workers through the pandemic and we are now at rising jobs and wages. when it came to energy issues he said the business

secretary had been crystal clear that they would maintain supply this year and they were taking targeted action to support the production of carbon dioxide, which is another issue that is also affected people at the moment in terms of food supply. at the moment in terms of food su- tl . ., «i at the moment in terms of food su..l_ ., at the moment in terms of food su-tl. . ., the chief executive of ofgem has said that "well above" hundreds of thousands of customers may be left in limbo as their energy supplier goes bust in the coming months. giving evidence to mp5 on the business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, jonathan brearley said many suppliers were under huge pressure and warned the surge in gas prices was not expected to be temporary. asked if the largest companies were under threat, he said the watchdog was planning for all scenarios. the sector has faced shocks. in fact we have talked about how we have managed through the covid crisis which had a big impact on the energy sector overall. but when you see the change, and i encourage you to look at the changing gas price, it's something we don't think we have

seen before at this pace so in a sense when we think about the impacts what i want to emphasise is let's start with customers. unfortunately when you see costs like this change ultimately that will feed through to customers and something we are often concerned about is making sure customers are looked after during changes through the sector but equally it is true that there are many suppliers under huge pressure now. the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has been giving evidence today to the business energy and industrial strategy select committee on the energy crisis in the uk, and reaffirmed his belief that the government should not be bailing out failing energy companies. when you look at the energy supplier market there are lots of players coming in and out of the market. i have said repeatedly. typically at this time of year you see between five and eight companies exiting the market and some of them have only beenin market and some of them have only been in the market for one year, or one year i don't want to put taxpayers money to some companies

who have not long been in the market. that would be irresponsible. we can trust you to be vigilant with taxpayers _ we can trust you to be vigilant with taxpayers money. | we can trust you to be vigilant with taxpayers money-— taxpayers money. i don't want this committee — taxpayers money. i don't want this committee or— taxpayers money. i don't want this committee or anyone _ taxpayers money. i don't want this committee or anyone else - taxpayers money. i don't want this committee or anyone else to - taxpayers money. i don't want this committee or anyone else to think| committee or anyone else to think that small suppliers equal badly run and large suppliers equal well run. there is a whole mix of large companies that can be badly run and small companies can be brilliantly run. a5 small companies can be brilliantly run. as it happens in this market, a lot of the innovation and dynamism has been provided by smaller suppliers. has been provided by smaller suppliers— has been provided by smaller su- tliers. ., , . suppliers. there has been much speculation _ suppliers. there has been much speculation in _ suppliers. there has been much speculation in the _ suppliers. there has been much speculation in the press - suppliers. there has been much speculation in the press about i speculation in the press about potential ways the government could intervene _ potential ways the government could intervene if it wished to. i don't wish _ intervene if it wished to. i don't wish to— intervene if it wished to. i don't wish to put— intervene if it wished to. i don't wish to put you on the spot now. why not, that's what _ wish to put you on the spot now. iyou1' not, that's what i'm wish to put you on the spot now. iu1' not, that's what i'm here for! wish to put you on the spot now. why not, that's what i'm here for! to - not, that's what i'm here for! to out ou not, that's what i'm here for! to put you on the spot, secretary, which _ put you on the spot, secretary, which approach would be your preference? a which approach would be your preference?— which approach would be your reference? i , ., , . , , preference? a couple of principles that we have _ preference? a couple of principles that we have established. - preference? a couple of principles that we have established. the - preference? a couple of principles| that we have established. the first is the consumer experience, it has to be as smooth as possible and a second, consumers have to be protected from exorbitant prices. within that we have to protect

vulnerable consumers. those are the top priorities. in terms of ongoing support, the other thing i want to stress is that the industry needs to look to itself for solutions in the first instance. what government does is, in extreme situations, it can look at measures to deal with those extreme situations. in the first instance, though, the industry has to look to itself. as you said at the beginning of your question, where i stand on these issues, i do not believe it is the responsibility of government to put taxpayers money to companies that are badly run. i do not think we should reward failure. ., . ., failure. kwasi kwarteng, the business secretary. - meanwhile, the government is to meet the operating costs of a leading carbon dioxide manufacturerfor a limited period, to help avoid a shortage of food, drinks and medicines. farming is one of the industries affected by fears of a c02 shortage — the gas is used to stun farm

animals before processing and in packaging to keep meat fresh. let's speak now to minette batters, president of the national farmers union. thank you very much forjoining us. tell us first of all what impact the c02 shortage has had so far. the co2 shortage has had so far. the im acts co2 shortage has had so far. the impacts are _ c02 shortage has had so far. tiue: impacts are enormous. i should make it very clear that there is a lot of product on farm, there is no risk to food shortages, as long as we can get the product there. this is where the situation with both c02 and labour is crucial. c02 is a by—product of fertiliser. you have to produce fertiliser to get c02. it's a challenging situation at the moment particularly for pigs and poultry but also the horticulture sector. we have seen enormous and unprecedented levels of food waste.

