welcome to bbc news. the headlines at 9am: the government unveils details of one of its election pledges — trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas by �*levelling up' the country. plans include improvements to public transport, broadband and education, along with more town and city mayors across england. what government will be judged by is our ability to deliver over the course of the next two years and then on to 2030, and that is why we are laying out the basis on which we can bejudged on the basis on which a future spending reviews can be judged as well. if you live in a neglected area, what do you want? is it more mayors,

jobs, decent bus services? do let me know this morning. if you thought your shopping was even more expensice injanuary, you were right. we've been hit by the highest price rises in nearly ten years because shop inflation almost doubled over the past month. more backlash against raith rovers decision to sign footballer david goodwillie after he was ruled a rapist in a civil case in 2017last nights fans gave their opinion what is that saying to other girls who are playing and wanting to play? was is it saying to other female staff in there? that it is a football thing? sorry, enough. an american football great retires . ali—year old tom brady quits at the top with seven super bowl victories to his name. and coming up this hour, we'll be talking with the winner of the costa book of the year, a teacher from ilford called hannah lowe.

the government will today set out its 2019 election promise ot try and close the gap between richer and poorer parts by what they call "levelling up" the country. borisjohnson is keen to highlight his domestic agenda after criticism of lockdown parties in downing street. we're expecting a statement from the levelling up secretary michael gove at lunchtime. let's have a look at what the plan includes. improvements to busses and trains, sg broadband to most households and plans to refocus education spending on the most disadvantaged parts of the country. at the heart of it is a plan to create more regional mayors, putting decision making back in local communities. no new money is being announced today, with many measures not set

to be achieved until 2030. labour have dismissed the project as more slogans and strategies. 0ur political correspondent jessica parker reports. we are a government committed to levelling up. it is absolutely what levelling up is all about. what we're doing is levelling up. level up across the whole of the uk. ministers have talked about it a lot. i'm here to talk about levelling up. michael gove will talk about it more today. levelling up was at the heart of the conservatives�* 2019 election campaign. plans to be outlined today include creating more regional mayors with london—style powers in areas of england that want them, bringing public transport closer to london standards, giving the large majority of the country access to sg broadband, and eliminating illiteracy in primary—school leavers. many of these ideas may sound familiar, and labour says it amounts to shuffling the deckchairs,

while a report by the national audit 0ffice spending watchdog says the government hasn't always properly monitored how well its local spending plans have worked. we've looked quite a lot particularly into the towns fund there is a long way to there is a lon- way to -o to prove there is a long way to go to prove this money is bein- spent as well as this money is being spent as well as the government says it is. the government plans to give these national missions status in law, with a system to measure progress, and says it wants to work with devolved governments to achieve its aims across the uk. for borisjohnson, who's been fighting for hisjob, he may want to show he still has an eye on a longer—term agenda. jessica parker, bbc news, in westminster. let's head to westminster and speak to our political

correspondent adam fleming. this levelling up plan is a really big dealfor the this levelling up plan is a really big deal for the government. this levelling up plan is a really big dealfor the government. it is big deal for the government. it is auoin to big deal for the government. it is going to be _ big deal for the government. it is going to be a _ big deal for the government. it 3 going to be a really big big deal for the government. it 1 going to be a really big document as well. lots of stuff for us to wade through. this is the government and the civil service getting themselves ready to deliver on this levelling up ready to deliver on this levelling up agenda, it is not the delivery itself, so the big thing we are going to get today is these 12 national emissions to close the gaps between regions. you could maybe call them targets. that is what they would have been called in the old days. there are a whole load of aspirations in areas like health, education, technology and transport, which are going to be enshrined in law. some of them are quite precise, some are quite vague, but they all have a measurement or metric attached to them to guide the government's work in this area, and it is about an increase in the number of mayors in england who will

have enhanced powers, but when you speak to people like the levelling up speak to people like the levelling up secretary, michael gove, he is pretty honest about the fact this is a very long term project, taking at least a decade. i don't think anyone quarrels with what challenges the importance of levelling up or i don't think anyone would say that these ambitions are anything other than noble and right. what government will be judged by is our ability to deliver over the course of the next two years and then on to 2030, and that is why we are laying out the basis on which we can be judged and the basis on which future spending reviews can bejudged as well. the proposal has been criticised by labour already, saying they are just a bunch of slogans and rearranging the deck chairs. local government and local authorities had quite a lot of money taken out of their budgets during the austerity years when the conservatives were also in charge. we will get a statement from michael gove later

when he will set out a lot more detail and then we will get the whole 350 pages, which will give us a road map for the policy the government wants to pursue for quite some time. former labour mp tracey brabin became the first ever mayor of west yorkshire last year, covering the cities of leeds, bradford, wakefield and surrounding areas. she has powers over transport, crime and planning in a region of 2.3 million people and joins me now. good morning. as an ex labour mp, people might expect you to criticise some of these plans, but draw out the positives from your point of view. ~ ., the positives from your point of view. ~ 1, 1, the positives from your point of view. ~ ., ., , ., ., view. well, no one is going to say no to extra _ view. well, no one is going to say no to extra money, _ view. well, no one is going to say no to extra money, so _ view. well, no one is going to say no to extra money, so that - view. well, no one is going to say no to extra money, so that is - view. well, no one is going to say no to extra money, so that is a i view. well, no one is going to say l no to extra money, so that is a very welcome, and certainly the extension of devolution is really positive. the extension and the strengthening of mayors's powers is something we have been asking for. and certainly that commitment to 2030 is very welcome because they short term beauty contests haven't really saved

our communities as well as they should. however, it is, as we always know, the devil is in the detail, and a lot of the problems michael gove is trying to solve at the moment are of the government's own making. we have had a conservative... making. we have had a conservative. . .- making. we have had a conservative... . , ., conservative... has it frozen? the . a . s conservative... has it frozen? the gaps have — conservative... has it frozen? the gaps have widened _ conservative... has it frozen? the gaps have widened during - conservative... has it frozen? the gaps have widened during covert. | conservative... has it frozen? the - gaps have widened during covert. the north has been impacted massively by further and longer deeper restrictions and so our economy has struggled. and we have at the triple whammy of the rising cost of living and inflation, energy bills and also the conservative tax hike, so that is impacting on people's pockets, so we have got a long way to go. i is impacting on people's pockets, so we have got a long way to go. 1 image we have got a long way to go. i have not a we have got a long way to go. i have got a statistic _ we have got a long way to go. i have got a statistic from _ we have got a long way to go. i have got a statistic from a _ we have got a long way to go. i have got a statistic from a north - we have got a long way to go. i have got a statistic from a north of- got a statistic from a north of england think tank. it says the levelling up fund will provide £32 per head for people in the north of england but the fall in annual

council spending since 2010 in the north of england is £413 per head. that is a massive, massive difference. that is a massive, massive difference-— that is a massive, massive difference. . , , difference. that is exactly my oint, difference. that is exactly my point, victoria. _ difference. that is exactly my point, victoria. we _ difference. that is exactly my point, victoria. we have - difference. that is exactly my point, victoria. we have had| difference. that is exactly my| point, victoria. we have had a decade of austerity and cuts to our local authorities that could just about provide adult social services and children's services, and everything else had to be cut, so we are rebuilding from a lower base. and from december 2019, the average pay has gone up by £90 in the north and it is a per person in london, a working person. actually, one fifth of all the jobs in west yorkshire are paying below the living wage. we need to get more money into people's pockets. that is the priority. i heard someone on the radio this morning saying a bus from wakefield

