afghanistan faces catastrophe, according to the un, forcing its people to desperate measures. this baby has just been sold, so that her parents can feed the rest of their children. another person came up to one of our team and asked if we'd like to buy the child. the desperation and the urgency of this situation is hard to put in words. the un says help is needed now, but international aid has been stopped, as the world debates how to deal with the taliban. also tonight... an increase in the national living wage to £9.50 an hour is included in the chancellor's budget on wednesday. a warning on climate change — the world is way off track in limiting rising temperatures, says the un. following the work of one pastor in burnley, trying to help

the increasing number of people desperate for help with their mental health. and scotland's cricketers struggle in their first appearance in the main draw of the t20 world cup. and coming up on the bbc news channel: ben stokes is back in the england squad for the upcoming ashes series, after recovering from injury, and says he's ready to take on australia. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. how desperate would you have to be to sell your child? that's what some families in afghanistan are resorting to, as the country faces the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the united nations.

since the taliban seized power in august, a record 22.8 million people — over half the population — face a dangerous lack of food. that's a rise of nearly 40% since april this year. international aid, which propped up the country s fragile economy, has been stopped, as the world debates how to deal with the taliban regime. yogita limaye�*s report from herat contains distressing details and images from the start. this is what starvation does to a country. to its tiniest lives. six—month—old usman, habibul rahman born three months ago. afghanistan was barely surviving before the taliban took over, but now, foreign funds which propped up this country have been frozen, putting at leasti million children at risk of dying. in this ward, one in

five will not make it. usman weighs less than half of what he should. his father, among millions who have no work. usman�*s mother told us his twin is in a room next door. this hospital is full. some babies are already sharing a bed. while we were there, six more children were brought in. it's the only facility

for hundreds of miles. because without foreign money, most hospitals are collapsing. doctors and nurses among masses of government workers who haven't been paid for months. a third of the country's people don't know where their next meal will come from. we travelled out of herat to a rural settlement. tens of thousands displaced from remote provinces by decades of war and severe drought. no means of income, barely any food. some days, families here don't eat. they've sold whatever little they had. and now, some are forced to do the unthinkable. this baby girl has been sold by her family. we're hiding their identity

to protect them. her husband used to collect rubbish, but even that earns him nothing now. once the baby is able to walk, she'll be taken away by the man who bought her. he's paid more than half of the £400 she's been sold for. that will get the family through a few months. they've been told the girl will be married to his child, but no—one can be sure.

we know there are other families here who've sold their children, and even while we've been here, another person came up to one of our team and asked if we'd like to buy their child. the desperation and the urgency of this situation is hard to put in words. there is no more time left to reach the people of afghanistan. it cannot wait while the world debates whether or not to recognise a taliban government. nearby, aid agencies hand out parcels that might save some children from hunger. alone, they can't provide for the staggering needs. giving the taliban money, without guarantees on human rights and how the funds will be used, is dangerous. but afghanistan is sinking fast. millions here will not survive the winter. yogita limaye, bbc news, herat.

we can speak to our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani in kabul. yogita's report is so shocking and distressing. the people of afghanistan are desperate for help, but the international community wants to make sure any money goes to the people and not to the taliban. yes, that's right. some humanitarian assistance is arriving in the country, but because of the sheer scale of the crisis, it is simply not enough. back in september, more bomb $1 billion was pledged by the international community but, so far, half of that has materialised 7 make more than. we have been seeing the hunger spread from the more rural areas that you saw in yogita's report to urban areas as well and that is partly because government employees haven't been receiving their salaries, they haven't even paid them in the previous months of the previous government. and

afghanistan's reserves are frozen. now, as you say, the international community is in a dilemma because on the one hand, they want to help ordinary people, but they don't want to prop up a taliban regime that for the moment for example is still yet to allow teenage girls back to school. but afghanistan has always been a country deeply dependent on foreign money. for example, previously, around 75% of all public spending came from foreign grants. now what happens next is a massive question really for both the international community and for people living here. the un is trying to set up a fund to funnel cash directly to some vulnerable afghans, but it is a deeply troubling time. secunder kermani, in kabul, thank you. the chancellor is expected to announce an increase in the national living wage in his budget on wednesday.