this can only be resolved by making that fertiliser, 60% of fertiliser production, needs to be up and running. what the government is doing is welcome, but we need to see the detail, that's pressing. and the need for a long—term approach in all of this is extremely concerning. before we move on to how things will go ahead in the future and in the coming days, a bit more from you about the impact of the shortage. you said about food waste already. can you put some figures on what has actually been happening on the farms in terms of waste and perhaps changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour _ changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour situation - changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour situation as - this is the labour situation as well, we can't take that out of it. the whole food supply chain is creaking, from seasonal pickers to hauliers. i spoke to tomato growers yesterday, one of whom had to throw away £500,000 worth of tomatoes that

were shop ready, a high quality. we have a really challenging situation in the pig sector at the moment with the chinese market being inaccessible. a situation with labour and the problems with c02 mean you have a lot of pigs on farms at the moment that need to be moved. the situation in poultry again, the just—in—time supply chain, this chain has to keep moving at all times and when it gets breaks in that chain and can't move, that causes these huge implications. the other ask that has to happen is a covid visa scheme effectively to allow people to come in to do those job, whether it's hauliers or seasonal workers or people working in processing and manufacturing. we have to keep this show on the road in order to keep food on the shelves. the food is there but it has to get to the shelves. that's

the critical point.— has to get to the shelves. that's the critical point. you have put all factors currently _ the critical point. you have put all factors currently affecting - the critical point. you have put all factors currently affecting farming out there in what you have been saying there, specifically on the issue of c02. there is now this deal, so c02 should be stepped up again in supply. how quickly you sit needed on farms? it is again in supply. how quickly you sit needed on farms?— needed on farms? it is needed all the time. needed on farms? it is needed all the time- -- _ needed on farms? it is needed all the time. -- how— needed on farms? it is needed all the time. -- how quickly - needed on farms? it is needed all the time. -- how quickly is - needed on farms? it is needed all the time. -- how quickly is it - the time. —— how quickly is it needed? it is needed on a daily basis. another worry would be the cost of c02. if we look to our european partners, they are facing similar issues as far as energy goes. they are not facing issues as far as the cost of c02 goes, so that is back to producing fertiliser that farmers will buy. ammonium nitrate is a vital component and part of fertiliser so we need fertiliser to be affordable so people buy it and we can make c02. longer term there are probably alternatives in how we

produce c02 than there are now. it is notjust about c02, it's about making fertiliser that is affordable and can be bought in order to generate c02. then we have to look at the cost of c02 because we do not want to see food inflation, the consumer will not want to pick up the cost of this. i also don't want to see farmers who are already picking up the massive cost burden and only taking less than 10% out of the value chain. the retailers, in a retail price war will not want to pick up the costs. so who will take up pick up the costs. so who will take up the cost inflation around c02? t0 up the cost inflation around c02? to the picture you are drawing points to price increases being inevitable. perhaps, because of c02 costs going up, energy costs going up and all the otherfactor to talk up, energy costs going up and all the other factor to talk about with the other factor to talk about with the food supply chain and how it has had an impact on food on shelves. do you think shortages and more

expensive food will be inevitable? my expensive food will be inevitable? my absolute focus is on animal welfare, on farms, making sure this supply chain can function. that's where we need to work closely as an industry with government, making sure that the show stays on the road. a5 sure that the show stays on the road. as i have said, there is plenty of product, we have seen unprecedented amounts of fruit and vegetables rotting in the fields this year. there is plenty of product there but we need to make sure it gets on the shelves. if it can't get to the shelves, that's where the problems start. that we have to take a twin track approach, work with government, solve the situation and make sure that at this time of year... situation and make sure that at this time of year- - -_ time of year. .. sorry to interrupt, but the government _ time of year. .. sorry to interrupt, but the government has - time of year. .. sorry to interrupt, but the government has said - time of year. .. sorry to interrupt, | but the government has said there will be a sharp rise in the cost of c02. will that inevitably be passed to consumers? co2. will that inevitably be passed to consumers?— co2. will that inevitably be passed to consumers? who knows? with a retail price — to consumers? who knows? with a retail price war _ to consumers? who knows? with a retail price war they _ to consumers? who knows? with a retail price war they will _ to consumers? who knows? with a retail price war they will not - to consumers? who knows? with a retail price war they will not want l retail price war they will not want to pass it on to consumers, but

