family. -- as has meghan. it royalfamily. —— as has meghan. it was decided this was a good fit for her. i spoke to the captain of the winning's rugby union team sarah hunter and she told me that she felt that the duchess coming on board was going to really give a boost to women's rugby in particular. there was a definite talking point on the pitch and that was about competitiveness. of course prince william is the royal patron of the welsh rugby union, she is the patron of the english rugby union, so when the two teams get together, which royal patron is going to be the winner? i think that should be a good watch. winner? i think that should be a good watch-— winner? i think that should be a aood watch. , . ~' , ., winner? i think that should be a aood watch. , ., ~ y., good watch. yes indeed. thank you so much. sarah campbell there. time for a look at the weather now. here's sarah keith—lucas. most of us have cloud today but there are glimpses of sunshine. this picture off the coast of east sussex. some blue skies may linger

but for most places the rest of the day does look fairly grey, cloudy and mild for this stage in february. that is because we have had a warm front weeping eastwards across the uk. we are in this warm sector of at the moment. there will be a cold front following on from the north—west but not until later tomorrow. forthe north—west but not until later tomorrow. for the rest of this afternoon and a lot of cloud out there, thick enough for the odd spot of drizzle here and there are parts of drizzle here and there are parts of northern england, perhaps northern ireland. and perhaps the north and west of scotland. sunnier skies further south, lifting temperatures to 12 or 13 celsius but double figures across the board. things won't cool down too quickly when the sun sets because we have a fair amount of cloud, a breeze around overnight as well and the odd spot of drizzly rain continuing, particularly for northern ireland and scotland. overnight temperatures six to eight celsius does not thursday morning. through the day

tomorrow, fairly similar to today in that most places are predominantly dry, a few splashes of light rain working slowly eastwards, a little more sunshine then we have seen todayis more sunshine then we have seen today is a breeze is increasing and helping to break up the cloud. you will notice the strength of the win tomorrow, especially towards the north—west we have a cold front moving in. gusts here later in the day reaching 50 or 60 mph with the arrival of that rain. squally winds there. breezy further south as well but mild, ten or 11 celsius. cold air moving in behind this conference. that brings outbreaks of rain, perhaps even snow on its northern edges as it sinks out into friday morning. the cold air piling in. to start friday morning, we still have the ring, perhaps a little sleet stop that will clear to the south—east of england. then we are in the sunnier skies but with the brisk north—westerly flow we will see wintry showers. quite wintry even down to low levels. four

to nine celsius our top temperature. i cold a feeling day on friday. into the weekend, mixed picture, high pressure to the south and then this weather front which looks like it will be draped with a central slice of the uk and wintry showers to the north of that. a mixed picture ahead, driest weather to the south, some outbreaks of rain further north but temperatures will remain mild for the time of year. on cue, sarah. a reminder of our top story. —— thank you, sarah. ministers set out their plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country with a new focus on transport, education, and better broadband. that's all from the bbc news at one, so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are. good afternoon, it's 1.30pm and here's your latest sports news. the winter olympics

opening ceremony might be a couple of days away — but team gb are already in action. in the curling, bruce mouat and his playing partnerjen dodds are competing in the mixed doubles. they're the world champions, so good prospects for a medal in beijing. they are up against sweden. the score is 8—5. the pair 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 countdown to the games. the flame will be carried on a three—dayjourney by more than 1,000 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. liverpool ceo billy hogan says the club knows it's important to play its part. the environment is incredibly important to the club, and only becoming more so. i think probably,

like all the organisations, we are all concerned about the impact that we have on the environment and on vulnerable communities, so this is something that is incredibly important to us, and in the programme and in this case, specifically, with regard to this achievement, we are incredibly excited. 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. you can follow the curlers and that mixed event, as well. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. let's get more now on one of our top stories this lunchtime. long—promised plans to close the gap between rich and poor parts of the country have been announced by the government. it includes improvements to transport, providing 5g broadband for a majority of households, and a pledge to refocus education spending on disadvantaged parts of the country. we can speak now to simon clarke, the chief secretary to the treasury. good afternoon to you. can we be clear, levelling up, as it is called, it's not about equal spending between rich and poor parts of the country, but about bridging the gap? of the country, but about bridging the aa - ? , of the country, but about bridging the aa-7 , , of the country, but about bridging the can , h, the gap? this is about making investments _ the gap? this is about making investments in _ the gap? this is about making investments in the _ the gap? this is about making investments in the areas - the gap? this is about making investments in the areas that| the gap? this is about making - investments in the areas that need