the current rate — which applies to workers aged 23 and over — is £8.91. that will rise to £9.50, which is an increase of 6.6% — double the rate of inflation. the change will affect millions of low paid workers, but labour said much of the increase will be swallowed up by tax rises and cuts to universal credit. here's our political correspondent, alex forsyth. behind the treasury's closed doors, the budget plans are being drawn up, but while the official announcement is still days away, details of spending plans have started to emerge. today, news of a wage rise for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living _ for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living is _ for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living is a _ for some of the lowest pays. tue: cost of living is a really for some of the lowest pays. tte: cost of living is a really important issue, the key thing is today's announcement, an extra £1000 a year for people on the national living wage, is a really important protection against those pressures and it helps to make sure every family in the country where people are in work can really see this as a government that is on their side. people working in retail or hospitality, care or maintenance, or those who are likely going to benefit, those aged 23 or over will see raises —— wages rise from april to £9.50 with increases for younger

workers, welcomed by some in birmingham today.— workers, welcomed by some in birmingham today. good news for eve one, birmingham today. good news for everyone, especially _ birmingham today. good news for everyone, especially people - birmingham today. good news for everyone, especially people that i everyone, especially people that work _ everyone, especially people that work and — everyone, especially people that work and care work and cleaning jobs and things— work and care work and cleaning jobs and things like that. it is work and care work and cleaning “obs and things like thati and things like that. it is a shame it is not more, _ and things like that. it is a shame it is not more, but _ and things like that. it is a shame it is not more, but it _ and things like that. it is a shame it is not more, but it is _ and things like that. it is a shame it is not more, but it is going - it is not more, but it is going to help. _ it is not more, but it is going to help. yes — it is not more, but it is going to help. yes i— it is not more, but it is going to help. yes-_ it is not more, but it is going to hel, es. ~ , ., , help, yes. i think it is good to be honest, because _ help, yes. i think it is good to be honest, because with _ help, yes. i think it is good to be honest, because with that - help, yes. i think it is good to be| honest, because with that money adding up, it will do a lot for a lot of people. minimum wage has to always increase, to be honest. but for hetty who runs a brownie business in gloucester that we visited at the start of the pandemic, it is an extra challenge after a tough time and it could mean costs passed on to customers. tt will mean we will have to increase our product prices and it does make it difficult for when i want to reward my team for their hard work by giving them pay rises and it still feels like a pay rise for something great they have done rather than because the government has told them they have too. with the economy _ has told them they have too. with the economy moving _ has told them they have too. with the economy moving again after covid, there has been pressure on the government to help those struggling with rising bills and rising prices, part of its answer is

pay going up. the government says it wants to move to a high wage economy, where people earn more to help with household budgets. as well as today's announcement, the chancellor has hinted that public sector workers could be in line for a pay rise, too. but critics say it isn't enough, given that some support could —— support through the pandemic has ended and people are facing tax rises, too.— facing tax rises, too. what the government — facing tax rises, too. what the government have _ facing tax rises, too. what the government have announced l facing tax rises, too. what the - government have announced today is going _ government have announced today is going to _ government have announced today is going to be _ government have announced today is going to be swallowed up by the tax rises they— going to be swallowed up by the tax rises they have already announced, by that _ rises they have already announced, by that big — rises they have already announced, by that big cut to universal credit and because people are already seeing — and because people are already seeing big increases in the cost of living _ seeing big increases in the cost of living so_ seeing big increases in the cost of living so it — seeing big increases in the cost of living so it isjust more smoke and mirrors— living so it isjust more smoke and mirrors for— living so it isjust more smoke and mirrors for the government. there will be more _ mirrors for the government. there will be more to _ mirrors for the government. there will be more to come _ mirrors for the government. there will be more to come from - mirrors for the government. there will be more to come from the - will be more to come from the treasury on wednesday when the chancellor will set out not just treasury on wednesday when the chancellor will set out notjust who might benefit from this budget, but how he plans to keep the books balanced. well, we have had a host of announcements from the chancellor over the past few days before he has even stood up to give his budget and that did prompt a telling off from the man who keeps the rules and the houses of parliament early on. but