someone has got to answer the question about who will pay for it. it is needed, vital, it will cost more so where will that cost go? i do not think you can expect farmers, who are already bearing a huge brunt of the risk and in many cases are already producing below the cost of production, so where will that cost fall? if we see food inflation here thatis fall? if we see food inflation here that is not seen elsewhere, people will choose to buy elsewhere. fits to will choose to buy elsewhere. as to where the extra _ will choose to buy elsewhere. as to where the extra costs _ will choose to buy elsewhere. as to where the extra costs should - will choose to buy elsewhere. as to where the extra costs should fall, you say it shouldn't be farmers nor consumers and that leads down the pathway of government loans to farmers? what is that? it is about manattin farmers? what is that? it is about managing this _ farmers? what is that? it is about managing this delicate _ farmers? what is that? it is about managing this delicate situation i farmers? what is that? it is about| managing this delicate situation of the cost of gas, the cost of producing fertiliser and the cost of c02. we know that plants have shut because the cost of gas has gone so high that it is prohibitive to making fertiliser. we can only put

the facts out there and then it needs all of us to work together to find a solution but that is why government has intervened at the moment because we have to make fertiliser. i think it's just making sure we have a long term solution and of course we don't own the gas thatis and of course we don't own the gas that is going into these plants and we don't own fertiliser plants. they are us owned and multinational and they are not uk owned. it poses a significant question about energy security and from my point of view around food security. 70 million people in this country, we need to feed them, and we as farmers produce 60% of the food consumed here. i think there is an opportunity for us to produce more of what we are good at but that needs a partnership approach and working together on that ambition with the government and i think the people in this country want to see that. hoop country want to see that. how concerned — country want to see that. how concerned are _ country want to see that. how concerned are you _ country want to see that. how concerned are you about - country want to see that. how concerned are you about the prospect of food shortages? i concerned are you about the prospect of food shortages?— of food shortages? i think nobody wants to see _ of food shortages? i think nobody wants to see food _ of food shortages? i think nobody wants to see food shortages, - of food shortages? i think nobody i wants to see food shortages, nobody

wants to see food shortages, nobody wants to see panic buying that set in last year where you had empty shelves. we have record levels of wastage on farm at the moment and thatis wastage on farm at the moment and that is what i am determined to try and avoid. thousands of tonnes of fruit and vegetables have been wasted because they have not been harvested. there are also implications with packing and growing, the c02 that is needed for the horticulture sector. it's vital we get this situation sorted so we can get as much a british food that's out there onto shelves to avoid price inflation and also to avoid price inflation and also to avoid any food shortages and empty shelves. nobody wants to see that, least of all me.— least of all me. president of the national farmers' _ least of all me. president of the national farmers' union, - least of all me. president of the national farmers' union, thank| least of all me. president of the i national farmers' union, thank you forjoining us. national farmers' union, thank you forjoining us— the number of people having a baby with a surrogate mother in england and wales has almost quadrupled in the last ten years. applications for court orders which transfer rights from the surrogate to the intended parents increased from 117 in 2011 to 413 in 2020. the figures emerged from research

by a team at kent university and a surrogacy matching agency. jayne mccubbin has been investigating. let me introduce three families. my name's natalie, i'm 34 and a first—time surrogate. each with their own journey into surrogacy. hi, i'm carina. i'm 41 years old and i'm a mum of four beautiful children, each born through surrogacy following a breast cancer diagnosis. each have given or received perhaps the greatest gift there could ever be. this is fran. fran is mum to grace. and this is gina and gina - was grace's tummy mummy. the gift of a brand—new life — or three. carina's journey might have begun with a near—fatal health condition, but it's brought her,

