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, sg, 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 - 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 tory mp, tobias ellwood. justice for 26—year—old bethany vincent and nine—year old darren henson after the man who stabbed them to death is sentenced to a minimum a0 year term. the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact of soaring prices. medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. and school's not out in wales — with a trial to lengthen the school day by five hours a week. the government is announcing

its plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country, as part of its so—called levelling up agenda. the policy, which the prime minister has described as a "defining mission," will take until 2030 to deliver — and aims to tackle regional inequalities and help overlooked communities. there are 12 missions or targets which include: increasing regional devolution — with plans to create more mayors with london—style powers. improving public transport to bring it up to london's standards. refocusing education spending on the most disadvantaged areas. and providing access to sg broadband to most households. and there will be increased public investment in research and development away from the south east. but there is no new money attached, and labour says there is little fresh thinking. here's our political correspondent damian grammaticas.

we are a government committed to levelling up. it is absolutely what levelling up is all about. what we are doing is levelling up. it was the promise made in the 2019 election, to make this a more equal country. places like wolverhampton, it is one of 20 parts of england that will share some £1.5 billion to invest locally. i think wolverhampton needs to spend the money on more youth engagement, just so that the youth has something to go to. i don't know. it seems to be delays after delays after delays on the transport. up until the christmas period, they weren't working for six weeks. a lot of people travel— to birmingham because more shops in birmingham are open. round here is quite nice, theyjust need to have more shops open. i the needs are many and varied. areas that need investment range from schools to skills, transport to job opportunities. every part of the country is different. we are quite excited about this but the problem we have had in the west midlands and wolverhampton is decades and decades of underinvestment which has held us back. we have always known we have loads of potential but things around our education,

health and businesses, it needs that pump priming and we need powers locally to deliver some of that. none of the investments today involve new money, it has all been earmarked by the treasury before. instead, there is a strategy overseen by michael gove to try to direct where the investments will go, and it will take years to deliver. 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. investing in transport is part of it, too, but will it really bring change? many of the ideas are not new, they were part of previous strategies. labour says it is not a new departure, just new slogans. though areas of england will be offered the chance to have their own mayors. if we are really genuine about levelling up, and i don't think this white paper will do what we want it to do, but if we were, it would be about addressing regional inequalities like health conditions, life expectancy, educational attainment skill levels,

job opportunities and certainly transport connectivity, and that's not what this paper does. but it does offer some opportunity for areas that have not got devolution. that might be the key to it all, whether local areas really get the powers to direct local spending. the 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. for an embattled prime minister, the levelling up strategy is also part of his political survival strategy, a way to shift the focus from the ongoing calls for him to resign. a wonderful moral and economic mission to level up and give opportunity across the whole country. a fantastic vision for this country, mr speaker. governments have made many and similar promises before. the difficulty, changes to the face of the country

will take years to be seen. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. let's get reaction to the proposals from across the country. our correspondet fiona trott is in middlesbrough but first let's speak tojo black who is in sudbury. we are in suffolk in sudbury and we have been speaking to people about levelling up. only a handful of people really knew about the government's levelling up agenda and you about the announcement today and i've been speaking to local politicians —— and knew about. the local council bid forjust over £6 million so they could regenerate the area where i am now. this is a bus station and there is a shopping station and there is a shopping station to the right of where i'm standing and they want £6 million to regenerate this whole area. they think they can bring in a new hotel, residential, shops, and also a brand—new cinema. they asked the government from the levelling up part for some money last year and

that was rejected so they are disappointed about that —— levelling up disappointed about that —— levelling up pot. they will try to get some more levelling up money in the future but they have also said they may have to put a plan b together because that money isn't guaranteed. i'm joined by penny from the best of sudbury, and this is a business which promotes other businesses in the area? , , ., ., the area? yes. it is all about promoting — the area? yes. it is all about promoting great _ the area? yes. it is all about promoting great local- the area? yes. it is all about - promoting great local businesses and the area _ promoting great local businesses and the area in_ promoting great local businesses and the area in general to encourage people _ the area in general to encourage people to — the area in general to encourage people to buy local and support their— people to buy local and support their local high street, and to keep their local high street, and to keep the pounds within the local economy. 20,000 _ the pounds within the local economy. 20,000 people live here and around 40,000 people who live in the surrounding towns and villages so thatis surrounding towns and villages so that is a decent chunk of people. absolutely. we that is a decent chunk of people. absolutely-— that is a decent chunk of people. absolutely. that is a decent chunk of people. absolutel . ~ . ., ~ ., absolutely. we have talked about the £6 million rejected _ absolutely. we have talked about the £6 million rejected from _ absolutely. we have talked about the £6 million rejected from the - £6 million rejected from the levelling up pot, what difference would it make of that money was forthcoming? it would it make of that money was forthcoming?— would it make of that money was forthcomin: ? ., ., ~ ., forthcoming? it would make a huge

difference. this _ forthcoming? it would make a huge difference. this area _ forthcoming? it would make a huge difference. this area alone, - forthcoming? it would make a huge difference. this area alone, to - forthcoming? it would make a huge difference. this area alone, to be . difference. this area alone, to be able to— difference. this area alone, to be able to have a lovely bus station and to _ able to have a lovely bus station and to utilise the land, the scrubland which is there, we could have _ scrubland which is there, we could have a _ scrubland which is there, we could have a cinema to attract younger people. — have a cinema to attract younger people, when you have got something like cinemas and restaurants, that is going _ like cinemas and restaurants, that is going to — like cinemas and restaurants, that is going to revive the night—time economy, — is going to revive the night—time economy, and it is very quite at the moment, _ economy, and it is very quite at the moment, especially with what is happening with covid. but anything that encourages more people into the town is— that encourages more people into the town is a _ that encourages more people into the town is a really good thing because football, _ town is a really good thing because football, that is down because of covid _ football, that is down because of covid and — football, that is down because of covid and christmas was really tough -- fovi— covid and christmas was really tough -- foot faii — covid and christmas was really tough —— foot fall. it was very tough for businesses — —— foot fall. it was very tough for businesses but anything that can bring _ businesses but anything that can bring people back, just a showcase what a _ bring people back, just a showcase what a wonderful little market town this is _ what a wonderful little market town this is and _ what a wonderful little market town this is and we have so much to offer and we _ this is and we have so much to offer and we have — this is and we have so much to offer and we have some great businesses that this _ and we have some great businesses that this money would really help. sudbury— that this money would really help. sudbury is — that this money would really help. sudbury is a pretty town. ancient market town, nice to look at. does it need this funding? do you feel it

is overlooked? i it need this funding? do you feel it is overlooked?— is overlooked? i do. not only is suffolk and _ is overlooked? i do. not only is suffolk and east _ is overlooked? i do. not only is suffolk and east anglia - is overlooked? i do. not only is suffolk and east anglia over - is overlooked? i do. not only is| suffolk and east anglia over that but sudbury certainly is and it always — but sudbury certainly is and it always has been because it doesn't have the _ always has been because it doesn't have the seaside like the coastal towns _ have the seaside like the coastal towns here and it doesn't have a cathedrai— towns here and it doesn't have a cathedral —like bury st edmunds. but this is— cathedral —like bury st edmunds. but this is a _ cathedral —like bury st edmunds. but this is a town that has so much to offer. _ this is a town that has so much to offer. and — this is a town that has so much to offer. and i— this is a town that has so much to offer, and i think money would really— offer, and i think money would really help to encourage people to come _ really help to encourage people to come and — really help to encourage people to come and visit. we have thomas gainsborough's house which is going through— gainsborough's house which is going through a _ gainsborough's house which is going through a regeneration, and st peters— through a regeneration, and st peters is— through a regeneration, and st peters is going to be a cultural centre. — peters is going to be a cultural centre. so— peters is going to be a cultural centre, so there is a lot but we need _ centre, so there is a lot but we need to— centre, so there is a lot but we need to make it accessible and allow people _ need to make it accessible and allow people to _ need to make it accessible and allow people to come and see what we've -ot. people to come and see what we've not. people to come and see what we've iot. , , . people to come and see what we've not. , , . ., . people to come and see what we've rot. , , . ., . , got. the district council will try a . ain for got. the district council will try again for funding _ got. the district council will try again for funding from - got. the district council will try again for funding from the - got. the district council will try - again for funding from the levelling up again for funding from the levelling up pot and they hope to make a bid in the spring. up pot and they hope to make a bid in the spring-— in the spring. thanks for “oining us. our correspondent, jo black, in the market town of sudbury, in suffolk, there.

our north of england correspondent, fiona trott, is in middlesbrough for us. how different is the situation there? , ., ., , how different is the situation there? , ., , ., there? this town has been asked for many years — there? this town has been asked for many years to _ there? this town has been asked for many years to be — there? this town has been asked for many years to be levelled _ there? this town has been asked for many years to be levelled up - there? this town has been asked for many years to be levelled up and - there? this town has been asked for many years to be levelled up and we have people living in poverty and local doctors telling us in this area you are likely to live five years less than people living in london, and the reason why this area has been used as a model for levelling up, though, by michael gove is that it has a directly elected mayor in the tees valley who has been working with the government, bringing in hundreds of millions of pounds to the former steelworks site for renewable energies industry, that you sector with a promise of more modern levelling upjobs in the with a promise of more modern levelling up jobs in the future with a promise of more modern levelling upjobs in the future —— new sector. we can speak to the chief executive of the ippr, we are getting some detail today, what do you think of what you have seen? what is clear that the government

has recognised that there are deep and enduring divide between the regions — and enduring divide between the regions of this country and that is caused _ regions of this country and that is caused by— regions of this country and that is caused by an economy that concentrates wealth in the south—east and london and a governance system that concentrates power _ governance system that concentrates power in — governance system that concentrates power in whitehall, so i'm pleased to see _ power in whitehall, so i'm pleased to see that— power in whitehall, so i'm pleased to see that recognition. in terms of what _ to see that recognition. in terms of what they— to see that recognition. in terms of what they are doing, i have a lot of ambition, — what they are doing, i have a lot of ambition, but so far i haven't yet see the _ ambition, but so far i haven't yet see the plan to get there including the details on how the devolution will work— the details on how the devolution will work and including sufficient funding — will work and including sufficient funding to really make a success of it. ~ ., funding to really make a success of it. ~ . ., funding to really make a success of it. . ., ., , ., funding to really make a success of it. . ., ., i. ~ funding to really make a success of it. what do you think is needed? peo - le it. what do you think is needed? peole in it. what do you think is needed? people in teesside _ it. what do you think is needed? people in teesside talk - it. what do you think is needed? people in teesside talk about. it. what do you think is needed? i people in teesside talk about years and years of not getting as much investment as similar towns in the south of england, so what do you think is needed? ads, south of england, so what do you think is needed?— south of england, so what do you think is needed? a serious letting no of think is needed? a serious letting go of power _ think is needed? a serious letting go of power by — think is needed? a serious letting go of power by the _ think is needed? a serious letting go of power by the government i think is needed? a serious letting go of power by the government inj go of power by the government in whitehall, and they need to empower the mayor— whitehall, and they need to empower the mayor and give them the funds to make _ the mayor and give them the funds to make a _ the mayor and give them the funds to make a difference in their local areas — make a difference in their local areas if— make a difference in their local areas. if we look at the funding of what _ areas. if we look at the funding of what has — areas. if we look at the funding of what has happened in the last decade. — what has happened in the last

decade, we have seen across the north— decade, we have seen across the north cuts— decade, we have seen across the north cuts of £413 per person to council — north cuts of £413 per person to council spending and the levelling up council spending and the levelling up fund _ council spending and the levelling up fund is — council spending and the levelling up fund isjust £32 per person by comparison so there is a chasm between — comparison so there is a chasm between what has been pulled out in the last— between what has been pulled out in the last ten years and what has been put back— the last ten years and what has been put back in_ the last ten years and what has been put back in right now. you the last ten years and what has been put back in right now.— put back in right now. you are callin: put back in right now. you are calling for— put back in right now. you are calling for a — put back in right now. you are calling for a directly _ put back in right now. you are calling for a directly elected . put back in right now. you are - calling for a directly elected mayor which you actually have on teesside, to deal with the funding? that model is ”romisin to deal with the funding? that model is promising and _ to deal with the funding? that model is promising and it _ to deal with the funding? that model is promising and it is _ to deal with the funding? that model is promising and it is exciting - to deal with the funding? that model is promising and it is exciting that. is promising and it is exciting that the whole — is promising and it is exciting that the whole of the north—east may indeed _ the whole of the north—east may indeed have directly elected mayors but that— indeed have directly elected mayors but that model is not enough and they need — but that model is not enough and they need to have the power and the funding _ they need to have the power and the funding at— they need to have the power and the funding at their disposal in order to make — funding at their disposal in order to make a — funding at their disposal in order to make a difference to their local areas _ to make a difference to their local areas and — to make a difference to their local areas and it is really tricky at the moment— areas and it is really tricky at the moment for families. three times higher— moment for families. three times higher child poverty here than across— higher child poverty here than across the uk, the cost of living crisis _ across the uk, the cost of living crisis and — across the uk, the cost of living crisis and we don't have time to be thinking _ crisis and we don't have time to be thinking about this in 2030 and we need _ thinking about this in 2030 and we need to— thinking about this in 2030 and we need to think about it now. the idea of levellin: need to think about it now. the idea of levelling op _ need to think about it now. the idea of levelling up as _ need to think about it now. the idea of levelling up as a _ need to think about it now. the idea of levelling up as a whole, - need to think about it now. the idea of levelling up as a whole, margaret thatcher was here, you walk in the

wilderness, we have the teesside development corporation, so what we see here now that is a result of that —— what we see here now that is a result of that and what will we see in the future that will be lasting here? we see in the future that will be lasting here?— see in the future that will be lastin: here? ~ . , lasting here? we have been here before, lasting here? we have been here before. many _ lasting here? we have been here before, many governments - lasting here? we have been here before, many governments have | lasting here? we have been here - before, many governments have tried this before, _ before, many governments have tried this before, and too often what happens — this before, and too often what happens is we chop and change, and we don't _ happens is we chop and change, and we don't have a consistent strategy, so what _ we don't have a consistent strategy, so what i _ we don't have a consistent strategy, so what i really hope is that the government will set out these 12 missions— government will set out these 12 missions and this will enable them to really— missions and this will enable them to really focus on the issues and this will— to really focus on the issues and this will help things to change over the next _ this will help things to change over the next ten years. that this will help things to change over the next ten years.— the next ten years. that is one of ou here the next ten years. that is one of you here on _ the next ten years. that is one of you here on teesside. _ the next ten years. that is one of you here on teesside. back- the next ten years. that is one of you here on teesside. back to . the next ten years. that is one of| you here on teesside. back to the studio. —— that is one view. you here on teesside. back to the studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining — studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining us _ studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining us. we _ studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining us. we will _ studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining us. we will hear - studio. -- that is one view. thanks forjoining us. we will hear from i forjoining us. we will hearfrom michael gove about the levelling up policy very shortly. jonathan douglas is from the chief executive of the national literacy trust. it works with schools and communities to improve disadvantaged children's

literacy skills. how does literacy fit into the levelling up agenda in your view? it is fundamental. literacy is the skill which enables a young person to get a job, high levels of literacy increase in individual�*s opportunity but also it increases the community's opportunities. you just heard from middlesbrough, one of the most challenging communities in the country, and wards of middlesbrough have got 40% of the aduu middlesbrough have got 40% of the adult population with literacy challenges, but if we can raise those levels we can create a sustainable platform for levelling up. sustainable platform for levelling u n . ., sustainable platform for levelling u. ., , , sustainable platform for levelling up. how big is the challenge, especially — up. how big is the challenge, especially after _ up. how big is the challenge, especially after covid? - up. how big is the challenge, especially after covid? covid | up. how big is the challenge, i especially after covid? covid has exacerbated _ especially after covid? covid has exacerbated a _ especially after covid? covid has exacerbated a problem - especially after covid? covid has exacerbated a problem which i poverty in the uk is one of the strongest across the oecd countries. covid, because of the disruption to schooling and the closure of libraries, a variety of challenges,

it has made that problem more difficult. the national literacy trust has focused on the very communities that levelling up is focused on an 14 cities and towns with the highest levels of poverty in the uk and the lowest levels of literacy, and we have witnessed out through a partnership, working with local charities and businesses and inviting local schools and libraries, it can make improvements but it needs to be done at a community level, town by town, sometimes road by road. you community level, town by town, sometimes road by road. you say it is about partnerships _ sometimes road by road. you say it is about partnerships and _ sometimes road by road. you say it is about partnerships and not - sometimes road by road. you say it is about partnerships and notjust l is about partnerships and notjust down to schools so how does the initiative get off the ground? the initiative get off the ground? tue: announcement initiative get off the ground? tt;e: announcement today initiative get off the ground? t"t9 announcement today is initiative get off the ground? tt9 announcement today is fantastic because government has got to back this approach. what we have discovered through our work is that it needs to be a partnership and businesses need to work with community and voluntary sectors and crucially the public sector because public investment can leveraged the involvement of other agencies but they have got to be stakeholders as

well. in terms of the 14 cities and towns we are working with, 40 publishers have signed up and we have great involvement from financial services and partners like the premier league and british land. the business community understands that the sustainability of the economy is itself linked to levelling up but so is also the community and voluntary organisations because they know and understand their communities more deeply than anybody else and if you can get them onside you can create a powerful partnership that could make a difference. we powerful partnership that could make a difference. ~ :, :, , a difference. we are told there is no new money — a difference. we are told there is no new money so _ a difference. we are told there is no new money so where - a difference. we are told there is no new money so where does - a difference. we are told there is| no new money so where does the funding come from? tim no new money so where does the funding come from? i'm assuming the fundin: is funding come from? i'm assuming the funding is coming _ funding come from? i'm assuming the funding is coming from _ funding is coming from re—prioritisation and prioritising those areas that have the greatest need is what it needs at the moment. those cities and towns and areas of

the county which have not seen the levels of investment that other areas of the country have, both for commercial but also public—sector reasons, now seem to be offered a window of hope. haifa reasons, now seem to be offered a window of hope-— reasons, now seem to be offered a window of hope. how important is it to involve the _ window of hope. how important is it to involve the parents _ window of hope. how important is it to involve the parents of _ window of hope. how important is it to involve the parents of the - to involve the parents of the children that you are working with? it is a scary thing to be your child's teacher at home especially if they are not particularly keen on doing their homework. so how do you involve parents? this doing their homework. so how do you involve parents?— involve parents? this is crucial. literacy challenges _ involve parents? this is crucial. literacy challenges in _ involve parents? this is crucial. literacy challenges in the - involve parents? this is crucial. literacy challenges in the uk i involve parents? this is crucial. | literacy challenges in the uk are intergenerational and families with low levels of literacy will pass those levels onto their children and we can anticipate the levels of literacy that a child will have in later life by the language skills at the age of three. working with parents is completely vital but the extraordinary truth is is it is not just literacy teaching by parents thatis

just literacy teaching by parents that is vital, but speech and language and doing what every parent wants to do, talk to their child and share stories, the wheels on the bus is going to be a very important tool in terms of levelling up. speech, language and communication, this will lay the platform in a child's development over a future attainment.— development over a future attainment. ~ , :, , , attainment. wheels on the bus com - lete attainment. wheels on the bus complete with _ attainment. wheels on the bus complete with all _ attainment. wheels on the bus complete with all of _ attainment. wheels on the bus complete with all of the - attainment. wheels on the bus. complete with all of the actions! thanks forjoining us. michael gove is answering an urgent question on the government's announced levelling up plans. he is not speaking yet. but we are going to hearfrom him fairly soon. fairly quiet in the house of commons this afternoon. a man who walked 28 miles before stabbing his ex—partner and her nine—year—old son to death has been sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 40 years. 30—year—old daniel boulton, had admitted killing 26—year—old bethany vincent and darren henson at their home in louth in lincolnshire, but denied their murders. our correspondent,

luxmy gopal, was in the court in lincoln for the sentencing. here at lincoln crown court in the past hour, mrjustice pepperell described mr boulton as a dangerous man. he stabbed to death his ex partner bethany vincent and her nine—year—old son darren henson in their home last may. the judge said the attack on the boy was particularly ferocious with 14 stab wounds. he said it was motivated by boulton's hostility towards the child's severe autism. boulton had sent bethany vincent 900 facebook messages despite a restraining order against him that was put in place after his violent behaviour ended their relationship. thejudge said he had chosen to carry out the killing at that time because he had learnt of the family's intention to be moved to a secret safe address just a few days later. lincolnshire county council said

a joint child safeguarding practice and domestic homicide review is being carried out. boulton has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years. new figures suggest shoppers are seeing the highest price rises in almost a decade. figures from the trade body, the british retail consortium, and the research company nielsen, show that annual shop inflation in january almost doubled compared with december. the increase was caused by a big jump in the cost of non—food items, such as furniture and flooring. 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 — as our business editor simonjack explains.

