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, 56, 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 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. last night fans gave their opinion. i what is that saying to wee girls. who are playing and want to play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? i that it is a football thing? sorry, enough. and the winter olympics torch relay begins in beijing as china gears up for the global sporting event, despite boycotts and the coronavirus.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the uk government will today set out its 2019 election promise to 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 the 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 buses and trains, sg broadband for 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. the department hasn�*t always got a very good grasp of what it�*s trying to deliver with the money

it�*s pouring in. and, you know, this is taxpayers�* money — we want to see outcomes. for that, outcomes means, in economic terms, jobs and thriving business areas, and we�*re not really clear that that�*s going to happen. so there�*s a long way to go to prove that this money is being spent as well as the government tells us 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. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming explained more about the plans. what is happening is, this is the government and the sable service getting themselves ready to deliver on this levelling up agenda. it is not the actual delivery itself. so the big thing we are going to get

todayis the big thing we are going to get today is these 12 national emissions today is these 12 national emissions to close the gaps between regions. you could maybe call them targets, thatis you could maybe call them targets, that is what they would have been called in the old days. and there are a whole load of aspirations in areas like health, education, technology and transport, which are going to be enshrined in law, and some of them are quite precise, some are quite vague, but they all going to have a measurement or metric attached to guide the government�*s work in this area, and the big mechanism for delivering all this stuff is going to be an increase in the number of mayors in england 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 that this is a very, very long term project, taking at least a decade. i project, taking at least a decade. i don't think anyone quarrels with what _ don't think anyone quarrels with what challenges the importance of levelling _ what challenges the importance of levelling up or i don't think anyone would _ levelling up or i don't think anyone would say— levelling up or i don't think anyone would say that these ambitions are anything _ would say that these ambitions are anything other than noble and right.

what government will be judged by is our ability— what government will be judged by is our ability to deliver over the course — our ability to deliver over the course of— our ability to deliver over the course of the next two years and then _ course of the next two years and then on — course of the next two years and then on to — course of the next two years and then on to 2030, and that is why we are laying _ then on to 2030, and that is why we are laying out the basis on which we can be _ are laying out the basis on which we can be judged and the basis on which future _ can be judged and the basis on which future spending reviews can be judged — future spending reviews can be judged as well. the future spending reviews can be judged as well.— future spending reviews can be judged as well. the proposal has been criticised _ judged as well. the proposal has been criticised by _ judged as well. the proposal has been criticised by labour - judged as well. the proposal has been criticised by labour alreadyj been criticised by labour already who say it is just a bunch of slogans and rearranging the deck chase. 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. but 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 get the whole 350 pages, which will give us a bit of a road map for a policy that the government wants to pursue for quite some time. new research suggests the inflation rate in shops almost doubled last month. a study by the british retail consortium found shop price inflation jumped from 0.8% in december to 1.5% injanuary. the sharp rise was driven by non—food price increases, such as furniture and flooring.

joining me now is richard lim, ceo of retail economics, an independent economics consultancy. first of all, your reaction to the fact it has doubled. it is first of all, your reaction to the fact it has doubled.— fact it has doubled. it is no surprise. _ fact it has doubled. it is no surprise, really. _ fact it has doubled. it is no surprise, really. the - fact it has doubled. it is no| surprise, really. the sector fact it has doubled. it is no i surprise, really. the sector is going through the result of a number of pressures on the supply chain so whether that is increases in supply chain disruption that is coming through from increased shipping costs and increased container costs, but also we have seen raw material prices that hit near decade highs, so we are seeing the inevitable result of some of these being passed down the supply chain and onto consumers. i down the supply chain and onto consumm— consumers. i mean, a doubling thou~h? consumers. i mean, a doubling though? that _ consumers. i mean, a doubling though? that is _ consumers. i mean, a doubling though? that is quite - consumers. i mean, a doubling i though? that is quite astonishing. loads of people will have noticed that their shopping has been more expensive in the last few weeks. i think that is true. shop prices

within the wider consumer basket, we already heard last week that the cpi inflation hit a high, but shop prices are one of the most visible components of overall inflation, so people have budgets they used to shop for food and they plan for big purchases, whether that is furniture, or rather home products, so it is a really visible part of consumers�* expenditure, so it comes as no surprise that consumers are noticing these rise in the shop prices. noticing these rise in the shop rices. . ~' , ., , noticing these rise in the shop rices. . ~ y., , . noticing these rise in the shop rices. . ~ , . ., prices. thank you very much for talkin: prices. thank you very much for talking to _ prices. thank you very much for talking to us. _ the chief executive of scottish women�*s football, aileen campbell, says she�*s concerned the decision by raith rovers 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 the former scotland striker. 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�*s owners say the signing was made for football reasons. the club�*s manager was booed before kick—off last night. and two directors and the captain of the women�*s team have quit in protest. and 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 and cancelled next season�*s shirt sponsorship over what she called a "disgusting and despicable move" to sign the striker. 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 club 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 think it's a huge risk. from a football point of view, it's a really good signing.

i would like to think the board have carefully considered the pros and cons and they have obviously decided... surely they expected something to come of it, considering his past, but you have got to trust the board. it is going to be interesting to see what happens tonight. i have got a season ticket and i have had a season i ticket for donkey's years. they say they are a community club. i what is that saying to wee girls. who are playing and want to play? what is it saying to other female staff in there? i that it is a football thing? sorry, enough. i 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. raith rovers said that david goodwillie is a proven goal scorer and this will be his second

stint with the club. the statement continues: "as with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a community club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 2a hours and are continuing to engage with." the club continues by saying that as david has previously played for raith rovers earlier in his career, "we consider him to be part of raith rovers football club. please be assured that as a community football club we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders. we aim to rebuild that trust." "while acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing. first and foremost, this was a football related decision." this morning, aileen campbell, the chief executive of scottish women�*s football told

the bbc"i think the decision has been a poor one. it�*s been badly misjudged. it sends the wrong signal and message to society and particularly so to women. "the fact that the women�*s club has lost its captain as a result of this is devastating and that would be a devastating consequence to lose women from the game as a result of this poor decision. "the chief executive went on to say that scottish women�*s football has offered support to the raith rovers women�*s club and the women�*s team to �*help them through this�*. 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 rape 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 time, it issued a statement saying it did not condone any sort of violence and it reiterated that in a brief statement yesterday. on monday, the sportswear manufacturer nike 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 football himself. three years ago, student libby squire vanished on a night out in the northern english city of 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. 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 in the uk over the counter. the health regulator will hold a public consultation on proposals to make one type of hrt available without a prescription. joining me now is leading menopause specialist, dr louise newson. thank you very much for talking to us. what do you think of the idea, before we talk about the details? it before we talk about the details? it is a very important to note that this is not actually hrt, this is a type of local hormonal treatment. it is a regina oestrogen that they hope is a regina oestrogen that they hope is going to be made over the counter, which is an absolutely brilliant idea. it is available in other countries such as finland. this is given to women who have

regina dryness, soreness, irritation. we know about 80% of women who are menopausal experience these symptoms and only about 8% of women receive treatment. it is a very safe but it is different to hrt. it doesn�*t reduce the health risk of the menopause that hrt does, but it is very safe, far safer than viagra, which we know is freely available over the counter. it is a great move because it is a way of improving accessibility for a very safe home to use locally. it improving accessibility for a very safe home to use locally. it makes ou safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder _ safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder why— safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder why it _ safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder why it is _ safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder why it is only - safe home to use locally. it makes you wonder why it is only available on prescription right now. absolutely. there are so many things you can buy over—the—counter that have more complications, more effects, i think some of it is because it is a female product, unfortunately, and it is absolutely wrong. i speak to a lot of women who

can�*t speak down, —— sit down, even walking can be very uncomfortable, because the tissues become very thin, they are less stretchy, so it is notjust intercourse that is painful, just living can be very difficult. i saw a 38—year—old recently who told me she had given up recently who told me she had given up working as a teacher because it was like having a blowtorch between her legs the whole time. she was unable to get help from her own health care providers so for her to be able to buy this over the counter would actually have saved herjob and really improved herfuture quality of life as well, which is so important. 50 quality of life as well, which is so important-— quality of life as well, which is so imortant. ., ,:~;~,:~ , ., ., important. so that is 838-year-old who had gone _ important. so that is 838-year-old who had gone through _ important. so that is 838-year-old who had gone through the - important. so that is 838-year-old - who had gone through the menopause? yes, one in 100 women under the age of a0 have an early menopause. my patient was 1a when she had the menopause. it can affect any of us at any age but we are guaranteed all

to become menopausal. do at any age but we are guaranteed all to become menopausal.— to become menopausal. do you feel that more women _ to become menopausal. do you feel that more women of— to become menopausal. do you feel that more women of a _ to become menopausal. do you feel that more women of a particular - to become menopausal. do you feel| that more women of a particular age are talking about the menopause now and how significant is that? yes. and how significant is that? yes, the do, and how significant is that? yes, they do. and _ and how significant is that? yes, they do. and it — and how significant is that? yes, they do, and it is _ and how significant is that? yes, they do, and it is really - they do, and it is really significant. a lot of the work i have been doing is to try and raise awareness notjust have been doing is to try and raise awareness not just for have been doing is to try and raise awareness notjust for health care professionals but for women so that they can make the choices that are pertinent to then. in the last 20 years, we have been given a lot of misinformation and scaremongering information about homeowners in general. we know our own hormones are safe. 0estrogen, the receptors are safe. 0estrogen, the receptors are on every single cell in our body. without it, there is an increased risk of the muses —— diseases such as heart disease and dementia, which is costing the health and economy a lot of money but is also costing women a lot. it is really important that we are given information as —— about our bodies but more importantly about treatment choices and we know that

systemic hrt is a very safe. it provides more benefits than risks, it can improve symptoms, but more importantly it can reduce the risk of diseases as well, so it is a very important that women are given the treatment they want and deserve. find treatment they want and deserve. and 'ust so our treatment they want and deserve. and just so our viewers are absolutely clear, this consultation is not about all hrt, it is just about one? absolutely, yes. about all hrt, it is 'ust about one? absolutely. yes.— absolutely, yes. thank you very much. the white house has condemned a spate of bomb threats against a number of historically black colleges. the threats — made to more than a dozen universities and schools in cities from baltimore to new orleans — began on the first day of black history month in the united states. here�*s the latest from our north america correspondent — david willis. stu d e nts students were told just seek shelter

while the sprawling campus was searched. similar threats were made to black colleges across the country. fit. to black colleges across the count . �* ., , ., country. a few hours after we started working _ country. a few hours after we started working with - country. a few hours after we started working with law - country. a few hours after we - started working with law enforcement and had secured our residential students, we made the call to move classes to promote instruction for the vast majority of the morning and then upon getting the all clear message, we did return to face—to—face instruction. ihla face-to-face instruction. no exolosives _ face—to—face instruction. no explosives were found but the unease felt by students and teachers was also in evidence at the white house. i will say that these are certainly disturbing and the white house is in touch— disturbing and the white house is in touch with _ disturbing and the white house is in touch with agency partners including law enforcement leadership on this. the threats come in the wake of a racial reckoning in this country prompted by the high—profile killing of african—americans such as george floyd, which paved the way for the black lives matter movement. some think the threats against historically black colleges and universities could be part of a backlash to that.—

backlash to that. whenever african-americans - backlash to that. whenever african-americans begin i backlash to that. whenever african-americans begin to backlash to that. whenever - african-americans begin to push for african—americans begin to push for rights. _ african—americans begin to push for rights. push— african—americans begin to push for rights. push for— african—americans begin to push for rights, push for recognition, - african—americans begin to push for rights, push for recognition, our- rights, push for recognition, our institutions— rights, push for recognition, our institutions have _ rights, push for recognition, our institutions have been _ rights, push for recognition, our institutions have been targeted i rights, push for recognition, our. institutions have been targeted by those _ institutions have been targeted by those who— institutions have been targeted by those who seek _ institutions have been targeted by those who seek to _ institutions have been targeted by those who seek to silence - institutions have been targeted by those who seek to silence those . those who seek to silence those voices — those who seek to silence those voices. �* . . those who seek to silence those voices. �* , , , .., those who seek to silence those voices. �* , , , . ., ., voices. but this is the second wave of bomb threats _ voices. but this is the second wave of bomb threats targeting - voices. but this is the second wave of bomb threats targeting such - of bomb threats targeting such institutions within a matter of weeks and coming on the first day of american black history month, it is also prompting lawmakers to take stock. in a joint statement, the chairman of the house intelligence committee and the chairman of the counter subcommittee called the threats deeply disturbing and added, we will remain focused on ensuring that all appropriate resources are utilised to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of these threats and to combat the scourge of white supremacist violence and terrorism. howard university and the other colleges targeted were later given the all clear but the threats

disrupted lessons and frayed nerves and officials have yet to discover who was behind them. the final countdown to china�*s first winter olympics is underway. over the next three days, a thousand people will carry the olympic torch past chinese landmarks, including the summer palace and great wall. it�*s a scaled down event with very few spectators because of coronavirus restrictions. the beijing olympics organisers say 32 new cases have been detected among games—related personnel in the last 2a hours. let�*s go to shougang park. site of the big air events for the olympics in beijing — our china correspondent stephen mcdonell is there. i think that is where the torch relay ends up, is it? absolutely. this is the _ relay ends up, is it? absolutely. this is the last _ relay ends up, is it? absolutely. this is the last stage _ relay ends up, is it? absolutely. this is the last stage of- relay ends up, is it? absolutely. this is the last stage of the - relay ends up, is it? absolutely. | this is the last stage of the torch relay today and it is a really interesting site, actually. this was once home to the for beijing, an old

industrial area, which has been transformed for the games, and as you said, site of big air event. i don�*t know if people can see the big sweeping thing behind me, that is where it will be, and when the events are on, they will be able to see the old towers of the steelworks in the background. the olympic torch relay this time around has not been like years gone by. very scaled—down, limited to three days only, the three days leading up to the opening ceremony on friday, and thatis the opening ceremony on friday, and that is because of covid. they don�*t want to have big crowds there. they are trying to make it interesting. while they are only mostly invited spectators today, nevertheless, there have been famous people involved. an astronaut, former winter 0lympians, and we also saw at one point a world famous basketball player passing on the ambassador, so

it has still been quite an interesting thing to watch on television, even if they could not take to the streets and see the torch going past them as they would have liked to have been able to do. these games, while maintaining a zero covid policy, how does that work? it zero covid policy, how does that work? . ., zero covid policy, how does that work? , ., ., , ., work? it is a logistical nightmare for organisers. _ work? it is a logistical nightmare for organisers. this _ work? it is a logistical nightmare for organisers. this country, - work? it is a logistical nightmare for organisers. this country, stillj for organisers. this country, still officially committed to zero covid, meaning every outbreak must be squashed before any city can return to normal life with a very strict measures, into that mix you pour all these athletes coming from countries where the omicron variant is spreading throughout the communities. the solution has been to create these huge bubbles, separating those involved with the olympics from the general public. 0lympics from the general public. dozens of cases have been found every day in association with the games. today, 32 new cases.

interestingly, only half of those have been at the airport. people come in, they go straight into the bubble on arrival, they will not have any contact with the outside world, they will do tests there, that picks up some people, but only half of today�*s cases, the other half of today�*s cases, the other half were already inside the olympic bubbles, so they have either had the virus and it has taken a while to come on and then they have tested positive, or it is circulating in those venues and that is something organisers will be worried about, but that is why people are having to be tested every day inside the olympic bubbles, so they can try and 0lympic bubbles, so they can try and stop a huge outbreak of covid in those 0lympic venues, and also, naturally, prevented from eventually getting out into the broader chinese community, where they are still committed to this very tough zero covid strategy. committed to this very tough zero covid strategy-— committed to this very tough zero covid stratet . ., ,. , ., , .

a landslide in ecuador�*s capital quito has left at least 22 people dead with a7 reported injured. it comes after the country saw its heaviest rainfall in two decades. aru na iyengar reports. monday�*s deadly mudslide swept whole families to their deaths. homes and livelihoods destroyed. emergency workers in quito undertake the grim task of searching for bodies and pulling them out from thick mud. it came after 17 hours of nonstop rain. a river of mud unleashed after a hillside gorge was overwhelmed above the areas of la gasca and la comuna. in its path, a field of spectators cheering on a volleyball match. translation: people were playing there in the field and they couldn�*t escape. the mudslide took them suddenly and dragged them, it dragged the field. those who managed to run were saved. a family was buried, they were left dead here.

ecuador is suffering heavy rains right across the country. 75 litres per square metre fell in quito on monday, the highest level in 20 years. rivers are overflowing, transport is badly affected. many have had to move to temporary shelters. security camera footage shows the deluge coursing through a main street in quito, cars washed away. translation: we got out, walked out the door and saw what looks like an immense river that covered everything, that took everything with it. my car was here, swimming about as high as the second floor. and that�*s not all — oil spills are also a side—effect of the heavy rains. this pipeline was ruptured by a falling rock in the eastern napo province. oil has contaminated two hectares of the cayambe coca national park and seeped into the river coca, which supplies water to indigenous amazon communities. back in quito, the painful struggle

to find survivors continues. aruna iyengar, 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. the headlines on bbc news... the uk government unveils details of one of its election pledges, trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to buses and trains, 5g, and more town and city mayors across england. shoppers in the uk 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. and the winter olympics torch relay begins in beijing, as china gears up for the global sporting event despite boycotts and the coronavirus. back now to the uk government�*s new plans to level up neglected parts of the country. our correspondent phil mackie is in wolverhampton for us this morning. it�*s one of the places set to benefit from the proposals. hello.

