this is bbc news — i'm ben brown. the headlines at 5:00. downing street insists borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip. the prime minister now faces calls to suspend the mp from the conservative party, after allegations he groped two men at a private members' club. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds due to covid related staff sickness — as cases across the uk jump by 32% in a week. lots of staff are off, and that's creating lots of problems that we can't open wards, we don't have enough beds to look after the patients that are coming through, and this is translating into lots of people, the hospitals being full. police officers in scotland — will stop carrying out extra,

unpaid work from five o'clock today — unless ordered to do so, amid a pay dispute. xijinping defends china's model of ruling hong kong — during a visit to mark 25 years since britain handed over control — but the territory's final governor, chris patten, labels the comments "absurd". cheering in sport, britain's heather watson is through to the last 16 of wimbledon after beating kaja juvan in straight sets. and coming up on the film review later, if you want some comedy the minions are back. find out why marco made loves them so much. that's coming up at 5:45pm —— mark kermode.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. downing street has insisted that boris johnson was not aware of specific allegations against chris pincher before he appointed him as the conservative party's deputy chief whip. the prime minister is also facing calls to suspend the mp — who's alleged to have groped two men. chris pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after admitting he had "drunk far too much" at the carlton club, the conservative party members' club in london. labour have questioned why he's being allowed to sit as a tory mp. they say it shows the conservative party is "mired in sleaze and scandal." our political correspondent iain watson reports. are you drowning in sleaze? after striding the world stage, borisjohnson is back in britain

and the spotlight has moved on to problems in his party, one of his closest allies has resigned following serious allegations about his conduct. chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate. he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday. chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say

he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminster about the prime minister's judgment. chris pincher had been cleared of allegations of misconduct back in 2017 following a conservative party inquiry. but the bbc has been told that further concerns about his behaviour were raised before he was appointed as a government whip back in february. and the liberal democrats and labour are now calling for an investigation. in relation to chris pincher, these are allegations at this point, but he himself has apologised for what amounts to at the very

least poor behaviour. i urge the conservative party to think about what it's doing to the reputation of parliament as a whole, to ensure that if any adequate investigations are carried out, swiftly, and if necessary, to consider whether further sanctions should apply. two former conservative ministers caroline noakes and karen bradley have written to the chief whip calling for a policy of zero tolerance when any allegations of sexual misconduct are made and ensure a thorough investigation. they added, anyone being investigated should not be allowed to sit as a conservative mp. you can see why the prime minister might not want chris pincher to resign. his party lost the wakefield by—election to labour a week ago following the imprisonment of the previous conservative mp for sexual assault. and the lib dems took tiverton after the conservative mp resigned after viewing pornography in the house of commons.

the prime minister has returned to another growing political storm at westminster. iain watson, bbc news. we have just heard from the conservative party that boris johnson has agreed that the conservative whip should be suspended from chris pincher while bnp is investigated by the independent complaints and grievance scheme —— while the mp is investigated. let's get the latest on that from westminster. we join our political correspondentjonathan our political correspondent jonathan bray mcleay our political correspondentjonathan bray mcleay blake. explain what it means and what is it inevitable? —— our political correspondentjonathan our political correspondent jonathan blake. to our political correspondent jonathan blake. ., , ., our political correspondent jonathan blake. ., ., ., ., blake. to give you more detail on what chris — blake. to give you more detail on what chris heaton-harris - blake. to give you more detail on what chris heaton-harris has - blake. to give you more detail on j what chris heaton-harris has said what chris heaton—harris has said this afternoon, it confirms that

chris pincher has had the conservative party whip removed and the statement says having heard a formal complaint has been made to the independent complaints and grievance scheme, the prime minister has agreed with the chief whip that the whip should be suspended from chris pincher while the investigation is ongoing. the statement goes on to say, we will not prejudge that investigation and we urge colleagues in the media to respect the process. the time being, chris pincher who was until yesterday deputy chief whip in the conservative party, responsible for overseeing and keeping discipline among conservative mps, will now sit as an independent mp while that investigation continues. and this, frankly, isn't surprising at this stage. eversince frankly, isn't surprising at this stage. ever since chris pincher resigned last night, admitting he had drunk far too much and embarrassed himself and other people in that letter to the prime

