this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the uk government's performance in delivering brexit has been criticised — with a group of cross—party mps saying the only detectable impact so far has been an extra burden on businesses in the form of increased costs, paperwork and border delays. until it's our government gets to grip with competence and attention to detail, and not grandstanding and winding the french up, we are absolutely, well, i can't see an end to this — the problems. a flurry of international efforts as european leaders try to avert war in ukraine — and say there is some cause for optimism. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, says the commissioner of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, has "days and weeks" to show him she has

a plan to restore public trust in her running of the force. health minister gillian keegan apologises for continuing with a meeting yesterday, despite having tested positive for covid. booing on the pitch for footballer kurt zouma, as police confirm they are investigating footage of him kicking his pet cat. hello and welcome, if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a cross—party group of british mps says the uk's exit from the european union has so far only led to increased costs, paperwork and border problems for businesses. a report from parliament's spending watchdog,

the public accounts committee, found costs for businesses had risen and trade had fallen as a result of leaving the eu. the report also warned there could be further disruption to cross—border trade this year, when new import controls come in. the mps say more must be done to improve border arrangements for businesses. they say that brexit has led to increased costs for exporters, more paperwork for businesses, and more border delays. the british government says it is continuing to offer help to uk businesses to trade effectively. here's our global trade correspondent, chris morris. the focus on britain's borders continues. this report says trade volumes have fallen partly because of the impact of covid. the exit from the eu has clearly had an impact and new border arrangements have added costs to business. smaller firms with fewer resources have been hit the hardest. between the delays at the border,

the extra costs and paperwork, a lot of businesses are saying it has been a struggle for them. we have said to the government repeatedly, before brexit and again in this report, you need to step up and support smaller businesses. they have concentrated on volume businesses, the bigger ones, that are doing the most trade with europe. that is no consolation for those many people whose livelihoods, and sometimes jobs of other people, depend on their being able to do this trade with europe. the committee notes that a brexit support fund worth £20 million was initially created for small businesses. but only 6.7 million was paid out because it was so hard to access the money. more, the report says, needs to be done. outside dover, long queues of lorries have become the norm. the committee says it could get worse. it says there is potential for further disruption as more people start travelling again and passenger volumes at key ports like dover increase. there is also concern about extra delays later this year when the eu introduces new passport controls

and the uk starts checking the import of food products. the mps want more transparency from government about the problems businesses are facing. the government says it plans to create the most effective border in the world by 2025. the committee says that is a noteworthy ambition, but optimistic given where things stand today. chris morris, bbc news. we are seeing some tweets coming in the last minute or so from the uk's former chief negotiator on brexit david frost who said today's commons committee report on the david frost who said today�*s commons committee report on the uk— david frost who said today's commons committee report on the uk— eu border is quite thin stuff and doesn't always give the full picture. the committee rightly identifies extra costs of, for example, eu agri— food processes but doesn't mention the eu's refusal in 2020 to negotiate, and he goes on to talk about an equivalence process, so quite quickly the language gets

quite technical. he goes on. however, the committee is right to note this year is affected by the new inward customs processes we brought in on the 1st ofjanuary. i wouldn't have done this, he says, but i lost the internal argument. but there is still time to think carefully before introducing full controls from july. he goes on, we have to put up with eu controls but we don't have to replicate them ourselves. we should have a light touch border to the whole world, thatis touch border to the whole world, that is a brexit opportunity. lord frost continuing to talk about the opportunities of brexit and saying that the report today by the commons public accounts committee is quite thin stuff, in his words. mary quicke runs a cheesemaking company in devon she told me about the impact of post—brexit trading rules on her business.

the costs, we are a little business, and with delays we have no idea when we send a cheese off whether it will actually arrive there on time. there are different rules. great that we have the most fantastic port system, but actually for as long as we keep winding the french up and having winding the french up and having winding the french up and having winding the french up as a political class, the port authorities in france, random different rules apply at different times. so until our government gets to grip with competence and attention to detail, and not grandstanding and winding the french up, we are absolutely, i

can't see an end to this, the problems. we are on the verge of saying actually it is not worth us exporting direct to europe. we will have to do it through someone else. let's speak to professor anand menon, director of the uk in a changing europe initiative. thank you forjoining us. you may havejust heard me thank you forjoining us. you may have just heard me quote that tweet from david frost, lord frost, saying today's report is quite thin stuff and doesn't always give the full picture. i guess it's difficult for any report to give the full picture. but what is your interpretation of what the public accounts committee has said? ,, . ., , has said? significant things, the committee _ has said? significant things, the committee is — has said? significant things, the committee is stating _ has said? significant things, the committee is stating the - has said? significant things, the l committee is stating the obvious, the obvious is brexit will lessen our trade with the european union because it will make it slower and more cumbersome and more expensive. that's exactly what the lady you were just talking to has experienced. the fact is that being outside the single market and customs union is going to make trade harder. i think the committee is

simply saying we need to find ways of mitigating that. but mitigating, not removing the additional costs. the fact of being outside the european union is going to have an impact on trade whatever we do. the debate now is about whether given that we can do things to lessen that impact, but we can't remove it altogether. the committee also talks about the government being more transparent and upfront about the challenges of now trading with the eu. ~ ., challenges of now trading with the eu. . ., ., challenges of now trading with the eu. ~ ., ., ., challenges of now trading with the eu. ., ., ., ,, ,,, eu. we have heard from businesses sa in: that eu. we have heard from businesses saying that the _ eu. we have heard from businesses saying that the government - eu. we have heard from businesses saying that the government hasn't l saying that the government hasn't been clear enough with information to them about what they need to do, about what the challenges are. are you seeing any changes on that front from the government? ida. you seeing any changes on that front from the government?— you seeing any changes on that front from the government? no, not really. in defence from the government? no, not really. in defence of— from the government? no, not really. in defence of the _ from the government? no, not really. in defence of the government, - from the government? no, not really. in defence of the government, what . in defence of the government, what i'd say is this. the czechs and things at borders have come in immediately. the potential benefits of brexit that the government may want to reap will take far longer to realise and the government, since leaving the european union, has been

fully —— wholly focused on the pandemic. but there is scope for more transparency from the government, in making it clearfor instance if you are a business that charades with europe you will have to get used to increased costs, to increased paperwork because that's the price we are paying for brexit. you can understand why ministers are reluctant to use that sort of language but that's the sort of clarity that would make things easier for business and help businesses to adapt to a very new trading situation. we businesses to adapt to a very new trading situation.— trading situation. we now have a minister for _ trading situation. we now have a minister for brexit _ trading situation. we now have a| minister for brexit opportunities, jacob rees—mogg. how effective do you think he will be? how effective do you think he can be given the challenges you have outlined? that de-ends challenges you have outlined? that depends on — challenges you have outlined? that depends on a _ challenges you have outlined? trust depends on a few things. david frost, before he resigned, was also in charge of brexit opportunities, so that part of his portfolio has been taken up byjacob rees—mogg. how effective he can be depends on many things. firstly whether he can convince cabinet and particularly the prime minister that the direction he wants to go in is the

right direction, so if he wants to reduce regulations, can he get political backing? secondly, it is worth bearing in mind there are always trade—offs. if you want to get rid of regulations are eu imposed on us, it might end up increasing the difficulty that traders like the one you have just heard from experience in trading with the eu because the more we diverge from the rules the harder it will be for exporters to deal with the eu market while conforming to those new rules. as with everything to do with brexit it is swings and roundabouts, it is opportunities versus costs. so it is a bit of a minefield jacob rees—mogg will have to navigate. the minefield jacob rees-mogg will have to naviuate. , ., ., ., to navigate. the plan to have uk borders as _ to navigate. the plan to have uk borders as the _ to navigate. the plan to have uk borders as the best _ to navigate. the plan to have uk borders as the best borders - to navigate. the plan to have uk borders as the best borders in i to navigate. the plan to have uk. borders as the best borders in the world by 2025?— borders as the best borders in the world by 2025? borders as the best borders in the world b 2025? ~ ., ., , ., ., _ world by 2025? what do you mean by the best boarders? _ world by 2025? what do you mean by the best boarders? it's _ world by 2025? what do you mean by the best boarders? it's an _ world by 2025? what do you mean by the best boarders? it's an ambitiousl the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement, the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement. but _ the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement, but yes, _ the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement, but yes, what _ the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement, but yes, what does - the best boarders? it's an ambitious statement, but yes, what does it. statement, but yes, what does it mean? ~ , , statement, but yes, what does it mean? absolutely it is ambitious but that's the sort _ mean? absolutely it is ambitious but that's the sort of _ mean? absolutely it is ambitious but that's the sort of boosterist - that's the sort of boosterist language were used to from this government but david frost thinks the best body is a light touch border and for others who thought

taking back control have stricter measures at the boarders might think it is about having stricter boarders. the full range of checks with the eu will not be in place until november under current plans. so putting those in place and then making our border better than anyone else's by 2025 is, to put it mildly, quite a challenging task.— quite a challenging task. anand menon, thank _ quite a challenging task. anand menon, thank you _ quite a challenging task. anand menon, thank you very - quite a challenging task. anand menon, thank you very much. i menon, thank you very much. professor anand menon from aukina a uk in a changing europe. if you want to get in touch about that story or any of the other stories we are talking about today you can do it on twitter @ anita bbc and use the hashtag bbc your questions. mayor of london sadiq khan says scotland yard's commissioner, dame cressida dick, has only weeks to address his concerns about her running of the metropolitan police force. a report by the independent office for police conduct revealed highly offensive language used on whatsapp and facebook chats by officers from a now—disbanded team based in westminster, primarily at charing cross.

ia officers were investigated by the watchdog — nine remain serving — and two officers have been promoted. scotland yard's commissioner has come under mounting pressure of her handling over key events during recent years. this includes, a man who was a serving metropolitan police officer, who abducted, raped and strangled sarah everard. the force faced severe criticism over their policing of a vigil held in clapham common, london. a pair of met police constables, who took photos of two murdered sisters, nicole smallman and bibaa henry. they shared the images on whatsapp groups. both officers were jailed for 33 months each. and anthony walgate, jack taylor, gabriel kovari and daniel whitworth — four gay men were killed by stephen port. a coroner's report identified �*basic investigative failings' by the scotland yard into their deaths. our correspondent greg mckenzie has more on this story.

greg, this challenge from the mayor of london to cressida dick, how much of london to cressida dick, how much of a problem is that for the commissioner? it of a problem is that for the commissioner?— of a problem is that for the commissioner? it will be a big roblem commissioner? it will be a big problem because _ commissioner? it will be a big problem because ultimately i commissioner? it will be a big problem because ultimately it| commissioner? it will be a big l problem because ultimately it is commissioner? it will be a big - problem because ultimately it is the home secretary priti patel that will decide. she fires and hires, and in fact she would have approved, in fact, she did approve that appointment. cressida dick, was appointed in 2017, the first woman to lead britain's biggest police force and in recent times she has come under immense pressure, some calling for her to quit. as for the mayor and his ultimatum, if you like, he has said today that she has, as you said, literally days or weeks to sort out the met�*s racism and misogyny. this all comes off the back of this independent office for police complaints report. they did a report looking at a number of individuals at the met police

between a certain period of time and they have concluded that ultimately they have concluded that ultimately the stuff came out last week, and i can't even read half of it, that's how disturbing it is, some of the things that they were talking about, talking about rape and different drugs and all sorts of different sexual offences. the answer, really, it's all about banter. then there is a shock to come as most people were shocked, and he is saying that she has a matter of days to change it. he wants her to shake up the metropolitan police. now, ultimately, as i said, it is the home secretary that will decide in terms of the met commissioner and thejob in hand, but she does take his views to hand in terms of he will have a heavy influence on the appointment and whether she is fired or asked to leave. this appointment and whether she is fired or asked to leave.— or asked to leave. as you say, this is an ultimatum _

or asked to leave. as you say, this is an ultimatum from _ or asked to leave. as you say, this is an ultimatum from the - or asked to leave. as you say, this is an ultimatum from the mayor. or asked to leave. as you say, this is an ultimatum from the mayor ofj is an ultimatum from the mayor of london. the timing, of course, is also incredibly important, given the fact that the metropolitan police is now investigating events, parties at downing street. they are looking into what has happened at the very heart of government during lockdowns. so another reason why this is so significant. it is indeed. _ this is so significant. it is indeed, and _ this is so significant. it is indeed, and also - this is so significant. it 3 indeed, and also significant is the fact that the commissioner's contract was due to end in two months' time in april, but she was given a two—year extension only last year. so lots of questions to answer. she is yet to speak in terms of today's comments by the mayor. but dame cressida dick is yet to release a statement in relation to the challenge, if you like, by the london mayor sadiq khan. i the challenge, if you like, by the london mayor sadiq khan. i think we can brina london mayor sadiq khan. i think we can bring you — london mayor sadiq khan. i think we can bring you that — london mayor sadiq khan. i think we can bring you that clip _ london mayor sadiq khan. i think we can bring you that clip now. - i have been quite clear to the commissioner,

my expectation is, the next time i see her, i want to see what her response is to the examples, not of one officer, of 14 officers being involved in racist, sexist misogynistic, homophobic, anti—semitic, islamophobic and the like behaviour, nine of whom are still serving. and secondly, what her plans are to win back the trust and confidence that has been both knocked and shattered as a consequence of these cases. and i make this point, in the words of the iopc, the independent office for police conduct, these cases are not historic, they are not isolated, and that is why it is important for the commissioner, when i next see her, to answer me those two big questions. he was pushed on that in terms of when will you see her? he didn't quite answer but he said it will be soon. time will only tell and the story is definitely not going away any time soon.— story is definitely not going away an time soon. , ., ,, i. , any time soon. greg, thank you very much for that. _

the threat of war still hangs over ukraine. but a top russian diplomat has told the bbc the european initiative to resolve the crisis has been positive , and there is still time for a political settlement. vladimir chizhov said meetings in moscow this week could be key. european leaders said they'll continue talking to russia to try to avert a conflict, that follows two days of shuttle diplomacy by the french president, emmanuel macron. moscow has denied any plans to invade ukraine, but it has assembled more than 100,000 troops near its borders. and military exercises are continuing — these pictures show russian air defence systems in the brest region of belarus, which boarders ukraine. mr chizhov told the bbc�*s europe editor, katya adler, that the military build—up could be reduced later this month. those exercises, joint russian—belarusian exercises that are taking place there, they had been preannounced since last year. and of course, after they are finished the troops will return to their own permanent stations.

separately, there's talk of more than 100,000 russian soldiers. can we expect to see fewer than our present at the moment? why isn't anyone speaking of ukrainian soldiers? they have an army of more than 250,000, and more than half of it is placed directly facing russia. is russia interested, though, in diplomacy? we certainly believe there is still room for diplomacy. russia is preparing a formal reply to answers that we received from the united states and nato on russia's concerns over european security. the focus appears to be in preventing nato's expansion further eastward, preventing ukraine becoming a member state of nato, the west has already said forget it. so where can diplomacy go now?

we are not going to forget it, first. and we cannot afford to forget it. five waves of nato expansion, that was not the evolution that we expected. is the kremlin worried about this threat of massive sanctions, painful sanctions? president putin himself will be targeted, says the west, with the sanctions. how? who will suffer most? the consumers in western europe because any sanctions are tantamount to produce counter sanctions from russia. i am not saying that russia is going to turn the tap of gas to europe. off the tap of gas to europe. no. but there may be counter sanctions. so are you threatening european families? we are not threatening anybody because we are not going to

invade any country. that's your word on that? take my word. we don't have any intention. of course, the important thing is not to provoke russia into changing its mind. isn't there a danger of miscalculation on both sides right now? hopefully not on the russian side. and hopefully not on the other side. katya adler talking to the russian ambassador to the european union. a conservative party donor has told bbc news that borisjohnson's leadership is "past the point of no return". john armitage — a billionaire financier — said the current situation in government was "tremendously upsetting" and that the tory party needed to "remake itself". mr armitage has also donated money to three labour mps. in response, a conservative spokesperson said, "the government remains fully focussed on delivering for the british people." this is what mr armitage told us. if you do something or say something which on the front page of the sunday times looks terrible and you do that consistently, and you betray a sense

of not really caring, i think you should leave. and i find the lack of honour inherent in modern politics incredibly distressing. earlier our political correspondent iain watson, told me what impactjohn armitage's comments could have among conservatives. it will have a financial impact, no doubt, he donated £3 million to the conservative party, £500,000 under borisjohnson's leadership and now he says he will not be donating again at this time, so he is withdrawing the financial support for the time being. but it is likely to have a political consequence as well. we know that various conservative mps have been wondering about whether to submit a letter of no confidence in borisjohnson, some have told me they are waiting

for various events to happen, the police investigation to conclude, for example, or to see if there is an electoral consequence to the so—called partygate allegations and investigations at the local elections. now it looks like there may be a financial consequence as well so it may well be something that concentrates minds. you asked me to tell you something more aboutjohn armitage. john armitage is not somebody who would be a classic boris johnson supporter. i think in any case he helped to fund the remain campaign, on brexit he wasn't a brexiteer unlike borisjohnson. as you mentioned, he has given small amounts to the labour party, some ex labour politicians, about £12,500, nothing of the same order he gave to the conservative party. he does have deep pockets, he's pretty wealthy, he is hedge fund manager. he is a hedge fund manager. he did say he will continue as a conservative party member.

he is not resigning from the party. so it looks at this stage that he is simply withdrawing his financial rather than political support. that said, he did sound pretty critical about how things have been handled. iain watson. the uk health minister, gillian keegan, has apologised for continuing a meeting yesterday after testing positive for covid. ms keegan said she found out as she was listening to three fathers who had lost their daughters to suicide. she says that after getting their consent, she stayed on for a short period, but admitted it had been an error ofjudgment. but admitted it had been an error ofjudgement. in a tweet she said: "i should have immediately ended the meeting and on reflection this was an error of judgement on my part. i fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake i made." uk health secretary sajid javid says he's accepted gillian keegan's apology and "continues to support her in her role". the manager of the english premier league side, west ham, david moyes, has defended his decision to select kurt zouma

against watford last night — while police are investigating footage of the player kicking his pet cat. the french international was booed by fans at the london stadium, following the release of a video showing the 27—year—old, hitting, dropping and kicking the animal across the floor. we aren't broadcasting the footage. the club says it "unreservedly condemns" him for his actions, but said it was a separate matter from the match. i'm a human being and i'm also a great animal lover. so i understand how people feel. but again, as i said, i am the football manager here and i have to find a way of getting the results here. and kurt zouma is one of the key players to us. kurt zouma has issued an apology about the incident. he said "there are no excuses for my behaviour which i sincerely regret. i also want to say how deeply sorry i am to anyone who was upset by the video. "i would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy. it was an isolated incident which will never happen again."