well, the energy bosses have told me that they had been largely kept in the dark about the government plans to mitigate this massive price rise. reports that they are going to cut £200 of everyone's bill post the price cap rise, they describe as credible and likely. it would work this way, the government would lend billions of pounds to energy companies, that would pass immediately through to everyone's energy bills at a cost of five to £6 billion and that money would be repaid over the next three, five, longer. in the end, consumers will foot the bills for this. the problem is energy bosses say £200 won't matter much to some but the other £500 rise will cripple millions of households. the government are going to provide loans to the energy companies through which will fund a 200 pan— sliced off the top of your bill and that money will have to be repaid by consumers over the coming months and years so it is worth noting that ultimately consumers will still pay this and this is an attempt to try and smooth out a spike we have seen in wholesale gas prices. energy bosses say they have been kept

largely in the dark about the plans of the treasury and this is something the treasury has been working on on its own and we are expecting to revealed tomorrow. most think energy bills, wholesale gas prices will be high for much longer than anyone dreamt of before, so you will be adding money in future years to bills that will be already be high so if you are getting a £700 increase in your bill and 200 is getting taken that won't help an enormous amount of households, although every little helps, but there will be a lot of people being challenged by their bills. citizens advice have said they have never seen, they have at record numbers of people who are going to them to try and get help with their energy bills, so this is a contribution by the treasury but i think it will take only the sting out of a significant rise in bills which will be announced tomorrow.

one type of hormone replacement therapy — which is used to treat common side—effects of the menopause — could be made available over the counter, without the need for a prescription. the uk's health regulator is to 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. our health correspondent, catherine burns, is here. which type them all types of hrt? there are lots. definitely not all types and there were reports saying it could be the case but that isn't the case. the drugs regulator is going to do a consultation on one specific product and it is known as gina, this is a tablet which is inserted into the vagina and it can sort out dryness amongst other things, this is a problem for women who have the menopause. if the consultation thinks this is a good idea it would mean they won't have a

need for a prescription but can get it over the counter but this is not all hrt as you said and if you look at the other symptoms, hot flushes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, this is not designed to help with those. if any women have those problems, the advice is the same as always, go to see your dr, speak about the benefits and risks and find out what hrt can help you outwith. benefits and risks and find out what hrt can help you out with.- hrt can help you out with. thanks for “oininr hrt can help you out with. thanks forjoining us- _ the defence secretary, ben wallace, says president putin of russia will be judged by his actions not his words on ukraine. it comes after borisjohnson's visit to kyiv yesterday — where he warned that russian forces massed on the border represented a "clear and present danger" to ukraine. the prime minister is also due to talk to the president putin today, in a phone call that was delayed from earlier this week. i'm joined by sir tony brenton, former uk ambassador to moscow. thanks forjoining us. what we were a phone call from borisjohnson due to this situation, how likely is

vladimir putin going to be to change his mind about his forthcoming actions? tt his mind about his forthcoming actions? , , :, :_ , actions? it depends what he says, i su ose, actions? it depends what he says, i soppose. and _ actions? it depends what he says, i soppose. and if— actions? it depends what he says, i suppose, and if he _ actions? it depends what he says, i suppose, and if he says _ actions? it depends what he says, i suppose, and if he says what - actions? it depends what he says, i suppose, and if he says what he i actions? it depends what he says, i suppose, and if he says what he is| suppose, and if he says what he is advertising as saying, that they should keep out of ukraine, vladimir putin will expect that and will have the responses which is that the west need to respond to his security demands. if borisjohnson is authorised by the americans to explore possible areas of compromise and there are areas of compromise, undoubtedly, but i suspect if the americans were operating in that way, they would not use the british prime ministers —— prime minister to do that. after this, boris will report on the move that vladimir putin is in and how entrance he is being. we are in a game of poker where the us and the russians are staring each other out, essentially,

and so i think that report back will also... : , �* also... inaudible we are _ also. . . inaudible we are having - also. . . inaudible we are having a l also... inaudible | we are having a few also... inaudible _ we are having a few problems with the sound but we will continue for a while. having the ear of president biden is all that vladimir putin really wants and borisjohnson can only hope to be a go—between? yes. only hope to be a go-between? yes, in the sense — only hope to be a go-between? yes, in the sense that _ only hope to be a go—between? 193 in the sense that vladimir putin would like biden to understand what he wants and i expect biden understands very well. in the view of vladimir putin then borisjohnson is a useful channel back to vladimir —— back tojoe biden. is a useful channel back to vladimir -- back to joe biden.— -- back to joe biden. inaudible we are struggling _ -- back to joe biden. inaudible we are struggling to _ -- back to joe biden. inaudible we are struggling to hear- -- back to joe biden. inaudible we are struggling to hear you, i -- back to joe biden. inaudible | we are struggling to hear you, i'm afraid. one more question, you talk about the need for compromise, but it seems very binary to the casual

onlooker. the west say they are not going to promise that the ukraine will neverjoin nato and vladimir putin says he feels threatened by the encroachment of nato, so where is the compromise? the the encroachment of nato, so where is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine _ is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine is _ is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine is not _ is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine is not going _ is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine is not going to - is the compromise? the compromise is that the ukraine is not going to be - that the ukraine is not going to be able tojoin nato that the ukraine is not going to be able to join nato for in any case a couple of decades at least and joe biden has acknowledged that because ukraine is not in the right state to do it so you could agree on language which gives vladimir putin the answers he is looking for in the short term without making any judgment on the area where they have compatible views which is on the long—term —— where they have incompatible views which is on the long—term future over ukraine joining nato. 5ir long-term future over ukraine joining nato— long-term future over ukraine “oininr nato. ,, :, , :, :, joining nato. sir tony, thanks for “oininr joining nato. sir tony, thanks for joining us- _ joining nato. sir tony, thanks for joining us. apologies _ joining nato. sir tony, thanks for joining us. apologies over- joining nato. sir tony, thanks for joining us. apologies over the i joining us. apologies over the difficult sound. the manchester united footballer, mason greenwood,

has been released on bail pending further investigation, following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault. the 20—year—old striker was detained by police on sunday before being further arrested on allegations of sexual assault and making threats to kill. manchester united previously said he would not return to training or matches until further notice. we are keeping a close eye out for michael gove in the house of commons. he is there at the moment but not speaking about the levelling up but not speaking about the levelling up agenda which is what we are waiting to hear. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. it is another mild day. a few spots of drizzle from the coast and hills in the west. temperatures in the evening hours around 9—10 so not dropping too quickly once the sun sets, and a couple of clear spells in parts of england and wales but it won't be a

cold night where ever you are. we have enough cloud and a breeze around to keep things frost free. early temperatures on thursday, we are looking at 7—9, and through the day on thursday another reasonably mild day, a bit more sunshine than we have seen today but a fair amount of cloud, and a few splashes of rain moving slowly eastwards in the breeze and the breeze picking up and turning very windy with the arrival of the cold front in the north west. ahead of that, a mild 10—12 but turning colder in the north—west.

hello, this is bbc news. iam martine i am 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. another letter of no confidence in the prime minister over downing street parties is submitted by the senior tory mp, tobias ellwood. justice for 26—year—old bethany vincent and nine—year old darren henson after the man who stabbed them to death is sentenced to a minimum 40 year term. the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact of soaring prices. and medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. and school's not out in wales — with a trial to lengthen the school day by five hours a week. sport now and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's our reporter. that here's our reporter. isjohn. good afternoon. here's our reporter. we may be two days away from the start of the winter olympics in beijing, but the action is already underway and team gb have got off to the perfect start, with victory for bruce mouat and jen dodds in their first round

robin match in the mixed curling. the british pair are the world champions, and they beat sweden 9—5. soa so a great start. they'll also be competing in the men's and women's team events at the games. 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 finally 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 it is only becoming more so, i think, probably like all organisations, we are all concerned about the impact that we have on the environment and on our local communities, so this is something that is incredibly important to us and the programme

and in this case specifically with regard to this achievement, we are incredibly excited. brute regard to this achievement, we are incredibly excited.— incredibly excited. we also saw an incredibly excited. we also saw an incredibly exciting _ incredibly excited. we also saw an incredibly exciting end _ incredibly excited. we also saw an incredibly exciting end to - incredibly excited. we also saw an | incredibly exciting end to england's ashes test in their series. they do trail, though, against australia. england captain heather knight has been speaking at manuka oval ahead of the first odi of the women's ashes to be played tomorrow. england need to win all three odis to regain the ashes. we have just got to focus on the first game, focus on that game and it bows well i guess for what we have got coming up, the od! cup is all about winning consistently and winning knockout games, so it is going to get this huge confidence hopefully if we do well here, so yes, i think it may seem simple, it has been a very quick turnaround of two days, one day in training session then off you go, but it is the same in both teams and hopefully we can continue to put the pressure on them and take that momentum is on

the go. the duchess of cambridge has been named the new patron of english rugby, becoming firgurehead for both the rugby football league and the rugby football union. kate is taking on a role previously held by the duke of sussex. she's a long—term rugby fan and has been given the royal patronages by the queen. prince william is the patron of the welsh rugby union. 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. in american football, the washington dc—based team have announced they will now be known as the commanders. the franchise retired its former name, the redskins, injuly 2020. the name and logo,

which was introduced in 1933, had long been criticised as racist by its sponsors and fans — seen as offensive to native americans. that's all the sport for now. i will have another update for you in a one hour's time. john, thank you very 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 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. well, val mcdermid explained the anger among supporters to emma barnett on radio 4's woman's hour. it sets 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. now, 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, denise, 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 and 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 this 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 this cynical decision on the basis of football issues seems to me to be appalling. crime writer val mcdermid. rachel corsie is the captain of the scotland national team & 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. captain of the scottish national football team, rachel corsie. 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. what sort of benefits are they hoping to see, phil?— what sort of benefits are they hoping to see, phil? won, they don't know et hoping to see, phil? won, they don't know yet because _ hoping to see, phil? won, they don't know yet because they _ hoping to see, phil? won, they don't

know yet because they have - hoping to see, phil? won, they don't know yet because they have not - hoping to see, phil? won, they don't| know yet because they have not been told the fine details. they know they will get some money, probably millions of pounds to invest. the more money the better, i think. people in woolhampton would say it really does need a lot of investment to bring it back up to its heydays, really, back in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. since then it has been a slow and steady decline and the pandemic has not made things any better. even during the pandemic, even during lockdown there were more shops and businesses open that there are now. they have spent £5 million on this new market. there is a lot of investment going on from transport investment going on from transport in the city, the minister for housing and local communities is actually going to move its headquarters here in a couple of years' time, so there are things in the pipeline, but a lot more needs doing. i have been talking to some young people here in woolhampton about what they would like to see up. businesses would help because at _ to see up. businesses would help because at the _ to see up. businesses would help because at the moment - to see up. businesses would help because at the moment i - to see up. businesses would help because at the moment i am - to see up. businesses would help because at the moment i am a i because at the moment i am a university— student and because i know i cannot find any— student and because i know i cannot

find any good companies here that would _ find any good companies here that would help me get to my career path, i'm would help me get to my career path, i'm going _ would help me get to my career path, i'm going elsewhere out of woolhampton, which is really sad because _ woolhampton, which is really sad because my family are all here, but then i_ because my family are all here, but then i am _ because my family are all here, but then i am going to do a job somewhere else. then i am going to do a 'ob somewhere else.i then i am going to do a 'ob somewhere else. 9 :, :, , :, ~ somewhere else. what do you think money could _ somewhere else. what do you think money could be _ somewhere else. what do you think money could be spent _ somewhere else. what do you think money could be spent on _ somewhere else. what do you think money could be spent on to - somewhere else. what do you think money could be spent on to make l somewhere else. what do you think. money could be spent on to make will better? , , :. :, better? definitely education. i think coming _ better? definitely education. i think coming out _ better? definitely education. i think coming out of— better? definitely education. i think coming out of education | think coming out of education myself. — think coming out of education myself. i_ think coming out of education myself, i think— think coming out of education myself, i think it _ think coming out of education myself, i think it is _ think coming out of education myself, i think it is quite i think coming out of education| myself, i think it is quite poor. what _ myself, i think it is quite poor. what do — myself, i think it is quite poor. what do you _ myself, i think it is quite poor. what do you think? _ myself, i think it is quite poor. what do you think? when i i myself, i think it is quite poor. | what do you think? when i was myself, i think it is quite poor. i what do you think? when i was in education. — what do you think? when i was in education, don't _ what do you think? when i was in education, don't feel— what do you think? when i was in education, don't feel like - what do you think? when i was in education, don't feel like there i what do you think? when i was in i education, don't feel like there was enough _ education, don't feel like there was enough to— education, don't feel like there was enough to stop _ education, don't feel like there was enough to stop yeah, _ education, don't feel like there was enough to stop yeah, there - education, don't feel like there was enough to stop yeah, there is i enough to stop yeah, there is another— enough to stop yeah, there is another enough _ enough to stop yeah, there is another enough books - enough to stop yeah, there is another enough books and i enough to stop yeah, there is i another enough books and things enough to stop yeah, there is - another enough books and things like that. :, :, ,:, :, :, that. no, never enough books for --eole to that. no, never enough books for people to share. _ that. no, never enough books for people to share, not _ that. no, never enough books for people to share, not even - that. no, never enough books for people to share, not even at i people to share, not even at college _ people to share, not even at collere. : :, :, ,, college. are there enough “obs in wolverhampton? i college. are there enough “obs in wolverhampton? there i college. are there enough jobs in wolverhampton? there are i college. are there enough jobs in wolverhampton? there are job i wolverhampton? there are 'ob opportunities. d wolverhampton? there are 'ob opportunities. ii wolverhampton? there are 'ob opportunities. i think i wolverhampton? there are 'ob opportunities. i think we i wolverhampton? there are job opportunities. i think we have l wolverhampton? there are job i opportunities. i think we have got luc with opportunities. i think we have got lucky with what _ opportunities. i think we have got lucky with what we _ opportunities. i think we have got lucky with what we have - opportunities. i think we have got lucky with what we have got, i lucky with what we have got, definitely. | lucky with what we have got, definitely-— lucky with what we have got, definitel . ~ , :, lucky with what we have got, definitel . ~' , :, , definitely. i think there should be more, definitely. i think there should be more. though. — definitely. i think there should be more, though, because _ definitely. i think there should be more, though, because i - definitely. i think there should be more, though, because i know. definitely. i think there should be i more, though, because i know people who can't— more, though, because i know people who can't get — more, though, because i know people who can't get jobs _ more, though, because i know people who can't get jobs that _ more, though, because i know people who can't get jobs that are _ more, though, because i know people who can't get jobs that are age - more, though, because i know people who can't get jobs that are age and i who can't get jobs that are age and are struggling _ who can't get jobs that are age and are struggling. that— who can't get jobs that are age and are struggling-— cure and medicine and i think they sum up what a lot of young people growing up here and studying here feel, that things could be a lot better and opportunities could be greater. there are lots of people

who come from wolverhampton who have made great successes of their lives, but they have had to leave the city to do that and what i think a lot of people would like to see is those opportunities to be here or at least in the region, so they don't have to move away or even they might choose to move back and people might choose to move back and people might choose to move back and people might choose to move here in the future because thatis to move here in the future because that is what a levelling up ought to be about. the detail has not really been revealed yet, but what they are hoping for is enough money to spend on education, investment in terms of infrastructure and also to try to bring life back to the city centre here. that will attract that... reverse the brain drain and attract people back into wolverhampton. yes. people back into wolverhampton. yes, ou often people back into wolverhampton. yes, you often see — people back into wolverhampton. yes, you often see that, _ people back into wolverhampton. yes, you often see that, don't you? a lot of people complaining that they would like to stay where they grow up, but they don't often see the opportunities, and it would be great if that could change for brampton. thank you very much, phil mackie, and we will of course be in parliament to hear the statement from michael gove on the levelling up from michael gove on the levelling up policy as soon as you see start