—— wakefield to bradford, it will take them when i work 45 minutes to get from wakefield to bradford, whereas you can get from london to leeds in two hours. it feels like quite basic stuff.— quite basic stuff. absolutely. i have raised — quite basic stuff. absolutely. i have raised this _ quite basic stuff. absolutely. i have raised this with - quite basic stuff. absolutely. i have raised this with michael. quite basic stuff. absolutely. i - have raised this with michael gove on a number of occasions. if you are talking about levelling up, you have to sort out our transport. you know the integrated rail plan, we didn't get that, the manchester to leeds near, a stop in bradford, we didn't get hs2 coming into leeds, we are missing opportunities for levelling up missing opportunities for levelling up and investment, but also buses, as you say, are a lifeline for so many people, but because government have not committed to supporting buses beyond march because of lower foot fall because of covid, the bus companies are cutting routes in the areas that absolutely need levelling up, like wakefield and the five towns, so government have got to do

a collective job here. towns, so government have got to do a collectivejob here. it can'tjust be down to michael gove, who i do believe really wants to make a difference. it has to be every single government department, including the treasury. most single government department, including the treasury.- single government department, including the treasury. most of all, is it about money? _ including the treasury. most of all, is it about money? you _ including the treasury. most of all, is it about money? you need - including the treasury. most of all, is it about money? you need more| is it about money? you need more money if this levelling up... i have just read those figures, to level it up just read those figures, to level it up accurately and properly, it is about spending more in the north of england? h0 about spending more in the north of encland? ., ., , ., �* england? no doubt about it. but there is no _ england? no doubt about it. but there is no point, _ england? no doubt about it. but there is no point, as _ england? no doubt about it. but there is no point, as we - england? no doubt about it. but there is no point, as we have - england? no doubt about it. but i there is no point, as we have seen with the waste and the spend on ppe and so on, we have to target where the money goes but we need to empower and believe in our mayors and our local leaders to understand where the problems are. for example, i know we have a skills problem so i have been able to allocate £6 million for a really rapid response for business need in skills. we know what we need and it should not be that we are given something and then we have to go back to government to

ask for their approval to spend it. thank you very much for talking to us. the playback mayorfor west yorkshire. allen says, i live in middlesbrough with two mayors. i can't see any difference from either of them. the place is still mired in poverty and crime. kelly says, i hope no one is still falling for the cliches. the last two years demonstrates there is no levelling up. the richest will benefit and the poorest will be left. and jane says a decent bus service would be a start and, oh, affordable parking rates in our town. let me know wherever you are in the uk, but particularly if you feel you are in a forgotten part of the country. what do you want from the country. what do you want from the government's levelling up plan? they are offering more regional mayors, 5g, more children in primary schools able to read to a decent

level before they go on to secondary school. let us know what you want. shoppers have been hit by the highest price rises in nearly 10 years. that's according to new data showing shop inflation almost doubled over the past month. figures from the british retail consortium, show shop price inflationjumped from 0.8% in december to1.5% injanuary. the association said that rises have been fuelled by a rise in demand for furniture and flooring. police have until later today to either charge or release manchester united footballer mason greenwood over allegations of rape and assault. he was further arrested yesterday on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill. 0ur reporter dave guest has been at old trafford with an update on the very latest. mason greenwood has spent a third night in police custody after three days of questioning by detectives. he was arrested on sunday on suspicion of rate and assault. his arrest followed social media

postings by a woman who claimed that she had been assaulted by the 20—year—old footballer. and yesterday came that further development when greater manchester police said that he had been further arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and sexual assault. when the allegations against him first became public on sunday, manchester united said that he would not be training with or playing for the club until further notice. at the club until further notice. at the time, it issued a statement saying it did not condone any sort of violence and it reiterated in a brief statement yesterday. 0n brief statement yesterday. on monday, the sportswear manufacturer nikkei said it was suspending its relationship with the player because it was deeply concerned about these allegations. and yesterday, the computer video games developer ea sports said that it was removing mason greenwood from its products, including fifa 2022. now, magistrates had given the police extra time to continue questioning the footballer. that time is due to

run out later today. what happens next is as yet unknown and so far there has been no public statement on behalf of the the headlines on bbc news: footballer himself. the government unveils details of one of its election pledges — trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to public transport, broadband and education if you thought your shopping was even more expensive injanuary — you were right; we've been hit by the highest price rises in nearly 10 years, because shop inflation almost doubled over the past month more backlash against raith rovers decision to sign footballer david goodwillie — after he was ruled a rapist in a civil case in 2017. the russian president has accused the us of trying to draw russia into a war with its neighbour. tension is high over a troop build—up close to ukraine's borders, but mr putin has denied he is planning an invasion. it comes as borisjohnson visited ukraine yesterday and is expected

to talk to vladimir putin at some point this week. hormone replacement therapy could be made available from chemists, over the counter. uk's health regulator will hold a public consultation on proposals to make one type of hrt available without a prescription. last year it was announced that the cost of repeat prescriptions for hrt would be significantly reduced in england. joining me now is nhs gp dr ellie cannon. first of all, tell us what hrt is. hrt is hormone replacement therapy and it is replacing those hormones that decrease and wane when a woman reaches menopause, that is usually oestrogen. sometimes it mayjust be oestrogen. sometimes it mayjust be oestrogen and it comes in tablet

form, patches, gels, creams, all sorts of different ways to give it to women. sorts of different ways to give it to women-— sorts of different ways to give it to women. �* ~ to women. and while the m h r eight is lookin: to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at — to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at this, _ to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at this, it _ to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at this, it is _ to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at this, it is saying - to women. and while the m h r eight is looking at this, it is saying it - is looking at this, it is saying it is looking at this, it is saying it is not looking at making all forms of hrt available over the counter, it is a consultation on whether or not to make one form available over the counter, i mean, if they say it should be made available over the counter, what would you think of that? i counter, what would you think of that? 4' counter, what would you think of that? ~ , counter, what would you think of that? 4' , , ., ., that? i think this is all about improving — that? i think this is all about improving access _ that? i think this is all about improving access for - that? i think this is all about improving access for women j that? i think this is all about i improving access for women to that? i think this is all about - improving access for women to health care. you have been talking on the programme about levelling up and this is another kind of levelling up. menopause is not a disease, it is not an illness, but it is a life change women go through and there are certainly forms of hrt that could be safe enough for a pharmacist to provide for a woman, to consult with them, and to make that access very easy and, in some cases, be actually life changing for women going through the menopause.