jamesjones is the co—host of the we are west ham podcast — i asked for his reaction to the decision to start zouma in tuesday's game. it baffles me, the decision to play him. everyone expected him not to be in the team, in the squad, in the stadium for last night's game and when the starting 11 was announced before the game and he was there there was a lot of shock, i was just outside the stadium at the time and it was such a baffling decision, he should be nowhere near the stadium, and it brings the club into more disrepute, further than what his actions had already done in terms of putting david moyes and his decision under more spotlight or scrutiny. the club the's decision to play him under more scrutiny. he should have been nowhere near the football pitch last night. what you make of david moyes's rationale that he was thinking purely about the football, about the game, what was best in terms of the club's chances of winning? he has got a job to do but i think

in a situation like this, football is almost irrelevant, at the end of the day kurt zouma's actions are appalling and disgraceful. and regardless of whether you need to win a football match or not his actions are wrong and he needs to be punished for it. the club are investigating, we're told, but that's not enough, he should have not played last night. if it meant a weaker starting 11 for west ham last night, so be it, the fact is he shouldn't have been on the pitch and david moyes arguing that it was a footballing decision, i think football comes second in this situation, 100%. he shouldn't have been there. kurt zouma, as we know, apologised for his actions, he said there were no excuses for my behaviour, which i sincerely regret. he said he wanted to say how deeply sorry he was to anyone who was upset by the video. that said, do you think west ham have lost their best opportunity to take a stance on this? you said the fact he was

on the pitch last night is bringing the club itself into disrepute. so given that he did play, is there an opportunity now for west ham to row back from this? or have they lost that opportunity? i think given the backlash to the fact that he was playing it might push them into taking a stronger stance on it retrospectively. but at the end of the day it is difficult to say whether the whole club is in disrepute. i know i have said that but it hasn't put the club in a great light when all they needed to do was take him out of the spotlight completely in light of what happened and the video on social media, and remove all of the backlash that we are now having. we should be talking about west ham fighting for the champions league and instead we are talking about west ham might play a player filmed kicking a cat. we should not be in that position, they should have taken a stance,

they should have shown that actually it is wrong for anyone to abuse animals, let alone a premier league footballer. jamesjones, james jones, co—host of jamesjones, co—host of the we west ham podcast. breaking news, uk foreign minister liz truss will travel to moscow to meet the russian foreign minister. her russian equivalent at sergey lavrov. we are told that she will be flying to moscow today to urge the kremlin to de—escalate and to desist in its aggression against ukraine. this comes as a top russian diplomat has told the bbc that the european initiative to resolve the crisis has been positive and that there is still time for a political settlement. uk foreign minister liz truss travelling to moscow today to speak to her russian counterpart sergey lavrov. a stand—off between truckers and the canadian government over covid restrictions shows no sign of ending. the city of ottawa has called for reinforcements asking for 1,800 additional police officers to assist

those already on the ground. local people are angry at the demonstration, as tanya dendrinos reports. they are used to hauling across the country. now these truckers are parked up for the long haul, demanding an end to vaccine mandates. i think it is just the fact that they are saying you have to have a mandate, that you have to have a shot. that is the problem because again, ever since covid started, truckers have been going back and forth across the border and across canada, across the united states. they were hauling things to first responders, the emergency supplies, the masks, all this stuff, even when the truckers couldn't get it, even the shots and the vaccine, when the truckers couldn't get it but they were getting it out to other people. the protest, which is going into its second week, has seen around 500 trucks lining the streets of downtown ottawa. some have been blockaded altogether, including the busiest land crossing between canada and the united states, which was shut

for hours on tuesday. it has turned into an occupation. they have removed the tyres off of their big wheel trucks. they are bringing fuel in. they have set up temporary shelters. this is no longerjust a peaceful conversation or attempt at negotiation. this is a hostagetaking of our city. mr speaker... canadian prime ministerjustin trudeau was heckled in parliament as he defended the use of restrictions to fight the pandemic. it is clear patience is running thin on many fronts. an injunction has been granted to stop the truckers honking their horns. it may have quietened the scene but they are determined not to be silenced. tanya dendrinos, bbc news. our correspondent samira hussain sent this update from ottawa. the protests here in ottawa, canada, have clearly entered into their second week and it doesn't seem like anyone is going to be leaving soon.

this entire road has been blocked off and it is the main thoroughfare to which you can get to parliament hill, it is the centre of canada's government and the protests aren'tjust here in ottawa, it has spread to other canadian cities. that said, the kind of tensions you were seeing in the earlier days of the protests have eased somewhat between the residents and the protesters, as the truckers are no longer honking their horns. without that noise, there is much less anxiety. in fact, there was somewhat more of a carnival—like atmosphere happening here with a stage set up and music and dancing. of course the big question is how long will these truckers remain here? and many of those i had spoken with have said they have spent many weeks on the road away from theirfamilies. they are in it for the long haul. the headlines on bbc news.

the uk government's performance in delivering brexit has been criticised — with a group of cross—party mps saying the only detectable impact so far has been an extra burden on businesses in the form of increased costs, paperwork and border delays. a flurry of international efforts — as european leaders try to avert war in ukraine — and say there is some cause for optimism. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, says the commissioner of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, has "days and weeks" to show him she has a plan to restore public trust in her running of the force. uk health minister gillian keegan apologises for continuing with a meeting yesterday, despite having tested positive for covid. booing on the pitch for footballer kurt zouma, as police confirm they are investigating footage of him kicking his pet cat. the charity carers trust is calling for greater support and recognition from the government for the millions of unpaid carers

in the uk who provide vital help for loved ones in need. the carers trust says there are around seven million unpaid carers in the uk, and anyone can become a carer at any time. it's believed three in five people will be in this position at some point in their lifetime and a large number of people are spending an average of 50 hours or more per week caring for a relative. a recent survey of almost 1,500 carers by the charity found that more than half of them had to either reduce their hours or stop working altogether so they could care for someone. zoe conway has been to meet two families dealing with caring responsibilities. mark has kennedy's disease. a type of motor neurone disease that is making his muscles weaker and weaker. he was diagnosed eight years ago and is totally reliant on his wife katie. it is really intrinsic support, coming to terms with it is a step in the right direction. if i'm left alone, which i am sometimes, i can't do anything

because if i fall over, or i get stuck on the toilet or something like that, i'm stuck and i have to phone someone to come and get me. katie had to give up herjob as a geography teacher to care for mark. she now gets a carer's allowance of £67 per week. it starts from the moment that mark wakes up to the moment that he goes to bed and then even then, i am still worrying he might wake up in the night or need me or something like that. so you are never off duty. i haven't had any respite, so any breaks from mark at all for eight, nine years since he has been diagnosed. i haven't gone off and had a weekend with friends or anything like that. it doesn't happen. you know, not even half an afternoon or something like that. there are an estimated 7 million unpaid carers like katie in the uk. it is thought around three in five

people will be in this position at some point in their lifetime. some are spending an average of 50 hours or more per week caring for a relative. many are struggling financially. almost half of unpaid carers told us they had to give up work or cut down their hours because of their caring responsibilities. many struggle to pay their bills, they struggle to make ends meet. three in ten unpaid carers told us they had to skip meals, they had to go without food. there are now renewed calls for carer's allowance to increase and for more respite and support. the government says it recognises the vital role carers play and that it is investing up to £25 million to improve the existing measures designed to help them. tim muffett, bbc news. susanne crosby from brighton is a full—time carer for her 16—year—old daughter mia, who has rett syndrome.

thank you forjoining us. you are living this story, aren't you? tell us about a typical day for you with mia. ., , .., , us about a typical day for you with mia. ., , . ., , , , us about a typical day for you with mia. ., , , , , ., mia. the moment because she gets to no to no to mia. the moment because she gets to go to go to school _ mia. the moment because she gets to go to go to school which _ mia. the moment because she gets to go to go to school which was - mia. the moment because she gets to go to go to school which was not - mia. the moment because she gets to go to go to school which was not the l go to go to school which was not the case during the lockdown spot on a weekend day or a holiday day, then she will get up, wake up at about seven and from then on, she can't entertain herself, so she needs constant, somebody with her constantly, which means that even if i have to leave the room because i have to go to the bathroom, or something, then your attention is always a sort of like on her, trying to make sure she is safe and everything else. there is playing with her, entertaining her, personal care, there's having to plan meals because she is quite tiny, so she

needs regular meals at certain times. she also has a tube now which she gets fluids through, so it is making sure... because she cannot feed herself or help herself to anything really. having said that, she is a joy to be around but it is exhausting. i completely echo what the lady in the video said about, it is exhausting. the £67 per week is nice that we get something but it is kind of a joke when you work out, if that was full—time pay, 37 hours per week, it would be £1.82 per hour. and of course, you have to prove you do far more than that. mia will go to bed, we put her to bed about 9pm, maybe 8:30pm but she won't go to

straightaway so i have to keep going up straightaway so i have to keep going up and down. i am lucky... so straightaway so i have to keep going up and down. i am lucky...— up and down. i am lucky... so you have to do — up and down. i am lucky... so you have to do absolutely _ up and down. i am lucky... so you have to do absolutely everything l up and down. i am lucky... so you i have to do absolutely everything for her. �* , ,., , , , , have to do absolutely everything for , , , , do her. absolutely everything, yes. do ou aet her. absolutely everything, yes. do you get any — her. absolutely everything, yes. do you get any other — her. absolutely everything, yes. do you get any other help? _ her. absolutely everything, yes. do you get any other help? is - her. absolutely everything, yes. do you get any other help? is there - you get any other help? is there anyone around to help with mia? there is one person. of course, you can't get anyone, you can't get a general baby—sitter or anything, you can't getjust anyone so we have a trained personal assistant who is wonderful but she is only available at certain times. so we have to really plan, like me and my husband, thank goodness, he is incredibly supportive but he is also a key worker so sometimes he works 60 hours a week so it is mainly me. all through the night as well, mia will need... even when she is asleep, she still needs personal care during the night so i have to stay awake until

2:30am, 3am, and then when she goes to school, at least i can sometimes go back to bed and have asleep because i'm exhausted! filth. go back to bed and have asleep because i'm exhausted! 0h, bless ou, it is because i'm exhausted! 0h, bless you. it is really — because i'm exhausted! 0h, bless you, it is really a _ because i'm exhausted! 0h, bless you, it is really a full-time - because i'm exhausted! 0h, bless you, it is really a full-time job - you, it is really a full—time job and of course, you want to care for her but the fact is, it is a fact of life you are exhausted as a result. you said you agree with the charity's call for greater support and recognition from the government but a final thought from you if i could, what would that support and recognition look like? what would be most helpful to you? i recognition look like? what would be most helpful to you?— most helpful to you? i think vulnerable _ most helpful to you? i think vulnerable people _ most helpful to you? i think vulnerable people in - most helpful to you? i think. vulnerable people in general, most helpful to you? i think - vulnerable people in general, carers who support them, but also disabled people, anyone who is... you know, people, anyone who is... you know, people with brain injuries, stroke victims, we need to be more visible in society. that is a long—term change. but there is a lot that the government can do to help lead that from the top down to actually say,

yes, we are important, we are equally important as other people because it definitely does not feel like it. more money absolutely, we desperately need that because i had to give up a full—time job to care for my daughter. and things have never been the same since. so yes, money is important but also, some more visibility and understanding would be absolutely brilliant. thank ou for would be absolutely brilliant. thank you forjoining _ would be absolutely brilliant. thank you forjoining us. _ would be absolutely brilliant. thank you forjoining us. suzanne - would be absolutely brilliant. thank you forjoining us. suzanne crosby, who is a full—time carer for her 16 year daughter, mia. the government told us it recognises the vital role carers play, and that it's investing up to £25 million to improve existing measures designed to help them. more now on our top story, a cross—party group of british

mps says the uk's exit from the european union has so far only led to increased costs, paperwork and border problems for businesses. joining us from brussels is the head of european policy at logistics uk, which has members from the road, rail, sea and air industries. thank you forjoining us. along with people who run businesses, it is the members of your organisation, i guess, who are at the blunt end of all of these changes. what do you make of the report?— make of the report? logistics uk rovided make of the report? logistics uk provided evidence _ make of the report? logistics uk provided evidence to _ make of the report? logistics uk provided evidence to the - make of the report? logistics uk - provided evidence to the committee, and we are glad to see that the report acknowledges some of our key concerns. it acknowledges that trading under this new regime is more expensive to businesses and this is an important point. the other thing the report does very well is to highlight the key points that have to be addressed as a

matter of urgency now, to make sure that the next stage of the uk import control timetable is successful, for instance, all the preparations in relation to the border control posts, where the physical checks on agri— food products will take place from july. agri- food products will take place from jul . ., ., , from july. that government is talkinu from july. that government is talking about _ from july. that government is talking about potential- from july. that government is talking about potential for- talking about potential for diverging from the rules that existed when the uk was in the eu, but if that happens, the more the uk diverges from those rules, does it run the risk of making life more complicated for organisations like yourselves?— complicated for organisations like ourselves? , ., ., yourselves? there will be a case to be made for _ yourselves? there will be a case to be made for each _ yourselves? there will be a case to be made for each of _ yourselves? there will be a case to be made for each of those - yourselves? there will be a case to | be made for each of those decisions to diverge, for instance, in the transport sector, which is very important to our members, the terms of the trade and cooperation agreement with the eu are very

clear, access to the road transport market of the eu for uk haulage companies is dependent on compliance with a number of standards, road safety standards, those sorts of requirements, and changing these rules and standards would have to trigger discussions in the joint governance bodies of the tca, the agreement, and it has the potential to create additional administrative complexities but also changes to the regime that this government has negotiated as part of the tca meeting with the eu. something to consider carefully and we will actually call on the government to think about preserving flow, the capacity of this country to trade with the eu, to make sure that the opportunities don't translate into additional disruptions for the

logistics industry and its customers across all sectors of the uk economy. across all sectors of the uk economy-— across all sectors of the uk econom . ., ~ ., ., , adele was the big winner at last night's brit awards, taking home the three top prizes — artist, song and album of the year. there were also awards for billie eilish and ed sheeran. our music correspondent mark savage was watching. adele! adele, easy on me! it was almost inevitable. adele swept the board at the brits, winning three of the four categories she was nominated for, including artist of the year and best album for her so—called divorce record 30. i'd like to dedicate this award to my son. cheering. and to simon, to his dad. this album was all of our journey, notjust mine. i am very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and putting out an album that was about something

so personal to me. the star also gave a laid—back performance of i drink wine on a set that echoed the las vegas shows she so recently postponed. # how can we both become a version of a person we don't even like? but there was no reference to that setback as she took to the stage in london, sometimes with a little difficulty. what do i do? how do i get down there with two things in me hand? thank you. but not as much difficulty as anne—marie. luckily, she recovered enough to keep performing and, after she came off stage, she tweeted, "didn't need my left ankle, anyway." meanwhile, ed sheeran opened the show, playing his number one hit bad habits with the sheffield rock band bring me the horizon. ed was also named songwriter of the year, while billie eilish won best international artist. billie eilish! thank you, guys, so much.

i am so honoured and feel so lucky to be awarded this — again. thank you so much. best new artist went to rapper a little simz and her mum. mum, look at what you've done, mum. best rap act went to dave. i want to say thank you to all of the artists that are in the same field as me, the rappers that have suffered for years and years and years and years and broken down so many barriers in this industry that i'm in right now. and rolling stone ronnie wood gave sam fender the award for best rock act. my favourite, sam fender! cheering. but the person who appreciated winning the most was becky hill. she picked up best dance artist. i was always somebody that nobody really knew who i was and there will still be to this day people who sit on their sofa and go, becky who?

and this, for me, is proper recognition that i'm doing the right thing and i'm not necessarily wasting my life. in the first year without male and female categories, women prizewinners outnumbered men by three to one and adele had something to say about it. i understand why the name of this award has changed, but i really love being a woman and being a female artist. i do. mark savage, bbc news. let's have a chat about how the night went with lisa verrico, musicjournalist for the sunday times. thank you forjoining us. let's begin with adele, the three top awards, was it any surprise for you? no, it was always going to be her night and not least when she cancelled the las vegas shows and said she was performing at the brits, lots of excitement, adele is super important to the british music industry so that was great. i wonder if she would have won the top three

awards if she had not been in the audience? that would have been quite audience? that would have been quite a dull ceremony. d0 audience? that would have been quite a dull ceremony.— a dull ceremony. do you think that really makes _ a dull ceremony. do you think that really makes a _ a dull ceremony. do you think that really makes a difference? - a dull ceremony. do you think that really makes a difference? 0h, - a dull ceremony. do you think that. really makes a difference? oh, yes! absolutely- — really makes a difference? oh, yes! absolutely- a _ really makes a difference? oh, yes! absolutely. a definite _ really makes a difference? oh, yes! absolutely. a definite yes _ really makes a difference? oh, yes! absolutely. a definite yes from - really makes a difference? oh, yes! j absolutely. a definite yes from you. let's talk about _ absolutely. a definite yes from you. let's talk about the _ absolutely. a definite yes from you. let's talk about the best _ absolutely. a definite yes from you. let's talk about the best new - let's talk about the best new artist, little simz, lovely to see her on the stage with her mum, tell us a bit more about her, her style and sound, for anyone who does not know. t and sound, for anyone who does not know. ~ , ., , , know. i think she was the big winner ofthe know. i think she was the big winner of the night. — know. i think she was the big winner of the night, she _ know. i think she was the big winner of the night, she would _ know. i think she was the big winner of the night, she would have - know. i think she was the big winner of the night, she would have got - of the night, she would have got best new artist even though this is her fourth album, to best new artist even though this is herfourth album, to me, it was best new artist even though this is her fourth album, to me, it was the best album of last year, it is a technicolour wonder, all kinds of styles, she is essentially a wrapper but the album was narrated by emma corrin from the gran who appeared on stage in a hat that was like a tent with her cut glass accent. little simz has been around for a few years and i think she's a big winner because people who know her name or maybe don't we'll see her and want to check her out so i think that

album will be the big winner in terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment _ terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment from _ terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment from becky _ terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment from becky hill- terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment from becky hill in - terms of sales and streaming. i love the comment from becky hill in the| the comment from becky hill in the report, saying she feels like she's doing the right thing, not necessarily wasting her life. she was talking about the recognition that the brit awards can bring and that the brit awards can bring and that obviously means a huge amount to her. how big are the brit awards in terms of that recognition factor, what they can do for an artist's korea? �* . .,, what they can do for an artist's korea? �* mg .,, .,, korea? becky hill was the most passionate _ korea? becky hill was the most passionate speech _ korea? becky hill was the most passionate speech of _ korea? becky hill was the most passionate speech of the - korea? becky hill was the most passionate speech of the nightl korea? becky hill was the most. passionate speech of the night and korea? becky hill was the most - passionate speech of the night and i think when we are talking about the gender neutral awards, i thought across the board, we had rock for the first time, dance for the first time in 16 years, lots of different genres replaced it, and sometimes it felt you were in a random spotify playlist generator, going from adele, to grime, to rock, which is exactly what music is these days. and so for some artists, lots of people know adele and sam fender, but for somebody like little simz or

the new brit award winner, holly, people will see those artist for the first time and they will decide in that three orfour first time and they will decide in that three or four minute performance whether they are going to check them out or not so the recognition factor is huge for artists. . ~ recognition factor is huge for artists. ., ~ ., , recognition factor is huge for artists. ., ~ ., artists. talk to us about your standout _ artists. talk to us about your standout moments _ artists. talk to us about your standout moments from - artists. talk to us about your standout moments from lastj artists. talk to us about your - standout moments from last night, lisa, i thought anne—marie styling it out when she stumbled was one of them for me. good on her. she coped it very well. them for me. good on her. she coped it very well-— it very well. anne-marie, the former world karate — it very well. anne-marie, the former world karate champion _ it very well. anne-marie, the former world karate champion so _ it very well. anne-marie, the former world karate champion so she - it very well. anne-marie, the former world karate champion so she had i it very well. anne-marie, the formerl world karate champion so she had the move to get back up. the astonishing thing about her, if anyone is going to trip, it is her, she always says she is not that kind of person, i thought her vocal was the best of the night so to be able to do that, having fallen, your heart must be something, if you did not have respect for anne—marie before, you certainly do now. i thought little simz and dave's performance, when the state was essentially on fire and he got lots of his mates on, and

ed sheeran and bring me the horizon to start, i don't know if other people knew what that was happening but i didn't and i thought it was a great surprise. but i didn't and i thought it was a great surprise-— great surprise. thank you for “oininr great surprise. thank you for joining us- — a new exhibition by a british asian photographer documenting a journey with her mother has opened in birmingham. maryam wahid visited pakistan to see where her mother grew up and to discover what her own life could have looked like. pria rai reports. it's titled zaibunnisa, her mum's maiden name before she came to the uk. it connected me with all those stories that i was told as a young girl about lahore and about her birthplace. somewhere maryam wanted to know more about. since i was six, seven years old, and i started to see another world outside birmingham, you know, the family have been able to see lahore in these pictures. i couldn't help but really think about what my alternative life could have looked like when i visited lahore. and so in 2019 maryam

made her first ever trip to pakistan and took her mum who hadn't been to her family home for more than 20 years. to be able to get that close to where they lived and the bed they slept on, the room that they ate in, was an amazing feeling, to go as far as going to pakistan and going to the border of india and pakistan, taking my mum with me, she swore she would never go back to pakistan, was as close as i was ever going to get to really recording my own story. it's not always easy to have a conversation about your past. maryam's parents came to this country. that can mean escaping conflict and leaving family behind, and that's not always easy to hear or share. but for maryam it was important to find out. we come from a very complex land. for my nan, when i learned that she had migrated from srinagar to amritsar years before partition, that really fascinated me that as a woman she migrated with her mother at a really young age, and she then had to flee

the country when the 19117 partition happened. having had a glimpse of life in lahore, back home in the midlands, maryam wanted to share her story, one lots of migrant communities would relate to and one of the gallery felt was to share. communities would relate to and one of the gallery felt was important to share. the mac is absolutely driven to make sure that, particularly the _ fantastic diversity of the communities of birmingham, are seen on the screen, on the stage and on the walls of mac, and maryam was a huge example of that. we make a polaroid picture and look at also how vague those momories are. it definitely resonated with so many of my friends to have hardly been back to pakistan. i'll never be like people in pakistan. my cousins that are my age. but i'm so proud of my pakistani origins. i have always celebrated my british and pakistani identity but i feel like it's so much more defined now. pria rai, bbc news, birmingham. you're watching bbc news.