minister, downing street attempted to draw a line under the affair, saying he had done the decent thing and resigned, he had recognised his behaviour fell short of the standards and therefore no further action should have been taken but almost immediately, labour, liberal democrats and other opposition parties and some conservatives too started to ask questions about how he could continue as a conservative mp and those calls have only grown today and the pressure has increased on the conservative party and the government to suspend the whip and thatis government to suspend the whip and that is where we are this evening. part of the significance is that chris pincher might not be a household name but he has been a very, very close ally of the prime minister. he very, very close ally of the prime minister. . , ., , ., minister. he has. he was influential when boris — minister. he has. he was influential when boris johnson _ minister. he has. he was influential when boris johnson was _ minister. he has. he was influential when boris johnson was facing - minister. he has. he was influentialj when boris johnson was facing huge when borisjohnson was facing huge pressure over his handling of the partygate saga, when allegations coming to light of lockdown parties being held in downing street and other buildings in whitehall,

shoring up support for the prime minister among conservative mps and when he was made deputy chief whip in a reshuffle in february, it was seen as something of a reward for his loyalty. that may have played a part in borisjohnson�*s reluctance to at least initially suspend the whip or take further action against chris pincher but yes, he is certainly seen as someone who has been close to borisjohnson and influential in maintaining his support among parliamentary colleagues. but his behaviour certainly earlier this week in the carlton club, where he was drinking with colleagues and others on wednesday night, fell short of the standards expected of conservative mps and he has now not only apologised, not only resigned as a government whip but now had the conservative party whip withdrawn from him. ithink conservative party whip withdrawn from him. i think this reflects the response we seem to these events

definitely reflects a deep unease among a lot of conservatives themselves about the way the party has handled recent accusations of sexual misconduct, not only against chris pincher but some of his colleagues as well and the inconsistency that there has been in terms of the approach to that. shall terms of the approach to that. all ri . ht, terms of the approach to that. all right, thank you very much. jonathan blake, political correspondent. the number of people catching covid is on the rise again in the uk. with little testing going on — the most reliable way to find out how many people have coronavirus is from the weekly survey by the office for national statistics. an estimated 2.3 million people or one in 30 has the virus last week that's a rise of 32% on the week before. in england — nearly 9,000 people were in hospital with covid. 0ur health correspondent is with me now. talk us through the latest figures and the significance of them. �* . .,, ,

figures and the significance of them. a ..,, ., them. across the uk, infections have risen by over — them. across the uk, infections have risen by over half— them. across the uk, infections have risen by over half a _ them. across the uk, infections have risen by over half a million _ them. across the uk, infections have risen by over half a million in - them. across the uk, infections have risen by over half a million in this - risen by over half a million in this latest set of figures. the fastest growth was in wales where infections were up 55% and that brings wales in line with the rest of the uk where one in 30 had the virus. in scotland, infections may be slowing but they still had the highest infection rate where one in 18 people had the virus. these figures are from the 0ns which takes a random sample of household swabs and is seen at the most reliable way of finding out how many people had covid. it shows infections are high but, if you go back to march, there were double the infections we are seeing now. so, infections have been rising again since late may, they've been on the increase and the search is being driven by some variants of mclaren known as baa and ba5. these mutations are making the virus even

better —— variants of 0micron known as baa and ba5. what does it mean for hospital admissions? 9000 people in england are in hospital with covid—19 but that is below the peak of 3a,000 injanuary covid—19 but that is below the peak of 3a,000 in january last year covid—19 but that is below the peak of 3a,000 injanuary last year and about two thirds of them have been admitted for other conditions, not being primarily treated for covid itself and thankfully the numbers in intensive care remain low.— itself and thankfully the numbers in intensive care remain low. thank you very much- — let's talk to specialist in virology and professor of medicine at the university of east anglia, paul hunter. we've talked to him many times through the pandemic. what is your reaction to the latest figures and another big rise in the figures? yes, absolutely disappointing and i think we are not yet at the point where this will peak. i think we can sadly see infections and hospitalisations continuing to rise for at least a week. how high they

will ultimately go is certainly not clear to me at the moment and we will have to wait and see. find clear to me at the moment and we will have to wait and see.- will have to wait and see. and in terms of vaccinations, _ will have to wait and see. and in terms of vaccinations, for - will have to wait and see. and in . terms of vaccinations, for example, do you think we need to be doing more to get more people vaccinated at this stage?— at this stage? yes, i think making sure you've _ at this stage? yes, i think making sure you've had _ at this stage? yes, i think making sure you've had your _ at this stage? yes, i think making sure you've had your full - at this stage? yes, i think making sure you've had your full three - sure you've had your full three first places is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against catching covid and even if it doesn't always protect you against catching the infection, vaccination does substantially reduce your chances of getting severe disease and needing to go into hospital and dying. but we are where we are, it is often more and more difficult to get the remaining percentages in any public health campaign and i think that's what we've seen here with it being more difficult to get vaccination

