this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the british government says preparations are under way for the next flight to take asylum seekers from the uk to rwanda. the first flight was stopped by a last minute legal challenge yesterday. here's a former chief immigration officer at the uk border force. it would seem that the level required in the european courts is higher than in the uk courts, so that's why it was put on hold. what's you view of the government's rwanda plan — will it deter others from making thatjourney across the channel in a boat? do let me know on tiktok, twitter

or instagram — @vicderbyshire. the eu will resume legal action against the uk over its plans to change northern ireland's post—brexit trade arrangements. the european commission will be giving more details about their response to the british government in brussels shortly. people in the uk with a worrying cough, problems swallowing or blood in their urine can soon be referred for scans and checks by a pharmacist, rather than having to wait to see their gp. this is brilliant that we are encouraging people back into the health system, particularly if they have suspected, signs and symptoms of cancer. but what we must see is an investment into the health system to make sure once they are referred for diagnosis that there are enough staff, and enough kit in the nhs to diagnose and treat them soon enough. vets urge prospective pet owners to "stop and think" before buying an english bulldog because they have twice the health

risks of other dogs. they also want people to stop sharing pics of them on social media. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. uk home secretary, priti patel, says she won't be be deterred from implementing her plan to send asylum seekers to rwanda, despite a series of legal challenges that prevented the first flight from taking off last night. the plane was grounded when the european court of human rights ruled in favour of an iraqi man who was due to be on board triggering fresh appeals tojudges in london. ms patel says she's "disappointed" but says "preparations for the next flight begin now". let's talk through what happened... the european court of human rights said the iraqi man faced "a real

risk of irreversible harm" if he was flown to rwanda. the court is part of the council of europe set up after the second world war, and the uk is a member, and it's got nothing to do with the european union. the high court in london had earlier ruled there was no reason to stop the flight but acknowledged there were serious issues with the rwanda policy. judges here will next month, through what's called a judicial review, consider whether the policy is legal. the plan, which will cost £120 million, was announced last month and will run for five years. scores of charities, campaign groups as well as the church of england oppose the policy, which will see some asylum seekers given one—way tickets to the east african country. a number have launched legal challenges. let's get the latest from mark lobel. going nowhere. borisjohnson�*s rwanda plan to cut immigration, grounded for now. this flight was originally

meant to take over 100 asylum seekers to rwanda, then just a handful, and finally, none, following a series of legal challenges. the charter plane has now returned to its base in spain. it's particularly galling for the government, coming on the day more than 300 people arrived in dover, after attempting to cross the channel in small boats. the exact journey this policy is meant to deter. it's a real victory for humanity and decency. and the european court of human rights did what the british courts should have done, and said that people should not be sent to rwanda when there are serious issues. but britain's partner in this, the rwandan government, remains on board. we are undeterred. we are committed to this partnership, and we stand ready to welcome the migrants when they do arrive in rwanda. so what happened 7 the european court of human rights, which is separate to

the european union, and to which the uk is a signatory, has the final say in human rights issues. it ruled asylum applicants would face a real risk of irreversible harm in rwanda, contradicting a ruling byjudges in london, who had found no immediate risk to those being sent there. but home secretary priti patel has hit back. she said... the uk public is divided over the issue. and borisjohnson says his government may very well have to change the law to help it with the policy. it's about establishing a principle, and establishing a route, to break the business model of the people traffickers

who are causing untold misery and untold costs to the british economy. the plan has not yet got off the ground, but is not dead. attention now turns to howjudges will rule when they examine the entire rwanda removals policy next month. mark lobel, bbc news. government minister therese coffey insisted the home office was determined to go ahead with the policy. i think the government is surprised and disappointed by the ruling made last night. in my experience as a minister, it is the quickest time i have ever known ehcr to consider a particular case. but nevertheless, it had been through british courts and that is why i think people will be surprised to learn that european judges are overturning britishjudges�* decisions. so there is an element here of we still need to obviously go through that ruling,

decide the next legal steps, but also prepare the next flight. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent nick eardley about what the mood was like in westminster this morning. it was interesting that therese coffey didn't put a timeframe on when the next flight would be. it seems possible that that might not happen until next month now, potentially until after thatjudicial review, although nobody in government is explicitly saying that. the fact they are not putting a timeline on when they will try again to get a flight off the ground suggests they might be waiting for that next legal challenge. but we should be in no doubt that the government knew it was going to face some legal challenges on this. it is pretty angry about what happened last night because it thinks the british courts were happy for it to go ahead. but it's determined to get on with this. i think we will hear that from ministers today. we are expecting the home secretary to make a statement to parliament this afternoon outlining her

interpretation of what happened yesterday and what happens next. the message i am getting from everyone i speak to in government is they are absolutely adamant this policy is a good idea and it will deter people from making small boat crossings over the channel and therefore they are absolutely determined it's going to happen. the asylum seekers were scheduled to be taken to the capital kigali from where our deputy africa editor anne soy reports. the asylum seekers were expected here in kigali this morning but that was not to be. but the government here says it is undeterred. it remains committed to the partnership with the uk, which was signed in april. and they say they are ready, whenever the asylum seekers, whenever there will be an all clear in the uk and the asylum seekers are sent here, they will be ready to take them in, to take them to the accommodation. we have been to see some

of the accommodation that has been set aside for the asylum seekers. the first one, the hope hostel, which was the home of people who were orphaned by the 1994 genocide until recently. it is ready, it has been refurbished, freshly painted. and so the government says that as soon as the asylum seekers arrive here they will be sent to look after them and to process their claims of asylum. the government spokeswoman yolande makolo said they are being part of a solution. despite the public outcry in the uk, despite the huge debate that is going on, the international organisations that have criticised the decision of the uk to send asylum seekers here to rwanda, the government here has defended its human rights record and says that they are doing this for the right reasons. it is about changing perceptions for them as well

because they are saying africa isn't just a place of problems, it is a place of solutions. i'm joined now geoffrey robertson qc, the barrister who successfully argued for that last minute reprieve by the european court. how did you win this injunction on behalf of your client? i how did you win this in'unction on behalf of your client?_ behalf of your client? i didn't win it, there were _ behalf of your client? i didn't win it, there were a _ behalf of your client? i didn't win it, there were a lot _ behalf of your client? i didn't win it, there were a lot of _ behalf of your client? i didn't win it, there were a lot of lawyers . it, there were a lot of lawyers involved. i have a chambers in which a number participate. it was a last ditch effort but the government should not have been surprised. it should not have been surprised. it should have been aware that the european court of human rights is there is a backstop once the proceedings in british courts have been exhausted. and the european court has got the power, as any courthouse, to ensure that people are protected while the case is in

motion. the case, which was not declared, the policy was not declared, the policy was not declared unlawful by the british judges. they said there were serious issues to be tried, particularly in relation to the independence and integrity of rwandan judges who would be making this decision and that trial will take place, what's called a judicial review, in a few weeks' time. and the european court said, i think sensibly and logically, that the expensive and damaging deportations biplane should i wait until the courts are satisfied that the policy is legal. can i ask you what your colleagues and barristers from your chambers, what sort of evidence they presented to the european court of human rights on behalf of your client. you have to rights on behalf of your client. 7m, have to understand this is about a process of deciding whether an

asylum seeker is in danger of his life through torture or execution, or whether he is simply an economic immigrant, someone who is trying to get here for a better life. that decision is usually made byjudges, and it is a pity that britain and france have not agreed that these poor people in france trying to cross the channel can't be dealt with by british or french judges here. but the british government, without the approval of parliament, it could have put this through parliament as a statute, how it debated, have it published, and then it would be judged debated, have it published, and then it would bejudged proof. we wouldn't have judicial review, it wouldn't have judicial review, it would be a law. but instead they didn't really have the courage to put it to parliament. they decided it was an executive government

decision, so it is amenable to challenge in the courts, and it will be challenged. but one of the issues will be whether this, whether the decisions of the rwandan judges can be trusted. i don't know, many people might have seen the film hotel rwanda, whose hero has been serving now life imprisonment having been subject to a show trial in which he wasn't allowed to cross examine his main accuser. so there are very real questions about the quality of the justice in are very real questions about the quality of thejustice in rwanda and they will be heard and decided by they will be heard and decided by the courts of england next month. i want to ask you about the european convention of human rights, which sets a minimum standard of human rights across all its members. the uk as a member and its rulings are repelled by the european court of

human rights, that is to say the judges sitting in strasbourg was up on television this morning, the work and pensions secretary, a member of borisjohnson�*s top team, said she thought the public would be surprised that european judges were overturning the ruling is of british judges. in your view, overturning the ruling is of british judges. in yourview, is overturning the ruling is of british judges. in your view, is that an accurate way of describing this? ida. accurate way of describing this? no, it is not. accurate way of describing this? no, it is not- the — accurate way of describing this? iifr, it is not. the european court is the final court which considers the human rights issues sometimes that have being considered by british courts, but it has no direct power over the british government. it makes rulings that the british government upholds because ever since william gladstone back 150 years ago said that britain, unlike other countries, will abide the decisions of international courts, thatis decisions of international courts, that is something that britain can be very proud of, and it helps its soft power throughout the world because other countries don't. and

so it is the force, the moral force and the legal force of strasbourg thatis and the legal force of strasbourg that is incorporated in british law. i want to ask you finally about two more things, if i made. suggestions from the prime minister that people like yourself, barristers, lawyers and qc toure, are, and i quote, abetting the work of criminal gangs. this is just defamation for political purposes. the lawyers who act for refugees are well—intentioned, hard—working, and not all by any means leftist. if you want to engage in this stupid, juvenile names calling, questions will be asked about lawyers who work for the government. how do they split their conscience, supporting

the government's brutal policies? it is a game that two can play and neither should. is a game that two can play and neithershould. in is a game that two can play and neither should. in any event, the finaljudgments in britain are made by britishjudges who finaljudgments in britain are made by british judges who are by no means aiding and abetting criminal acts. �* ,., acts. also a suggestion potentially from the prime _ acts. also a suggestion potentially from the prime minister _ acts. also a suggestion potentially from the prime minister that - acts. also a suggestion potentially. from the prime minister that britain might consider removing itself, pulling out of the european convention of human rights. well, that has been _ convention of human rights. well, that has been something - convention of human rights. well, that has been something that - convention of human rights. -ii that has been something that the conservative party has been discussing for ten years. and they haven't come up with, as yet, a british bill of rights. perhaps they should. and submitted to parliament, andindeed should. and submitted to parliament, and indeed submitted to the people. but if britain pulled out it would lower our reputation and our power in the world. we don't have any

longer than military power, but we have what is called soft power, we have what is called soft power, we have the ability to influence the world in terms of moral and legal responsibility, and that britain would lose if it pulled out of the european convention.— would lose if it pulled out of the european convention. thank you for talkin: to european convention. thank you for talking to us- _ european convention. thank you for talking to us. we _ european convention. thank you for talking to us. we appreciate - european convention. thank you for talking to us. we appreciate it, - talking to us. we appreciate it, geoffrey robertson, qc. the nato secretary general says the alliance is stepping up its provision of heavy weaponry to ukraine. jens stoltenberg was responding to repeated calls from the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, for more long—range artillery. mr stoltenberg said there would be a meeting later on wednesday to discuss sending more supplies. ukraine should have more heavy weapons and nato allies and partners have provided heavy weapons now for actually a long time, but they are also stepping up. there will be a meeting tomorrow at the nato headquarters

in the contact group for support to ukraine. the uk ministry of defence has been giving a daily intelligence update on the war in ukraine — and today, once again, it focuses on the fighting in severodonetsk. it says that after more than a month of heavy fighting, russian forces now control the majority of the city. it adds that elements of ukraine's armed forces, along with several hundred civilians, are sheltering in underground bunkers in the azot chemical plant. the analysis says that means russian forces will be fixed in the area while they hold out — meaning russia won't be able to send those troops for missions elsewhere. and the statement concludes — it is highly unlikely that russia anticipated such robust opposition, or such slow and attritional conflict, around severodonetsk.

mariupol in south—east ukraine has been described as "hell on earth" by the families who've managed to flee the city and life under russian occupation. psychologists now say the thousands of refugees who are trying to rebuild their lives will need ongoing support to help them deal with their trauma, as our europe correspondent nick beake reports. a ukrainian city, blasted into submission, now forced to celebrate its occupation. while russia tries to airbrush history, it offers the bleakest of futures to those still stranded in mariupol. this family managed to escape. yuliya describes conditions she left behind just two weeks ago. translation: dead bodies were lying outside every house. _ no one took them away. hopelessness, fear, pain. almost every family has lost someone.

later, some of our men found a destroyed swimming pool and took chlorinated water from there. that was all we had to drink. now in the relative safety of the capital, kyiv, they're reunited with others from their home city. group therapy for the mariupol exiles, a traumatised, displaced community. "people come to me with panic attacks," says psychologist anya. "the explosions and the murders, they see all of the evil that the russian federation has brought to ukraine." families are fragmented. these girls don't know if they'll see their grandparents again. this place has only been open a fortnight, but already more than 5,000 people, all from mariupol, have come here for support. many have lost loved ones, theirjobs, their homes, and they've managed to escape a city which is now described as hell on earth.

back at their rented flat, yuliya tells us about the russian missile strike that killed ten neighbours, and her mother, valentyna. translation: everyone i who survived went outside. there was shelling. this was three in the morning. we stood there realising our loved ones were still in the basement and could not be saved. the whole house was on fire. it was the scariest night of my life. mykola now mourns his wife of 52 years. i'm starting to cry. it's impossible for me. before the invasion, anastasiya was trying to build a career with the national railway company. now she's trying to rebuild herfamily. the grandfather always told to me, when i was desperate, this is life. and for now, this is war. we have to stay strong

because we are ukrainians. nick beake, bbc news, kyiv. people in the uk who have a worrying cough, problems swallowing or blood in their urine will soon be referred for scans and checks by a pharmacist, rather than having to wait to see their gp. it's hoped the pilot scheme, launched by nhs england, will help to diagnose more cancers early and is aimed at helping patients who might not have noticed any symptoms. the nhs will not rest in our efforts to catch more cancers early and save more lives. today, we are announcing a radical new package of measures, and so we will go out into the community to find cancers that may otherwise go undetected. so, if somebody comes to a pharmacy more than once a month for cough medicine, if they have got worrying directly for further tests

if they are part of this pilot. symptoms like blood in their urine, pharmacists will be able to refer directly for further tests if they are part of this pilot. earlier we heard from shaun walsh, head of public affairs and campaigning at cancer research uk. it is something that cancer research uk welcomes, we know how challenging it has been for cancer services over the pandemic, and we were failing to hit waiting times even before the pandemic, new innovative measures and models such as this to bring cancer services closer to people in the community and the places where they work, where they live, where they play, is a really positive step and we look forward to seeing the results of the pilot. will patients going in to the chemist say, look, i think i need a scan or will it be up to the pharmacist, hang on a minute, you have a repeat prescription, maybe it should be looked at in more detail. i think we'll learn this

through the pilot phase, i know that pharmacists will be working with cancer alliances, they will have the support, advice and training that they need, i think it is about building a relationship so that people understand that people are coming back again with certain symptoms and pharmacists now will be able to intervene and have a conversation with people and make that referral to services. the key thing we would add, this is brilliant that we are encouraging people back into the health system, particularly if they have symptoms of cancer, but we must see an investment in the health system to make sure once they are referred for diagnosis, there is enough staff and kit in the nhs to treat them soon enough. the secretary of state for health and social care is publishing a ten year plan for cancer next month. there is an opportunity to make a decade of difference here.