vinyl record sales in the uk are at the highest point for 30 years — but with only a handful of vinyl manufacturing plants, demand is outstripping supply. a team of entrepreneurs noticed this gap in the market and launched a new site in middlesbrough, which aims to produce 50,00 records a month. leejohnson reports. for many music lovers, vinyl can become an obsession. but for the team at press on, it's also the chance to fill a big gap in the market. recorded quite a few artists, we wanted to put a compilation out on vinyl. and we've looked around everywhere and the lead times were really long back then. and even in 2019, we couldn't have got it done within five months which meant it would not have been done in time for christmas. so that got our brains going, and we thought, how come it's so hard

to get records manufactured and delivered to you? making records is a complex process. first, a master cut, grooves and all, is produced. that is then copied, and moulded, before it's pressed, and set aside to be packaged. there are only a handful of plants like this in the uk. most records are manufactured in europe. but demand is outstripping supply. vinyl is enjoying an incredible revival. last year, more than 5 million lps were sold, that's an increase of 8% on the previous year. and one in four albums sold last year was on the format. that's its highest sales for more than 30 years. fitting, then, that this new teesside plant is also a nod to the north east's heritage of making records. a0 years ago, rca records in washington produced lps by artists including elvis presley and david bowie. for press on's managing director, there was only one place they wanted to be based. middlesbrough is everything we're about.

we all care passionately about the area. it is important that it's here. we've got a rich heritage and a rich history of manufacturing and creativity whether it be in industry or chemicals or pottery, and now we have got computer game manufacturers, as we've seen. so we are proud of that and we are proud to be a part of it. and that's good news for local bands like teesside group comparison, whose debut ep was the first off the production line. it's crazy, to be honest. to see it physically happening, it kind of set in stone how lucky we all, like, as the band we all are to have this opportunity. the vinyl revival shows no signs of slowing. leejohnson, bbc news, middlesbrough. joanna will be here to take you through to 1pm including prime minister's questions. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. some of us saw some beautiful sunrises this morning. quite a breezy day

that we have ahead. a colder day for more of us than yesterday as the cold air follows on behind this cold front. still mild conditions in the south. this is where we have got the cloud and some patchy light rain. as that sinks south, it will brighten up behind it. for most of us, it is a day of sunshine and showers. showers wintry on the hills of northern ireland and northern england and at lower levels at times in scotland. as i mentioned, it is a breezy day but we are looking at gusts of gale force across the western and northern isles and temperatures today ranging from four in the north to a mild 13 in the south. through this evening and overnight, if anything, the weather front sinks a little bit further south, bringing cloud and patchy rain. a potent area of low pressure is going to cross the north of scotland, bringing in gales, even severe gales, some rain, sleet and snow as far south as the southern uplands. there is the risk of ice where we have got lying snow and also blizzards in the hills of scotland in the north. temperatures hanging on in the south, we are looking at about 5—7 but certainly much lower as we push further north. tomorrow, early on, we will lose the weather front from the south

and it will brighten up. low pressure pushes off into the north sea. the winds will moderate. for all of us, a day of sunshine and showers. most of the wintry showers will be in the hills in the north and temperatures ranging from one in lerwick to about nine as we push down towards london. but it will feel in the wind more like —3 in lerwick. as we head from thursday into friday, this ridge of high pressure builds in. you can see the blues in the charts representing the cold air. friday morning, it is going to start off on a cold note. widespread frost and a sharp frost at that. but there will be a lot of sunshine, just a few showers at times in the west. through the day, the cloud will build in the west, heralding the arrival of this rain which will arrive in western areas later in the evening on a strengthening breeze. once again, it is going to feel a bit chilly. as we head into the weekend, the weather turns more unsettled and another deep area of low pressure crosses us. you can see from the isobars it is going to be windy. fronts crossing us, bringing in some

rain but it looks at the moment like on saturday the south—east should stay dry but generally speaking, this weekend is looking rather unsettled but a little bit milder.

this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling. the headlines at 11... the uk government's performance in delivering brexit has been criticised, with a group of cross—party mps saying the only detectable impact so far has been an extra burden on businesses, in the form of increased costs, paperwork and border delays. until it's, our government gets to grip with competence and attention to detail, and not grandstanding and winding the french up, we are absolutely... well, i can't see an end to this, the problems. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, says the commissioner of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, has "days and weeks" to show him she has a plan to restore public trust in her running of the force.

health minister gillian keegan apologises for continuing with a meeting yesterday, despite having tested positive for covid. a flurry of international efforts, as european leaders try to avert war in ukraine and say there is some cause for optimism. booing on the pitch for footballer kurt zouma, as police confirm they are investigating footage of him kicking his pet cat. a cross—party group of mps says the uk's exit from the european union has, so far, only led to increased costs, paperwork and border problems for businesses. a report from parliament's spending watchdog, the public accounts committee, found costs for businesses had risen and trade had fallen as a result of leaving the eu.

the report by the commons public accounts committee also warned there could be further disruption to cross—border trade this year, when new import controls come in. the mps say more must be done to improve border arrangements for businesses. they say that brexit has led to... increased costs for exporters, more paperwork for businesses, and more border delays. the government says it is continuing to offer help to uk businesses to trade effectively. here's our global trade correspondent, chris morris. the focus on britain's borders continues. this report says trade volumes have fallen partly because of the impact of covid. the exit from the eu has clearly had an impact and new border arrangements have added costs to business. smaller firms with fewer resources have been hit the hardest. between the delays at the border, the extra costs and paperwork,

a lot of businesses are saying it has been a struggle for them. so we have said to the government repeatedly, before brexit and again in this report, you need to step up and support smaller businesses. they have concentrated on the volume businesses, the bigger ones, that are doing the most trade with europe. but that is no consolation for those many people whose livelihoods, and sometimes jobs of other people, depend on their being able to do this trade with europe. the committee notes that a brexit support fund, worth £20 million, was initially created for small businesses. but only 6.7 million was paid out, because it was so hard to access the money. more, the report says, needs to be done. outside dover, long queues of lorries have become the norm. the committee says it could get worse. it says there is potential forfurther disruption, as more people start travelling again and passenger volumes at key ports like dover increase. there is also concern about extra delays later this year, when the eu

introduces new passport controls and the uk starts checking the import of food products. the mps want more transparency from government about the problems businesses are facing. the government says it plans to create the most effective border in the world by 2025. the committee says that is a noteworthy ambition, but optimistic given where things stand today. chris morris, bbc news. and our global trade correspondent, chris morrisjoins me now. so chris morrisjoins me now. many factors involved i! situation, so many factors involved in the situation, what is your assessment of how things are? its situation, what is your assessment of how things are?— of how things are? its interesting first of all this _ of how things are? its interesting first of all this came _ of how things are? its interesting first of all this came from - of how things are? its interesting first of all this came from a - first of all this came from a cross—party committee of mps, including some who supported brexit. i'm not sure they would i agree with the interpretation we hear from i'm not sure they would i agree with the interpretation we hearfrom meg hillier but nevertheless there is concern and that's partly because it's notjust about concern and that's partly because it's not just about the concern and that's partly because it's notjust about the problems people are experiencing at the border but the overall volume of

trade has gone down. the uk is doing less trade with europe and that has not bounced back from the worst of the covid pandemic related problems in the way that trade between other countries has. the government response last night, statement late last night saying we are doing all we can to help businesses trade with europe and i'm sure they are, but it also said don't forget all these new trade deals we have done around the world, 70 new trade deals. many of those are rolled over from what we had before four b are to be saying to businesses who used to trade with their need is neighbours without bureaucracy or controls, trade with australia and new zealand instead and it's not the same thing. there is less trade to be had there and it's much more difficult. i think particularly for the smaller companies that have grown used to frictionless trade, with all our nearest neighbours, moving from that to a very different situation especially in the middle of the global pandemic, has been immensely challenging. global pandemic, has been immensely

challenauin. . ~ global pandemic, has been immensely challenauin. ., ,, , global pandemic, has been immensely challenauin. . ~ , . let's speak now to rod mckenzie executive director of the road haulage association. thank you very much forjoining us, i know that you have been seeing lorry drivers may have to get used to queueing for hours at dover on busy days. what is the situation currently so far this year? it has been a tough — currently so far this year? it has been a tough start _ currently so far this year? it has been a tough start to _ currently so far this year? it has been a tough start to the - currently so far this year? it has been a tough start to the year i currently so far this year? it has l been a tough start to the year for everyone hauling freight across the dover calais short straights. and i think we are now seeing a kind of new normal. we had teething troubles to start, caused by all of the new red tape and bureaucracy. also a couple of ferries were out of action and we had some roadworks at dover which caused delays. now we are seeing things settle down, people making fewer mistakes on the paperwork what its complex and that will still happen. those delays will continue. it's a bit like being in a supermarket queue and the person front of you suddenly pulls out all

of their coupons, a checkout person has to go through them all and that creates a delay and then the queue builds up behind you on the checkout. the problem is with dover, in a supermarket you just open more tales but in dover, it's a very small place, to navigate around and there is no way to open up more tales as it were. brute there is no way to open up more tales as it were.— tales as it were. we heard that overall trade _ tales as it were. we heard that overall trade is _ tales as it were. we heard that overall trade is down. - tales as it were. we heard that overall trade is down. this - tales as it were. we heard that overall trade is down. this is l overall trade is down. this is happening at a time when it's not even the same level of trading going on. how does that factor into the situation for hauliers?— on. how does that factor into the situation for hauliers? yes, that's another important _ situation for hauliers? yes, that's another important thing - situation for hauliers? yes, that's another important thing and - situation for hauliers? yes, that's another important thing and we i situation for hauliers? yes, that's - another important thing and we know that as chris was saying injuly they are going to be plant and animal checks which will create further friction. animal checks which will create furtherfriction. 4000 of those everyday and september, the

biometric passport checks. added to all the extra traffic with people going on holiday and so forth, it does mean that things will be tough. i think it's important to say that the long queues that we have seen at dover are the new normal, but it doesn't necessarily mean to say that everyday will be bad. at peak times, we will probably be looking at three orfour we will probably be looking at three or four hour delays but that won't be the picture everyday and i think what we need to try and work out is how to best manage that going forward and it has been very tough forward and it has been very tough for small businesses, this whole transition period that we are now in. ~ . transition period that we are now in. . ., ., ., ~' transition period that we are now in. ~ ., ., ., ,, , transition period that we are now in. what would make things better? the simplest. _ in. what would make things better? the simplest, easiest _ in. what would make things better? the simplest, easiest thing - in. what would make things better? the simplest, easiest thing i - the simplest, easiest thing i suppose would be around espn checks, the food checks. if we can have an agreement between the eu and the uk, over basically getting rid of these sps checks because we have very high

standards of food in europe and the uk and we could and should trust each other that would make a difference. that would be one thing that would be important and also we need to have a very, lighter touch on these border controls in the sense of it's about going back to the checkout person, if you could deal with it quickly and get people through, then you can deal with the queue. light touch, i think the borders would be helpful. thank you very much- — borders would be helpful. thank you very much- this _ a conservative party donor has told bbc news that borisjohnson's leadership is "past the point of no return." john armitage, a billionaire financier, said the current situation in government was "tremendously upsetting" and that the tory party needed to "remake itself". mr armitage has also donated money to three labour mps. in response, a conservative spokesperson said, "the government remains fully focussed on delivering for the british people." this is what mr armitage told us.

if you do something or say something, which on the front page of the sunday times, looks terrible, and you do that consistently, and you betray a sense of not really caring, i think you should leave. and i find the lack of honour inherent in modern politics incredibly distressing. earlier, our political correspondent iain watson, explained what impact john armitage's comments could have among conservatives. he donated £3 million to the conservative party, £500,000 under borisjohnson's leadership and now he says he will not be donating again at this time, so he is withdrawing the financial support for the time being. but of course it is likely to have a political consequence as well. we know that various conservative mps have been wondering about whether to submit a letter

of no confidence in borisjohnson, some have told me they are waiting for various events to happen, the police investigation to conclude, for example, or to see if there is an electoral consequence to the so—called partygate allegations and investigations at the local elections. now it looks as if there may be a financial consequence as well so it may well be something which concentrates minds. you asked me to tell you a little bit more aboutjohn armitage. he is not somebody who would be a classic borisjohnson supporter in any case. he helped to fund the remain campaign, on brexit, he wasn't a brexiteer unlike borisjohnson. as you mentioned, he has given small amounts to the labour party, some ex—labour politicians, about £12,500, nothing of the same order he gave to the conservative party. he does have deep pockets, he's pretty wealthy, he is a hedge fund manager. it has to be said, though, he did say he will continue as a conservative party member. he is not resigning from the party.

so it looks at this stage that he is simply withdrawing his financial rather than political support. that said, he did sound pretty critical about how things have been handled. the health minister, gillian keegan, has apologised for continuing a meeting yesterday after testing positive for covid. ms keegan said she found out as she was listening to three fathers who had lost their daughters to suicide. after getting their consent, she stayed on for a short period, but admitted it had been an error ofjudgment. in a tweet she said... "i should have immediately ended the meeting and on reflection this was an error ofjudgment on my part. i fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake i made." mayor of london sadiq khan says the metropolitan police commissioner dame cressida dick, has only weeks to address his concerns about her running of the force. a report by the independent office for police conduct revealed highly offensive language used on whatsapp

and facebook chats by officers from a now—disbanded team based in westminster, primarily at charing cross. 14 officers were investigated by the watchdog, nine remain serving, and two officers have been promoted. here is sadiq khan speaking this morning. i have been quite clear to the commissioner, my expectation is, the next time i see her, i want to see what her response is to the examples, not of one officer, of 14 officers being involved in racist, sexist misogynistic, homophobic, anti—semitic, islamophobic and the like behaviour, nine of whom are still serving. and secondly, what her plans are to win back the trust and confidence that has been both knocked and shattered as a consequence of these cases. and i make this point, in the words of the iopc,

the independent office for police conduct, these cases are not historic, they are not isolated, and that is why it is important for the commissioner, when i next see her, to answer me those two big questions. scotland yard's commissioner has come under mounting pressure of her handling over key events during recent years. this includes a man who was a serving metropolitan police officer who abducted, raped and strangled sarah everard. the force faced severe criticism over their policing of a vigil held in clapham common, london. a pair of met police constables, who took photos of two murdered sisters, nicole smallman and bibaa henry. they shared the images on whatsapp groups. both officers were jailed for 33 months each. and anthony walgate, jack taylor, gabriel kovari and daniel whitworth, four gay men were killed by stephen port. a coroner's report identified "basic investigative failings" by the scotland yard into their deaths.

our correspondent greg mckenzie has more on this story. is sadiq khan clear on exactly what he wants to hear from cressida is sadiq khan clear on exactly what he wants to hearfrom cressida dick? i think he is. in those cases you mentioned, the commissioner had to apologise on each and every one of those cases and she has apologised and apologised again only last week when the iopc revealed their findings of their investigation, the 14 officers they were investigating and looking into between a period of and looking into between a period of a few years, since 2018, and discovered that there was sexism and misogyny and defended in a way that it was all just misogyny and defended in a way that it was alljust banter. so she apologised. now the mayor has come out today saying that she has days or weeks to reassure the public, or restore the public�*s faith in the metropolitan police. of course met police is the biggest force in this

country, 42,000 officers and i think it's funded 25% of all money in england and wales go to mtm is a policing limit, so their budget huge and the responsibility but ultimately he has given her an ultimatum. but when you look into it, it's actually the home secretary priti patel who can hire orfire, so in terms of the mayor, his opinion is highly regarded, and she would listen to him in terms of his viewpoint, but it was only last year that the commissioner was granted a two—year extension, her contract was coming to an end in two months' time, so the met, i have called them today, and they have not without a statement yet in relation to the mayor of london's request for the commissioner to act on this report and basically he wants to review. he wants to know what she is going to do, he wants an action plan immediately as to how she is going

to tackle racism and misogyny within the metropolitan police. i5 to tackle racism and misogyny within the metropolitan police.— the metropolitan police. is there an word the metropolitan police. is there any word on _ the metropolitan police. is there any word on the _ the metropolitan police. is there any word on the government - the metropolitan police. is there i any word on the government were the metropolitan police. is there - any word on the government were on this? does she have government support? this? does she have government su ort? . �* , this? does she have government su--ort? . v , ., this? does she have government su oft? ., �*, , ., ., support? that's the question. not 'ust et. support? that's the question. not just yet- this _ support? that's the question. not just yet. this only _ support? that's the question. not just yet. this only happened - support? that's the question. not just yet. this only happened a - support? that's the question. notj just yet. this only happened a few ago so one is expecting statements potentially from the metropolitan police, potentially the commissioner herself, home secretary priti patel we might get a statement from government shortly, but ultimately, the mayor has said that she has days or weeks to come up with this action plan and he has said he is actually going to meet the commissioner. when pushed this morning about when that would be, hejust said i will be meeting her very soon. so we don't know whether that has this week, next week or the week after. you will kee- next week or the week after. you will keep us _ next week or the week after. you will keep us updated, thanks, greg. borisjohnson will travel to poland on thursday and liz truss will visit moscow as part of a concerted effort to address the ukraine crisis. a top russian diplomat has told the bbc the european initiative to resolve the crisis has been

positive, and there is still time for a political settlement. vladimir chizov said meetings in moscow this week could be key. european leaders said they'll continue talking to russia to try to avert a conflict that follows two days of shuttle diplomacy by the french president, emmanuel macron. mosocow has denied any plans to invade ukraine, but it has assembled more than 100,000 troops near its borders. and military exercises are continuing, these pictures show russian air defence systems in the brest region of belarus, which borders ukraine. mr chizov told the bbc�*s europe editor, katya adler, that the military build—up could be reduced later this month. those exercises, joint russian—belarusian exercises, that are taking place there, they had been preannounced since last year. and, of course, after they are finished, the troops will return to their own permanent stations. separately, there's talk of more