while we have heard a lot about what the government wants to invest in, we know this is a chancellor who is mindful about how much has already been spent during the pandemic. so you should expect to hear more about public finances and there won't be money for all, so the key question the government can expect to face is whether the choices it makes around tax and spending are going to help those who really need it the most. alex, at westminster, thank you. among the announcements ahead of the budget, the government is says it will spend just short of £6 billion in an attempt to clear the record nhs backlog of people waiting for treatment, tests and scans. more than five million people are waiting for hospital treatment in england, with hundreds of thousands waiting more than a year. the extra money will be announced in wednesday's budget and it's been welcomed by health leaders. but they say it won't solve the problem of staff shortages. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. test, test, test. early diagnosis is a key part of improving health outcomes, but the pandemic has seen

growing backlog of patients waiting for mri scans, ct, ultrasound other checks. at least 100 one—stop shop community diagnostic centres are to be set up across england. which includes 44 already announced. what includes lulu already announced. what that reall includes 44 already announced. what that really means _ includes 44 already announced. what that really means is _ includes 44 already announced. met that really means is investment includes 44 already announced. “met that really means is investment in physical things that are really going to make a difference in tackling that waiting list, so things like the community diagnostic centres behind those —— buying those ct scanners for more checkups and tests, investment in equipment and beds and buildings and hubs and investment in it. the beds and buildings and hubs and investment in it.— investment in it. the extra £5.9 billion for _ investment in it. the extra £5.9 billion for the _ investment in it. the extra £5.9 billion for the health _ investment in it. the extra £5.9 billion for the health service - investment in it. the extra £5.9 billion for the health service in l billion for the health service in england may be spread over three years. the full details will be on wednesday's budget. that is in addition to £12 billion for uk health spending announced last month. that will be funded by a new national insurance charge. bear in

mind that £192 billion was spent on health last year in england alone. and it now accounts for 44% of public service spending, that is up from 27% two decades ago. health analysts say the nhs needs a huge increase in modern, high—tech scanners. increase in modern, high-tech scanners-_ increase in modern, high-tech scanners. ., ., ., , increase in modern, high-tech scanners. ., ., , ~ scanners. compared to a country like german , scanners. compared to a country like germany. we — scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have _ scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have only _ scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have only a _ scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have only a third - scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have only a third of- scanners. compared to a country like germany, we have only a third of the number— germany, we have only a third of the number of— germany, we have only a third of the number of mri scanners they do for their size and population, which means— their size and population, which means that despite the government's additional— means that despite the government's additional investment, there is an awful— additional investment, there is an awful lot — additional investment, there is an awful lot of ground to make—up. staff— awful lot of ground to make—up. staff shortages are another worry. two years ago, there were over 100,000 vacancies across the nhs. it has now fallen slightly, but is still over 90,000. around one in ten of all posts. and a record 5.7 million people are waiting for hospital treatment in england, like david warren, who has been on the list for bowel surgery for over a year. list for bowel surgery for over a