speaking. —— as soon as he sta rts starts speaking. a trial to lengthen the school day in wales has begun — with pupils offered an extra five hours a week to take part in more activities and learning. it's part of a reform which could also bring changes to the academic year and an end to the long summer holiday. the national association of headteachers is critical, saying schools shouldn't become childcare providers. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, reports from abertillery. ifeel excited because i can make new friends and it's an opportunity for me to learn new skills. i was quite lonely during the pandemic because i was by myself in my house, but i think this extra hour will help our socialisation, make friendships better. best foot forward, followed by a fist. this lesson in mixed martial arts is the first taste the pupils here at the six bells primary campus are getting of their new extended school day. the extra hour at the end of every day will mean taekwondo, dance, cooking and lego—building all become part of the timetable

for the next ten weeks. it's going to be all right. i'll get to see my friends, but it will be a bit tiring. i think i'll be fine. being with friends and things always makes me a bit happy. today's number of the day is 36. so all the possibilities around on your whiteboard. but not everyone is pleased by the prospect of reform. the national association of headteachers warn schools aren't childcare providers, and staff shouldn't be expected to take on extra work. let's leave that report and go to the house of commons, michael gove speaking about levelling up plans. opportunity is not. our country is an unparalleled success story, but not everyone shares it. the further you are from one of our great capital is, whether it is london, cardiff, belfast or edinburgh, the tough thing is that

for every story success there is a story of stagnation elsewhere and that has got to change. we need to tackle the economy that... the gap between much of the south—east and the rest of the country and productivity, health outcomes, wages, school results and job opportunities must be closed. this isn't about slowing down london or the south—east. it is not about dampening down spirits, it is rather about turbo—charging the potential of every part of the uk. this country won't achieve its full potential until every individual and community achieves everything of which they are capable. our economy has been like a jet propelled only by one engine. now we need to fire up by one engine. now we need to fire up every resource we have and the economic prize for levelling up is potentially enormous. if underperforming places were levelled up underperforming places were levelled up towards the uk average, unlocking their full potential, up towards the uk average, unlocking theirfull potential, it up towards the uk average, unlocking their full potential, it could boost aggregate uk gdp by tens of billions of pounds each year. so how do we achieve success? firstly, by backing business. the economic growth we

want to see across the uk will be generated by the private sector, by businesses and entrepreneurs investing, innovating, taking risks and opening new markets and we will support them every step of the way by cutting through the red tape, making it easier to secure investment and as a white paper today outlines, by creating the right environment on the ground for business. as the chancellor laid out in our plan for growth, we need to invest in science and innovation, improving infrastructure and connectivity and opportunity to underpin economic success. this white paper makes clear our commitment to improving education, investment and connectivity fastest investment and connectivity fastest in those parts of the country which have not had the support they needed in the past. we set out clear, ambitious missions, underpinned by metrics to which we can be held to account to drive the change we need. in productivity and science innovation, mission one, by 2030 we pledge that paid employment and productivity will have arisen in every area of the uk, with each

containing a globally competitive city, closing a gap between top performing areas and the rest. mission two will see a dramatic increase in research and development outside of the great south—east, increasing by at least a third in the next three years, and we will use the shift in resources to leverage private sector investment in the areas that need it most. on infrastructure and connectivity, we have better local transport, bringing the rest of the country closer to the standards of london's transport system and we will also improve digital connectivity, with billions of pounds of investment bringing nationwide gigabit capable broadband and 4g coverage to the whole of the uk and will expand 5g coverage to the overwhelming majority of the population. in education and skills, we will effectively eradicate illiteracy and a new movie with investment in the most underperforming areas of the country, 35 underinvested areas in the uk alone, driving schools and local authorities where education attainment is weakest. finally,

newer quality skills training targeting the most deprived areas, with 200,000 more people completing high skills training annually. we know to achieve these ambitions we need smart, targeted government investment and that is why we are investing more than £20 billion in research and development to create a science and technology superpower. today we are allocating £100 million specifically to three new innovation accelerator is in the west midlands, glasgow and manchester. it is also why we are investing £5 million on bus services and active travel, with new investment today in all... command authorities and green lights for projects in stoke—on—trent, derbyshire, warrington and across the country. it is also why we are investing in new academies, new free schools, and new investments in technology and today we are establishing a new digital uk national academy. just as the uk establish the open university to bring higher education to everyone,

we are making available to every school student in the country high quality online teaching, so geography is no barrier to opportunity. we will also use the freedoms we have now that we are outside the eu to inform government procure balls to ensure the money we spend on goods and services is spent on british farms and british jobs. we will unashamedly put british workers first in the global race for investment. economic opportunities spread more equally across the country is at the heart of levelling up, but it is also about community as well. it is about repairing the social fabric of our broken heart plans, so they can reflect the pride we feel any places we love. that is why we are investing in 20 newer urban regeneration projects, starting wolverhampton and sheffield and spreading across the midlands and spreading across the midlands and the north. £1.8 billion invested in new housing infrastructure, turning brownfield land into projects across the country, like stratford and king's cross in london. by regenerating the great

cities and towns of the north, we can relieve the pressure on green fields and public services in the south. a more productive, even prouder and faster growing north helps improve quality of life and well—being in the south. that is why well—being in the south. that is why we are refocusing housing investment towards the north and midlands. our housing mission is clear. we will give renters a secure path to greater homeownership. we will drive an increase in first—time buyers and we will deliver a tough focus on decent standards in rented homes. a new £1.5 billion levelling up home building fund will give loans to small and medium—sized builders to deliver new homes for vast majority of which will be outside london and the south—east. or housing parameters will set a decent minimum standards that all rented properties must meet. our white paper this spring will include plans to cut the number of poor quality rented homes by half. it will also address the injustice of no—fault infections and

bear down on rogue landlords, improving life chances of children and families up and down the countries. we will also take action in law to tackle the problem of empty properties in vacant shops and our high streets, building on the work of my honourable friend the member thought stoke—on—trent north, we will ensure properties cannot remain unloved and unused from months, dragging down the whole high street. instead we will put every property to work for the benefit of the whole community. central also to improving the quality of life for all will be furthering investment in sport, culture, nature and young people. that is why we are investing £230 million extra in grassroots football and using the community ownership fund to help fans take back control of clubs such as bury fc. it is also why every extra penny of arts council spending will now be allocated outside london, from celebrating ceramics in stoke to supporting pride in british history

in bishop auckland. it will also be the case that there will be another £30 million allocated to improving parks and urban green spaces, as well as plans to re—greening all of our green belts. we will also invest an additional £560 million and activities for young people, but also invest in reversing health disparities, tackling obesity and improving life expectancy. we will also ensure that communities in which we are investing a safer and baldly, fighting crime and anti—social behaviour is essential to getting communities new heart, so we will invest an additional £150 million in a safer streets fund and we will also ensure that those who drag our communities down to vandalism, graffiti and dry reading pay back their debt to communities. they will be set to work on improving the environment, cleaning up improving the environment, cleaning up public spaces, cleaning away the drug debris in our parks and streets and contributing to civic renewal. and critical to the success of our mission will also be giving

communities notjust the resources, but also the powers necessary to take back control. that is why our white paper sets out how we will shift more power away from whitehall to working people. we will give outstanding local leaders like andy street and ben hatching new powers. we will create new layers where people want them. we will give nine counties, including derbyshire and durham, new powers, as trailblazers in county deals and we will strengthen the hands of local leaders across the country. we will also take back control of the money the eu used to spend on our behalf, ensuring local areas can invest in their priorities through the new uk shared prosperity fund. with power, comes responsibility, so we will also ensure that data on local government performance is published, so that we can also hold local leaders to account. central government will report back to this house on our progress against our missions and the impact all our

policies have on closing geographical inequalities. the cost of building long—term structures —— back because building long—term structures matter, we will also supply the information necessary to levelling up for years ahead. madame thank you, mr deputy speaker this white paper lays out a long—term economic and social plan to make opportunity more equal. power and opportunity towards the north and midlands, scotland, wales and northern ireland. it guarantees increased investment in overlooked and undervalued communities, in research and development, education and skills, transport and broadband, decent homes, grassroots sports and local culture and inviting crime and tackling anti—social behaviour. it gives local communities the tools to tackle rogue landlords, dilapidated high streets and neglected green spaces, and it demonstrates that this people's government is keeping faith with the working people of this country by allowing them to take back control of their lives, their communities and their futures and i commend this statement to the

house. ,, :, :, ,, : :, , :, ,, :, house. shadow secretary of state, and lisa nandy. _ house. shadow secretary of state, and lisa nandy. thank— house. shadow secretary of state, and lisa nandy. thank you, - house. shadow secretary of state, | and lisa nandy. thank you, madam deu is and lisa nandy. thank you, madam deputy is bigger- — and lisa nandy. thank you, madam deputy is bigger. after _ and lisa nandy. thank you, madam deputy is bigger. after all - and lisa nandy. thank you, madam deputy is bigger. after all the i deputy is bigger. after all the delays, all the slogans, all the big promises, is this it? is this really it? the sum total of ambition for our proud industrial towns and villages... our proud industrial towns and villages- - -_ our proud industrial towns and villaaes... ,, : :, , :, villages... order! the secretary of state was heard _ villages... order! the secretary of state was heard with _ villages... order! the secretary of state was heard with respect. i i state was heard with respect. i don't _ state was heard with respect. i don't expect the shadow secretary of state to _ don't expect the shadow secretary of state to be shouted at. lisa don't expect the shadow secretary of state to be shouted at.— state to be shouted at. lisa nandy. madame thank _ state to be shouted at. lisa nandy. madame thank you, _ state to be shouted at. lisa nandy. madame thank you, mr _ state to be shouted at. lisa nandy. madame thank you, mr deputy i state to be shouted at. lisa nandy. i madame thank you, mr deputy speaker they don't disrespect us when they chant and cheer, they disrespect the people of this country. seriously, is this it? the sum total of our ambition for our coastal and industrial towns, i villages and are great cities, is a history lesson on the rise of the roman empire. a minister scurrying around whitehall, shuffling the deck chairs, cobbling

together a shopping list of recycled policies and fiddling the figures. is this really it? for some of us, madame thank you, mr deputy speaker this is personal. we have have watched good jobs go, our high streets boarded up, young people who have to get out to get on. he talks about bury fc. my stepdad was a lifelong supporter of bury fc, a regular at gig lane. lifelong supporter of bury fc, a regularat gig lane. his lifelong supporter of bury fc, a regular at gig lane. his last words to my stepbrother before he died were, what is the score? if he were alive today, he would never forgive them for standing aside while this asset at the centre of bury�*s community was allowed to collapse. madame thank you, mr deputy speaker, this system is completely broken and he has given us more of the same. this was meant to be the prime minister's defining mission of government. i am minister's defining mission of government. iam not minister's defining mission of government. i am not surprised he was too embarrassed to come here today and to defend it himself. it is so bad that even the secretary of state has privately been saying that

it is rubbish. they tell us to wait until 2030, it is rubbish. they tell us to wait until2030, but it is rubbish. they tell us to wait until 2030, but where have they been for the last 12 years? well, i will tell them where. in whitehall, turbo—charging the decline in our communities, cutting off choices and chances for a generation of young people. well, he talks about 12 missions. this is 12 admissions of failure. let's take one of them. only two thirds of children leave primary school with the basic skills to get on. forgive me if i have missed something, but wasn't he the education secretary for four years? what about this? they want to tackle crime, but on their watch fewer than one in ten crimes are solved and nearly all rapes go and prosecuted. anyone would think, listening to this, that he wasn't in charge of the justice department. this, that he wasn't in charge of thejustice department. this is a government in threefold, out of ideas, out of energy, recycled, watered down ambitions and none of

it is new. in fact, some of it is so old that one of the better announcements that caught my eye was actually made in 2008, by gordon brown, and has been running ever since! across our home towns, we have seen good jobs disappear and far too many young people that have to get out to get on. this does nothing to address that. he talks about a medici style renaissance, but cannot he see what is happening in front of his eyes? are high streets are struggling because the local economy is struggling. people don't have money to spend in our shops, our businesses, our high streets, and they are about to hike up streets, and they are about to hike up our taxes! this does nothing to address it. what we needed was a plan to connect our towns and villages to jobs, plan to connect our towns and villages tojobs, opportunities, to ourfamily and ourfriends, but villages tojobs, opportunities, to our family and our friends, but they have half the funding for buses, scrap the real promises to the north and where is the digital britain we were promised? madame thank you, mr

deputy speaker, we don't need to look to rome, jericho or renaissance florence for inspiration because in preston, grimsby and other places, people are delivering real change for themselves, people are delivering real change forthemselves, not people are delivering real change for themselves, not because of their government, but despite it. imagine what we could do if they would get out of way and give us back the power we demand to make decisions for ourselves. well, she laughs, they do laugh, they have been laughing at us for years and here it goes again. it is absurd that we have to go cap in hand to westminster to do things that we know will work for us. don't believe me, believe the former mayor of london, who in 2013 demanded powers that are nowhere to be seen in this report. we asked for powers and we got a process. where are the powers we were promised? seriously, the arrogance of the chancellor sitting in whitehall, drawing lines on a map, choosing which of us have earned the right to have some say

over the decisions that affect not their lives, our lives, ourfamilies their lives, our lives, our families and their lives, our lives, ourfamilies and our communities. he talks about london style regeneration. my colleagues in london will talk proudly about the london that they call home, but not every part of this country, secretary of state, wants to be the same. we have our own identities, we are proud of their own places, we believe in our own communities, we believe in our people and we deserve a government that backs us, not this smoke and mirrors that we have been handed today. they have given more to fraudsters than they have given to the north of england! every £13, they have taken from us, they have given us £1 back. we get a partial refund and they expect us to be grateful. well, i will give you an example of this. the mayor of greater manchester today raised broken promises on rail and he was told by one of their mps, don't bite the hand that feeds you. madam deputy speaker, it is not their

money, it is ours. imagine what we could achieve with an that matched the ambition of the people within this country. we could build good jobs in every community. there is a global race to create these jobs and we will bring them here, so that young people in our coastal and industrial towns can power us through the next generation like their parents and grandparents powered through the last. in every community in this country, people know we can do so much better than this, well—paid jobs, know we can do so much better than this, well—paidjobs, money know we can do so much better than this, well—paid jobs, money back in people's pockets to generally transform our high streets, reform business rates to back our bricks and mortar businesses, backing more and mortar businesses, backing more and buying more and selling in britain, and backing our education recovery plan that stands as a testament to our commitment to the young people who make this country what it is. that is our mission, madame thank you, mr deputy speaker and today we have learned one crucial thing. and today we have learned one crucialthing. full and today we have learned one crucial thing. full is all the spin and the gloss, they won't do it because they don't believe in this country, so we will. studio: lisa nandy there, the shadow

secretary for levelling up, housing and communities. the deputy speaker is having a word with how mps are behaving. for michael gove can respond to that criticism from lisa nandy, which it said he was out of ideas and it was nothing new. t nandy, which it said he was out of ideas and it was nothing new. i have enormous respect _ ideas and it was nothing new. i have enormous respect for _ ideas and it was nothing new. i have enormous respect for the _ ideas and it was nothing new. t t—.9 enormous respect for the honourable lady but at the end of her response i did not hear a single question and i did not hear a single question and i did not hear a single question and i did not hear her disagree with a single policy that we put forward. sochi is distinguished company and shejoin others who sochi is distinguished company and she join others who have welcomed the white paper —— so she's distinguished. tracy brabin says there's lots to be pleased about in there's lots to be pleased about in the white paper and the mayor of south yorkshire said on sunday he warmly welcomed the support we were giving to sheffield and this was a

much needed recognition of the potential of that great city. i'm glad she's in good company, good labour company in welcoming this. she suggested the government had put this aside, but this government provided £1 billion... it was tory ministers who saved bury football club for its fans. she asked where we have been over the course over the last 12 years and where i have been as education secretary, but we have close the attainment gap and make sure literacy and numeracy were tackled. she also says we need more good jobs and i completely agree and thatis good jobs and i completely agree and that is why we have a plan for growth and she has got no plan. she says we need to revive high streets

and i agree and that is why we have got a plan for investment and they have none. she says we need to improve connectivity and that is why connectivity has gone from 10% to 60% in the last ten years and they have no plan. we have nine county deals and powers for mayors and the only devolution in england that labour ever offered was to london and they did nothing for the north and they did nothing for the north and they did nothing for the north and the midlands. when it came to devolution. she says she wants safer town centres, so why is it every time we have brought forward policies for tougher sentences labour have voted against? no plans, no idea, no answers, and they also ask about new money, do they not remember what liam byrne wrote in 2010? when the last labour government left, there was no money left, but now, now, they are so

fiscally incompetent, they say they want to have no more taxes but also to increase public spending, and our commitment cannot come quickly enough, and the chancellor has committed £500 million to tackling aduu committed £500 million to tackling adult numeracy and we know where the funding should go first. if they had their way, funding should go first. if they had theirway, borrowing funding should go first. if they had their way, borrowing would go up, interest rates would go up, the poorest would lose out, and instead of levelling up they would bring the economy crashing down, that is why we never need to have that front bench in power in this country ever. a little reminder that the secretary of state _ a little reminder that the secretary of state should _ a little reminder that the secretary of state should not _ a little reminder that the secretary of state should not refer— a little reminder that the secretary of state should not refer to - of state should not refer to honourable _ of state should not refer to honourable members i of state should not refer to honourable members by. of state should not refer to i honourable members by name. if of state should not refer to - honourable members by name. if we have got— honourable members by name. if we have got any— honourable members by name. if we have got any chance _ honourable members by name. if we have got any chance of _ honourable members by name. if we have got any chance of getting i have got any chance of getting everybody _ have got any chance of getting everybody in _

have got any chance of getting everybody in we _ have got any chance of getting everybody in we need - have got any chance of getting i everybody in we need self—discipline so very— everybody in we need self—discipline so very short — everybody in we need self—discipline so very short questions _ everybody in we need self—discipline so very short questions and - everybody in we need self—discipline so very short questions and the - so very short questions and the father_ so very short questions and the father of— so very short questions and the father of the _ so very short questions and the father of the house _ so very short questions and the father of the house will - so very short questions and the father of the house will be - so very short questions and the father of the house will be a . so very short questions and the . father of the house will be a good example — father of the house will be a good example of— father of the house will be a good example of that, _ father of the house will be a good example of that, i'm _ father of the house will be a good example of that, i'm sure, - father of the house will be a good example of that, i'm sure, peterl example of that, i'm sure, peter bottomtex — example of that, i'm sure, peter bottomley-_ example of that, i'm sure, peter bottomle . t, , bottomley. those in the south-east ho -e this bottomley. those in the south-east hepe this will _ bottomley. those in the south-east hope this will be _ bottomley. those in the south-east hope this will be successful, - bottomley. those in the south-east hope this will be successful, giving | hope this will be successful, giving individual opportunity, economic opportunity, and changing the economic geography of the country which will create a thriving country together, can i say to him, can you pay attention to council leaders like kevinjenkin in worthing who wants ministers to pay attention to things they can do which will help and stop doing the things that don't help because all over the country we need ministers to pay more attention to local leaders? he need ministers to pay more attention to local leaders?— to local leaders? he is absolutely ri . ht and to local leaders? he is absolutely right and within _ to local leaders? he is absolutely right and within the _ to local leaders? he is absolutely right and within the levelling - to local leaders? he is absolutely right and within the levelling up | to local leaders? he is absolutelyi right and within the levelling up a white paper there is a commitment to make sure of greater devolution all round and i'd signalled the deals we are green lighting for derbyshire and durham but also there are local authorities across the country to whom we are devolving more powers