than 100,000 russian soldiers. can we expect to see fewer than are present at the moment? why isn't anybody speaking of ukrainian soldiers? they have an army of more than 250,000, and more than half of it is placed directly facing russia. is russia interested, though, in diplomacy? we certainly believe there is still room for diplomacy. russia is preparing a formal reply to answers that we received from the united states and nato, on russia's concerns over european security. the focus appears to be in preventing nato's expansion further eastward, preventing ukraine becoming

a member state of nato, and the west has already said, "gorget it." has already said, "forget it." so where can diplomacy go now? we are not going to forget it, first. and we cannot afford to forget it. susi dennison is a senior policy fellow at the european council on foreign relations. thanks forjoining us. hearing from the russian ambassador to the eu that they don't have any intention of invading ukraine. it's a message we have heard repeatedly. emmanuel macron says he has been assured by vladimir putin that there will be no deterioration or escalation but russia says any suggestion of a guarantee is not right. how do you read all of this? where do you think we are? is progress being made on the diplomatic front? i we are? is progress being made on the diplomatic front?— the diplomatic front? i think from the diplomatic front? i think from the work we _ the diplomatic front? i think from the work we have _ the diplomatic front? i think from the work we have been _ the diplomatic front? i think from the work we have been doing, - the diplomatic front? i think from i the work we have been doing, public opinion polling in six eu member states, it's clear europeans are not

convinced by the russian guarantees that they are not going to invade. we asked the question of how likely people felt it was that russia would invade ukraine during the coming months and we ask this question in january, and on all of the six eu member states we surveyed apart from finland, a majority felt it was likely to happen and therefore, and in finland it was around 44%. so i think there is a real sense in the eu again now that war is possible. therefore the high—level efforts we are seeing from emmanuel macron and the meeting of the weimar ministers in france, germany and poland over the last 24 hours are very important for showing that europeans are taking this threat seriously and are willing to respond if necessary. russia has repeatedly said it has got no intention of actually invading and obviously what is seen

on the border does potentially tell a different story. the president of ukraine has said that he doesn't trust words, he will believe actions. can you envisage russia actually doing something in a concrete way to back—up its words with action? may be moving troops away? there has been a suggestion and i think it came out of the talks with emmanuel macron that those trips would be pulled out of belarus and returned to russia. i trips would be pulled out of belarus and returned to russia.— and returned to russia. i think for me the major— and returned to russia. i think for me the major reason _ and returned to russia. i think for me the major reason to _ and returned to russia. i think for me the major reason to think- and returned to russia. i think for me the major reason to think that and returned to russia. i think for. me the major reason to think that it does remain possible is that what russia is asking of the west, guarantees that circumstances will need to expand to include ukraine, these are not demands for going to be acceptable to european leaders

and therefore it seems that as long as we are in this situation that if neither side can back down i think it does remain a distinct possibility. it is clear from the work we're doing that the threat posed by russia is not only about military action, what europeans are worried about is the impact of the continuing tensions around ukraine impacting on energy supply to europe, the possibility of cyberattacks, economic consequences and following on from the major pressure on europe's eastern borders from migration over the last month i think this is something also that europeans are very worried about too, so i think it is the package of threats that we are seeing at the moment from what russia may potentially do, goes much further than military action.—

potentially do, goes much further than military action. thank you very much forjoining _ than military action. thank you very much forjoining us. _ than military action. thank you very much forjoining us. thank - than military action. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you - than military action. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you for. much for “oining us. thank you for havin: much forjoining us. thank you for having me- _ one of the fathers who met health minister gillian keegan yesterday has said she did not need to apologise to them for continuing a meeting, despite being told she's just tested positive for covid. mike palmerfrom sale in greater manchester, one of the three dads walking, who raised £500,000 for a suicide prevention charity, confirmed that the minister told the three fathers that she'd just received news that she'd tested positive in the middle of a meeting with them. he said... "she put her coat on and started to prepare to leave. "we were already at a social distance, but decided to move "a little further away to be even safer. "we agreed to keep talking to her as she waited for her car,

"and as she stood in the doorway. "she has nothing to apologise for as far as we're concerned. "it was a very positive meeting, and she was charming. "it was an important meeting for us, particularly as it came "during children's mental health week." that reaction through from one of the fathers that gillian keegan was meeting yesterday when she discovered that she was positive for covid. the manager of the english premier league team west ham david moyes, has defended his decision to select kurt zouma against watford last night while police are investigating footage of him kicking his pet cat. the french international was booed by fans at the london stadium, following the release of a video showing the 27—year—old, hitting, dropping and kicking the animal across the floor. we aren't broadcasting the footage. the club says it "unreservedly condemns" him for his actions, but said it was a separate matter from the match. i'm a human being and i'm also a great animal lover,

so i understand how people feel. but again, as i said, i am the football manager here and i have to find a way of getting the results here. and kurt zouma is one of the key players to us. i'm joined now by sue watson, chair of the west ham united supporters' trust. what do you think about the fact that he played last night? goad that he played last night? good mornin: , that he played last night? good morning, thank _ that he played last night? good morning, thank you _ that he played last night? good morning, thank you from - that he played last night? (limp. morning, thank you from inviting me onto your programme. we don't think you should have played last night. simple as that. for a host of reasons, him being on the pitch sends a message. it sends a message to the youngsters, it sends a message to the other players, it sends a message and i think it was the wrong message. just for example, a group of under 16 last night chanted kurt zouma kicks what he

wants. it's not funny. it's not something that anybody should be proud of. west ham is a family club. pets are part of a family. those two cats are part of kurt zouma's families. i think the fact that there was a young child there as well is of concern. you can hear the little one in the background. they were laughing, it's not funny. i accept that the club are now looking to have started internal investigations and disciplinary processes, but it's almost like i'm not sure if he should be back on the field until they have concluded those. obviously sorry and essex police are in liaison so i cannot discuss that, and the rspca are also considering what they need to do. i

hope those cats are ok, all i can say is if you drop kick the cat, they have lots of soft organs, they are, they feel fear, they are sent eight beings, they feel pain. i can only imagine —— they are sentience beings. i can only imagine those poor creatures. we don't think you should have been on the pitch. the only thing i would say about the booing and it's possible that he was, but his actual chant, which a few have several thousand people doing that, it kind of sounds like a blue but he'd get did get a very strong response and from the watford supporters as well. the big shame of it really is west ham is meant to be a family club and we were recognising and honouring the memory of a supporter who passed away with

neuroblastoma at the end of january. this was a really special time for the west ham family that had supported herfamily forfive the west ham family that had supported her family for five years and so we tried to focus it on that. that's what it should have been about. the west ham family coming together. about. the west ham family coming touether. �* , , ., about. the west ham family coming touether. �* , ,, about. the west ham family coming touether. �* , , ., ., about. the west ham family coming touether. �* , ., together. briefly, you said that you don't think you _ together. briefly, you said that you don't think you should _ together. briefly, you said that you don't think you should play - together. briefly, you said that you don't think you should play again . don't think you should play again until all of the investigations are rounded up, but if he is sort of censored in an official way for this, can you see him playing for the club again? would you want him to play for the club again? iuntil]! the club again? would you want him to play for the club again?— to play for the club again? will he? probabl is to play for the club again? will he? probably is the _ to play for the club again? will he? probably is the honest _ to play for the club again? will he? probably is the honest answer - to play for the club again? will he? probably is the honest answer for l to play for the club again? will he? probably is the honest answer for a j probably is the honest answer for a host of financial reasons? reasons i think it needs to be more than and i hope the club are looking into this, notjust a fine or wrap on the knuckles, i think there needs to be some sort of education programme, possibly from the rspca

or the cats protection league and a very, very sizeable donation to the cats protection league but i think it's an educational opportunity so that he actually understands why people are, although he has apologised, why people are taking a stance or a view that they are. because i am a cat person, there was one still photo i thought i cannot watch that. at that point, i turned, i was not interested. i think there needs to be some sort of education as well, notjust a straightforward sunday match ban or slap on the wrist. it needs to be meaningful. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you very much. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again.

for many of us today, it is going to be a colder day than it was yesterday. the exception to that is across the south, where we have got a weak weather front producing some cloud and some patchy light rain. but for most of us, we are looking at a day of sunshine and showers, some of those showers wintry in the hills of northern ireland and northern england, some of those snow showers getting down to low levels across parts of scotland and gusting to gale force across the northern and western isles. tonight, a weatherfront continues its journey south. a potent area of low pressure across this northern scotland bringing gales, even severe gales, some rain, sleet and snow as far south as the southern uplands, and potentially blizzards in the hills. and where we have got lying snow, there is the risk of ice as well. tomorrow, that will all track of into the north sea. the winds will moderate, the front clears the far south of england and then for most of us it's a day of sunshine and also showers, but it's also going to feel cold. the temperature range 3—9, but it will feel colder than that if you are exposed to the wind.

until our government gets to grip with competence and attention to detail and not grandstanding and winding the french up, we are absolutely. i can't see an end to the problems. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, says the commissioner of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, has "days and weeks" to show him she has a plan to restore public trust in her running of the force. a flurry of international efforts,

as european leaders try to avert war in ukraine, and say there is some cause for optimism. health minister gillian keegan apologises for continuing with a meeting yesterday, despite having tested positive for covid. booing on the pitch for footballer kurt zouma, as police confirm they are investigating footage of him kicking his pet cat. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's olly foster. good morning. team gb were hoping that this was the day that they broke their medal drought in beijing. the reigning world champion charlotte bankes was the favourites in the snowboard cross, but she was knocked out in the quarterfinals. joe lynskey reports. snowboard cross is knock out racing through the ramps. even for the best riders, there isjeopardy. that was brutal! so to start as favourite comes with conditions. britain's charlotte bankes is the world champion. since being in gb, she has

accelerated. champion. since being in gb, she has accelerated-— champion. since being in gb, she has accelerated._ she l accelerated. look at this speed! she was born in — accelerated. look at this speed! she was born in hemel_ accelerated. look at this speed! she was born in hemel hempstead - accelerated. look at this speed! she was born in hemel hempstead and l accelerated. look at this speed! she - was born in hemel hempstead and move to france when she was four. battle hardened in the alps, she said the french team lacked good support. so with a move to gb, she became a nation's hopes for gold, but predicting the spot comes with risk. i don't know if she is going to do this! _ i don't know if she is going to do this! ., ., ., , . this! her quarterfinal had bunched u . this! her quarterfinal had bunched u- throu~h this! her quarterfinal had bunched up through the — this! her quarterfinal had bunched up through the corners _ this! her quarterfinal had bunched up through the corners and - this! her quarterfinal had bunched up through the corners and camel this! her quarterfinal had bunched - up through the corners and came down to the line. the top two go through and she wasjust to the line. the top two go through and she was just in third. just to the line. the top two go through and she wasjust in third.— and she was 'ust in third. just to come away — and she wasjust in third. just to come away like _ and she wasjust in third. just to come away like this _ and she wasjust in third. just to come away like this is _ and she wasjust in third. just to come away like this is tough - and she wasjust in third. just to j come away like this is tough and and she wasjust in third. just to - come away like this is tough and we will bounce back, but we came here really helping to do a good race and... ., , and... few would begrudge the day's

smile for gold- _ and... few would begrudge the day's smile for gold. she _ and... few would begrudge the day's smile for gold. she has _ and... few would begrudge the day's smile for gold. she has waited - and... few would begrudge the day's smile for gold. she has waited 16 - smile for gold. she has waited 16 years for redemption.— smile for gold. she has waited 16 years for redemption. drama! she is down! look — years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at _ years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at her! _ years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at her! up _ years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at her! up to _ years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at her! up to now, - years for redemption. drama! she is down! look at her! up to now, that. down! look at her! up to now, that trick had cost _ down! look at her! up to now, that trick had cost her— down! look at her! up to now, that trick had cost her olympic- down! look at her! up to now, that trick had cost her olympic gold. - down! look at her! up to now, that i trick had cost her olympic gold. now at 36, she made the most of her last chance. in one of these games most breathless spot, a clean run can't mean so much. a fantastic event but disappointment for charlotte bankes. a fantastic event but disappointment for charlotte bankes. in the women's slalom great britain's charlie guest finished in 21st place. she was in 15th after her first run but a small mistake near the end of her second cost her time, and despite recovering well she was never going to get close to the podium. the games aren't going well for double—olympic champion mikaela shiffrin either. two days after falling near the top of the giant slalom course, the american aborted her

first run in the slalom. she's due to comepete in three more alpine skiing events, but on this form, she says she's considering whether she should continue. slovakia's petra vlhova. took gold in the slalom. chelsea are playing their first match at the club world cup in abu dhabi later. the champions league winners come straight in at the semifinal stage and face al hilal, the african champions league winners. the brazilians palmeiras are waiting in saturdays final. the blues lost the 2012 final to corinthians. it's the only trophy the captain hasn't yet won with the club. it hurt a lot, losing that in 2012, and this is the only competition that the club didn't win. not myself. i think to win it for the first time for the club is huge. we have to make everything that we have

to put it out on the pitch. i think it has a great meaning for everybody, the fans, we are representing europe. formula one driver lando norris has signed a new deal that will see him stay at mclaren until the end of 2025. the 22—year—old brit finished sixth in last season's standings, with four podium finishes and he also claimed his first pole position as the team finished fourth in the constructors championship. norris said that his new contract was a "a very strong message" about his faith in mclaren, despite approaches from other teams. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. let me go back to the news we were just bringing you a few moments ago. it is following on from the news that gillian keegan tested positive yesterday while she was in a meeting. she has apologised for that. she had been meeting three

fathers whose children had died by suicide. they have become known as the three dads walking. one of them who was in the meeting has put out a statement this morning after she apologised, following on from that meeting yesterday. mike palmer said she didn't need to apologise to them for continuing the meeting. she had asked when news of the positive test came through whether she could continue. she said that she would leave the meeting and they said it was fine for it to continue. here is the detail now from mike palmer from sale in greater manchester of what happened. he said she put her coat on and started to prepare to leave. we were already at a social distance but decided to move a little further away to be even safer. we agree to keep talking to her as she waited for her car and she stood in the doorway. she has nothing to apologise for as far as we are concerned. it was a very positive

meeting and she was charming. it was an important meeting for us, particularly as it came through children's mental health week. that reaction to that story from one of the fathers who met the health minister gillian keegan yesterday. the main suspect in the trial over the 2015 paris attacks — salah abdeslam — is set to be cross—examined for the first time. 130 people were killed and many more injured when the city was hit by multiple gun shootings and suicide bomb explosions, including at the bataclan music hall. it was the deadliest ever attack seen in peacetime france. our paris correspondent hugh schofield is following the case. salah abdeslam will appear in court this afternoon. it won't be the first time he has spoken. in september he was quite forthright in

his statement that he still considers himself a soldier of islam. this is the first time he will be cross—examined about the run—up to the attacks. salah abdeslam has been dubbed the tenth man, and he came with the attackers and is believed that he was intended to be an attack himself but pulled out, either because his belt failed to explode ari had a change of heart. he smuggled himself back and was arrested later. so he is keen to all of this. he is the only one accused of taking part and a co—author, and anything he says will be interesting. up until now in the cross—examination by investigators he has not been very forthcoming and all sorts of questions remain unanswered about his role, and so

on. some may be answered today or later in the trial, but it all depends whether he will speak. thank ou ve depends whether he will speak. thank you very much- _ depends whether he will speak. thank you very much- hugh _ depends whether he will speak. thank you very much. hugh schofield reporting from paris. the winner of the people's choice wildlife photographer of the year has been announced. the winner is italian photographer cristiano vendramin, whose photo of a frozen italian lake touched the hearts of over 31,800 wildlife and nature enthusiasts who voted online for his breath—taking landscape to win from a shortlist of 25 images. the shortlist was chosen by the natural history museum in london, from a record breaking 50,000 images from 95 countries submitted to the 57th annual competition. i'm joined now by ashleigh mccord, �*highly commended' for wildlife photographer of the year people's choice. her picture was of two male lions. if we take a look at your beautiful

image now. it is stunning. there is so much tenderness captured in that image. can you tell us, was it a fleeting moment? this is another image you took shortly after. the first image is the one that has got you the accolade. tell us about how you the accolade. tell us about how you captured a particular moment? what was the scene? we had been watching one of the male lions who had been on a kill from a prior day and you can see on the horizon a huge thunderstorm approaching and very quickly it made its way towards us, and as it did we saw at a distance and another male lion started to approach and it was really sweet to see the two males start to nuzzle, which is common amongst males, but in this specific situation when it was pouring down with rain, the embrace and watching them as the rain started to pick up to where we could hardly even see them any more and theyjust sat

together waiting out the storm, it was almost as if one of the brothers was almost as if one of the brothers was trying to protect the other as the thunder storm approached. hosp the thunder storm approached. how close were you _ the thunder storm approached. how close were you to _ the thunder storm approached. how close were you to them? we - the thunder storm approached. how close were you to them? we were i close were you to them? we were robabl close were you to them? we were probably 20 _ close were you to them? we were probably 20 feet _ close were you to them? we were probably 20 feet away. _ close were you to them? we were probably 20 feet away. it - close were you to them? we were probably 20 feet away. it was - close were you to them? we were i probably 20 feet away. it was pretty close. they came pretty close to us, so it was incredible to be that close to wildlife in the special moments like this. find close to wildlife in the special moments like this.— moments like this. and it is tempting — moments like this. and it is tempting to _ moments like this. and it is tempting to read _ moments like this. and it is tempting to read so - moments like this. and it is tempting to read so much i moments like this. and it is i tempting to read so much into moments like this. and it is - tempting to read so much into that particular image and you've described something of the tenderness that you felt you picked up tenderness that you felt you picked up when you were there. you tenderness that you felt you picked up when you were there.— up when you were there. you could reall feel up when you were there. you could really feel that _ up when you were there. you could really feel that love _ up when you were there. you could really feel that love between - up when you were there. you could really feel that love between these | really feel that love between these two lions together, more so then i have ever felt. two lions together, more so then i have everfelt. i two lions together, more so then i have ever felt. i think the scene helped by being dark and cloudy and raining, but it was a really special moment between the two of them. itruiheh moment between the two of them. when ou took the moment between the two of them. when you took the picture, _ moment between the two of them. when you took the picture, did _ moment between the two of them. when you took the picture, did you think, this is going to be an award—winning photograph? at what point did you decide to submit it? it

photograph? at what point did you decide to submit it?— decide to submit it? it was definitely _ decide to submit it? it was definitely one _ decide to submit it? it was definitely one of— decide to submit it? it was definitely one of those - decide to submit it? it was - definitely one of those moments where you say that was something incredible that we experience, seeing something like that. i was there with my mum, and we both said, yes it pretty great, and as we got back and looked at the photos i thought, this is something that is pretty valuable and i thought i would submit it and see if other people felt the same way, and thankfully they have and i appreciate that. it thankfully they have and i appreciate that.— thankfully they have and i appreciate that. it is a perfect imaae, appreciate that. it is a perfect image. but — appreciate that. it is a perfect image, but would _ appreciate that. it is a perfect image, but would either- appreciate that. it is a perfect image, but would either side | appreciate that. it is a perfect i image, but would either side of appreciate that. it is a perfect - image, but would either side of that moment of not being quite right, how do you get that particular moment? if you could see in the background what is really going on, the car is starting to leak rain, water is starting to leak rain, water is starting to leak rain, water is starting to come in. there was a person next to me who lost her camera in the event because there were so much water. i had some protective gear on my camera, a really long lens, so you are

fumbling with big equipment and water is coming in and trying to balance, do i want to capture this amazing moment or save my camera? so at that point it was a risk—based decision so this was something i wanted to try and capture as well as i can, and thankfully i could save my camera and have a great image as well. �* , ., my camera and have a great image as well. �* i. ., , well. and when did you actually manaue well. and when did you actually manage to _ well. and when did you actually manage to look _ well. and when did you actually manage to look back _ well. and when did you actually manage to look back and - well. and when did you actually| manage to look back and realise quite how special the photograph was? i quite how special the photograph was? ~ ., ., ~ quite how special the photograph was? ~' ., was? i think even looking at the back of my _ was? i think even looking at the back of my camera _ was? i think even looking at the back of my camera right - was? i think even looking at the back of my camera right after i was? i think even looking at the i back of my camera right after when we were going back to camp, it was raining so i was looking back at my photos as we were going back and thought this was something really moving. it moved something inside me. so pretty soon after, getting back to the camp and sharing it with others, they felt it was pretty great also. 50 others, they felt it was pretty great also-— others, they felt it was pretty ureatalso. , , great also. so it was pretty quick. the are great also. so it was pretty quick. they are really — great also. so it was pretty quick. they are really rare _ great also. so it was pretty quick. they are really rare and _ great also. so it was pretty quick. they are really rare and special. they are really rare and special images. they are really rare and special imaaes. . ~ they are really rare and special imaaes. ., ,, i. they are really rare and special imaaes. ., ~ i. they are really rare and special imaaes. . ~' ,, . they are really rare and special imaaes. . ~' . ., images. thank you so much and congratulations. _ images. thank you so much and congratulations. thank - images. thank you so much and congratulations. thank you - images. thank you so much and i congratulations. thank you having me. many uk families have

been forced to cancel half—term trips to spain, because of a rule change which means children over 12 must now be double vaccinated to enter the country. hoteliers in the islands say the restrictions have lost them millions of pounds' worth of trade. katy austin reports. ben and his family have great memories of the canary islands. they were looking forward to making more last year, but restrictions forced them to postpone to this february. now, children over 12 need two jabs to enter spain, so the holiday is off. unfortunately, the 12—year—old has onlyjust turned 12, so doesn't have his second vaccination yet. so we cancelled, only cancelled a few days ago, we thought we would hold out until the 1st of february in case anything changed. but unfortunately we had to pull the plug. ben is far from alone. travel agents say lots of people want to go away at the moment, but they're having to keep their customers informed of an ever—changing international patchwork of covid rules. spain, including the canaries,

is usually a half—term hit. you can get a little bit of heat, wear your shorts, sit outside and eat. the rule barring over 12s with only one or no vaccinations is having a big impact. 50% of our bookings were moved because actually, it's for families. they'll move destinations or move dates and plan for easter. it's a headache for tourism businesses in the canaries. they want the spanish government to relax the restrictions because many brits are heading for places like turkey or mexico instead. in tenerife, we have 2.5 million british citizens every normal year. when we talk about christmas, when we talk about february, we are talking about nearly 30% of the business. so that brings this loss to be nearly 1,000 million euros if we do not take those measures out. from friday, it will get a lot easier to come into the uk. fully vaccinated travellers no longer to have to take any covid tests to enter this country.