ear. ., ., , ., year. the longer it goes on, the more resigns — year. the longer it goes on, the more resigns you _ year. the longer it goes on, the more resigns you get _ year. the longer it goes on, the more resigns you get to - year. the longer it goes on, the more resigns you get to the - year. the longer it goes on, the j more resigns you get to the fact that it _ more resigns you get to the fact that it is — more resigns you get to the fact that it is not _ more resigns you get to the fact that it is not going _ more resigns you get to the fact that it is not going to _ more resigns you get to the fact that it is not going to happen. . more resigns you get to the fact . that it is not going to happen. and it can _ that it is not going to happen. and it can get — that it is not going to happen. and it can get depressing. _ that it is not going to happen. and it can get depressing. your- that it is not going to happen. and it can get depressing.— it can get depressing. your life is on hold. waiting _ it can get depressing. your life is on hold. waiting lists _ it can get depressing. your life is on hold. waiting lists are - it can get depressing. your life is on hold. waiting lists are rising l it can get depressing. your life is| on hold. waiting lists are rising by around 100,000 patients a month. and despite all the extra funding, they are set to get worse before they get better. fergus walsh, bbc news. the government's latest coronavirus figures show there were 36,567 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means an average of 45,100 new cases were reported per day in the last week. there were 8,239 people in hospital with covid, as of friday. 38 deaths were reported, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average, in the past week, 135 deaths were announced every day. the un has warned that greenhouse gases reached record levels last year, despite the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. the report suggests a target set by countries six years ago to limit

the rise in the earth's temperature to 1.5 celsius is not being met. the warning of worsening global warming comesjust days ahead of the cop26 global climate conference. 0ur science editor david shukman is here. david, the un says it is way off track when it comes to limiting the rise in temperatures? tt track when it comes to limiting the rise in temperatures?— track when it comes to limiting the rise in temperatures? it has looked at all the promises _ rise in temperatures? it has looked at all the promises made _ rise in temperatures? it has looked at all the promises made by - at all the promises made by different countries to tackle global warming and added them up and concluded pretty bluntly that we are way off track, going the wrong direction, that emissions in fact are projected to rise over the coming decade rather than fall as the science demands. that means they calculate we are still on course for warming that will take us into pretty dangerous territory later this century. it is still possible that the biggest polluter, china, and maybe some others who haven't reported yet, will come up with spectacular offers in the coming days, but unless that happens, it is looking more likely that the

conference will not be able to deliver the kind of transformation that many are hoping for. tt is deliver the kind of transformation that many are hoping for. it is not auoin so that many are hoping for. it is not going so well— that many are hoping for. it is not going so well for— that many are hoping for. it is not going so well for poorer— going so well for poorer countries either7 going so well for poorer countries either? .,. , ' going so well for poorer countries either? , ' , ., ., either? exactly, 12 years ago there was a promise _ either? exactly, 12 years ago there was a promise made _ either? exactly, 12 years ago there was a promise made to _ either? exactly, 12 years ago there was a promise made to the - either? exactly, 12 years ago there | was a promise made to the poorest nations on earth that by now, they would be given $100 billion a year to help them cope with climate change, and after all they are the ones who have done the least to cause the problem. we havejust heard today that target almost certainly will not be met until 2023 footer there is a lot of disappointment. it is may be one reason why the parameter has been saying that when it comes to the talks, they are touch and go. david, thank ou talks, they are touch and go. david, thank you very _ talks, they are touch and go. david, thank you very much. _ the time is 6:15. our top story this evening: the un says afghanistan is facing a catastrophe — some parents are forced to sell their children to buy food. coming up — a facebook whistleblower tells mps, "we are subsidising hate." coming up in sportsday

on the bbc news channel: the pressure builds on 0le gunnar solskjaer — following his manchester united side's 5—0 hammering at the hands of arch—rivals liverpool. we ask, what now for the united boss7 as the government announces new funding today to try to deal with the backlog in the nhs, mental health services in england have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. nhs figures injune show there were nearly 400,000 new referrals — the most serious of cases — up nearly a quarter from june 2019. and in east lancashire, urgent and emergency mental health referrals almost quadrupled injuly compared to the same month in 2019. the picture is similarly stark in other deprived parts of the country, though in england as a whole, they ve remained roughly stable. our special correspondent ed thomas has returned to burnley — where the lancashire and south cumbria nhs foundation trust is under increasing pressure. he's been following the work of local pastor mick fleming,

who supports some of the area's most vulnerable. you may find some of ed's report distessing. i really want to talk to you! inside a closed down gym in burnley, now reborn as a church, the desperate seek refuge. has anybody rung an ambulance? every other person around me is struggling with one form of mental health or another. i've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and anxiety. i he's come out of a psychiatric unit. to the street? to the street. anxiety... ..paranoia... ..unable to cope in everyday life. i'm feeling lost. i want to be human again. it's notjust here in burnley. it's all over the country. and the people who've suffered most are the ones who at the bottom - of the pile always. i don't think i can do it.