back. the cameraman can show you these containers that have been brought into operate as shops and it has brought a lot more people in here. it is an example of that moving part to wolverhampton. holland is the chief executive of the black country chamber. what could levelling out mean for wolverhampton? lotuie could levelling out mean for wolverhampton?— could levelling out mean for wolverhampton? could levelling out mean for wolverham -ton? ~ . . wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this, wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this. but — wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this, but the _ wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this, but the problems - wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this, but the problems we - wolverhampton? we are quite excited about this, but the problems we have | about this, but the problems we have had in _ about this, but the problems we have had in the _ about this, but the problems we have had in the west midlands and wolverhampton is we have had decades and decades of non—investment and that has— and decades of non—investment and that has held us back, and things like health, education and businesses. we need powers locally to deliver— businesses. we need powers locally to deliver that. we businesses. we need powers locally to deliver that.— to deliver that. we were talking about the high _ to deliver that. we were talking about the high street, - to deliver that. we were talking about the high street, two - to deliver that. we were talking about the high street, two big l about the high street, two big landmark department stores have gone and a lot of high street names have

gone and people who come to the city the size of wolverhampton and walk down the high street will be disappointed. what could be done to fill that high street and bring it back to life? fill that high street and bring it back to life ?_ fill that high street and bring it back to life? ., , ., ., back to life? you need powers around reinventint back to life? you need powers around reinventing the _ back to life? you need powers around reinventing the high _ back to life? you need powers around reinventing the high street, _ reinventing the high street, different uses of the high street. you want — different uses of the high street. you want to encourage independent retailers _ you want to encourage independent retailers. the problem is we have empty— retailers. the problem is we have empty units, landlord is we have empty— empty units, landlord is we have empty units, landlord is we have empty units, landlords not selling them _ empty units, landlords not selling them on. — empty units, landlords not selling them on, rates too high. let local authorities— them on, rates too high. let local authorities kick landlords out, get new people in, set the rates, that would _ new people in, set the rates, that would be — new people in, set the rates, that would be really exciting for us. education _ would be really exciting for us. education is a big levelling up factor and wolverhampton has got one of the first rates in the country. two in wolverhampton are in the what in terms of qualifications. that is where money really ought to be spent. it is for the next generation of people and for adults who need extra qualifications. this of people and for adults who need extra qualifications.— extra qualifications. this is not a tuick extra qualifications. this is not a t uick fix extra qualifications. this is not a quick fix and _ extra qualifications. this is not a quick fix and it _ extra qualifications. this is not a quick fix and it will _ extra qualifications. this is not a quick fix and it will not _ extra qualifications. this is not a

quick fix and it will not be - extra qualifications. this is not a quick fix and it will not be done l extra qualifications. this is not a l quick fix and it will not be done in a couple — quick fix and it will not be done in a couple of— quick fix and it will not be done in a couple of years. we need long—term funding _ a couple of years. we need long—term funding and _ a couple of years. we need long—term funding and it will take a generation to get this ready. we don't _ generation to get this ready. we don't all— generation to get this ready. we don't all display the best wagers, how do— don't all display the best wagers, how do you address these long—term issues? _ how do you address these long—term issues? some of the money we hope will be _ issues? some of the money we hope will be pumped into primary schools, skills and _ will be pumped into primary schools, skills and appointments. there will be targets— skills and appointments. there will be targets around productivity and education — be targets around productivity and education and we need this to reinvigorate it, with a clear focus. one of— reinvigorate it, with a clear focus. one of the — reinvigorate it, with a clear focus. one of the things the government is talking about are more metro mayors. will that help? it has galvanised us to work— will that help? it has galvanised us to work together and there are several— to work together and there are several local authorities working together — several local authorities working together on a common theme and what we have _ together on a common theme and what we have got— together on a common theme and what we have got for the first time in a lon- we have got for the first time in a long time — we have got for the first time in a long time is— we have got for the first time in a long time is this feeling we are moving — long time is this feeling we are moving pictures, we have got something to work with. there is a lot of— something to work with. there is a lot oroint— something to work with. there is a lot ofjoint about what is right and today— lot ofjoint about what is right and today is— lot ofjoint about what is right and today is an — lot ofjoint about what is right and today is an important step. we want today is an important step. we want to wrestle _ today is an important step. we want to wrestle the hours away from whitehall. ., ,, , ., to wrestle the hours away from whitehall-— to wrestle the hours away from whitehall. ., ,, , ., ., ., ,, .,

whitehall. thank you for talking to me toda . whitehall. thank you for talking to me today- the _ whitehall. thank you for talking to me today. the detail _ whitehall. thank you for talking to me today. the detail will - whitehall. thank you for talking to me today. the detail will be - whitehall. thank you for talking to j me today. the detail will be where the devil is and that�*s what people want to know. there are a lot of successful people from here, like moran, gerard material, all of these have gone on to become household names and very successful, but they had to move away from britain and they are unlikely to come back because there is not the opportunity here. levelling up, if it works a decade or two handle and come in peace, if they choose to where they grew up or at least moving to areas like the kinds ofjobs as well, victoria. joining me is dr miatta fahnbulleh who�*s chief executive at the new economics foundation, a left—wing social—economic think tank. she is a former labour adviser. thank you for talking to us. what do you think of these plans? the ambition is _ you think of these plans? the ambition is spot _ you think of these plans? tye: ambition is spot on. you think of these plans? tte: ambition is spot on. i you think of these plans? t"t9 ambition is spot on. i think you think of these plans? tt9: ambition is spot on. i think michael gove is right that we need a devolution revolution to level up.

but if you look underneath the pledges, and we still need to see the detail, it feels like they are pushing out the same old remedies that have failed to close the divide between places and quite frankly with the country still being torn apart we need a major shift in policy. for me i think that has to happen in three areas. one, actually pushing new investment, powers to raise local taxes, decisions over economic policy in the place down to mayors. it means a focusing or boosting incomes, particularly incomes in sectors like hospitality, care, everyday sectors that account for 63% ofjobs. care, everyday sectors that account for 63% ofjobs— for 63% of “obs. sorry, give us your third toint for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and _ for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and i _ for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and i will— for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and i will come - for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and i will come back - for 63% ofjobs. sorry, give us your third point and i will come back to i third point and i will come back to you. third point and i will come back to ou. :, . y third point and i will come back to ou. :, ., , :, you. for me finally on the third tiece we you. for me finally on the third piece we should _ you. for me finally on the third piece we should be _ you. for me finally on the third piece we should be going - you. for me finally on the third piece we should be going big . you. for me finally on the third | piece we should be going big on green. we know we need to transition to a net zero and i want to see the government investing about 28 billion a year in places to create greenjobs and green injuries. that is how we level up. tit

green jobs and green in'uries. that is how we level up._ is how we level up. in terms of the wales is how we level up. in terms of the wages they — is how we level up. in terms of the wages they would _ is how we level up. in terms of the wages they would point _ is how we level up. in terms of the wages they would point to - is how we level up. in terms of the wages they would point to the - is how we level up. in terms of the wages they would point to the fact| wages they would point to the fact that the living wage is going up to £9.50 in april. that that the living wage is going up to £9.50 in april.— £9.50 in april. that is a move but the cost of _ £9.50 in april. that is a move but the cost of living _ £9.50 in april. that is a move but the cost of living is also _ £9.50 in april. that is a move but the cost of living is also going - £9.50 in april. that is a move but the cost of living is also going up| the cost of living is also going up and the real living wage or to reflect the true cost of living. if the government wanted one intervention that would have a real impact on levelling up against the contents of a cost of living crisis, they would be increasing the national living wage so it reflected the true cost of living. in national living wage so it reflected the true cost of living.— the true cost of living. in terms of their plans. _ the true cost of living. in terms of their plans. 56. — the true cost of living. in terms of their plans, 56, making _ the true cost of living. in terms of their plans, 56, making sure - the true cost of living. in terms of their plans, 56, making sure kids| their plans, 5g, making sure kids can properly read and write, that is basic, isn�*t it, and improvements to buses and trains, what do you think of those specific ideas customer yes, those are all good things. there is also a pledge there to try to increase real affordable homes, and all of those measures are good. i think the intention and the ambition is right. the two things that are missing is the level of investment and funding needed to

make that bite. then who is making the decisions around this? it needs to sit with local leaders that are close to their patch who understand theissues close to their patch who understand the issues and understand how to make it work in their communities. what we are seeing at the moment is the government will create these funding pots and local leaders have to dance to the tune of what it is whitehall wants rather than what their communities want. the areas we have identified are the right ones, it is how you do it and how much investment you are willing to back it. at the moment the jury is out on both of these things. it. at the moment the “ury is out on both of these things._ it. at the moment the “ury is out on both of these things. thank you very much for talking _ both of these things. thank you very much for talking to _ both of these things. thank you very much for talking to us. _ both of these things. thank you very much for talking to us. chief- much for talking to us. chief executive the economic foundation. 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. hannah lowe told me how she feels about winning. i feel great, i am ifeel great, i am delighted, ifeel great, iam delighted, really over the moon and particularly

because a book of poetry has found its way to the top of the pile, it is a lovely feeling.— its way to the top of the pile, it is a lovely feeling. what kind of toems? is a lovely feeling. what kind of poems? the — is a lovely feeling. what kind of poems? the poet _ is a lovely feeling. what kind of poems? the poet in _ is a lovely feeling. what kind of poems? the poet in this - is a lovely feeling. what kind of poems? the poet in this book. is a lovely feeling. what kind of| poems? the poet in this book of sonnets. what _ poems? the poet in this book of sonnets. what are _ poems? the poet in this book of sonnets. what are sonnets? - poems? the poet in this book of sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 i poems? the poet in this book of. sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line ttollin sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line polling that — sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line polling that has _ sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line polling that has a _ sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line polling that has a set _ sonnets. what are sonnets? 14 line polling that has a set metrical - polling that has a set metrical pattern, set rhythm. it also has a quality in it of a turn, shift, two thirds through the poem, either it is a spatial shift or it is a tempo shift may be rhetorical. it is quite a challenging form. shakespeare is probably in england the best known at sonnets. ~ ., probably in england the best known at sonnets. . :, , :, :, at sonnets. what drew you to writing at sonnets. what drew you to writing a book of sonnets? _ at sonnets. what drew you to writing a book of sonnets? because - at sonnets. what drew you to writing a book of sonnets? because i - at sonnets. what drew you to writing a book of sonnets? because i was i a book of sonnets? because i was teachint a book of sonnets? because i was teaching the _ a book of sonnets? because i was teaching the sonnet _ a book of sonnets? because i was teaching the sonnet so _ a book of sonnets? because i was teaching the sonnet so often - a book of sonnets? because i was teaching the sonnet so often and | teaching the sonnet so often and having to explain what i have just told you to students and make them care about it. of bobby and having a reputation of having high cultural associations and 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 seem to be the perfect subject for a sonnet in this day and age. this book is about people you have taught and about your own son? yes. taught and about your own son? yes, it is about people _ taught and about your own son? yes, it is about people i _ taught and about your own son? 193 it is about people i talk, my son and my own experience as a learner, both in formal education and outside of that, all the different ways we learn. there is a commitment to lifelong learning expressed in the book, the idea we do not finish learning at the end of formal education, it is always there for us. :, education, it is always there for us. :, " :. education, it is always there for us. :, ,, :, education, it is always there for us. you know teach postgrad grads and undergrads, _ us. you know teach postgrad grads and undergrads, when _ us. you know teach postgrad grads and undergrads, when you - us. you know teach postgrad grads and undergrads, when you started| us. you know teach postgrad grads i and undergrads, when you started at the age of 22 you are teaching 16—year—olds. how did that go? the age of 22 you are teaching 16-year-olds. how did that go? there are oems 16-year-olds. how did that go? there are poems that _ 16-year-olds. how did that go? there are poems that address _ 16-year-olds. how did that go? there are poems that address that - 16—year—olds. how did that go? ttee are poems that address that because the idea that i had authority over those young people was questionable. how do you get their respect when

there is no age difference?- there is no age difference? people used to say _ there is no age difference? people used to say that _ there is no age difference? people used to say that to _ there is no age difference? people used to say that to me _ there is no age difference? people used to say that to me but - there is no age difference? people used to say that to me but in - there is no age difference? people used to say that to me but in truth you go into the room and you say you are the teacher and 99% of those kids will accept that, you are the teacher. but i didn�*t have the confidence or the knowledge and i was teaching english literature, but my degree was in american literature and i had done lots of non—canonical reading. all of a sudden having to teach the restoration i was looking up teach the restoration i was looking up the restoration the week before. i am glad you shared that with us because it is honest, it is candid. do you want to read one of your poems and i have got a million more questions. t poems and i have got a million more tuestions. ., poems and i have got a million more tuestions. :, , .:, questions. i will read the second oem questions. i will read the second toem in questions. i will read the second poem in the _ questions. i will read the second poem in the book _ questions. i will read the second poem in the book about - questions. i will read the second poem in the book about my - questions. i will read the second poem in the book about my first| questions. i will read the second - poem in 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 face and an old mosaic ofjamaica and the ruby blot of lips of last year�*s girls where they had kissed the schoolhouse break. this year�*s crop

pushed past, all cattery chat, their first day back. what is art? the fuji is blaring from someone�*s phone, ready or not. and with that old white dog still barking softly in my head i walked the sugar paper toll and pushed the classroom door toll and pushed the classroom door to find a sprawl of teenagers sat waiting, the ones to resit all back to do what they had already failed. i took my seat and called the register. denise, lucy, chantelle. the reference to the fuji, what year was that, your first year of teaching?— was that, your first year of teachint? :, :, :, , was that, your first year of teachinl? :, :, :, , ., teaching? that has got to be about 2002. teaching? that has got to be about 2002- there _ teaching? that has got to be about 2002. there are _ teaching? that has got to be about 2002. there are a _ teaching? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot _ teaching? that has got to be about 2002. there are a lot of _ teaching? that has got to be aboutj 2002. there are a lot of references in the book to that period which people of my age might not say it is historical but 20 years have passed. it is mad to think of it like that. and those names in the register, are they real people who have tot? t was they real people who have tot? i was conscious of — they real people who have tot? i was conscious of the _ they real people who have tot? i was conscious of the ethics _ they real people who have tot? i was conscious of the ethics in _ they real people who have tot? t —" conscious of the ethics in this book and often the names are changed and

often they might be a sort of student on which the poem is focused, but they are compilations of lots of different students. i had lots of different students over the years being resistant to reading and i would choose a student and fictionalise them. i don�*t think any of the students would see themselves.— of the students would see themselves. . , :, . themselves. why are some children resistant to — themselves. why are some children resistant to reading? _ themselves. why are some children resistant to reading? i— themselves. why are some children resistant to reading? i think - themselves. why are some children resistant to reading? i think there l resistant to reading? i think there are lots of things _ resistant to reading? i think there are lots of things going _ resistant to reading? i think there are lots of things going on - resistant to reading? i think there are lots of things going on there l are lots of things going on there but partly it is what some are taught and what is set and that is not by teachers, that is often by the people setting the curriculum and the assessors. and students might not often see themselves reflected in literature or no the purpose of reading that book. if i say to you this is great, you don�*t have to believe that. tt say to you this is great, you don't have to believe that.— say to you this is great, you don't have to believe that. it helps me to 0 en have to believe that. it helps me to o ten the have to believe that. it helps me to open the first _ have to believe that. it helps me to open the first page. _ have to believe that. it helps me to open the first page. yes _ have to believe that. it helps me to open the first page. yes and - have to believe that. it helps me to open the first page. yes and may . have to believe that. it helps me to | open the first page. yes and may be lots of students _ open the first page. yes and may be

lots of students need _ open the first page. yes and may be lots of students need help _ open the first page. yes and may be lots of students need help with - lots of students need help with their reading. they may be need a frame of reference or some kind of guidance and teachers do a brilliant job in making lots of literature accessible to students. the other thing that is going on is the digital age. thing that is going on is the digitalage. students, particularly the ones i was teaching, you saw the increase in digital technology during that time and they are incredibly digitally literate, but it affects their concentration. actually reading is not something we are born with, it is learnt and it is hard. to sit with a book and to cast your eyes across all those words on the page, that is something we teach ourselves and i think maybe the digital stuff sometimes detracts from that as well. but it also has its advantages.— from that as well. but it also has its advantages. and it is easier to while away _ its advantages. and it is easier to while away half _ its advantages. and it is easier to while away half an _ its advantages. and it is easier to while away half an hour _ its advantages. and it is easier to while away half an hour on - while away half an hour on tick—tock, let�*s be honest. it is easier than to pick up a book and spent that time reading. absolutely. briefl , ou spent that time reading. absolutely. briefly. you are _ spent that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed _ spent that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, - spent that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, is- spent that time reading. absolutely. briefly, you are mixed race, is that i briefly, you are mixed race, is that important to you in what you write?