but people planning trips overseas still really need to know what the rules are at their destination. because every country has its own requirements. and notjust for entry. in france, over 16s need a pass showing proof of vaccination to access certain activities, including getting a ski pass. unvaccinated 12 to 15—year—olds can take daily tests. tour operators still expect a bumper easter and summer, but many families who hoped for winter sun are having to wait a little longer. katy austin, bbc news. a standoff between truckers and the canadian government over covid restrictions shows no sign of ending. the city of ottawa has called for reinforcements asking for 1800 additional police officers to assist those already on the ground, with concerns the demonstration is now getting out of hand. tanya dendrinos reports.

they are used to hauling across the country but now they are packed up, demanding an end to a clean mandate. i think it isjust a demanding an end to a clean mandate. i think it is just a fact that they i think it is just a fact that they i think it is just a fact that they i think you have to have a mandate, that you have to have a shot. that is a problem because ever since covid started truckers have been going back and forth across the border and across canada, the united states, hauling things to first responders, emergency is, masks, all this stuff. when the truckers couldn't get it, they were getting it out to other people. the protest auoin into it out to other people. the protest going into its _ it out to other people. the protest going into its second _ it out to other people. the protest going into its second week - it out to other people. the protest going into its second week has - it out to other people. the protest i going into its second week has seen around 500 trucks lining the streets of downtown ottawa. some have been blockaded altogether, including the busiest land crossing between canada and the united states, which was shut for hours on tuesday. it and the united states, which was shut for hours on tuesday.- shut for hours on tuesday. it has turned into _ shut for hours on tuesday. it has turned into an _ shut for hours on tuesday. it has turned into an occupation. - shut for hours on tuesday. it has turned into an occupation. theyi shut for hours on tuesday. it has - turned into an occupation. they have removed _ turned into an occupation. they have removed their tyres off their big trucks, — removed their tyres off their big trucks, they are putting fuel and they have —

trucks, they are putting fuel and they have set up temporary shelters. this is— they have set up temporary shelters. this is no— they have set up temporary shelters. this is no longerjust a peaceful conversation or attempt at negotiation. this is a hostagetaking situation _ negotiation. this is a hostagetaking situation. ., ., ., » , situation. canadian prime minister justin trudeau _ situation. canadian prime minister justin trudeau was _ situation. canadian prime minister justin trudeau was heckled - situation. canadian prime minister justin trudeau was heckled in - justin trudeau was heckled in parliament as he defended the use of restrictions to fight the pandemic. it is clear patience is running thin on many fronts. an injunction has been granted to stop the truck is honking their horns. they have quietened the scene but are determined not to be silenced. home secretary priti patel said: "being a police officer is a privilege which has been abused by these sickening officers. "it has been clear for some time that there are problems

"with the culture of the metropolitan police, "which is why last year "i tasked the angiolini inquiry and the police inspectorate "with investigating these deeply concerning issues. "i expect the metropolitan police and the mayor of london to implement "the recommendations of this report as soon as practically possible. "the public rightly expects the behaviour of the police "to be beyond reproach — standards must be raised." adele was the big winner at last night's brit awards, taking home the three top prizes. the singer was named best artist, and also claimed awards for song and album of the year. women took 9 of the 12 awards for solo artists, after the organisers scrapped specific male and female categories. well done to adele.

we're nowjoining our colleagues on politics live on bbc for coverage of prime minister's question time in the commons. right now we willjoin... right now we willjoin. .. we can right now we will 'oin. .. we can welcome he _ right now we will 'oin. .. we can welcome he was — right now we willjoin. .. we can welcome he was on _ right now we willjoin. .. we can welcome he was on bbc - right now we willjoin. .. we can welcome he was on bbc news. l bbc news. we are coming up to midday. time for prime minister's questions, going to the chamber. it is starting to fill up. it's been an extremely lively and eventful time, prime minister's questions on wednesdays over the last few weeks. wednesdays over the last few weeks. we will wait to see what happens today. we talked a little bit earlier about the reshuffle that was undertaken by the prime minister. he has been criticised for making mark spencer, who was the chief whip, leader of the house of commons in yesterday's reshuffle. that's because he is still being investigated for islamophobia comment that he made, which he denies but an investigation is ongoing into the matter. peter, is it appropriate for mark spencer to

be made leader of the commons, which is a role which would give him oversight of complaints made by mps when he himself is being investigated for comments he allegedly made to nusrat ghani? it is very interesting. we have a poacher becoming the gamekeeper for the gamekeeper becoming a poacher, as a chief whip you do everything for government business. mr; as a chief whip you do everything for government business. my question is about whether _ for government business. my question is about whether he _ for government business. my question is about whether he should _ for government business. my question is about whether he should have - for government business. my question is about whether he should have that i is about whether he should have that role whilst he is being investigated himself? flail role whilst he is being investigated himself? ., ., ., , himself? call me old-fashioned, but isn't everyone _ himself? call me old-fashioned, but isn't everyone innocent _ himself? call me old-fashioned, but isn't everyone innocent until - himself? call me old-fashioned, but isn't everyone innocent until proven | isn't everyone innocent until proven otherwise? i isn't everyone innocent until proven otherwise? ., , isn't everyone innocent until proven otherwise? ~ , . ., , otherwise? ithink it is crazy. i think the _ otherwise? ithink it is crazy. i think the reshuffle, _ otherwise? ithink it is crazy. i think the reshuffle, a - otherwise? ithink it is crazy. i think the reshuffle, a tiny - otherwise? ithink it is crazy. i| think the reshuffle, a tiny little reshuffle, all men, one woman. it was reallym — reshuffle, all men, one woman. it was really---_ reshuffle, all men, one woman. it was really... women... many ppss. don't say all — was really... women... many ppss.

don't say all when _ was really... women... many ppss. don't say all when it's _ was really... women... many ppss. don't say all when it's not. - was really... women... many ppss. don't say all when it's not. let - was really... women... many ppss. don't say all when it's not. let me i don't say all when it's not. let me 'ust clear don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this _ don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this up. _ don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this up. it _ don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this up. it is _ don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this up. it is true, - don't say all when it's not. let me just clear this up. it is true, some| just clear this up. it is true, some women have been promoted but caroline noakes, conservative mp, said... peter? she would say that. why, because she _ peter? she would say that. why, because she is _ peter? she would say that. why, because she is a _ peter? she would say that. why, because she is a woman? - peter? she would say that. why, because she is a woman? no, i peter? she would say that. why, - because she is a woman? no, because she does not — because she is a woman? no, because she does not like _ because she is a woman? no, because she does not like boris. _ because she is a woman? no, because she does not like boris. it's _ because she is a woman? no, because she does not like boris. it's as - she does not like boris. it's as simple as that!— she does not like boris. it's as simple as that! there is also that. can i simple as that! there is also that. can i come _ simple as that! there is also that. can i come back _ simple as that! there is also that. can i come back to _ simple as that! there is also that. can i come back to who _ simple as that! there is also that. can i come back to who has - simple as that! there is also that. can i come back to who has been | can i come back to who has been promoted — can i come back to who has been promoted. it does seem people who have failed _ promoted. it does seem people who have failed have been promoted, that's— have failed have been promoted, that's what happened. i wouldn't. .. steve barclay _ that's what happened. i wouldn't. .. steve barclay and _ that's what happened. i wouldn't. .. steve barclay and jacob _ that's what happened. i wouldn't. .. | steve barclay and jacob rees-mogg steve barclay and jacob rees—mogg have failed? ii steve barclay and jacob rees-mogg have failed? , ., ,, have failed? if we focus on mark sencer, have failed? if we focus on mark spencer. we've _ have failed? if we focus on mark spencer, we've talked _ have failed? if we focus on mark spencer, we've talked a - have failed? if we focus on mark spencer, we've talked a lot - have failed? if we focus on markl spencer, we've talked a lot about trust _ spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today— spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today and _ spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today and how _ spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today and how we _ spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today and how we can - spencer, we've talked a lot about trust today and how we can have i trust today and how we can have trust _ trust today and how we can have trust on — trust today and how we can have trust on -- — trust today and how we can have trust on -- in—

trust today and how we can have trust on —— in those _ trust today and how we can have trust on —— in those who- trust today and how we can have trust on —— in those who governl trust today and how we can have i trust on —— in those who govern us, how— trust on —— in those who govern us, how can _ trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we — trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we have _ trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we have a _ trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we have a man _ trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we have a man who - trust on —— in those who govern us, how can we have a man who we - trust on —— in those who govern us, i how can we have a man who we know trust on —— in those who govern us, - how can we have a man who we know is under— how can we have a man who we know is under investigation _ how can we have a man who we know is under investigation for _ how can we have a man who we know is under investigation for islamophobia . under investigation for islamophobia comment. _ under investigation for islamophobia comment, alleged, _ under investigation for islamophobia comment, alleged, but— under investigation for islamophobia comment, alleged, but under- comment, alleged, but under investigation _ comment, alleged, but under investigation at _ comment, alleged, but under investigation at this _ comment, alleged, but under investigation at this point. . comment, alleged, but under| investigation at this point. we comment, alleged, but under- investigation at this point. we also know— investigation at this point. we also know he _ investigation at this point. we also know he was— investigation at this point. we also know he was at _ investigation at this point. we also know he was at the _ investigation at this point. we also know he was at the heart - investigation at this point. we also know he was at the heart of- investigation at this point. we also know he was at the heart of the . investigation at this point. we also i know he was at the heart of the owen paterson _ know he was at the heart of the owen paterson situation, _ know he was at the heart of the owen paterson situation, which _ know he was at the heart of the owen paterson situation, which again... - paterson situation, which again... he was— paterson situation, which again... he was not— paterson situation, which again... he was not at— paterson situation, which again... he was not at the _ paterson situation, which again... he was not at the heart _ paterson situation, which again... he was not at the heart of- paterson situation, which again... he was not at the heart of it. - paterson situation, which again... he was not at the heart of it. it. he was not at the heart of it. it did so much damage, so the idea he is promoted — did so much damage, so the idea he is promoted to — did so much damage, so the idea he is promoted to a _ did so much damage, so the idea he is promoted to a position... - did so much damage, so the idea he is promoted to a position... what i i is promoted to a position... what i don't _ is promoted to a position... what i don't understand _ is promoted to a position... what i don't understand more _ is promoted to a position... what i don't understand more than- is promoted to a position... what i i don't understand more than anything is why— don't understand more than anything is why if— don't understand more than anything is why if you — don't understand more than anything is why if you are _ don't understand more than anything is why if you are prime _ don't understand more than anything is why if you are prime minister- don't understand more than anything is why if you are prime minister you i is why if you are prime minister you would _ is why if you are prime minister you would want — is why if you are prime minister you would want someone _ is why if you are prime minister you would want someone like _ is why if you are prime minister you would want someone like that. - is why if you are prime minister you i would want someone like that. surely there must— would want someone like that. surely there must be — would want someone like that. surely there must be others— would want someone like that. surely there must be others out— would want someone like that. surely there must be others out there - would want someone like that. surely there must be others out there that. there must be others out there that could _ there must be others out there that could do— there must be others out there that could do the — there must be others out there that could do the job _ there must be others out there that could do the job. if _ there must be others out there that could do the job. if we _ there must be others out there that could do the job. if we are - could do the job. if we are discussing _ could do the job. if we are discussing this _ could do the job. if we are discussing this as - could do the job. if we are discussing this as we - could do the job. if we are discussing this as we are i could do the job. if we are i discussing this as we are now could do the job. if we are - discussing this as we are now and there _ discussing this as we are now and there has— discussing this as we are now and there has been— discussing this as we are now and there has been something - discussing this as we are now and there has been something of- discussing this as we are now and there has been something of a i there has been something of a backlash. _ there has been something of a backlash. do— there has been something of a backlash, do you _ there has been something of a backlash, do you think- there has been something of a backlash, do you think they i there has been something of a i backlash, do you think they were good _ backlash, do you think they were good decisions? _ backlash, do you think they were good decisions? i— backlash, do you think they were good decisions?— backlash, do you think they were good decisions? i think reshuffle is normally passed _ good decisions? i think reshuffle is normally passed me _ good decisions? i think reshuffle is normally passed me by _ good decisions? i think reshuffle is normally passed me by because i i normally passed me by because i don't really watch my phone because they won't invite me in. but this is actually for the first time a good reshuffle. we'd change things, we got a brexit minister, chief of staff in downing street, we got an mp in research in downing street. those things are bringing the

government closer to parliament and parliament closer to the government which is a good thing. he parliament closer to the government which is a good thing.— which is a good thing. he says he has another _ which is a good thing. he says he has another reshuffle _ which is a good thing. he says he has another reshuffle up - which is a good thing. he says he has another reshuffle up his - which is a good thing. he says he i has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may— has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may time — has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may time at _ has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may time. at the _ has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may time. at the moment - has another reshuffle up his sleeve for may time. at the moment he'sl for may time. at the moment he's done _ for may time. at the moment he's done just— for may time. at the moment he's done just about _ for may time. at the moment he's done just about enough, - for may time. at the moment he's done just about enough, not - for may time. at the moment he's done just about enough, not to i done just about enough, not to reshape — done just about enough, not to reshape government _ done just about enough, not to reshape government but - done just about enough, not to reshape government but to - done just about enough, not to i reshape government but to please done just about enough, not to - reshape government but to please the film reshape government but to please the right wing _ reshape government but to please the right wing of— reshape government but to please the right wing of the — reshape government but to please the right wing of the party— reshape government but to please the right wing of the party and _ reshape government but to please the right wing of the party and be - reshape government but to please the right wing of the party and be later- right wing of the party and be later or maybe _ right wing of the party and be later or maybe or— right wing of the party and be later or maybe or maybe _ right wing of the party and be later or maybe or maybe not _ or maybe or maybe not something might— or maybe or maybe not something might happen _ or maybe or maybe not something might happen the— or maybe or maybe not something might happen-— might happen. the chief whip is welcomed across... _ might happen. the chief whip is welcomed across... let - might happen. the chief whip is welcomed across... let me... i might happen. the chief whip is i welcomed across... let me... the leader welcomed across. .. let me... the leader of— welcomed across... let me... the leader of the _ welcomed across... let me... the leader of the houses _ welcomed across... let me... the leader of the houses supposed - welcomed across... let me... the leader of the houses supposed to | welcomed across... let me... the i leader of the houses supposed to be a guardian— leader of the houses supposed to be a guardian of propriety and standards. to put someone... i so agree _ standards. to put someone... i so agree with — standards. to put someone... i so agree with alison. | standards. to put someone... i so agree with alison.— agree with alison. i am trying to brina ou agree with alison. i am trying to bring you in. _ agree with alison. i am trying to bring you in, inaya. _ agree with alison. i am trying to bring you in, inaya. i'm - agree with alison. i am trying to bring you in, inaya. i'm sure - agree with alison. i am trying to i bring you in, inaya. i'm sure you've been listening to all of this. stepping back a minute, been listening to all of this. stepping backa minute, do been listening to all of this. stepping back a minute, do you think this reset as it's been dubbed by the government has worked or is working? i the government has worked or is workin: ? ., the government has worked or is workin: ? ~ ., ., ,, ,�* working? i think caroline noakes' comments _ working? i think caroline noakes' comments are _ working? i think caroline noakes' comments are a _ working? i think caroline noakes' comments are a bit _ working? i think caroline noakes' comments are a bit questionable | working? i think caroline noakes' - comments are a bit questionable when she struggled — comments are a bit questionable when she struggled to — comments are a bit questionable when she struggled to define _ comments are a bit questionable when she struggled to define what _ comments are a bit questionable when she struggled to define what a - comments are a bit questionable when she struggled to define what a womanl she struggled to define what a woman is and _ she struggled to define what a woman is and i_ she struggled to define what a woman is and i think— she struggled to define what a woman is and i think she _ she struggled to define what a woman is and i think she is _ she struggled to define what a woman is and i think she is not _ she struggled to define what a woman is and i think she is not in _ she struggled to define what a woman is and i think she is not in the - is and i think she is not in the right— is and i think she is not in the right position _ is and i think she is not in the right position to _ is and i think she is not in the right position to comment - is and i think she is not in the right position to comment on| is and i think she is not in the - right position to comment on gender