and he is right to remind us that while deprivation is concentrated disproportionately in the north and midlands they are also pockets of poverty in areas like worthing and hastings that we need to pay attention to —— there are also. this attention to -- there are also. this is somewhat _ attention to —— there are also. this is somewhat underwhelming, not so much _ is somewhat underwhelming, not so much a _ is somewhat underwhelming, not so much a dead cat is a damp squib. this might — much a dead cat is a damp squib. this might have been an opportunity to bring _ this might have been an opportunity to bring forward proposals... studio: _ to bring forward proposals... studio: we will leave the house of commons for the moment. we heard michael gove saying there are too many parts of the country that are suffering from scarring and stagnation and that they need to see skills training for education to be re—prioritised through a targeted approach and he said there would be an aim to get more people into home ownership, new elected mayors in certain parts of the country which don't have them at the moment, in orderfor powers to don't have them at the moment, in order for powers to be decentralised, but lisa nandy, his

shadow, said the government had given more to fraudsters that was prepared to give to the north of england. we can get reaction now across the country. our correspondet fiona trott is in middlesbrough. i wonder how this announcement will go down there? this i wonder how this announcement will go down there?— go down there? this is one of the most deprived — go down there? this is one of the most deprived parts _ go down there? this is one of the most deprived parts of _ go down there? this is one of the most deprived parts of the - go down there? this is one of the most deprived parts of the uk - go down there? this is one of the most deprived parts of the uk in l most deprived parts of the uk in this area has been asked to be levelled up for many years but when you speak to people here especially in middlesbrough you feel there's a disconnect and divide between the bigger picture of what levelling up means to westminster and those politicians we heard from, and the people who actually live and work here. michael gove says the site is a model for levelling up and the government is working with the directly elected mayor to bring a

lot of money to the former steelworks with the promise of creating 20,000 jobs —— michael gove says teesside is a model. but people here in the centre say they don't have the confidence and the qualifications, they feel, for those kinds ofjobs, and they are out of their reach, so what resonates with them are things like pride of place and safer streets but the one question they always ask is, when will that happen? we can speak to our guest on teesside university. michael gove said the white paper proposes a strategy to make the country more equal and shift wealth and power decisively towards working people. working people in middlesbrough, do you think that the government can achieve that? ianthers middlesbrough, do you think that the government can achieve that? where i would aaree government can achieve that? where i would agree with _ government can achieve that? where i would agree with michael _ government can achieve that? where i would agree with michael gove - government can achieve that? where i would agree with michael gove is - would agree with michael gove is that this — would agree with michael gove is that this is a real opportunity to begin—

that this is a real opportunity to begin to — that this is a real opportunity to begin to shift the balance of power out of— begin to shift the balance of power out of whitehall and westminster and out of whitehall and westminster and out to _ out of whitehall and westminster and out to the _ out of whitehall and westminster and out to the regions because that is the only— out to the regions because that is the only meaningful way in which we will begin— the only meaningful way in which we will begin to address the very entrenched inequalities that we see around _ entrenched inequalities that we see around the country, and the opportunity here in teesside is something we have waited for some time and _ something we have waited for some time and we are in our second term with a _ time and we are in our second term with a mayoral authority and you have _ with a mayoral authority and you have already seen the really significant impact that has had as teesside — significant impact that has had as teesside becomes a model for tevettihg — teesside becomes a model for levelling up. teesside becomes a model for levelling lip-— teesside becomes a model for levelling un— teesside becomes a model for levellina-u. , , �* ., , levelling up. this isn't new money, we are hearing. — levelling up. this isn't new money, we are hearing, these _ levelling up. this isn't new money, we are hearing, these are - levelling up. this isn't new money, we are hearing, these are policies, i we are hearing, these are policies, especially in terms of developing brownfield sites, policies we have heard before, so is there enough money to turn the fortunes around for people here in middlesbrough? absolutely. it is about money but also the — absolutely. it is about money but also the long—term commitment and the key— also the long—term commitment and the key difference with the levelling up proposals we have seen today— levelling up proposals we have seen today is _ levelling up proposals we have seen today is they will take place over the next — today is they will take place over the next decade so we are not clear exactly _ the next decade so we are not clear exactly what the money will look like and — exactly what the money will look like and we hope it will be

significant investment because in the past — significant investment because in the past we have been beneficiaries of the _ the past we have been beneficiaries of the european structural funds and so on _ of the european structural funds and so on but _ of the european structural funds and so on but the big difference i think is that— so on but the big difference i think is that we — so on but the big difference i think is that we will work towards 2030 to achieve _ is that we will work towards 2030 to achieve that, in partnership with the mayoral authority. my colleagues at the _ the mayoral authority. my colleagues at the local authority and so on. you said — at the local authority and so on. you said it — at the local authority and so on. you said it is notjust about money, so what else is it? it is you said it is notjust about money, so what else is it?— so what else is it? it is an area which is well _ so what else is it? it is an area which is well known _ so what else is it? it is an area which is well known for - so what else is it? it is an area which is well known for civic i so what else is it? it is an area i which is well known for civic pride and betief— which is well known for civic pride and belief in the area, we have a very— and belief in the area, we have a very long — and belief in the area, we have a very long history of innovation and investment in teesside and the tees valley. _ investment in teesside and the tees valley, something we have capitalised on at teesside university but also in partnership with the — university but also in partnership with the mayoral authority. also there _ with the mayoral authority. also there is— with the mayoral authority. also there is significant investment going — there is significant investment going into redevelopment of what was the fornrer— going into redevelopment of what was the former steelworks into new technology. the former steelworks into new technology-— the former steelworks into new technology. the former steelworks into new technolou. ., ., , ., technology. you need money to make that happen? — technology. you need money to make that happen? are _ technology. you need money to make that happen? are regions _ technology. you need money to make that happen? are regions like - technology. you need money to make that happen? are regions like this - that happen? are regions like this going to get enough new money to turn around their lives? taste going to get enough new money to turn around their lives?— going to get enough new money to turn around their lives? we do need mone but turn around their lives? we do need money but we _ turn around their lives? we do need money but we also _ turn around their lives? we do need money but we also need _ turn around their lives? we do need money but we also need robust - money but we also need robust partnerships and we have brought in

significant _ partnerships and we have brought in significant investment with the mayoral— significant investment with the mayoral authority and working with private _ mayoral authority and working with private sector providers into the tees— private sector providers into the tees work— private sector providers into the tees work site. if private sector providers into the tees work site.— private sector providers into the tees work site. ., , tees work site. if the government is not pledging — tees work site. if the government is rrot pledging you _ tees work site. if the government is not pledging you money, _ tees work site. if the government is not pledging you money, we - tees work site. if the government is not pledging you money, we should| not pledging you money, we should get that from private companies? —— new money. it get that from private companies? -- new money-— new money. it needs to be a mixed economy to — new money. it needs to be a mixed economy to really _ new money. it needs to be a mixed economy to really develop - new money. it needs to be a mixed economy to really develop the - new money. it needs to be a mixed| economy to really develop the area, yes. economy to really develop the area, es. ., economy to really develop the area, es, ., " ., economy to really develop the area, es. ., ~ ., ., ., ., , yes. you know the area really well, what do you — yes. you know the area really well, what do you think _ yes. you know the area really well, what do you think people _ yes. you know the area really well, what do you think people here - yes. you know the area really well, l what do you think people here need? have you seen enough in the white paper today to help people on teesside level up? you paper today to help people on teesside level up?— paper today to help people on teesside level up? you white paper is a starting — teesside level up? you white paper is a starting point _ teesside level up? you white paper is a starting point and _ teesside level up? you white paper is a starting point and it _ teesside level up? you white paper is a starting point and it is - teesside level up? you white paper is a starting point and it is part - is a starting point and it is part of a _ is a starting point and it is part ofa ten— is a starting point and it is part of a ten year plan that gives a blueprint _ of a ten year plan that gives a blueprint to begin levelling up in a meaningful way and people will say we have _ meaningful way and people will say we have had promises in the past of investment— we have had promises in the past of investment and we have gone through cycles— investment and we have gone through cycles of— investment and we have gone through cycles of special projects, but the key difference is that this is a long—term commitment and it allows us to bring _ long—term commitment and it allows us to bring about transformational change _ us to bring about transformational change about something we have done with the _ change about something we have done with the mayoral authority, with the partners _ with the mayoral authority, with the partners in — with the mayoral authority, with the partners in the local authorities and the — partners in the local authorities and the university and the town.

that— and the university and the town. that is— and the university and the town. that is the — and the university and the town. that is the real significance. our reach _ that is the real significance. our reach with— that is the real significance. our reach with universities about working _ reach with universities about working with schools and colleges and investment in skills so there are opportunities for young people to get— are opportunities for young people to get good jobs and stay in the region — to get good “obs and stay in the reuion. ., ,,., ., to get good “obs and stay in the reuion. ., ., ,, region. professor, from teesside university. _ region. professor, from teesside university, thanks _ region. professor, from teesside university, thanks for _ region. professor, from teesside university, thanks forjoining - region. professor, from teesside university, thanks forjoining us. | university, thanks forjoining us. back to you. we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall, we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall. we — we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall. we are _ we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall, we are at _ we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall, we are at the _ we can now go to camborne. we are in cornwall, we are at the camborne - cornwall, we are at the camborne college, it has played a key role in tackling up inequalities. this is an area with high levels of deprivation and what people have been looking out for is whether there is a change in the discourse of the political conversation in terms of levelling up conversation in terms of levelling up and concern around the government

being focused on helping out the north and the midlands and may be forgetting about the levels of deprivation in the south—west. targets to tackle issues around housing, transport, employment, and i am nowjoined housing, transport, employment, and lam nowjoined by housing, transport, employment, and i am nowjoined by the chair of the local enterprise partnership mark diedrich. we heard from michael gove this afternoon, how are you feeling about what has been announced? taste about what has been announced? we are pleased to see the white paper announced and it has set out the direction — announced and it has set out the direction for the government and we are also— direction for the government and we are also particularly delighted to see cornwall mentioned as one of the names— see cornwall mentioned as one of the names regarding the vanguard of the new funding deal, so this will hopefully help to tackle deprivation and also _ hopefully help to tackle deprivation and also the opportunities and issues — and also the opportunities and issues arising in cornwall so the devolution — issues arising in cornwall so the devolution deal is important to everybody in cornwall. we devolution deal is important to everybody in cornwall.-

everybody in cornwall. we are waitinu everybody in cornwall. we are waiting to _ everybody in cornwall. we are waiting to hear _ everybody in cornwall. we are waiting to hear more - everybody in cornwall. we are waiting to hear more detail. everybody in cornwall. we are - waiting to hear more detail around those promises around matching the eu funny, were you expecting to hear more about that? —— funding. i was more about that? -- funding. i was hoinu to more about that? -- funding. i was hoping to but _ more about that? -- funding. i was hoping to but we — more about that? -- funding. i was hoping to but we probably - more about that? —— funding. i was hoping to but we probably expect to hear more _ hoping to but we probably expect to hear more details about those investment funds in the early sunrnrer _ investment funds in the early summer. we want the government to hurry— summer. we want the government to hurry up— summer. we want the government to hurry up with those because we have had a _ hurry up with those because we have had a number of areas of rural deprivation and some difficult issues — deprivation and some difficult issues to— deprivation and some difficult issues to resolve in that respect but we — issues to resolve in that respect but we also have many potential transformational opportunities coming — transformational opportunities coming into cornwall that need those investment funds to facilitate their growth _ investment funds to facilitate their growth. really pleased in the direction and that cornwall has been recognised _ direction and that cornwall has been recognised as a devolution area and that will— recognised as a devolution area and that will start to recognise some of the opportunities and concerns of the opportunities and concerns of the south—west as opposed to the red wall and _ the south—west as opposed to the red wall and the north but a bit nervous now that _ wall and the north but a bit nervous now that we — wall and the north but a bit nervous now that we are still waiting for detail — now that we are still waiting for detail. ., .., . now that we are still waiting for detail. ., _, . ., , .,

now that we are still waiting for detail. ., . ., i. ., detail. how concerned are you about the lack of new _ detail. how concerned are you about the lack of new funding? _ the lack of new funding? increasingly concerned. we are still in receipt _ increasingly concerned. we are still in receipt of european money in, but the end _ in receipt of european money in, but the end point for that is not very far away, — the end point for that is not very far away, and they are already pretty— far away, and they are already pretty committee, but we are seeing post covid _ pretty committee, but we are seeing post covid that some of our businesses need support in terms of reshaping _ businesses need support in terms of reshaping themselves to address some of their— reshaping themselves to address some of their productivity issues, agriculture, food, drink, creative, culture, _ agriculture, food, drink, creative, culture, hospitality, they all have specific _ culture, hospitality, they all have specific issues. we have three areas, _ specific issues. we have three areas, helping those businesses, with transformational stuff like energv — with transformational stuff like energy and digital, but also focusing on those communities which are finding _ focusing on those communities which are finding it harder to get back into the — are finding it harder to get back into the world of work for whatever reason, _ into the world of work for whatever reason, things to facilitate them from _ reason, things to facilitate them from housing to transport to actually _ from housing to transport to actually what it is they know and to do in _ actually what it is they know and to do in the _ actually what it is they know and to do in the world of work so we need to find _ do in the world of work so we need to find funding streams that address those _ to find funding streams that address those and _ to find funding streams that address those and that is why we are pleased it has— those and that is why we are pleased it has started but we won't be process — it has started but we won't be process to hurry up. what we will do

with other— process to hurry up. what we will do with other business leaders is working — with other business leaders is working closely with the council to make _ working closely with the council to make sure — working closely with the council to make sure they ask of government against _ make sure they ask of government against those —— they ask of government to make it crystal clear. mark, _ government to make it crystal clear. mark, thanks forjoining us. here in cornwall, they are waiting to hear more detail in the proposal about levelling up. more detail in the proposal about levelling up— more detail in the proposal about levellina-u. . ., ., , let's get more with our political correspondent helen catt. all of the commentary suggests this is not new money so where is the funding coming from? that is not new money so where is the funding coming from?— funding coming from? that is the cuestion funding coming from? that is the question that _ funding coming from? that is the question that will _ funding coming from? that is the question that will be _ funding coming from? that is the question that will be asked - funding coming from? that is the i question that will be asked because we have the new strategy and of course this is the strategy that the government has based its culprit to the country on, if you like, its election pitch was about levelling up election pitch was about levelling up —— based its whole pitch to the country on. so this today gives

these 12 missions and it sets out what the government means when it uses the term levelling up. but as you said there's the question about how it is going to be paid for and thatis how it is going to be paid for and that is a key criticism from labour, because they say there is no new money going into this and it says there are no new ideas, but michael gove said this is about spending the existing funding efficiently and in the right way. that existing funding efficiently and in the right way-— the right way. that is how it will chan . e the right way. that is how it will change but _ the right way. that is how it will change but they _ the right way. that is how it will change but they want _ the right way. that is how it will change but they want to - the right way. that is how it will - change but they want to decentralise and devolve powers so that decisions are made more locally? fine and devolve powers so that decisions are made more locally?— and devolve powers so that decisions are made more locally? one of the 12 missions is to — are made more locally? one of the 12 missions is to decentralise _ are made more locally? one of the 12 missions is to decentralise power - are made more locally? one of the 12 missions is to decentralise power to i missions is to decentralise power to enable the creation of more of those regional mayors which will have the same powers as we see in london and elsewhere. that is part of it, as well as looking at all these other different topic areas like refocusing, education in disadvantaged areas and trying to

eradicate illiteracy and numeracy, and looking at housing, and the core of this is about spreading the opportunity beyond london and the south—east and that is all about rebalancing. south-east and that is all about rebalancing— south-east and that is all about rebalancinu. �* ., ., , ., rebalancing. another letter has gone in from another _ rebalancing. another letter has gone in from another conservative - rebalancing. another letter has gone in from another conservative mp - rebalancing. another letter has gone in from another conservative mp of. in from another conservative mp of no confidence in the prime minister. this is the mp for totnes and he was elected in 2019, and he has said on twitter that he has put a letter of no confidence in against the prime minister and he said the prime minister and he said the prime minister was my actions and miss were overshadowing the work of so many excellent colleagues —— mistruthss. this is something i have heard from a number of conservative mps that instead of talking about the things they want to talk about, they are finding themselves increasingly having to talk about defending parties and wallpaper. the

2019 intake as seen —— are seen as one of the key groups that have expressed their dissatisfaction with boris johnson's expressed their dissatisfaction with borisjohnson's leadership in recent weeks and another of those coming out and saying they are going to put one of those letters in a significant and there has also been a former ministerfrom significant and there has also been a former minister from another key group, one of the senior figures, and we have had another one of those coming out and say that he as well is putting in a letter of no confidence, that is tobias ellwood, the former defence minister. he said the former defence minister. he said the prime minister should call a confidence vote himself rather than waiting for the inevitable 5a letters which is what is needed to trigger a vote of no—confidence to be put in. after the publication of so great�*s findings there wasn't a flood of letters —— sue gray's findings. but what we have seen in the last 2a hours is a resumed

trickle and the question is, will the trickle keep coming for long enough that it does then tip the balance over the 5a limit? hogs enough that it does then tip the balance over the 54 limit? how many letters have — balance over the 54 limit? how many letters have gone _ balance over the 54 limit? how many letters have gone in _ balance over the 54 limit? how many letters have gone in according - balance over the 54 limit? how many letters have gone in according to - letters have gone in according to your reckoning?— letters have gone in according to your reckoning? letters have gone in according to our reckonin: ? �* .,, ,.,,, , ., your reckoning? almost impossible to sa . idon't your reckoning? almost impossible to sav- i don't have _ your reckoning? almost impossible to say. i don't have what _ your reckoning? almost impossible to say. i don't have what we _ your reckoning? almost impossible to say. i don't have what we think- your reckoning? almost impossible to say. i don't have what we think is - say. i don't have what we think is the latest to hand but to be honest it is all a bit difficult to know because it is kept secret. exactly, the don't because it is kept secret. exactly, they don't have _ because it is kept secret. exactly, they don't have to _ because it is kept secret. exactly, they don't have to tell _ because it is kept secret. exactly, they don't have to tell us, - because it is kept secret. exactly, l they don't have to tell us, although we are glad when they do! i'm nowjoined by steve rotheram, labour metro mayor of the liverpool city region. you have listened intently to what michael gove said, no doubt, what a difference is the strategy, without more money, going to do if you're part of the country? —— for your part of the country? —— for your part of the country? —— for your part of the country? steve, we can't hear you. part of the country? steve, we can't hearyou. have part of the country? steve, we can't hear you. have you muted yourself?