joyfully, right here. all: we are the dammons! so ena was my very first surrogate who gave birth to my daughter amala, and laura was my second surrogate, who gave birth to the triplets for me. and, you know, those women transformed my life. they made me a mum. they gave me something that many medics told me would never be possible. and, you know, they made my dreams come true. and for them, i'm for ever grateful. they are a small part of a growing number of surrogate children. a report shown exclusively to the bbc shows the number of parents having a baby using a surrogate in england and wales has almost quadrupled in the last ten years. from 117 in 2011 to over 400 last year. for carina and also for frances, finding a surrogate was life—changing. when you're given a cancer diagnosis, your whole life just changes in seconds and it's

like you just fall into this hole. and then when evelyn was born, who was the first one, it felt like the first time since that diagnosis — sorry — this weight had been lifted. there was no handing over. it wasjust all four of us being in the room, part of a wonderful birth. and ijust watched a family being created, literally in front of my eyes. almost felt like i was encroaching on their moment — of the beginning of their family. it was beautiful. the girls saved my life. but almost 40 years ago, surrogacy was viewed with suspicion. months after britain's first surrogate baby was born, 50, too, were the very first surrogacy laws.

today, those laws are under review. only altruistic surrogacy is allowed here. surrogates can't advertise and they can't charge a fee — only expenses. carina paid around £75,000 in expenses for her family. because there isn't an actual legal framework that surrogacy operates within, there's a heck of a lot of trust that's needed. and the classic thing is people always say, what if she keeps your baby? but one thing that ena said to me, and it really opened my eyes with regards to the law and the way it stands, she said, my biggest fear is what if you don't take your baby? because, legally, i'm that child's mum. so there are two sides to every coin here. the end of natalie's surrogacy journey is now weeks away. she and husband jack already have two children, but her surrogacy dream was born out of the heartbreak of having a stillborn daughter. i always try and take positives from any situation. planning to bring my own home

and not doing that was the hardest thing that i've ever had to do. but to have somebody else's baby that isn't genetically linked to me at all, for them to worship and love and cherish is a positive thing that's come out of a very negative, dark period. this was the embryo. these were the tests. and this — well, this is the very moment she broke the news to her intended parents, andy and gareth. i'm excited, i can't wait. the best part about being pregnant is not the stresses. i don't have to worry about what i haven't got or what i need to get, you know, all these things. i honestly cannot wait to see their faces. i have said if they don't cry, i might punch them. it was a concern for me that, at the end of the process,

how nat would feel handing the baby over. but now, meeting the guys and getting to know them, no, that's not a concern for me at all, because, like nat said, we get to sort of share in the joy that they get. all of these families agree that current laws need reform, but all agree there is no greater gift than parenthood. parenthood, to me, means the ability to nurture, create and grow your child in any way, shape orform. unconditional love from the moment they're in your arms. i wasn't able to do the first nine months of their life. but i'll be here for the rest of their lives. as long as you love them, that's all you need, really.

now it's time for a look at the weather. today may be the autumn equinox, the start of astronomical autumn, but the weather resemble something more like late summer across parts of england and wales with spells of warm sunshine. scotland and northern ireland seeing a band of rain sink south. a windy afternoon across the northern half of the uk and temperatures for most in the high teens or low 205, peaking at 23 down towards the south. this evening and overnight, a band of patchy rain and cloud continuing south. rain gathering again in northern scotland with strong winds and gusts touching 60 mph or more for a time in exposed spots. a mild start to tomorrow morning with early rain across a good part of scotland. the wind is easing through the day but a lot of cloud and patchy rain remaining, also a stripe of cloud in the south. temperatures are really struggling in the far north. 11 in lerwick, 23 in the far north. 11 in lerwick, 23 in london. mainly drive thru friday

and into the weekend and it's in london. mainly drive thru friday and into the weekend and its warm for this time of year.

hopes of a post—brexit trade deal with the us appear to be fading. in talks at the white house, president biden made it clear that a trade agreement is not his priority. we will analyse whether any sort of trade deal with america is possible. the soaring cost of wholesale gas around the world means more suppliers are expected to go bust in the coming months. you would expect normally that the price would revert to the mean, it's not something we think is going to be sustainable, but of course, mrjones, we have to prepare for longer term high prices. the failings of a womens' prison, where an 18—year—old had to give birth alone in her cell — and the baby died. a high court injunction to stop the protestors who've been causing chaos on the m25 — they could now face imprisonment.