issues _ right position to comment on gender issues in _ right position to comment on gender issues in politics. _ right position to comment on gender issues in politics. but _ right position to comment on gender issues in politics. but when - right position to comment on gender issues in politics. but when it- issues in politics. but when it comes— issues in politics. but when it comes to _ issues in politics. but when it comes to this, _ issues in politics. but when it comes to this, i— issues in politics. but when it comes to this, i think - issues in politics. but when it comes to this, i think it's - issues in politics. but when it comes to this, i think it's not| issues in politics. but when it- comes to this, i think it's not very good _ comes to this, i think it's not very good optics — comes to this, i think it's not very good optics for— comes to this, i think it's not very good optics for the _ comes to this, i think it's not very good optics for the government i comes to this, i think it's not very| good optics for the government to comes to this, i think it's not very - good optics for the government to be giving _ good optics for the government to be giving some _ good optics for the government to be giving some in— good optics for the government to be giving some in this _ good optics for the government to be giving some in this position— good optics for the government to be giving some in this position that - good optics for the government to be giving some in this position that is i giving some in this position that is also in _ giving some in this position that is also in an— giving some in this position that is also in an investigation _ giving some in this position that is also in an investigation right - giving some in this position that is also in an investigation right now. also in an investigation right now over— also in an investigation right now over these — also in an investigation right now over these allegations— also in an investigation right now over these allegations of- over these allegations of islamophobia. _ over these allegations of islamophobia.— over these allegations of - islamophobia.- what on over these allegations of _ islamophobia.- what on earth islamophobia. sorry... what on earth are ou islamophobia. sorry... what on earth are you saying _ islamophobia. sorry... what on earth are you saying about _ islamophobia. sorry... what on earth are you saying about caroline - are you saying about caroline noakes? _ are you saying about caroline noakes? she's been a fantastic campaigner for women, what are you saying? _ campaigner for women, what are you saying? that's pathetic, that comment. that's the sort of nasty... it is comment. that's the sort of nasty... it is not _ comment. that's the sort of nasty... it is not pathetic.— it is not pathetic. what are you are uinu it is not pathetic. what are you arguing about _ it is not pathetic. what are you arguing about her? _ it is not pathetic. what are you arguing about her? she - it is not pathetic. what are you arguing about her? she is - it is not pathetic. what are you arguing about her? she is the. it is not pathetic. what are you - arguing about her? she is the chair ofthe arguing about her? she is the chair of the women _ arguing about her? she is the chair of the women select _ arguing about her? she is the chair of the women select committee . arguing about her? she is the chair| of the women select committee and are at— of the women select committee and are at the _ of the women select committee and are at the head _ of the women select committee and are at the head of— of the women select committee and are at the head of advocating - of the women select committee and are at the head of advocating for. are at the head of advocating for the reform — are at the head of advocating for the reform act _ are at the head of advocating for the reform act and _ are at the head of advocating for the reform act and she - are at the head of advocating for the reform act and she has - are at the head of advocating for the reform act and she has beenj the reform act and she has been shutting — the reform act and she has been shutting many— the reform act and she has been shutting many women _ the reform act and she has been shutting many women down. - the reform act and she has been i shutting many women down. there the reform act and she has been - shutting many women down. there was a man's— shutting many women down. there was a man's net— shutting many women down. there was a man's net discussion _ shutting many women down. there was a man's net discussion only— shutting many women down. there was a man's net discussion only last - a man's net discussion only last week— a man's net discussion only last week that — a man's net discussion only last week that she _ a man's net discussion only last week that she shut _ a man's net discussion only last week that she shutdown - a man's net discussion only last week that she shutdown manyl a man's net discussion only last - week that she shutdown many mothers raising _ week that she shutdown many mothers raising issues _ week that she shutdown many mothers raising issues i— week that she shutdown many mothers raising issues. ithink— week that she shutdown many mothers raising issues. i think it's _ raising issues. i think it's absolutely— raising issues. i think it's absolutely right- raising issues. i think it's absolutely right to - raising issues. i think it's absolutely right to raise. raising issues. i think it's - absolutely right to raise those comments _ absolutely right to raise those comments l— absolutely right to raise those comments-— absolutely right to raise those comments. ., , , comments. i think it is extremely unfair to raise _ comments. i think it is extremely unfair to raise the _ comments. i think it is extremely unfair to raise the transition, - comments. i think it is extremely unfair to raise the transition, a i unfair to raise the transition, a controversial issue, where we are trying _ controversial issue, where we are trying to— controversial issue, where we are trying to navigate in a way to build

consensus, — trying to navigate in a way to build consensus, to raise that... to undermine _ consensus, to raise that... to undermine and criticise a woman who i can undermine and criticise a woman who i can tell— undermine and criticise a woman who i can tell you. — undermine and criticise a woman who i can tell you, and she is on the other— i can tell you, and she is on the other side — i can tell you, and she is on the other side of parliament, she is a conservative, who consistently and parliament — conservative, who consistently and parliament has backed and promoted the interests of women. that is really— the interests of women. that is really rotten politics. no, the interests of women. that is really rotten politics.— really rotten politics. no, it's not, it's important _ really rotten politics. no, it's not, it's important for - really rotten politics. no, it's not, it's important for many. really rotten politics. no, it's - not, it's important for many women and its— not, it's important for many women and it's important— not, it's important for many women and it's important to _ not, it's important for many women and it's important to bring - not, it's important for many women and it's important to bring out - and it's important to bring out because — and it's important to bring out because it's _ and it's important to bring out because it's one _ and it's important to bring out because it's one of— and it's important to bring out because it's one of the - and it's important to bring out because it's one of the most. and it's important to bring out - because it's one of the most talked about— because it's one of the most talked about issues— because it's one of the most talked about issues right _ because it's one of the most talked about issues right now. _ because it's one of the most talked about issues right now.— because it's one of the most talked about issues right now. inaya, does it de - rive about issues right now. inaya, does it deprive caroline _ about issues right now. inaya, does it deprive caroline noakes - about issues right now. inaya, does it deprive caroline noakes to - about issues right now. inaya, does it deprive caroline noakes to make| about issues right now. inaya, does| it deprive caroline noakes to make a comment about the reshuffle in the way she did, questioning whether it was as she called it a he shuffle rather than a reshuffle? i was as she called it a he shuffle rather than a reshuffle?- was as she called it a he shuffle rather than a reshuffle? i think we are at a stage _ rather than a reshuffle? i think we are at a stage in _ rather than a reshuffle? i think we are at a stage in our _ rather than a reshuffle? i think we are at a stage in our society - rather than a reshuffle? i think we are at a stage in our society where we cannot— are at a stage in our society where we cannot described _ are at a stage in our society where we cannot described reality, - are at a stage in our society where we cannot described reality, i- are at a stage in our society wherel we cannot described reality, i think it goes— we cannot described reality, i think it goes to _ we cannot described reality, i think it goes to the — we cannot described reality, i think it goes to the heart _ we cannot described reality, i think it goes to the heart of _ we cannot described reality, i think it goes to the heart of many - it goes to the heart of many questions _ it goes to the heart of many questions about— it goes to the heart of many questions about women - it goes to the heart of many questions about women in i it goes to the heart of many - questions about women in politics and women — questions about women in politics and women within _ questions about women in politics and women within society. - questions about women in politics and women within society. i- questions about women in politics i and women within society. i actually think it _ and women within society. i actually think it is _ and women within society. i actually think it is quite _ and women within society. i actually think it is quite a _ and women within society. i actually think it is quite a central— and women within society. i actually think it is quite a central issue. - think it is quite a central issue. it think it is quite a central issue. it is _ think it is quite a central issue. it is essential— think it is quite a central issue. it is essential to _ think it is quite a central issue. it is essential to raise - think it is quite a central issue. it is essential to raise it. - think it is quite a central issue. it is essential to raise it. it -

think it is quite a central issue. it is essential to raise it. it is i it is essential to raise it. it is not — it is essentialto raise it. it is not... ., .. it is essentialto raise it. it is not... ., ., ., , , not... you have to accept it is contentious _ not... you have to accept it is contentious issue. _ not... you have to accept it is contentious issue. what - not... you have to accept it is contentious issue. what we i not... you have to accept it is i contentious issue. what we have not... you have to accept it is - contentious issue. what we have got to try— contentious issue. what we have got to try and _ contentious issue. what we have got to try and do on the trans issue is build _ to try and do on the trans issue is build a _ to try and do on the trans issue is build a consensus, based, i agree with you. — build a consensus, based, i agree with you. on _ build a consensus, based, i agree with you, on existing law and existing _ with you, on existing law and existing rights. but to then because somebody— existing rights. but to then because somebody disagrees with you on a contentious issue, to then allege that she — contentious issue, to then allege that she has absolutely no right or legitimacy— that she has absolutely no right or legitimacy to talk on behalf of women — legitimacy to talk on behalf of women as she has done incredibly successfully and effectively and parliament, as a conservative woman, and i_ parliament, as a conservative woman, and i say— parliament, as a conservative woman, and i say this— parliament, as a conservative woman, and i say this is a labour woman, i think— and i say this is a labour woman, i think actually below the belt and you shouldn't have done it. all riuht. .. you shouldn't have done it. fill right... inaya, 0k, briefly, respond. l right... inaya, 0k, briefly, resnond-— right... inaya, 0k, briefly, resond. , ., respond. i strongly disagree and it's a contentious _ respond. i strongly disagree and it's a contentious issue - respond. i strongly disagree and it's a contentious issue because| respond. i strongly disagree and l it's a contentious issue because it goes _ it's a contentious issue because it goes to— it's a contentious issue because it goes to the — it's a contentious issue because it goes to the heart _ it's a contentious issue because it goes to the heart of— it's a contentious issue because it goes to the heart of many- it's a contentious issue because it. goes to the heart of many questions about— goes to the heart of many questions about women— goes to the heart of many questions about women and _ goes to the heart of many questions about women and what _ goes to the heart of many questions about women and what it _ goes to the heart of many questions about women and what it means - goes to the heart of many questions about women and what it means toi goes to the heart of many questions . about women and what it means to be humah _ about women and what it means to be humah i_ about women and what it means to be humah ithihk— about women and what it means to be human. i think it's _ about women and what it means to be human. i think it's right— about women and what it means to be human. i think it's right it _ about women and what it means to be human. i think it's right it was - human. i think it's right it was raised — human. i think it's right it was raised and _ human. i think it's right it was raised and she _ human. i think it's right it was raised and she is— human. i think it's right it was raised and she is held - human. i think it's right it was raised and she is held to- human. i think it's right it was i raised and she is held to account human. i think it's right it was - raised and she is held to account in her position — raised and she is held to account in her position trite _ raised and she is held to account in her position-— her position. we are going into prime minister's _ her position. we are going into prime minister's questions - her position. we are going into prime minister's questions in i her position. we are going into| prime minister's questions in a moment or two, what should sir keir

starmer go on, alison marco today i think we will be looking at energy. we will be looking at the cost of living. we will be looking at the cost of livina. ~ , ., we will be looking at the cost of livina. ~ ,, . ~' we will be looking at the cost of livina. ~ i. ., ,, ., ., we will be looking at the cost of livina. ., ,, ., ., , living. when you talk to real people in the realworld, _ living. when you talk to real people in the real world, our _ living. when you talk to real people in the realworld, our readers, - living. when you talk to real people in the real world, our readers, the l in the real world, our readers, the issueis in the real world, our readers, the issue is about how they are going to pay bills when the energy bills, 500- £700 pay bills when the energy bills, 500— £700 increases, people are very worried. 500- £700 increases, people are very worried. . , 500- £700 increases, people are very worried. ., , ., ,, ., worried. that is what keir starmer last week effectively _ worried. that is what keir starmer last week effectively in _ worried. that is what keir starmer last week effectively in terms - worried. that is what keir starmer last week effectively in terms of i last week effectively in terms of cost of living?— cost of living? cost a living, reducing — cost of living? cost a living, reducing council _ cost of living? cost a living, reducing council tax - cost of living? cost a living, reducing council tax is - cost of living? cost a living, reducing council tax is a - cost of living? cost a living, l reducing council tax is a great thing. — reducing council tax is a great thing, reducing energy is a good thing _ thing, reducing energy is a good thing but — thing, reducing energy is a good thing but looked at long—term solutions because this is the thing we will— solutions because this is the thing we will be — solutions because this is the thing we will be talking about week after week as _ we will be talking about week after week as we go forward. that is i think— week as we go forward. that is i think people are concerned about, not about— think people are concerned about, not about parties but the cost of living _ not about parties but the cost of livina. ., . ., ,., not about parties but the cost of livina. ., . , not about parties but the cost of livin. ., . , living. concerned about parties as well. living. concerned about parties as well- they — living. concerned about parties as well- they are _ living. concerned about parties as well. they are not. _ living. concerned about parties as well. they are not. they - living. concerned about parties as well. they are not. they are. - living. concerned about parties as well. they are not. they are. i - well. they are not. they are. i send well. they are not. they are. i spend hours — well. they are not. they are. i spend hours and _ well. they are not. they are. i spend hours and hours - well. they are not. they are. i i spend hours and hours knocking well. they are not. they are. i - spend hours and hours knocking on doors _ spend hours and hours knocking on doors and — spend hours and hours knocking on doors and they are not concerned. peobie _ doors and they are not concerned. people who— doors and they are not concerned. people who think the normal rules doh't _ people who think the normal rules don't apply— people who think the normal rules don't apply to _ people who think the normal rules don't apply to them. _ people who think the normal rules don't apply to them. you - people who think the normal rules don't apply to them. you go - people who think the normal rules don't apply to them. you go and l don't apply to them. you go and knock— don't apply to them. you go and knock on — don't apply to them. you go and knock on doors _ don't apply to them. you go and knock on doors for _ don't apply to them. you go and knock on doors for ten - don't apply to them. you go and knock on doors for ten hours - don't apply to them. you go and| knock on doors for ten hours and don't apply to them. you go and - knock on doors for ten hours and you will get _ knock on doors for ten hours and you will get the _ knock on doors for ten hours and you will get the people _ knock on doors for ten hours and you will get the people saying _ knock on doors for ten hours and you will get the people saying its - knock on doors for ten hours and you

will get the people saying its cost - will get the people saying its cost of living, — will get the people saying its cost of living, eveh _ will get the people saying its cost of living, even the _ will get the people saying its cost of living, even the bbc— will get the people saying its cost of living, even the bbc licence . will get the people saying its cost. of living, even the bbc licence fee. please! _ of living, even the bbc licence fee. please! 0" — of living, even the bbc licence fee. please! ., ., after the half term recess to present our strategy for living with. provided the current encouraging trends in the data continues it is my expectation that we will end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self—isolate if you test positive, a full month earlier, mr speaker. this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in the house i shall have further such meetings later today. the northern ireland protocol has frustrated business, is undermining the belfast agreement and is restricting the free movement of goods and people within our united kingdom. what action will my right honourable friend the minister for the union now take to reunite the

united kingdom and uphold the interests of all residents, including those living in northern ireland? mr; including those living in northern ireland? g ., ., , ireland? my honourable friend is uuite ireland? my honourable friend is quite right. _ ireland? my honourable friend is quite right, because _ ireland? my honourable friend is quite right, because the - ireland? my honourable friend is| quite right, because the protocol does not require, contrary to the way he is being applied by our friends, it does not require that all foods and medicines and plant should be systematically checked in the way that they are and we must fix it and with good will and common sense i believe we can, but if our friends don't show the requisite common sense, we will trickle article 16. —— trigger article 16. was the business secretary right to say that fraud is not something that people experience in their day to day lives? {lit people experience in their day to da lives? . ., , , people experience in their day to da lives? , , ., day lives? of course this government and this country _ day lives? of course this government and this country despises _ day lives? of course this government

and this country despises those - day lives? of course this government and this country despises those who l and this country despises those who defraud people which is why we cracked down on fraudsters and strengthened our anti fraud task force who are bringing forward an economic crime bill, but we also attach huge importance to tackling neighbourhood crime and crimes of violence and i'm very pleased that those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer _ those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer has _ those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer has got _ those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer has got a _ those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer has got a big - those crimes are down 17%. the prime minister's answer has got a big hole i minister's answer has got a big hole in it. we've had lockdown for the last two years and the two crimes that people could commit what online fraud and throwing parties, and as far as i can see the numbers for both of those have gone through the roof. but i was asking the prime minister about the 111,000 cases of fraud per day. many older people duped out of hard earned savings. and the business secretary casually suggests on tv, don't worry, it's not real crime. there is a crime gangin

not real crime. there is a crime gang in manchester nicking cars and shipping them around the world all financed by loans from the taxpayer. and what is the chancellor's response? write off £4 billion in losses and block an investigation by the national crime agency. his cabinet turning a blind eye to scammers. is it any wonder that he is antifraud minister realised no one in government seems to care and threw in the towel? trio. one in government seems to care and threw in the towel?— one in government seems to care and threw in the towel? no, because what we are doing — threw in the towel? no, because what we are doing is _ threw in the towel? no, because what we are doing is tackling _ threw in the towel? no, because what we are doing is tackling crime - we are doing is tackling crime across the board. and that is why we are investing more in tackling fraud, but we are also tackling the neighbourhood crime that is of such a massive psychological damage to people in this country, tackling knife crime, tackling burglary and crimes of violence in the street with tougher sentences which they voted against, by the way and

putting more police out on the street and the reason we are able to afford it is because we have a strong economy and we are coming back strongly from and that is thanks to the big calls that this government got right. he thanks to the big calls that this government got right.- government got right. he is antifraud — government got right. he is antifraud minister _ government got right. he is antifraud minister quit - government got right. he is. antifraud minister quit saying government got right. he is - antifraud minister quit saying the failure of government to tackle fraud was so egregious that he had to, and these were his works, smashed some crockery to get people to take notice. when it seems that the prime minister hasn't noticed the prime minister hasn't noticed the broken plates or shattered glass around him. it's almost as if he's been completely distracted four weeks. talking of scams, households are going to have to fork out an extra £19 billion on their energy bills. the government is insulting people is intelligence by pretending it's giving them a discount. but it's giving them a discount. but it's not. it's a con. now, pay later

scheme, a dodgy loan, not a proper plan. he shakes his head, so let me put this in language he might understand. when his donors give him cash to fund his lifestyle and tell him he has to pay it all back later, are they giving him a loan or a discount?— are they giving him a loan or a discount? , ., ., ., . ,, discount? our plan to tackle the cost of living _ discount? our plan to tackle the cost of living is _ discount? our plan to tackle the cost of living is faster, - cost of living is faster, more efficient and more generous than anything that they have set out. we have lifted the living wage by a record amount, we have cut the effective tax for people on universal credit and we are now setting out a fantastic plan to help people with the cost of energy, and it is more generous and more effective than anything the labour party have set out on the only

reason we can deliver. it's £9.1 billion. it's huge sums we are using to help people across the country and the only reason we can afford it is because we have a strong economy, the fastest growing in the g7 as i think i may have pointed out to the right honourable gentleman and not just last year, but this year as well. ~ , . ., , well. the prime minister clearly doesnt well. the prime minister clearly doesn't have — well. the prime minister clearly doesn't have the _ well. the prime minister clearly doesn't have the first _ well. the prime minister clearly doesn't have the first clue - well. the prime minister clearly doesn't have the first clue what | well. the prime minister clearly - doesn't have the first clue what the chancellor has signed him up too, so let me help them out. his plan is to hand billions of pounds of taxpayer cash to energy companies and then force families to pay it off in instalments for years to come. if it sounds like he's forcing people to take out a loan, and it looks like he's forcing people to take out a loan, isn't itjust forcing people to take out a loan? irate loan, isn't itjust forcing people to take out a loan?— loan, isn't itjust forcing people to take out a loan? we are giving --eole in to take out a loan? we are giving people in band — to take out a loan? we are giving

people in band d— to take out a loan? we are giving people in band d council- to take out a loan? we are giving people in band d council tax - to take out a loan? we are giving i people in band d council tax houses across the country, that is 27 million homes, we are giving them the equivalent of a rebate of their council tax. their offer is for £89 and ours is faster, more generous and ours is faster, more generous and more effective and what they would do and this is a global problem caused by the spike in gas prices, but what they would do is clobber the oil and gas companies right now with a tax that would deter investment in gas just when this country needs gas as we transition to green fuel. it would be totally ridiculous and it would raise prices for consumers. l was raise prices for consumers. i was alwa s raise prices for consumers. i was always worried — raise prices for consumers. i was always worried that _ raise prices for consumers. i was always worried that the - raise prices for consumers. i was always worried that the prime i always worried that the prime minister was one for not reading terms and conditions and did not understand what the chancellor has signed him up to and he'sjust confirmed my worst fears. there is