yes, very, my dad was jamaican, part black, part white chinese. in the place i taught it was mainly non—white students, the students in some ways probably had a link back second and third generation to the british empire. mainly and not all, but a mainly white teaching staff and the questions we would ask ourselves was what does that mean, for students do 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 that what could i claim of that experience, i mean the experience of discrimination? i look white and i had that privilege. but the students were teaching me so much about identity, belonging, multiculturalism, the legacies of empire. it is kind of where in the end i came out and began to talk about that. i began to do it firstly in poetry and in the classroom, but it made a difference. there are two

poems in the book, linked poems, about a student who is very hostile to me until she finds out that my dad has got that heritage and then her attitude changes and i am assuming, a supposition, it was an important thing for her to know. so, yes, it is very important. a lot of my previous work has been about him. thank you very much for coming in and telling us so much about you and your life. i have a really nice capture of your life through your book and it is an award—winning, congratulations. breaking news, has been imaged and threats to kill. we

have just heard that mason greenwood has been released by the police on bail pending further investigations into allegations of rape and assault of a woman. the headlines on bbc news... the uk government unveils details of one of its election pledges, trying to reduce the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to buses and trains, 5g, and more town and city mayors across england. shoppers in the uk 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. when you think of treatments to help people with parkinson�*s disease boxing might not immediately spring to mind. but one boxing gym in cheshire hosts weekly sessions which help with tremors, balance and strength.

mairead smyth has been along to have a look. this is training for the body and the brain. i am going to go down and pick up a ring. tommy set up rock steady boxing club three years ago. he trained in america, where the clubs for people with parkinson�*s first began. they are what motivate me. i have my bad days, same as the guys. i was diagnosed in 2013 with it. it is progressive. eventually it will overtake. i will be here as often as we can, and keep rock steady boxing working. because it does work. it doesn�*t cure parkinson�*s, but it will give you better quality of life. jackie has been coming from the beginning, six years after she was diagnosed with parkinson�*s. i was at rock bottom when i first come here. it has given me my confidence back. made me part of a team. i am so much steadier on my feet.

medical research shows that these sessions can actually improve neural plasticity, which means the brain can actually rewire itself around structural damage, and those who take part in these sessions become less dependent on medical intervention. uppercut! there�*s lots of evidence that all of these neurological diseases and many other diseases benefit from exercise—orientated therapy. this specifically attacks the symptoms of parkinson�*s disease. so there are specific stations for balance, for coordination, for tremor, even for your voice, because patients often start to talk very quietly. the patients walk out of here looking almost sometimes like they don�*t have parkinson�*s disease. the group is getting back on its feet after the sessions had to go online during the pandemic. since it�*s reopened, things have got a lot better. everybody has been improving since the pandemic. it�*s great, these sessions are fantastic. the sessions really help because it

teaches you everything that parkinson's takes away, it teaches you balance, coordination and everything. tommy�*s keen to get even more men and women involved. i�*ve been inundated with requests tojoin, which is brilliant, which means i might have to put more classes on for everybody. cos my aim is not to turn people away. rock steady boxing! mairead smyth, bbc news. an immersive exhibition celebrating the life of reggae legend bob marley opens in london this week. people will be able to visit his recording studio without even leaving the country. our music correspondent, mark savage went along for a sneak peek. my feeling about this music is that this music will get bigger and biggerand biggerand bigger and find its right people as it gets bigger. bob marley�*s prophecy came true. after this interview was filmed, he became one of the world�*s best—loved and best—selling musicians.

so, they've got a brand - new one out called exodus — here are bob marley and the wailers. # exodus # movement ofjah people.# now, a little more than a0 years after his death, his legacy is being celebrated, with an extensive exhibition featuring unseen photographs, rare concert footage and platinum discs, all overseen by his eldest daughter, cedella. going through every room, i think you leave with a little piece of daddy. you can see the accomplishments of this little boy from nine mile, you know, who grew up in poverty, struggled with identity, you know? and just still overcoming it all. # we�*rejammin�*. # see, i want to jam it with you.# but staging an exhibition of bob marley�*s life presented a unique problem. the musician wasn�*t someone who held

on to mementos and memorabilia. have you made, say, millions of dollars? i no. are you a rich man? when you mean rich, what do you mean? do you have a lot of possessions, a lot of money in the bank? - possession make you rich? i know i don�*t have that type of richness. my richness is life, forever. there wasn't tonnes of concert ticket stubs and other traditional exhibit material, so you needed to create these environments for people to be able to have a multi—sensory experience where they could really feel what bob marley was all about. one such experience comes in the rainforest room, designed as a place to hang out and imbibe bob�*s music. i love the forest. it's like we brought a little bit ofjamaica to cold london, you know? yeah! and there�*s a pair of his football boots? i brought them in with me. yeah. just yesterday?

yeah. oh, wow! so they�*ve literally been put in the case. where were they before that? in my closet. do you have a lot of memorabilia, just at home? no. that was like the only piece of dad's stuff that i actually held on to. were you a fan of his music growing up, or did you come to it later in life? no, i liked michael jackson and shalamar... ..eh, cyndi lauper. yeah, because it's almost like, say, when when you cook rice and peas every day, you're not — you don't go, "oh, rice and peas," you know? you're kind of used to it. was there a rivalry? did he want you to like him as much as you liked michaeljackson? no, because he's my dad. yeah. nobody ever respects their dad, do they? yeah, i mean, come on! you know, it's my dad! # no woman, no cry.#

why do you think his music continues to have the impact it does today? because the message is still relevant. i would think being a child that was born in the late '605, i was hoping that the world would have changed in some way that i would feel safe for my black sons to leave the house and go about their business. but it's not. so bob marley still has work to do. # stir it up little darlin�* # stir it up.# as the head of the bob marley foundation, it�*s cedella�*s job to ensure his legacy. and after this exhibition spends ten weeks in london, it will tour the world to spread his message further. # stir it up, woh.# you�*re watching bbc news.

now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello. for many of us it will be a cloudy day but we will see some sunshine and we have got some patchy rain in the forecast and it is breezy, not as windy as the last couple of days. this is where the front pushing north is producing the cloud and patchy rain and the yellow behind it shows it is going to be mild. more or less across the board quite a cloudy picture as we go into the afternoon. still rain coming into the north of scotland and the west. murky conditions on the coasts and hills as well, but brightening up and hills as well, but brightening up across wales, central england, the son at the and miles, temperature widely about ten to 12 still older air in the northern isles. overnight there will be rain

in parts of scotland, and we will see spots in england, wales and northern ireland. a lot of cloud around and by the end of the night the wind will be strengthening in the wind will be strengthening in the north—west. once again it will be a mild night more or less across the board for this time of year. as we head into tomorrow�*s start off with a lot of cloud and, but then the next weather is coming in from the next weather is coming in from the atlantic. it is a cold front and it will have squally winds all around it and some heavy rain. behind it the air will return older and we will see a return to wintry showers, but ahead of it we are still in the mild conditions with ten or 11 at a maximum terms. as we go through thursday and into friday what happens. whether france slips southward and the cold on one behind. it will be windy as well. we say goodbye to the weather front, taking the rain with it. there will

be a lot of showers around, frequent showers with some snow and that will get down to the lower levels. there will be sunshine in between and it will be sunshine in between and it will feel colder, especially when you add on the strength of the wind. as we head on into the weekend we have got a weather front thinking southwards and at times it will be quite windy as well, particularly under it, and we will still see some especially in the north.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11am: the 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, 5g, and 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. let me know what levelling up means to you and what you�*d like to see improved in your area. get in touch with me @annitabbc or #bbcyourquestions boris johnson faces further calls to resign as tobias ellwood

becomes the latest tory mp to want him out of office, amid the ongoing row over lockdown parties in no 10. manchester united�*s mason greenwood has been bailed by police pending further investigation after being arrested on suspicion of rape, threats to kill and assault. shoppers are hit by the highest price rises in nearly 10 years, because shop inflation almost doubled over the past month. and medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. hello and welcome to bbc news.

the government will this lunchtime set out more detail about its 2019 election promise to try to close the gap between richer and poorer parts of the uk through what they call "levelling up". borisjohnson is keen to highlight his domestic agenda, after criticism of the lockdown parties in downing street. we�*re expecting a statement from the levelling up secretary, michael gove, around 12:30, which we�*ll bring to you live, here at bbc news. it�*s understood most of what will be announced today focuses on england, so let�*s have a look at what we know about the plan so far. it includes improvements to buses and trains, 5g broadband for 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�*. our 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 5g 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 office spending watchdog says the government hasn�*t always properly monitored how well its

local spending plans have worked. the department hasn�*t always got a very good grasp of what it�*s trying to deliver with the money it�*s pouring in. and, you know, this is taxpayers�* money — we want to see outcomes. for that, outcomes means — in economic terms — jobs and thriving business areas, and we�*re not really clear that that�*s going to happen. so there�*s a long way to go to prove that this money is being spent as well as the government tells us 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. jonathan blake, our political correspondent, joins me now. borisjohnson has described

levelling up as his defining mission, and he knows that it is what many of the voters in red wool areas who moved to the conservative party in the last election will be judging him on. so after all the rhetoric, what are we going to hear today in terms of substance? tote rhetoric, what are we going to hear today in terms of substance? we are ttoin to today in terms of substance? we are going to hear — today in terms of substance? we are going to hear details _ today in terms of substance? we are going to hear details from _ today in terms of substance? we are going to hear details from michael i going to hear details from michael gove, but as you�*ve been hearing, these plans are not short on scope, not short on ambition, but what they are short on perhaps is specifics. there are 12 missions, as the government is calling them, at the heart of this policy paper, by which the mission, the approach to levelling up will be measured. some are quite specific, others are far more broad, just to pick out a couple, they range in everything from transport, bringing back more in line with london style services, to access to gigabit capable broadband, increasing pay, eliminating illiteracy, and numeracy, and the list goes on. and it is really the government�*s way of

setting out how it is going to achieve one of its central promises to voters at the last election in 2019, to boost opportunity and reduce inequality across the uk. bringing other areas outside london and the south—east into line with that region in terms of all these different standards that we�*ve been hearing about. and the levelling up secretary, michael gove, who is charged with leading this project, talked more about the plans this morning. i don't think anyone quarrels with or 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 onto 2030. that is why we're laying out the basis on which we can be judged, and the basis on which future spending reviews can be judged, as well. now, though we have yet to hear the

full detail of the plans, there is plenty of criticism coming to government�*s way already, and that centres around these plans being perhaps too broad. so broaden their scope that it will be very difficult to deliver, very difficult to measure as well. there is little, if any, new money coming forward with his projects from the treasury, and a lot of them are things which the government has already pledged and promised to do, they bring put together and repackage, if you like, under this one umbrella of levelling up, which is why labour particularly are criticising the government here, describing this as nothing new really in terms of ideas, more slogans and strategies, and putting forward their own five—point plan. and the prime minister really wants everyone to focus on domestic policy issues like this and to move on from questions about parties at downing street, but that�*s clearly not going to happen. we have an intervention

today from one of his prominent backbenchers, tobias ellwood, tell us more. . . backbenchers, tobias ellwood, tell us more. , , ., , us more. yes, he is the latest conservative _ us more. yes, he is the latest conservative mp _ us more. yes, he is the latest conservative mp to _ us more. yes, he is the latest conservative mp to say - us more. yes, he is the latest conservative mp to say he - us more. yes, he is the latest conservative mp to say he is i us more. yes, he is the latest - conservative mp to say he is writing a letter to the chairman of the backbench committee, the 1922 committee as it is called, calling for a vote of confidence in boris johnson�*s leadership. it�*s not a huge surprise, he has been edging towards this recently, saying not too long ago that borisjohnson needed to lead or step aside. well, he clearly thinks that he is certainly not gonna step aside, giving no indication of that, and he clearly now believes he is not showing any sign of providing the leadership he had other tory mps believe is necessary to continue. so there�*s a handful of letters we know have gone in, that number has gone up have gone in, that number has gone up by one, and needs to be 5a before a vote of confidence is triggered in the prime minister�*s leadership. thank you very much. kate forbes, scotland�*s finance secretary, joins me now. thank you for your time. we�*ve heard that most of what the announcement

will be focusing on today is to do with england, does that leave you frustrated? at, with england, does that leave you frustrated? : . . frustrated? a little bit, but there are probably _ frustrated? a little bit, but there are probably some _ frustrated? a little bit, but there are probably some deeper - are probably some deeper frustrations. we are talking about levelling up because the uk has one of the highest regional economic inequalities amongst oecd countries. and that has only increased since the year 2000. so we are dealing with a massive challenge which we certainly in scotland have seen quite clearly, the government is seeking to respond that today. the irony perhaps in the proposals today is that on the one hand the uk government is talking about empowering regions and nations like scotland more, and yet at the other point they are cutting across devolution, devolution that already exists, by determining how money is spent in areas that are normally devolved to the scottish government. so my question would be, if the government is serious about levelling up, why undermine the very

devolution that they are seeking to progress as part of the levelling up agenda? t�*m progress as part of the levelling up atenda? �* , , agenda? i'm guessing the government will art ue agenda? i'm guessing the government will argue that — agenda? i'm guessing the government will argue that it _ agenda? i'm guessing the government will argue that it is listening _ will argue that it is listening carefully to what different parts of the uk need. do you think that listening process has happened? well, we have seen the delayed paper today, there is more detail to come, we�*ve had no meaningful engagement or consultation over that period. so we have been waiting, for example, the replacement of eu structural funding, but scotland has benefited considerably over the last few years from eu structuralfunding, we are still awaiting detail about what will replace it in the form of the shared prosperity funding or otherwise. and just a few months ago we saw the uk government making decisions, spending decisions, in areas that had previously been devolved, in wales, northern ireland and in scotland. so they are using the internal market sector to completely rewrite how funding is

distributed, undermining devolution, rolling back on commitments, rhetoric is easy, delivery is heard, we see very little delivery but a lot of rhetoric from the uk government.— lot of rhetoric from the uk government. . :, , :, ., .. , government. would you accept there is any difference _ government. would you accept there is any difference in _ government. would you accept there is any difference in the _ government. would you accept there is any difference in the devolution i is any difference in the devolution of power to city mayors and the devolution of power too, in your instance, the scottish government, and do you think that it is possible to properly consider and area�*s distinctive needs, scotland does make distinctive needs, in your case, without devolving more power to the scottish government? is there a process by which those distinctive needs can be met?— needs can be met? there is a process. _ needs can be met? there is a process. it — needs can be met? there is a process. it is _ needs can be met? there is a process, it is through - needs can be met? there is a process, it is through the - needs can be met? there is a - process, it is through the scottish government. the last few years we�*ve obviously been arguing for further powers, and i maintain that position. certainly through the pandemic we saw the glaring need for additional powers. but right now, we are in the business of protecting the powers that we already have,

which are being eroded, particularly through the internal markets act. what we are seeing is that part of the replacement of eu funding, eu legislation, eu powers, the uk government is choosing to withdraw and, as it were, retain itself some of the powers that would normally rest with the scottish government. so when it comes to shared prosperity funding, when it comes to other forms of levelling up funds, normally the scottish government would have a say in reflecting community is�* needs and determining with local authorities how that money is spent. now it is basically a leapfrogging mission where that money is spent in areas that have traditionally and always been accepted as devolved powers to the scottish government... 50. accepted as devolved powers to the scottish government. . .— scottish government... so, do you think the inherent _ scottish government... so, do you think the inherent tension - scottish government... so, do you j think the inherent tension between the pro—and anti—independence arguments will get in the way of

this process of levelling up as the government is letting it out? obviously we don�*t have all the details yet. t obviously we don't have all the details yet-— details yet. i don't think it is a stark as that. _ details yet. i don't think it is a stark as that. my _ details yet. i don't think it is a stark as that. my welsh - details yet. i don't think it is a | stark as that. my welsh labour unionist counterparts would agree with me. my northern irish executive counterparts would agree with me. so actually the devolved governments are all united in saying that the procedure that the uk government is using to determine how decisions are made, spending commitments are made, in areas that are devolved completely undermines devolution. the stronger speaker, i would argue, on all of this is the welsh labour first minister, who talks very powerfully about how the conservative uk government is undermining devolution. why is that important? it is important because we are talking about a levelling up

paper that talks about local empowerment, and that is the irony at the heart of today�*s announcement. at the heart of today's announcement.- at the heart of today's announcement. . :, , , at the heart of today's announcement. . , ., ~ at the heart of today's announcement. . :, , , ., announcement. kate forbes, thank you ve much announcement. kate forbes, thank you very much for— announcement. kate forbes, thank you very much for your _ announcement. kate forbes, thank you very much for your time. _ very much for your time. you are watching bbc news. 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. it is just approaching a quarter past 11. the headlines on bbc news: the uk government unveils details of one of its election pledges — trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to buses and trains, 5g, and more town and city mayors across england boris johnson faces further calls to resign as tobias ellwood becomes the latest tory mp to want him out of office

amid the ongoing row over lockdown parties in no 10. manchester united�*s mason greenwood has been bailed by police pending further investigation after being arrested on suspicion of rape, threats to kill and assault. there are reports ministers plan to cut everyone�*s energy bills by £200, as part of a strategy to deal with the effect of soaring gas prices. it�*s understood the proposals will also include an extension of support for the neediest households. joining me now is simonjack, our business editor. what more can you tell us about these plans? fits what more can you tell us about these plans?— these plans? as you say, it was first reported — these plans? as you say, it was first reported in _ these plans? as you say, it was first reported in the _ these plans? as you say, it was first reported in the times - these plans? as you say, it was first reported in the times this i first reported in the times this morning that the government, the treasury was going to try and slice off £200 from everyone�*s energy bills, and speaking to energy bosses today they understand that that looks like the final package we are going to get. the price cap, the