just check. that is better! apologies. just check. that is better! apologies-— just check. that is better! apologies. just check. that is better! aoloaies. ., ., ., apologies. let me ask you again, what difference _ apologies. let me ask you again, what difference is _ apologies. let me ask you again, what difference is the _ apologies. let me ask you again, what difference is the new - apologies. let me ask you again, i what difference is the new strategy going to make to your part of the country? it going to make to your part of the count ? , ' . going to make to your part of the count ? , , . , , country? it is difficult, unless there is new _ country? it is difficult, unless there is new funding, - country? it is difficult, unless there is new funding, to - country? it is difficult, unless. there is new funding, to achieve country? it is difficult, unless- there is new funding, to achieve the goals, and the government have hid behind the levelling up thing now for a few years and they need to show some ambition about what levelling up actually means. if you ask people on the street, do they believe that things should be fairer and more equitable, because they are going say yes, so that is why so many people are interested in the levelling up agenda but i don't think there enough in the white paper to achieve half of the things that the government hope it will achieve. ~ ., ., , ., that the government hope it will achieve. ~ ., ., ~' that the government hope it will achieve. ., ., ,, ., ., achieve. what would you like to have

seen? it achieve. what would you like to have seen? it seems _ achieve. what would you like to have seen? it seems that _ achieve. what would you like to have seen? it seems that the _ achieve. what would you like to have seen? it seems that the intention . achieve. what would you like to have seen? it seems that the intention is | seen? it seems that the intention is to give more powers to mayors like you and maybe have more of them, with that make a difference? more areas should _ with that make a difference? more areas should have _ with that make a difference? more areas should have the _ with that make a difference? ire areas should have the opportunity, yes, of having more powers and as limited as they are in our area and other areas across england, what we have been able to do is do some things locally that the national government could not possibly do on our behalf, so i agree with devolution, but it needs to be backed up and these things are often about headlines and when you start to look at the substance of the white paper that has been produced, there is very little new ideas in there is very little new ideas in the white paper, which will help to achieve some of the fundamental issues which need to be tackled around health and skills and jobs and housing and the environment. all

of those things are important to people on a daily basis. the government _ people on a daily basis. the government says _ people on a daily basis. the government says they will re—prioritise how the money is spent and allowed local authorities to do that, but how do you eradicate those long—standing structural inequalities that you have referred to? if you can't get businesses to invest in those parts of the country, because they don't see them as the best place to put their money? as the best place to put their mone ? �* , , , , , as the best place to put their mone? money? businesses invest because the are money? businesses invest because they are confident _ money? businesses invest because they are confident they _ money? businesses invest because they are confident they will - money? businesses invest because they are confident they will get - money? businesses invest because they are confident they will get a i they are confident they will get a return on the investment and therefore if the government backs things like our innovation bid then we will get private sector matched to that funding, and it is the government who decides both how much the quantum for the funding we get but also the distribution methodology and that is always a problem because the south will always be able to outbid us on the

methodology, in other words than value uplift and jobs created and wages and stuff like that, so if the government is serious about doing something for our areas, what they need to do is level the playing field —— in other words land value uplift. i don't think the white paper goes anywhere near where it needs to go, to allow areas to reach their potential. you needs to go, to allow areas to reach their potential.— their potential. you said you have been able because _ their potential. you said you have been able because of— their potential. you said you have been able because of the - their potential. you said you have been able because of the powers| their potential. you said you have i been able because of the powers you have got to make decisions locally and make things happen that centralised government cannot do, so what sort of thing are you talking about and how could that be expanded under the new strategy? for instance. — under the new strategy? for instance, what _ under the new strategy? for instance, what we _ under the new strategy? tr?" instance, what we have been able to do with the limited devolution we have got is to do things around the spent of the money, so the adult education budget, instead of giving it out, we have trialled pilots to get a bigger bang for our buck and we have been able to demonstrate that to treasury. the way we have

spent money on skills in regards to apprenticeships means we can get more people into good jobs and good apprenticeships and get them trained up apprenticeships and get them trained up and regarding transport, we can demonstrate the worth of a combined authority because we are able to attract quite a large sum of money from central government and that is because our bid was so good and the need is so great so we will spend money better and get a greater return to the treasury rather than central government or whitehall mandarins deciding those things for us. ,, ., ., ~ ., mandarins deciding those things for us. steve rotherham, metro mayor of the liverpool— us. steve rotherham, metro mayor of the liverpool city _ us. steve rotherham, metro mayor of the liverpool city region, _ us. steve rotherham, metro mayor of the liverpool city region, thanks - the liverpool city region, thanks forjoining us. i'm joined byjustine greening, former conservative education secretary who co—founded the social mobility pledge. this pledge is a coalition of over 500 businesses that globally employs more than 5 million people, so what

sort of opportunities does the new strategy offered to you and the people you work with? the levelling u . people you work with? the levelling u- white people you work with? the levelling up white paper— people you work with? the levelling up white paper does _ people you work with? the levelling up white paper does really - people you work with? the levelling up white paper does really matter i up white paper does really matter because through this work on the social mobility pledge and we have even more businesses involved now, it has been about saying to businesses and public sector employers, you need to have a levelling up plan that shows how your opportunities are going to drive levelling up across the country and they will be putting those plans in place and working with supply chains and looking at their apprenticeships like steve said, and working out how they can help employability schemes so people who are less able to get rolls are in a position to do work in their companies and they also looking at how they can progress —— less able to getjobs. looking at how people can get on in their careers, as well. so, all this time, for everyone, we have been waiting for the government to set out its plan

on levelling up, alongside those levelling up plans that many employees the few employers are coming up with at the structure we have always had —— levelling up plans that employers had and coming up plans that employers had and coming up with the structure we always add. this approach is mirrors the few mirroring what the government is now doing but now we need to see if there is the ambition there and the investment there to really shift the dial on a country that has had endemic inequality of opportunity. it doesn't sound like there is any more money, though, from what we are hearing. it is a reprioritising of money, so isn't it doomed to failure? ~ . ., money, so isn't it doomed to failure? a ., , ., failure? michael gove is right that if ou failure? michael gove is right that if you could _ failure? michael gove is right that if you could spend _ failure? michael gove is right that if you could spend your _ failure? michael gove is right that if you could spend your way - failure? michael gove is right that if you could spend your way out i failure? michael gove is right that if you could spend your way out of the problem, governments would have

done that, but it is not as simple as just done that, but it is not as simple asjust more investment, and i think the challenge the government is to make sure that if it is really going to close the gaps that open up in early years, from the very beginning, in school years, it needs to work back from how you close those gaps to the investment it is going to need to be able to do that. i welcome today the launch of effectively more opportunity areas, education and investment zones, places that will notjust be working inside schools to improve outcomes but helping support learning through communities outside of schools, and that will be important investment for those areas that get it but i think there is a general question and we need to look through this huge white paper that has just been launched to get a sense of whether there is enough ambition in terms of closing the gaps and then whether the investment really is going to be there. rishi sunak announced a lot

at the budget last october, and whether that will be enough to actually shift the dial, but what ever government does we need to understand that is part of how we level up britain but fundamentally we need all of our employees to be open to the wider talent pool and really make sure they are reaching out into it and notjust going for the same kinds of people from the same kinds of elite universities were actually there are other fantastic talents out there they are missing. —— when actually there are other. missing. -- when actually there are other. , , , ., ., other. justine greening, thanks for “oininu us. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas it is another mild day. a few spots of drizzle from the coast and hills in the west. temperatures in the evening hours around 9—10c so not dropping too quickly once the sun sets.

a few clear spells in parts of england and wales but it won't be a cold night where ever you are. we have enough cloud and a breeze around to keep things frost free. patchy around to keep things frost free. rain continuing fo ireland patchy rain continuing for northern ireland and western scotland in particular. early temperatures on thursday, we are looking at 7—9c. through the day on thursday another reasonably mild day, a bit more sunshine than we have seen today but a fair amount of cloud. a few splashes of rain moving slowly eastwards in the breeze and the breeze picking up and turning very windy with the arrival of the cold front in the north west. ahead of that, a mild 10—12c, but turning colder in the north—west. hello, this is bbc news with me, 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, sg, and more town and city mayors across england. the gap between much of

the south—east and the rest of the country — in productivity and health outcomes, in wages and school results, and injob opportunities — must be closed. boris johnson faces further calls to resign as two more tory mps submit a letter of no confidence amid the row over lockdown parties in no 10. the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact of soaring prices. and medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. and school's not out in wales — with a trial to lengthen the school day by five hours a week. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. many thanks, good afternoon. we begin in beijing.

the action is underway at the winter olympics, despite the opening ceremony not taking place until friday. with three events to get through, the curling has already begun, gb opening with a win in the mixed event. bruce mouat and jen dodds, who'll also compete in the men and women's event, beating sweden 9—5 in their first round robin match — they'll play a total of nine. these two are world champions, so high hopes of a medal. gb have a target of between three and seven, topping the tally of five in pyenongchang. it was kind of scrappy by both teams out there, they both struggled with the ice, line and wait tonight, but britain came through and a win is a win, it doesn't matter how you get it, so they took advantage when they could and came out on top. they have nine games to play in the round robin, so a win is great in the first game. you know, they can come back tomorrow and be happy they have got that win on the board. yes. back tomorrow and be happy they have got that win on the board.— got that win on the board. yes, an early confidence _ got that win on the board. yes, an early confidence boost _ got that win on the board. yes, an early confidence boost therefore i got that win on the board. yes, an i early confidence boost therefore the team.

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. roy hodgson has held his first press conference since being appointed as the new manager of watford. he replaces the sacked claudio ranieri, becoming the oldest manager to manage in the premier league. he has been tasked with keeping the club in the top flight. lam quite i am quite confident that the work we do will have an effect, but of course the proof of the pudding is was going to be in the eating and it is going to be very important that the players, you know, react well, i suppose, to what we are asking them to do and most importantly that they can produce the level of performances that are going to be

necessary because in this particular league in terms of relegation, it is a dogfight. it league in terms of relegation, it is a douafiht. , england captain heather knight says they must shelve the disappointment of not winning their standalone ashes test against australia. they're preparing for three odis, the first of which is tomorrow. a draw in the test means england will have to win all three if they're to regain the ashes. we have just got to focus on the first game, focus on that game and it bodes well, i guess, for what we have got coming up, the 0d! world cup is all about winning consistently and winning knockout games, so it is going to give us huge confidence hopefully if we do well here, so yes, i think it may seem simple, it has been a very quick turnaround of two days, one day in training session then off you go, but it is the same in both teams and hopefully we can continue to put the pressure on them and take that momentum from the go. us open tennis champion emma raducanu is one of six uk nominees for the laureus world sports awards. the i9—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. in american football, the washington dc—based team have announced they will now be known as the commanders. the franchise retired its former name, the redskins, injuly 2020. the name and logo, which was introduced back in 1933, but has long been criticised as racist by its sponsors and fans — seen as offensive to native americans. that's all the sport for now. john, thank you very much. one type of hormone replacement therapy — which is used to treat common side—effects of the menopause — could be made available over the counter, without the need for a prescription. the uk's health regulator is to 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. our health correspondent,

catherine burns, told me about the proposal earlier. so what is actually happening here is a very specific phone. the drugs regulator, the mhra, is going to day consultation on one specific project. it is called vagifem and also known as gina. this is a tablet inserted directly into the regina and these are problems that a lot of women have, and the regulator wants to hear from them and from pharmacists. this counter —— is inserted into the regina. this is not all hrt and actually if you look at other symptoms, hot flushes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, all of those things and this is not designed to help with those, so if any women do have this problem is the advice is really the same as it always was, go to your doctor and speak about the

benefits and risks of vagifem going into your vagina benefits and risks of vagifem going into yourvagina and benefits and risks of vagifem going into your vagina and see if it can help you. joining me now is chair of the royal pharmaceutical society in england, thorrun govind. thank you forjoining us. tell us what is available at the moment and what is available at the moment and what would be different if this went ahead. , , ., , ., . ., ahead. this proposal which would allow some _ ahead. this proposal which would allow some medications - ahead. this proposal which would allow some medications which . ahead. this proposal which would | allow some medications which are hrt, hormone replacement therapy medicines for people who are experiencing the menopause to be able to access those medicines without needing the prescription from their pharmacist or their pharmacy. there is not much information out there at the moment, but we really welcome people being able to access medicines more freely from their pharmacies, which obviously really accessible places and we think this is a really important step in the right direction. pharmacists are trained health care professionals, we have access to patient care records, so we can see what medications they are on with their consent, so this means we can will help look after those in

our communities who may struggle to access medication and health care. how much more often are you seeing women come forward for help with menopausal treatments? i women come forward for help with menopausal treatments?— women come forward for help with menopausal treatments? i think it is definitely becoming _ menopausal treatments? i think it is definitely becoming less _ menopausal treatments? i think it is definitely becoming less of- menopausal treatments? i think it is definitely becoming less of a - menopausal treatments? i think it is definitely becoming less of a debut l definitely becoming less of a debut subject. women are feeling they can talk about it more. —— a less of a taboo subject. workplaces are recommending delaying recognising how much it can impact women. during the pandemic, it has been amazing to see people flooding through the doors of community pharmacies, quite literally. it has been so busy and women are really appreciating being able to access appointments, appointments are not needed, late into the night and into the weekend, and it is really fantastic that we have pharmacies in our communities with an array of staff at varying levels for the needs of the local population. levels for the needs of the local population-— levels for the needs of the local population. levels for the needs of the local --oulation. ~ ., . population. also, how much can it hel take population. also, how much can it help take the _ population. also, how much can it help take the pressure _ population. also, how much can it help take the pressure of - population. also, how much can it help take the pressure of local- population. also, how much can it i help take the pressure of local gps, when people are sometimes struggling to get an appointment?—

to get an appointment? absolutely, our gp colleagues _ to get an appointment? absolutely, our gp colleagues are _ to get an appointment? absolutely, our gp colleagues are appointment, as indeed are our community pharmacies, but we know working together is really important and thatis together is really important and that is why there are schemes at the moment that are trying to improve referrals between general practice, gps, and community pharmacies, so the real important point here is that having medications which are available from the community pharmacy, from a trained health care professional is really important and we would not want to see these medications are available elsewhere. we think it is really important you access these via a health care professional. in access these via a health care professional.— access these via a health care rofessional. , ., . .,, professional. in terms of the cost, then, if professional. in terms of the cost, then. if hrt _ professional. in terms of the cost, then. if hrt is _ professional. in terms of the cost, then, if hrt is currently _ professional. in terms of the cost, then, if hrt is currently available | then, if hrt is currently available on prescription only, how much more affordable will it make it for the women who need the treatment and also to the nhs that is not having to subsidise those prescription medicines?— to subsidise those prescription medicines? ~ ., �* ., medicines? well, we don't have the exact costings _ medicines? well, we don't have the exact costings on _ medicines? well, we don't have the exact costings on the _ medicines? well, we don't have the exact costings on the medication . exact costings on the medication that would be available just now. we have heard there have been steps to

reduce hrt costs for those who have them on prescription, but we really support scrapping that prescription charge, which really impacts those who are really suffering the most and during the pandemic we have seen those health inequalities widen, so we see that this needs to be scrapped completely and we should be on par with our welsh and scottish colleagues in health care. we should not be having to process this admin burden on us as health care professionals in england. thorrun govind, professionals in england. thorrun govind. we _ professionals in england. thorrun govind, we appreciate _ professionals in england. thorrun govind, we appreciate you - professionals in england. thorrunj govind, we appreciate you talking professionals in england. thorrun i govind, we appreciate you talking to us, thank you very much. back now to the government's plans to level up neglected parts of the country. our correspondent, jo black, is in the market town of sudbury. it's one of the places set to benefit from the proposals. jo black, people there no doubt listening intently to what mr gove was saying in terms of how the strategy is going to bring about those benefits?— strategy is going to bring about those benefits? yes, some people have been listening _ those benefits? yes, some people have been listening intently. i those benefits? yes, some people|

have been listening intently. some people didn't really know about the government's levelling up agenda. those that did know is the east of england needed more money and in particular sudbury in suffolk, where i am standing now, needed particular sudbury in suffolk, where lam standing now, needed more money. the local district council bid for £6 million from the levelling up funds last year, but that was rejected. they wanted that money so that they could transform the bus station here in this town and the shopping centre, but as i say, that was rejected, so they hope to bid again sometime in the spring. we have been speaking to people here in sudbury and i have been speaking to business owners and i have another one with me here, this is sarah. she runs this business here, duck in boots,, is a bizarre space is rented to micro—businesses here in the town. sarah, these are shipping containers?- in the town. sarah, these are shipping containers? yes, shipping containers? they are. yes, the are shipping containers? they are. yes, they are full — shipping containers? they are. yes, they are full of _ shipping containers? they are. yes, they are full of glass, _ shipping containers? they are. yes, they are full of glass, but _ they are full of glass, but obviously you have not decides out