the decisions they take on that ten year plan will leave a legacy, we hope, the plan, therefore, it must deliver on detail. it must notjust tell us what we want to achieve in terms of improving diagnosis for example, which is critical, crucially, how do we get there? what steps do we need to take to get there? this initiative today could be part of those steps. can you explain why early diagnosis when it comes to cancer is critical? as you know, it is the difference in terms of, makes the difference in the kinds of treatments available for those people affected. if we are able to diagnose cancer at stage one or two, the treatments and interventions are much more successful depending on which type of cancer. it is the thing that is most challenging in this country. we know cancer survival

in the uk lags behind in the uk lags behind comparable health systems across europe, and one of the key reasons is that we do not diagnose people soon enough. the number of people who present in emergencies staggeringly high, initiatives like this raise awareness, get people into the system early with the chance of more successful treatment, it is much better for them. i would always end on the note that we have had a huge impact on cancer survival, largely thanks to research, we have more than doubled cancer survival in the last a0 years, initiatives like this will help us continue that trend. nick kaye, vice chair at the national pharmacy association — a community pharmacist who has also taken part in a similar cancer pilot in the past. what happened to that pilot? thank ou for what happened to that pilot? thank you for having _ what happened to that pilot? thank you for having me _ what happened to that pilot? thank you for having me on. _ what happened to that pilot? thank you for having me on. that - what happened to that pilot? thank you for having me on. that pilot - what happened to that pilot? t�*iafua; you for having me on. that pilot was really exciting. we showed that community pharmacists absolutely could help with diagnosis and with

the detection of cancer. at the minute this pilot is really exciting because what it does is it means that potentially when we get the details from nhs england we will be able to refer straight into specialist services which will be more speedy for everyone. also a community pharmacy is a place people visit regularly, even may be when they are well, theyjust pop in to ask about something. that accessibility will be really important we think for the early diagnosis of those symptoms. imilli diagnosis of those symptoms. will ou need diagnosis of those symptoms. will you need more pharmacists and staff in the chemist? sometimes when you go in and queue it can take a while to chat to the pharmacist and where will you go to talk about blood in your urine because it is really personal stuff and you can't do it at the front counter. that personal stuff and you can't do it at the front counter.— at the front counter. that is a really important _ at the front counter. that is a really important point. - at the front counter. that is a really important point. mostl really important point. most pharmacies have a private consultation room. i was working in a community pharmacy yesterday and

had many conversations that you certainly would not have at the counter. with queueing, pharmacists are exceptionally accessible. the average waiting time from going on the door to seeing a community pharmacist in the consultation room is running at around seven minutes, which i don't think is bad at all. that's an area where this is really building on the things that we do do. i know in my career i have found people with coughs of longer than three weeks with blood coming up and have referred people into general practice. it's building on the experience the general public have of community pharmacies, having conversations in private rooms that then feed into the health care system and i think that's really exciting. system and i think that's really excitina. . ~ system and i think that's really excitina. ., ~ , ., system and i think that's really excitina. . ~' , ., ., system and i think that's really excitina. . ~' ., ., ~ system and i think that's really excitina. . ~ ., ., ~ ., exciting. thank you for talking to us. thank you. _ the first of two payments to help the poorest households in the uk with the cost of living will arrive in people's bank

accounts from 14th july. more than eight million uk homes on benefits will receive £326 by the end ofjuly, with a second payment of £321; set to follow in the autumn. our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey is in south east london. tell us more about this and how it will help people. it is tell us more about this and how it will help peeple-— will help people. it is worth reminding _ will help people. it is worth reminding everybody - will help people. it is worth | reminding everybody exactly will help people. it is worth - reminding everybody exactly what this payment is. as you say, £650 paid in two instalments, to 8 million people on all sorts of means tested benefits, universal credit, pension credit. it is to help with those energy bills. the chancellor announced a whole series of different payments a month ago to help people pay their energy bills. remember, they are going up by £800 a year in october on top of the £700 a year in october on top of the £700 a year in october on top of the £700 a year which we saw in april. as you

mention, what we have learned today is that the first instalment will be paid from the 14th ofjuly. that instalment is £326. the second one will come later in the year when lots of the other payments that will be made will also come. we don't have an exact date on that has yet. how will it be paid? it will be automatic. if you are in receipt of universal credit then that is paid automatically into a bank current account, into a building society account, into a building society account, into a credit union account, into a credit union account, maybe. this payment will be made automatically into that same account. clearly the idea is to be used on that higher energy bill. i suppose technically you can spend

it on whatever you want. is that fair? it it on whatever you want. is that fair? , , ., , fair? it is designed for energy bills but fair? it is designed for energy mus but the _ fair? it is designed for energy bills but the cost _ fair? it is designed for energy bills but the cost of— fair? it is designed for energy bills but the cost of living - fair? it is designed for energy bills but the cost of living is l bills but the cost of living is rising in a whole range of areas, the reason for the timing is that we have seen energy bills rising so fast. there is one other important date i need to give you. the 25th of may, because if you are newly unemployed, for example, you may have onlyjust unemployed, for example, you may have only just started unemployed, for example, you may have onlyjust started to make a claim for benefits. if you started your claim before the 25th of may, then you will be a successful claim, you will be entitled to this first instalment. if you start claiming now, then you will only be entitled to the second instalment. we have also heard from the department for work and pensions there are lots of people who do not claim the benefits that they are entitled to. an estimated 850,000 pensioner

households are not claiming pension credit which is a gateway to this payment and frankly, to lots of other help with the cost of living and the other payments you have to make in your elder years. haifa and the other payments you have to make in your elder years.— and the other payments you have to make in your elder years. how do you claim pension — make in your elder years. how do you claim pension credit? _ make in your elder years. how do you claim pension credit? what _ make in your elder years. how do you claim pension credit? what you - make in your elder years. how do you claim pension credit? what you havel claim pension credit? what you have to do? ., .., claim pension credit? what you have to do? ., ., ., ., ., to do? you can do it online or over the phone. — to do? you can do it online or over the phone. it _ to do? you can do it online or over the phone. it is — to do? you can do it online or over the phone, it is worth _ to do? you can do it online or over the phone, it is worth getting - the phone, it is worth getting help from family and friends, and there are charities who can help you go through the process. it takes a little bit of time, but an appeal at today, a campaign from the government saying, you know, will really help if a ones get involved and this is notjust some kind of hand—out you may not feel you are entitled to, this is for lower income pensioners to help them with lots of things. it helps, for example, to get you housing benefit as well if you do not claim that. clearly, with the cost of living

rises, any help and any entitlement which you have is well worth claiming now. this which you have is well worth claiming now.— which you have is well worth claiming now. which you have is well worth claimin: now. �* , claiming now. as you said, if you are a low— claiming now. as you said, if you are a low income _ claiming now. as you said, if you are a low income pensioners - claiming now. as you said, if you are a low income pensioners and j claiming now. as you said, if you - are a low income pensioners and you are a low income pensioners and you are not claiming pension credit, it is not going to trigger these other two patient... payments. is that what you mean?— two patient... payments. is that - what you mean?_ people what you mean? absolutely. people need to apply- _ what you mean? absolutely. people need to apply. thank— what you mean? absolutely. people need to apply. thank you _ what you mean? absolutely. people need to apply. thank you very - what you mean? absolutely. people| need to apply. thank you very much, if that feels overwhelming, get family members to google it for you and apply for pension credit otherwise you will not those other two patients which amount to £630. let's return now to our top story. the government insists it will press on with its plan to take asylum seekers to rwanda. it says it is the only way to end human trafficking in the channel. the first flight was halted last night. i'm joined now by daniel sohege from international human rights

consultancy stand for all. thank you for talking to us. your reaction to the fact that the flight was halted. ii it reaction to the fact that the flight was halted-— reaction to the fact that the flight was halted. ., ., ., ., was halted. if it had gone forward, it would have _ was halted. if it had gone forward, it would have been _ was halted. if it had gone forward, it would have been a _ was halted. if it had gone forward, it would have been a disastrous . it would have been a disastrous mistake for so many different people. mistake for so many different --eole. ~ , ., ., , ., people. why would it have been a disastrous mistake? _ people. why would it have been a disastrous mistake? the - people. why would it have been a disastrous mistake? the uk - people. why would it have been a disastrous mistake? the uk has l people. why would it have been a i disastrous mistake? the uk has not set u- an disastrous mistake? the uk has not set up any monitoring _ disastrous mistake? the uk has not set up any monitoring in _ disastrous mistake? the uk has not set up any monitoring in rwanda, i disastrous mistake? the uk has not| set up any monitoring in rwanda, we have no way of ensuring that the rwandan government would actually abide by the agreement on maintaining standards, we know from experience that asylum seekers in rwanda face hardship. also, the principle of it could feasibly undermine the international refugee regime which puts a far larger portion of refugees at risk if countries start saying we do not need to take them, they can send them to other countries.— them to other countries. british ministers point _

them to other countries. british ministers point showing - them to other countries. british ministers point showing this - them to other countries. british l ministers point showing this plan has got more supporters than it has opponents. it is popular. it is popular- _ opponents. it is popular. it is popular- i— opponents. it is popular. it is popular. ithink— opponents. it is popular. it is popular. i think that - opponents. it is popular. it 3 popular. i think that comes down to the way it has been phrased, the way it has been looked at. everyone wants to tackle channel crossing and make sure people are safe, the problem is this will not impact on trafficking with people because people who are traffic do not know which country they are coming to. they are exploited afterwards. they are paying smugglers. smugglers will inform the people they are smuggling what might happen, they are not telling them they will go to rwanda. in no does it actually impact. lode in no does it actually impact. we don't know _ in no does it actually impact. we don't know that, it is onlyjust started, the first flight has been halted, you can't say that yet. yellow back we can with reasonable confidence, israel attempted

something similar, they transported 4000 people, was a voluntary process. people were leaving being trafficked. it was a voluntary scheme. we can safely conclude if they were forcibly, there is a high risk of being trafficked onwards. forcibly transported from where to where? ., to forcibly transported from where to where?_ to take - forcibly transported from where to | where?_ to take them forcibly transported from where to . where?_ to take them to where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda, where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda. you — where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda. you are _ where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda, you are calling _ where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda, you are calling it _ where? from the uk. to take them to rwanda, you are calling it forcible - rwanda, you are calling it forcible deportation. next month, there is a judicial review which is when britishjudges judicial review which is when british judges essentially look at this and all its detail to see at this and all its detail to see at this policy is legal. if they decide it is legal, that is set for you, isn't it? it it is legal, that is set for you, isn't it? ., _, ., ., isn't it? it would come down to individual _ isn't it? it would come down to individual cases. _ isn't it? it would come down to individual cases. as _ isn't it? it would come down to individual cases. as most - isn't it? it would come down to individual cases. as most of. isn't it? it would come down to | individual cases. as most of the cases on the flight data. the government has said it will review each individual case and that will need to be taken very carefully into

consideration because if you are looking at, we saw, for example, three children who were passed as being over 18 but were confirmed as being over 18 but were confirmed as being under 18. being over 18 but were confirmed as being underi8. if being over 18 but were confirmed as being under 18. if we are not basing individual cases unless we have the risk of transporting children which would violate other issues like treaties and domestic laws. that is what is going to come down to. thank ou ve what is going to come down to. thank you very much — what is going to come down to. thank you very much for _ what is going to come down to. thank you very much for talking _ what is going to come down to. thank you very much for talking to _ what is going to come down to. thank you very much for talking to us. - the director of the human rights advocacy. the eu has announced it's launching legal action over the uk government's plans to scrap parts of the post—brexit deal for northern ireland. ministers tabled a bill on monday aimed at unilaterally changing trade, tax and governance arrangements in the northern ireland protocol. the treaty was agreed by both sides

but ministers say it's led to trade disruption and the collapse of power—sharing in northern ireland. it was signed and ratified by both sides and as now led to grade disruption and the collapse of power—sharing in northern ireland. earlier, vice—president of the european commission, maros sefcovic gave his response to the uk government's plans to scrap parts of the northern ireland protocol let there be no doubt there is no legal nor politicaljustification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement. opening the door to unilaterally changing an international agreement is a breach of international law as well. so let's call a spade a spade. this is illegal. the uk bill is extremely

damaging to trust and respect between the eu and the uk. it has created deep uncertainty and casts a shadow over our overall cooperation. all at the time when respect for international agreements has never been more important. that is why the commission has today decided to take legal action against the united kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the protocol on ireland, northern ireland. they have been —— we have been withholding this legal action in the last year because we wanted to create a constructive atmosphere to find solutions. the uk government decision has left us with no choice but to act. first, we are proceeding a step further with the infringement process to be launched in march 2021, regarding for instance the movement of food. the uk does not

comply within two months, we may take them to court ofjustice. second, we are launching two new infringements against the uk. one forfailing to carry infringements against the uk. one for failing to carry out the necessary controls at the border control posts in northern ireland by ensuring adequate staffing and infrastructure. and one forfailing to provide the eu with essential trace statistics data to enable the eu to protect that single market. ladies and gentlemen, the protocol was the solution agreed with the uk government to protect the good friday agreement and all its dimensions. with a hard border on the island of ireland and protect the island of ireland and protect the integrity of the eu single market. we know there are some practical difficulties in implementing it. we have said so openly. that is why my team and i have been engaging extensively with

all stakeholders on the ground. resulting any set of solutions put forward in october so showing unprecedented flexibility. for example, our proposals would reduce sanitary checks and controls by more than 80%. they would cut customs paperwork in half. create an extra lane for goods moving from great britain to northern ireland. simplify certification. a single 3—page document for a whole lorry full of different goods. and they would allow even the movement of certain goods that would otherwise be restricted such as cold meat like sausages. this is a solid offer making a tangible difference on the ground. joining me now is anand menon — he's director of the thinktank the uk in a changing europe —

which describes itself as providing independent research on brexit and its impact. you would say you're neutral. yes. i am aware — you would say you're neutral. yes. i am aware that _ you would say you're neutral. yes. i am aware that many _ you would say you're neutral. jazz i am aware that many of us you would say you're neutral. 123 i am aware that many of us find this incredibly complicated, so let's try and be as straightforward as we can so that people can learn as we all got along and i include myself. the uk government has introduced legislation to change this deal that they all agreed, now, the eu is saying, the european commission are saying, the european commission are saying it is launching legal action against the uk government, what does that mean? no the commission is restarting legal action against the uk and launching legal action. last year, the started legal action against the united kingdom because we had unilaterally decided to delay implementing the protocol, a grace period, they started taking us to

court, they suspended that so that the negotiation could resume. thea;r the negotiation could resume. they are starting — the negotiation could resume. they are starting that _ the negotiation could resume. ii2 are starting that process the negotiation could resume. "ii2 are starting that process again the negotiation could resume. i““i21 are starting that process again now. and they are also starting two new legal action is basically saying we have not done what we should have done to make the checks necessary between great britain and northern ireland possible and there are a total of three legal action going forward from the european commission none of which means anything is going to happen in the nearfuture because these legal actions take time, it will be a slow process, and the hope on the site of brussels is that by doing this, they will give the uk government incentive to come back to the negotiating table. this deal that took _ back to the negotiating table. this deal that took thousands and thousands and possibly millions of hours to negotiate, the withdrawal agreement, is it being interpreted in a heavy—handed way as the british government says about the eu? is it being interpreted in the correct way by the eu? who is right?—

by the eu? who is right? these thins by the eu? who is right? these things are _ by the eu? who is right? these things are matters _ by the eu? who is right? these things are matters of _ by the eu? who is right? these - things are matters of interpretation always. you are right, the uk government has said the eu is being heavy—handed in the way it is implementing bets. the eu said they are following their rule book. it is worth saying that when the government published impact assessments about this, the implied that the eu would carry out and insist on carrying out the full gamut of cheques. for the european union, this is not some trivial matter about sausages going from britain to northern ireland, it is ensuring that stuff that does not meet their standards does not get into their single market. their line is we have to take this check seriously otherwise we are in danger, particularly if the uk starts to divert from our regulations going forward, as people like rees—mogg have employed me well, we need to make the sure things comply with our standards and we have to check them. at the moment, the two sides are at loggerheads about whether the eu is being fastidious. is it

loggerheads about whether the eu is being fastidious.— being fastidious. is it written down in the withdrawal _ being fastidious. is it written down in the withdrawal agreement? - being fastidious. is it written down in the withdrawal agreement? i i being fastidious. is it written down i in the withdrawal agreement? i have read it but i have to confess, most of it has now gone right out of my head. is it all written down, the system of checks and what would happen and what would be stopped and there would especially be there checking in the irish sea? it is all there na? ., , , there na? know because the withdrawal— there na? know because the withdrawal agreement - there na? know because the withdrawal agreement laid l there na? know because the l withdrawal agreement laid out there na? know because the - withdrawal agreement laid out a framework and then it created a committee, thejoint framework and then it created a committee, the joint committee, which was supposed to meet and thrash out the details as to how these things would function and even after the joint committee had these things would function and even after thejoint committee had done that, the uk government very quickly after this came into effect, was complaining that the eu was being excessively legalistic, there could be more flexibilities, and one of the problems we have now is that even though as we heard the commissioner say, they put proposals forward last october, those proposals would make it harder to shift things from gb to northern ireland now because the uk is not

applying the protocol where we have unilateral grace periods. i do remember — unilateral grace periods. i do remember we _ unilateral grace periods. i do remember we had _ unilateral grace periods. i do remember we had this conversation is about all this before deal was signed. about all this before deal was sinned. ~ �* , . ., signed. we've very much dead. there are some people _ signed. we've very much dead. there are some people out _ signed. we've very much dead. there are some people out there _ signed. we've very much dead. there are some people out there who - signed. we've very much dead. there are some people out there who are i are some people out there who are saying the government knew this was going to happen but they want a fight with the european union and there are other people who argue that the government signed up to this knowing full well it would not be able to implement it and was going to try and get out of it later on. i do not know the truth about that kind of thinking, but yes, theseit that kind of thinking, but yes, these it is wrongful to complain that they were not wrongfully debated at the time, because when the early drafts of the protocol came out, you understand this creates the odd situation of having a customs and regulatory board with any country, and that is going to have complications and implications for us going forward. fight! have complications and implications for us going forward.— for us going forward. and so it has come to pass- _ for us going forward. and so it has come to pass. thank— for us going forward. and so it has come to pass. thank you - for us going forward. and so it has come to pass. thank you very - for us going forward. and so it has l come to pass. thank you very much. he is the director of the uk in a changing europe.