renewed price cap which takes effect in april, will be announced tomorrow, and it�*s widely expected tomorrow, and it�*s widely expected to approach £2000 from nearly 1300 where it is now, so a very significant uplift which will challenge a lot of people and will triple the number of people who spend more than 10% of their disposable income on energy. so the question has been for the government, what are you going to do about it? so they are going to provide loans to the energy companies through which it will fund a top slice, £200 off the top of your bill, that money will have to be repaid by consumers over the coming months and years. so it�*s worth noting that ultimately consumers will still pay this, it�*s an attempt to try and smooth out a spike that we have seen, a big spike in wholesale gas prices. it�*s worth saying that energy bosses i�*ve spoken to say they have been kept largely in the dark about the treasury�*s plans, this is something the treasury has been working on pretty much on its own. we are

expecting it to be revealed tomorrow. it�*s also worth bearing in mind the most think energy bills, wholesale gas prices are going to be much i for much longer than anyone trumped off before, so you are going to be any money in future years to bills that will already be high, so if you are getting a £700 increase in your bill and 200 is getting lopped off, that�*s not going to help an enormous amount of households, every little helps of course, but there is going to be a lot of people being challenged by their energy bills, and just today citizens advice saying they have never seen, they have record numbers of people going to them to try to get help with energy bills. so this is a contribution by the treasury but i don�*t think it�*s going to take the sting out of what is a very significant rise in bills which will be announced tomorrow. bud significant rise in bills which will be announced tomorrow. and you don't have to look — be announced tomorrow. and you don't have to look far _ be announced tomorrow. and you don't have to look far to _ be announced tomorrow. and you don't have to look far to find _ be announced tomorrow. and you don't have to look far to find more _ have to look far to find more evidence of the cost of living crisis, with news that shoppers are facing the sharpest price rises in a decade. ., facing the sharpest price rises in a decade. :, ., ., .:, ,

facing the sharpest price rises in a decade. :, ., ., , :, decade. yeah, there are a couple of measures out _ decade. yeah, there are a couple of measures out today _ decade. yeah, there are a couple of measures out today that _ decade. yeah, there are a couple of measures out today that the - decade. yeah, there are a couple of measures out today that the brc, l decade. yeah, there are a couple of. measures out today that the brc, the lobbying group for retailers, it surveyed its members on said shop price inflation, so what you pay at the tills, went up from 0.8 to 1.5%. i would say that is quite a significant underestimate of what people�*s actual experience is, and in fact the broader measure of inflation, which the on stress statisticians use shows prices rising at 5.a%. and you will be aware of the debate that�*s been going on, for some people on low incomes, some of those basic entry—level food items have gone up by much more than that. jack monroe has been involved in that, pointing out poor households are seeing inflation even higher than that. so what we are expecting on the energy price cap tomorrow, and the makings of a very unpleasant and a cute squeeze on people�*s incomes, which the garment will try to alleviate, but in many ways is struggling to do it because there are some global factors here, this isn�*tjust

happening in the uk, inflation in germany is at 6%, in the us it�*s the same, so there are global factors as everyone rushes to gas as a transition full to net zero, we are saying that go up and there are structural reasons why that isn�*t going to go away any time soon. simonjack, thank you. more now on the government�*s levelling up proposals. we are expecting to him of his lunchtime from michael gove. they are calling the plans missions, 12 missions. anand menon is director of uk in a changing europe. i know you travelled back to wakefield to talk about levelling up of people in the area, and before we explore what you found out, lets talk more broadly about the concept of levelling up macro when it is a

pretty loaded term now, and depending on where you live, who you are, it will mean different things. so is it possible to think to buy this concept down to a number of missions or proposals that will work for everyone around the uk? weill. missions or proposals that will work for everyone around the uk? well, i think it's quite _ for everyone around the uk? well, i think it's quite good _ for everyone around the uk? well, i think it's quite good that _ for everyone around the uk? well, i think it's quite good that the - think it�*s quite good that the government have included a set of performance indicators, which these missions are, that is to sayjudge us by our ability to reach these targets. i think that makes it a lot easier to see how well the government is doing against the benchmarks it has set itself. whether it works for everyone in the country is an open question, because on the one hand we should welcome this new emphasis on place, that is to sate the recognition that some places don�*t do as well as others in this country, i think it�*s equally important to remember that ultimately our focus is on people, and not forget for instance that the proportion of people living in poverty in london is higher than in any other region. so the danger

behind this, with this new focus on northern towns in particular, we forget the fact that poverty is something that afflicts the country as a whole. bud something that afflicts the country as a whole. : . something that afflicts the country as a whole-— as a whole. and we will be in different _ as a whole. and we will be in different parts _ as a whole. and we will be in different parts of _ as a whole. and we will be in different parts of the - as a whole. and we will be in different parts of the uk, - as a whole. and we will be in j different parts of the uk, not as a whole. and we will be in - different parts of the uk, notjust in the north of england, to look at that today. let�*s talk about wakefield, i was listening to the programme you made and i think it was quite early in the programme, you spoke to a woman who said wakefield had lost a lot of its sense of belonging, the community felt like it was just getting by. and that was her attempt to sum up what needs to happen with levelling up, to make the community feel like it is doing more than just getting by. it is doing more than 'ust getting by. absolutely. let me preface my remarks by — by. absolutely. let me preface my remarks by saying _ by. absolutely. let me preface my remarks by saying everything - by. absolutely. let me preface my remarks by saying everything a - remarks by saying everything a different and that�*s why the government needs to be sensitive to the fact that there is not a single solution that will work for everywhere. but in wakefield a particular problem is the lack of well paying jobs, a far higher proportion of the population and that�*s why the government needs to be sensitive to the fact that there is not a single solution that will

work for everywhere. but in wakefield a particular problem is the lack of well paying jobs, a far higher proportion of the population than that i have my average i�*m top up than that i have my average i�*m top up salaries. so a crucial issue for wakefield is notjust attracting jobs but attracting higher paid jobs, and that in turn makes us think about the fact that what we need to think about with the population there is improving the skills of the population so that they are equipped to take on these more demanding and higher paid jobs. so it�*s education, its connectivity, the ability to get around to places, to train, to get work experience. is that what is at the core of it for you, at least in wakefield? t that what is at the core of it for you, at least in wakefield? ithink education and _ you, at least in wakefield? ithink education and skills _ you, at least in wakefield? ithink education and skills are _ you, at least in wakefield? ithink education and skills are subtly - education and skills are subtly fundamental to this levelling up project, that is to say equipping people with the skills they will need to get the well paying jobs that will help places like wakefield, notjust prosper but also crucially make people who grew up there want to stay there, because one of the problem is places like wakefield have is the people who do well tend to leave. the other thing you mentioned is connectivity, but

again be aware of the fact that connectivity is a different issue in different places. the wakefield the problem isn�*t that it�*s hard to get to leeds, is very easy, the problem is it�*s hard to get from one end of the district to another. the issue in wakefield isn�*t so much high speed trains as reliable and affordable bus services. thank you ve much affordable bus services. thank you very much for— affordable bus services. thank you very much for discussing _ affordable bus services. thank you very much for discussing levelling | very much for discussing levelling up very much for discussing levelling up with us. let me bring in some of your comments. speaking about connectivity, rosemarie says what we needin connectivity, rosemarie says what we need in cambridgeshire, once we —— once we could catch a bus every hour, there was also a bus that directly to cambridge, now we don�*t, why is this an improvement, why can�*t services be improved? —— services be restored? honestjohn on twitter says it�*s funny the tories have taken three years to begin levelling up, nothing to do with the loss of support in the red wool

seats! and andrew clark says, what it means and what we want it to deliver may be two different answers. do keep your thoughts on what levelling up means to you, what you want to happen in your area, you can do that on twitter or with the hashtag. in the last half hour, it�*s been confirmed that manchester united footballer mason greenwood has been released on bail pending further investigation into allegations of the rape and assault of a young woman. the 20—year—old premier league footballer was initially arrested on sunday afternoon after social media images and videos were posted online. police said on tuesday he was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. many raith rovers 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.

he never faced a criminal trial and always maintained it was consensual. 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. she explained the anger among supporters to emma barnett, on radio a�*s woman�*s hour. let me tell you a little more about what she was saying. she was explaining the anger among supporters to emma barnett. tt�*s a supporters to emma barnett. it's a terrible example _ supporters to emma barnett. it's a terrible example to _ supporters to emma barnett. it's a terrible example to what _ supporters to emma barnett. tt�*s 5. terrible example to what purports to be a community club. we have for

example women and girls�* teams from age under tens all the way up to women�*s teams who are appalled and horrified at this signing. it�*s just the wrong thing to do for the club. i think it sends all the wrong messages, but as a writer of crime fiction i fully understand rehabilitation and redemption, is one of the features of my books, but i also understand the power of crimes like this against the victims, and in a way the victim of this who gave up her right to anonymity so she could tell the world what he had done to her has been forgotten in all this. she had all the other women who have been victimised by men who are sexually violent over the years have got lost in all this. and david goodwllie is a man who has taken part in the sort of violence against women. it�*s not the sort of message we want to send to our supporters, to our young people, to the people of kirkcaldy, to say, here is someone to look up to, because he is not someone to

look up to. for the club to make the cynical decision on the basis of football issues seems to me to be appalling. in their statement, raith rovers said that david goodwillie is a proven goal—scorer, and this will be his second stint with the club. the statement continues: "as with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a community club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 2a hours and are continuing to engage with." the club continues by saying that, as david has previously played for raith rovers earlier in his career, "we consider him to be part of raith rovers football club. please be assured that, as a community football club, we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders. we aim to rebuild that trust while acknowledging the gravity

of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing. first and foremost, this was a football related decision." rachel corsie is the captain of the scotland national team and a professional footballer who plays as a defender for aston villa in the women�*s super league. thank you forjoining us today. i hope you are able to hear all of that statement, i�*m sure you�*ve probably read all that statement from raith rovers. they say this was a primarily footballing decision, to sign goodwllie again. what you make of all this? t sign goodwllie again. what you make of all this? 1' . ., of all this? i think the statement val made i _ of all this? i think the statement val made i think _ of all this? i think the statement val made i think is _ of all this? i think the statement val made i think is very - of all this? i think the statement val made i think is very well- of all this? i think the statement i val made i think is very well made and i think a lot of people agree with her, that�*s understandable. i think your integrity and your moral decision—making as a footballer is one that you have to take very seriously and it�*s been proven that he didn�*t do that, i think he�*s crossed a line that in this current

day and age we have to take a strong stance against. i think sexual abuse is something that has become a more prevalent and current topic that people have shown great courage and bravery in coming forward, and calling this type of behaviour out, and to see a player be given the opportunity to continue a professional career after what has happened in the past i think it is difficult for a lot of people to accept. difficult for a lot of people to acce -t. ., difficult for a lot of people to acce -t. :, :, , , accept. raith rovers is acknowledging - accept. raith rovers is acknowledging the - accept. raith rovers is- acknowledging the gravity, this accept. raith rovers is— acknowledging the gravity, this is the statement we read a minute ago, acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, but focusing on rehabilitation, encouraging rehabilitation. is there a case to be made here for rehabilitation? t be made here for rehabilitation? i think the most difficult part to thatis think the most difficult part to that is that there has been very little remorse shown, and without knowing all the specifics, we don�*t knowing all the specifics, we don�*t know every single detail, i guess, but it doesn�*t appear like there has been much remorse and acknowledgement of wrongdoing. the

recognition that not only has perhaps hurt been caused to individuals directly involved, there are also many triggering factors to many other boys, girls, women and men who have suffered sexual abuse in their lives. so i can understand that people deserve the opportunity to be able to do rehabilitation processes and rebuild their life and take on new opportunities as the future continues, but in this instance i think the hardest part is that it doesn�*t really seem like there is much evidence that there has been much rehabilitation, and i think that�*s very, again, disappointing in the circumstances. one of the primary aspects to consider in all of this is what message does it send out, what message does it send out, what message does it send out to women, to young girls who might want to play football professionally or at an amateur level? it doesn�*t really matter which. an amateur level? it doesn�*t really

matterwhich. if an amateur level? it doesn�*t really matter which. if they just want to be involved in the game in some way, what message does it send to them? what message does it send young men as well? and that�*s got to be a key consideration, i guess, going forward. : , consideration, i guess, going forward. , �* ., consideration, i guess, going forward. : , �* :, :, forward. absolutely. i've heard a lot about the _ forward. absolutely. i've heard a lot about the reference - forward. absolutely. i've heard a lot about the reference to - forward. absolutely. i've heard a lot about the reference to young | lot about the reference to young girls and women wanting to be involved and part of the game, but as you say, it is everybody, i think, in society. most people understand this type of behaviour is unacceptable, it�*s not something you want to personally experience, you want to personally experience, you want your family and friends to experience, and it�*s certainly not something you would condone anyone you know acting in that way in carrying out that behaviour. so i think itjust shows that carrying out that behaviour. so i think it just shows that there carrying out that behaviour. so i think itjust shows that there is a long way still to go, that this type of behaviour can be overlooked, and i think one of the most damning parts of the statement is raith rovers say this has been a football decision — as a footballer your role is 2a — seven, you can�*t pick and

choose one that matters and when it doesn�*t. so i think that part is very damaging, and i think itjust highlights how much continued work needs to be done, and i know there are many people who have been active and i�*ve certainly been active in my time, especially in the us, as part of policy that�*s been put in place to try and eradicate an eliminate this type of abuse that we know still exists. i appreciate you giving your thoughts on this story. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. we are looking at a fairly cloudy day for many of us today, and that cloud thick enough to produce some patchy, light rain. it�*s also going to be a breezy day, not as windy as in the last few days. and murky round the coast and hills, and some western areas. but it should brighten up across parts of wales, central southern england, into the south and the south—east,

with top temperatures up to 12 degrees, but still in the cooler air, across the northern isles. through this evening and overnight, still a fair bit of cloud around. some spots of rain, heavy rain coming in across parts of scotland. and by the end of the night the wind will be strengthening across the north—west. but, once again, it is going to be a mild night for the time of year. so, tomorrow we start off with all this cloud — there will be some breaks in it, some sunshine, a lot of the rain tending to peter out. but then we are going to have a new weather front coming in, introducing more significant rain, and also squally winds around it. it�*s going to be a windy day generally — still mild, but cold behind that front. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the government unveils details of one of its election pledges — trying to reducing the gap between richer and poorer areas. plans include improvements to buses and trains, 5g,

and more town and city mayors across england. boris johnson faces further calls to resign as tobias ellwood becomes the latest tory mp to want him out of office amid the ongoing row over lockdown parties in no 10. manchester united�*s mason greenwood has been bailed by police pending further investigation after being arrested on suspicion of rape, threats to kill and assault. shoppers are hit by the highest price rises in nearly 10 years, because shop inflation almost doubled over the past month. and medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. sport, and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here�*sjohn. good morning. good morning, the winter olympics might be a couple of days away — but the olympic torch has been lit

and team gb are in actionjust 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 in beijing. they face sweden, and will also compete in the men�*s and women�*s team events in the second week. earlier china started its olympic torch relay as part of the count down to the games. the flame will be carried on a three dayjourney by more than a thousand torchbearers — that�*s a much shorterjourney than usual, because of china�*s covid restrictions. beijing currently has its highest number of cases sincejune 2020. it�*s already affecting the medal hopes of some athletes — the latest to be ruled out of the games is austrian ski jump favourite marita kramer, earliertoday. barcelona have confirmed the signing of arsenal striker pierre—emerick aubameyang, the gabon international, was signed on a free transfer on monday, which arsenal confirmed on tuesday and now barcelona have said

the move has gone through. aubameyang hadn�*t played for the gunners since a disciplinary breach in december. 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. just a couple of days after the men�*s team appointed a new manager, now everton�*s women are looking for a head coach. it�*s after the women�*s super league side sacked managerjean—luc vasseur afterjust 10 games in charge. he only replaced willie kirk at the club on the 29th of october. the toffees have placed chris roberts and claire ditchburn in charge on an interim basis.

us open tennis champion emma raducanu is one of six uk nominees for the laureus world sports awards. the 19—year—old, who was named bbc sports personality of the year in december, has been nominated for the world breakthrough of the year award. there are also nominations for skateboarder sky brown, diver tom daley, bmx rider bethany shriever, paralympic cyclist dame sarah storey and another cyclist, mark cavendish. the winners will be announced in april. the duchess of cambridge has been named the new patron of english rugby, becoming figurehead 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, right through to the marquee events

that run at wembley or saintjames�* park or old trafford. she can connect with us on any level at all and i have no doubt she will be embraced wherever she turns up. we appreciate how precious her 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. that�*s all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories — as well as how england�*s under—19 cricketers reached their first world cup final in 2a years — on the bbc sport website. that�*s bbc.co.uk/sport. hormone replacement therapy could be made available over the counter, without the need for a prescription.