and when you say it could be made available over the counter because it is deemed to be safe and does not have to be on prescription, what are the risks with hrt?— the risks with hrt? there is risks with all medications, _ the risks with hrt? there is risks with all medications, with - with all medications, with absolutely everything. with hrt, there has been a lot of discussions over the years about the risks of blood clots, about the risks of blood clots, about the risks of blood cancer, and what we know from huge studies that have been done, particularly for women in their 50s who are taking the lowest dose of hrt, the risks are actually very small. they are still there, just like they are for any medication, but they are certainly the sort of risks that a pharmacist could counsel you about in a pharmacy setting, so nothing is 100% safe, of course it isn't, but we do this with lots of other different types of medication over the counter. for example, medications for erectile

dysfunction, so there is no reason why the safest forms of hrt can also do this. ., ~ why the safest forms of hrt can also do this. ., ,, , ., why the safest forms of hrt can also do this. ., ~' , ., , why the safest forms of hrt can also do this. ., ,, i. , . why the safest forms of hrt can also do this. ., ~ ,, , . ., do this. thank you very much for talkin: to do this. thank you very much for talking to us- — the chief executive of scottish women's football, aileen campbell, says she's concerned raith rovers decision to sign david goodwillie could reverse the work done to make the game more inclusive for women. many fans stayed away from their scottish championship game last night — after the club signed former scotland striker david goodwillie. goodwillie was ruled by a civil courtjudge in 2017 to have raped a woman after a night out in 2011 and ordered to pay her £100,000 damages. no criminal charges were brought. raith say the signing was made for football reasons. the club's manager was booed by some supporters before kick off. two directors and the captain of the women's team have quit in protest. the crime writer val mcdermid has withdrawn her sponsorship of the club. mcdermid said on social media she's ending her lifelong support of raith rovers over the signing of goodwillie, and cancelled next season's shirt sponsorship over

what she called a disgusting and despicable move. this was the reaction from some of the club's fans last night. there is no doubting david goodwillie's talents as a footballer but it is all the other baggage that this brings to the clip that is very unwelcome and undermines a lot of good work the club has been doing over the last few years to be a positive player in the community and to be a role model for people in the surrounding areas. i to be a role model for people in the surrounding areas.— surrounding areas. i think it is a hue risk surrounding areas. i think it is a huge risk from _ surrounding areas. i think it is a huge risk from a _ surrounding areas. i think it is a huge risk from a football - surrounding areas. i think it is a huge risk from a football point i surrounding areas. i think it is a l huge risk from a football point of view it— huge risk from a football point of view it is— huge risk from a football point of view it is a — huge risk from a football point of view it is a really good signing. i would _ view it is a really good signing. i would like — view it is a really good signing. i would like to think the board have carefully _ would like to think the board have carefully considered the pros and cons and — carefully considered the pros and cons and they have obviously decidedm _ cons and they have obviously decided... surely they expected something to come of it, considering his past, _ something to come of it, considering his past, but— something to come of it, considering his past, but you have got to trust the board — his past, but you have got to trust the board. it is going to be interesting to see what happens tonight — interesting to see what happens tonight i— interesting to see what happens toniaht. ., ., interesting to see what happens toniaht. . ., ., interesting to see what happens toniaht. ., ., ., , ., interesting to see what happens toniaht. ., ., tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had _ tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had a _ tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had a season _ tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had a season ticket - tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had a season ticket for| and i have had a season ticket for donkey's— and i have had a season ticket for donkey's years _ and i have had a season ticket for donkey's years. they _ and i have had a season ticket for donkey's years. they say - and i have had a season ticket for

donkey's years. they say they. and i have had a season ticket forj donkey's years. they say they are and i have had a season ticket for. donkey's years. they say they are a community— donkey's years. they say they are a community cluh _ donkey's years. they say they are a community club. what _ donkey's years. they say they are a community club. what is _ donkey's years. they say they are a community club. what is that - donkey's years. they say they are a i community club. what is that saying to girls _ community club. what is that saying to girls who— community club. what is that saying to girls who are _ community club. what is that saying to girls who are playing _ community club. what is that saying to girls who are playing and - community club. what is that saying to girls who are playing and want - community club. what is that saying to girls who are playing and want to| to girls who are playing and want to play? _ to girls who are playing and want to play? what — to girls who are playing and want to play? what is — to girls who are playing and want to play? what is it— to girls who are playing and want to play? what is it saying _ to girls who are playing and want to play? what is it saying to _ to girls who are playing and want to play? what is it saying to other - play? what is it saying to other female — play? what is it saying to other female staff _ play? what is it saying to other female staff in _ play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? - play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? that - play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? that it . play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? that it is play? what is it saying to other i female staff in there? that it is a football — female staff in there? that it is a football thing? _ female staff in there? that it is a football thing? sorry, _ female staff in there? that it is a footballthing? sorry, enough. i female staff in there? that it is a footballthing? sorry, enough. [i football thing? sorry, enough. understand footballthing? sorry, enough. understand people are not footballthing? sorry, enough." understand people are not happy footballthing? sorry, enough._ understand people are not happy and they are entitled to their opinion, you know, but, you know, the guy has got to make a life for himself. he can't be hidden away or locked up for the rest of his life and not allowed to do things. and we are going to talk to some women about what is going on at raith this morning. three years ago, student libby squire vanished on a night out in hull. she was murdered and raped by a serial sex offender. now libby's mother lisa has said she wants to meet her daughter's killer in the hope of finding out what happened to her. lauren moss reports. she was amazing. she was funny and sarcastic and witty, everything you'd want in a daughter, was libby. and we had an incredibly close bond. three years ago, philosophy student

libby squire was turned away from a nightclub in hull. she was then lured into a car by pavel relowicz, who had been prowling the streets searching for a vulnerable student. libby was raped and murdered, and her body was found weeks later in the humber estuary. i still think i should have been able to save her. and that's just, yeah, that's horrible. because i can't change it. and that's really hard. libby's mother lisa and the rest of her family will mark her anniversary by visiting her bench at the beauty spot she used to spend time with, with friends. it's 12 months since relowicz was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 27 years. lisa still has questions only he can answer. i don't know how he got her in the car. i don't know how she died. i don't know whether she was dead when she went into the water or not. there's so many questions. and i reconcile one of the questions but then another one takes its place. why is it important for you to know

those details do you think? i think it's my make up. i need to know what's going on with my children. i like to know what's going on with my children. my children are as a part of my life, obviously. and not knowing what happened to her, just for me is not acceptable. it later emerged relowicz committed a string of offences before murdering libby, including stealing women's underwear and watching them through windows. lisa is to meet with the prime minister to discuss tougher measures for noncontact sexual offences, which currently carry a maximum two—year sentence. people still think these noncontact sexual offences are harmless, but they are not harmless. and we can't say that all people who commit a noncontact sexual offence are going to go on to become rapists and murderers. but i think we can probably say that most rapists, murderers, started off with noncontact sexual offences. and i also think these people need help. there should be some sort of help facility for them and they should be forced to go into treatment or have therapy for what they've done.