for the first time this year in the uk, a level 2 heat—health alert has been issued by officials. the met office and the uk health security agency have issued the warning from midnight on thursday unti midnight on saturday, and it covers the east midlands, east of england, london, south east and south west regions. temperatures could even reach 34 celsius in some places. dr agostinho sousa is the head of extreme events and health protection at uk health security agency. thank you for talking to us. why have you should this health alert? good morning. we issued this alert because as you mention, we are serving the hottest temperature so far this year. we will have warm weather and we want people to enjoy this hot weather safely. we issued

an alert to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the most vulnerable, mainly the elderly and the young children. just as a reminder to check your parents, your grandparents if they are taking the proper measures ahead of this hot weather that we are going to see on thursday, friday and saturday. can ou talk thursday, friday and saturday. can you talk us — thursday, friday and saturday. can you talk us through the proper measures?— you talk us through the proper measures? , �* ., ~' measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even — measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even if — measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even if you _ measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even if you are _ measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even if you are not _ measures? yes. a reminder to drink water even if you are not thirsty, - water even if you are not thirsty, it's really important to keep hydrated and drink water as much as possible, and avoid the consumption of alcohol. i know there is a temptation to drink a pint in the pub, but we recommend to avoid the consumption of alcohol. water is always the best. also to keep your

house cool. close your curtains, in order to keep the house as cool as possible, so the temperature inside your house is cooler than the outside. and finally, avoid staying outside. and finally, avoid staying outside in the sun between 11am and three p m. those are the times when we have the highest exposure of uv and the highest temperatures in order to avoid heatstroke and not feeling well due to the hot weather. if you are out, you are talking about the factor 50 sun protection. we should be doing that in our country, i mean, we are going out around the world, even in the uk, we should be wearing mega factor protection. it should be wearing mega factor protection-— should be wearing mega factor rotection. , ., , ., protection. it is always important to be as protected _ protection. it is always important to be as protected as _ protection. it is always important to be as protected as possible. . protection. it is always importantj to be as protected as possible. in order to avoid sunburn. it is better to enjoy this weather, this hot speu to enjoy this weather, this hot spell as much as possible, so this

is our key message, it's important to enjoy the weather but it is also important to take take care of your health. , ., , , �*, important to take take care of your health. ,., _ �*, .,, health. obviously, it's obvious, i say again. _ health. obviously, it's obvious, i say again. do— health. obviously, it's obvious, i say again, do not _ health. obviously, it's obvious, i say again, do not leave - health. obviously, it's obvious, i say again, do not leave childrenl health. obviously, it's obvious, i. say again, do not leave children and dogsin say again, do not leave children and dogs in cars either.— dogs in cars either. yes, that is very important _ dogs in cars either. yes, that is very important advice. - dogs in cars either. yes, that is - very important advice. temperatures can get very hot inside a vehicle, always pay attention to the most vulnerable, not only the children or dogs, but for example your older parents who may not be as comfortable in a vehicle. always pay attention to the most vulnerable people who cannot take action because they will not be able to get out of the vehicle by themselves. thank you very much. from the uk health security agency. there's just over a week to go

until the people of wakefield go to the polls in a crucial by—election that will test the prime minister and the government. the seat was held by labour for more than 87 years, but swung to conservative in the last general election. we can go now to wakefield and our correspondent james reynolds. tell us about the people you have been talking to.— tell us about the people you have been talking to. they are the most im ortant been talking to. they are the most important voters _ been talking to. they are the most important voters in _ been talking to. they are the most important voters in the _ been talking to. they are the most important voters in the uk, - been talking to. they are the most important voters in the uk, the . important voters in the uk, the people who will decide this seat next week. for many years, people here voted labour, they say it was the thing they did for a decade after decade when mining industry was back. then along came brexit in 2016 in which there was a brexit majority here and in 2019, people switched and voted conservative. but onlyjust. it had a 3000 majority. and now people here say they are looking for development, they want

better bus services, transport links in this area, and they want what other people in the uk want, a way to tackle inflation. later on, we will talk to shop owners, pollsters, representatives of candidates. in terms of a test of the prime minister and his popularity at the moment, what would you say about that? i moment, what would you say about that? 4' , moment, what would you say about that? ~ 1 . ., , , that? i think it very clearly is, as are all by-elections _ that? i think it very clearly is, as are all by-elections between - that? i think it very clearly is, as - are all by-elections between general are all by—elections between general elections. they are always a test of the incumbent prime minister's popularity, they usually go against the incumbent prime minister, but particularly the stakes are so high for borisjohnson because of that recent vote of no confidence that she onlyjust one. 211 votes to 148. this seat is the kind of seat that built him his majority in 2019. the

red wall, the 40 or 50 labour seats which the conservatives under boris johnson switch to conservatives which allowed him his majority in 2019. if he loses in a by—election even though it is a by—election, there will be members of his party based on thejudgment there will be members of his party based on the judgment of viewers here who might question whether or not he could maintain that in a general election itself.- not he could maintain that in a general election itself. thank you very much- _ general election itself. thank you very much- you _ general election itself. thank you very much. you are _ general election itself. thank you very much. you are going - general election itself. thank you very much. you are going to - general election itself. thank you very much. you are going to be i general election itself. thank you i very much. you are going to be very hot if you keep thatjacket on all day. take it off! hot if you keep that 'acket on all day. take it off!— day. take it off! what can i do? next time _ day. take it off! what can i do? next time i _ day. take it off! what can i do? next time i will. _ day. take it off! what can i do? next time i will. thank- day. take it off! what can i do? next time i will. thank you - day. take it off! what can i do? j next time i will. thank you very much, next time i will. thank you very much. james- _ for a full list of candidates standing in the wakefield by—election, visit the bbc website.

a computerfailure a computer failure had affected the air traffic control system in the early hours of the morning according to the swiss air navigation provider. zurich airport says lights will restart at a reduced capacity before midday local time. the biggest band to come out of south korea has announced they are taking an extended break. to pursue solo projects. emily brown has the story. the catchy songs have won south korean boy band bts legions of fans over the past nine years. theirsong, permission to dance, has had a whopping 500 million views on youtube. but after nearly a decade of success, the group announced it will be taking an extended break and will be pursuing solo projects. the seven—member band spoke about the future in a video to fans. but the company behind

the ground—breaking k—pop group said they are taking a hiatus as they agreed members will focus on more solo work. bts have had international recognition, even joining a white house daily briefing. this is important in america. a lot of our asian american friends have been subject to real discrimination. we want to say thank you sincerely for your decision like, such as signing the covid—19 hate crimes act into law. it's unsurprising that their announcement has been met with an emotional response from devoted fans around the globe. it is a tough day, - a heartbreaking day, but i think also at the same time, there is a lot of excitement and l hope on this day. one fan tweeted to say bts will be welcomed back with open arms. but for now, the future of the band is in limbo. emily brown, bbc news.

that is eight from this part of bbc news. have a great day, wherever you are. hello there. mixed fortunes weather—wise over the next few days with weather fronts out towards the north and the west and some very warm humid—feeling air moving northwards. so, for scotland and northern ireland, it's really rather cloudy with more outbreaks of rain. england and wales will keep the sunny skies and it will start to feel hot and humid with that warm air moving in from the south. in fact, temperatures for parts of england could soar well above 30 celsius, high 20s for much of northern england and wales. these are the average temperatures at this time of year. so a good 10 degrees lower. we'll be back to these values by the end of the weekend in much fresher—feeling air. so an area of high pressure dominates across us, that will push its way eastwards and we'll see this warm air feed in from the south. weather fronts sinking southwards throughout

the course of the weekend. and that weather front�*s still with us today, of course, a swathe of cloud across ireland and western scotland, some outbreaks of rain here, but it should brighten up with some sunny spells potentially for eastern areas of scotland, southern scotland, maybe eastern areas of northern ireland. showers breaking out in northern england, few and far between, lion's share of the sunshine england and wales where it will feel warmer than it did yesterday. and, of course, in all that sunshine, the pollen levels will remain very high, rising too for scotland and northern ireland. now, overnight tonight, again, a few more outbreaks of rain, particularly for western areas of scotland, but, generally, lots of dry weather too and temperatures will feel a little milder, staying in double figures. watch out for shallow mist patches forming into tomorrow morning. they will not last too long at all. lots of sunshine around, again on thursday, we start to draw in this very warm humid—feeling air moving in from the south. temperatures will be higherfor most. mid to high 20s, 28 celsius

in london and the south—east. we'll start to see this heavy more persistent rain moving into northern ireland and that is going to be with us, outbreaks of rain across scotland, that weather front eventually sinking southwards, but it is then when we will see the temperatures peak, 32, 33 celsius, locally, perhaps even higher than that. somewhere north of london, that is where we will see the highest of values. but it is a very short—lived hot spell. there will be some thundery downpours over the weekend.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... the government says preparations are under way for the next flight to take asylum seekers from the uk to rwanda, after the first departure was cancelled last night, following intervention by the european court of human rights. the european court of human rights is there is a backstop once the proceedings in the british courts have been exhausted and the european has got the power, as any court has, to ensure that people are protected. the ministry of defence says more than 400 people were rescued after attempting to cross the english channel yesterday. that's the highest number in two months. what's you view of the government's rwanda plan — will it deter others from making that perilous journey

across the channel in a boat? do let me know on tiktok, twitter or insta — it's @vicderbyshire. the eu has launched legal proceedings against the uk over northern ireland protocol, he's vice—president pharmacists in england are to be allowed to refer people for cancer checks and scans as part of a new nhs trial. the community pharmacy is a place that people visit regularly, even making when they are well, just popping in to ask about this. their accessibility will be really important for the early diagnosis of those things. i'm james reynolds and i'm in wakefield in west yorkshire this morning ahead of the vote we will be profiling some of the key concerns some people have. as temperatures are set to reach 33 degrees in the uk today — that's around 91 degrees

farenheight, a weather alert is issued for friday and saturday. we'll bring you a detailed weather forecast in the next 25 minutes. the home secretary, priti patel, says she won't be be deterred from implementing her plan to send asylum seekers to rwanda — despite a series of legal challenges that prevented the first flight from taking off last night. the plane was grounded when the european court of human rights ruled in favour of an iraqi man who was due to be on board — triggering fresh appeals tojudges in london. ms patel says she's disappointed but says preparations for the next flight begin now. let's talk thourgh what happened. the european court of human rights said the iraqi man faced a real risk of irreversible harm if he was flown to rwanda. the court is part of the council

of europe set up after the second world war and the uk is a member and it's got nothing to do with the european union. the high court in london had earlier ruled there was no reason to stop the flight but acknowledged there were serious issues with the rwanda policy. judges here will next month, through what 's called a judicial review, consider whether the policy is legal. the plan, which will cost £120 million, was announced last month and will run for five years. scores of charities, campaign groups as well as the church of england oppose the policy — which will see some asylum seekers given one—way tickets to the east african country. a number have launched legal challenges. let's get the latest from mark lobel. going nowhere. borisjohnson's rwanda plan to cut immigration, grounded for now. this flight was originally meant to take over 100 asylum seekers to rwanda, then just a handful, and finally,

none, following a series of legal challenges. the charter plane has now returned to its base in spain. it's particularly galling for the government, coming on the day more than 300 people arrived in dover, after attempting to cross the channel in small boats. the exact journey this policy is meant to deter. it's a real victory for humanity and decency. and the european court of human rights did what the british courts should have done, and said that people should not be sent to rwanda when there are serious issues. but britain's partner in this, the rwandan government, remains on board. we are undeterred. we are committed to this partnership, and we stand ready to welcome the migrants when they do arrive in rwanda. so what happened ? the european court of human rights, which is separate to the european union, and to which the uk is a signatory,

has the final say in human rights issues. it ruled asylum applicants would face a real risk of irreversible harm in rwanda, contradicting a ruling byjudges in london, who had found no immediate risk to those being sent there. but home secretary priti patel has hit back. she said... the uk public is divided over the issue. and borisjohnson says his government may very well have to change the law to help it with the policy. it's about establishing a principle, and establishing a route, to break the business model of the people traffickers who are causing untold misery and untold costs

to the british economy. the plan has not yet got off the ground, but is not dead. attention now turns to howjudges will rule when they examine the entire rwanda removals policy next month. mark lobel, bbc news. government minister therese coffey insisted the home office was determined to go ahead with the policy. i think the government is surprised and disappointed with the ruling last night and my experience as a minister, is the quickest i have ever known a case to be considered but nevertheless, it had been three british courts and that is why i think people will be surprised to learn that european judges are overturning britishjudges's decisions. there is an element here we still need to go through that running and decide the next legal steps but also prepare the next. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent

nick eardley about what the mood was like in westminster this morning. it was interesting that therese coffey didn't put a timeframe on when the next flight would be. it seems possible that that might not happen until next month now, potentially until after thatjudicial review, although nobody in government is explicitly saying that. the fact they are not putting a timeline on when they will try again to get a flight off the ground suggests they might be waiting for that next legal challenge. but we should be in no doubt that the government knew it was going to face some legal challenges on this. it is pretty angry about what happened last night because it thinks the british courts were happy for it to go ahead. but it's determined to get on with this. i think we will hear that from ministers today. we are expecting the home secretary to make a statement to parliament this afternoon outlining her interpretation of what happened yesterday and what happens next. the message i am getting from everyone i speak to in government is they are absolutely adamant this policy is a good idea and it

will deter people from making small boat crossings over the channel and therefore they are absolutely determined it's going to happen. the asylum seekers were scheduled to be taken to the capital kigali — from where our deputy africa editor anne soy reports. the asylum seekers were expected here in kigali this morning but that was not to be. but the government here says it is undeterred. it remains committed to the partnership with the uk, which was signed in april. and they say they are ready, whenever the asylum seekers, whenever there will be an all clear in the uk and the asylum seekers are sent here, they will be ready to take them in, to take them to the accommodation. we have been to see some of the accommodation that has been set aside for the asylum seekers. the first one, the hope hostel, which was the home of people who were orphaned by the 1994

genocide until recently. it is ready, it has been refurbished, freshly painted. and so the government says that as soon as the asylum seekers arrive here they will be sent to look after them and to process their claims of asylum. the government spokeswoman yolande makolo said they are being part of a solution. despite the public outcry in the uk, despite the huge debate that is going on, the international organisations that have criticised the decision of the uk to send asylum seekers here to rwanda, the government here has defended its human rights record and says that they are doing this for the right reasons. it is about changing perceptions for them as well because they are saying africa isn't just a place of problems, it is a place of solutions.

the eu will announce today it's launching legal action over the uk government's plans to scrap parts of the post—brexit deal for northern ireland. ministers tabled a bill on monday aimed at unilaterally changing trade, tax and governance arrangements in the northern ireland protocol. the treaty was agreed by both sides but ministers say it's led to trade disruption and the collapse of power—sharing in northern ireland. jessica parker is in brussels for us. we are doing a different story now. this is the children's commissioner. it may give you a proper introduction. england's children's commissioner has called for more mental health support in schools to help lower absence rates to below pre—pandemic levels. the government says it's increased mental health funding as part of significant changes to the attendance system to ensure that no child can

fall through the cracks. in terms of 100% attendance on the first day of term, can you explain what you mean by that? you think absolutely every child in the country should be in school in the first day? i country should be in school in the first da ? ., ., ., country should be in school in the firstda ? ., ., ., , country should be in school in the first da ? ., ., ., , ., first day? i almost want to put that back to and — first day? i almost want to put that back to and say _ first day? i almost want to put that back to and say who _ first day? i almost want to put that back to and say who should - first day? i almost want to put that back to and say who should not - first day? i almost want to put that| back to and say who should not be? of back to and say who should not be? of course we need to be working towards 100% attendance because school is so important for all children and it may put that in context for you. my team and i did some research back in february to find out how many children were either missing from education, persistently absent or severely absent. 1.7 million children were missing at least 10%. around 98,000, severely absent. those numbers double before the pandemic. for the past few months, i've been doing a deep dive into ten local authority areas and talking to hundreds and

hundreds of children, committed to finding the children who are not in school so we can get them back in. what do you think the reasons are for this huge increase in absence? the reasons are complex but we can start now from all this work, we cancer to understand it. first of all, obviously some children were sick with covid—19 but that does not account for this massive increase in numbers. there are a large number of children who went of to do online learning and theyjust have not come back. they don't want to come back, got out of the habit and not come back. another reason children with mental health anxiety issues. we need to make sure those children get counselling to get them back and there is also another large group, children with special educational needs. where those children are getting their needs met in school, they're happier than the rest of the cohort and they are back. i have

talked to 94,000 children with special educational needs but there are far too many of them have not their needs met and they're waiting for assessment. that is three key areas that we need to take action on. there's a lot to do but we need to get to doing it now and getting them back into school.— them back into school. exactly on that point. _ them back into school. exactly on that point. as _ them back into school. exactly on that point, as you _ them back into school. exactly on that point, as you are _ them back into school. exactly on that point, as you are describing l that point, as you are describing there, complex issues that will require a huge amount of support, which is not cheap. the question about where the money comes from, but when you say that yes, why shouldn't every child be in school on the first day of term, there are these complex reasons, do you think it is as simple as saying to those kids and the parents, get the kids into school? it is kids and the parents, get the kids into school?— into school? it is not you are riuht. into school? it is not you are right- these _ into school? it is not you are right. these are _ into school? it is not you are right. these are complex - into school? it is not you are - right. these are complex reasons and it is going to take the hard work of professionals. i have gone around the country and seen schools that are doing this incredibly well,

local authorities doing this well in the best schools for dealing with attendance and manger attendance is strong... flan attendance and manger attendance is stron: . .. ., , , attendance and manger attendance is stronu... ., , , strong... can i 'ust interrupt you for a strong... can i 'ust interrupt you fora moment. — strong... can ijust interrupt you for a moment, we _ strong... can ijust interrupt you for a moment, we have - strong... can ijust interrupt you for a moment, we have to - strong... can ijust interrupt you for a moment, we have to say i strong... can i just interrupt you - for a moment, we have to say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. sorry, not easy to make you stop and pick up again if you will. we easy to make you stop and pick up again if you will.— again if you will. we were talking about how. _ again if you will. we were talking about how, how— again if you will. we were talking about how, how to _ again if you will. we were talking about how, how to get _ again if you will. we were talking about how, how to get these - again if you will. we were talking - about how, how to get these children backinis about how, how to get these children back in is a big issue. in the best schools around attendance, what they are doing is notjust following the normal procedures but they are identifying the individuals who have not come back, finding out from each individual what it is, what is the barrier to get them back and then being absolutely relentless and getting them the support they need. sometimes it is as simple as transport or uniform, sometimes it is fair or great about coming back, sometimes it is they need counselling, so this is about all

the head teachers, teachers, social workers really coalescing around a child and getting back. i have even got the secretary of state for education leading on this, he has brought together the key people in social care to help with this. idistill social care to help with this. will the have social care to help with this. will they have the — social care to help with this. will they have the resources to do it? social care to help with this. will. they have the resources to do it? i think this is about joining up they have the resources to do it? i think this is aboutjoining up so it is aboutjoining up so it is about joint and resources. the fact that so many schools are doing this really well and so many local authorities are, what we need to do is enable and yes, resource, to get the support that children need now and i am looking closely now at the detail plan to get this campaign to get every child back in. what i can tell you is, having been a teacher and head teacherfor 31 tell you is, having been a teacher and head teacher for 31 years, tell you is, having been a teacher and head teacherfor 31 years, i can tell you that every child who is out of school will be thinking, is this september my moment to make a fresh start and come back? we miss this moment at our peril. we have to

really galvanise resourcing the system, the extra sourcing system to really focus on it now because you are absolutely right, issues are complex and if we don't get the work done now and work with children and families, talk to them and find out what it is, overcome the barriers now, we cannot do it day before term starts in september. it needs to be a national obsession to get our children back to school, it is so important. in school, they are not only learning, which is what children have told me they want to learn and they want great features, they know they need to be in school to do that, but they are also safe. children are safe in school, children can learn in school and most children want to be, and to

parents, i would say because i have been a parent of a teenager and have my teenager say, school is rubbish, i don't want to go. now, in his 20s, he says to me, you should have been a stricter on me. filth. he says to me, you should have been a stricter on me.— he says to me, you should have been a stricter on me._ it - he says to me, you should have been a stricter on me._ it is - a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and _ a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and he — a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and he is _ a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and he is great _ a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and he is great fun, - a stricter on me. oh, gosh! it is lovely and he is great fun, but l lovely and he is great fun, but truthfully, parents, it is helping our children if we get them back into school, despite maybe them feeling a little bit negative about it. it feeling a little bit negative about it. , ., ., ., feeling a little bit negative about it. it is a hate me now, thank me laterthing- _ it. it is a hate me now, thank me later thing. thank _ it. it is a hate me now, thank me later thing. thank you _ it. it is a hate me now, thank me later thing. thank you so - it. it is a hate me now, thank me later thing. thank you so much i it. it is a hate me now, thank me. later thing. thank you so much for joining us. the eu will announce today it's launching legal action over the uk government's plans to scrap parts of the post—brexit deal for northern ireland. ministers tabled a bill on monday aimed at unilaterally changing trade, tax and governance arrangements in the northern ireland protocol. the treaty was agreed by both sides but ministers say it's led to trade