it�*s reported that the uk�*s health regulator will hold a public consultation on the proposal. last year it was announced that the cost of repeat prescriptions for hrt would be significantly reduced in england. joining me now is carolyn harris, labour mp for swansea east. she has been campaigning for better menopause support and compare it back care. thank you forjoining us. this is a very specific form of hrt, just tell us about that first of all. ., �* . just tell us about that first of all. ., �* , ., just tell us about that first of all. :, �*, ., ., just tell us about that first of all. :, �*, ., ,:, . all. yeah, it's a local product which is _ all. yeah, it's a local product which is available _ all. yeah, it's a local product which is available in - all. yeah, it's a local product which is available in severall which is available in several european countries over the counter, it is specifically for one particular thing, which is female dryness, shall we say, it doesn�*t solve the problem that the other three hormones, actually solve, and

they should always be on prescription, because it needs to be is accessible to all income brackets and monitored by gp. you mentioned hrt is already _ and monitored by gp. you mentioned hrt is already available _ hrt is already available over—the—counter in some other countries. what is the process and conversation and those compared to the uk and england specifically, in this case? ~ the uk and england specifically, in this case? . , , , , this case? well, surprisingly, the rest of the _ this case? well, surprisingly, the rest of the world _ this case? well, surprisingly, the rest of the world would _ this case? well, surprisingly, the rest of the world would say - this case? well, surprisingly, the rest of the world would say that i this case? well, surprisingly, the i rest of the world would say that we are leading on care for the menopause, probably around the fact that we had the menopause revolution campaign and we talked about a new parliament, so we are seen as world leaders, but the product that they are suggesting would be over the counter is no different really to if you have an eye infection and you�*re going to buy an eyedrop rather than going to buy an eyedrop rather than going to buy an eyedrop rather than going to the doctor and getting an antibiotic. it is not a cure—all for the problems of the menopause, it�*s important that people know it is not

for everything, it�*s a specific product. tt for everything, it's a specific troduct. . for everything, it's a specific troduct. , :, , :, ., ., product. if this does go ahead you think the next _ product. if this does go ahead you think the next step _ product. if this does go ahead you think the next step is _ product. if this does go ahead you think the next step is other- product. if this does go ahead you think the next step is other hrt i think the next step is other hrt treatment is being made available in this way? t treatment is being made available in this wa ? . : , treatment is being made available in thiswa ? , . , treatment is being made available in thiswa? , . , :, this way? i sincerely hope not, because one — this way? i sincerely hope not, because one of _ this way? i sincerely hope not, because one of the _ this way? i sincerely hope not, because one of the big - this way? i sincerely hope not, i because one of the big problems this way? i sincerely hope not, - because one of the big problems at the moment is that women who are on low incomes are struggling to get hrt, because of the lack of knowledge in the gp professionals diagnosing the menopause, people are being forced to go private, is that excludes a lot of women from getting the correct treatment, because they cannot afford it. if you put this on the shelves in the chemist will get a situation where we whence have the treatment for hrt, we needed to be accessible for all have the government doing their bit to make sure all women are able to access hrt. . ., ., hrt. on the particular treatment we are talkint hrt. on the particular treatment we are talking about _ hrt. on the particular treatment we are talking about here _ hrt. on the particular treatment we are talking about here today, - hrt. on the particular treatment we are talking about here today, how i are talking about here today, how much of a difference would that make to women if it could be made

available over the counter without a prescription, and do you feel that the whole conversation around menopause, you mentioned it a second ago, some gps having a lack of knowledge about menopause, do you think the whole conversation, the level of knowledge, not only in the medical community, but more broadly in society is really beginning to improve? t in society is really beginning to im-rove? 1' �* . in society is really beginning to im-rove? ~' �* , ., , improve? i think we've seen a big sea change _ improve? i think we've seen a big sea change in _ improve? i think we've seen a big sea change in the _ improve? i think we've seen a big sea change in the way _ improve? i think we've seen a big sea change in the way people - improve? i think we've seen a big | sea change in the way people look improve? i think we've seen a big i sea change in the way people look at the menopause and last for years, certainly over the last year were people talking about it as a mainstream subject, it�*s the mainstream subject, it�*s the mainstream issue, 51% of the population experience it, so we should stop talking about it in hushed tones and talk about its opening freely. we are talking about vaginal dryness, and now 80% of people who suffer from it will be able to get care for it, which is brilliant, but it does not get

absorbed into the system, it is low risk, it doesn�*t need any sort of precursor checks before it is prescribed, so it�*s excellent this is happening, but let�*s not put too much into this, because we need people able to access it at the lowest possible price and will end “p lowest possible price and will end up with the bidding war on who gets the best hrt, we need hrt to be standard in accessible to all women. thank you forjoining us today, very good to talk to you. more now on the government�*s levelling up proposals published this morning. they�*re designed to address regional inequalities across the uk. our correspondent, jenny kumah, is in the village of pool in cornwall.

tell us more about what people want to happen there to be able to say that levelling up is happening for them. �* ., them. i'm here at the further education — them. i'm here at the further education college, _ them. i'm here at the further education college, the - them. i'm here at the further- education college, the camborne couege education college, the camborne college of cornwall college, and here you can see in the background some young people learning how to do bricklaying. this college plays a key role in skilling people up and helping with the regeneration of an area that was hard hit by the decline of the mining industry. now, if you speak to business and community leaders, one of the key concerns is that the political conversation is focused on levelling up conversation is focused on levelling up the north and the midlands, and they are keen for westminster to recognise the high levels of deprivations areas like this one. camborne and redruth, the parliamentary constituency, has some of the highest levels of deprivation and deprivation and conall and indeed england, it faces challenges around issues such as housing,

unemployment, low wages, and one of the key issues for people in terms of getting education, skills and training and work, is connectivity in terms of transport. i�*m joined by ashleyjohnson, she is one of the cheney lecturers here, do yourself as someone who has recently been through the education system. having to travel from work, you have experience of the travel round this area. . experience of the travel round this area. , ., , ., experience of the travel round this area. , . , ., ., area. yes, when i was in travel and trainint , area. yes, when i was in travel and training. one _ area. yes, when i was in travel and training. one of _ area. yes, when i was in travel and training, one of the _ area. yes, when i was in travel and training, one of the things - area. yes, when i was in travel and training, one of the things i - area. yes, when i was in travel and training, one of the things i would i training, one of the things i would have _ training, one of the things i would have to _ training, one of the things i would have to catch two or three buses, which _ have to catch two or three buses, which is _ have to catch two or three buses, which is difficult in education because _ which is difficult in education because you don't have the funds to do that _ because you don't have the funds to do that i_ because you don't have the funds to do that. i can currently relate with one of— do that. i can currently relate with one of my— do that. i can currently relate with one of my students that i have in today. _ one of my students that i have in today. he — one of my students that i have in today, he has been given a chance to .et today, he has been given a chance to get out _ today, he has been given a chance to get out into— today, he has been given a chance to get out into the world and to be able _ get out into the world and to be able to— get out into the world and to be able to express himself in a job role. _ able to express himself in a job role. but — able to express himself in a job role, but where he lives and how to .et role, but where he lives and how to get there _ role, but where he lives and how to get there is — role, but where he lives and how to get there is extremely difficult for him. :, ., , :, him. one of the aims of the white -a er, him. one of the aims of the white paper. one _ him. one of the aims of the white paper. one of _ him. one of the aims of the white paper, one of the _ him. one of the aims of the white paper, one of the targets - him. one of the aims of the white paper, one of the targets the - paper, one of the targets the government has set is that transport

connectivity within the next decade should be along the similar standards to what we�*ve seen in london. standards to what we've seen in london. ., standards to what we've seen in london. :, ., �* , standards to what we've seen in london. :, :, �* , ., london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need _ london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to _ london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to be _ london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to be on _ london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to be on a - london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to be on a par- london. yeah, that's needed down here. we need to be on a par with| here. we need to be on a par with london _ here. we need to be on a par with london it's— here. we need to be on a par with london. it's not fair that we've sort _ london. it's not fair that we've sort of— london. it's not fair that we've sort of been left to the side, almost — sort of been left to the side, almost a _ sort of been left to the side, almost a case of, yeah, it's fine, they— almost a case of, yeah, it's fine, they can — almost a case of, yeah, it's fine, they can do _ almost a case of, yeah, it's fine, they can do as they please, whereas in london _ they can do as they please, whereas in london it's thriving, their transport-— in london it's thriving, their transort. ., �* , ., ., ~' in london it's thriving, their transort. ., �*, ., ., ~' transport. that's great, thank you for talkint transport. that's great, thank you fortalking is— transport. that's great, thank you for talking is to _ transport. that's great, thank you for talking is to this _ transport. that's great, thank you for talking is to this morning. - transport. that's great, thank you for talking is to this morning. i'm| for talking is to this morning. i�*m joined byjohn evans, the principal here at the conall college, and there have been some ambitions and targets set around improving standards across the country and hearing conall. what is your feeling about the the levelling up at gender, it�*s great, there are concerns for me, do we see the devil will be in the detail. for concerns for me, do we see the devil will be in the detail.— will be in the detail. for me, it's about levelling _ will be in the detail. for me, it's about levelling up. _ will be in the detail. for me, it's about levelling up. when - will be in the detail. for me, it's about levelling up. when you i will be in the detail. for me, it's i about levelling up. when you think about the —

about levelling up. when you think about the universities, _ about levelling up. when you think about the universities, as - about levelling up. when you think about the universities, as can- about levelling up. when you think about the universities, as can you i about the universities, as can you see we _ about the universities, as can you see we are — about the universities, as can you see we are developing _ about the universities, as can you see we are developing bricklayers about the universities, as can you i see we are developing bricklayers of the future. — see we are developing bricklayers of the future, engineers, _ see we are developing bricklayers of the future, engineers, plumbers, i the future, engineers, plumbers, that brings— the future, engineers, plumbers, that brings its _ the future, engineers, plumbers, that brings its challenges. - the future, engineers, plumbers, that brings its challenges. as- the future, engineers, plumbers, that brings its challenges. as hasj that brings its challenges. as has 'ust that brings its challenges. as has just been— that brings its challenges. as has just been said. _ that brings its challenges. as has just been said, cornwall- that brings its challenges. as has just been said, cornwall is- just been said, cornwall is beautiful. _ just been said, cornwall is beautiful, it's— just been said, cornwall is beautiful, it's very - just been said, cornwall is beautiful, it's very rural, i just been said, cornwall is. beautiful, it's very rural, it's long — beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and _ beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, _ beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, so _ beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, so it- beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, so it can - beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, so it can be i beautiful, it's very rural, it's long and thin, so it can be a| long and thin, so it can be a challenge _ long and thin, so it can be a challenge especially- long and thin, so it can be a challenge especially in - challenge especially in disadvantaged - challenge especially in disadvantaged areas. i challenge especially in disadvantaged areas. challenge especially in disadvantated areas. : :. ,, disadvantaged areas. another issue, some are calling _ disadvantaged areas. another issue, some are calling it _ disadvantaged areas. another issue, some are calling it a _ disadvantaged areas. another issue, some are calling it a crisis _ disadvantaged areas. another issue, some are calling it a crisis here, - some are calling it a crisis here, as housing and that�*s because problems in all sorts of sectors. yeah, first of all, cornwall is different— yeah, first of all, cornwall is different to _ yeah, first of all, cornwall is different to the _ yeah, first of all, cornwall is different to the rest - yeah, first of all, cornwall is different to the rest of - yeah, first of all, cornwall is different to the rest of the i different to the rest of the country. _ different to the rest of the country. the _ different to the rest of the country, the first - different to the rest of the i country, the first challenge is different to the rest of the - country, the first challenge is when we attract — country, the first challenge is when we attract staff— country, the first challenge is when we attract staff whether _ country, the first challenge is when we attract staff whether they - country, the first challenge is when we attract staff whether they will i we attract staff whether they will accept _ we attract staff whether they will accept the — we attract staff whether they will accept the less _ we attract staff whether they will accept the less money— we attract staff whether they will accept the less money here, - we attract staff whether they will accept the less money here, andj accept the less money here, and secondly. — accept the less money here, and secondly. we _ accept the less money here, and secondly, we have _ accept the less money here, and secondly, we have numerous- accept the less money here, and. secondly, we have numerous staff accept the less money here, and - secondly, we have numerous staff who have declined — secondly, we have numerous staff who have declined job _ secondly, we have numerous staff who have declined job offers _ secondly, we have numerous staff who have declined job offers because - have declined job offers because theyiust — have declined job offers because theyjust cannot— have declined job offers because theyjust cannot find _ have declined job offers because theyjust cannot find anywhere i have declined job offers becausel theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. _ theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the — theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the other— theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the other point— theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the other point i— theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the other point i would - theyjust cannot find anywhere to live. the other point i would likei live. the other point i would like to make — live. the other point i would like to make is — live. the other point i would like to make is that _ live. the other point i would like to make is that what _ live. the other point i would like to make is that what we - live. the other point i would like to make is that what we do - live. the other point i would like

to make is that what we do not i live. the other point i would like - to make is that what we do not need is this— to make is that what we do not need is this elite — to make is that what we do not need is this elite sixth _ to make is that what we do not need is this elite sixth form. _ to make is that what we do not need is this elite sixth form. i _ to make is that what we do not need is this elite sixth form. i don't - is this elite sixth form. i don't that— is this elite sixth form. i don't that has— is this elite sixth form. i don't that has come _ is this elite sixth form. i don't that has come from. - is this elite sixth form. i don't that has come from. we - is this elite sixth form. i don't that has come from. we do i is this elite sixth form. i don't. that has come from. we do not is this elite sixth form. i don't - that has come from. we do not need more _ that has come from. we do not need more people — that has come from. we do not need more people with _ that has come from. we do not need more people with a _ that has come from. we do not need more people with a levels. _ that has come from. we do not need more people with a levels. this - that has come from. we do not need more people with a levels. this is i more people with a levels. this is truly— more people with a levels. this is truly about— more people with a levels. this is truly about skills _ more people with a levels. this is truly about skills and _ more people with a levels. this is truly about skills and we - more people with a levels. this is truly about skills and we need - more people with a levels. this is truly about skills and we need toi more people with a levels. this is i truly about skills and we need to be investing _ truly about skills and we need to be investing in — truly about skills and we need to be investing in the _ truly about skills and we need to be investing in the skills _ truly about skills and we need to be investing in the skills agenda, - truly about skills and we need to be investing in the skills agenda, and i investing in the skills agenda, and we have _ investing in the skills agenda, and we have too— investing in the skills agenda, and we have too many— investing in the skills agenda, and we have too many learners - investing in the skills agenda, and we have too many learners doing i we have too many learners doing a-levels — we have too many learners doing a-levels and _ we have too many learners doing a—levels and then _ we have too many learners doing a—levels and then leaving - we have too many learners doing a—levels and then leaving i'm - we have too many learners doing | a—levels and then leaving i'm not going _ a—levels and then leaving i'm not going anywhere _ a—levels and then leaving i'm not going anywhere because - a—levels and then leaving i'm not going anywhere because it- a—levels and then leaving i'm not going anywhere because it is- a—levels and then leaving i'm not going anywhere because it is notl going anywhere because it is not skill driven. _ going anywhere because it is not skill driven. a—levels _ going anywhere because it is not skill driven. a—levels are - going anywhere because it is not skill driven. a—levels are right i going anywhere because it is notl skill driven. a—levels are right for a university— skill driven. a—levels are right for a university pathway, _ skill driven. a—levels are right for a university pathway, but - skill driven. a—levels are right for a university pathway, but what i skill driven. a—levels are right for| a university pathway, but what we have _ a university pathway, but what we have got _ a university pathway, but what we have got to — a university pathway, but what we have got to do _ a university pathway, but what we have got to do is _ a university pathway, but what we have got to do is invest— a university pathway, but what we have got to do is invest in- a university pathway, but what we have got to do is invest in skill- have got to do is invest in skill development _ have got to do is invest in skill development in _ have got to do is invest in skill development in post— have got to do is invest in skill development in post 16 - have got to do is invest in skill- development in post 16 education. that's the — development in post 16 education. that's the picture _ development in post 16 education. that's the picture here _ development in post 16 education. that's the picture here in - development in post 16 education. | that's the picture here in cornwall, that�*s the picture here in cornwall, it is one of the nine areas that will have the opportunity to bid for more from government.— will have the opportunity to bid for more from government. thank you very much, lots more from government. thank you very much. lots of — more from government. thank you very much. lots of you _ more from government. thank you very much, lots of you have _ more from government. thank you very much, lots of you have been _ more from government. thank you very much, lots of you have been getting - much, lots of you have been getting in touch to say that we have been spelling the name of pool correctly. that�*s right, pool in cornwall, with an attorney, poole with an e. so it was correct in this instance. great

to see wolverhampton in the news, not convinced it will happen. getting around the place today, adjusting, the second ago, levelling up adjusting, the second ago, levelling up will be installed by inflation and the national pandemic that, it won�*t happen. this one says levelling up is about more than infrastructure, its education and training for life for all. we also need use cold, places to learn skills at any age, but provision for the elderly saves money in the long term term. also, saves nhs time and costs. to keep us informed what you think about levelling up on what you�*d like to see in your area, you can send me a message on twitter and using the hashtag. 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 inflation jumped from 0.8%

in december to 1.5% injanuary. the association said that rises have been fuelled by a rise in demand for furniture and flooring. joining me now is helen dickinson, chief executive of the british retail consortium. i know we talked a lot over the last number of weeks about prices rising in the supermarkets, but we are not talking about food here, are we, to be absolutely clear? tote talking about food here, are we, to be absolutely clear?— talking about food here, are we, to be absolutely clear? we are talking across food — be absolutely clear? we are talking across food and _ be absolutely clear? we are talking across food and non-food. - be absolutely clear? we are talking across food and non-food. it - be absolutely clear? we are talking across food and non-food. it was i across food and non—food. it was just you highlighted some categories there, furniture, flooring, where there, furniture, flooring, where there is particular strong demand, and categories stafford from the supply chain problems we�*ve talked about over the coming weeks that driven a lot because of that increase between december and january statistics. ok. increase between december and january statistics.— january statistics. ok, so we are wra- tint january statistics. ok, so we are wrapping that — january statistics. ok, so we are wrapping that altogether, - january statistics. ok, so we are wrapping that altogether, both i january statistics. ok, so we are i wrapping that altogether, both food and non—food prices. the things we

are focusing on, we were talking up furniture and flooring, as you say, why have the prices gone up so much? we talked about exceptionally high demand leading to increased prices, but there are other factors well, aren�*t i? but there are other factors well, aren't i? :. but there are other factors well, aren't i? :, ., , aren't i? there are, and it is almost too _ aren't i? there are, and it is almost too many _ aren't i? there are, and it is almost too many to - aren't i? there are, and it is| almost too many to mention, aren't i? there are, and it is - almost too many to mention, but aren't i? there are, and it is _ almost too many to mention, but from all the business people and leaders in the industry that i�*ve talked to a regular basis, they talk about everything from some of the supply chain issues that we have heard about, increasing in cost of freight thatis about, increasing in cost of freight that is now sometimes ten times what it was pre—pandemic because of some of the supply chain problems that can cause grow billy by coronavirus, we have shortages of labour in the country, great for employees, makes it more challenging as to what they do with the increased costs, so we have got a myriad of input cost

inflation, and what retailers are really having to think hard about is how much they can find efficiencies to mix it that it how much they can turn a loss for a short period of time, or pass some of it onto their customers, and that�*s what we�*re seeing now beginning to turn through, because in many cases there just isn�*t anywhere else than to go. of just isn�*t anywhere else than to go. of course that must be one of the big question to retailers, they are thinking, ok, demand at the moment is quite high, but at what point, if you consider all the other financial pressures on peoples lives, the cost of fuel etc, at what point will shoppers say, well, i simply cannot afford to buy that piece of furniture or that new floor for the living room, whatever, so what is the tipping point, i suppose that is a question for retailers? ? yes.