and they are full of glass, so tell us about these.— and they are full of glass, so tell us about these. yes, they are full of class, us about these. yes, they are full of glass. so _ us about these. yes, they are full of glass, so great _ us about these. yes, they are full of glass, so great space, - us about these. yes, they are full of glass, so great space, really i of glass, so great space, really lights, — of glass, so great space, really lights, the shipping containers are really— lights, the shipping containers are really sturdy, so they are not going to blow _ really sturdy, so they are not going to blow away like a market stall would. — to blow away like a market stall would, but also they keep really warm, _ would, but also they keep really warm, so — would, but also they keep really warm, so they are a great versatile normally— warm, so they are a great versatile normally blank canvas, though awful obviously _ normally blank canvas, though awful obviously filled with stuff at the moment, that provide a great campus or businesses. we moment, that provide a great campus or businesses-— or businesses. we are talking about for businesses _ or businesses. we are talking about for businesses in _ or businesses. we are talking about for businesses in february - or businesses. we are talking about for businesses in february whetherl for businesses in february whether it is coming sudbury�*s way or the east of england's way. who is likely to be using these hubs or shipping containers?— to be using these hubs or shipping containers? , ,, , , containers? micro businesses, 'ust one or two containers? micro businesses, 'ust or two people i containers? micro businesses, 'ust one or two people running i containers? micro businesses, 'ust one or two people running it, i one or two people running it, part-time. _ one or two people running it, part—time, working around family commitments. we have mostly seen people _ commitments. we have mostly seen people who cannot commit to opening seven— people who cannot commit to opening seven days _ people who cannot commit to opening seven days a week summer so they want _ seven days a week summer so they want to— seven days a week summer so they want to perhapsjust seven days a week summer so they want to perhaps just open every tuesday— want to perhaps just open every tuesday or wednesday on a weekly basis _ tuesday or wednesday on a weekly basis or— tuesday or wednesday on a weekly basis or fortnightly basis. some people — basis or fortnightly basis. some people just want to test out the area, _ people just want to test out the area, so— people just want to test out the area, so they willjust hire out a pod for— area, so they willjust hire out a pod for a — area, so they willjust hire out a pod for a month and the great thing about— pod for a month and the great thing about these is there is no

commitment, so they are not tied into a _ commitment, so they are not tied into a lease — commitment, so they are not tied into a lease like you would get in normal— into a lease like you would get in normal spaces.— normal spaces. yes, and we are talkin: normal spaces. yes, and we are talking about — normal spaces. yes, and we are talking about the _ normal spaces. yes, and we are talking about the levelling i normal spaces. yes, and we are talking about the levelling up i talking about the levelling up agenda and the white paper is out today, so lots of people talking about this. what are your thoughts? do think that the investment is coming sudbury�*s way and the east of england's way? ida. coming sudbury's way and the east of england's way?— england's way? no, not at all. we really need _ england's way? no, not at all. we really need more _ england's way? no, not at all. we really need more investment i england's way? no, not at all. we really need more investment in i england's way? no, not at all. we i really need more investment in this area _ really need more investment in this area it _ really need more investment in this area it is _ really need more investment in this area it is a — really need more investment in this area. it is a fantastic market town, but we _ area. it is a fantastic market town, but we have — area. it is a fantastic market town, but we have very poor service for buses _ but we have very poor service for buses and — but we have very poor service for buses and things, we definitely need better— buses and things, we definitely need better investment there. another area in— better investment there. another area in town needs investment in housing _ area in town needs investment in housing and is a great spot in town for businesses, and we need more investment— for businesses, and we need more investment in things like car parking _ investment in things like car parking. here we have free parking for three _ parking. here we have free parking for three hours. very few towns have that and _ for three hours. very few towns have that and a _ for three hours. very few towns have that and a lot more could be done to enhance _ that and a lot more could be done to enhance this — that and a lot more could be done to enhance this town to play to its strengths, but there are definitely areas _ strengths, but there are definitely areas for— strengths, but there are definitely areas for investment. i strengths, but there are definitely areas for investment.— areas for investment. i know all areas for investment. i know all areas have _ areas for investment. i know all areas have good _ areas for investment. i know all areas have good areas - areas for investment. i know all areas have good areas and i areas for investment. i know all areas have good areas and bad| areas for investment. i know all i areas have good areas and bad areas, but as you walk around here there were lots of independent shops and boutique shops and it is a beautiful

town here and had even heard people say it is affluent. is that true? is the investment really required here or should that be going to places that are argued to be more in need of investment? i that are argued to be more in need of investment?— of investment? i think sudbury are seeinu of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less — of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less of— of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less of a _ of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less of a recovery _ of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less of a recovery at - of investment? i think sudbury are seeing less of a recovery at this i seeing less of a recovery at this early— seeing less of a recovery at this early stage, post the bulk of the pandemic, than earlier towns, which are doing _ pandemic, than earlier towns, which are doing much, much better. i could not tell— are doing much, much better. i could not tell you _ are doing much, much better. i could not tell you why, but i think we need _ not tell you why, but i think we need better investment, something to shout about, real improvements made for the _ shout about, real improvements made for the town _ shout about, real improvements made for the town. we are still waiting for the town. we are still waiting for gainsborough house to open after that investment, which i am sure will be _ that investment, which i am sure will be a — that investment, which i am sure will be a great boost to the town, but the _ will be a great boost to the town, but the economy here are struggling because _ but the economy here are struggling because that is not enough investment in terms of getting bus station _ investment in terms of getting bus station people into the town, not enough _ station people into the town, not enough to— station people into the town, not enough to get public services. gainsborough house obviously thomas gainsborough house obviously thomas gainsborough born here and you're talking about the museum, which is currently closed, but hopefully opening soon. thank you. the labour council here did put a bid for that investment last year, it was

rejected and they do hope to put in another bid for some of that levelling up money in the spring. jo black, thank you very much. the headlines on bbc news... the government sets out details to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country. plans include improvements to transports, 5g, and more town and city mayors across england. boris johnson faces further calls to resign as two more tory mps submit letters of no—confidence amid the row over lockdown parties in no 10. the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact of soaring prices. a man who walked 28 miles before stabbing his ex—partner and her nine—year—old son to death has been sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 40 years. has been sentenced to life in jail 30—year—old daniel boulton had admitted killing 26—year—old bethany vincent and darren henson at their home in louth in lincolnshire,

but denied their murders. our correspondent, luxmy gopal, was in the court in lincoln for the sentencing. no hero at lincoln crown court in the last hour, mrjustice just grabbed daniel as a dangerous man. he had stabbed bethany vincent and darren henson, her nine—year—old son, last may. thejudge darren henson, her nine—year—old son, last may. the judge said the attack on the boy was particularly ferocious with 14 stab wounds. he said the attack was motivated by daniel's hostility towards the child's severe autism. in the two days toward before the killings, daniel had sent bethany vincent nine hundred —— 900 messages, despite the restraining order that was put in place after she ended their violent relationship. thejudge place after she ended their violent relationship. the judge said place after she ended their violent relationship. thejudge said he had chosen to carry out the killing at that time because he had learned of the family's intention to move to a safe and secret address just a few

days later. lincolnshire county council said a joint child safeguarding practice and homicide with you is being carried out. daniel had been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years. imprisonment with a minimum of 40 ears. , , ., imprisonment with a minimum of 40 ears. , ,., ,., ., years. luxmy gopal reporting from lincoln. the defence secretary, ben wallace, says president putin of russia will be judged by his actions not his words on ukraine. it comes after borisjohnson's visit to kyiv yesterday — where he warned that russian forces massed on the border represented a "clear and present danger" to ukraine. the prime minister is also due to talk to the president putin today, in a phone call that was delayed from earlier this week. ...to to romania, poland and germany. i want to be very clear about something. these are not permanent moves. they are moves designed to respond to the current security environment. moreover, these forces are not going to fight in ukraine.

they are going to ensure the robust defence of our nato allies. let me lay this out for you in a series of three steps. first, 1000 soldiers that are currently based in germany will reposition to romania in coming days. this is a striker squadrons, a mounted cavalry unit that is designed to deploy in short order and move quickly once place. they will augment some 900 us forces that are currently in romania. this force is designed to deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities and front—line ally states. we expect them, as i said, to move in coming days. the manchester united footballer, mason greenwood, has been released on bail pending further investigation, following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault. the 20—year—old striker was detained by police on sunday, before being further arrested on allegations of sexual assault

and making threats to kill. manchester united previously said he would not return to training or matches until further notice. new figures suggest shoppers are seeing the highest price rises in almost a decade. figures from the trade body, the british retail consortium, and the research company nielsen, show that annual shop inflation in january almost doubled compared with december. the increase was caused by a big jump in the cost of non—food items, such as furniture and flooring. 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. it comes as the energy regulator ofgem is set to announce a steep hike in energy bills for 15 million households in england, scotland and wales. our business editor, simonjack, explains. this was first reported in the times this morning that the government, the treasury was going to try to

slice off £200 from everyone's energy bills and speaking to energy bosses today they understand that looks like the final packet we are going to get. the renewed press cap, which takes effect in april, will be announced tomorrow. it is widely expected to approach £2000 from nearly £1300, where it is now, so if very significant uplift which will challenge a lot of people and tripled the number of people who spend more than 10% of their disposable income on energy. 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, which will fund a top slice, take £200 slice of the top of your bills. that money will have to be repaid by consumers over the coming months and years, so it is worth noting that ultimately consumers will still pay this. this is an attempt to try to smooth out to a spike that we have seen, a very big spike in wholesale gas prices.

it is worth saying the energy bosses it is worth saying the energy bosses i have been talking to have say they have been kept largely in the dark about the treasury's plans. the treasury has probably been working on this pretty much on its own and we are expecting it to be revealed tomorrow. also bearing in mind, most think that energy bills and wholesale gas prices are going to be much higherfor much longer than anyone dreamt of before, so you are going to be adding money in future years to bills that will already be high. so if you are getting a £700 increase in your bill and 200 of it is getting lopped off, that is not going to help an enormous amount of households. every little helps, of course, but there are going to be a lot of people challenged by their energy bills and just today citizens advice are saying they have never seen, they have record numbers of people who are 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 is going to take the sting out of what is a very significant rise in bills, which will be announced tomorrow.

simonjack fair. a trial to lengthen the school day in wales has begun — with pupils offered an extra five hours a week to take part in more activities and learning. it's part of a reform, which could also bring changes to the academic year and an end to the long summer holiday. the national association of headteachers is critical, saying schools shouldn't become childcare providers. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, reports from abertillery. ifeel excited because i can make new friends and it's an opportunity for me to learn new skills. i was quite lonely during the pandemic because i was by myself in my house, but i think this extra hour will help our socialisation, make friendships better. best foot forward, followed by a fist. this lesson in mixed martial arts is the first taste the pupils here at the six bells primary campus are getting of their new extended school day. the extra hour at the end of every day will mean taekwondo, dance, cooking and lego—building all become part of the timetable for the next ten weeks.

it's going to be all right. i'll get to see my friends, but it will be a bit tiring. i think i'll be fine. being with friends and things always makes me a bit happy. today's number of the day is 36. so all the possibilities around on your whiteboard. but not everyone is pleased by the prospect of reform. the national association of head teachers warn schools aren't childcare—providers, and staff shouldn't be expected to take on extra work. diane? at this school, most of the activities will be taken by companies coming in to offer something different. we want them to re—engage with learning. we want them to have the opportunity to develop their friendships and generally seek out something in the wider community that they can go forward and use. hello, morning, welcome to the lego club. - ministers in wales are also lining up a potential change to the school year that could mean ending the long

summer holidays that have been in place for over a century, and having longer breaks in autumn and winter. so what do parents make of that? i find the six—week holiday really difficult to cover because i'm self—employed, and it's a real struggle to try and cover for six weeks. it's hard — you've got to pay for private childcare. it makes sense to have it in the summer because the winter's bad weather anyway, isn't there? so keep the long holiday? yeah, kids can't really do much in the winter. with so many routines revolving around school times, adding an extra hour mayjust be the first step in changing the pattern of family life across wales. hywel griffith, bbc news, abertillery. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith—lucas. good afternoon. it has been a rather cloudy day across much of the uk, but some of us lucky enough to see

blue sky breaking through, particularly southern counties. this is a picture in east sussex, one of our weather watchers. but most places the day is remaining largely cloudy, a bit of drizzle and light rain especially in the north—west, and certainly still mild because we have this warmth front tracking north and east, the air coming from a mild south—westerly direction. we also have outbreaks of rain particularly in the west of scotland, and they will become more persistent late in the afternoon and a few splashes of rain across northern and western hills and coasts. this evening most of us staying in double figures as the sun sets and through tonight not a particularly chilly night, cloud around at outbreaks continuing across the north—west of the uk, particularly northern ireland and scotland having quite a damp night. england and wales drier, but across the board lows of 6—8 , so frost 3 to start your thursday morning. drier weather tomorrow, probably a bit more sunshine than today, but

also spots of showery rain moving eastwards on the breeze and the breeze picking up later on, turning quite windy ahead of this cold front, so gusts in the south 20—30 mph, but across north—west of scotland 60 is power, squally gusts ahead of this arrival of rain. a mild day, 10 or ii ahead of this arrival of rain. a mild day, 10 or 11 degrees. colder air working mild day, 10 or 11 degrees. colder airworking in mild day, 10 or 11 degrees. colder air working in behind this cold front, so quite an active cold front as we move thursday night into friday, sweeping south eastwards and leaving us in this cold air mass to end this working week. friday initially a bit of rain towards the south and east ends could be some snowfall on the edge of that area of rain and then wintry showers back in from the north and west later in the day, so a much colderfeeling, a blustery and windy day on friday, only about 5—9 with those wintry showers in the north—west. the weekend, high pressure stays towards the south, but we have is whether front, which will bring some rain and perhaps even wintry showers to

the north as well, so a mixture through the weekend, staying predominantly mild and dry towards the south, things turning colder and more unsettled further north. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the goverment sets out details to close the gap between rich and poor areas by 'levelling up' the country. labour says the plan falls short of what the country needs. the gap between the south—east and much of the country in productivity and health and job opportunities must be closed. seriously, is this it? the sum total of our— seriously, is this it? the sum total of our ambition for a coastal and industrial— of our ambition for a coastal and industrial towns, of our ambition for a coastal and industrialtowns, ourvillages of our ambition for a coastal and industrial towns, our villages and great _ industrial towns, our villages and great cities, is a history lesson on the rise _ great cities, is a history lesson on the rise of— great cities, is a history lesson on the rise of the roman empire. more pressure on borisjohnson as two more tory mps submit letters of no—confidence in his leadership. as russia holdsjoint military

drills with belarusian troops, near the border with ukraine, the us says it's deploying 3,000 troops to fortify nato forces in eastern europe. justice for 26—year—old bethany vincent and nine—year old darren henson after the man who stabbed them to death is sentenced to a minimum 40 year term. the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact soaring prices. medical regulators are consulting on proposals to make one form of hormone replacement therapy available without a prescription. and school's not out in wales — with a trial to lengthen the school day by five hours a week.

the government has announced its plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country, as part of its so—called levelling up agenda. the policy, which the prime minister has described as a 'defining mission,�* will take until 2030 to deliver — and aims to tackle regional inequalities and help overlooked communities. regional inequalities and help there are 12 missions or targets which include: increasing regional devolution — with plans to create more mayors with london—style powers. improving public transport to bring it up to london's standards. refocusing education spending on the most disadvantaged areas. and providing access to 5g broadband to most households. and there will be increased public investment in research and development away from the south east. but there is no new money attached, and labour says there is little fresh thinking. the minister in charge of levelling up, michael gove, has been setting out some of the plans outlined in the white paper to the house of commons this afternoon.

he told mps the policy paper proposed a "strategy to make the country more equal and shift wealth and power decisively towards working people." this white paper lays out a long—term economic and social plan to make opportunity more equal. it shifts power and opportunity towards the north and midlands, scotland, wales and northern ireland. it guarantees increased investment in overlooked and undervalued communities, in research and development, education and skills, transport and broadband, decent homes, grassroots sports and local culture and inviting crime decent homes, grassroots sports and local culture and in fighting crime and tackling anti—social behaviour. it gives local communities the tools to tackle rogue landlords, dilapidated high streets and neglected green spaces, and it demonstrates that this people's government is keeping faith with the working people of this country by allowing them to take back control of their lives, their communities and their futures and i commend this statement to the house. but labour said the plans contained no new money and little fresh thinking. here's lisa nandy, shadow levelling up secretary.

seriously, is this it? the sum total of our ambition for our coastal and industrial towns, villages and our great cities, is a history lesson on the rise of the roman empire. a minister scurrying around whitehall, shuffling the deck chairs, cobbling together a shopping list of recycled policies and fiddling the figures. is this really it? for some of us, madame deputy speaker, this is personal. we have lived these failures every single day. we have watched good jobs go, our high streets boarded up, young people who have to get out to get on — he talks about bury fc. my stepdad was a lifelong supporter of bury fc, a regularat gig lane. his last words to my stepbrother before he died were, "what's the score?" for standing aside while this asset at the centre of bury's community was allowed to collapse.