disruption and the collapse of power—sharing in northern ireland. jessica parker is in brussels for us. what action is the eu taking? they are restarting some legal action that they put on ice last year over the uk's unilateral decision to delay certain checks on goods going from great britain to northern ireland. that is being restarted and then they are launching two new bits of legal action as well. one over allegations that britain has failed to set up inspection border posts properly and that it isn't sharing real—time trade flow data with the eu as it is supposed to do. so, three sets of legal action. obviously these things don't happen overnight, it is a slow burner process but eventually, theoretically, if the european justice, if it gets that far, were to find the uk guilty of breaches, you could see fines levied on the uk. we are some way away from that

yet with a lot of complexities, factors, burials thrown in along the way and with saying as well that the eu knows this is a slow burn process but also the legislation that was tabled by the foreign secretary on monday will likewise probably take months to get through parliament, likely to face resistance from mps and the house of lords as well. iairui’hat and the house of lords as well. what seems confusing _ and the house of lords as well. what seems confusing is _ and the house of lords as well. what seems confusing is that _ and the house of lords as well. what seems confusing is that both sides say they want a negotiated settlement yet they are going down this route for this confrontation? they are both also, it sounds, quite close together on what might unlock the difficulties, stopping checks on goods that are going into northern ireland and staying there and only having checks on goods that are moving into ireland. so why are we in the situation and how much difference is there in the thinking? there are several issues in place so with customs, there is some common ground there. the uk talks about a green lane for goods that will stay

in northern ireland. the eu talks about an express lane, it sounds rather similar, and i think it is widely recognised that that is where there is the most common ground. the eu would say there still needs to be some checks in order to protect its single market. what acceptance there definitely need to be checks going to the public of ireland which has remained within the european union. a whole other raft of issues that they were undertook about, they wanted to and scrap tax rules and create a jewelry glittery system where businesses can choose to follow the eu's products standards or the uk's standards and those are issues, really, that officials here in brussels just say, issues, really, that officials here in brusselsjust say, they issues, really, that officials here in brussels just say, they are not willing took about. as welcome an important difference between the two sides is, what the uk wants to do is change the treaty that it signed up to the eu saying we are not rewriting this treaty that we only

agreed on after painstaking negotiations that stretch over a long time. they think you can find the necessary flex abilities at least on checks within the terms of the existing treaty. so close together a little uncertain issues about very far apart on others. some breaking news on the three strike actions for next week. strike action by 40,000 members of the rmt union working at 13 train companies and network rail. on the 23rd, they will bejoined by and network rail. on the 23rd, they will be joined by the and network rail. on the 23rd, they will bejoined by the london underground. wide—ranging strike action there. but we are hearing is that only half of the network will be open on strike days and only for 11 hours. the trains would run

between 7:30am and 630 am. that would mean for example that the last train from manchester to london would leave at 2:47 in the afternoon and alas from norwich to london at 4pm. that is indication of the scale disruption that there will be when that strike action happens on the 2ist, that strike action happens on the 21st, 23rd and 25th ofjune. the british medical association has called for a complete change of culture and leadership to tackle racism in the nhs. a new report by the doctors' union, based on the findings of a survey first published in february,says racism is widespread and significantly under—reported within the health service.

this takes him back to happier times. he is an anaesthetist and he says racism in the nhs has not only this takes him back to happier times. i had to dial 111 on one occasion because i felt so low. i went out into the backyard with my dog and thank god i didn't do anything silly. having brown skin has been a real problem because you are vulnerable and when a complaint is there, it starts from, you are guilty. he is not alone. according to a new report from the british medical association, 60% of ethnic minority doctors say they have developed mental health problems because of racism at work. there is no one there to stand up for you other than yourself. rachel harlow, a trainee surgeon, has made tiktoks

about the issue. my grandad was a surgeon. he qualified here at cambridge. rachel comes from a long line of doctors but it's her auntie's experience of racism that has really affected her. she really, really suffered terribly. she had an awful time. she was bullied and harassed and wasn't supported by her colleagues. and sadly in the end she took her own life. this psychiatrist believes racism could have a debilitating effect on a person doesn't mental health. it is a traumatic experience, and unwanted experience and an experience that can make you feel devalued and demeaned at work. an experience of that can be feelings of hurt, anger, upset and anxiety, not being able

to trust those around you. ultimately it stops you from doing your work and erode your confidence and all this leads to mental health difficulties. while the bma report focuses on doctors it comes after a week following similar findings from the royal college of nurses. and they are effectively dumbed down. they are treated as if they don't have the knowledge and skills and they do. ultimately patient care is suffering. the nhs says it is taking decisive action to address inequality but it knows there is still more work to be done. despite everything he has been through, he still holds out hope things will change. the nhs is such a beautiful organisation, one of the best in this world. it shouldn't crumble to pieces.

joining me now is dr raj mohan. he is a psychiatrist and presidential lead for race and equality at the royal college of psychiatrists. thank you very much forjoining us. we heard you talking a little bit there about the mental health impact of this. can you tell us a bit more about that?— about that? yes, firstly, i am crateful about that? yes, firstly, i am grateful to — about that? yes, firstly, i am grateful to the _ about that? yes, firstly, i am grateful to the bma - about that? yes, firstly, i am grateful to the bma for - about that? yes, firstly, i am - grateful to the bma for highlighting this issue and for their new report. more people will become aware of the problem of racism that affects all health care professionals and doctors. when doctors or health care staff are supposed to racism at work, on a continuous basis, it causes them stress, it makes them anxious and paranoid. they are not able to work, they don't carry out their duties and this leads to

difficulties. they also don't receive the support they are meant to receive. so, gradually, it erodes their psychological resilience. it will develop psychological problems like anxiety, depression and even paranoia and also burn out as a result. it is very important that we tackle this issue of racism by supporting people but also making sure that we take effective preventative action. is sure that we take effective preventative action.- sure that we take effective preventative action. is this racism cominu preventative action. is this racism coming from _ preventative action. is this racism coming from colleagues, - preventative action. is this racism coming from colleagues, because| preventative action. is this racism - coming from colleagues, because that seems to be primarily what is being talked about? is there also racism coming from patients, has not been looked at? i coming from patients, has not been looked at? ., ., ., looked at? i am afraid so. the re ort looked at? i am afraid so. the report actually _ looked at? i am afraid so. the report actually shows - looked at? i am afraid so. the report actually shows that - looked at? i am afraid so. the report actually shows that the | report actually shows that the experience of racism comes from all colleagues, which includes your leaders, as well as patients and carers. it is an ongoing issue. iairui’hat carers. it is an ongoing issue. what do ou carers. it is an ongoing issue. what do you think _ carers. it is an ongoing issue. what do you think the _ carers. it is an ongoing issue. what do you think the problem _ carers. it is an ongoing issue. what do you think the problem is? the i do you think the problem is? the roblem do you think the problem is? the problem is _ do you think the problem is? ii2 problem is that not enough is being

done to tackle the experience of disco nation or racism or even abusive violence that happens at work at times. so health care staff feel like they have to accept this and when the experience these issues, they don't have the course of actions. many of these episodes go unreported, stop not aware of where to report and how to report on the also lack confidence that if they did report, something will be done about it. many people fear that there will be negative consequences, they will be seen as a troublemaker if they report such incidents. this is why organisations need to be strong in terms of taking action and supporting staff who are subject to racism and harassment. you supporting staff who are sub'ect to racism and harassmenth supporting staff who are sub'ect to racism and harassment. you said that ou think racism and harassment. you said that you think this — racism and harassment. you said that you think this report _ racism and harassment. you said that you think this report will _ racism and harassment. you said that you think this report will have - racism and harassment. you said that you think this report will have a - you think this report will have a powerful impact because it is being talked about, so when you describe the situations where people experience things on a daily basis, that they don't necessarily report, those around them might be forgiven

for not actually understanding that there is even a problem and what is going on with these people who feel strongly that they are on the receiving end of absolutely wrong behaviour? what survey difference do you think this now make? that behaviour? what survey difference do you think this now make?— you think this now make? that is a ve aood you think this now make? that is a very good point- — you think this now make? that is a very good point. in _ you think this now make? that is a very good point. in a _ you think this now make? that is a very good point. in a staff - you think this now make? that is a very good point. in a staff survey, | very good point. in a staff survey, it shows the extent of racism experiences people have. we have the information there, however because not enough of these complains are being investigated, not enough action is being taken, people lose confidence in reporting and making a complaint because they are worried that all that will happen is that they follow—up complaints, they have to go through the stress but nothing effective or come out of it. so employers need to be much better at dealing with any form of racist abuse in the organisation. it should be considered completely inappropriate and unlawful to have

racist behaviour in work. the royal colleges undertaking a piece of work about tackling racism in the work and we want to produce guidelines so that everyone is clear on what actions need to be taken and how we should be supported. more than anything else, to make racist behaviour impossible at work. thank ou ve behaviour impossible at work. thank you very much _ behaviour impossible at work. thank you very much for — behaviour impossible at work. thank you very much forjoining _ behaviour impossible at work. thank you very much forjoining us. - now it's time for a look at the weather with elizabeth. hello there. rising temperatures for england and wales over the next few days but across scotland and northern ireland it is cloudier, it's cooler, there will be some outbreaks of rain at times as there are today. brightening up, some sunny spells maybe for eastern and southern scotland, it will be a bit warmer than it was yesterday. a small chance of a stray shower for the midlands and northern england but very few and far between. now it's time for a look at the weather with elizabeth. highest temperatures for england and wales, maybe 27 celsius

in the south—east of england. overnight tonight, it's dry with lots of clear skies. temperatures should stay in double figures so it is a milder start to the day tomorrow. watch out for a few shallow mist patches forming, but they will not last for too long at all. and then on thursday, we tap into that very hot, humid air moving in from the south. so temperatures will be high, it will feel quite sticky by night. temperatures peak on friday, perhaps in the low 30s for the london area highest temperatures for england and wales, maybe 27 celsius but feeling fresher with heavy thundery showers over the weekend. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: ministers are continuing plans for the next flight to take asylum seekers from the uk to rwanda, despite the cancellation of the first departure last night — following intervention by the european court of human rights. the ministry of defence says more than 400 people were rescued after attempting to cross the english channel yesterday. that's the highest

number in two months. the eu has launched legal proceedings against the uk over northern ireland protocol. pharmacists in england are to be allowed to refer people for cancer checks and scans as part of a new nhs trial. time for a sports round—up. we can join isaac for the latest. let me tell you about the greatest matches ever played in. that is what ben stokes call yesterday's victory over new zealand. in the end, he had to say a big thank you tojonny bairstow, who produced an unreal display of batting to help give england the win. after bowling out the tourists they were set a total of 299 to win on the last day. it needed something special — cue a man of the match performance from jonny bairstow, who hit the second fastest ever test century by an england player. it was the captain ben stokes who hit the winning runs

as england recorded one of their greatest victories. that blows headingley, it blows loads world cup final, just emotionally, and the enjoyment of every minute i had out on that field was incredible. after his first innings century, joe root is officially the best test batsman in the world. he moved ahead of australian marnus labushagne with his 27th test ton. gareth southgate called england's 4—0 thrashing by hungary 'chastening' as fall out continues from the home loss at molyneux. it's been a bitterly disappointing nations league campaign whre england have scored just once in four games. roland sallai put the hungarians ahead after a quarter of an hour. he struck again to make it 2—0 before zsolt noog added another. john stones was then sent off for a second yellow card before daniel gazdag compounded england's misery to complete

the biggest margin of defeat at home in 94 years. football is emotional, people pay to come and watch. they're going to give an opinion. the team were not able to deliver tonight. my responsibility, and so, if the flak comes my way, i have to deal with that. you're not going to be the england manager, it is not realistic to have had the ride i have had for five years and not have bad nights, difficult nights, criticism, but that's part and parcel of the job. golf now, rory mcilroy has come out in support of phil mickleson ahead of the start of the us open in boston. mickleson has faced criticism for his involvement with the saudi funded liv golf tour. he took a break from the game because of controversial comments he made about the saudi regime but he will play to win his seventh major on thursday.

he has come back and shown some remorse about how he's handled some things so i think he's learned from that, and i couldn't give him a lesson in how to do things, he has had a wonderful career and he has his own man. he's a great addition to the field this week. so, am i disappointed he has taken the route that he has taken i am. but i still respect him tremendously. plenty of tennis today — at queen's with jack draper in action and, after the biggest win of her career, katie boulter will play france's caroline garcia in the second round of the birmingham classic later. yesterday, she beat the second seed alison riske. boulter won in straight sets, to secure her first victory over a top—40 player. you can watch the birmingham classic on the red button, the iplayer and the bbc sport website, as well as queen's, which is also on bbc two.

you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. thank you, isaac, see you later. there's just over a week to go until the people of wakefield go to the polls in a crucial by—election that will test the prime minister and his government. james reynolds is there for us today. james reynolds is there for us toda . . , james reynolds is there for us toda. ., , . ., today. thanks very much, joanna. i am in the centre _ today. thanks very much, joanna. i am in the centre of— today. thanks very much, joanna. i am in the centre of wakefield, - am in the centre of wakefield, looking at some of the most important voters in the uk, because over the next week or so, they will have to make up their minds as to who they want their new mp to be. you might remember that the previous mp from the conservative party resigned following his conviction for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. this seat only had a very slim tory majority of 3000, but for decades and decades, this was a labour seat, from 1932 are the way

up labour seat, from 1932 are the way up to 2019. the conservatives chipped away at that red war in 2019, this is one of the pieces of the majority that boris johnson 2019, this is one of the pieces of the majority that borisjohnson put together in 2019. so the fate of this seat, even though it is a by—election, may tell us something about the current status of the government. in a few minutes i'm going to nip into a business and have a chat with one of the business owners but for a preview of the election and other issues, here is iain watson. there's a buzz about this by—election. 15 candidates of all colours are standing. at the last election, wakefield changed from red to blue. but there are certainly signs that some people who voted conservative for the first time are now having second thoughts. i was one of those people that, for the first time, possibly a protest vote, voted conservative, and obviously feel let down from that. why? for me, this isn't

about borisjohnson. this is about local leadership, and making things happen positively for wakefield and its people. but for others, the by election is all about borisjohnson and his behaviour. i think to stand there and pontificate about what you should be doing, and then in your own backyard you're doing what you like, i think it's immoral. are you usually a labour voter? not always, no. keir starmer was on his second visit to wakefield this week, and his campaigners say they aren'tjust trying to win back lost support, they're trying to gain new voters too. a week on thursday. are we going to do it? yeah. now, john isn't exactly new, but he tells me he's changing the political habits of a lifetime, because of the current prime minister. he's the sort of the centrepiece of everything that has deteriorated. i mean, i was a great believer, and still am, for that

matter, margaret thatcher. that's not to say he's exactly gung ho about the opposition leader. keir starmer, i don't think he's powerful enough. i think he's a gentleman. i hope he gets better. party leaders aside, voters are telling us they're concerned, unsurprisingly, about the cost of living, about local bus services, and about a national rail strike. but at this by election, there are other issues at play. the previous conservative mp, imran ahmed khan, is in prison for sexually assaulting a 15—year—old. and this is coming up on the doorstep. the most recent scandal, obviously the first time that the conservative party have been in for a while, and for that to happen for the first time, it's certainly had a big impact. butjust down the street, some voters accused labour of focusing far too much on this issue. carol was upset that this leaflet contained an attack, but no policies.

why aren't they coming and putting a case forward to me? _ it'd be interesting to see mr starmer justify that. you see, i can't- justify it, i'm sorry. labour insist they're fighting a positive campaign. the conservatives say that more than 70 of their mps have hit the doorsteps in wakefield. and the party insists that in this brexit—supporting seat, recent polls suggesting a substantial lead for labour are overstating the situation on the ground. while many voices have mentioned partygate to me unprompted, not all were critical of borisjohnson. amongst a plethora of grey personalities, he's got some personality. may not always get it right, but at least he seems to try. he's made mistakes. but, to be honest, i don't care if he had a piece of cake at his party. i don't care if keir starmer had a beer at the end of his day in the north—east.