it's too hard. come on, come with me. every week, hundreds climb these steps. tonight, the church stays open forjohn. he's poorly, he's got mental health issues. if i lock this door... sit down here. ..he dies. tell me what's happened. john's paranoid. he needs urgent care. take a deep breath. take a really deep breath. i'm panicking! so, tell me with the big panic is. what's the big one? it's happening across the road! all right, 0k. it's been going on too long! before this, john said he rang his gp for a prescription, but was told to call back in 48 hours. nobody else has listened! he's the only one that ever actually does sit down! -

it's all right, john. john says he's not seen a gp all year. don't know what to think, i what to do, who to speak to. | people look at you like you belong| in a lunatic asylum when you speak about your mental health. it's like they don't realise there's thousands suffering. _ we're at the church, we just had a telephone call. yeah, just took an overdose. you do know you have to ring an ambulance, don't you? this evening, pastor mick received three calls in an hour from people at risk of suicide. but he can't answer every call. i didn't answer the phone, and i got the message... ..that, "if you don't answer the phone i'm going to kill myself." and they did. help also came too late for robert. he was a really kind—hearted person. he struggled through lockdown.

two weeks afterjoanne asked for support, he took his own life. the day he killed himself, i had a phone call and asked, "can i speak to robert ryan?" and they said, "he's not here no more." and i said, "what do you mean?" they said, "wejust found him dead." they said, you're a bit late, aren't you?" and what did they say? i'm so sorry to hear that. i wished i could've got back sooner. it feels like it's my fault because i didn't get the help quick enough for him. and now she can't forget. i see the flashbacks in my head all the time. it's like... it's always reminding me of him. i can see him every day in my head. when i get up. when i go to sleep. i don't think i can do it! it's too hard. if robbie had had early help... i think he would've been all right.

he would've still been here. what's covid done to this town, this country? i think it's made any issuesl for people that were already struggling ten times worse. services are overstretched, overworked~ _ can't always help everybody. i can't spell good, but i can read 0k. during lockdown, robbie was admitted to a psychiatric unit after trying to end his life. is this all you've got in life? yeah, just a bit of loose change. after six months, he was released yesterday without accommodation. where did you sleep last night? i was at some old guy's house. he didn't have no gas, electric. so i ended up going from there walking around town all night. he's come out of a psychiatric unit. to the street? to the street. 24 hours after being released, robbie is close to crisis. confusion, upset, suicidal. it's like they've designed it to make me do it because they don't want me in no more.

but i'm just trying to better myself. ijust want a better life, that's all i want. i'm sick of this. this is just the tip of the iceberg. they feel left behind because they can't get any help. so, what do they do? well, they turn to addiction a lot of the time. and that means they're seeing more of this. he's gone over, hasn't he? so, people don't like to see that, but that's the reality of every city anybody to do the naloxone? here's your daily med. the most vulnerable here at risk of losing their lives. so, people don't like to see that, but that's the reality of every city and every town in this country. and i'm sorry if it offends people. they're dying. weeks after being referred, john has been unable to speak to the mental health team. i don't really want to live no more

cos mental health's that bad. - joanne is being supported by church on the street. robbie was placed by burnley council in a b&b. within 72 hours, he was readmitted to a psychiatric unit. lives changed forever, struggling for mental health care. it's non—existent in my mind in this country now. - because the way everybody's been treated, all this coronavirus - and all the excuses. cos that's all- they are, aren't they? just using excuses. ed thomas reporting. tonight nhs england told us they urge anyone who requires help with mental health to come forward. details of organisations offering information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call forfree, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000155 998.