an alternative. flan confirmed my worst fears. there is an alternative.— an alternative. can i 'ust say if ou an alternative. can i 'ust say if you want to h an alternative. can i 'ust say if you want to carry _ an alternative. can ijust say if you want to carry on, - an alternative. can ijust say if you want to carry on, carry - an alternative. can ijust say if you want to carry on, carry on | you want to carry on, carry on outside. i am you want to carry on, carry on outside. lam not you want to carry on, carry on outside. i am not having this perpetual noise from the front bench. the secretary of state should know better and i expect better and i certainly don't need to put up with it any more.— with it any more. there is an alternative. _ with it any more. there is an alternative. you _ with it any more. there is an alternative. you could - with it any more. there is an alternative. you could stand | with it any more. there is an i alternative. you could stand up with it any more. there is an - alternative. you could stand up to his chancellor, tell him to support families rather than loading them with debt. tell him to look at those bumper profits of oil and gas giants. shell's profits up £14 billion this year. bp's profits up £9.5 billion this year. every second of the day they have made £750 extra profits from rising prices and at the same time households are facing an extra £700 a year on their bills. why on earth is this government forcing loans on british families when they should be asking those

with an unexpected windfall to pay a little more to keep household bills down? ., , ., �*, ., down? the labour plan, it's an improvement _ down? the labour plan, it's an improvement on _ down? the labour plan, it's an improvement on what - down? the labour plan, it's an improvement on what i - down? the labour plan, it's an| improvement on what i thought down? the labour plan, it's an - improvement on what i thought he stood for, which was nationalising the energy companies. maybe he has dropped that one now. i can't tell whether he has dropped it or not. but what he would be doing is hitting the energy companies are precisely the moment when we need to encourage them to go for more gas, because we need to transition now to cleaner fuels and what this government is providing is £9.1 billion worth of support. it's more generous than anything labour is offering and i will complete my point. the only reason we can do it is because we kept our economy moving in those hard times when they took the wrong decisions and we came out of lockdown injuly took the wrong decisions and we came out of lockdown in july when took the wrong decisions and we came out of lockdown injuly when he opposed it last year but we kept going over christmas and new year when they opposed it and that is why

we have the fastest growing economy in the g7, notjust last year, but this year as well, as i never tire of saying. he this year as well, as i never tire of saying-— this year as well, as i never tire ofsa inc. , m, , , of saying. he can bluff and bluster all he likes- _ of saying. he can bluff and bluster all he likes. the _ of saying. he can bluff and bluster all he likes. the reality _ of saying. he can bluff and bluster all he likes. the reality is - of saying. he can bluff and bluster all he likes. the reality is this. - all he likes. the reality is this. on top of the tory tax rises, on top of the soaring prices, the loan shark chancellor and his unwitting sidekick have now kicked up a buy now, pay laterscheme. it sidekick have now kicked up a buy now, pay later scheme. it leaves taxpayers in debt while oil and gas companies say they've got more money than they know what to do with. it's the same old story with this government. getting a mess, protect their mates and ask working people to pick up the bill. but isn't he worried that everyone can now see that with this prime minister and this chancellor, it's all one big scam and people across the country are paying the price? what scam and people across the country are paying the price?— scam and people across the country are paying the price? what they can see is a government _

are paying the price? what they can see is a government that _ are paying the price? what they can see is a government that is - see is a government that is absolutely committed to doing the right thing for the people of this country and taking the tough decisions when labour is calling for us to take the easy way out and spend more taxpayers money and it was this government that decided to keep going injuly when he wanted to stay in lockdown. we kept going over christmas and new year and by the way, it occurs to me, that we also were able to use those brexit freedoms to deliver the fastest roll—out of the vaccine. yes, mr speaker, when he not only voted 48 times to go back into the eu, yes he did, but he also voted to stay in the european medicines agency, and our plan forjobs is working, mr speaker. we have a record low youth unemployment and our plan for the nhs in care is working stop they have no at all. our plan for the country is working. we have a great

vision to unite and level up across our country. they have no plan whatever. and i say to him, plan beats no plan. we have a great plan for our country and they play politics. for our country and they play olitics. ., �* , ' politics. the government's £9 billion support _ politics. the government's £9 billion support to _ politics. the government's £9 billion support to help - politics. the government's £9 billion support to help with i politics. the government's £9 i billion support to help with rising energy bills is most welcome, but will the prime minister assure the people of anglesey and beyond that it is full steam ahead for new nuclear and that this government is moving at pace on the future nuclear enabling fund so the uk has energy security, jobs and investment right here on these shores? yes. security, jobs and investment right here on these shores?— here on these shores? yes, and it was only last _ here on these shores? yes, and it was only last week— here on these shores? yes, and it was only last week i _ here on these shores? yes, and it was only last week i was - was only last week i was congratulating her on herfantastic congratulating her on her fantastic advocacy congratulating her on herfantastic advocacy for nuclear and don't forget that labour allowed a nuclear capacity to decline by 11% on their

watch and maybe they had forgotten that. we want to get back up there and that is why there will be at least one big nuclear project of this parliament, at least one, and the nuclear financing this parliament, at least one, and the nuclearfinancing bill will the nuclear financing bill will support the nuclearfinancing bill will support that objective. l the nuclear financing bill will support that objective.- the nuclear financing bill will support that objective. support that ob'ective. i am sure ou and support that ob'ective. i am sure you and the — support that objective. i am sure you and the entire _ support that objective. i am sure you and the entire house - support that objective. i am sure you and the entire house will i support that objective. i am sure i you and the entire house will want to join you and the entire house will want tojoin me in welcoming the remembering sabra nature campaign that launched in parliament last night and we must continue to strive for ongoing peace in bosnia —— sabra the flurry of changes in downing street in the last few days is a sight to behold. it is amazing how much energy this prime minister can sum up when it comes to saving his own skin. whilst he has been busy rearranging the deck chairs, in the real world, rearranging the deck chairs, in the realworld, people rearranging the deck chairs, in the real world, people continue to be punished by the tory cost of living crisis. yesterday open democracy found as a direct result of the

chancellor's national insurance like that nurses will on average take a £275 yearly pay cut in april. that pay cut will hit at the very same moment that soaring energy bills land. bills that have shot up £1000 in the space of a year. it is a bill that they are the rest of the public cannot afford, so rather than the prime minister and chancellor scrapping over the tory leadership, will they do something useful and scrap their regressive hike in national insurance? it was interesting the gentleman opposite didn't mention that because i think everybody can see how vital this is. we have to clear our covid backlogs, mr speaker. we had 6 million people already on the waiting list. i am afraid that will go waiting list. i am afraid that will 9° up waiting list. i am afraid that will go up and we need to be recruiting the staff now. that is why we are recruiting 50,000 more nurses, 11,000 more this year than last year. to his point, we have

increased their starting salary for nurses by 12.8%, in addition to bursaries and other help we give them. we value our nurses, we love our nhs and we are paying for it. actions speak louder than words and if he wants to reward the nurses, then they are the backbone of the service, the very people he is hitting with the pay cut in april. i shouldn't have to remind the prime minister that at the same time that those nurses were going into work every day to fight the pandemic, 16 different parties were happening in his government. the public know what nurses sacrifice during the pandemic and they know exactly what this rule breaking prime minister and his government were up to. so are the prime minister and the chancellor seriously telling those nurses their reward for seeing us through the pandemic is a £270 wage cut? mr speaker, what we are telling the

people of this country now, our fantastic nurses, is we back them all the way. what they want is more nurses. that is why there are record numbers in training. that is why we have 11,000 more in the nhs now, this year, than there were last year, mr speaker. and those i think our fantastic investments in our country and our society. i must say i think it is peculiar the scottish national party's approach to health care is to cut off the bottom of doors in schools in scotland in order to improve ventilation. thank you, mr speaker. as a proud will vary and i am proud my city is front and centre of the government has met levelling up. getting job—seekers of all labour ages getting the skills they need will be vital in wolverhampton and the city of wolverhampton college is already doing this at their brand—new

couege doing this at their brand—new college of bentley bridge in my constituency foster while the prime minister join constituency foster while the prime ministerjoin me in congratulating the college and when he meets with me and my honourable neighbour and friend, preferably at wolverhampton college, so we can discuss how more job—seekers can get access to skills and potentially through the city learning quarter and that final bit of funding that we need? i congratulate my honourable friend from wolverhampton. she is truly a modern day resident of wolverhampton. she is completely right, wolverhampton and the black country were at the heart of the first industrial revolution and at the heart of the current 21st century green industrial revolution. i'm very glad that since april 2020 we have seen 125,000 starts to sector work —based programme, in part thanks to her programme and wild horses won't keep me from wolverhampton.

74—year—old janet had £25,000 stolen by fraudsters. she told the bbc the money was my mum and dads. ifelt i'd let them down. forjanet and for the 4 million people who fell victim to fraudsters and online scammers last year, fraud is a crime. so does the prime minister understand the hurt he and his ministers because fraud victims like janet when they write them out of the crime figures and dismiss fraud as something people don't experience in their day lives? mr speaker, will be prime minister correct the record on crime figures and apologise? mr speaker, i direct you to what i have already said to my right honourable friend the member for hartlepool. he knows very, very well this government hates fraud and online fraud. we are tackling the scammers by helping people to come

forward when they get an e—mail, when they get duped. 0f forward when they get an e—mail, when they get duped. of course we will help them in any way we can. but we are also cutting the crime that affects people up and down our country, the neighbourhood crime, dealing with the county lines drugs gangs and i think that is something i think he should support as well and i am proud those numbers had come down by 17%. it is wonderful news that the first in person commonwealth heads of government meeting for four years will take place during her majesty�* platinumjubilee. can will take place during her majesty�* platinum jubilee. can the prime minister ensure that the global learning crisis is high on their agenda and will he ask his amazing diplomats to ensure that every leader in the commonwealth signs up to the kenyatta declaration on education? i thank you very much. everything

she does to support education for girls. i think 12 years of quality education for every girl in the world is the single most transformative thing we could do to improve the world. i remember working on the declaration and we will certainly ensure that everybody at the commonwealth signs up to it. mr speaker, at the height of the lockdown restrictions in 2020, my constituents, who has worked for the nhs for over 30 years was diagnosed with a tumour on her spine. whilst in hospital undergoing painful surgery, herfamily obeyed in hospital undergoing painful surgery, her family obeyed the in hospital undergoing painful surgery, herfamily obeyed the rules and didn�*t visit her. mr speaker, in the last few minutes, a photo has emerged of the prime minister in downing street on the 15th of december 2020, surrounded by alcohol, food and people wearing tinsel. it looks like a lot like one of the christmas parties he told us never happened. for the sake of my constituent and the sacrifices she

made will be prime minister be referring this party to the police as it�*s not one of the ones already being investigated? i am being investigated? lam afraid... being investigated? i am afraid... first of all, first of all i am very sorry about his constituent and for the difficulties she�*s been through and i understand... i understand very much her feelings, understand... i understand very much herfeelings, mr understand... i understand very much her feelings, mr speaker. understand... i understand very much herfeelings, mr speaker. but in what he has just said herfeelings, mr speaker. but in what he hasjust said i�*m herfeelings, mr speaker. but in what he has just said i�*m afraid herfeelings, mr speaker. but in what he hasjust said i�*m afraid he is completely in error. thank you, mr speaker. 0n the 30th of september 2020 the prime minister joined me on a building site in dudley on what is now the new institute of technology, delivering on skills for future jobs and creating opportunities across the black country. will he join creating opportunities across the black country. will hejoin me in congratulating the delivery team who delivered on this amazing project, including stakeholders like thomas dudley and dudley college and will he actually come and join me in person in doing so at the nearest

opportunity? mr speaker, i thank my honourable friend. he is a great champion for dudley and for the black country, mr speaker. i�*m delighted to hear the black country and institute of technology is now open and i will keep his kind invitation in mind. prime minister, the immortal words, if you are not listening, you probably don�*t understand us. and if you don�*t understand us, you are probably not listening. the fact of the matter is the protocol has zero support from unionists. the fact of the matter is, i hope the prime minister is listening to this, in a divided society, the solution that only attracts the support of one section of that community will never stand. will the prime minister therefore take the opportunity to speak to the irish government, whose ambassador is running around

washington demanding... running around washington, demanding further implementation of the protocol on the basis that it will bring further checks upon the people of northern ireland? does the prime minister accept that he has a responsibility to bring forward a solution that unites the people of northern ireland and bring forward a solution that saves the union that has been undermined by it? yes, mr speaker. iagree undermined by it? yes, mr speaker. i agree with him completely that there must be a solution that commands cross community support. and at the moment, there is no doubt that the balance of the good friday agreement is being upset by the way the protocol is being operated. and meaning to fix it and that is what we are going to do and if our friends won�*t agree, then of course we will, as i said earlier on, we will implement article 16. thank you, mr speaker. a compulsory

windfall tax favoured by the opposition, would my right honourable friend take an alternative view, some on a high—level meeting with oil and gas companies with the aim of a voluntary agreement to bring more oil and gas onto the wholesale market to reduce oil and gas prices, to help hard—pressed people deal with the cost of living problems? well, mr speaker, ithank with the cost of living problems? well, mr speaker, i thank my right honourable friend very much but that suggestion, which i think is an interesting one and an ingenious one. the oil and gas companies create hundreds of thousands ofjobs in the uk and they are very, very important to our economy. i will do what i can to take forward his request for a meeting with them. but ijust request for a meeting with them. but i just remind request for a meeting with them. but ijust remind him and the house, we have frozen fuel duty 12 years in a row, saving people £15 in the cost of filling up their tanks compared to 2010. thank you, mr speaker. i understand the prime minister has been heard

singing i will survive in recent days. i would suggest he would be better off singing careless whisper it said. in 2017 there nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was given a longer sentence because of the weather this prime minister. now in 22 this week, my friend, the leader of the opposition, was hounded by thugs outside this parliament because of the careless disgraceful words of this prime minister. so will the prime minister do the decent thing, will he reconsider his words, repent and resign? mr speaker, i don�*t think that she should either let the thugs and yobs who bullied and harassed the right honourable gentleman off the hook, because they are culpable, any more than she should let the iranian government of the hook because they are culpable.

government of the hook because they are culpable-— government of the hook because they are culpable. thank you very much mr s-eaker. are culpable. thank you very much mr speaker- since _ are culpable. thank you very much mr speaker. since 2017, _ are culpable. thank you very much mr speaker. since 2017, referrals - are culpable. thank you very much mr speaker. since 2017, referrals for- speaker. since 2017, referrals for children�*s mental health has gone up by 60%. eating disorders among young girls has gone up 400% since lockdown. we know social media companies play a huge part in this. given that social media platforms like tiktok are providing crack for kids in terms of negative content, negative imagery and predictive algorithms, will my right honourable friend consider implementing a 2% levy on social media companies which would raise 100 million to fund mental health resilience programmes for children? mr speaker, i know my right honourable friend has campaigned on this issue assiduously and he is quite right about the psychological damage that social media can do. i�*ve heard what he�*s had to say recently about tiktok. we will see what we can do to address all these issues in the forthcoming online

harm�*s bill. mr speaker, bradford is a uk�* younger city and has the tenth largest city economy with a gdp of 11.6 billion and is bidding to be the capital of culture. now it comes out that no detailed analysis of the long—term economic benefits of investing in bradford and the north through the integrated rail plan was carried out. this government�*s failure has robbed bradford of 30 billion worth of growth over the next four years. when will the prime minister match action to rhetoric in levelling up and give bradford the investment it deserves? mr speaker, i�*m afraid she�*s wrong and what she says because we are not only investing massively in yorkshire, investing in police in yorkshire, investing in police in yorkshire, 640 more police, investing in education, she misunderstood what we said in the rail plan. what we are saying is we will look at ways in which we can

ensure that we protract the eastern of high—speed railfrom north of é? filfifizfiééifi féllfffifi fififffi fit on if filfifizfiéifiifl f§llfffifi fififffi if on the if fiififizfiéifiifl f§llfffifi fififffi if on the eastern if filfifizfiéifiifl f§llfffifi fififffi if on the eastern leg to birmingham on the eastern leg to bradford. what we are not doing is coming up with a scheme before we have decided exactly what to do and how to fund it but we are not ruling it out, mr speaker. mr speaker, i served it out, mr speaker. mr speaker, iserved my it out, mr speaker. mr speaker, i served my country with pride in the royal greenjackets. i will always be a rifleman and veteran and welcome the veteran strategy the prime minister has just brought out but i ask the prime minister if veterans will always be at the heart of this government�*s strategy and everything can be done to say they always get what they need and are honoured? yes, that is why we set up an office for their veterans uninsured veterans get preferential treatment on public transport. one of the first things i did when i became

prime minister and it�*s why we made sure veterans receive particular support and encouragement in employment. we encourage employers to take on veterans, as well. in the panicked downing street reshuffle at the weekend the prime minister pointed to a senior role a man who recently lobbied the government on the behalf of huawei technologies. i hostile vendor that this house legislated to exclude entirely from our country�*s 5g networks. given the number 10 director of communications is by definition access to some of the most sensitive government information, can the prime minister told the house whether his present role requires advanced strategy clearance and if he has gone through the necessary checks to provide for that level of clearance before he took up his post? a curious question to come from the benches that contain someone who took £586,000 from the chinese

government. but what i can tell him is that this government took the brave and necessary step of making sure that we excluded huawei from our critical national infrastructure, and that was the right thing to do, whatever he said. can i ask the prime minister question about sue gray�*s report? colleagues may groan, i�*m only asking this question because i asked the prime minister last week and i didn�*t get a straight answer. it is important because it�*s about those who make the law obeying the law. the prime minister wants to be judged on the facts, and that is right, so can i ask him to commit at the dispatch box that upon conclusion of the metropolitan police investigation, will he ensure that sue gray�*s final report is

published immediately and in full? with great respect to my right honourable friend i do believe i answered this last week or whenever it was, but i will repeat for the benefit of the house that as soon as all of the inquiries are concluded i will immediately publish in full whatever sue gray gives me. i whatever sue gray gives me. i understand that the uk government signed an agreement with the iranian authorities last summer that would have resulted in the payment of the £400 million that would see the release of my constituent. that agreement fell through and the debt has still not been paid. this case urgently needs the prime minister�*s attention and personal intervention, so will he meet personally with me and richard radcliffe question like i don�*t want to meet as colleagues, i don�*t want to meet as colleagues, i want to meet with him personally

why the agreement fell through and why the agreement fell through and why she is still not home after six long years? i why she is still not home after six long years?— why she is still not home after six long years? i thank you very much and also for _ long years? i thank you very much and also for the _ long years? i thank you very much and also for the hard _ long years? i thank you very much and also for the hard work - long years? i thank you very much and also for the hard work she i long years? i thank you very much l and also for the hard work she does on behalf of huawei. we remain committed to securing the release of nazanin and all of the difficult consular cases in iran —— nazanin. as she knows, the ims debt is difficult to settle and two square away for all sorts of reasons to do with sanctions but we will continue to work on it and i will certainly make sure that we have another meeting with richard radcliffe in due course. meeting with richard radcliffe in due course-— meeting with richard radcliffe in due course. . ., ., , due course. dover is once again be sent by miles _ due course. dover is once again be sent by miles of _ due course. dover is once again be sent by miles of traffic— due course. dover is once again be sent by miles of traffic jams - due course. dover is once again be sent by miles of traffic jams across sent by miles of trafficjams across motorways, affecting residents and local businesses alike. not because of brexit. but because of brussels