i don't care. safe for labour for more than 80 years, wakefield was snatched by the conservatives in 2019, and it's now fiercely contested political territory. iain watson with all the analysis. with me now is tania howe, who owns a business, here in wakefield called betty loves candles. you have had to shut for four years? yes, yes. you have had to shut for four years? yes, es. �* , fl you have had to shut for four years? yes. yes-_ how _ you have had to shut for four years? yes, yes._ how its - yes, yes. business? how its business? — yes, yes. business? how its business? slow— yes, yes. business? how its business? slow the - yes, yes. business? how its| business? slow the moment. yes, yes. business? how its - business? slow the moment. we have got a bus strike going on which hasn't held things, obviously the cost of living, the war, the cost of fuel, so it is a stop footfall out on the street so there is that uncertainty again, which we had in the previous year. so uncertainty again, which we had in the previous year.— uncertainty again, which we had in the previous year. so when you look at the bills coming _ the previous year. so when you look at the bills coming in, _ the previous year. so when you look at the bills coming in, what - the previous year. so when you look at the bills coming in, what do - the previous year. so when you look at the bills coming in, what do you i at the bills coming in, what do you think? i at the bills coming in, what do you think? . �* ., i. _, think? i cringe. before, you could 'ust take think? i cringe. before, you could just take it— think? i cringe. before, you could just take it on _ think? i cringe. before, you could just take it on the _ think? i cringe. before, you could

just take it on the chin. _ think? i cringe. before, you could just take it on the chin. take - think? i cringe. before, you could just take it on the chin. take the l just take it on the chin. take the head. i have even tried to change my business model slightly by introducing different products, you know, cards and small items so that if customers can't afford the big items as gifts or for the if customers can't afford the big items as gifts orfor the home, i have little cards and little candles so that at least they can come and buy from me. so that at least they can come and buy from me-_ so that at least they can come and bu fromme.~ ., ., , ,, , buy from me. what are the big issues facin: ou buy from me. what are the big issues facing you in — buy from me. what are the big issues facing you in this _ buy from me. what are the big issues facing you in this by-election? - buy from me. what are the big issues facing you in this by-election? in - facing you in this by—election? ii the by—election, the big issues, i want wakefield to get the footfall that it deserves. we are going to get the tourism, we are going to get the people coming up so we need the hotels in the city, which we haven't got. we need the city to look attractive, clean. anti—social behaviour, we need that policing more. it is here, we are on the cusp of something great. we need someone strong to come in and actually do what they say they are going to do. what kind of conversations do you

have with other business owners? i have with other business owners? i have just booked a one, martin, who havejust booked a one, martin, who has the shop at the top, and he's been here all his life on the market. we have seen a decline of the footfall. obviously, the pandemic didn't help and we came back, then we had the second wave, which was 2021, we survived that, came into 2022 and it's just been shocking. wejust came into 2022 and it's just been shocking. we just feel as came into 2022 and it's just been shocking. wejust feel as if came into 2022 and it's just been shocking. we just feel as if it's all in our heads at the moment. abs, all in our heads at the moment. a lot of politicians make promises, which promises do you believe in which promises do you believe in which do not believe? it is which promises do you believe in which do not believe?— which promises do you believe in which do not believe? it is hard to believe any _ which do not believe? it is hard to believe any of _ which do not believe? it is hard to believe any of them _ which do not believe? it is hard to believe any of them at _ which do not believe? it is hard to believe any of them at the - which do not believe? it is hard to i believe any of them at the moment. we want someone here that's actually going to do what they say. there have been so many empty promises. wakefield bed, the trinity shop in the centre, and the riders do more for the city and the council at the moment. itjust needs cleaning up, the promises hard, and if they are going to build something, let's see it. ., ,~ going to build something, let's see it. ., ., ~ going to build something, let's see it. tanya, thank you. particularly

for civina it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us _ it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us shot _ it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us shot on _ it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us shot on a _ it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us shot on a very - it. tanya, thank you. particularly for giving us shot on a very hot i for giving us shot on a very hot day! will be chatting to other business owners, to pollsters and to get some idea of the candidates themselves. from wakefield, back to you. for a full list of candidates standing in the wakefield by—election, visit the bbc website. uk airlines have been told to cancel flights they can't deliver this summer to stop a re—run of may's travel chaos. it comes after tens of thousands of passengers have been affected by cancellations and delays at airports. the government is now saying it is better to cancel them in advance. let's try to work out what might end “p let's try to work out what might end up happening. i'm joined now by aviation analyst sally gethin. i guess it is not clear at this stage and many fights might be affected, but what would you anticipate? i affected, but what would you anticipate?— affected, but what would you anticiate? ~ �* ., affected, but what would you anticiate? ~' �* ., ., anticipate? i think we're going to see thousands _ anticipate? i think we're going to see thousands upon _ anticipate? i think we're going to see thousands upon thousands i anticipate? i think we're going to | see thousands upon thousands of flights that will be cancelled or stuck in a way, this ramps up the likelihood of more cancellations, because now airlines have to show

that they are complying with the new instruction from the government which says, you know, don't leave it any more to the last minute, if you're going to catch flights, cut them in advance. so we could see flights being haemorrhaged over the summer season. and hopefully that just won't add more to the chaos that we've already seen. but just won't add more to the chaos that we've already seen. but what it will do is cause _ that we've already seen. but what it will do is cause anxiety _ that we've already seen. but what it will do is cause anxiety for - that we've already seen. but what it will do is cause anxiety for anyone i will do is cause anxiety for anyone that's got a trip planned, they will be wondering how and when they might know whether the flight gets cancelled. obviously if flights get cancelled. obviously if flights get cancelled at the busy time, many people are then trying to suddenly find other flights to fit the travel arrangements, it might be very difficult, it might be more expensive. difficult, it might be more expensive-_ difficult, it might be more exensive. , , ., expensive. this is called comfort in a from any — expensive. this is called comfort in a from any messages. _ expensive. this is called comfort in a from any messages. on - expensive. this is called comfort in a from any messages. on the - expensive. this is called comfort in a from any messages. on the plus| a from any messages. on the plus side, the government has said it will tighten up the consumer rights when it comes to flights, if a flight has been cancelled, what rights they are entitled to, whether it is a refund or in some cases compensation. but on the other hand,

it allows airlines to just keep on doing what they are doing. they may not reveal their hand, when they're going to make this cancellations. they should make them in advance but passengers have still kept behind the wall of communal, science that goes into airlines, computing which flights they are going to cancel. when you say the science that goes into computing which flights get cancelled, how do they pick them? it's quite a complex, you know, why they do it. they will be looking at all their schedules, they will work it out with the airport in many cases, they also have to abide by their slots, so that's a particular take—off and landing time at a particular airport. many airlines at the vic dismay at the very big airports like heathrow and manchester will want to keep those slots because they have two otherwise they lose them. they have to show that they are using 70% of

the time. so in some ways it puts airlines a little bit in a tough situation, between a rock and a hard place because there is more pressure to deliver to passengers, which they should be doing but at the same time, can they deliver this? there is a much changing the way they manage the flights. share is a much changing the way they manage the flights.— is a much changing the way they manage the flights. are there any si . ns of manage the flights. are there any signs of the _ manage the flights. are there any signs of the problems _ manage the flights. are there any signs of the problems being - manage the flights. are there any | signs of the problems being fixed? so as we heard yesterday there was a hearing by the government with aviation leaders and they all said no, it's not a quick fix and will not be fixed this summer because these are long—term problems with hiring and recruitment, and a vetting by the government at some times that can take 140 days for a new heart to be vetted and in the meantime many of them go off to other industries so it is a vicious cycle and we are really not through it yet. cycle and we are really not through it et. .. , cycle and we are really not through it et. , ., ~' cycle and we are really not through it et. , ., ,, i. people with a worrying cough, problems swallowing or blood in their urine will soon be referred for scans and checks

by a pharmacist, rather than having to wait to see their gp. it's hoped the pilot scheme, launched by nhs england, will help to diagnose more cancers early and is aimed at helping patients who might not have noticed any symptoms. shaun walsh is head of public affairs and campaigning at cancer research uk. it is something that cancer research uk welcomes. we know how challenging it has been for cancer services over the pandemic and of course, we were failing to hit cancer waiting times before the pandemic struck. so new innovative measures and models such as this could bring cancer services closer to people in the community and the places where they work, where they live, where they play, it's a really positive step and we look forward to seeing the results of the pilot. in the next few minutes borisjohnson will face questions from mps in prime minister's questions. let's talk to our political correspondent nick eardley. the usual question, what do you expect? it

the usual question, what do you exect? , , expect? it interesting, the big story that _ expect? it interesting, the big story that is — expect? it interesting, the big story that is being _ expect? it interesting, the big story that is being discussed i expect? it interesting, the big| story that is being discussed in expect? it interesting, the big - story that is being discussed in the tea rooms around westminster today is that decision last night to block the flight to rwanda. i'm not too sure if that is going to dominate prime minister's questions, remember, it's a bit of an awkward issue for the labour party. the conservatives think they are on the front foot when it comes to immigration and labour do not have as thought through a plan. so i would be surprised if keir starmer goes on that. likewise the snp probably have independence in their mind after yesterday's events from nicola sturgeon and her launching another campaign for scottish independence. but as i say, there is a lot of debate going on here about what happened last night. the fact that flight the government had planned and paid for to take asylum seekers rwanda, the fact that got through the british courts and it was supposed to happen but it

didn't. and that was because of a decision that was made by the european court of human rights in strasbourg. there are some tory mps who are pretty unhappy and uncomfortable with that, you think that it's a bad thing, frankly, that the court in strasbourg had the power to do that. some i've been chatting to privately have been talking about revising that relationship with the echr, potentially something getting out of the european convention on human rights altogether. want to bring in a guest and have a chat to robert buckland, the formerjustice secretary, who is here with me now. was it a good thing that the echr blocked the flight? i was it a good thing that the echr blocked the flight?— blocked the flight? i think there are two things _ blocked the flight? i think there are two things here. _ blocked the flight? i think there are two things here. the - blocked the flight? i think there i are two things here. the principle of having — are two things here. the principle of having a — are two things here. the principle of having a supervisory court is one that i_ of having a supervisory court is one that i think— of having a supervisory court is one that i think we should accept and be relaxed _ that i think we should accept and be relaxed about. i think the individual decision is an emergency injunction, — individual decision is an emergency injunction, i— individual decision is an emergency injunction, i think it is not actually— injunction, i think it is not actually the right decision based upon _ actually the right decision based upon all— actually the right decision based upon all the information that the courts— upon all the information that the

courts here in london accepted about the potential harm to people being taken _ the potential harm to people being taken to— the potential harm to people being taken to rwanda. however, the british— taken to rwanda. however, the british government now has an opportunity to make its case to the strasbourg court, to explain fully why this — strasbourg court, to explain fully why this isn't irreparable or serious _ why this isn't irreparable or serious harm and i very much hope that the _ serious harm and i very much hope that the strasbourg court will reconsider whether it needs this interim — reconsider whether it needs this interim direction. but we have to be careful— interim direction. but we have to be careful here — interim direction. but we have to be careful here. it's very tempting to try and _ careful here. it's very tempting to try and take a political sledgehammer to crack a legal nut and i_ sledgehammer to crack a legal nut and i don't — sledgehammer to crack a legal nut and i don't think that would be appropriate. bearing in mind the important — appropriate. bearing in mind the important role that britain has with regard _ important role that britain has with regard to _ important role that britain has with regard to europe and the defence of human— regard to europe and the defence of human rights and our liberties, and the fact— human rights and our liberties, and the fact that we are acting as a government to protect the good friday— government to protect the good friday agreement from the northern irish political and what underlines the good — irish political and what underlines the good friday agreement is the convention on human rights. so we have _ convention on human rights. so we have to _ convention on human rights. so we have to be — convention on human rights. so we have to be very careful not to end ”p have to be very careful not to end up taking — have to be very careful not to end up taking illogical or irrational decisions _ up taking illogical or irrational decisions here. hard cases make bad law and _ decisions here. hard cases make bad law and i_ decisions here. hard cases make bad law and i think the truth of hard

cases— law and i think the truth of hard cases make the very bad policy. is cases make the very bad policy. interesting cases make the very bad policy. i3 interesting you say that because we were just discussing as you arrived, some of your colleagues are pretty unhappy with what went on, and unhappy with what went on, and unhappy with what went on, and unhappy with the idea that this got through the british courts, then a court in strasbourg decided it wasn't a good idea. i think it's fair to say you have always been an advocate of staying in the convention of human rights, but there has been a bit of a debate on that. are you hearing much from your colleagues, is there a split in the party on that? i colleagues, is there a split in the party on that?— party on that? i think there are understandable _ party on that? i think there are understandable frustrations - party on that? i think there are understandable frustrations as| party on that? i think there are l understandable frustrations as a understandable frustrations as a result— understandable frustrations as a result of— understandable frustrations as a result of an emergency case but one swallow— result of an emergency case but one swallow doesn't make a summer. i don't _ swallow doesn't make a summer. i don't think— swallow doesn't make a summer. i don't think it right for us as a party— don't think it right for us as a party to— don't think it right for us as a party to abandon our historic commitment to the european convention on human rights because british— convention on human rights because british conservative lawyers wrote it after— british conservative lawyers wrote it after the war, i believe in fundamental human rights as do most of my— fundamental human rights as do most of my colleagues, in fact i know all my colleagues do. the question is how we _ my colleagues do. the question is how we respond to this individual case _ how we respond to this individual case the — how we respond to this individual case. the british government has got a good _ case. the british government has got a good set _ case. the british government has got a good set of arguments to make, it needs— a good set of arguments to make, it needs to _ a good set of arguments to make, it needs to keep making them, and

heres— needs to keep making them, and here's the — needs to keep making them, and here's the thing, if we want to change — here's the thing, if we want to change that level, i believe in further— change that level, i believe in further reform. there are further reforms — further reform. there are further reforms that we should embark upon and show— reforms that we should embark upon and show leadership on. i think the dru- and show leadership on. i think the drug would — and show leadership on. i think the drug would be a hasty decision would come _ drug would be a hasty decision would come to— drug would be a hasty decision would come to regret. drug would be a hasty decision would come to regret-— come to regret. some of your olitical come to regret. some of your political opponents _ come to regret. some of your political opponents and - come to regret. some of your political opponents and the i come to regret. some of your. political opponents and the other benches are asking whether this policy of sending asylum seekers to rwanda is going to work at all. labour have said it is basically political theatre, labour have said it is basically politicaltheatre, is labour have said it is basically political theatre, is all designed to stoke up a row rather than to actually solve the problem. i really re'ect actually solve the problem. i really reject that- — actually solve the problem. i really reject that- we _ actually solve the problem. i really reject that. we have _ actually solve the problem. i really reject that. we have a _ actually solve the problem. i really reject that. we have a serious - actually solve the problem. i really| reject that. we have a serious issue about— reject that. we have a serious issue about small— reject that. we have a serious issue about small boats, the expectation of innocent people by unscrupulous criminals _ of innocent people by unscrupulous criminals. the government is right to take _ criminals. the government is right to take action to stop doing nothing is to take action to stop doing nothing is not _ to take action to stop doing nothing is not an— to take action to stop doing nothing is not an option. we are facing calm seas is not an option. we are facing calm seas at— is not an option. we are facing calm seas at the — is not an option. we are facing calm seas at the moment, and hundreds of people _ seas at the moment, and hundreds of people are _ seas at the moment, and hundreds of people are taking a risk with their lives _ people are taking a risk with their lives because of this exploitation would _ lives because of this exploitation would i _ lives because of this exploitation would ., �* ~' lives because of this exploitation would ., �* ,, ., , lives because of this exploitation would ., �* ~'., , , would i don't think anybody is sa in: would i don't think anybody is saying do _ would i don't think anybody is saying do nothing _ would i don't think anybody is saying do nothing but - would i don't think anybody is saying do nothing but some i would i don't think anybody is - saying do nothing but some people are questioning whether this policy is much of a solution at all or

whether it is as the un suggested outsourcing responsibilities. i outsourcing responsibilities. i don't think we are outsourcing bearing — don't think we are outsourcing bearing in— don't think we are outsourcing bearing in mind the amount of investment the uk is making in this policy _ investment the uk is making in this policy the — investment the uk is making in this policy. the opposition keep telling us that— policy. the opposition keep telling us that we — policy. the opposition keep telling us that we are wasting hundreds of millions— us that we are wasting hundreds of millions of— us that we are wasting hundreds of millions of pounds for so they can't have the _ millions of pounds for so they can't have the penny in the barn. the government haven'tjust have the penny in the barn. the government haven't just outsourced, they have _ government haven't just outsourced, they have taken a joint responsibility rwanda and are trying to do something constructive. they knew _ to do something constructive. they knew there — to do something constructive. they knew there would be legal challenges. there are more to come. a sofa, _ challenges. there are more to come. a sofa, the _ challenges. there are more to come. a sofa, the domestic courts have accepted — a sofa, the domestic courts have accepted the essence of the british government's argument that there isn't an— government's argument that there isn't an immediate risk to life and limb _ isn't an immediate risk to life and limb by— isn't an immediate risk to life and limb by the — isn't an immediate risk to life and limb by the use of this policy. you limb by the use of this policy. you are a well versed _ limb by the use of this policy. gm. are a well versed legal mind. do you think this policy will ever happen? will sending people to rwanda become a significant part of the government's strategy? i a significant part of the government's strategy? i think we are still in the _ government's strategy? i think we are still in the middle _ government's strategy? i think we are still in the middle of— government's strategy? i think we are still in the middle of this - are still in the middle of this legal— are still in the middle of this legal challenge. the mainjudicial legal challenge. the main judicial review— legal challenge. the mainjudicial review about the whole policy itself isn't going — review about the whole policy itself isn't going to be heard untiljuly. do you _ isn't going to be heard untiljuly. do you think the government will win

that? i do you think the government will win that? ., �* ., ., , ., that? i haven't heard or seen of the arguments- — that? i haven't heard or seen of the arguments. the _ that? i haven't heard or seen of the arguments. the government - that? i haven't heard or seen of the arguments. the government has i that? i haven't heard or seen of the arguments. the government has al that? i haven't heard or seen of the - arguments. the government has a case arguments. the government has a case to make _ arguments. the government has a case to make and _ arguments. the government has a case to make and it will continue to make it. ., ., , �* to make and it will continue to make it. ., ., ,�* to make and it will continue to make it. that doesn't sound like a rinuain it. that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, - it. that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, it - it. that doesn't sound like a . ringing endorsement, it sounds it. that doesn't sound like a - ringing endorsement, it sounds like you agree with it but you're not totally certain it was legal. i totally certain it was legal. i haven't seen all the arguments. i think— haven't seen all the arguments. i think the — haven't seen all the arguments. i think the government has embarked on a noval— think the government has embarked on a novel approach. countries like denmark— a novel approach. countries like denmark have been looking at this as well so _ denmark have been looking at this as well so its— denmark have been looking at this as well so it's not as if we are entirely— well so it's not as if we are entirely out on a limb here. i think it's important that we let legal process— it's important that we let legal process take its course. so for the domestic— process take its course. so for the domestic courts have supported the position— domestic courts have supported the position of— domestic courts have supported the position of the government. we will see what— position of the government. we will see what the fulljudicial review outcome — see what the fulljudicial review outcome is. but i'm confident that in our— outcome is. but i'm confident that in our government we have one that is in our government we have one that is trying _ in our government we have one that is trying to— in our government we have one that is trying to come up with a sensible solution _ is trying to come up with a sensible solution to— is trying to come up with a sensible solution to a — is trying to come up with a sensible solution to a real risk of harm but it's solution to a real risk of harm but it's not— solution to a real risk of harm but it's not happening in rwanda, it's happening — it's not happening in rwanda, it's happening in the english channel. to do nothing _ happening in the english channel. to do nothing would be negligent. robert — do nothing would be negligent. robert buckland, formerjustice robert buckland, former justice secretary, robert buckland, formerjustice secretary, thanks for talking to us. we will see if that comes up in