libby's murder bears stark similarities to the kidnap of sarah everard in clapham in march last year. her killer, then a serving police officer, wayne couzens, was sentenced to life without parole. lisa says she wants borisjohnson to consider her plea that life should mean life. if you go out and commit a crime of choice, so rape and murder is a crime of choice, you therefore spent the rest of your life in prison, because your victim doesn't get to come back after 27 years, so it's justice for the family, proper justice for the family. and libby and sarah's murders were very, very similar. so why the difference in, you know...? does what you do as a job mean that you are going to get a different sentence? well, obviously it does. lisa continues to grieve her daughter, with a promise. i think i want her legacy to be something, you know, change for women. you know, i want her, because of what happened to her,

i want other women to feel safer. and i will honour her until i take my last breath. you know, iwill spend my life honouring her and making sure she's not forgotten. lauren moss, bbc news. whoopi goldberg has been suspended as presenter of the american talk show the view for two weeks. it's after she made comments and apologised for claiming the holocaust wasn't about race. the president of abc news, kim godwin, said she'd asked ms goldberg to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her "wrong and hurtful" comments. now it's time for a look at the weather. good morning. this morning, it's a cloudy start to the day for many of us. we have got a weather front which has been pushing north eastwards through the course of the night. it has got some patchy rain. it is also quite murky close to the

west coast. it will be quite breezy today but nowhere near as windy as it has been over the last few days. temperatures on the mild side for the time of year but still pretty nippy across the northern isles. 0vernight, there still will be a bit of cloud around. the rain peps up across scotland. some spots of rain coming out of the thicker cloud across england, wales and northern ireland and by the end of the night the wind will be strengthening across the north west. 0nce the wind will be strengthening across the north west. once again, a mild night for the time of year. tomorrow we start off with some sunshine but there will be a lot of cloud. the rain tending to peter out a little bit and then this new weather front comes in, a little bit and then this new weatherfront comes in, introducing heavy and persistent rain. 0n the other side of it, it will cool down, we will see wintry showers, but still mild ahead of it.

hello, this is bbc news, the headlines...

the government unveils details of one of its election pledges, trying to reduce the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to public transport, broadband and education. shoppers are hit by the highest price rises in nearly ten years because shop inflation almost doubled over the past month. more backlash against raith rovers' decision to sign footballer david goodwillie after he was ruled a rapist in a civil case in 2017. an american football great retires. 44—year old tom brady quits at the top with seven superbowl victories to his name. and coming up this hour, we'll be talking with the winner of the costa book of the year, a teacher from ilford called hannah lowe. sport now and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. well, the opening ceremony at the winter olympics might be

a couple of days away but team gb are in action just after midday our time in the curling. bruce mouat and his playing partner jen dodds will be competing in the mixed doubles. they're the world champions so good prospects for a medal. they face sweden and will also compete in the men's and women's team events in the second week. another of britain's strong medal hopes at these games is snowboarder katie 0rmerod who'll be competing in the slopestyle competition. she was the first british snowboarder to win the world cup title in 2020 and speaking ahead of the start of the games she's been telling us she thinks the conditions in beijing will suit her. since 2018, i've had a few really good seasons, including my best season of my career, and i think having that success and, you know, being on the podium, it's really helped me to come into these games feeling really confident. and, you know, i'm the best snowboarder i've ever been, so i'm just really excited now to get stuck into it. it is artificial snow here but, you know, i grew up in the uk, so it's all artificial snow! but it is different and it's actually running really well, like,

a lot better than i expected. tottenham and liverpool have come joint top of the 2021 green league, a table measuring the sustainability of all 20 top—flight sides. the league is put together by the bbc and the un backed sport positive summit. spurs players now travel to matches on coaches powered by biofuel, reducing travel emissions by over 80%, while other clubs have introduced measures such as on—site allotments and recycled kits to improve their green credentials. the duchess of cambridge has been named the new patron of english rugby, becoming firgurehead for both the rugby football league and the rugby football union. kate is taking on a role previously held by the duke of sussex. she's a long—term rugby fan and has been given the royal patronages by the queen. prince william is the patron of the welsh rugby union. ralph rimmer, who's chief executive of the rugby football league, says the duchess' appointment is a huge boost for the sport.

we run activities from grass roots, over success right through to the marquee events that run at wembley or saintjames' park or old or saint james' park or old trafford. or saintjames' park or old trafford. she can connect with us on any 11 at alland trafford. she can connect with us on any 11 at all and i have no doubt she will be embraced wherever she turns up. we appreciate how precious time is, and we will work with the team and we will work out exactly how she fits in and hopefully we will see her at some of the world cup events at the end of the year and it will give us a great lift. today gives us a great lift and it is a big day for us after weathering a couple of difficult years, which everyone has. rugby union's six nations gets under way at the weekend, but there are more injury problems for england ahead of their opener against scotland at murrayfield. forwards courtney lawes and jonny hill are both out of the game. lawes is recovering from concussion, while hill has a foot injury. skipper 0wen farrell is already out of the tournament. utility backjoe marchant recently tested positive for covid which has left him doubtful.

golf's saudi arabian—funded asian tour will stage its first event in england this year, with a tug—of—war over the biggest names in men's golf under way. it's being seen as a threat to the us based pga tour and europe's, world tour. the centurion club in hertfordshire is set to host a £1.5 million pound tournament injune — one of 10 international events. the asian tour season starts on thursday. backing for the international series comes from saudi arabia's public investment fund. golf is one of several sports saudi arabia has been accused of trying to rebrand itself with amid concern over its record on human rights. that's all the sport for now. part of the levelling—up agenda is addressing regional inequalities across the uk. ben boulos is in wolverhampton, one of the places set to benefit from the government's proposals.