bureaucracy. will my right honourable friend the prime minister meet with me to discuss how we can invest in our local roads in the m2, the 20 and the dover tunnel to unplug the roads once and for all and also to get rid of the unnecessary red tape for a trading, global britain. she unnecessary red tape for a trading, global britain.— global britain. she is absolutely riaht global britain. she is absolutely ri . ht in global britain. she is absolutely right in what — global britain. she is absolutely right in what she _ global britain. she is absolutely right in what she says _ global britain. she is absolutely right in what she says and i global britain. she is absolutely right in what she says and as i global britain. she is absolutely| right in what she says and as the economy rebounds we are seeing all sorts of pressures but we do need to make sure that we clear bottlenecks everywhere in our system and that is what we will do. l�*d everywhere in our system and that is what we will do.— what we will do. i'd like to refer to the prime — what we will do. i'd like to refer to the prime minster's - what we will do. i'd like to refer to the prime minster's answer. what we will do. i'd like to refer| to the prime minster's answer to what we will do. i'd like to refer- to the prime minster's answer to my to the prime minster�*s answer to my honourable friend the member for leeds north east. the photograph referred to is all over social media and everyone can see the photo and the prime minister is in the photo, so will he refer the matter to the police because this is not one of the party is already being investigated by the metropolitan police? ., �* , investigated by the metropolitan police? ., , police? that's precisely the point. it already has _

police? that's precisely the point. it already has been. _ police? that's precisely the point. it already has been. that - police? that's precisely the point. it already has been. that event i it already has been. that event already has been submitted for investigation.— investigation. that ends prime minister's _ investigation. that ends prime minister's questions. - investigation. that ends prime minister's questions. i - investigation. that ends prime minister's questions. i will- investigation. that ends prime minister's questions. i will let| minister's questions. i will let people — minister's questions. i will let people leave before we start the next debate. two important developments, the first coming right at the start when the prime minister said that he is planning to lift all covid rules in england a month early. as things currently stand, they are due to end on the 23rd of march, so that would mean the 23rd of february would be when there is no need to self—isolate after a positive covid test. so that very significant development obviously, and i want to just bring in a tweet that was put out. it was referred to in prime minister�*s questions. it is a new

photograph in the mirror. it is an exclusive. the paper tweeting about this latest mirror exclusive on parties at downing street, this referring to a party at downing street on the 15th of december, i think. it is not one of the event is being investigated by police, but that image they�*re showing the prime minister alongside an open bottle of champagne and some crisps and as we have heard already, that is leading to more questions about what was going on and what the police are investigating. let�*s go back to the covid restrictions. our health correspondent is here. a big announcement there from the prime minister said that he is thinking he would like to bring forward the end of the legal restrictions by a

month. that would meanjust of the legal restrictions by a month. that would mean just weeks of the legal restrictions by a month. that would meanjust weeks —— two weeks�* time. no need to self—isolate after a positive covid test. self-isolate after a positive covid test. ~ ., , ., , . test. where are the statistics? he mentioned — test. where are the statistics? he mentioned encouraging _ test. where are the statistics? he mentioned encouraging data i test. where are the statistics? he mentioned encouraging data and l test. where are the statistics? he i mentioned encouraging data and by that he means things like the number of cases in the last seven days have fallen by 20%, the number of patients admitted to uk hospitals has fallen by 10%, and the number of in ventilated beds is around 440 people at the moment. so that is the context. they failed this data is moving in the right direction. they were already thinking about removing the legal requirement to self—isolate at the end of march, but clearly they are thinking of bringing it forward. he is going to announce what happens on the 21st of february, and it would probably mean

that england, because the devolved nations have their own rules, but england would be one of the first countries in the world to do this. south africa have removed it for asymptomatic cases, but not for positive cases in general. 50 it positive cases in general. so it leads to loads _ positive cases in general. so it leads to loads of _ positive cases in general. so it leads to loads of questions, i positive cases in general. so it leads to loads of questions, because you then think, where does that leave testing? where does that leave people needing to test when they come into this country if there is no requirement to self—isolate? we don�*t know the answers but it is important to think through what it will mean. .. , ., ., will mean. exactly, it would mean treatin: it will mean. exactly, it would mean treating it essentially _ will mean. exactly, it would mean treating it essentially is _ will mean. exactly, it would mean treating it essentially is like i will mean. exactly, it would mean treating it essentially is like you i treating it essentially is like you might with flu. it is down to people�*s discretion what they do. one of the really interesting questions is, what does that mean for testing? questions is, what does that mean fortesting? does questions is, what does that mean for testing? does that mean they�*re wholesale dismantling of the testing system we have got used to? presumably, people would still want to exercise some discretion when they are around vulnerable family

members and certainly earlier this month at the world health organization, they were asked about the wisdom of doing this and one of their officials said i think it is premature. our guidance is still to do this, to prevent onward spread. so there could be some pushback from other organisations about the wisdom of doing this. bud other organisations about the wisdom of doing this-— of doing this. and you mention south africa already — of doing this. and you mention south africa already stopping _ of doing this. and you mention south africa already stopping isolation i africa already stopping isolation for asymptomatic cases. south africa has been ahead of us in omicron and has been ahead of us in omicron and has obviously provided a very helpful guide as to where things might go. is there any evidence yet, i don�*t know when they removed that need for isolation, but is there any evidence yet? it is need for isolation, but is there any evidence yet?— evidence yet? it is only last week the did evidence yet? it is only last week they did that _ evidence yet? it is only last week they did that so _ evidence yet? it is only last week they did that so we _ evidence yet? it is only last week they did that so we don't - evidence yet? it is only last week they did that so we don't fully i evidence yet? it is only last week i they did that so we don't fully know they did that so we don�*t fully know what effect it might have but they are thinking there was that the omicron wave went up very sharply and felt very sharply and self isolation has a massive impact on

the economy, and so that is part of the economy, and so that is part of the thinking here. but we would be certainly doing it in england if we were to do it ahead of american states. what about my squaring? my squaring at the moment in england, transport for london still mandate it on their trains and buses and tubes. but otherwise my squaring has essentially been the legal demand to wear them in public places anyway. so this isolation would be one of the remaining restrictions which would be removed. 50 it the remaining restrictions which would be removed.— would be removed. so it is an interesting — would be removed. so it is an interesting aspect _ would be removed. so it is an interesting aspect to - would be removed. so it is an interesting aspect to think i would be removed. so it is an i interesting aspect to think about in terms of the mask wearing requirement has gone generally, but there are obviously areas where we still have to wear them. could that potentially happened

with isolation, in that some organisations and businesses might say that they don�*t want staff to come in if they test positive? l come in if they test positive? i think that is almost certain to happen because businesses would be probate, particularly the obvious example is nhs hospitals who might be worried about stuff coming back to work prematurely. we have already seen that disconnect between what the government is suggesting but what businesses suggest. part of thatis what businesses suggest. part of that is to keep confidence up in the workplace, so there may well be departures from this and as i mentioned before, scotland, wales, northern ireland managed to do their own thing also. just because england is doing it. borisjohnson has said that he wants to show the world how we can live with covid. so this is definitely a political decision to some extent to go down this route but there may be others who disagree. but there may be others who disaoree. ., ~ but there may be others who disaoree. . ,, i. but there may be others who disagree-— but there may be others who disaoree. ., ~' ,, , . disagree. thank you very much, naomi. disagree. thank you very much, naomi- let _ disagree. thank you very much, naomi. let us _ disagree. thank you very much, naomi. let us know— disagree. thank you very much, naomi. let us know what i disagree. thank you very much, naomi. let us know what you i disagree. thank you very much, i naomi. let us know what you think. you can get in touch with us via

twitter. the conservative mp... conservative mp mark spencer has stood by whis comments that the prime minister would "not have lied about any parties". the newly appointed leader of the house of commons didn�*t comment in detail on the parties due to the ongoing police investigation but suggested people wanted to move on. here he is speaking to radio nottingham. let�*s focus on the real world. people are worrying about their jobs, the nhs, going through that global pandemic and that has given us quite a backlog to overcome. and i think we have to focus on the real world issues here. borisjohnson will travel to poland on thursday and liz truss will visit moscow as part of a concerted effort to address the ukraine crisis. a top russian diplomat has told the bbc the european initiative to resolve the crisis has been positive and there is still time

for a political settlement. vladimir chizov said meetings in moscow this week could be key. european leaders said they�*ll continue talking to russia to try to avert a conflict, that follows two days of shuttle diplomacy by the french president, emmanuel macron. mosocow has denied any plans to invade ukraine, but it has assembled more than 100,000 troops near its borders. and military exercises are continuing, these pictures show russian air defence systems in the brest region of belarus, which borders ukraine. mr chizov told the bbc�*s europe editor, katya adler, that the military buildup could be reduced later this month. those exercises, joint russian—belarusian exercises, that are taking place there, they had been preannounced since last year. and, of course, after they are finished, the troops will return to their own permanent stations.

separately, there�*s talk of more than 100,000 russian soldiers. can we expect to see fewer than are present at the moment? why isn�*t anybody speaking of ukrainian soldiers? they have an army of more than 250,000, and more than half of it is placed directly facing russia. is russia interested, though, in diplomacy? we certainly believe there is still room for diplomacy. russia is preparing a formal reply to answers that we received from the united states and nato, on russia�*s concerns over european security. the focus appears to be in preventing nato�*s expansion further eastward, preventing ukraine becoming a member state of nato, and the west has already said, "forget it." so where can diplomacy go now?

we are not going to forget it, first. and we cannot afford to forget it. scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in their quest to develop practical nuclear fusion, the energy process that powers the stars. the uk—based jet laboratory has smashed its own world record for the amount of energy it can extract by squeezing together two forms of hydrogen. the experiments produced 59 megajoules of energy over five seconds. this is more than double what was achieved in similar tests back in 1997. our climate editorjustin rowlatt is with me to tell us all about it. it sounds really important, so please explain exactly what it means. ~ ., please explain exactly what it means. . ., ., . ., means. we have the two nuclear reactions that _ means. we have the two nuclear reactions that are _ means. we have the two nuclear reactions that are used - means. we have the two nuclear reactions that are used to - means. we have the two nuclear i reactions that are used to generate energy. fishing, which powers most nuclear reactors, and that is about splitting the atom, a splitting

heavy uranium atoms and generating energy and fusion is the energy source from the sun and the stars and it involves forcing together two hydrogen atoms so they fuse together and create a helium atom along the way, a lot of energy and a little bit of short lived radiation. much less radiation. the fuel forfusion reactors is abundant because hydrogen is all around us, so it holds out the prospect, the holy grail of power generation. mi holds out the prospect, the holy grail of power generation. bill of grail of power generation. all of our energy _ grail of power generation. all of our energy needs? _ grail of power generation. all of our energy needs? yes, - grail of power generation. all of i our energy needs? yes, unlimited re our energy needs? yes, unlimited pretty much _ our energy needs? yes, unlimited pretty much whatever. _ our energy needs? yes, unlimited pretty much whatever. an - pretty much whatever. an unbelievable prospect. but it is really, really difficult. this unbelievable prospect. but it is really, really difficult.— really, really difficult. this is obviously — really, really difficult. this is obviously a _ really, really difficult. this is obviously a big _ really, really difficult. this is obviously a big leap - really, really difficult. this is obviously a big leap in i really, really difficult. this is obviously a big leap in termsj obviously a big leap in terms of taking things where we need to get. it is proof of the design of the reactor we have in oxfordshire. it

is a five second reaction they are interested in, generating 60 megajoules, enough enough to power 60 kettles. but it is proof that the design seems to work and if you could do five minutes, maybe you could do five minutes, maybe you could do five minutes, maybe you could do may be a week. so scaling up could do may be a week. so scaling up looks like it could be possible. so jet up looks like it could be possible. sojet fusion will up looks like it could be possible. so jet fusion will close down up looks like it could be possible. sojet fusion will close down and then there is a new, much bigger fusion reactor in the south of france run by a consortium of european governments and the idea is that the batting patches from oxfordshire to this new reactor based on the same principles as jet, and hopefully that will fulfil the dream of unlimited energy. it is not there et, dream of unlimited energy. it is not there yet. so _ dream of unlimited energy. it is not there yet, so how _ dream of unlimited energy. it is not there yet, so how can _ dream of unlimited energy. it is not there yet, so how can this - dream of unlimited energy. it is not there yet, so how can this be i there yet, so how can this be factored into what their future... this will not get us out of the climate fix we have at the moment but it may, before the end of this

century, the next 50 years, it may be something that could provide an alternative source of energy and ultimately may be all the energy we need. and if we have the kind of supplies of energy, they have said that before about cheap technology, but if we had it it would be truly transformative for human society. so a huge potential but still quite a long way away. a huge potential but still quite a long way away-— pope benedict xvi has acknowledged errors were made in the handling of sexual abuse cases before he assumed the papacy. in a letter released by the vatican, he asked forgiveness for any "grievous fault", but denied personal wrongdoing. the cases date back to his time as archbishop of munich more than 40 years ago. he stepped down from the papacy in 2013. the bbc�*s tim allman reports. long before he was pope, joseph ratzinger was archbishop of munich. during his time there,

several priests were accused of sexually abusing young boys. it is claimed he knew what was happening and failed to stop it. now, many years later, he denies any cover—up but admits mistakes were made. translation: i have had great responsibilities i in the catholic church. all the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate. it was this report published last month that laid out a series of claims against the pope emeritus. not only was he accused of overlooking the alleged abuse, he denied attending a meeting to discuss the matter in 1980, a denial he now admits was wrong. translation: amid the massive work of those days, and oversight _ occurred regarding my participation in the meeting. this error was not intentional and i hope may be excused. cheering.

the issue of child sexual abuse has dogged the catholic church long before and long after pope benedict took office. he has talked of his profound shame and deep sorrow, making a heartfelt request for forgiveness and he admits soon he will find himself before the finaljudge of his life. tim allman, bbc news. are rising prices a present to the so called gifting economy? as the cost of living soars in america, so has the use of gifting platforms such as the buy—nothing project. buy—nothing is one of a number of social media driven schemes to help people give away things they don�*t need. it also enables people to pick up many essential items for free. michelle fleury reports from the local buy—nothing group in her neighbourhood of brooklyn. these cushions were all from buy nothing. that end table, this chair.

this man moved into his new apartment last month. i got a book about gothic cathedrals, which i love, which i was able to scrap and start turning into an art installation piece. when he saw how much it would cost to furnish it, he joined his local buy nothing group on facebook, where people offer unwanted items for free. being a part of this group has been incredible because all the basic necessities are there and then some. he saved a lot. inflation in the us has soared and the price of living room, kitchen and dining room furniture like you hope to buy has jumped more than 17%. you got a lot. i did get a lot. huge savings. when i did some calculations, it ended up being about $2000 worth of stuff. full disclosure, i belong to one of those groups where members give things away for free. maybe like me you have tonnes of stuff you are not necessarily using any more that could be useful to somebody else. and with inflation in america at levels not seen in nearly 40 years, these groups are seeing a surge in popularity.

the buy nothing project certainly acts as a social safety net for families and entire communities. the buy nothing project has seen its membership double over the last two years to more than 5.3 million. it added an app to cope with demand. people are getting much more comfortable with it. it is becoming a behavioural change we are seeing within communities. a lot of people are saying, i don�*t know how i survived without this. with soaring inflation and the stresses of the pandemic, gift—giving services like these have become a financial and emotional lifeline for some. we probably have seen about a 15% increase in posts every day. deron bealfounded freecycle, where members offer some 20,000 items each day. freecycle and the sort of community spirit that you have for freecycle is a good alternative for folks to save a little bit of money and also may be re—gift items instead of throwing them away, to help others out

who might be in need. a real wood frame and real glass in, it's a painting. as a protection from inflation, finding free items online has its limits. there is no guarantee that what you want is available when you need it. but that hasn�*t stopped this man being amazed by what people are offering. there is another dining table set. michelle fleury, bbc news, new york. vinyl record sales in the uk are at the highest point for 30 years, but with only a handful of vinyl manufacturing plants, demand is outstripping supply. a team of entrepreneurs noticed this gap in the market and launched a new site in middlesbrough, which aims to produce 50,000 records a month. leejohnson reports. for many music lovers, vinyl can become an obsession. but for the team at press on,

it�*s also the chance to fill a big gap in the market. recorded quite a few artists, we wanted to put a compilation out on vinyl. and we�*ve looked around everywhere and the lead times were really long back then. and even in 2019, we couldn�*t have got it done within five months which meant it would not have been done in time for christmas. so that got our brains going, and we thought, how come it�*s so hard to get records manufactured and delivered to you? making records is a complex process. first, a master cut, grooves and all, is produced. that is then copied, and moulded, before it�*s pressed, and set aside to be packaged. there are only a handful of plants like this in the uk. most records are manufactured in europe. but demand is outstripping supply. vinyl is enjoying an incredible revival. last year, more than 5 million lps were sold, that�*s an increase of 8% on the previous year. and one in four albums sold last year was on the format. that�*s its highest sales

for more than 30 years. fitting, then, that this new teesside plant is also a nod to the north east�*s heritage of making records. 40 years ago, rca records in washington produced lps by artists including elvis presley and david bowie. for press on�*s managing director, there was only one place they wanted to be based. middlesbrough is everything we're about. we all care passionately about the area. it is important that it's here. we've got a rich heritage and a rich history of manufacturing and creativity whether it be in industry or chemicals or pottery, and now we have got computer game manufacturers, as we've seen. so we are proud of that and we are proud to be a part of it. and that�*s good news for local bands like teesside group comparison, whose debut ep was the first off the production line. it�*s crazy, to be honest. to see it physically happening, it kind of set in stone how lucky we all, like, as the band we all are to

have this opportunity. the vinyl revival shows no signs of slowing. leejohnson, bbc news, middlesbrough. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with susan powell. lots of sunshine across the uk this wednesday afternoon, but quite a cold feel as the majority of the uk now sits in arctic air. this line of cloud uc is a boundary between the arctic air and milder air, still clinging on in the southernmost counties of the uk. that front will drift southwards overnight and this area of low pressure will land a blow into scotland. the strong winds, widespread gales and heavy snow for a time. ice likely to be an issue on thursday as we see frost developing across scotland and in northern ireland and england, patchy further south, northern ireland and england, patchy furthersouth, but northern ireland and england, patchy further south, but quite chilly.

this low still in place by thursday morning�*s rush hour. some difficult conditions early on across scotland. the snow in the high ground but even at lower levels, a wintry mix, some ice and winds of 50 to 60 mph. the low goes into the north sea by the afternoon so it will be quiet. a blustery day to come. early cloud clears to the south, a lot of sunshine through the afternoon and some showers into the north—west. these are the temperatures you would read a thermometer. you have to factor in the strength of the wind on thursday and in aberdeen it will feel closer to —4. overnight thursday into friday the wind will fall, because a ridge of high pressure builds as that low pulls away toward scandinavia. light winds, still conditioned setting up for a hard frost into friday, temperatures as low as —10 in parts

of rural scotland, a risk of freezing fog in some places on friday and a lot of early sunshine turning hazy as the day goes on. a little bit milder on friday. temperatures don�*tjump up, but with a lighter wind it will be noticeable. a little milderfor the weekend but certainly not feeling one. it will be quite stormy, a deep area of low pressure bringing in heavy rain and strong winds again. programme?! laughter as this transpires. she will act accordingly, i'm absolutely sure. that is— accordingly, i'm absolutely sure. that is all— accordingly, i'm absolutely sure. that is all we have time for,

the last covid restrictions in england are set to end within weeks and a month earlier than had been expected. laws requiring people with covid—19 to self—isolate will be lifted as long as the improving situation continues. provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self—isolate if you test positive, a full month early. it will be almost two years since the first covid restrictions were imposed — we�*ll be live at westminster. also this lunchtime... the mayor of london tells the head of britain�*s biggest police force she has just days and weeks to show she can restore

public trust in the force.