prime minister's questions. i should just say, immediately after pmqs, this —— but the home secretary is doing a statement on exactly this. so i suspect we will get a lot more of those arguments in the commons later on. thank you very much. we will be back with you. let me just talk to a labour councillor in oxford who is one of 276 cross—party councillors have signed an open letter rejecting the government's under plans. she was granted asylum in the uk when she was 13 and now acts as the local authority's migrant champion. what is your opposition to the plans? what is your opposition to the lans? what is your opposition to the . lans? . ., ., ., , , what is your opposition to the lans? ., , , . ., plans? hi, joanna. it is very clear from what _ plans? hi, joanna. it is very clear from what robert _ plans? hi, joanna. it is very clear from what robert buckland - plans? hi, joanna. it is very clear from what robert buckland said l plans? hi, joanna. it is very clear i from what robert buckland said that he is a country claim that we believe in fundamental human rights, and these are people who are fleeing persecution, fleeing terrible wars that have been in the country, for example a lot of afghans are crossing the channel. in the last

year we only granted asylum to eight afghans. so there are now safe and legal routes for people to seek asylum. peoplejust legal routes for people to seek asylum. people just want to come here, make a life and flee the situation that is happening in their home country. no—one wants to leave a beloved homeland. i came to the uk, actually, my father apply for asylum and we came here as dependents on him. i was a teenager but i still... it still upsets me every single day that i'm far away from home, even though the uk is also my home. so peoplejust want to come and make a living and have the ability and the potential to thrive in our communities. we see, as councillors, that actually, that happens day in and day out, whether it was during the pandemic when everyone came together, quite a lot of asylum seeking refugee communities came together to help with the drive to make sure everyone was safe during the pandemic, to make sure foodbanks were stocked and

were being staffed and unfortunately does foodbanks in those situations, those economic crises have continued because of the failings of this government, and it's yet another of boris johnson's vanity government, and it's yet another of borisjohnson's vanity projects, to distract from his failings. boris johnson's vanity pro'ects, to distract from his failings._ distract from his failings. robert buckland also _ distract from his failings. robert buckland also said _ distract from his failings. robert buckland also said that - distract from his failings. robert buckland also said that it - distract from his failings. robert buckland also said that it would | distract from his failings. robert i buckland also said that it would be negligent for the government to do nothing to tackle what he said is the real risk to people, and that is the real risk to people, and that is the way that these crossings across the way that these crossings across the channel are currently happening, what do you say to that? he the channel are currently happening, what do you say to that?— what do you say to that? he could revent what do you say to that? he could prevent that _ what do you say to that? he could prevent that by — what do you say to that? he could prevent that by making _ what do you say to that? he could prevent that by making sure - what do you say to that? he could prevent that by making sure that. what do you say to that? he could i prevent that by making sure that for example dependents of asylum seekers like myself are able to come here, we can make sure that there are asylum procedures being processed in asylum procedures being processed in a timely fashion, in either on the other side of the channel of this site. there are lots of solutions to this but the government is not looking at them. instead of which it is making very costly plans that is

just another vanity project, like the borisjohnson bridge, does anyone remember that? the bridge she wanted to between scotland and ireland. he isjust very, very good at this kind of plan. theyjust affects people in our communities, just drives division between communities. if you think about it, a lot of people have been actually very forthcoming and very welcoming to ukrainian refugees, to the low number of afghan refugees who have come over, and this isjust dividing up come over, and this isjust dividing up our communities and trying to drive a wedge issue rationally, what people are really concerned about is making ends meet and making sure they can heat their home and eat at they can heat their home and eat at the same time. in the nhs, i work in the same time. in the nhs, i work in the nhs and i have done for 15 years and my colleagues, some of the nursing staff, some of the health care associates are really concerned about making ends meet and making sure they can pay their bills. thahk sure they can pay their bills. thank ou ve

sure they can pay their bills. thank you very much _ sure they can pay their bills. thank you very much indeed _ sure they can pay their bills. thank you very much indeed for - sure they can pay their bills. thank you very much indeed forjoining i sure they can pay their bills. thank you very much indeed forjoining us, thank you. we are fast coming to the time for prime minister's questions. we will be in the commons for so just to let you know that later this afternoon we will be answering all of your questions on the rwanda asylum plans and all the legal actions you can send those into us on twitter. i can e—mail. we'll be live in the house of commons shortly for prime minister's questions, but first let's talk to our political correspondent, nick eardley. it was interesting watching prime minister's questions last week because keir starmer didn't go on the story of the week, boris johnson's leadership, he wanted to talk about the nhs so we have seen a theme with him that he wants to talk about things like the cost of living and the issues he thinks really matters to constituents around the country ahead of those by—elections later this month so i wouldn't be surprised if he does something

similar this week. perhaps talking about those economic figures we saw earlier in the week that would be pretty depressing reading in terms of economic growth. one other thing to watch out for is scottish independence right back on the agenda after nicola sturgeon relaunched the campaign in edinburgh yesterday. ian black for the snp. let's have a listen. this morning i had discussions and i shall have further such meetings later today. shall have further such meetings later today-— shall have further such meetings later toda . , , ., later today. government support for households is _ later today. government support for households is greatly _ later today. government support for households is greatly appreciated i households is greatly appreciated but high energy costs are also causing massive problems for businesses and particularly energy intensive manufacturing. will the prime minister support the initiative backed by the left and by andy street to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and will he meet with me to see how the black country can

be a pilot project to decarbonise, reduce costs and detect the region's money factoring jobs? i reduce costs and detect the region's money factoring jobs?— money factoring 'obs? i think my honourable — money factoring jobs? i think my honourable friend _ money factoring jobs? i think my honourable friend and _ money factoring jobs? i think my honourable friend and he - money factoring jobs? i think my honourable friend and he is - money factoring jobs? i think my honourable friend and he is a - money factoring jobs? i think my i honourable friend and he is a great champion for the black country and in addition to the £1200 for the most honourable households, we are providing £400 to help every body with the cost of energy, we are supporting the black country with cost efficient energy infrastructure in the region has already received £1.5 million to develop a cluster plan for decarbonisation. the leader ofthe plan for decarbonisation. the leader of the opposition, _ plan for decarbonisation. the leader of the opposition, keir _ plan for decarbonisation. the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. - of the opposition, keir starmer. thank— of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you. — of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. can i pay tribute to all those who served in the falklands. my uncle was among them, serving on the hms antelope when it went down. thankfully, he made it back. but too many serving in that war did not. and we remember

them all. mr speaker, britain is set for a lower growth than every major economy except russia why? prime minister mr— economy except russia why? prime minister mr speaker, _ economy except russia why? prime minister mr speaker, i _ economy except russia why? prime minister mr speaker, i will - economy except russia why? prime minister mr speaker, i will tell - minister mr speaker, i will tell him _ minister mr speaker, i will tell him. ~ ., ., ., ., him. we are going to have, according to the imf him. we are going to have, according to the mp and _ him. we are going to have, according to the imf and the _ him. we are going to have, according to the imf and the osco, _ him. we are going to have, according to the imf and the osco, we - him. we are going to have, according to the imf and the oecd, we are - him. we are going to have, according to the imf and the oecd, we are in i to the imf and the oecd, we are in the fastest growth in the g7 last year and we are the second—fastest this year, and we will return to the top the table but the reason, mr speaker, other countries are temporarily moving in is of course we came out of the pandemic faster than they did and we took the right decisions to come out of lockdown, which he opposed, and that is why right now, mr speaker, we have the highest number of people in employment on record. mr

highest number of people in employment on record. highest number of people in emlo ment on record. ~ ,,, ., ,, employment on record. mr speaker, he alwa s likes employment on record. mr speaker, he always likes to — employment on record. mr speaker, he always likes to blame _ employment on record. mr speaker, he always likes to blame global _ employment on record. mr speaker, he always likes to blame global forces - always likes to blame global forces but global forces are just that, global. everybody faces them. britain is not under crippling sanctions like russia. no wonder he doesn't want to answer the question. why is the uk set for nor growth than every other major economy? mr speaker, i think everybody can see that i have just answer the question. once again, he is guilty of what my legalfriends question. once again, he is guilty of what my legal friends called ignorance. he has failed to listen to what i said. what be useful in supporting the uk economy right now would be if the leader of the labour party ended his sphinx like silence about the rmt strikes coming up in the course of the next couple of weeks. will he now break with his

shadow transport secretary and announce labour�*s rail strikes? just announce labour's rail strikes? just to remind this _ announce labour's rail strikes? just to remind this is prime minister's questions — to remind this is prime minister's questions. he to remind this is prime minister's questions. , to remind this is prime minister's questions-— to remind this is prime minister's questions. , ., questions. he is in government, he can do something _ questions. he is in government, he can do something to _ questions. he is in government, he can do something to stop _ questions. he is in government, he can do something to stop the - can do something to stop the strikes. he has not lifted a finger. i don't want the strikes to go ahead but he does. he wants, mr speaker, he wants the country to ground to a halt so he can feed of the division. as for his boasting about the economy, he thinks he can perform jedi man tricks on the country. no rules for broken. the economy is booming. the problem is, the faucet just isn't with him any more. he

things he is only one. the truth is, he is jabber, the hat. lastly, he stands there and boasted that we will continue to grow the economy. this week, turns out, the economy shrank for the second month in a row. how does it help britain to have an ostrich prime minister with his head in the sand?— have an ostrich prime minister with his head in the sand? there he goes auain, mr his head in the sand? there he goes again, mr speaker, _ his head in the sand? there he goes again, mr speaker, running - his head in the sand? there he goes again, mr speaker, running this - again, mr speaker, running this country down, when we have the highest employment balazs dzsudzsk i want to hear the questions and the answers. ~ , ., ~ , answers. whether you like it, but i believe it. — answers. whether you like it, but i believe it, the _ answers. whether you like it, but i believe it, the public _ answers. whether you like it, but i believe it, the public who - answers. whether you like it, but i believe it, the public who watch i answers. whether you like it, but i believe it, the public who watch it, also want — believe it, the public who watch it, also want to hear both.— also want to hear both. prime minster. also want to hear both. prime minster- mr— also want to hear both. prime minster. mr speaker, - also want to hear both. prime minster. mr speaker, we - also want to hear both. prime| minster. mr speaker, we have also want to hear both. prime - minster. mr speaker, we have lower unemployment than france, germany, canada, the highest number of people injobs since records began

canada, the highest number of people in jobs since records began and canada, the highest number of people injobs since records began and he might like to know this, just in the first five months of this year, this country has attracted £16 billion of investment and he doesn't like these european comparisons. three times as much as germany, twice as much as france. he should be talking this country up, not running it down. that is the ostrich. he is notjust denying how bad things are, he is actively making things worse. his 15 tax rises are throttling growth and the director of the cbi is so fed up that he is reduced to saying, can we stop operation save big dog and moved to action stations on the economy? mr speaker, we know what the prime minister says about british business and private, i think that is pretty unparliamentary, but when did

screwing business turned from a flippant comment into economic policy? mr flippant comment into economic oli ? ~ , policy? mr speaker, i 'ust remind the house oft policy? mr speaker, i 'ust remind the house of what _ policy? mr speaker, i 'ust remind the house of what is _ policy? mr speaker, ijust remind the house of what is happening i policy? mr speaker, ijust remind| the house of what is happening in this country, the massive investment thatis this country, the massive investment that is coming in, helped by the way by 130% super deduction for business investment that the chancellor has put in. neverforget, mr speaker, that under labour, taxes go up on businesses and on people. we are not only putting more money into peoples pockets, we are having a tax cut with £330 on average for everybody who pays national insurance. labour have already made spending commitments in this parliament alone with £94 billion more than the government. that is £2100 for every household in the country. no wonder no labour government has ever left

office with unemployment lower than when they came in. mr office with unemployment lower than when they came in.— when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and _ when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and we _ when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and we are _ when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and we are set _ when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and we are set for- when they came in. mr speaker. 15 tax rises and we are set for the - tax rises and we are set for the highest tax burden since russian. he says the economy is booming when it is shrinking. he is game playing so much, he things he is on love khat island. the trouble is, i am an reliably performed that contestants that the public don't like get booted out. it is notjust lower growth, he has also lost control of inflation. he was warned about this last september and what did he do? he dismissed it. he did not act. he sat on his hands. now prices are through the roof and we are set to have the highest inflation in the g7. when will he accept that he got it badly wrong, when he claimed that worries about high inflation were

unfounded? mr worries about high inflation were unfounded?— unfounded? mr speaker, we are helinu unfounded? mr speaker, we are helping people _ unfounded? mr speaker, we are helping people with _ unfounded? mr speaker, we are helping people with the - unfounded? mr speaker, we are helping people with the cost - unfounded? mr speaker, we are helping people with the cost of. helping people with the cost of living with £1200 on the 14th of july. living with £1200 on the 14th of july, the money will be going into peoples bank accounts. why can we do that? because we have the fiscal power to do it, because the economy is in robust shape, because we have record numbers of people in payroll employment. that is thanks to the steps that we took that he continuously opposed. i just steps that we took that he continuously opposed. ijust remind him, he has the chance now to clear it up. he can oppose labour's rail strikes right now. he can disagree. i give him that opportunity. let him disagree with the union barons who will add to peoples costs in the coming weeks. mr will add to peoples costs in the coming weeks-— will add to peoples costs in the cominu weeks. ~ ., ,, ., �* coming weeks. mr speaker, i don't want the strikes _

coming weeks. mr speaker, i don't want the strikes to _ coming weeks. mr speaker, i don't want the strikes to go _ coming weeks. mr speaker, i don't want the strikes to go ahead. - coming weeks. mr speaker, i don't want the strikes to go ahead. he i want the strikes to go ahead. he does so he can feed on the division. mr speaker, there may be a lot of noise now but i have a long is here of what his mps rarely think of him. dragging everyone down. who said that? come on! who was it that said that? come on! who was it that said that? authority is destroyed. come on, hands up. which of you was it? come on! cannot win back trust. anybody owning up? you are very quiet now. mr speaker, my personal favourite is this. this is a document circulated by his backbench in which they call him the conservative corbyn. prime minister, i don't think that was intended as a compliment. week after week, he

stands there and spout the same nonsense. the economy is booming. everything is going swimmingly. the people should be grateful. but while she is telling britain that we never had it so good, millions of working people and businesses know the reality. britain's growth will be slower than our competitors and our inflation higher. a prime minister who sounds totally deluded, totally failing on the country.— failing on the country. order! i think we need _ failing on the country. order! i think we need to _ failing on the country. order! i think we need to get _ failing on the country. order! i think we need to get to - failing on the country. order! i think we need to get to the - failing on the country. order! i | think we need to get to the end failing on the country. order! i - think we need to get to the end of the question. i would just remind you. _ the question. i would just remind you. i_ the question. i would just remind you. iwill— the question. i would just remind you, i will hear the end of the question— you, i will hear the end of the question in silence. any more noise, it will— question in silence. any more noise, it will be _ question in silence. any more noise, it will be another cup of tea early if we _ it will be another cup of tea early if we are — it will be another cup of tea early if we are not careful. a it will be another cup of tea early if we are not careful.— if we are not careful. a prime minister who _ if we are not careful. a prime minister who sounds - if we are not careful. a prime minister who sounds totally i if we are not careful. a prime - minister who sounds totally deluded, totally failing the economy, failing

totally failing the economy, failing to tackle inflation, failing to back business, failing to help working people through the crisis, and mr speaker, his big idea, go back to imperial measurements, he has 80s inflation, 70s stagnation and now he wants 60s wages to complete the set. when is he going to ditch the gimmicks and face up to reality that under him, britain's economy is going backwards? i,et under him, britain's economy is going backwards?— under him, britain's economy is going backwards? let us hear the prime minister. _ going backwards? let us hear the prime minister. a _ going backwards? let us hear the prime minister. a couple - going backwards? let us hear the prime minister. a couple of - going backwards? let us hear the prime minister. a couple of quick| prime minister. a couple of quick oints prime minister. a couple of quick points about _ prime minister. a couple of quick points about mr— prime minister. a couple of quick points about mr corbyn. - prime minister. a couple of quick points about mr corbyn. first - prime minister. a couple of quick points about mr corbyn. first of i points about mr corbyn. first of all, he tried repeatedly to get him elected as prime minister. secondly, speaking from experience, he is relatively dynamic by comparison with the right honourable gentleman.