we'll get the latest from westminster in a moment from our political correspondent helen catt. but first i'm joined by ben zaranko, senior research economist at the institute for fiscal studies. how realistic and feasible is this strategy if there is no new money? there no doubting the ambition in the white paperfrom there no doubting the ambition in the white paper from the government and there really is a broad set of things they want to achieve over the next ten years and some of them would require a whole step change, for example, in primary school performance amongst students, a huge increase in r&d spending outside the south—east and a increase in life expectancy. there is no new money announced today but the way to interpret it is that the government announced spending plans last

october which were relatively generous by historic standards and what we have seen is what the government wants to achieve with that money but the question is, is it going to be enough? the spending plans were going to seek spending on the nhs and the justice system, increase, but will they increase fast enough and deliver on these ambitious targets the government has set itself? that is the question over the next five years. it is set itself? that is the question over the next five years.- over the next five years. it is a longer-term — over the next five years. it is a longer-term project, - over the next five years. it is a longer-term project, due i over the next five years. it is a longer-term project, due to i over the next five years. it is a | longer-term project, due to be longer—term project, due to be delivered by 2030, but it is also quite complex, isn't it? how can you encourage partnerships with businesses if they are saying, well, we can't see a way of supporting these communities until the education is right and until these skills are right? it is education is right and until these skills are right?— skills are right? it is a historically _ skills are right? it is a historically -based i skills are right? it is a - historically -based deep-rooted historically —based deep—rooted problem, something governments in the uk have tried to tackle over decades, going back to the 1920s and 30s. there are many different causes

and the problems facing different areas of the country are not the same and there is no one size fits all solution. it is right that the policy solution is complex and there are different bits we have got to get right but we should welcome the focus on things like education, skills, transport connectivity and health. but to date sets down the ambition of what the government wants to achieve —— today. there is less on how it is going to achieve it and less on the way of funding it, and the challenge will be to maintain the level ambition over time because it is a long—term problem and a long—term project and we will have to see what the time and effort and thought that has gone into the white paper is sustained over the years if not decades if we are to narrow these disparities that have been a feature of the uk over centuries. taste have been a feature of the uk over centuries. ~ ., have been a feature of the uk over centuries. ~ . ., .., , ., have been a feature of the uk over centuries. ~ . ., , ., ., centuries. we have a couple of other re orts, centuries. we have a couple of other reports. one — centuries. we have a couple of other reports, one from _ centuries. we have a couple of other reports, one from the _ centuries. we have a couple of other reports, one from the national- centuries. we have a couple of other reports, one from the national audit office saying the levelling up department has ignored guidance on how to make sure its policies are

working before it commits to spending £11 billion in these communities and the public accounts committee says more councils are at risk of effectively going bust because of the parlous state of local government finances. how are local government finances. how are local authorities meant to deliver these partnerships which are required in the strategy if they are already struggling for funds? local! already struggling for funds? local government _ already struggling for funds? local government and _ already struggling for funds? local government and councils - already struggling for funds? local government and councils are going to play a key role and it is right to point to the experience of the last ten years where local governments in england have cut their spending by about £10 billion and the councils in the poorest part of the countries have had their budgets cut by more than the councils in the richest parts of the country and so for the government to say to councils, we want to be engines of unleashing local economic growth, councils can rightly say, maybe we need more resources and funding to reverse some of those cuts? an schools funding has been cut since 2010 and schools in poorer places have had

their budgets cut by more so if the government wants to make progress with these ambitious targets, one place to start might be unpicking some of the spending over the last ten years. on the national audit office report it is key that especially when funding is tight and there are not huge sums floating around, that we spend the money well, and a big part of that is evaluating what works and to try different things out, may be in different things out, may be in different parts of the country, and make sure we get the biggest bang for our buck, so evaluate different policies and programmes that have been tried out, that is absolutely key. been tried out, that is absolutely ke . ., been tried out, that is absolutely ke. . ., ., , let's get more with our political correspondent helen catt. a robust exchange between michael gove and his shadow lisa nandy. she said this offered nothing new and he said this offered nothing new and he said they are ripping up the rule

book and allowing communities to decide for themselves what their future looks like. that decide for themselves what their future looks like.— future looks like. that is the fundamental _ future looks like. that is the fundamental argument i future looks like. that is the fundamental argument at i future looks like. that is thel fundamental argument at the future looks like. that is the i fundamental argument at the heart future looks like. that is the - fundamental argument at the heart of this. labour's allegation is this doesn't have any new ideas but the government says this represents a fundamental shift about the way central government and local government and the private sector, how they actually work, and it is quite a broad policy because this has been the absolute heart of the government's promises from the last election, the idea of levelling up, and there has been criticism that so far it has been vague, so this is setting out what the levelling up policy is and what the targets are and it is very broad and it covers all sorts of areas from housing to transport and the arts and how politics works outside of london, the idea of creating more regional manners, so decisions can be taken

closer to the areas where they are —— regional mayors. they have called it these 12 missions, and they have put a long—term date on this, 2030, so it is a long—term project but thatis so it is a long—term project but that is when they want to see some of these things achieved by. another letter of no confidence _ of these things achieved by. another letter of no confidence in _ of these things achieved by. another letter of no confidence in the - of these things achieved by. another letter of no confidence in the prime l letter of no confidence in the prime minister gone into the 1922 backbench committee? this minister gone into the 1922 backbench committee? this is from one of the mps _ backbench committee? this is from one of the mps elected _ backbench committee? this is from one of the mps elected in _ backbench committee? this is from one of the mps elected in 2019, i backbench committee? this is from | one of the mps elected in 2019, and he is the mp for totnes in devon. he has said on twitter this afternoon that he can no longer support the prime minister and that the prime minister's actions and behaviour is overshadowing the work of him and many of his colleagues.

if 54 conservative mps write letters there will be a vote of confidence in borisjohnson, amongst conservative mps, so he is the latest to come forward and say that he has done that. tobias ellwood who is a former defence minister also came forward earlier today to say that he has done that, and it is one eachin that he has done that, and it is one each in both of the groups that are being really closely watched in parliament. the 2019 intake of the mps who were elected under boris johnson, a lot of focus on them, and dissatisfaction amongst them that they feel that the things they want to be talking about, there is a distraction. and this mp talks about this. the other group are the experienced former ministers, the senior tories, experienced former ministers, the seniortories, like experienced former ministers, the senior tories, like tobias ellwood, who are also being watched to see if they are going to move as that group could make the difference. what it

looks like is may be the start of another trickle of letters going in, although it a secret process so it is impossible to say how many there are. on our latest count we know of eight mps but this is a secret process so the only person who actually knows how many letters have gonein actually knows how many letters have gone in is sir graham brady himself. thanks forjoining us. the latest covid figures, 88,085 new covid cases have been reported in the latest 24—hour period along with the deaths of 534 people, people who have died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. a man who walked 28 miles before stabbing his ex—partner and her nine—year—old son to death has been sentenced to life in jail

with a minimum term of 40 years. 30—year—old daniel boulton, had admitted killing 26—year—old bethany vincent and darren henson at their home in louth in lincolnshire, but denied their murders. our reporter, luxmy gopal, was in the court in lincoln for the sentencing. here at lincoln crown court in the past hour, mrjustice pepperell described mr boulton as a violent and dangerous man. boulton stabbed to death his ex—partner bethany vincent and her nine—year—old son darren henson in their home in louth last may. the judge said the attack on the boy was particularly ferocious with 14 stab wounds. he said the attack was motivated by boulton's hostility towards the child's severe autism. in the two day before the killings, boulton had sent bethany vincent 900 facebook messages, despite a restraining order against him that was put in place after his violent behaviour ended their relationship. thejudge said he had chosen

to carry out the killing at that time because he had learnt of the family's intention to be moved to a secret safe address just a few days later. lincolnshire county council said a joint child safeguarding practice and domestic homicide review is being carried out. boulton has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years. united states will move additional forces to romania, poland and germany, and i want to be about something, these are not permanent movers. they are moves designed to respond to the current security

environment, and more over, these forces are not going to fight in ukraine. they are going to make sure the robust defence of our nato allies. let me lay this out for you, in a series of steps, first, 1000 soldiers that are currently based in germany will reposition to romania in the coming days, and this is a stryker squadron. a mounted cavalry unit designed to be deployed in short order and move quickly once in place. they will augment the 900 us forces currently in romania. this forces currently in romania. this force is designed to deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities in front—line allied states and we expect them to move in the coming days. i'm joined now by our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet who is in the ukrainian capital kyiv. what is the reaction on the ground

to this announcement of these troop deployments? taste to this announcement of these troop deployments?— to this announcement of these troop delo ments? ~ ., �* ,, ., deployments? we don't know whether the biden administration _ deployments? we don't know whether the biden administration informed i the biden administration informed the biden administration informed the ukrainians in advance of this announcement. it came out of the blue. we knew the united states had 8500 troops in standby in the event that nato decided to send in a rapid reaction force but that would only be in the event of an invasion of ukraine and all of a sudden the us decided on its own, at the request of romania, it says, to send 1000 troops from germany to romania, 2000 more troops leaving the us for poland and germany, and the pentagon press secretaryjohn kirby was questioned byjournalists at the press conference, saying, why are you moving now? why are you not waiting for nato? ukraine may be

asking questions now, because ukraine is trying to balance diplomacy as well as deterrence. it said the fact there has been high—profile visits this week including from borisjohnson, it sends a clear public signal and it was a way of deterring russia, but he made it clear that they did not see any attack is imminent and they did not see the russian military posture along its borders, while it was worrying, they did not see as an attack being imminent. they are concerned about any escalation that could somehow trip the region into a conflict which they have repeatedly emphasised when just be a battle between ukraine and russia but a european war. between ukraine and russia but a european war-— between ukraine and russia but a european war. how can this be seen as anything — european war. how can this be seen as anything but— european war. how can this be seen as anything but a — european war. how can this be seen as anything but a ramping _ european war. how can this be seen as anything but a ramping up - european war. how can this be seen as anything but a ramping up of- as anything but a ramping up of tensions? ., , as anything but a ramping up of tensions? . , ., , tensions? that is how it will be seen in moscow. _ tensions? that is how it will be seen in moscow. vladimir i tensions? that is how it will be | seen in moscow. vladimir putin tensions? that is how it will be i seen in moscow. vladimir putin has repeatedly said that he has no

intention to invade ukraine and he wants the west and nato to take into account his security considerations, both in terms of ukraine never joining the nato alliance, which the west and ukraine refuse, but also he wants as borisjohnson said yesterday, wants to redraw the security map of europe by pushing back the nato forces in countries along or close to the russian border. vladimir putin will see this as an aggressive act by the united states and of course notwithstanding the diplomatic exchanges going on, it's a very sensitive moment in this region. it's a very sensitive moment in this reuion. ., ., ., ., region. for the moment, thanks for 'oinin: region. for the moment, thanks for joining us- — i'm joined by dr eleanor bindman, senior lecturer in eastern european politics at manchester metropolitan university. welcome. we know borisjohnson is having a phone call with vladimir putin, how significant is it when we

understand that it is really the white house that vladimir putin wants to deal with? that white house that vladimir putin wants to deal with?— white house that vladimir putin wants to deal with? that is true. boris johnson — wants to deal with? that is true. boris johnson is _ wants to deal with? that is true. boris johnson is trying _ wants to deal with? that is true. boris johnson is trying to - wants to deal with? that is true. boris johnson is trying to involve borisjohnson is trying to involve himself and the uk will broadly in this situation, a very tense situation, but i think he is positioning the uk as more of allied to the us rather than being as involved and clearly vladimir putin is more interested in talking to the us and other european leaders as opposed to the uk.— us and other european leaders as opposed to the uk. vladimir putin will understand _ opposed to the uk. vladimir putin will understand the _ opposed to the uk. vladimir putin will understand the beleaguered l will understand the beleaguered nature of circumstances that boris johnson finds himself in, so how does that add to his view that really it is america that he needs to be engaging with? that really it is america that he needs to be engaging with?— really it is america that he needs to be engaging with? that is right. it will only underline _ to be engaging with? that is right. it will only underline that - to be engaging with? that is right. it will only underline that you, i it will only underline that you, vladimir putin and other world leaders are more than aware of boris johnson's domestic difficulties and

that has an impact and it makes him look much weaker on the international stage. what is the im act of international stage. what is the impact of the — international stage. what is the impact of the economic - international stage. what is the impact of the economic crime i international stage. what is the i impact of the economic crime bill that the british government has put forward which would mean that the money that comes from russia and is funnelled through the uk, could be stopped in its tracks? it funnelled through the uk, could be stopped in its tracks?— stopped in its tracks? it was my understanding _ stopped in its tracks? it was my understanding that _ stopped in its tracks? it was my understanding that the - stopped in its tracks? it was my understanding that the bill- stopped in its tracks? it was my understanding that the bill had i stopped in its tracks? it was my i understanding that the bill had been shelved by the government. it was going to be after the queen's speech in the spring and it was my understanding they were not going to go ahead with that will top should they have done? absolutely. one of they have done? absolutely. one of the big issues is the amount of dirty russian money being laundered in the city of london, some of it by the proxies and cronies and families and friends of vladimir putin, as well as many other oligarchs. it could have been important, but the problem now is that the bill has been shelved and with the sanctions proposed by the uk government, they will only be implemented if and when

rushing —— russia invade ukraine, but if it doesn't, they are not prepared to do anything and that is a real shame. prepared to do anything and that is a realshame. haw prepared to do anything and that is a real shame-— a real shame. how wise is it to de - lo a real shame. how wise is it to deploy these — a real shame. how wise is it to deploy these trips? _ a real shame. how wise is it to deploy these trips? some - a real shame. how wise is it to - deploy these trips? some american troops are moving to romania and poland. it troops are moving to romania and poland. , , ., ., poland. it serves to escalate tensions. — poland. it serves to escalate tensions, really, _ poland. it serves to escalate tensions, really, and - poland. it serves to escalate tensions, really, and russia| poland. it serves to escalate - tensions, really, and russia has been clear that it doesn't welcome these moves but it also doesn't really solve the problem which can only really be resolved with negotiations. both sides can continue adding troops to their respective borders and the borders of nato members but that doesn't actually get to the heart of what theissueis actually get to the heart of what the issue is so it really has to be about further diplomacy which is also continuing and that is really important. also continuing and that is really im ortant. . ., also continuing and that is really imortant. . ., ., ,

five members of the protest group insulate britain have been handed jail terms today at the high court for contempt of court following a government injunction preventing them from protesting on the m25 in september 2021. our correspondent greg mckenzie is at the high court in central london. an injunction was granted to national highways in september 2021 which was meant to prevent protesters from insulate britain from protesting on the m25. today in court, five of 19 of those protesters have now received jail terms, the highest was 42 days and the shortest just 2a days, terms, the highest was 42 days and the shortestjust21i days, so terms, the highest was 42 days and the shortest just 2a days, so five of the 19 protesters that have been in court yesterday three of those were cleared, thejudge in court yesterday three of those were cleared, the judge said there was no case to answer, and the remaining 11 today received suspended sentences over two years, and one of those is with us now. in

terms of being cleared, a victory for you? fix, terms of being cleared, a victory for ou? �* ., terms of being cleared, a victory for ou?�* ., . for you? a partial victory. the 'udicia for you? a partial victory. the judiciary listened _ for you? a partial victory. the judiciary listened to _ for you? a partial victory. the judiciary listened to what - for you? a partial victory. the judiciary listened to what we i for you? a partial victory. the i judiciary listened to what we had for you? a partial victory. the - judiciary listened to what we had to say and _ judiciary listened to what we had to say and they said in their summing up say and they said in their summing upthat— say and they said in their summing up that the — say and they said in their summing up that the government are failing in the _ up that the government are failing in the science but it is not a victory— in the science but it is not a victory because we still have 8500 lives at _ victory because we still have 8500 lives at least dying through fuel poverty— lives at least dying through fuel poverty in the country, not being able to _ poverty in the country, not being able to make decisions between putting — able to make decisions between putting food on the table and putting — putting food on the table and putting fuel into the heating systems, and we still have, ultimately, this is something that could _ ultimately, this is something that could have reduced c02 emissions by 15%, could have reduced c02 emissions by 15%. saving _ could have reduced c02 emissions by 15%, saving millions of people across — 15%, saving millions of people across the planet. we could have set an example — across the planet. we could have set an example. 2? across the planet. we could have set an example-— an example. 27 of you originally charued an example. 27 of you originally charged with — an example. 27 of you originally charged with contempt - an example. 27 of you originally charged with contempt of - an example. 27 of you originally charged with contempt of court| an example. 27 of you originally . charged with contempt of court and some have said this is a waste of time, bringing you to court, and there was a stunt yesterday, protesters gluing their hands to the

steps behind us, is that right? it is a drop in the ocean to what is coming, — is a drop in the ocean to what is coming, societal collapse, world scientist — coming, societal collapse, world scientist so if we don't divert from the trajectory we are on it is goodbye _ the trajectory we are on it is goodbye human civilisation, and david _ goodbye human civilisation, and david king said we have got 3—4 years— david king said we have got 3—4 years to — david king said we have got 3—4 years to act to divert the destruction of human civilisation. boris _ destruction of human civilisation. borisjohnson himself destruction of human civilisation. boris johnson himself said, destruction of human civilisation. borisjohnson himself said, listen to the _ borisjohnson himself said, listen to the scientists, what an inept hypocrite. _ to the scientists, what an inept hypocrite, that he is not standing there _ hypocrite, that he is not standing there and — hypocrite, that he is not standing there and now backing us and saying, we are _ there and now backing us and saying, we are the _ there and now backing us and saying, we are the only ones walking the talk and — we are the only ones walking the talk and say, listen to the science. he should — talk and say, listen to the science. he should be in front of the judges. it is disgusting, despicable. that is one of the _ it is disgusting, despicable. that is one of the 19 _ it is disgusting, despicable. trust is one of the 19 insulate britain protesters who have been at court and he is one of the ii protesters who have been at court and he is one of the 11 who have been on the receiving end of a suspended sentence.-

been on the receiving end of a suspended sentence. thanks for 'oinin: suspended sentence. thanks for joining us _ the manchester united footballer, mason greenwood, has been released on bail pending further investigation, following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault. the 20—year—old striker was detained by police on sunday, before being further arrested on allegations of sexual assault and making threats to kill. manchester united previously said he would not return to training or matches until further notice. the manchester city footballer, benjamin mendy, has appeared before chester crown court charged with seven counts of rape. the 27—year—old spoke only to confirm his identity. the judge said his trial would begin injuly. our reporter nick garnett was in court. benjamin mendy is 27 and he appeared in court wearing a dark grey suit and a white shirt and black tie and he spoke only once to confirm his identity. he listened throughout sitting next to an interpreter. chester crown court heard the manchester city footballer was first arrested in august last year, and he is accused of seven counts of rape against four women and one charge of

sexual assault and a further charge of attempted rape. also appearing was a man who is 40, and he is charged with seven counts of rape and three charges of sexual assault. the judge set a trial date of the 25th ofjuly and told benjamin mendy he should appear in court next on the 11th of march. 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 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. well, 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 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. now, 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, denise clair, the victim of this who gave up her right to anonymity so she could tell the world what had been done to her has been forgotten in all this. denise and 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 this 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 this cynical decision on the basis of football issues seems to me to be appalling. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. it is another very mild day. there is a lot of cloud out there in general and that is producing a view spots of rain. a few spots of drizzle from

the coast and hills in the west. temperatures in the evening hours around 9—ioc so not dropping too quickly once the sun sets. a few clear spells in parts of england and wales but it won't be a cold night where ever you are. we have enough cloud and a breeze around to keep things frost free. with patchy rain continuing for northern ireland and western scotland in particular. early temperatures on thursday, we are looking at 7—9c. through the day on thursday another reasonably mild day, a bit more sunshine than we have seen today but a fair amount of cloud. a few splashes of rain moving slowly eastwards in the breeze and the breeze picking up and turning very windy with the arrival of this cold front in the north west. ahead of that, a mild io—i2c, but turning colder from the north—west.

hello, this is bbc news with me, martine croxall. the headlines: and it is for 30 1pm. the goverment sets out details to close the gap between rich and poor areas by levelling up the country. labour says the plan falls short of what the country needs. more pressure on borisjohnson as two more tory mps submit letters of no confidence in his leadership. as russia holdsjoint military drills with belarusian troops near the border with ukraine, the us says it's deploying 3,000 troops to fortify nato forces in eastern europe. justice for 26—year—old bethany vincent and nine—year—old darren henson after the man who stabbed them to death is sentenced to a minimum 40—year term.