take a look around because this is all part of a £150 million regeneration project to improve transport in the city. the hope is the money that has been announced today will go towards funding other regeneration projects a little bit like this one. it's what the government talks about when it talks about levelling up, but what does levelling up actually mean? well, the government says it is about reducing the gap, reducing the inequality between different regions in england and it will do that by spending money on transport, infrastructure, housing, because, for example, at the moment london gets twice as much spending on transport than some other parts of england. the plan is also to create more powerful local decision makers so people can champion their bit of the country directly to westminster, a little bit like the mayors we currently have for manchester and the west midlands. the reason we are in wolverhampton

is because along with sheffield it has been chosen amongst 20 places to share £1.5 billion to make all of this a reality. some wonder whether even that will be enough to make much of an impact. what i really wanted to know was what do the people who actually live here in wolverhampton think that money needs to be spent on? so i went into the town to find out. once a thriving centre of production and manufacturing, wolverhampton is now a city in need of investment. is there anything that has been invested in here in wolverhampton that you think is a good example of where money can be spent well and have a real benefit to people who live here? it's quite telling that it takes you a long time to even think of an example. well, yeah... daryl, who is 30, is an entrepeneur and youth worker. he is pleased that wolverhampton is getting an extra slice of government money, but... we don't get again a situation in five years where they say

the money went into all of this and, look, that's failed. in fact we can say that the onus on us a community is we can decide where this money goes. so what exactly do the people here think the money for wolverhampton should be used for? i think wolverhampton needs to spend the money on more youth environment engagementjust so the youth has something to go to. we've got the trams but there seem to be delays after delays on the trams. i mean, in the run—up to christmas they weren't working for six weeks. the trams weren't working for six weeks at the party season and that obviously needs more investment. a lot of people travel to birmingham because there are more _ shops in birmingham open. i like birmingham myself but i can't give away wolverhampton, - you get what i mean? so round here is quite nice, we just need to get some . of the shops open and that. car parking is a real problem. the cost of parking and also a lot of the competition with the outside

retailers in the outside retail parks where they can offer free parking, so if we could do something about that, that would be great. and also just to encourage some of the main shop fronts to look a lot nicer because when people come into the town they want to come somewhere where it is a nice feeling and certainly in this area here there are quite a lot of shops that are closed down and empty so it would be great if we could sort of bring that back into the town. the money will be spent on things like improving housing, high streets, transport and broadband, but the question is will that be enough to make wolverhampton thrive once again? we can now speak to charlotte clark who runs the gift store, shop in the square in wolverhampton city centre. she'sjust pulled over on her way to work to talk to us. i'm alsojoined by emilyjones a youth worker in wakefield and leeds.

emily, what they are? it's really important _ emily, what they are? it's really important and — emily, what they are? it's really important and the _ emily, what they are? it's really important and the schools - emily, what they are? it's really important and the schools as i emily, what they are? it's really i important and the schools as well emily, what they are? it's really - important and the schools as well so that people have equal opportunities and equal chances to succeed in these communities.— and equal chances to succeed in these communities. investing in what specifically? — these communities. investing in what specifically? what _ these communities. investing in what specifically? what do _ these communities. investing in what specifically? what do you _ these communities. investing in what specifically? what do you want - these communities. investing in what| specifically? what do you want money spent on? if the levelling up secretary said you tell me where you want the cash? what would you say? i think in youth work provisions and education so young people are getting equal opportunities, like, to succeed. a lot of the young people we work with live in deprived communities and they don't have the same chances because they have got a lot of other responsibilities.

especially in youth work and places for young people to go, so that they can work toward something, get what they need, and things like that. charlotte, where would you spend money in wolverhampton? i charlotte, where would you spend money in wolverhampton?- money in wolverhampton? i think definitel , money in wolverhampton? i think definitely. as _ money in wolverhampton? i think definitely, as one _ money in wolverhampton? i think definitely, as one of _ money in wolverhampton? i think definitely, as one of the - money in wolverhampton? i think definitely, as one of the people i money in wolverhampton? i think. definitely, as one of the people you interviewed mention, parking and the transport _ interviewed mention, parking and the transport in _ interviewed mention, parking and the transport in the city centre. there is a lot— transport in the city centre. there is a lot being done regionally, which — is a lot being done regionally, which is — is a lot being done regionally, which is taking time, but a lot of the customers coming into us tell us how expensive the parking is in the centre _ how expensive the parking is in the centre and — how expensive the parking is in the centre and there are a lot of challenges with the outside retail parks _ challenges with the outside retail parks offering free parking to customers. parks offering free parking to customers-— parks offering free parking to customers. . , ., , ., customers. that is more complete or in order to be — customers. that is more complete or in order to be to _ use the. what else do you need to

stop people going to birmingham to shop? flit stop people going to birmingham to sho? , ., , , stop people going to birmingham to sho? . shop? of shops. the shopping centre we are in has — shop? of shops. the shopping centre we are in has different _ shop? of shops. the shopping centre we are in has different retailers - shop? of shops. the shopping centre we are in has different retailers in - we are in has different retailers in it, we are in has different retailers in it. but— we are in has different retailers in it, but around us there are a lot of emptv_ it, but around us there are a lot of emptvunits, — it, but around us there are a lot of empty units, so it is addressing that to — empty units, so it is addressing that to make them more appealing to retailers. _ that to make them more appealing to retailers, just appealing to bigger retailers — retailers, just appealing to bigger retailers. let retailers, 'ust appealing to bigger retailers. ., . ,, ., retailers, 'ust appealing to bigger retailers. ., ., retailers. let me go back to you, emil . in retailers. let me go back to you, emily. in terms _ retailers. let me go back to you, emily. in terms of— retailers. let me go back to you, emily. in terms of leeds - retailers. let me go back to you, emily. in terms of leeds and - emily. in terms of leeds and wakefield, does it feel like they are places that are neglected or forgotten by the government? yes. are places that are neglected or forgotten by the government? yes, i think definitely _ forgotten by the government? yes, i think definitely could _ forgotten by the government? yes, i think definitely could be _ forgotten by the government? yes, i think definitely could be more - think definitely could be more invested. like i heard before as well, like the shops and the surrounding areas and stuff, you know, we want more vibrant businesses and youth hubs and things like that definitely. �*?