the tipping point, i suppose that is a question for retailers? ?- a question for retailers?? yes, at the end you _ a question for retailers?? yes, at the end you think— a question for retailers?? yes, at the end you think about - a question for retailers?? yes, at the end you think about what - a question for retailers?? yes, at. the end you think about what parts of the sectors you are aiming at, you know, there are different impacts in that cost of living squeeze on different types of consumers, there are many people who have saved more during the last couple of years over the course of the pandemic. they will be able to draw more on their savings, but they will spend more on holidays and going out of the economy opens up, and at the other end of the spectrum we have got people whose incomes are perhaps much lower and where any source of inflation, whether it is in energy costs or in shop prices are in travel costs, all of those things impact those people much, much, much more, so from a retailer perspective it depends which market you are surveying, which types of products you�*re selling, and how

much of those input cost pressures you are needing to, able to absorb, only to pass on. you are needing to, able to absorb, only to pass om— only to pass on. given that there are global _ only to pass on. given that there are global factors _ only to pass on. given that there are global factors at _ only to pass on. given that there are global factors at play - only to pass on. given that there are global factors at play here i only to pass on. given that there are global factors at play here as well as domestic, in terms of the remax of the government and the bank of england, what more would you like to see by wave action from there. t to see by wave action from there. i think it's interesting because it's think it�*s interesting because it�*s a subject that is quite topical the moment, when it was debating with many businesses just yesterday, and i think the real important thing is for businesses to not need to pass on many of those cost increases that they are seen coming into the business, they need to find efficiencies, and to be able to invest more in things that will enable diam to become more efficient, and that will help keep prices low, so they talk about productivity movements, and i think anything the government to do that

will really incentivise that sort of investment, bring the confidence back to business people to invest more, well enable businesses do not need to pass on to the customers. thank you very much forjoining us today. one of the challenges of tackling climate change is compiling accurate data. how does the rise in temperature affect plant life and animal numbers? a group of scientists have spent time in the antarctic — hoping to find some answers. and one species in particular has proven to be a big help — as 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. just to remind you mps are starting to gather in the house of commons ahead of prime minister�*s questions — which we�*ll bring you live in just a few minutes. a big day, the levelling up agenda across the government�*s agenda at the moment, but still be questions about parties at downing street. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. for many of us, it�*s going to be a cloudy day, but we will see some sunshine. we�*ve also got some patchy rain in the forecast, and it�*s breezy, not as windy as the last couple of days. now, this weather front pushing north is what�*s producing the cloud and the patchy rain, and all the yellow number behind it shows that it is going to be mild, really more or less across the board, except for in the northern isles. so, quite a cloudy picture as we go into the afternoon.

still some rain coming in across the north of scotland and also the west, murky conditions along the coasts and hills, as well, but brightening up across parts of wales, central southern england, the south and the south—east. these are our average wind speeds, so, not as gusty as they were yesterday. and mild — temperatures widely about 12, maybe 13 degrees, but we are still in the colder air across the northern isles. as we head on through the evening and overnight, we still will have some of the stream, particularly across parts of scotland, but we�*ll see some spots across england, wales and also northern ireland. a lot of cloud around. by the end of the night, the wind will be strengthening across the north west. once again, it�*s going to be a mild night more or less across the board for the time of year. as we head into tomorrow, then, we start off with a lot of cloud and also the rain. there will be some brighter skies, a little bit of sunshine coming through, but then our next weather front is coming in from the atlantic. it�*s a cold front. it will have squally winds all around it and some heavier rain, and behind it the air will turn colder and we will see

a return to wintry showers. but ahead of it we still are in the mild conditions, with 10s and 11s as our maximum temperatures, but as we go through the rest of thursday and into friday, you can see what happens. our weather front slips southwards, eradicating the milder air and allowing the cold air to follow on behind. it�*s going to be windy on friday, as well. so, we say goodbye to our weather front, taking its rain with it. there will be a lot of showers around, frequent wintry showers of sleet and snow. in scotland, some of that snow will get down to lower levels, but for most of the rest of us it�*s going to be mainly in the hills. there will be sunshine in between, and it will feel colder, especially when you add on the strength of the wind. then, as we head on into the weekend, we�*ve got a weather front sinking southwards. at times it will be quite windy, as well, particularly so in the north of the country, and we will still see some wintry showers, especially in the north.

this is bbc news — the headlines: the 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, 5g, and 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 bejudged as well. boris johnson faces further calls to resign as tobias ellwood becomes the latest tory mp to want him out of office amid the ongoing row over lockdown parties in no 10. and in just a moment we�*ll take you live to the house of commmons, where borisjohnson will be taking questions from mps during prime minister�*s questions.

the bbc understands that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact soaring prices. more backlash against raith rovers decision to sign footballer david goodwillie — after he was ruled a rapist in a civil case in 2017. the captain of scotland�*s women�*s team gave us her reaction. to see a player to be given the opportunity to continue a professional career after what has happened in the past, i think it is difficult for a lot of people to accept. and the duchess of cambridge becomes the patron of english rugby union, taking on roles previously held by prince harry.

hello and welcome to bbc news. were going to take you straight to the house of commons where we will wait —— are waiting for the prime minister�*s questions to begin. michael gove will be making an announcement about 12 missions that the government is setting out to deliver on what was one of its key election promises in 2019. but of course party gate not very far away from mps�* mines today, and as we were just from mps�* mines today, and as we werejust mentioning in from mps�* mines today, and as we were just mentioning in the headlines, tory mp backbencher tobias ellwood becoming the latest to say that he wants the prime minister out of office. i�*m told the speaker isjust minister out of office. i�*m told the speaker is just talking about practices, behaviour and the house of commons, let�*s listen then. substantive motion. the scottish national party did so on their

opposition day in november. however, members _ opposition day in november. however, members may not accuse each other of lyin- members may not accuse each other of lying or— members may not accuse each other of lying or deliberately the substantive motion is under consideration. erskine may is clear that it _ consideration. erskine may is clear that it is _ consideration. erskine may is clear that it is to— consideration. erskine may is clear that it is to preserve the character of parliamentary debate, which i take to — of parliamentary debate, which i take to mean to stop it descending into fruitless cycles of accusation and counter accusation. may i also say that— and counter accusation. may i also say that expressions when used in respect _ say that expressions when used in respect of— say that expressions when used in respect of the members which are regarded — respect of the members which are regarded with particular seriousness generally leading to prompt intervention from the chair and often _ intervention from the chair and often our— intervention from the chair and often our requirement on the member to withdraw— often our requirement on the member to withdraw the words include charges — to withdraw the words include charges of altering deliberate falsehoods. it is important. it is important — falsehoods. it is important. it is important to stress context. similar words _ important to stress context. similar words said — important to stress context. similar words said in different proceedings might— words said in different proceedings might attract a different response from the — might attract a different response from the chair, depending on the subject— from the chair, depending on the subject being debated. toner and other—

subject being debated. toner and other considerations also, but in general— other considerations also, but in general the chair will not tolerate accusations of lying or deliberately misleading the house. that is the long—standing practice of the house. as set _ long—standing practice of the house. as set out _ long—standing practice of the house. as set out in — long—standing practice of the house. as set out in erskine may, and followed — as set out in erskine may, and followed by successive speakers and deputy— followed by successive speakers and deputy speakers. of followed by successive speakers and deputy speakers— deputy speakers. of course, long-standing... _ deputy speakers. of course, long-standing. .. just - deputy speakers. of course, long-standing. .. just to - deputy speakers. of course, i long-standing. .. just to inform long—standing. .. just to inform viewers long—standing... just to inform viewers and guess what is happening. lindsay hoyle is going through quite a lengthy explanation of the rules in the house of commons and the way that honourable members should address each other. this is following on from what we were discussing earlier, which was a language ian blackford, the leader of the snp in westminster was using, probably also referring even if it was under parliamentary privilege, the language and accusation that was levelled at keir starmer by boris johnson. i should think lindsay hoyle has come in for some criticism

and probably support on both sides and probably support on both sides and he is reading erskine may, the bible, if you like, and these kinds of things. he now calls the first question. prime minister? mr speaker, this sunday her _ prime minister? mr speaker, this sunday her majesty _ prime minister? mr speaker, this sunday her majesty the - prime minister? mr speaker, this sunday her majesty the queen i prime minister? mr speaker, this i sunday her majesty the queen will become the first british monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee. while it is a moment for national celebration it will be a day of mixed emotions for her majesty has, of course, the day also marks 70 years since the death of her beloved father george vi and i know the whole house will want to join me father george vi and i know the whole house will want tojoin me in thanking her majesty for her tireless service and we look forward to celebrating her historic rain with a series of national events in june. mr speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have

further such meetings later today. on monday the secretary of state for health said mandatory vaccinations would be subject to a consultation, so can the prime minister make it clear, unequivocally, no ifs or buts, no qualifications, that mandatory vaccinations for nhs staff will be abandoned? will he also made it clear that is true for care workers as well, many of whom have already lost theirjobs, so what support well the government give to get the care workers back into the care sector and will those who have lost theirjobs get compensation? t lost theirjobs get compensation? i thank my right honourable friend very much for her thoughtful work on this and i want to stress that vaccines remain our best line of defence and i do think that nhs staff and all of those who work in the care sector have a professional

responsibility to get vaccinated, but as my right honourable friend the health secretary told the house on monday, given the difference between omicron and delta, it is right and she is right that we revisit the balance of risks and opportunities. the health secretary has said we will launch a consultation and subject to the responses and the will of this house the government will revoke the regulations. the the government will revoke the regulations-— regulations. the leader of the opposition. — regulations. the leader of the opposition, keir— regulations. the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. - regulations. the leader of the l opposition, keir starmer. thank regulations. the leader of the - opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. — opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker, and following _ opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker, and following your- mr speaker, and following your opening remarks i want to say to the members opposite that theirs is the party of winston churchill. our parties stood together as we defeated fascism in europe. now their leader stands in the house of commons parroting the conspiracy theories of violent fascists to try to score cheap political points. he knows exactly what he is doing. it

is time to restore some dignity. mr speaker, one of the most absurd claims made on behalf of operation save big dog is the primary stand a chance of writing in the sunday times that they are the tax—cutting conservatives —— is the prime minister and chancellor writing. why do these alleged tax cutters keep raising taxes on working people? fin raising taxes on working people? on his first point, i don't want to his first point, i don�*t want to make heavy weather of this, but i am informed that in 2013 the right honourable gentleman apologised and took full responsibility for what had happened on his watch, and i think, mr speaker, that was the right thing to do. and mr speaker, and on what we are doing to tackle the cost of living and taxation, our covid recovery plan is absolutely

vital in helping people with the cost of living, lifting up universal credit payments by cutting the tax that people effectively pay, lifting the living wage, helping councils with another half £1 billion for those who are facing particular hardship. but what we are also doing, and this is absolutely vital, is increasing the number of high wage, high skilled jobs in this country. a20,000 more on the payroll than before the pandemic began because we have had the fastest exit from covid of any european economy, because we had the fastest vaccination and booster roll—out. it's vaccination and booster roll—out. it�*s notjust a national insurance rise. thresholds for income tax frozen. a stealth tax on working people. the threshold for tuition fees frozen. a stealth tax on

working people. local authorities forced to increase council tax. a stealth tax on working people. you can be as stealthy as you like, but you can�*t hide reality. we have the highest tax burden for 70 years during the middle of an inflation crisis. so i ask the prime minister again, why do he and the chancellor keep raising taxes on working people? keep raising taxes on working --eole? ~ :. keep raising taxes on working eo . le? . ., ., keep raising taxes on working ..eole? . ., ., :, keep raising taxes on working --eole? ~ :. :, :, , keep raising taxes on working --eole? ~ :. :. :, , , people? what we are doing is helping --eole people? what we are doing is helping teo . le with people? what we are doing is helping people with the _ people? what we are doing is helping people with the cost _ people? what we are doing is helping people with the cost of _ people? what we are doing is helping people with the cost of living, - people with the cost of living, cutting taxes for those on universal credit, as i have said, helping people with the cost of their fuel, with the cold weather payments and the warm home payments, doing all the warm home payments, doing all the things that this country would expect, lifting the living wage which this party introduced. this party, this government has increased by the record amounts, and above all, the most important thing we are doing is helping people into work.

500,000 people off welfare into work under our way to work scheme and more people in work now than before the pandemic began, and that is the record of this government. labour, never forget, record of this government. labour, neverforget, there has never been a labour government that left office with unemployment lower than when it arrived. :, , :, :, , :, , :, arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster. no — arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. - arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. a - arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. a word i arrived. lots of words, lots ofl bluster, no answers. a word of warning. a word of warning, that�*s not going to work with the police. i�*ll tell him why they are putting taxes up. low growth. in the decade of tory government before the pandemic, growth slumped. it was much, much weaker than under the last labour government. if the

tories matched our record on growth, we would have £30 billion more to spend on public services without having to raise a single tax. mr speaker, surely even this prime minister doesn�*t need someone else to tell him that he and the chancellor are having to raise taxes because the tories failed to grow the economy over a decade. tla. because the tories failed to grow the economy over a decade. tlo. t the economy over a decade. no, i think everybody — the economy over a decade. no, i think everybody in _ the economy over a decade. no, i think everybody in this _ the economy over a decade. no, i think everybody in this country i the economy over a decade. no, i think everybody in this country can see that we have been through the biggest pandemic for 100 years, that we have looked after the people of this country to the tune of £a00 billion that we put into the furlough scheme and all the other schemes, 11.7 million people protected and everybody knows the cost of that, mr speaker, and at the same time, in spite of all the difficulties we have faced, we have now got the fastest growth in the g7. absolutely true. youth

unemployment at a record low, we�*ve got 50 times as much tech investment coming into this country as there is in france, twice as much as there is in france, twice as much as there is in germany. yes, that�*s absolutely true. and neverforget, if you want to know about libra —— labour party economics, the last time they were in office, when they were finally booted out, they left a note saying there no money left. that�*s the way they run the country. mr there no money left. that's the way they run the country. mr speaker... some people _ they run the country. mr speaker... some people won't _ they run the country. mr speaker... some people won't be _ they run the country. mr speaker... some people won't be getting - they run the country. mr speaker... | some people won't be getting more, because _ some people won't be getting more, because they won't be here to hear it. ., , , , because they won't be here to hear it. . , , , :, , it. the uk has suffered the worst economic crisis _ it. the uk has suffered the worst economic crisis in _ it. the uk has suffered the worst economic crisis in the _ it. the uk has suffered the worst economic crisis in the g7. - it. the uk has suffered the worst economic crisis in the g7. the i it. the uk has suffered the worst. economic crisis in the g7. the prime minister has more chance of persuading the public than he did not hold any parties that he has are persuading them that the economy is booming. high taxes are notjust the result of low growth. under this government we have seen a pandemic

of waste and fraud. from the prime minister�*s yacht to government contracts for mates of ministers. they have treated taxpayers as an atm machine for their mates and lifestyles. now we find that they�*ve written off £8.7 billion on bpa, and the chancellor is writing off a.3 billion in fraud. that�*s enough to cover the tax hike he is inflicting on working people. —— on ppd. so why did the government block the national crime agency for investigating all of the billions they lost to fraud? qt investigating all of the billions they lost to fraud?— investigating all of the billions they lost to fraud? of course we des . ise they lost to fraud? of course we despise fraud — they lost to fraud? of course we despise fraud and _ they lost to fraud? of course we despise fraud and those - they lost to fraud? of course we despise fraud and those who - they lost to fraud? of course we i despise fraud and those who steal from the taxpayer, and that�*s why we�*ve already recovered £7a3 million in lost furlough money, £2.2 billion stolen and bounce back loans and we will go on, but i have to tell you that i am proud of what this government and this country did in