the bbc has been told that households could see cuts in energy bills of about £200 under government plans to ease the impact of soaring prices. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. hello. yes, thanks and a very good afternoon to you and everyone. the action is underway at the winter olympics, despite the opening ceremony not taking place until friday. with three events to get through, the curling has already begun, gb opening with a win in the mixed event. bruce mouat and jen dodds, who'll also compete in the men's and women's event, beating sweden 9—5 in their first round robin match — they'll play a total of nine. so getting under way with a victory and a bit of support there as well. these two are world champions, so high hopes of a medal. gb have a target of between three

and seven, topping the tally of five in pyenongchang. it was kind of scrappy by both teams out there. they both struggled with the ice, line and wait, tonight, but britain came through a win is a win, so it doesn't matter how you get it and they took advantage when they could and they have got a long round robin with nine games to play, so a win is great in the first game. they can come back tomorrow and be happy they have got that win on the board. yes, they will need to win a few more as well if they are to contest that medal next 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 of the games is austrian ski jump favourite marita kramer, earliertoday.

away from the olympic... roy hodgson says it will be a dogfight as he prepares to keep watford in the premier league. the 74—year—old, the odlest manager in the top flight, has held his first press congerence since replacing claudio ranieri. the club are second from bottom with 18 matches of the season remaining. i am quite confident that the work we do will have an effect, but of course the proof of the pudding is always going to be in the eating and it is going to be very important that the players, you know, react well, isuppose, to what we are asking them to do and most importantly that they can produce the level of performances that are going to be necessary because in this particular league, in terms of relegation, it is a dogfight. england captain heather knight says they must shelve the disappointment of not winning their standalone ashes test against australia. they're preparing for three odis, the first of which is tomorrow. it finished in a draw, the last stand—alone ashes test.

a draw in the test means england will have to win all three if they're to regain the ashes. we have just got to focus on the first game, focus on that game and it bodes well, i guess, for what we have got coming up, the odi world cup is all about winning consistently and winning knockout games, so it is going to give us huge confidence, hopefully, if we do well here, so yes, i think it makes things simple, it has been a very quick turnaround of two days, one day in training session then off you go, but it is the same in both teams and hopefully we can continue to put the pressure on them and take that momentum from the go. us open tennis champion emma raducanu is one of six uk nominees for the laureus world sports awards. the i9—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. in american football, the washington dc—based team have

announced they will now be known as the commanders. the franchise retired its former name, the redskins, injuly 2020. the name and logo, which was introduced back in 1933, has long been criticised for its racist connotations, with sponsors and fans pushing for a change. pressure has also come from the native american community, who have found the use of the term offensive. that's all the sport for now. i will have another update for you at around 5:30pm. john, thank you very much, look forward to that. let's get some reaction from around the country to the government's plans on levelling up. our correspondent, jo black, has been in the market town of sudbury. hello, yes, we're here in suffolk, in sudbury, and we've been speaking to people about levelling up. only a handful of people that i have spoken to today really knew about the government's levelling up agenda and knew about today's announcement and i have been speaking to local politicians here, i have been speaking to the local council because they actually bid forjust over £6 million so that they could

regenerate the area which i am standing in talking to you now. this is a bus station and there is a shopping centre just to the right of where i am standing. they want £6 million to regenerate this whole area. they think they could bring in a new hotel, residential, shops and also a brand—new cinema. now, they asked the government from the levelling up pot for some money last year and that was rejected, so they are obviously disappointed about that. they would like to press on with their plans and they will try to get some more levelling up money in the future, but they have also told me today that they might have to put a plan b together because, of course, that money is not guaranteed. now, i am joined by penny wilby. she is from the best of sudbury. penny, this is a business, isn't it, which promotes other businesses in the area? so just tell us about it. yeah, so the best of sudbury is all about promoting great local businesses, the area in general, to encourage people to buy local, to support their local high street and just to keep the pound within the local economy. yes, because there are around 20,000

people who live here. yep. and there are around 40,000 people who live in the surrounding towns and villages, so, you know, that is quite a decent chunk of people who could come and spend money here, isn't it? yes, absolutely. and we have talked about this £6 million that was rejected from the levelling up pot. what difference would it make if that money was forthcoming and this area we are standing in now was regenerated? i think it would make a huge difference. i mean, this area alone, to be able to have a lovely bus station and be able to utilise the land, the sort of scrubland that is just behind here, to have things like a cinema that could really attract younger people... i think when you have got things like cinemas and restaurants, that is really going to revive the night—time economy, which _ is very quiet at the moment, especially with what has been happening with covid. i think anything that will encourage more people into the town is a really good thing because footfall, i mean, that is down because of covid. christmas was really, really tough for so many retail businesses, but anything that can bring people back

and just to showcase what a wonderful little market town this is and we have so much to offer and we have got some great businesses that this money would really, really help. yes, and you look around sudbury, it is a pretty town, isn't it? it is an ancient market town, it is really, really nice to look at. yes. does it need this funding, is what i was trying to put to people today. do you feel it is overlooked? i do. not only is suffolk and east anglia overlooked, but sudbury is certainly overlooked and i think it always has been because it doesn't have the seaside, like our coastal towns. it doesn't have the cathedral, like bury st edmunds, but this is a town that has so much to offer and yes, i think the money would really, really help to encourage people to come and visit. we have got the thomas gainsborough's house, which is going through some regeneration at the moment, and st peter's, which is going to be a cultural centre, so there is a lot to offer. it isjust to make it more accessible and to allow people to come in and look

at what we have got. penny, thank you very much indeed. so, as i say, the district council will try again for the levelling up pot funding and they hope to make a bid sometime in the spring. jo black in suffolk there. jenny kumah is in camborne in cornwall for us, where she's been finding out what students make of all of this. iam here i am here at the camborne campus in cornwall, it plays a key role in skilling up and helping with regeneration of the area. this is an area with high levels of debt deprivation and if you speak to some local business and community leaders, their concern with the focus on the levelling up agenda has been with the focus on the midlands and they say it is imperative that rural deprivation is tackled as well. earlier i spoke to some students about the issues they think need addressing.—

need addressing. from where i live, there is only — need addressing. from where i live, there is only really _ need addressing. from where i live, there is only really one _ need addressing. from where i live, there is only really one bus - need addressing. from where i live, there is only really one bus getting l there is only really one bus getting here and _ there is only really one bus getting here and that is the only option to .et here and that is the only option to get here _ here and that is the only option to get here and if you miss that bus for whatever reason, it is the struggle _ for whatever reason, it is the struggle getting to college. i have been offered a work placement a fair way away— been offered a work placement a fair way away from me, so getting up there _ way away from me, so getting up there is— way away from me, so getting up there is a — way away from me, so getting up there is a bit of a struggle and trying — there is a bit of a struggle and trying to— there is a bit of a struggle and trying to plan that isn't really easy— trying to plan that isn't really easy at— trying to plan that isn't really easy at the moment. i trying to plan that isn't really easy at the moment.- trying to plan that isn't really easy at the moment. i think 'ob opportunities �* easy at the moment. i think 'ob opportunities are i easy at the moment. i think 'ob opportunities are sort i easy at the moment. i think 'ob opportunities are sort of... h easy at the moment. i thinkjob| opportunities are sort of... they are there. — opportunities are sort of... they are there. but— opportunities are sort of... they are there, but there _ opportunities are sort of... they are there, but there could - opportunities are sort of... they are there, but there could be i opportunities are sort of... they. are there, but there could be much more _ are there, but there could be much more most — are there, but there could be much more most of— are there, but there could be much more. most of the _ are there, but there could be much more. most of the jobs _ are there, but there could be much more. most of the jobs down - are there, but there could be much more. most of the jobs down herel are there, but there could be much i more. most of the jobs down here are very sort— more. most of the jobs down here are very sort ofm — more. most of the jobs down here are very sort ofm i— more. most of the jobs down here are very sort of... i don't _ more. most of the jobs down here are very sort of... idon't know— more. most of the jobs down here are very sort of... idon't know how- more. most of the jobs down here are very sort of... i don't know how to - very sort of... i don't know how to say it _ very sort of... i don't know how to say it it _ very sort of... i don't know how to say it it is — very sort of... i don't know how to say it it is all— very sort of... i don't know how to say it. it is all to— very sort of... idon't know how to say it. it is all to do— very sort of... i don't know how to say it. it is all to do with - very sort of... i don't know how to say it. it is all to do with being - say it. it is all to do with being in cornwall, _ say it. it is all to do with being in cornwall, so _ say it. it is all to do with being in cornwall, so holiday - say it. it is all to do with being in cornwall, so holiday parks, i in cornwall, so holiday parks, campsites, _ in cornwall, so holiday parks, campsites, hotels, _ in cornwall, so holiday parks, campsites, hotels, anything i in cornwall, so holiday parks, . campsites, hotels, anything like that, _ campsites, hotels, anything like that, and — campsites, hotels, anything like that, and that _ campsites, hotels, anything like that, and that is _ campsites, hotels, anything like that, and that is where - campsites, hotels, anything like that, and that is where you - campsites, hotels, anything like that, and that is where you willl that, and that is where you will find most — that, and that is where you will find most of— that, and that is where you will find most of the _ that, and that is where you will find most of the young - that, and that is where you will find most of the young people i that, and that is where you will- find most of the young people down here working — find most of the young people down here working because _ find most of the young people down here working because it _ find most of the young people down here working because it is _ find most of the young people down here working because it is the - find most of the young people down here working because it is the bestl here working because it is the best 'ob here working because it is the best job opportunities _ here working because it is the best job opportunities they _ here working because it is the best job opportunities they can - here working because it is the best job opportunities they can get - here working because it is the besti job opportunities they can get down here for— job opportunities they can get down here for this — job opportunities they can get down here for this age. _ job opportunities they can get down here for this age. so _ job opportunities they can get down here for this age. so i— job opportunities they can get down here for this age. so i think- job opportunities they can get down here for this age. so i think that. here for this age. so i think that yes, _ here for this age. so i think that yes, it _ here for this age. so i think that yes, it could _ here for this age. so i think that yes, it could definitely- here for this age. so i think that yes, it could definitely be - here for this age. so i think thatl yes, it could definitely be better. the government _ yes, it could definitely be better. the government wants _ yes, it could definitely be better. the government wants to - yes, it could definitely be better. the government wants to spreadj yes, it could definitely be better. - the government wants to spread job opportunities across the country. how do you feel about that? i think that it is a good _ how do you feel about that? i think that it is a good idea _ how do you feel about that? i think that it is a good idea because - how do you feel about that? i think| that it is a good idea because young people _ that it is a good idea because young people down— that it is a good idea because young people down here _ that it is a good idea because young people down here can— that it is a good idea because young

people down here can see - that it is a good idea because young people down here can see people i that it is a good idea because youngl people down here can see people up in the _ people down here can see people up in the bigger— people down here can see people up in the bigger cities _ people down here can see people up in the bigger cities up _ people down here can see people up in the bigger cities up country- in the bigger cities up country doing — in the bigger cities up country doing jobs— in the bigger cities up country doing jobs that _ in the bigger cities up country doing jobs that we _ in the bigger cities up country doing jobs that we would - in the bigger cities up country. doing jobs that we would never in the bigger cities up country- doing jobs that we would never dream of down _ doing jobs that we would never dream of down here — doing jobs that we would never dream of down here i— doing jobs that we would never dream of down here-— of down here. i think buying houses is auoin to of down here. i think buying houses is going to be _ of down here. i think buying houses is going to be very _ of down here. i think buying houses is going to be very hard _ of down here. i think buying houses is going to be very hard because - of down here. i think buying houses| is going to be very hard because you have got— is going to be very hard because you have got lots of people from up country — have got lots of people from up country coming down here and buying second _ country coming down here and buying second homes, so it is quite daunting, _ second homes, so it is quite daunting, daunting thought having to .et a daunting, daunting thought having to get a deposit and everything. 30 get a deposit and everything. sr government targets around improving transport, education and housing have been welcomed here, but what people want to see is the detail and most importantly they want to find out about the funding and whether this area will get the funding it needs to tackle those important issues. , , kumah in cornwall. 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. it comes as the energy regulator ofgem is set to announce a steep hike in energy bills for 15 million

households in england, scotland and wales. our business editor, simonjack, explains. this was first reported in the times this morning that the government, the treasury was going to try to slice off £200 from everyone's energy bills and speaking to energy bosses today they understand that looks like the final packet we are going to get. the renewed price cap, which takes effect in april, will be announced tomorrow. it is widely expected to approach £2000 from nearly £1300, where it is now, so a very, very significant uplift which will challenge a lot of people and triple the number of people who spend more than 10% of their disposable income on energy. 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, which will fund a top slice, take £200 slice off

the top of your bills. that money will have to be repaid by consumers over the coming months and years, so it is worth noting that ultimately consumers will still pay this. this is an attempt to try to smooth out to a spike that we have seen, a very big spike in wholesale gas prices. it is worth saying the energy bosses i have been talking to say they have been kept largely in the dark about the treasury's plans. the treasury has probably been working on this pretty much on its own and we are expecting it to be revealed tomorrow. also worth bearing in mind, most think that energy bills and wholesale gas prices are going to be much higherfor much longer than anyone dreamt of before, so you are going to be adding money in future years to bills that will already be high. so if you are getting a £700 increase in your bill and 200 of it is getting topped off, that is not going to help an enormous amount of households. every little helps, of course, but there are going to be a lot of people challenged by their energy bills and just today citizens advice are saying they have never seen, they have record numbers of people who are 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 is going to take the sting out of what is a very significant rise in hills, which will be announced tomorrow. simonjack fair. new figures suggest shoppers are seeing the highest price rises in almost a decade. figures from the trade body, the british retail consortium, and the research company nielsen, show that annual shop inflation in january almost doubled compared with december. the increase was caused by a big jump in the cost of non—food items, such as furniture and flooring. one type of hormone replacement therapy — which is used to treat common side—effects of the menopause — could be made available over the counter, without the need for a prescription. the uk's health regulator is to 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. our health correspondent, catherine burns, told me about the proposal earlier. so what is actually happening here is a very specific thing.

the drugs regulator, the mhra, is going to do a consultation on one specific project. it is called vagifem and also known as gina. this is a tablet inserted directly into the vagina and treat soreness, itching, dryness, as well as some problems going to the loo. these are problems about 80% of menopausal women have and the regulator wants to hear from them and from gps and pharmacists. so if at the end of this consultation they decided this is a good idea, it means women won't have to wait for a prescription, but will just be able to go and buy it over the counter. but this is not all h rt and if you look trouble sleeping, all of those things, this is not designed to help with those, so if women do have problems with those symptoms, the advice is the same as it always was, go to your doctor and speak to them about what they can give you to help you. about what they can give you to help ou. ., , , 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. 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. time at 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. my children are as a massive 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 non—contact sexual offences, which currently carry a maximum two—year sentence. people still think these non—contact sexual offences are harmless, but they are not harmless. and we can't say that all people

who commit a non—contact 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 non—contact 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 to, 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. you're watching bbc news. it is 4:50pm. plant life and animal numbers. one of the species has proved to be

a big help, as our correspondences. these 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. , .., ., track. penguins come to the same nestin: track. penguins come to the same nesting sites _ track. penguins come to the same nesting sites over— track. penguins come to the same nesting sites over and _ track. penguins come to the same nesting sites over and over, - track. penguins come to the same nesting sites over and over, year. nesting sites over and over, year after year, and so we have this reliable signature of, you know, how many individuals are bare from one year to the next and how does this play out over decades or even longer timescale? , ., . , ., timescale? researchers came here to monitor the — timescale? researchers came here to monitor the penguin _ timescale? researchers came here to monitor the penguin population, - 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, it really— this is obviously really good news, it really underlines why governments need to— it really underlines why governments need to put in place and urgent protection, so we can safeguard these _ protection, so we can safeguard these healthy penguin populations and make sure they don't suffer the expansion— and make sure they don't suffer the expansion of industrial fishing,

which — expansion of industrial fishing, which could cause them to decline in future _ which could cause them to decline in future. . , which could cause them to decline in future. ., , . , future. until fairly recently, scientists _ future. until fairly recently, scientists knew _ future. until fairly recently, scientists knew very - future. until fairly recently, scientists knew very little . future. untilfairly recently, - scientists knew very little about his 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. 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 in jamaica virtually. our music crrespondent, 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 40 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 onto. were you a fan of his music growing up, or did you come to it later in life? no, i like 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 '60s, 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, whoa.# now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. high there, it has been a bit of a

day of mixed fortunes out there, for some of us mixed cloudy conditions through the day, but a bit of sunshine breaking through in other areas, particularly further south. this was county durham earlier, so we are keeping this cloud through this evening and overnight, but not expecting a frosty night, still quite mild this evening and overnight, some rain moving around north—western uk, but mild because we have had this front moving eastwards, so we are all in this warm sector, a lot of cloud producing drizzled around, particularly in the north—west of scotland in the hills seeing persistent rain over the next hours. sunset around to 6 so looking at 9 orio sunset around to 6 so looking at 9 or 10 degrees over the next few hours and overnight we keep that cloud and it is going to produce some drizzly rain here and there, especially over the hills, through the channel and northern ireland and especially across northern and western scotland. fairly breezy, temperature is going to produce some

drizzly rain here and there, especially over the hills, through the channel and northern ireland and especially across northern and western scotland. fairly breezy, temperatures falling at 7 for most of us fairly similar to today, probably a bit more brightness because the breeze will help to break up that cloud, turning particularly windy in the north later with this rain, a cold front giving us gusts of 50—60 mph in the north—west, but wherever you are quite windy, and if you are in the south temperatures io—i2 quite windy, and if you are in the south temperatures 10—12 in the warmest spots, but turning cold behind that cold front that will be the story overnight thursday and friday is this cold front works offered is an eastwards, a plunge of cold air across the uk. initially that will be falling as rain, but we could see a bit of sleet or snow even for a short time as the act clears away, a bit of sunshine but wintry showers, even to quite lower levels across the uk. it cold day, 3 or lower, about 9 in plymouth, but a

mixed picture again on the weekend, weather fronts trying to topple in, but reaching that high pressure and tending to fizzle out, so that will be the dividing line between the dry and milder weather across southern parts of the uk, still reasonably unsettled across the north with further outbreaks of rain at times, but those temperatures do remain on the mild side for early february.

this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines — the government outlines its plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas by "levelling up" the country. labour says the proposals fall well short of what the country needs, though. it shifts power and opportunity towards the north and midlands, scotland, wales and northern ireland. it guarantees increased investment in overlooked and undervalued communities. seriously, is this it? the sum total of our ambition for our coastal and industrial towns, our villages and our great cities is a history lesson on the rise of the roman empire. the pressure on borisjohnson continues to grow as more conservative mps submit letters of no—confidence in his leadership. as russia holdsjoint military drills with belarusian troops

near the border with ukraine, the us says it's deploying 3000