businesses and youth hubs and things like that definitely.— like that definitely. ? you feel forgotten? — like that definitely. ? you feel forgotten? we _ like that definitely. ? you feel forgotten? we have _ like that definitely. ? you feel forgotten? we have been - like that definitely. ? you feel forgotten? we have been in l like that definitely. ? you feel. forgotten? we have been in the like that definitely. ? you feel- forgotten? we have been in the city forgotten? we have been in the city for ei . ht forgotten? we have been in the city for eight years— forgotten? we have been in the city for eight years and _ forgotten? we have been in the city for eight years and there _ forgotten? we have been in the city for eight years and there have - forgotten? we have been in the city for eight years and there have been | for eight years and there have been a lot of— for eight years and there have been a lot of changes in that time. there are a _ a lot of changes in that time. there are a lot _ a lot of changes in that time. there are a lot of— a lot of changes in that time. there are a lot of people coming out of the city— are a lot of people coming out of the city and there is a customer base _ the city and there is a customer base if— the city and there is a customer base if we _ the city and there is a customer base. if we can attract more people into the _ base. if we can attract more people into the city, make it easier for them _ into the city, make it easier for them to— into the city, make it easier for them to come and shop, or more attractive — them to come and shop, or more attractive offers for them to come and shop. — attractive offers for them to come and shop, then we can get the city thriving _ and shop, then we can get the city thriving again. and shop, then we can get the city thriving again-— and shop, then we can get the city thriving again. thank you both very much for talking _ thriving again. thank you both very much for talking to _ thriving again. thank you both very much for talking to us. _ thriving again. thank you both very much for talking to us. have - thriving again. thank you both very much for talking to us. have a - thriving again. thank you both very| much for talking to us. have a good day. emily and charlotte. a trial to lengthen the school day in wales has begun with pupils offered an extra five hours a week to take part in more activities and learning. it's part of a reform which could also change the academic year and end the long summer holiday. 0ur wales correspondent, hywel griffith, has been to visit

one school taking part. ifeel excited because i can make new friends and it's an opportunity for me to learn new skills. i was quite lonely during the pandemic because i was by myself in my house. but i think this extra hour| will help our socialisation, make friendships better. best foot forward, followed by a fist. this lesson in mixed martial arts is the first taste the pupils here at the six bells primary campus are getting of their new extended school day. the extra hour at the end of every day will mean taekwondo, dance, cooking and lego—building all become part of the timetable for the next ten weeks. it's going to be all right. i'll get to see my friends, but it will be a bit tiring. i think i'll be fine. being with friends and things always makes me a bit happy. today's number of the day is 36. so all the possibilities around on your whiteboard. but not everyone is pleased

by the prospect of reform. the national association of head teachers warn schools aren't childcare—providers, and staff shouldn't be expected to take on extra work. diane? at this school, most of the activities will be taken by companies coming in to offer something different. post—pandemic, learner confidence has been low. we want them to re—engage with learning. we want them to have the opportunity to develop their friendships and generally seek out something in the wider community that they can go forward and use. hello, morning, welcome to the lego club. - ministers in wales are also lining up a potential change to the school year that could mean ending the long summer holidays that have been in place for over a century, and having longer breaks in autumn and winter. so what do parents make of that? i find the six—week holiday really difficult to cover because i'm self—employed, and it's a real struggle to try and cover for six weeks.

it's hard, you've got to pay for private childcare. i would prefer them to break it down, maybe have an extra week at christmas, extra week at easter, and then not such a long period over the six—weeks holiday. it makes sense to have it _ in the summer because the winter's bad weather anyway, isn't there? so keep the long holiday? yeah, kids can't really| do much in the winter. let's be real. summer, yes. summer — late nights the best childhood, that was. _ staying out all sixl weeks, weren't it? with so many routines revolving around school times, adding an extra hour mayjust be the first step in changing the pattern of family life across wales. hywel griffith, bbc news, abertillery. a book of poems drawing on a decade of teaching at an inner—city school in london has been named the costa book of the year. i'm pleased to say the winner,

hannah lowe is with me now. congratulations. thanks. over the moon and particularly _ congratulations. thanks. over the moon and particularly because - moon and particularly because of the pile. what is in the book? back in which have risen,. challenging form. shakespeare in england is the best known writer of sonnets. what shakespeare in england is the best known writer of sonnets. what drew ou to known writer of sonnets. what drew you to writing _ known writer of sonnets. what drew you to writing sonnets? _ known writer of sonnets. what drew you to writing sonnets? i _ known writer of sonnets. what drew you to writing sonnets? i think - you to writing sonnets? i think because i— you to writing sonnets? i think because i was _ you to writing sonnets? i think because i was teaching - you to writing sonnets? i think because i was teaching the - you to writing sonnets? i think - because i was teaching the sonnets so often and having to explain what i havejust so often and having to explain what i have just told you to students and make them care about it. often they might have felt a little bit divorced from that form. it has high

cultural associations and of being a bit elitist and i thought if i wrote poems about my students they would see themselves in the sonnet. it was all there, the humour, the complexity. they seemed to be the perfect subject for the sonnet in this day and age. this perfect subject for the sonnet in this day and age.— perfect subject for the sonnet in this day and age. this book is about --eole ou this day and age. this book is about people you have _ this day and age. this book is about people you have tot? _ this day and age. this book is about people you have tot? yes. - this day and age. this book is about people you have tot? yes. and - this day and age. this book is about. people you have tot? yes. and about our own people you have tot? yes. and about your own son? _ people you have tot? yes. and about your own son? about _ people you have tot? yes. and about your own son? about people - people you have tot? yes. and about your own son? about people i - people you have tot? yes. and about your own son? about people i have l your own son? about people i have tau~ht and your own son? about people i have taught and my _ your own son? about people i have taught and my son _ your own son? about people i have taught and my son and _ your own son? about people i have taught and my son and my - your own son? about people i have taught and my son and my own - taught and my son and my own experience as a learner, both in formal education and outside of that. there is a kind of commitment to lifelong learning expressed in the book, the idea that we do not stop learning when we finish our formal education. learning is always there for us. formal education. learning is always there for us— there for us. you now teach undergraduate _ there for us. you now teach undergraduate and - there for us. you now teach - undergraduate and postgraduate and when you started aged 22 you are teaching 16 to 19—year—olds. exactly. teaching 16 to 19-year-olds. exactl . ., ., teaching 16 to 19-year-olds. exactl. ., ., teaching 16 to 19-year-olds. - exactly._ there teaching 16 to 19-year-olds.

exactl . ., ., there are exactly. how did that go? there are a lot of poems _ exactly. how did that go? there are a lot of poems that _ exactly. how did that go? there are a lot of poems that address - exactly. how did that go? there are a lot of poems that address that - a lot of poems that address that because the idea that i had authority over those young people was questionable. haifa authority over those young people was questionable.— was questionable. how do you get their respect _ was questionable. how do you get their respect when _ was questionable. how do you get their respect when there - was questionable. how do you get their respect when there is - was questionable. how do you get their respect when there is no - was questionable. how do you get their respect when there is no age difference?— their respect when there is no age difference? .,, , ., ., difference? people used to say that to me but in — difference? people used to say that to me but in truth _ difference? people used to say that to me but in truth you _ difference? people used to say that to me but in truth you go _ difference? people used to say that to me but in truth you go into - difference? people used to say that to me but in truth you go into the i to me but in truth you go into the room and you say i am the teacher and 99% of the kids will accept that. but i did not have the confidence or the knowledge. i was teaching english literature but my degree was in american literature and i had done lots of non—canonical reading, so i had to teach the restoration and i was looking up the restoration and i was looking up the restoration of the week before. i am lad ou restoration of the week before. i am glad you share _ restoration of the week before. i am glad you share that _ restoration of the week before. i am glad you share that with us. it is honest, it is candid. do you want to read one of your poems and i have got a million more question to ask you. i got a million more question to ask ou. ., got a million more question to ask ou. . , . ., got a million more question to ask ou. . , _, you. i will read the second poem in the book, about _ you. i will read the second poem in the book, about my _ you. i will read the second poem in the book, about my first _ you. i will read the second poem in the book, about my first day - you. i will read the second poem in the book, about my first day of - the book, about my first day of teaching, it is called the register. that first september i climbed the blue stone steps past shakespeare's