more than a third of the world's population are active users of facebook and its other social media products. it's an astonishing figure — and the global tech giant has been facing serious allegations about its impact on society. a former facebook manager turned whistleblower has told a committee of mps that platforms like facebook are "literally subsidising hate" and unquestionably are making hate worse. here's our technology correspondent, rory cellan—jones. facebook, a corporate giant used by 2.9 billion people, an empire which includes instagram, whatsapp and the virtual reality business 0culus. but now that empire stands accused of putting profits before people. frances, we're delighted you've been able to make this trip to be in london and give evidence to us. at westminster this afternoon, francis haugen, the whistle—blower who's made that charge, told mps and peers what she learned inside the company. she said events like january's storming of the us congress were made more likely because of the way facebook was designed. the algorithms take people

who have very mainstream interests, and they push them towards extreme interests. you can be someone centre—left, and you'll get pushed to radical left. you can be centre—right, and you'll get pushed to radical right. you be looking for healthy recipes, you'll get pushed to anorexia content. she described how instagram facilitated bullying which would follow children home from school so it would be with them day and night. and she put much of the blame on facebook�*s founder. you know, mark zuckerberg has unilateral control over three billion people, right? there's no will at the top to make sure the systems are run in a safe way. frances haugen's testimony comes just as politicians here seem united on the need to rein in facebook and other online giants. but exactly how a new law would work, well, that's farfrom clear. the whistle—blower told the committe what was needed from facebook was complete transparency about its inner workings. tonight, the social media giant giant had this response. i would encourage people to look

at what the actual facts are, - and hopefully they can see that this is something to this _ company prioritises. and let's be honest, - it's in our financial interest to make sure that people have a good experience on our site. _ frances haugen has now taken her allegations about her former employer to politicians in westminster and washington. but while facebook�*s reputation has certainly been damaged, so far its finances remain very healthy. rory cellan—jones, bbc news. meanwhile, it's an historic day for scotland 5 cricketers. cricket now, and all—rounder ben stokes has been added to the ashes squad that will head to australia next month. he's been given the all clear by his consultant after a second operation on a fractured finger which he broke in april. he's also taken time out to focus on his mental health. meanwhile, it's an historic day for scotland 5 cricketers. they're mixing with the elite of the sport — playing their first match in the final stages of the twenty20 world cup. joe wilson has been watching them.

there has never been more significant occasion for scotland's cricketers. to get here has demanded dedication, inspiration, qualification. they have no current games against motherwell�*s highest ranked nations and that includes afghanistan. for afghanistan's men's afghanistan. for afg hanistan's men's team afghanistan. for afghanistan's men's team at least, cricket might global connection and rapid rise. the future is seriously uncertain. there batters enjoyed themselves, but there is much work to spoil the fun. scotland never down for long. i do, however, was the ball. 11 sixes in afghanistan's 190. however, was the ball. 11 sixes in afghanistan's190. scotland, followed at! sadly, they couldn't. tough enough facing afghanistan's spin bowlers but then the wicket—keeper holds one like this. the match became afghanistan's occasion. 60 all out. well, that is

world cup cricket. joe wilson, bbc news. time for a look at the weather, here's darren bett. it's been a day of sunshine and showers today but over the next few days we are likely to have some stronger winds. they are coming in from the south—west so it will be very mild. but with a mild air we have the chance of rain which could be quite heavy across some western areas. the rain bearing clouds are looming large on the satellite picture. this is going to be streaming our way. ahead of it, still some showers, a few heavy ones across parts of scotland. a lot of those will tend to fade away and then everything gets swamped by the cloud coming in, rain arriving to northern ireland, gets wetter later across western scotland, rain of the irish sea into western parts of england and wales. ahead of it we will have clear skies for a well, temperatures could slip away to 5 or 6. the rainn wilson clear away from northern ireland in the morning, a speu northern ireland in the morning, a spell of rain running eastwards across scotland, northern england. not a great deal of rain further

south but most of that is