it most, in places like my home area of teesside have been left behind and ignored for too long, and it's important that we were elected, frankly, to close the gap between and the wider south—east of england, and the wider south—east of england, and there's a variety of ways want to do that, there's an awful lot of public investment in skills and transport, but also education, health and culture. this is a hugely important moment in making good on our one nation ambition to really make a difference in the life chances of so many millions of people who deserve better. and chances of so many millions of people who deserve better. and he will be making _ people who deserve better. and he will be making the _ people who deserve better. and he will be making the decisions - people who deserve better. and he will be making the decisions about| will be making the decisions about how this money is spent? will be displayed on centrally or regionally?— displayed on centrally or reaionall ? , , . displayed on centrally or reaionall ? , ' . , regionally? the big difference this white paper— regionally? the big difference this white paper makes _ regionally? the big difference this white paper makes as _ regionally? the big difference this white paper makes as we - regionally? the big difference this white paper makes as we will - regionally? the big difference this white paper makes as we will see | regionally? the big difference this i white paper makes as we will see the establishment of what is more of the powerful metro mayors who are so important to delivering change on the ground, i mention teesside a moment ago, our mayor has done the most incrediblejob in

moment ago, our mayor has done the most incredible job in terms of transforming ambition, channelling investment in attracting private sector support, as well, it's that kind of moral, that partnership, between the centre and the regions which is going to be so important to making sure that we end the culture of whitehall knowing bass, which has held britain back to far long, which is why we are one of the most geographically unequal countries in europe. geographically unequal countries in euro e. , geographically unequal countries in euroe. , , ., ., geographically unequal countries in euroe. , , ., europe. this is going to be funded from existing _ europe. this is going to be funded from existing resources, - europe. this is going to be funded from existing resources, isn't - europe. this is going to be funded from existing resources, isn't it? | from existing resources, isn't it? there is no new money? to from existing resources, isn't it? there is no new money?- there is no new money? to the sendin: there is no new money? to the spending review _ there is no new money? to the spending review in _ there is no new money? to the spending review in the - there is no new money? to the spending review in the autumn | there is no new money? to the i spending review in the autumn we announced hundred and 50 billion pounds of spending over the next three years, huge sum of money, the response of any parliament this century. response of any parliament this centu . �* ., , response of any parliament this centu . �* . , ., response of any parliament this centu .�* . , ., ., , century. but that is not over this oli , century. but that is not over this policy. sorry _ century. but that is not over this policy. sorry to _ century. but that is not over this policy, sorry to interrupt. - century. but that is not over this policy, sorry to interrupt. no, i century. but that is not over this | policy, sorry to interrupt. no, but this is doing _ policy, sorry to interrupt. no, but this is doing is _ policy, sorry to interrupt. no, but this is doing is channelling - policy, sorry to interrupt. no, but this is doing is channelling much l policy, sorry to interrupt. no, but. this is doing is channelling much of that investment, and much that wider investment underpins our policy aims. if we are spending more on education that is going to the heart of some of the inequities that we

want to tackle in terms of school outcomes, and we are spending more on the nhs, that's about narrowing the gap in life expectancy in places like hampshire. this is all about locking it dinner, there is a record amounts of public money behind it. so, i record amount of public funding, but no new funding, so it must mean that some areas are getting more and samasse. the white pa er are getting more and samasse. the white paper are many _ getting more and samasse. the white paper are many ways _ getting more and samasse. the white paper are many ways about _ getting more and samasse. the white paper are many ways about the - paper are many ways about the framework, the delivery framework in the policy targeting to help level up. we set out the spending review investment in the autumn, that gives the overall envelope within british government is going to operate in the next three years, this is our answer in the levelling up space, and it is important, as well, to take on the point about levelling up necessarily meaning that we level down elsewhere, i'm quite clear that it is in everyone's interest that london and the south—east of england

should prosper to, and are recognised fully, as well, that there are parts of london and the south—east of deep relative deprivation, and we are not in any way going to take our eye off the ball from those areas either. what levelling up does is not some blunt geographical redistribution, it is about targeting those areas, often very local areas, where performance lags the rest, and making sure that we can have effective interventions for a recount. 50. we can have effective interventions for a recount-_ for a recount. so, this target date for a recount. so, this target date for the strategy — for a recount. so, this target date for the strategy is _ for a recount. so, this target date for the strategy is 2030. - for a recount. so, this target date for the strategy is 2030. does - for a recount. so, this target date | for the strategy is 2030. does that mean people have to wait until 2030 to see some of these changes? it means it will take along to see some of these changes? it means it will take a longtime to see some of these changes? it means it will take a long time for the full ambition of this policy to be realised, but, no, we are clear we want to see a lot of change over a very short period of time. there is already change under way, in places like the tees valley, where we have seen huge amounts ofjob creation, we have massive