doubtful faced and an old mosaic of jamaica and the ruby blot of lips were last yea r�*s jamaica and the ruby blot of lips were last year's girls kissed the school house brick. now, this year's crop pushed past, all clattering chat, the first day back. what is up? the fuji is blaring from someone's phone ready or not. and with that old white stock still barking softly in my head i walked to the sugar paper toll and pushed the classroom door to find a sprawl of teenagers sat waiting, my researches, were back to doing what they had already failed. i took my seat and called the register. denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference — denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference to _ denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference to the _ denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference to the fuji, - denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference to the fuji, what year was that? reference to the fu'i, what year was that? ., reference to the fu'i, what year was that? . ., , ., ., reference to the fu'i, what year was that? . .,, ., ., , ., reference to the fu'i, what year was that? ., .,, ., ., , ., i: i: that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a — that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot _ that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot of— that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot of references - that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot of references in - that? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot of references in the i there are a lot of references in the book to that period where people of my age might not say that is historical, but 20 years have passed. in historical, but 20 years have

assed. .,, historical, but 20 years have assed. ., , passed. in those names in the reaister, passed. in those names in the register. are _ passed. in those names in the register, are they _ passed. in those names in the register, are they real - passed. in those names in the register, are they real people| passed. in those names in the l register, are they real people to have taught? i register, are they real people to have taught?— register, are they real people to have taught? register, are they real people to havetau:ht? ,. ., have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in — have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in this _ have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in this book _ have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in this book so _ have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in this book so often - have taught? i was very conscious of the ethics in this book so often the l the ethics in this book so often the names were changed and there might be students in which the poem is vocalised but they are fictionalised. it is a conflation of lots of different students. i have a lots of different students. i have a lot of students over the years who were resistant to reading and i would choose a student and fictionalise it around them, so i don't think any of the students see themselves and identify themselves. why are some children resistant to reading? why are some children resistant to readin: ? ., why are some children resistant to readin: ? . ., ., ., , reading? there are a lot of things auoin reading? there are a lot of things rroin on reading? there are a lot of things going on there. — reading? there are a lot of things going on there, but _ reading? there are a lot of things going on there, but partly - reading? there are a lot of things going on there, but partly it - reading? there are a lot of things going on there, but partly it is - going on there, but partly it is what some of them are taught, what is set. that is not by teachers, thatis is set. that is not by teachers, that is often by people setting the curriculum and the assessors and students might not often see themselves reflected in literature or know the purpose of reading that book, like why that? if i say this

is great, you don't have to believe that. it is great, you don't have to believe that. , , ., is great, you don't have to believe that. ,, ., , that. it helps me to open the first rare. that. it helps me to open the first page- may _ that. it helps me to open the first page- may be _ that. it helps me to open the first page- may be a — that. it helps me to open the first page- may be a lot _ that. it helps me to open the first page. may be a lot of— that. it helps me to open the first page. may be a lot of students i that. it helps me to open the first i page. may be a lot of students need hel- with page. may be a lot of students need help with their _ page. may be a lot of students need help with their reading _ page. may be a lot of students need help with their reading and - page. may be a lot of students need help with their reading and they i help with their reading and they maybe need a frame of reference or guidance. teachers do a brilliant job in making lots of literature to students, but the other thing that is going on is the digital age. particularly the students i was teaching, they saw increasing digital technology during that time and they are incredibly digitally illiterate, but i think it affects their concentration. actually reading is not something we are born with, it is learnt and it is hard to sit with a bit and cast your eyes across all those words and the page. that is something we teach ourselves and maybe digital stuff sometimes detract from that as well. but it also has its advantages. stand detract from that as well. but it also has its advantages.- detract from that as well. but it also has its advantages. and it is easier to while _ also has its advantages. and it is easier to while away _ also has its advantages. and it is| easier to while away half-an-hour also has its advantages. and it is i easier to while away half-an-hour on easier to while away half—an—hour on tick—tock, let's be honest. it is easier than to pick up a book and spend that time reading. absolutely.

briefl , ou spend that time reading. absolutely. briefly. you are _ spend that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed _ spend that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, - spend that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, is- spend that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, is that l briefly, you are mixed race, is that important to you in what you write? yes, very. my dad was jamaican and part black chinese. in the place that i taught it was mainly non—white students in the students in some ways probably had links back to the second and third generation to the second and third generation to the second and third generation to the british empire and mainly, not all, but mainly white teaching staff. the questions we would ask ourselves what what does that mean for students to not see themselves represented in the people teaching them? at that time i was not telling anyone about my dad for all kinds of complex reasons. i guess i felt what could i claim of that x experience? i mean the experience of discrimination. i look back and i had that privilege. but the students were teaching me so much about identity, belonging, multiculturalism, the legacy of empire, and it is kind of where in

the end i came out and began to talk about it. i began to do it firstly in poetry, but then in the classroom. it made a difference because there are two poems in the book about a student who was very hostile to me until she finds out that my dad has got that heritage and then her attitude changes. i am assuming, it is a supposition, but that was an important thing for her to know. yes, it is very important. a lot of my previous work has been about him. a lot of my previous work has been about him-— a lot of my previous work has been about him. ., ,, i. , . ., about him. thank you very much for cominr in about him. thank you very much for coming in and _ about him. thank you very much for coming in and telling _ about him. thank you very much for coming in and telling us _ about him. thank you very much for coming in and telling us so - about him. thank you very much for coming in and telling us so much i coming in and telling us so much about you and your life. we have a really nice snapshot of your life through your book and it is an award winner. it through your book and it is an award winner. , ., ~ through your book and it is an award winner. , ., ,, , ., thank you. competition begins at the winter olympics today ahead of the official opening ceremony on friday. the torch relay ahead of that ceronmony has kicked off. it's shorter than usual, and china has encouraged audiences to follow events online rather than in person. in just a few hours, team gb will kick off proceedings with the curling.