i am struggling to hear because of the noise — i am struggling to hear because of the noise on both sides so please, if you _ the noise on both sides so please, if you look— the noise on both sides so please, if you look to the chair, it will be easier— if you look to the chair, it will be easier for— if you look to the chair, it will be easier for both of us. if you look to the chair, it will be easier for both of us.— if you look to the chair, it will be easier for both of us. what we will aet easier for both of us. what we will net on to easier for both of us. what we will get on to do _ easier for both of us. what we will get on to do is _ easier for both of us. what we will get on to do is continue _ easier for both of us. what we will get on to do is continue to - easier for both of us. what we will get on to do is continue to take i easier for both of us. what we will| get on to do is continue to take the tough decisions to take this country forward and decisions that are on the side of the british people, mr speaker. they are blatantly other side of the rmt union balance when there are some ticket offices that barely sell one ticket per hour. we are on the side of the travelling public and by the way, he hasn't mentioned this, but they are on the side of the people traffickers who risk peoples lives at sea and we are on the side of people who come here safely and legally. safely and legally, mr speaker. they can snipe from the sidelines, that is what they have always done but we took they have always done but we took the big decisions to take this country forward and no matter how

much willing he might be the deputy leader might ask him to apply, that doesn't matter when that is always on the left foot.— on the left foot. many areas like mine have _ on the left foot. many areas like mine have already _ on the left foot. many areas like mine have already had - on the left foot. many areas like mine have already had massive | mine have already had massive housing developments with no increase in general... housing developments with no increase in general. . .- housing developments with no increase in general... sorry, point of order. points _ increase in general... sorry, point of order. points of _ increase in general... sorry, point of order. points of order - increase in general... sorry, point of order. points of order can - increase in general... sorry, point of order. points of order can only| of order. points of order can only come _ of order. points of order can only come at — of order. points of order can only come at the _ of order. points of order can only come at the end. have a conversation later but certainly... have a conversation later but certainly- - -— have a conversation later but certainl , ., ,, certainly... many areas like mine have already _ certainly... many areas like mine have already had _ certainly... many areas like mine have already had massive - certainly... many areas like mine have already had massive new i certainly... many areas like mine - have already had massive new housing developments with no increase in general practice capacity. in one of

my surgeries, with double the recommended number of patients per gp, a bowel cancer diagnosis of a 51—year—old father of four was missed and is now a terminal. getting this right is a life and death issue, so will the prime minister make sure that areas in parts of the country that have already had massive new housing growth get the increase in general practice capacity that is only right and fair? . . practice capacity that is only right and fair? , ., ., , and fair? yes, and of course we increase the _ and fair? yes, and of course we increase the numbers _ and fair? yes, and of course we increase the numbers of - and fair? yes, and of course we | increase the numbers of doctors and fair? yes, and of course we . increase the numbers of doctors by 6,000 to 1,200 bird gps since this time last year. more nurses as well but we must make sure that areas particularly where areas of new sensitive development is going in, that there are the infrastructure services, particularly medical services, particularly medical services that they need. the nhs has a statutory duty to take that population growth and i know he has met my honourable friend, the health

secretary. i will take it personally to make sure we get a proper approach into what i think is a very important issue. iflah approach into what i think is a very important issue.— important issue. can i 'oin you and others in important issue. can ijoin you and others in remembering _ important issue. can ijoin you and others in remembering today - important issue. can ijoin you and others in remembering today the l others in remembering today the falklands conflict of 40 years ago and those, like my colleague, the scottish justice and those, like my colleague, the scottishjustice minister, who served their and our thoughts are with those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. mr speaker, yesterday, our first minister started a national conversation on a scotland's right to choose an independent future. when we look at nations like iceland, ireland, norway and denmark, it is clear that our neighbours are outperforming the united kingdom. they deliver greater equality, lower poverty rates, higher productivity, social mobility and business investment. the list goes on and on. the evidence is overwhelming. scotland is being held

back by westminster. prime minister, all those countries can use the powers of independence to create wealthier, fairer and greener societies. why not scotland? i don't doubt my right _ societies. why not scotland? i don't doubt my right honourable - societies. why not scotland? i don't doubt my right honourable friend'sj doubt my right honourable friend's talents as a conversationalist but i think there are other subjects in the national conversation right now and they include what we are doing to come through the after—shocks of covid—19, with the strongestjob led recovery of any european economy. 620,000 more people across the whole of the uk in payroll employment than before the pandemic began. i think another subject of national conversation is investment into our current investment in scotland. and the whole of the uk standing strong together on the international stage and sticking up for the ukrainians.

i think those are the things that the country is also talking about. stronger together? the country is also talking about. strongertogether? has the country is also talking about. stronger together? has the prime minister seen the pound? the financial markets are giving a judgment on this prime minister. if he can afford to live in his own little world, his own little britain, but people have to live with the reality of a failing westminster system. a cost of living crisis, was in the uk than any other g7 country, an inflation rate double that of france, the second worst economic growth forecast in the g20 next to only sanctioned russia. now, the threat of a trade war with our european friends, triggered by a lawbreaking prime minister. that is not a vision for the future of scotland. our nation is big enough, rich enough, and are smart enough. isn't it the case, prime minister, that scotland simply cannot afford to remain trapped in the failing

westminster system? stop the world, scotland once to get on! mr westminster system? stop the world, scotland once to get on!— scotland once to get on! mr speaker, i think that scotland once to get on! mr speaker, | think that the _ scotland once to get on! mr speaker, i think that the people _ scotland once to get on! mr speaker, i think that the people can _ scotland once to get on! mr speaker, i think that the people can speak- i think that the people can speak for themselves. the uk have record numbers of people on the payroll and thatis numbers of people on the payroll and that is understanding think when you consider where we were during the pandemic. that was because of the uk working well together with the vaccine roll—out, the testing, which scotland and the rest of the country cooperated brilliantly, and he talks about a trade war. what could be more village than a project that actually envisages trade barriers within parts of the uk? that is what we are trying to break down? during the jubilee celebrations, _ we are trying to break down? during the jubilee celebrations, i _ we are trying to break down? during the jubilee celebrations, i was - thejubilee celebrations, i was honoured to share part of them with cohort four, an inspirational group who provide life changing support to a wide range of women such as those who have tragically been a victim of

domestic violence, sexual abuse or suffered from mental health difficulties. sadly as a result of the pandemic, the services's need has only grown so will the prime minsterjoin me and thank them for the incredible work they do and set out what more government can do to support these organisations so they can continue to deliver the vital care to vulnerable men and women across all of our constituencies? i across all of our constituencies? i think my honourable friend. i want to extend my thanks to everybody in the group for what they are doing is the group for what they are doing is the extra support we are giving includes £140 of funding for victims services and 47 million ring fenced bitterly for organisations such as that. thank you to them and similar organisations for everything that they do. organisations for everything that the do. ., ., they do. can i 'oin the prime minister and _ they do. can ijoin the prime minister and leader - they do. can ijoin the prime minister and leader of - they do. can ijoin the prime minister and leader of the i minister and leader of the opposition in paying tribute to our armed forces and sending out things

in gratitude to the veterans of the falklands war and their families. mr speaker, millions of families across our country are suffering because of the cost of living emergency. people in rural areas are especially hurting, bearing the brunt of record fuel price rises. the rule fuel duty relief scheme is supposed to help by taking money off the price of petrol. but some rural counties are not eligible. like cumbria, shropshire and devon. mr speaker, the conservative party has ideas to help those people and the people of devon will note. because there are families and pensioners across rural counties who are missing out on this support, so,

mr speaker, as petrol prices soar, will the prime minister accept our idea to help people in rural counties and expand ruralfuel duty relief? brute counties and expand rural fuel duty relief? ~ . , counties and expand rural fuel duty relief? . . , ., relief? we cut fuel duty for everybody _ relief? we cut fuel duty for everybody across _ relief? we cut fuel duty for everybody across the - relief? we cut fuel duty for i everybody across the country relief? we cut fuel duty for - everybody across the country by a record sum and he talks about pensioners, we are giving £850 more to every pensioner across the country and he talks about the cost of energy, everybody is going to get another £400 to help them with the costs of energy. the blissful fact about the liberal democrats is that people don't actually know what their policies are. they are able to go around the country, bamboozling the rural communities, not revealing that they are in fact in favour of massive new green taxes, which is what they want, not revealing that they would like to go back straightaway to the common agricultural policy with all the bureaucracy and other costs that

that entails. they don't say that on the mr speaker.— that entails. they don't say that on the mr speaker. there are proposals for u- to the mr speaker. there are proposals for up to 10.000 — the mr speaker. there are proposals for up to 10,000 housing _ the mr speaker. there are proposals for up to 10,000 housing units - the mr speaker. there are proposals for up to 10,000 housing units on i for up to 10,000 housing units on flood prone greenfield sites to the west of ifield in my constituency that would also represent intolerable pressure on local services. can i have an assurance from the prime minister that as we update planning legislation, we will enshrine the brownfield principle first for developments and save our environment and services? my honourable friend is completely honourable friend is completely right and we encourage the use of suitable brownfield land and our policy is for brownfield first everywhere and always. the prime minister will _ everywhere and always. the prime minister will know _ everywhere and always. the prime minister will know from _ everywhere and always. the prime minister will know from my - everywhere and always. the prime minister will know from my recent| minister will know from my recent correspondence that my constituent is the sister of mr britton who is

currently imprisoned in iraq and sentenced to 15 years for collecting some shards of pottery. the judge, passing sentence, did not believe that mr britton had any criminal intent and this is obvious and has significant implications forjim and his loved ones so i would ask the prime minister if he would be willing to meet with me and other mps who have constituents in a gym's family to discuss this case so we can work in concert to resolve some of these issues? i can work in concert to resolve some of these issues?— of these issues? i am grateful to the on about _ of these issues? i am grateful to the on about gentlemen - of these issues? i am grateful to the on about gentlemen for- of these issues? i am grateful to i the on about gentlemen for raising jim britton was my i have sympathy with him. i will make sure he gets the right meeting with the relevant minister as soon as possible one of my youngest constituents, little nellie, is two years old, and has been diagnosed with a disease. her ve been diagnosed with a disease. h2 very brave parents, megan and tom,

very brave parents, megan and tom, are supporting a campaign to cml d added to the newborn blood spot test. had that been included in the test, nearly�*s condition could be treated. now, the family are squaring up to palliative care and planning to make everyday count. will the prime minister give his support to add mld to this heel prick test so that families in the future can't be spared this same heartbreak? i future can't be spared this same heartbreak?— future can't be spared this same heartbreak? ~ ., , . heartbreak? i think are very much and i heartbreak? i think are very much and i know— heartbreak? i think are very much and i know that _ heartbreak? i think are very much and i know that the _ heartbreak? i think are very much and i know that the thoughts i heartbreak? i think are very much and i know that the thoughts of i and i know that the thoughts of everybody will be with nellie and her parents, tom and megan in a very difficult time. what i can tell her is that the national screening committee has received a request to look again at the conditions for

doing an mod test and that is currently being reviewed right now, but i will make sure that she gets a meeting as soon as possible with the relevant minister. mr meeting as soon as possible with the relevant minister.— relevant minister. mr speaker, in 'ust five relevant minister. mr speaker, in just five days. — relevant minister. mr speaker, in just five days, rail— relevant minister. mr speaker, in just five days, rail passengers i just five days, rail passengers across the uk, and in the north—east, will be facing huge disruption. but on the eve of the biggest rail dispute in a generation, it has emerged that ministers have not held any talks whatsoever since march. so, mr speaker, iasked any talks whatsoever since march. so, mr speaker, i asked the prime minister, has he met with trade unions and employers in the rail industry to attempt to bring this dispute to an end? yes or no? mr

dispute to an end? yes or no? mr speaker, i noticed that what the one union baron was asked about it, he said, i don't negotiate with a tory government. that is what they said. we all know how much money the labour front bench have taken from the unions. we know why they are sitting on their hands and they should come out and condemn it. todayis should come out and condemn it. today is pension credit awareness day. pension credit is currently under claimed, around quarter of those entitled do not claim it so will my right honourable friend join me in encouraging people to check their eligibility claims so we can get more money into the pockets of pensioners? abs, get more money into the pockets of pensioners?— pensioners? a very worthwhile, important _ pensioners? a very worthwhile, important campaign _ pensioners? a very worthwhile, important campaign that - pensioners? a very worthwhile, important campaign that he i pensioners? a very worthwhile, - important campaign that he supports. too many pensioners failed to take up too many pensioners failed to take up their entitlement under pension

credit, it can be worth another £3300 a year and the more we can do to make pensioners aware of it, the better. ~ , . to make pensioners aware of it, the better. . , , ., ., , better. why is it that the worst eo - le better. why is it that the worst people often — better. why is it that the worst people often rise _ better. why is it that the worst people often rise to _ better. why is it that the worst people often rise to the - better. why is it that the worst | people often rise to the highest office and stay there? not my words, but those of the prime minister's newest appointment, his cost of living staff. families across cardiff north, coupled with skyrocketing bills, unable to afford even the most basic necessities, all agree with him, saying, this prime minister has to go. so, if his own sarr doesn't have a faith in him, tell me why those struggling should? mr speaker, she has asked that question repeatedly but let me just remind her that this is a government that gets on and delivers on our promises to the people and in

particular, getting brexit done. i read the other day, mr speaker, that she wants to go back into the single market and into the customs union. if that is the real policy of the labour party, mr speaker, going back into the eu, then why won't the shadow, leader of the opposition, admit it. ~ ., shadow, leader of the opposition, admit it. . ., ., , shadow, leader of the opposition, admit it. ., ., , admit it. when our family adopted my two brothers — admit it. when our family adopted my two brothers in _ admit it. when our family adopted my two brothers in the _ admit it. when our family adopted my two brothers in the 1980s, _ admit it. when our family adopted my two brothers in the 1980s, support i two brothers in the 1980s, support for adopters, whether that be financial or professional, was minimum and by the time i became a barrister in the late 1990s, it wasn't much better. ever since, particularly the adoption support fund from 2015 onwards has improved the situation but as ever, there is much more we can do, and to that end, with my right honourable friend look at making self—employed adopters eligible for statutory adoption pay so they can also have a better and fair start to family life?

my my honourable friend is a great champion for adopters and all those who help give children a loving and stable home. we have so far focused on supporting employed parents, but local authorities do have the power to provide discretionary payments equivalent to the maternity allowance for self—employed adopters as well. allowance for self-employed adopters as well. . .. allowance for self-employed adopters as well. ., ,, , ., allowance for self-employed adopters as well. . ~' ,, ~ allowance for self-employed adopters as well. ., ,, ~ .,~ allowance for self-employed adopters aswell. ., ~ . as well. thank you, mr speaker. we know that at — as well. thank you, mr speaker. we know that at times _ as well. thank you, mr speaker. we know that at times of _ as well. thank you, mr speaker. we know that at times of economic i know that at times of economic hardship suicide rates are likely to rise too. we saw that after the 2008 crash. so as well as doing more to support people through the cost—of—living crisis, will the premise to commit to doing more to support excellent suicide prevention campaigns, and also implement labour's pledged that anyone in need of it should be able to access mental health counselling within a month and an end to waiting lists? she is entirely right, mr speaker and we must focus evermore on mental

health, that's why we're putting another 2.3 billion into supporting mental health services including suicide prevention and the many wonderful charities that help people with their conditions, mr speaker. all i can say is it would be a good thing if across the floor of this house we had support for the spending we are putting in. thank ou, mr spending we are putting in. thank you, mr speaker. _ spending we are putting in. thank you, mr speaker. the _ spending we are putting in. thank you, mr speaker. the conflict i spending we are putting in. thank you, mr speaker. the conflict in i you, mr speaker. the conflict in ukraine and the consequent disruption of the supply chain in wheat has highlighted the need for the united kingdom to become more self—sufficient in food. the genetic technology bill, which has a second reading this afternoon, will help create the conditions to enable english farmers to produce more food of higher quality, but does my right honourable friend agree that the drive to self efficiency —— self—sufficiency requires a uk wide effort, and will he urge the devolved administrations to of the bill so that farmers across britain

can produce the food that the country needs? mr; can produce the food that the country needs? can produce the food that the count needs? g ., ., ., , country needs? my honourable friend is com - lete country needs? my honourable friend is complete the _ country needs? my honourable friend is complete the right _ country needs? my honourable friend is complete the right is _ country needs? my honourable friend is complete the right is currently i is complete the right is currently the policy, the bill only applies to england, he's completely right but in a loving and sharing way... in a loving and sharing way, we're going to work with the administrations, mr speaker, so that the whole of the uk can enjoy the benefits.— can enjoy the benefits. mental health support _ can enjoy the benefits. mental health support is _ can enjoy the benefits. mental health support is vital - can enjoy the benefits. mental health support is vital for i can enjoy the benefits. mental. health support is vital for victims of sexual crimes. when a rotherham survivor who is here today recorded her childhood abuse to the police, they told her not to go for counselling, as it could be used against her in court. your attorney general is challenging the rules, so it is even easier for defence teams to access victims' can —— counselling notes. having an immediate chilling effect. survivors should not be forced to choose between their mental health and justice. with the prime minister please stop this. i’m

justice. with the prime minister please stop this.— please stop this. i'm very interested _ please stop this. i'm very interested to _ please stop this. i'm very interested to hear - please stop this. i'm very interested to hear what i please stop this. i'm very i interested to hear what she please stop this. i'm very - interested to hear what she says please stop this. i'm very _ interested to hear what she says and i will look at the evidence that she has. but these are very sensitive and difficult issues, particularly as regards the defence cases. but if she looks at what is happening for instance on serious sexual offences where we have had similar problems, we are starting to see gradually an improvement in the prosecution writes, that is because governments across... to promise across whitehall are working together to take account of victims' needs. i agree, progress isn't everything i would like but we are seeing progress. he would like but we are seeing progress-— would like but we are seeing rouress. , ., ., ., progress. he may be aware that the shrewsbury — progress. he may be aware that the shrewsbury and _ progress. he may be aware that the shrewsbury and telford _ progress. he may be aware that the shrewsbury and telford hospital- shrewsbury and telford hospital trust has recently submitted a revised outline business case in support of its £312 million capital allocation made by the department of health four years ago. does he agree with me that in order to make progress and complete the ambitious

hospital building programme, the nhs decision making processes utterly need to be levelled up, they need to be speeded up? i need to be levelled up, they need to be speeded up?— be speeded up? i think that the riaht be speeded up? i think that the right honourable _ be speeded up? i think that the right honourable gentleman i be speeded up? i think that the i right honourable gentleman certainly speaks to many in this house and wanting faster decisions on planning in the nhs, and that's what we're doing, are pushing through 40 hospitals... 40 hospitals, where building, mr speaker. what that means is the funding, and i would tactfully point out again, the opposition benches are bellowing away, they voted against the extra 39 million. . .. away, they voted against the extra 39 million. . ~' , ., , away, they voted against the extra 39 million. . ~' ,, , . ~ 39 million. thank you very much, mr seaker. 39 million. thank you very much, mr speaker- 0ne _ 39 million. thank you very much, mr speaker- one of _ 39 million. thank you very much, mr speaker. one of my _ 39 million. thank you very much, mr speaker. one of my constituent i 39 million. thank you very much, mr speaker. one of my constituent has| speaker. one of my constituent has had his identity stolen, his nhs workers are being misused but he has been advised there is nothing the health secretary can do for the crimes are being committed in his name. the home secretary puts my department assured him it would not