securing record quantities of ppe in record time, in furlough looking after the entirety of british business and society in the way we did, and once again, captain hindsight comms and attacks the government for doing exactly what he urged us to do 18 months ago. it so happens that i found the letter, i�*ve been rustling in my notes, and i�*ve been rustling in my notes, and i found the letter i will place for your convenience in the library of the house, from the shadow chancellor. to my right honourable friend the secretary of state, suggesting that we could secure ppe supplies from a theatrical costume your and we could get ventilators from a professional football agent. no wonder under labour fraud was

running at £21 billion per year. i�*m proud of what this government did to secure ppe and i�*m proud of the way we protected this country. lottbl’ha secure ppe and i'm proud of the way we protected this country. who wants to be the first — we protected this country. who wants to be the first to _ we protected this country. who wants to be the first to leave? _ we protected this country. who wants to be the first to leave? put - we protected this country. who wants to be the first to leave? put your - to be the first to leave? put your hand _ to be the first to leave? put your hand up. — to be the first to leave? put your hand up. i— to be the first to leave? put your hand up. i will pick one of you. mr s-eak hand up. i will pick one of you. speak at the hand up. i will pick one of you. to“! speak at the prime minister hand up. i will pick one of you. m speak at the prime minister might want to sharpen how he answers questions under interview because he will need it in the next few weeks. waste and low growth explain why we have high taxes but they don�*t explain why it is always working people that ask —— that are asked to pay more. yesterday he ordered his troops not to support a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. as a result, the country is missing out on over £1 billion we could have used to cut taxes on energy bills for working people. today he is ordering his troops to vote for tax

cuts for banks. as a result, the country is missing out on another billion pounds we could have spent cutting taxes for working people. why are the chancellor and prime minister protecting oil companies and bank profits while putting taxes up and bank profits while putting taxes up on working people? mr speaker, let�*s get to the heart of what this is all about. this is all about dealing... dealing with the consequences of the biggest pandemic this country has seen, with an unprecedented economic crisis, in which the state had to come forward and look after the people of this country to the tune of £a00 billion. everyone can see the fiscal impact of that. shall i tell you what this government, what this country is voting for and what we�*re doing? we are investing now in a5,000 more nhs workers, more people in our nhs this year than there were last year. 10,000 more nurses, 10,900 more

nurses. about 5000 more doctors. 9 million more scans, 100 community diagnostic labs to help people get the scans and treatment they need and the incredible thing, the incredible, the lamentable thing is that the party opposite, the party of nye bevan, mr speaker, voted against those funds. voted against that investment and they would have made recovery impossible. t(eir made recovery impossible. keir starmer. mr speaker, for all the bluster, the truth is, the conservative party are the party of high taxes because they are the party of low growth. they are the party of low growth. they are the party of low growth. they are the party of high taxes because they are the party of eye watering waste. mr speaker, we know this prime minister has no respect for decency or honesty. i can take it, i can take it when it is aimed at me

but i won�*t accept it when he gaslight the british public, writing absurd articles about cutting taxes at a time when he is squeezing working people to the pips. isn�*t it the case, mr speaker, that he and his chancellor adi tori thelma and louise, hand in hand as they drive the country off the cliff and into the country off the cliff and into the abyss of low growth and tax? t the abyss of low growth and tax? i think you have been told for long enough _ think you have been told for long enough and you don't want to be any more. _ enough and you don't want to be any more. that _ enough and you don't want to be any more. that is — enough and you don't want to be any more. that is the last comment i have. _ more. that is the last comment i have. keir— more. that is the last comment i have. keir starmer. isn't— have. keir starmer. isn't it _ have. keir starmer. isn't it true, mr speaker that he isn�*t it true, mr speaker that he and the chancellor adi tori —— are the tory as they drive the country off the cliff of low growth and low tax? t

off the cliff of low growth and low tax? 1' off the cliff of low growth and low tax? ~' :, :, ., , tax? i think the right honourable gentleman _ tax? i think the right honourable gentleman is _ tax? i think the right honourable gentleman is dick _ tax? i think the right honourable gentleman is dick dasterly - tax? i think the right honourable gentleman is dick dasterly and i gentleman is dick dasterly and muchly. both pulling in different directions. we are getting on... we are getting on with the job, directions. we are getting on... we are getting on with thejob, mr speaker. just in the last few... of course, i think it�*s absolutely extraordinary that they have done nothing to support our covid recovery plan, they voted against our plans to support the nhs. what we�*re doing in the last few days he�*s been fixated on the issues that he�*s been fixated on the issues that he is absolutely determined to escalate, what do we have done, we have opened three ports across the country in the last few days. we are getting 500,000 people off welfare into work with our way to work plans a step in just into work with our way to work plans a step injust a into work with our way to work plans a step in just a few short minutes, if he stays around, he will hear the secretary of state for levelling up delivered the long—awaited levelling up delivered the long—awaited levelling up white paper, full of good stuff,

including 55 education investment areas across our country. a wonderful, moraland areas across our country. a wonderful, moral and economic mission to level up and give opportunity across the whole country. a fantastic vision for this country. a fantastic vision for this country. they have nothing of the kind to offer the people of this country. mr speaker, while we are getting on with coming out of covid with the second fastest, with the fastest economic recovery in the g7, the fastest! he would have kept us in lockdown, mr speaker. we are fixing the nhs and social care, when they voted against it. and they have no plan. we are... mr speaker, we are building a coalition...— are building a coalition... order, order! prime _ are building a coalition... order, order! prime minister, _ are building a coalition... order, order! prime minister, i- are building a coalition... order, order! prime minister, i am - are building a coalition... order, order! prime minister, i am this| order! prime minister, i am this way. _ order! prime minister, i am this way. not — order! prime minister, i am this way, not that way. maybe specsavers might _ way, not that way. maybe specsavers might be _ way, not that way. maybe specsavers might be the answer for you to see where _ might be the answer for you to see where i_ might be the answer for you to see where i am. — might be the answer for you to see where i am. and we are desperate to .et where i am. and we are desperate to get the _ where i am. and we are desperate to get the next — where i am. and we are desperate to get the next question to you.

thank— get the next question to you. thank you _ get the next question to you. thank you very much, mr speaker. i would like to festival give my condolences for the right honourable member of camberwell and say how glad i member of camberwell and say how gbdlam member of camberwell and say how glad i am to see her back in her place. sophie wasjust glad i am to see her back in her place. sophie was just ten years old when she died in september. childhood cancer is often described as rare, yet cancer is the biggest killer of children under 1a. sophie�*s gp failed to diagnose her cancer and it was only when she went to a&e that they discovered the tumour in her body that was 12 centimetres long. so on world cancer day on friday i would like to ask the prime minister to please advocate for more and better training for general practice to identify cancer in children. t training for general practice to identify cancer in children. i thank m i identify cancer in children. i thank my- -- i am _ identify cancer in children. i thank my--- lam very— identify cancer in children. i thank my... i am very sorry _ identify cancer in children. i thank my... i am very sorry to _ identify cancer in children. i thank my. .. i am very sorry to hear- identify cancer in children. i thank my... i am very sorry to hear of. my... i am very sorry to hear of sophie�*s case. my thoughts are with her family sophie�*s case. my thoughts are with herfamily and herfriends. she is right that research is crucial in

tackling childhood cancers. that is why we are investing in more research but it�*s also vital that we do tests and diagnostic scans and screens early enough and that is why it is also important that nice has not only updated its guidance on referring childhood cancers on february last year but we are investing 100 new diagnostic centres and community hubs. bud investing 100 new diagnostic centres and community hubs.— and community hubs. and now the leader of the _ and community hubs. and now the leader of the snp, _ and community hubs. and now the leader of the snp, ian _ and community hubs. and now the leader of the snp, ian blackford. i leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank— leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank you. — leader of the snp, ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. i'm sure you thank you, mr speaker. i�*m sure you and the rest of the house will want to join and the rest of the house will want tojoin me in celebrating and supporting world cancer day. mr speaker, just in relation to your earlier statement, speaker, just in relation to your earlierstatement, i speaker, just in relation to your earlier statement, i have a difficulty reconciling the prime minister�*s version of events with other evidence. as you know, i have a duty to reflect and represent the deep, deep public anger with the prime minister to stop that said, mr speaker, i respect the absolute

impartiality that you take in your role and i want to set in the record that i respect both you and the authority of the chair. mr speaker, this morning, the telegraph newspaper revealed that the prime minister attended a party in his flat on the 13th of november 2020. the prime minister previously told the house that no party took place. the police are now investigating this party and we face a very real prospect of a sitting prime minister being questioned under caution and being fined in office. and if he is questioned, mr speaker, he must go. if he is fined, he must resign. mr speaker, you will agree that the house should not be treated with contempt. so can the

prime minister... here we go, here we go again. so can the prime minister update their house on his whereabouts on the evening of the 13th of november? surely, surely, mr speaker, he doesn�*t need to wait for an investigation to tell us exactly where he was.— where he was. prime minister. here we go — where he was. prime minister. here we go again _ where he was. prime minister. here we go again says - where he was. prime minister. here we go again says the - where he was. prime minister. | here we go again says the right honourable gentleman opposite and i must say, those are entirely my feelings. he asked exactly the same questions as i recall in the chamber a few days ago. he knows, mr speaker, that the process must go on. i can tell you what�*s been going on. i can tell you what�*s been going on in downing street, mr speaker. in november and throughout. we�*ve been delivering the fastest vaccine and booster roll—out anywhere in europe and we�*ve been getting people back into work, mr work. we�*ve been getting people back into work and

helping to bring the west together to defy what i think is completely unacceptable, threats of intimidation from the putin regime against ukraine.— against ukraine. that's what we've been doing- _ against ukraine. that's what we've been doing. ian _ against ukraine. that's what we've been doing. ian blackford. - against ukraine. that's what we've been doing. ian blackford. thanki been doing. ian blackford. thank ou, mr been doing. ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. _ been doing. ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. that _ been doing. ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. that was - been doing. ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. that was a - you, mr speaker. that was a disgraceful response. i have to say to the prime minister, he should read the room and see some of the faces on his colleagues�* faces, he has lost it. mr speaker, we have now reached the ridiculous scenario of a prime minister who can�*t even tell us where he was. he lives in a world where he thinks everything is owed to him and he never pauses to think what he owes to the public. the prime minister is now a dangerous distraction at home and a running joke on the international stage. what does it tell the prime minister and the public that on the morning he has returned from ukraine, the

chair of the defence select committee has submitted a letter of no confidence in him?— no confidence in him? prime minister- _ minister. mr- minister. mr speaker, what it tells mlulster. — mr speaker, what it tells me is it's mr speaker, what it tells me is it�*s more vital than ever for the government and this country to get on with thejob, government and this country to get on with the job, deliver our covid recovery plan and that is what we are doing. mr speaker, i would like to say thank you to the prime minister for visiting my small constituency. where he saw first—hand the enormous beneficial impact on new nuclear plants we knew it could have a spell in anglesey for some nuclear power must play a role if we are to meet our net zero commitments and lower energy prices. does my right honourable friend agreed the rapid deployment of nuclear technology must be a priority for this government and if so, will my right honourable friend commit to financing a nuclear plant at the wool versailles at this parliament?

it was a greatjoy wool versailles at this parliament? it was a great joy to wool versailles at this parliament? it was a greatjoy to visit my honourable friend�*s constituency where i believe she is known as atomic kitten, or so she informed me. she outlined in great detail the plans for the plant. it�*s a fantastic vision and site and remains an attractive proposition for nuclear power. t remains an attractive proposition for nuclear power.— remains an attractive proposition for nuclear power. i am not sure if the prime — for nuclear power. i am not sure if the prime minister _ for nuclear power. i am not sure if the prime minister has _ for nuclear power. i am not sure if the prime minister has noticed - for nuclear power. i am not sure if| the prime minister has noticed but while he has been partying, working families in northern ireland have lost £1000 from the universal credit. their national insurance has been put up by this government and their energy bills are going through their energy bills are going through the roof. he is very fond of telling us that we are all in this together. isn�*t it the truth, mr speaker, that this prime minister has only ever beenin this prime minister has only ever been in it for himself and his rich mates? no, mr speaker, iam here to

mates? no, mr speaker, i am here to serve my country, the entire united kingdom and i�*m also proud we have had the biggest investment in northern ireland since devolution began and we have cut taxation on universal credit. thank you, mr speaker. south—western railway has totally cut off dorset, somerset, most of wiltshire and devon from its direct rail services to london, as well as slashing our service in half, most of which is totally unnecessary. will my right honourable friend support me and my neighbouring colleagues in getting direct services back to west dorset and having a timetable that is fit for our region? i want to thank my honourable friend very much for his question. he knows where all he speaks, he is an expert on this subject and has lobbied very effectively for his constituents and reflected their frustrations and i am told that the timetable is expected to return to december 21

levels from saturday the 19th of february. i was out this weekend speaking to a constituent who has a cold and leaky house. she has seen her bills already go up from 100 to £170 a month. the government have failed to insulator has failed to control her fuel bills. bribing people with their own money is no plan. the prime minister has no plan to cut vat, no plan to get the oil and gas industry to contribute. another constituent who voted for the prime minister went further and called him despicable. what use is a prime minister who has no plan for families struggling with the cost of living and has lost the trust of the people of this country? he talks about cutting vat, but i wonder if he voted for brexit and our ability to cut vat? perhaps he could indicate. what we delivered on

the anniversary we celebrated on monday and i sympathise very much with his constituent and i understand the pressures that people are facing on the cost of living, but what we�*ve got to do is invest in and then protect them and we are putting £12 billion worth of support and financial help for families in hardship this year and it is absolutely vital after the pandemic, but the most important thing is to have a job is led economic recovery and in case i failed to make myself clear before you wound me up, that is why we have the fastest economic growth in the g7. is why we have the fastest economic growth in the 67-— growth in the g7. thank you, mr s-eaker. growth in the g7. thank you, mr speaker- the — growth in the g7. thank you, mr speaker. the greater _ growth in the g7. thank you, mrl speaker. the greater manchester mayoral cleaner air zone scheme effectively a congestion charge affecting all 500 square miles of greater manchester, including my constituents in lee, is a job destroying tax. we all want clean

air, but the model proposed by andy burnham is unworkable and economically devastating. with charges of £60 per day, per lorry driver. taxis, white van men, even bosses will be caught by it. will the pm intervened to prevent andy burnham from inflicting this disastrous labour scheme on greater manchester? t disastrous labour scheme on greater manchester?— manchester? i know from my own experience _ manchester? i know from my own experience how _ manchester? i know from my own experience how vital _ manchester? i know from my own experience how vital it _ manchester? i know from my own experience how vital it is - manchester? i know from my own experience how vital it is when i manchester? i know from my own | experience how vital it is when you are trying to clean up air in a great city that you do not unjustly penalised business, and particularly small business and it�*s becoming clear that the scheme proposed in manchester is unworkable and will do more damage to businesses and residents in manchester, so we must find an alternative. one that

doesn�*t punish local residents in my right honourable friend the secretary of state for the environment will be saying more about this in the coming days. tt the prime list receives a penalty fixed notice for attending a party or hosting a party during lockdown, will he inform the house, and will he resign? qt will he inform the house, and will he resign?— will he inform the house, and will heresitn? , _ he resign? of course i will comply, but i have he resign? of course i will comply, but i have to _ he resign? of course i will comply, but i have to wait _ he resign? of course i will comply, but i have to wait for _ he resign? of course i will comply, but i have to wait for the _ he resign? of course i will comply, but i have to wait for the process i but i have to wait for the process to be concluded.— but i have to wait for the process to be concluded. since being elected my fabulous — to be concluded. since being elected my fabulous constituency _ to be concluded. since being elected my fabulous constituency has - to be concluded. since being elected my fabulous constituency has seen i my fabulous constituency has seen the green shoots of prosperity. government support is a green revolution in blyth valley. but with such growth the increased conjecture on the road means we are in desperate needs of upgrades to the road infrastructure. could my right honourable friend please meet with

me to discuss the urgent problems and help blyth valley out of any ever increasing trafficjam? mt; ever increasing trafficjam? my honourable friend is the best champion that blyth valley could possibly have and he does a quite amazing job and i want to thank him in particularfor amazing job and i want to thank him in particular for helping to secure the british giga volt factory, and absolutely amazing investment and i understand that, because, growth and prosperity bring their challenges when it comes to congestion on our roads and we have to tackle that we are working with the council on a bid for the blyth valley relief road and i will make sure that my honourable friend gets a meeting with the transport secretary to discuss it further. the with the transport secretary to discuss it further.— with the transport secretary to discuss it further. the problem with a distracted — discuss it further. the problem with a distracted prime _ discuss it further. the problem with a distracted prime minister- discuss it further. the problem with a distracted prime minister is - discuss it further. the problem with a distracted prime minister is that i a distracted prime minister is that he makes the wrong choices. while he has been living it up, many of my constituents are living on the breadline as food, energy and taxis shoot up. in york, the rent prices