regeneration and remediation projects under way, housing orfree ports are industrial zones where you're trying to make them fit for new investment, this is absolutely not something which all happens in a rush at the end of the decade, it's something we got up to, and i want to be very honest with people, this is rectifying a multi—decade problem, are we clear that there is problems that are tangible that it might tangible and real real? yes. we want is a fairer and more prosperous country, and if we narrow that gap, if we make regions in england as productive as land in the south—east, we will be a much richer country too. south-east, we will be a much richer country too-— stay there, mr clarke, because i want to ask you about your conservative colleague the mp, tobias ellwood. he says he's going to submit a letter of no confidence in the prime minister. he said the row about gatherings in downing street had distracted the government. he's been speaking to our political editor laura kuenssberg.

some people might say you've had those past victories, why this particular moment? because there were promises at the beginning of this week, and it's only wednesday. it is indeed, but we've had how many weeks, indeed months, to show repair? to actually introduce the changes that will actually affect our ability to communicate with the nation, to actually improve the decision—making in number ten, and yet here we have jimmy savile mentioned in the very debate that is a response to the sue gray report. that's not showing the contrition i think the nation want to see. it's absolutely right that we praise the prime minister, with his energy and enthusiasm they got us up to this point, but the domestic and international challenges, i think, now require a new leader, and that's why i've submitted a letter. what do you make of mr ellwood's decision to submit a letter? i respectfully disagree with tobias.

i respectfully disagree with tobias. i am quite clear, as the prime minister has been, that things have happened in downing street that ought not to, the from this route taken full resource ability and apologise, and there have been specific investigation is ongoing into some of the behaviour that has occurred, but i'm equally clear that there is a remarkable prime minister in borisjohnson for this country, someone who has led this country through delivering brexit, which nobody else would have done, let's be clear that the something which keir starmer and many others in parliament worked hard to vent, as a nurse through this appalling pandemic, the uk has now emerged as one of the first countries in the world that is then able to set many of the most owners restriction is move forward with the recovery, and then today bring forward a really positive and important programme of renewal and regeneration which will publish the levelling up white paper. for me, there is no question

that borisjohnson is the right man to lead the conservative party and our country, he has my full support and the full support of many, many people out there, and of course, crucially, as we know, there are many conservative mps are removing thatis many conservative mps are removing that is of no confidence just as, i'm afraid, someone like tobias puts one in. i'm quite clear that we are in a position where we all want to move forward, to focus on the issues that really do matter to life chances and get on with governing. with respect, the only person who knows how many letters of no confidence there are is the chairman of the 1922 backbench committee, but just to pick you up on what you said, surely what must be difficult for you, from tobias ellwood cosmic statement, is that he recognises the prime minister prospect qualities, the qualities you have talked up of energy and the achievements he has made, but he says that the apology that boris johnson made, but he says that the apology that borisjohnson made on monday compounded the problem for repeating

that slur on the labour leader about jimmy savile. that slur on the labour leader about jimmy savile-— that slur on the labour leader about jimmy savile. other point the prime minister was — jimmy savile. other point the prime minister was making, _ jimmy savile. other point the prime minister was making, which - jimmy savile. other point the prime minister was making, which is - jimmy savile. other point the prime minister was making, which is an i minister was making, which is an important environment, is the keir starmer, when he led the director of public prosecutions, was responsible for the conduct of his office, just in the same way that the prime minister was responsible for the wider conduct of downing street. i recognise fully that this is an emotive point, but it is simply the case that people who lead organisations need to take rider responsibility for them. the prime minister was _ responsibility for them. the prime minister was really... _ responsibility for them. the prime minister was really... but - responsibility for them. the prime minister was really... but it's i minister was really... but it's widely acknowledged as simply being... it widely acknowledged as simply bein: . .. . widely acknowledged as simply beinu... . ., widely acknowledged as simply bein... ., ., , ., , widely acknowledged as simply beinu." ., ., , ., being... it in a way that shows that he's profoundly _ being... it in a way that shows that he's profoundly sorry _ being... it in a way that shows that he's profoundly sorry that - being... it in a way that shows that he's profoundly sorry that takes i he's profoundly sorry that takes responsibility, there is no attempt to evade that, he is also clear that when we get the full report from ms gray, i do not believe in all good faith it he could do more.- gray, i do not believe in all good faith it he could do more. there is no suggestion _ faith it he could do more. there is no suggestion that _ faith it he could do more. there is no suggestion that when - faith it he could do more. there is no suggestion that when keir i faith it he could do more. there is i no suggestion that when keir starmer was director of public prosecutions,