this is quite familiar for team this is quite familiarfor team gb, is that right? this is quite familiar for team gb, is that right?— is that right? yes, this is the national aquatic _ is that right? yes, this is the national aquatic centre i is that right? yes, this is the i national aquatic centre which, in 2008, in the summer 0lympics national aquatic centre which, in 2008, in the summer olympics in beijing, it was the scene. remember rebecca adlington's two gold medals in the pool? but there is no water here, it is all about ice and it has been nicknamed the ice cube and this will be the home of the curling for the next few weeks and there is so much curling to fit in that they have to start early and tonight the mixed doubles carolling begins with great britain represented by bruce mouat and jan dodds. they are the reigning world champions but they do not have an easy first match. they are up against sweden, the world bronze medallist. in the last half an hour i spoke to the former world championjackie lockhart, and she says she is confident that this

british pair will end up on the podium. british pair will end up on the rodium. ~ ., ., j~ ., , ., british pair will end up on the rodium. ., ., j~ ., , ., ., podium. we have got 48 hours to go until the opening _ podium. we have got 48 hours to go until the opening ceremony. - podium. we have got 48 hours to go until the opening ceremony. it i podium. we have got 48 hours to go until the opening ceremony. it is i podium. we have got 48 hours to go until the opening ceremony. it is a i until the opening ceremony. it is a big build—up, isn't it? until the opening ceremony. it is a big build-up, isn't it?— big build-up, isn't it? yes, the oreninr big build-up, isn't it? yes, the opening ceremony _ big build-up, isn't it? yes, the opening ceremony is _ big build-up, isn't it? yes, the opening ceremony is on - big build-up, isn't it? yes, the opening ceremony is on friday| big build-up, isn't it? yes, the l opening ceremony is on friday in big build-up, isn't it? yes, the i opening ceremony is on friday in the birds nest which was where the closing ceremony of the 2008 games was as well. the torch ceremony is just completing its journey. was as well. the torch ceremony is just completing itsjourney. it was as well. the torch ceremony is just completing its journey. it has been working its way through beijing but at the moment it is still outside the closed loop system that we and all the other games participants are operating under. that is part of the strict covid protocols that have been put in place for these games and that is a major part of the backdrop of these games, as are the human rights and environmental concerns. of course, the organisers are hoping the sporting action will take centre stage and that kicks off in just over two hours' time here at the ice cube with roundabout 200 spectators for the curling. bud

cube with roundabout 200 spectators for the curling-— for the curling. and what about team gb's chances? _ for the curling. and what about team gb's chances? we _ for the curling. and what about team gb's chances? we have _ for the curling. and what about team gb's chances? we have got _ for the curling. and what about team gb's chances? we have got 50 i gb's chances? we have got 50 athletes part _ gb's chances? we have got 50 athletes part of _ gb's chances? we have got 50 athletes part of team - gb's chances? we have got 50 athletes part of team gb i gb's chances? we have got 50 athletes part of team gb and. gb's chances? we have got 50 i athletes part of team gb and they have been given a medal range between three and seven medals. the hope and expectation is there will be more competitiveness across more disciplines. there are hopes for charlotte banks and the snowboard cross and dave riding after his historic world cup code and here at the world cup as well. the hope is this familiar venue once becomes the source of more 0lympic glory for great britain. source of more olympic glory for great britain.— source of more olympic glory for great britain. ., ,, , ., , . great britain. thank you very much, laura, no doubt _ great britain. thank you very much, laura, no doubt we _ great britain. thank you very much, laura, no doubt we will _ great britain. thank you very much, laura, no doubt we will talk - great britain. thank you very much, laura, no doubt we will talk again. . a group of scientists are in the antarctic attempting to compile accurate data about how rising tempertatures are affecting plant life and animal numbers. and one species in particular has proven to be a big help — as the bbc�*s tim allman explains.

cute and, so it turns out, pretty crucial too, the adelie and gentoo penguins are native to this part of the antarctic. unlike other animals around here, they live mostly on the land rather than the ocean, which makes them easier to track. penguins conveniently come to the same nesting sites over and over and over, year after year, and so we have this reliable signature of, you know, how many individuals are there from one year to the next and how does this play out over decades or even longer time scales. researchers came here to monitor the penguin population, collecting data from 21 different sites. parts of the antarctic have seen a big decline in animal numbers but at least around here, those figures are relatively stable. this is obviously really good news but really underlines why governments need to put in place urgent protection so that we can safeguard these healthy penguin populations and make sure they do not suffer the expansion of industrial fishing which could cause them to decline in future. until fairly recently, scientists knew very little about this cold

and remote environment. satellite imagery has helped but boots on the ground have made all the difference. understanding the lives of these penguins may help safeguard their future. tim allman, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. good morning, everyone. it is quite a cloudy start to the day as you can see from the picture, particularly in wales. we have got a weather front that has been pushing steadily northwards and eastward, taking cloud and patchy rain with it. stop we have had a few spots of rain in the north and east, northern ireland, wales and the midlands, but most of these are the exception rather than the rule. as we go through the course of the day the rain will pop up across the west of scotland and further breaks in east wales, the midlands, southern

england, the south—east and east anglia. these represent the average wind speeds, so it will not be as windy as in the last couple of days, but it will still be breezy. temperature wise, if you like the weather a little bit milder we are looking at ten up to possibly 13, except for in the northern isles where we are still in the colder air. this evening and overnight there will be some breaks in the cloud, but it will be a cloudy night with some rain. by the end of the night the wind will be picking up across the north west. as a result of all of this, it will not be a cold night for the time of year. tomorrow we start off with a little bit of sunshine. the rain we have tens to peter out with sunshine in eastern scotland, but then we have this weather front coming in and thatis this weather front coming in and that is introducing thicker cloud and some heavier and more persistent rain, the squally winds all around it. temperatures tomorrow still in the male side as we put further

south, but behind this weather,, it will turn a bit colder and showers and wintry. through thursday to friday you can see the progress that weather front makes. we could see some wintering and as far as the southeast overnight that will clear away on friday morning, living is once again with a lot of dry weather and a fair bit of sunshine, but a platter of showers and some of those will be wintry, mostly on the hills, but across scotland we could see that getting down to lower levels. check it will feel confident back. as we head into the weekend we have got a weather front sinking south and it will be windy and generally it will be unsettled and cold in the north.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the uk government unveils details of one of its 2019 election pledges — trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas by �*levelling up�* the country. plans include improvements to buses and trains, broadband and education, along with more town and city mayors across england. what government will be judged by is our ability to deliver over the course of the next two years and then on to 2030, and that is why we are laying out the basis on which we can be judged and the basis on which future spending reviews can be judged as well. wherever you are in the uk, if you live in a neglected area, what do you want or need from the government�*s levelling up plan? is it more mayors, 5g, jobs, decent bus services? do let me know. if you thought your shopping was even more expensive injanuary, you were right.

the uk�*s been hit by the highest price rises in nearly ten years