are the highest now in the north and some of the highest in the country and york is now in the top ten places in the country where there is a cost of living crisis. pushing my constituents further into poverty and debt. so when is he going to stop protecting himself and start protecting my constituents? tithe protecting my constituents? one of the first things _ protecting my constituents? one of the first things i _ protecting my constituents? one of the first things i did _ protecting my constituents? one of the first things i did when _ protecting my constituents? one of the first things i did when i - protecting my constituents? one of the first things i did when i became j the first things i did when i became prime minister was to ensure that we looked after people on low incomes by increasing local housing allowances, by increasing the living wage, not once but twice and by record amounts and by doing what we have now done with universal credit, but the house needs to get this. the most important thing about the uk economy now as we have eight strong jobs led recovery and that is what will drive up wages and drive up growth, and that is what this

government is delivering. infill growth, and that is what this government is delivering. will he brief is on his _ government is delivering. will he brief is on his visit _ government is delivering. will he brief is on his visit to _ government is delivering. will he brief is on his visit to ukraine? i government is delivering. will he | brief is on his visit to ukraine? -- brief is on his visit to ukraine? —— brief is on his visit to ukraine? —— brief us? t brief is on his visit to ukraine? -- brief us? :. 1' , brief is on his visit to ukraine? -- brief us? :, ,, , :, :, ., , brief us? i thank my honourable friend and _ brief us? i thank my honourable friend and in _ brief us? i thank my honourable friend and in very _ brief us? i thank my honourable friend and in very brief - brief us? i thank my honourable friend and in very brief terms, i | friend and in very brief terms, i can tell the house that the mission, as i hope everyone will support, was to stand shoulder to shoulder with ukraine for our country to show we stand with the people of ukraine and we stand for the territorial integrity of ukraine at a very difficult time. as every body knows there are about 125,000 russian troops massing on the board of ukraine and the situation is very perilous —— the board of ukraine. and thejob of perilous —— the board of ukraine. and the job of the perilous —— the board of ukraine. and thejob of the uk is to perilous —— the board of ukraine. and the job of the uk is to lead the west in bringing together the most important countries in creating a package of economic sanctions that will deter president putin from what

i believe would be a disastrous miscalculation, and also to strengthen our support for the ukraine and the ukrainian people and indeed the ukrainian army, and we are doing that and supplying lethal but defensive weaponry as well as training to the ukraine, so that is greatly appreciated but i must say the situation remains risky, and it is vital that diplomacy finds a way forward. {in is vital that diplomacy finds a way forward. :. is vital that diplomacy finds a way forward. :, ., , , is vital that diplomacy finds a way forward. :, :, , , ., forward. on a related issue, after the publication _ forward. on a related issue, after the publication of— forward. on a related issue, after the publication of the _ forward. on a related issue, after the publication of the russia - the publication of the russia report, the prime minister claimed tackling illicit finance and driving dirty money and money launderers out of the uk as a priority. his warnings to mr putin of late would surely have carried more bite if he had actually used the 18 months since the publication of the russia report to legislate for an economic climate to stop the flow of dirty

money from russia. why has he not tackled this issue of national security? tackled this issue of national securi ? :, :, :, security? contrary to some of the m hs security? contrary to some of the myths paddled. _ security? contrary to some of the myths peddled, this _ security? contrary to some of the myths peddled, this governmentl security? contrary to some of the i myths peddled, this government has come down very hard on dirty money from russia and everywhere else which is why we brought in the unexplained wealth orders, and indeed china, and they might like to consider, and that is why we have sanctions on russia following what they did in crimea in 201a and the magnitsky sanctions on everybody involved in the poisoning of alexi nell danny and to his point, we are bringing forward of the economic crime bill so it will take place and be voted on in the third session of this parliament —— alexi two years ago this week the government delivered a democratic decision to leave the eu and despite there being a global pandemic in the

two years since over 70 free—trade agreements have been signed. however, as we recover there are many more opportunities that can be realised. will the prime minister commit to appointing a minister responsible for realising those brexit freedoms and benefits that will boost all of our constituencies? elect mr speaker, you can hear from constituencies? elect mr speaker, you can hearfrom the constituencies? elect mr speaker, you can hear from the chuntering opposite that they still want to take this thing back, they still want to cancel brexit, but it was thanks to brexit very largely that we had the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, and we�*ve been able to deliver our free ports. in europe, and we�*ve been able to deliver ourfree ports. and we�*ve been able to do 60 or 70 free—trade deals around the world. and, yes, mr speaker, i�*m not going to anticipate any decisions i may make about the government but i think it would be a goodidea government but i think it would be a good idea to have a minister driving that post—brexit agenda. lets

good idea to have a minister driving that post-brexit agenda.— that post-brexit agenda. lets 'ust reca - , that post-brexit agenda. lets 'ust reca-, mr that post-brexit agenda. lets 'ust recap, mr speaker. i that post-brexit agenda. lets 'ust recap, mr speaker. before i that post-brexit agenda. lets 'ust recap, mr speaker. before web that post-brexit agenda. letsjusti recap, mr speaker. before we were told we must wait for the sue gray report, then we were told we must wait for the police investigation to conclude, we had there was no party, and then if there was a party i wasn�*t there, and if there was a party then all rules were followed. but no one common prime minister, believes you. and if any of the above were true, why did allegra stratton have to resign? t above were true, why did allegra stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter _ stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter on _ stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter on the _ stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter on the floor- stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter on the floor of - stratton have to resign? i explained that sad matter on the floor of the i that sad matter on the floor of the house and nobody wanted allegra to resign, and i was very sad that she did. tull; resign, and i was very sad that she did. ~ , . :, , :, resign, and i was very sad that she did. 3 , :, :, did. my constituent from exmouth has launched a campaign _ did. my constituent from exmouth has launched a campaign for— did. my constituent from exmouth has launched a campaign for a _ did. my constituent from exmouth has launched a campaign for a dedicated i launched a campaign for a dedicated menopause clinic in devon. women in east devon currently face a 120 mile round trip to get to the nearest

specialist menopause clinic was up it is not good enough, is it? well my right honourable friend outline what steps are going to improve access to menopause services in devon and the south—west? t access to menopause services in devon and the south-west? i think my ritht devon and the south-west? i think my right honourable _ devon and the south-west? i think my right honourable friend _ devon and the south-west? i think my right honourable friend for— devon and the south-west? i think my right honourable friend for raising - right honourable friend for raising this very important campaign and we are committed to improving menopause care so all women can have access to the support they need and to manage the support they need and to manage the symptoms. menopause will be a priority within our women�*s health strategy, and we are committed to establishing a uk wide menopause task force, mr speaker.— establishing a uk wide menopause task force, mr speaker. thank you, mr speaker- — task force, mr speaker. thank you, mr speaker. if the _ task force, mr speaker. thank you, mr speaker. if the prime minister. mr speaker. if the prime minister needs a metropolitan police inquiry to tell him whether he attended a party on the 13th of november in his own downing street flat, why should we believe that he is a fit and proper person to have his hand on the button of our independent nuclear deterrent?—

the button of our independent nuclear deterrent? . ~ ,,, ., ,, nuclear deterrent? well, mr speaker, i hesitate nuclear deterrent? well, mr speaker, l hesitate to — nuclear deterrent? well, mr speaker, i hesitate to remind _ nuclear deterrent? well, mr speaker, i hesitate to remind the _ nuclear deterrent? well, mr speaker, i hesitate to remind the right - i hesitate to remind the right honourable lady, but she campaigned actively to install a prime minister who wanted to get rid of our nuclear deterrent altogether.— deterrent altogether. thank you, mr s-eaker. deterrent altogether. thank you, mr speaker- the _ deterrent altogether. thank you, mr speaker. the prime _ deterrent altogether. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister, - deterrent altogether. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister, the i speaker. the prime minister, the government and our nhs have done an amazing job with the vaccine roll—out, making a resounding success. with my right honourable friend join me in thanking the wonderful nhs workers, volunteers and pharmacies who have worked so hard to help make this possible in dewsbury? t hard to help make this possible in dewsbu ? 1' , hard to help make this possible in dewsbu ? ~' , :, :, ., , dewsbury? i think my honourable friend who does _ dewsbury? i think my honourable friend who does a _ dewsbury? i think my honourable friend who does a fantastic - dewsbury? i think my honourable friend who does a fantastic job i dewsbury? i think my honourable friend who does a fantastic job of| friend who does a fantasticjob of representing his communities and i want to thank all of them, mr speaker, everybody involved in the roll—out there, mr speaker. it was

an extraordinary national effort and anybody who visited a vaccine centre will know that feeling of pride in what was happening, that feeling of energy and a collective effort to make our society and country literally healthier day by day, and i thank all of them, mr speaker, from the bottom of my heart. that is the end of pmqs, _ so, a pretty noisy session at prime minister�*s questions today. we will be talking about that in just a moment with our political correspondent, but let me just bring you some news we are getting from an aria spokesperson who says quicker election alert fighters supported by tanker from election alert fighters supported by tankerfrom raf brize norton have been launched against unidentified aircraft approaching. the raf say it

won�*t be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until it is complete, but we are told that quick reaction are common, and usually it�*s russian aircraft is flying near a british aerospace. typhoon aircraft fighters supported by raf brize norton lunching against unidentified aircraft approaching a uk area of interest. let�*s return to pmqs. it was interesting to hear keir starmer go on the attack against the prime minister, primarily on the area of taxation and economic growth.— primarily on the area of taxation and economic growth. yes, this was a re and economic growth. yes, this was a pretty scrappy — and economic growth. yes, this was a pretty scrappy addition, _ and economic growth. yes, this was a pretty scrappy addition, as _ and economic growth. yes, this was a pretty scrappy addition, as you - and economic growth. yes, this was a pretty scrappy addition, as you say, i pretty scrappy addition, as you say, the labour leader attempting to pressure boris johnson over the approach to taxes and

economic growth and the chancellor rishi sunak committing to the rise in national insurance contributions, hitting back accusing labour of having a plan, and it was he who is leading the recovery as the uk emerges, shifting the narrative on to what the government wants to be talking about today, which is levelling up, the big policy paper being delivered with details of how the tories attempt to meet the big promise of the 2019 election they made to address inequality, and are left behind and some say forgotten parts of the north and south—east south—east. this is uncertainty about boris johnson�*s south—east. this is uncertainty about borisjohnson�*s leadership, about boris johnson�*s leadership, and about borisjohnson�*s leadership, and after one conservative came forward and said publicly yesterday they would dream it had submitted a

letter in a confidence, another has done so today, the prominent backbencher tobias ellwood. some people say he had time, it�*s only wednesday. some people say he had time, it's only wednesday.— some people say he had time, it's only wednesday. we've had time to effect the changes _ only wednesday. we've had time to effect the changes that _ only wednesday. we've had time to effect the changes that affect - only wednesday. we've had time to effect the changes that affect our i effect the changes that affect our ability to communicate, but here we havejimmy savile mentioned in the very debate that is a response to the sue gray report. that is not showing the contrition i think the nation want to see. it is absolutely right that we praise the prime minister with his energy and enthusiasm the gutters up to this point, but the domestic and national

challenges i think require a new leader, so i have submitted a letter. :, , :, , leader, so i have submitted a letter. :, , ., , letter. tobias ellwood quite diplomatically _ letter. tobias ellwood quite diplomatically putting - letter. tobias ellwood quite diplomatically putting his i letter. tobias ellwood quite - diplomatically putting his reasons for submitting the latter, but many of his colleagues are weighing up the decision whether to do the same and submit letters to trigger a vote of confidence, some mindful of the fact that if they do it too early when the treasure just reach, but is just might win the vote and survive. at prime minister�*s questions, though, as mps make their way out of the chamber here in the house of commons, several veiled references from the labour leader keir starmer hinting it borisjohnson being in under investigation by the police for the parties and events in downing street during the pandemic, suggesting he needs to sharpen up on his approach to answering questions, and also the scottish national party

leader ian blackford talking about the prime minister is a dangerous distraction abroad and a running joke at home, at every turn boris johnson saying it is important for the government to deliver on its promises, he is trying to give the impression the government and he are getting on with the job. just briefly, before pmqs got under way, she was talking about how to preserve the character of parliamentary debate, saying he must not accuse other peoples of lying and misleading the house, that was in reference to what ian blackford the westminster leader of the snp had to say a couple of days ago. yes, after the prime minister�*s statement on the findings of the sue gray report, it was ian black, the snp leader at westminster accused him of misleading the house, which is about as bad as it gets in terms of accusations here in the house of commons, something the speaker eventually got him to at least

partially withdraw, but lindsay hoyle today, so lindsay hoyle trying to make clear, trying to bring about perhaps a less hostile tone of the that we have seen of late. you had to see if that has any impact. the temperature remains high.- to see if that has any impact. the temperature remains high. thank you ve much. many raith rovers 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 pounds damages. he neverfaced a criminal trial and always maintained it was consensual. 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. val mcdermid explained the anger among supporters to emma barnett, on radio a�*s woman�*s hour. it�*s set a terrible example to what purports to be a community club. we have a strong sense of them being rooted in the local area. we have for example women and girls�* teams from age under tens all the way up to women�*s teams who are appalled and horrified at this signing. it�*s just the wrong thing to do for the club. i think it sends all the wrong messages, but as a writer of crime fiction i fully understand rehabilitation and redemption, it�*s one of the features of my books, but i also understand the power of crimes like this against the victims,

and in a way the victim of this who gave up her right to anonymity so she could tell the world what he had done to her has been forgotten in all this. she had all the other women who have been victimised by men who are sexually violent over the years have got lost in all this. and david goodwillie is a man who has taken part in the sort of violence against women. it�*s not the sort of message we want to send to our supporters, to our young people, to the people of kirkcaldy, to say, here is someone to look up to, because he is not someone to look up to. for the club to make the cynical decision on the basis of football issues seems to me to be appalling. rachel corsie is the captain of the scotland national team and a professional footballer who plays as a defender for aston villa in the women�*s super league— and told us about the respons within the community to voices saying that people deserve a second chance. it doesn�*t appear like there has been much remorse and acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

the recognition that not only has perhaps hurt been caused to the individuals directly involved, there are also many triggering factors to many other boys, girls, women and men who have suffered sexual abuse in their lives. so, i can understand that people deserve the opportunity to be able to do rehabilitation process and rebuild their life and take on new opportunities as the future continues, but in this instance i think the hardest part is that it doesn�*t really seem like there is much evidence that there has been much rehabilitation, and i think that�*s very, again, disappointing in the circumstances. one of the primary aspects to consider in all of this is what message does it send out — what message does it send out to women, to young girls who might want to play football professionally or at an amateur level — it doesn�*t really matter which — if they just want to be involved

in the game in some way, what message does it send to them? what message does it send to young men as well? and that�*s got to be a key consideration, i guess, going forward. absolutely. i think i�*ve heard a lot about the reference to young girls and women wanting to be involved and part of the game, but, as you say, it is everybody. i think, in society, you know, most people understand this type of behaviour is unacceptable, it�*s not something you want to personally experience, you want your family and friends to experience, and it�*s certainly not something you would condone anyone you know acting in that way and carrying out that behaviour. so i think itjust shows that there is a long way still to go, that this type of behaviour can be overlooked, and i think one of the most damning parts of raith rovers�* statement is they say this has been a football decision — as a footballer your role is 2a/7, you can�*tjust pick and choose one that matters and when it doesn�*t.

one of the challenges of tackling climate change is compiling accurate data. how does the rise in temperature affect plant life and animal numbers? a group of scientists have spent time in the antarctic — hoping to find some answers. and one species in particular has proven to be a big help — as 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.

retre will be in the remake with you on a couple of minutes. couple of minutes. it's it�*s been a rather cloudy day, some loss lucky to see some sun poking through, it�*s been raining, roger clarrie, bit of drizzle, especially in the north and the west, especially still mild, tracking notice and eastwards, the rain tracking from that direction, a few splashes of drizzly rain across other northern and western hills and coast. by this evening, most of us staying in double figures as the sun sets, and through the course of tonight, going to be a chilly night, cloud around in outbreaks of rain continuing around the north and west

of the uk, northern ireland and scotland having a damp night, elusive 6—8 , is relatively frost—free to start your thursday morning. probably a bit more sunshine than today, showery rain moving gradually eastwards on the breeze, the breeze picking up later on, turning quite windy head of the cold front, suck us in the south about 20—30 miles an hour, in the north—west of scotland, faster, school the gusts ahead of the rain. colder air working in from the north—west behind this cold front, quite an active cold front is removed through thursday night and into friday, sweeps in, leading us with this colder air mass, friday rain, snow full on the edge of the rain, snow full on the edge of the rain, wintry showers packing from the nose was later in the day, so much colder feeling lost three windy

sort of day on friday, only about 5-9 with sort of day on friday, only about 5—9 with the wintry showers in the north—west. looking ahead to the north—west, we got this weather front bringing some rain, perhaps even wintry showers to the north of that, so a bit of a mixed picture through the course of the weekend, staying predominantly mild and dry towards the south. things turning a bit colder and more unsettled further notes. bye for now.

ministers set out their plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country. deprived areas like middlesbrough will get a new focus on transport, education, and better broadband, leading to a mixed response from residents. they�*ve got it going on down there, and it would be nice to reciprocate what�*s going on in middlesbrough, basically, it would be beneficial for everything. the government haven't kept any of the promises that they've made now. we've got nothing to prove for it. 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's why we are laying out - the basis on which we can be judged. but the so—called levelling up strategy does not have new money beyond existing resources. we�*ll bring you all the details. also this lunchtime: another letter of no—confidence in the prime minister over downing street parties is submitted

by the senior tory mp tobias ellwood.