that he came across thejimmy savile case, which is why it is widely taken to be untrue. the wider point by tobias ellwood is really that despite the apology, he has handed in this letter of no confidence, and that must be what should be worrying you. i’m that must be what should be worrying ou. �* , ,., y that must be what should be worrying ou. �* , ,., , ., , that must be what should be worrying ou.�* ,_ ., you. i'm very sorry he has done this, you. i'm very sorry he has done this. but _ you. i'm very sorry he has done this. but it _ you. i'm very sorry he has done this, but it doesn't _ you. i'm very sorry he has done this, but it doesn't take - you. i'm very sorry he has done this, but it doesn't take away . you. i'm very sorry he has done i this, but it doesn't take away from the fact that i, and i know my colleagues, have deep confidence in the prime minister to get on with the prime minister to get on with the important work of levelling up opportunities, as this country bounces back from this awful pandemic, and a really important policy programme, as we lead the world, frankly, in the response to president putin's aggression in ukraine. this is what really matters to the life chances of all of us. the prime minister has taken full responsibility for what happened in downing street, he is rightly apologise, but it's also important that we establish some context to

the wider challenges we face, and their wider need for the prime minister to be allowed to get on with leading this government to deliver on our important policy. thank you so much, chief secretary to the treasury. 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. 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 4's woman's hour. it sets a terrible example to what's supposed to be a community club. we have a very strong sense of the rovers being rooted in the community, in kirkcaldy and the surrounding area. we have, for example, women and girls' teams from age under tens right 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 response 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. three years ago, student libby squire vanished on a night out in hull — she was murdered and raped by a serial sex offender. now libby's mother, lisa, has said she wants to meet her daughter's killer in the hope of finding out what happened to her. lauren moss reports. she was amazing. she was funny and sarcastic and witty, everything you'd want in a daughter, was libby.

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

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

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

you know, i want her, because of what happened to her, i want other women to feel safer. and i will honour her until i take my last breath. you know, iwill spend my life honouring her and making sure she's not forgotten. lauren moss, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. good afternoon. it's been a rather cloudy day across much of the uk, but some of us lucky enough to see a bit of blue sky breaking through, particularly for some southern counties of england. this is the picture in seaford in east sussex taken by one of our weather watchers recently. but for most places, the rest of the day is remaining largely cloudy, bit of drizzle and light rain, especially in the north and the west, and certainly still mild. mild because we've got this warm front tracking northwards and eastwards, the air coming in from a mild south—westerly direction, and we've also got some outbreaks of rain, particularly across the west and north of scotland. they will become quite persistent later on this afternoon, and 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 then through the course of tonight it's not going to be a particularly chilly night. we've got enough cloud around, and there is outbreaks of rain continuing across the north—west of the uk, particularly northern ireland and scotland having quite a damp night. england and wales looking drier, but across the board, lows of 6 to around about 8 degrees, so, certainly frost—free to start your thursday morning. through the day tomorrow a fair amount of dry weather, probably a little bit more sunshine than today, but also a few spots of showery rain moving gradually eastwards on the breeze, and the breeze will be picking up later on, turning quite windy ahead of this cold front. so, gusts in the south about 20—30 miles an hour, but across the north—west of scotland, 50 to perhaps 60 miles an hour, school the gusts of wind with the arrival of this heavy rain. ahead of that, another mild day, 10 or 11 degrees. colder air, though, working in from the north—west behind this cold front, so it's quite an active cold front. as we move through thursday night and on into friday,

it sweeps its way south—eastwards, leaving us in this colder air mass to end this working week. so, for friday, then, initially bit of rain towards the south and east. could be some snowfall on the rear edge of that area of rain, and then wintry showers back in from the north—west later in the day. so, a much colder—feeling, blustery, windy sort of day on friday, only around about 5—9 degrees with those wintry showers in the north—west. looking ahead towards the weekend, the high pressure stays in charge towards the south, but we've got this weather front which will bring some rain, perhaps even some wintry showers to the north of that, as well, so, a bit of a mixed picture through the course of the weekend, staying predominantly mild and dry towards the south. things turning a little bit colder and more unsettled, though, further north. bye for now.

this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines: ministers set out details to close the gap between rich and poor areas of 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's why we are laying out i the basis on which we can be judged. i'mjo black and i'm in sudbury. local councillors say millions of levelling up the money would help regenerate this whole area. and i'm at middlesbrough centre square after last year michael gove pointed to teeside as a model for levelling up. another letter of no—confidence in the prime minister over

downing street parties is submitted by the senior