affect his immigration status. yet recently, he, his wife and children were detained by uk border force while travelling for a family holiday. can the prime minister explain who in his government is responsible for this chaotic incompetence? mr responsible for this chaotic incompetence? responsible for this chaotic incometence? ~ �* , incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be onl too incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be only too happy— incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be only too happy to _ incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be only too happy to look _ incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be only too happy to look at... i incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be only too happy to look at... and i incompetence? mr speaker, i'd be. only too happy to look at... and are very sorry for the expense of her constituent and his family. i'm responsibility and i take... but i will look at the case and make sure she gets a proper answer from the home office and the immigration department. home office and the immigration department-— home office and the immigration deartment. ., ~ department. thank you, mr speaker. my constituent _ department. thank you, mr speaker. my constituent dominique _ department. thank you, mr speaker. my constituent dominique is - department. thank you, mr speaker. my constituent dominique is the i my constituent dominique is the niece of tom phillips, the british journalist missing in brazil, alongside the indigenous expert bruno parreira. will my right honourable friend ensure that he makes this case a diplomatic priority and that it works to do everything it can to ensure that the

brazilian authorities put the resources necessary to uncover the truth and find out what has happened to dom and bruno? i truth and find out what has happened to dom and bruno?— to dom and bruno? i think my right honourable — to dom and bruno? i think my right honourable friend _ to dom and bruno? i think my right honourable friend very _ to dom and bruno? i think my right honourable friend very much i to dom and bruno? i think my right honourable friend very much and i i honourable friend very much and i can tell her that for representing the niece of tom phillips and of course make everybody in this house for we are deeply concerned about what may have happened to him. fcdo officials are working closely with d brazilian authorities following his disappearance on the 5th ofjune. the minister responsible has raised theissue the minister responsible has raised the issue repeatedly. the search and rescue effort with brazil's public security minister, and what we told the brazilians is that we stand ready to provide all the support that they may need.— ready to provide all the support that they may need. thank you. point of order. i that they may need. thank you. point

of order- i just _ that they may need. thank you. point of order. i just wondered _ that they may need. thank you. point of order. i just wondered if _ that they may need. thank you. point of order. i just wondered if you i of order. i 'ust wondered if you could of order. i just wondered if you could advise _ of order. i just wondered if you could advise how— of order. i just wondered if you could advise how i _ of order. i just wondered if you could advise howl could i of order. i just wondered if you | could advise howl could correct of order. i just wondered if you i could advise howl could correct the could advise how i could correct the record and for the right honourable memberfor kingston and record and for the right honourable member for kingston and surbiton plasma question... abs, member for kingston and surbiton plasma question. . ._ member for kingston and surbiton plasma question... a quick change of seaker plasma question... a quick change of speaker and — plasma question... a quick change of speaker and a _ plasma question... a quick change of speaker and a point _ plasma question... a quick change of speaker and a point of _ plasma question. .. a quick change of speaker and a point of order- plasma question... a quick change of speaker and a point of order at i plasma question... a quick change of speaker and a point of order at the i speaker and a point of order at the end of prime minister's questions. we are going to stay with the pictures, because shortly, the home secretary priti patel is going to be speaking about the situation with flights to take asylum seekers from the uk to rwanda. the first flight that was scheduled to leave last night was cancelled just minutes before take—off, after a late intervention from the european court of human rights. that little fresh challenges the uk courts. i think... let mejust listen in... ok, so we'rejust keeping an let mejust listen in... ok, so we're just keeping an area out to see what. .. we're just keeping an area out to see what... they are still going through some of the process issues

there. so, just to tell you, then, about what we are going to be hearing from priti patel, talking about the rwanda asylum plan. it was announced by the government in april, and the intention is to take some asylum seekers who cross the channel to the uk on a one—way ticket to rwanda to claim asylum there instead. the government says there instead. the government says the scheme would discourage others from crossing the channel. initially, more than 100 people were scheduled to be on that flight last night, but the numbers were whittled down gradually through legal action. and in the end, up to seven were due to go on that flight, but right at the last minute, legal action led to that flight being cancelled, a late intervention from the european court of human rights. so priti patel has shed —— has said she was

disappointed with the ruling but preparation for the next flight begins now, she has said. so we are expecting to hear more from her about what the next steps will be. ok, well, we will keep an area across what's happening and go back as soon as priti patel starts to speak. but let'sjust as soon as priti patel starts to speak. but let's just bring as soon as priti patel starts to speak. but let'sjust bring in geoffrey robertson qc, who is part of the team that helped to win that last minute reprieve from the european court. the government should not— european court. the government should not have _ european court. the government should not have been _ european court. the government should not have been surprised, | european court. the governmentl should not have been surprised, it should not have been surprised, it should have been aware that the european court of human rights is there as a backstop once the proceedings in british courts have been exhausted. indeed, the european court has the power, as any court has, to ensure that people are protected while the case is in motion. now, the case, which was not declared, the policy was not

declared, the policy was not declared unlawful by the british judges, they said there were serious issues we tried, particularly in relation to the independent integrity of rwandan judges who would be making this decision, and that trial will take place, what is called a judicial review, in a few weeks' time. and the european court said, i think sensibly and logically, that the expensive and damaging deportations by plane should wait until the courts are satisfied that the policy is legal. the asylum seekers were scheduled to be taken to the capital kigali. the asylum seekers were expected here in kigali this morning. but that was not to be. priti patel is speaking now. the

british people _ priti patel is speaking now. ii2 british people have repeatedly voted british people have repeatedly voted for control of immigration, and the right to secure borders, madam deputy speaker. this is a government that acts and hears the message clearly, and we are determined to deliver that. clearly, and we are determined to deliverthat. last clearly, and we are determined to deliver that. last night, we aimed to relocate the first people from our country who arrived here through dangerous and illegal means, including by small boat. over the course of this week, many and various claims to prevent relocation have been brought forward. madam deputy speaker mo i welcomed the decisions of our domestic courts, the high court and court of appeal, the high court and court of appeal, the supreme to uphold our rights to send the flight. however, following a decision by an out of hours judge in the european court of human rights in strasbourg minutes before the flight�*s departure, there final individuals remaining on the flight had their removal directions paused while their claims were considered. i want to make something absolutely clear today. the european court of

human rights did not rule that the policy or relocations were unlawful. but they prohibited the removal of three of those last night's flight. those prohibited asians last for different time period. —— those prohibitions. they are not an absolute bar to the transfer are wonderful for anyone who has absolute bar to the transfer are wonderfulfor anyone who has been ordered to be released by the courts will be tagged while we continue to progress their relocation. while this decision by the strasbourg court to intervene was disappointing and surprising, given the repeated and surprising, given the repeated and considered judgments the country and considered judgments the country and our domestic courts, we remain committed to this policy. these repeated legal barriers are, madam deputy speaker, very similar to those that we experience with all other removal flights, those that we experience with all other removalflights, and those that we experience with all other removal flights, and we believe we are fully compliant with our domestic and international obligations, and preparations for ourfuture obligations, and preparations for our future flights have already begun. our domestic courts or of the view that the flight could go ahead.

madam deputy speaker, the case for our partnership with rwanda bears repeating. we are generous and welcoming country, as has been shown time and time again. over 20,000 people have used safe and legal routes to come to the uk since 2015. most recently, britons have opened their hearts and their homes to afghan nationals and ukrainian nationals. but our capacity to help those in need is severely compromised by those who come here illegally, and as we have discussed in this house many, many times, who seek tojump the in this house many, many times, who seek to jump the queue because they can afford to pay for people smugglers. it is illegal, it is not necessary, because they are coming from other safe countries. it is not fair, either on those who play by the rules or on the british taxpayers who have to foot this bill. we cannot keep on spending nearly £5 million a day on accommodation including that of hotels, we cannot accept this

intolerable pressure on public services and local communities. it makes us less safe as a nation because those who come here illegally do not have de—radicalised checks or status and evil —— and people smuggling gangs used is the proceeds of the ill gotten gains to find other appalling crimes that undermine the security of our country. it is also lethally dangerous for those who are smuggled. people have drowned at sea, suffocated in lorries and perished crossing territories. the humane, decent and moral response to all this is simply not to stand by and let people down or to be sold into slavery to be smuggled, to stop this with that, madam deputy speaker, inaction is not an option. or at least not a morally responsible one. this is, as i've said repeatedly, a complex long—standing problem. the global asylum system is broken and between

80 to 100 million people are now displaced and others are on the move seeking better economic opportunities. an international problem that requires international solutions. the uk and rwanda have shown the way forward by working together and this partnership sends a clear message of illegal entry will not be tolerated, madam deputy speaker. while offering a practical, humane way forward for those who arrive to the uk via a routes. it has saddened me to see rwanda so terribly misrepresented in recent weeks. it is another example of how all too often, critics not only don't know what they're speaking about but seek to vilify another international country that has a good track record when it comes to refugees stepping up to international responsibilities. rwanda is a safe and secure country

with an outstanding track record of supporting refugees and asylum seekers and indeed we are proud that we are working together. proud that the uk is investing in rwanda and helping that great country to thrive. proud that those who are relocated to rwanda will have an opportunity to thrive as well. they will be given generous support including language schools, vocational training and help with starting their own businesses or finding employment. but of course, i'm afraid the usual suspects with the blessings of honourable and right honourable members opposite have set out to campaign against these efforts, and with that, the will of the british people. it would be wrong to issue a running commentary of ongoing cases, but i would like to say this. this government will not be deterred from doing the right thing. we will not be put off by the inevitable legal

last—minute challenges, nor will we allow mobs, madam deputy speaker, to block removals. we will not stand idly by and let organised crime gangs, who are despicable in their nature and their conduct, evil people, treat human beings as cargo. we will not accept that we have no right to control our borders, madam deputy speaker. we will do everything necessary to keep this country safe and we will continue our long and proud tradition of helping those in genuine need. many of us have met refugees both abroad and on british soil and listen to their stories that are quite frankly chilling and heartbreaking. but of course, it suits the benches opposite to pretend that this side of the house doesn't care. but as he referred to in the early point of order, and this side of the house, such acquisition are a grotesque slur. let me tell you, what is truly chilling is listening to opponents

going on about how awful this policy is while offering no practical solutions while lives are being lost. opening up safe and legal routes is at the heart of this government's work and having overseen efforts to bring to the uk thousands of people in absolute need including from hong kong, syria, afghanistan and ukraine, controlled immigration is good for our country, standing for a country, including that my refugees, but, madam deputy speaker, we simply have to focus on the support of those who need it the most, and not those who have picked the uk as a destination over a safe country like france. and it is no use pretending they are fleeing persecution when they are travelling from a safe country, because our capacity to help is not infinite and public support for the sound system will be fatally undermined if we do not act. and along with the critics

of the migration and economic development partnership they have no alternative proposal to deal with uncontrolled immigration, and like in so many other issues, the parties opposite are on the wrong side of the argument, and we will only see with their arguments public trust in the system being corroded for so thatis the system being corroded for so that is irresponsible and utterly indifferent to those who we seek to help and support. madam deputy speaker, i have always said that i will look at all proposals to reduce illegal migration and illegal entry to our country, those that the opposite benches might be prepared to put forward but we still wait for them, however, fundamentally, they don't think there is a problem, that is why they don't have a solution. they still remain and stand for open borders, and simple. meanwhile this government wants to get on with delivering notjust about government wants to get on with delivering not just about the british people want but reforming

our systems so that they are firm but equally so that they are fair to those who pay for them and fair and those who pay for them and fair and those who pay for them and fair and those who need our help and support. shadow home secretary. thahk those who need our help and support. shadow home secretary.— shadow home secretary. thank you, madam deputy _ shadow home secretary. thank you, madam deputy speaker. _ shadow home secretary. thank you, madam deputy speaker. this - shadow home secretary. thank you, madam deputy speaker. this is i shadow home secretary. thank you, madam deputy speaker. this is a i madam deputy speaker. this is a shambles, and it is shameful, and the home secretary has no—one butters herself to blame. this is not and never has been a serious policy, she knew that when she charted the plane. she knew that among the people she was planning to send to rwanda on this plane, where —— were torture and trafficking victims. she knew she didn't have a proper screening process in place, she knew that some of them might be children. so can she confirm it was the home office itself that withdrew a whole series of these cases on friday and yesterday, because they knew there was a problem with these

cases, but even without the european court of human rights' judgment, she was planning to send a plane with just seven people on board because she had had to withdraw most of the cases at the last minute. she knows that there is a lack of proper asylum capacity in rwanda to make fair decisions. as the unhcr says, they normallyjust deal with a few hundred cases a year, there is one eligibility of who prepares cases, there is a lack of interpreters or legal advice to ensure fair decisions. she promised there would be extra payments to rwanda for each person that is transferred, presumably to pay for those extra caseworkers or support. but she still refused to tell us how much. so what is she hiding? will she tell is now how much promise rwanda for each of the people she was planning to send yesterday and how many rwandan refugees she promised to

take in return? she knows that serious concerns have been raised about rwandan restrictions on political freedom on the treatment of people who are lgbt, and fact that 12 refugees were shot by the authorities in 2018 for protesting against food cuts, and the fact there have been afghan and syrian asylum seekers returned by rwanda, and she knows that none of those concerns have been addressed. she knows too that the policy will not work. we need action to tackle dangerous criminal gangs who are putting lives at risk. but she knows that her policies will not achieve that, that is not their objective, because if it was, she would not have asked the national crime agency, whosejob it is to have asked the national crime agency, whose job it is to target the criminal gangs, to draw up a 20% staff cuts. it is potentially 1000 people being cut from the organisation that works to tackle

the gangs. can she confirm, has she asked the nca to draw up plans for staff cuts? if she was serious she would be seriously the fact that the israel rwanda deal ended up increasing criminal people trafficking and smuggling, and that her plan risks making things worse. and if it was, she would be working night and day to get a betterjoint plan with france to crack down on the gangs and to stop the boats being put into the water in the first place. but she isn't, because her relationship with french ministers has totally broken down. if she was serious about tackling illegal migration, illegal economic migration or cutting the bills for people in hotels, she would be speeding up home office decision—making to the refugees can get support and those who are not can be returned home instead her decisions have totally collapsed from 28,000 a year tojust 14,000 decisions a yearfewer

from 28,000 a year tojust 14,000 decisions a year fewer than belgium, the netherlands, never mind germany or france. she is so badly failing to take those basic decisions, she is trying to pay a country thousands of miles away to take decisions for us instead. how shameful does that make us look around the world, with our home —— no better home office cannot take this basic decisions? she knew about problem after problem with her policy, she knows this is unworkable, unethical and will not stop the criminal gangs, but yet she still went ahead and spent half £1 million chartering a plane she never expected to fly. she still went ahead and wrote £120 million cheque to rwanda with the promise of more to rwanda with the promise of more to come and she still went ahead because all she really cares about is picking fights and finding someone else to blame. this isn't a long—term plan, it is a short—term stunt. everyone can see it. it not is serious policy, it is a shameless

posturing and she knows it. it's not building consensus, it is pursuing division. it is government by gimmick. it's not in the public interest, it isjust gimmick. it's not in the public interest, it is just in their political interest. and what are they prepared to trash along the way? people's lives, basic british values of fairness, decency and common sense and the repetition of our nation, our country is better than this. we have a long tradition of hard work and stepping up to tackle problems, not to off—load them, to tackle the criminal gangs who put lives at risk and to do right by refugees. that is what she should be doing now and not this shambles that is putting our country to shame. n. . shambles that is putting our country to shame. ., , , , shambles that is putting our country toshame. ., , , , to shame. madam deputy speaker, while i to shame. madam deputy speaker, while i always _ to shame. madam deputy speaker, while i always look _ to shame. madam deputy speaker, while i always look forward - to shame. madam deputy speaker, while i always look forward to i to shame. madam deputy speaker, | while i always look forward to these exchanges, it's fair to say, primarily because dart—mac that is if you would like to listen to them. we leave the house of commons now, the home secretary talking about the government's policy for those flights to rwanda, signed the government will not back down on its

policy and a ready preparations are under way for the next flight. the latest on that coming up at one o'clock with ben brown. right now, time for a look at the weather. good afternoon. this sunshine will prevail across england and wales for the next few days and we are drawing in some hot air from france. the next few days and we are drawing in some hot airfrom france. as the next few days and we are drawing in some hot air from france. as a consequence, temperatures are expected to get into the low 30s for some parts of the midlands, east anglia and the south—east in particular. well above the seasonal average. but we are not far away now from the longest day. strong sunshine in the south, very different story for scotland and northern ireland, because we have these fronts meandering across northern ireland and scotland at times through the remainder of the week. some are more windy weather towards friday. for the rest of the day, the rain turns more persistent across northern ireland and north and west of scotland staying cloudy with further epics of rain, but east of the grampians, 19 to 20 with some practice and sunshine. stronger

sunshine further south, in fact very high levels of pollen once again across england and wales today, and high even for the north. some very high even for the north. some very high levels of uv. we are about a week away from the longest day, so the highest point of the sun is in the highest point of the sun is in the sky, some of the strongest sunshine clearly in evidence for the next couple of days. overnight, the skies will stay clear for england and wales, there may be some shallow mist in the river valleys. the rain does tend to peter out further north. with the cloud, it stays mild, slightly warmer in the south than last night but not that humid yet. thursday, another very warm day, warm a store across england and wales, and perhaps a little bit drier to start across scotland and northern ireland but we have some heavier rain building in towards teatime. the temperatures and the brightness in eastern areas, 19 and 20, but widely the low to mid 20s for england and wales. 28 possible further south and east in the

warmest spots. again come —— again, is a very strong sunshine to pretty wet night on thursday, friday itself it looks wetter across scotland and northern ireland for a time. some of that might drift further south into the north of england but for the bulk of england and wales, the hottest day likely with temperatures widely 25 to 30 celsius and as high as perhaps 33 and some central and eastern parts. that will lead ultimately to a breakdown to thundery showers by the weekend.

ministers say they're planning a new flight of asylum seekers to rwanda after the first plane was effectively grounded last night. just before it was due to take off the flight was stopped by a european court ruling. in the last few minutes the home secretary has said it won't stop the government trying again. whilst this decision by the strasbourg court in geneva was disappointing and surprising given the repeated and considered judgments to the contrary in our domestic courts, we remain committed to this policy. this domestic courts, we remain committed to this policy-— to this policy. this is a shambles and it is shameful _ to this policy. this is a shambles and it is shameful and _ to this policy. this is a shambles and it is shameful and the i to this policy. this is a shambles and it is shameful and the home secretary— and it is shameful and the home secretary has no one but herself to blame _ we'll be examining the government's options after that court ruling. also this lunchtime... network rail says three days of strike action next week will mean six days of disruption and half

the railway lines in britain being closed.