uptake higher at this stage of the pandemic. uptake higher at this stage of the andemic. a , uptake higher at this stage of the andemic. , , .,, ., uptake higher at this stage of the andemic. , , ., , pandemic. many people have been askin: , pandemic. many people have been asking. they've — pandemic. many people have been asking, they've had _ pandemic. many people have been asking, they've had the _ pandemic. many people have been asking, they've had the booster. pandemic. many people have beenl asking, they've had the booster and they are asking when they might get another one. i they are asking when they might get another one-— another one. i think it's certain that we are _ another one. i think it's certain that we are going _ another one. i think it's certain that we are going to _ another one. i think it's certain that we are going to see - another one. i think it's certain that we are going to see a - another one. i think it's certain l that we are going to see a round another one. i think it's certain - that we are going to see a round of vaccinations in the autumn, perhaps starting in september. the big question at the moment is what that vaccine will be and i think it's likely we'll have one of these bivalent vaccines which are likely to have been somewhat more effective against 0micron than the ones we had so far. but what age group is going to be given the vaccines and at the moment, i think it's pretty certain that people over 65 and people with severe medical conditions will get the booster. the area of debate is the booster. the area of debate is the people between 50 and 65, and yet has to be resolved and i think

it will probably not be resolved until we've seen the outcome of this current wave. until we've seen the outcome of this current wave-— current wave. one of the issues that's been _ current wave. one of the issues that's been raised _ current wave. one of the issues that's been raised is _ current wave. one of the issues that's been raised is that - current wave. one of the issues i that's been raised is that although these sub—variants, baa and ba5, may not be very dangerous but a lot of staff sickness in hospitals for example is reducing hospital capacity quite dramatically and that's an issue.— capacity quite dramatically and that's an issue. indeed, and we've seen at this _ that's an issue. indeed, and we've seen at this year, _ that's an issue. indeed, and we've seen at this year, in _ that's an issue. indeed, and we've seen at this year, in many - that's an issue. indeed, and we've seen at this year, in many ways i that's an issue. indeed, and we've l seen at this year, in many ways the impact on the health service has been more severe. from the fact that staff are not able to go into work than they are from dealing with the people who are actually going into hospital with covid and certainly, thatis hospital with covid and certainly, that is becoming a problem again now. hopefully, this will be a fairly short lived peak and we will be able to get back to proper staffing. and if you look at the peak sweetheart throughout epidemic, they have tended to be higher with

each wave but shorter durations. so, it's not a forlorn hope that this won't be a particularly prolonged peak. won't be a particularly prolonged eak. . ., won't be a particularly prolonged eak. ., ~' ,, , won't be a particularly prolonged eak. ., ~' i., , . ., peak. thank you very much indeed for our time. police officers in scotland are preparing to "withdraw their goodwill" in a dispute about pay. they aren't allowed to go on strike, instead the action — which will begin at five o'clock this afternoon, will include not starting shifts early or taking radio equipment home. the scottish police federation described it as the "most overt demonstration of action" in more than a century. police scotland says it's committed to seeking a settlement. let's talk to our correspondent in scotland alexandra mackenzie. talk us through what exactly this action is going to mean. this happened — action is going to mean. this happened at _ action is going to mean. this happened at 5pm, _ action is going to mean. this happened at 5pm, so - action is going to mean. ti 3 happened at 5pm, sojust action is going to mean. ti 3 happened at 5pm, so just a action is going to mean. ti 3 happened at 5pm, sojust a short happened at 5pm, so just a short time ago and police officers in

scotland are prevented from going on strike, so this isn't a strike but from 5p and there was a shift in working practice, you could call it, affecting thousands of officers. it effects offices across the country. the scottish police federation which represents those police officers has described it as withdrawal of goodwill and they have said this is the most overt action in a century. they said this is a reaction or shows utter contempt from police after a pay offer that had been rejected. this was a pay offer of £565, or1.a%. rejected. this was a pay offer of £565, or 1.a%. what does this withdrawal of goodwill look like? well, there are several changes. police officers will no longer begin their shifts early, if they are in their shifts early, if they are in the practice of going on a bit earlier, that will no longer happen. they've been told to start their

shifts exactly on time. their shifts will also end at the correct time, if a job is going on a bit longer thanit if a job is going on a bit longer than it normally would want their shift or if they are out and about and the shift has already finished, they'd been told they should finish that shift or they should claim every minute of overtime. they've also been told not to take any protective equipment home, no matter what time they are due to start the next day. so, possibly instead of going straight to a job, they would have to go and collect equipment. they've also been told not to charge police equipment at home, so things like radios, so to go and collect that equipment before their shift and also not to use their own electricity for charging that equipment. so, nota electricity for charging that equipment. so, not a strike, electricity for charging that equipment. so, nota strike, it's been described as a withdrawal of goodwill. that started at 5pm.

negotiations and talks are expected to resume on monday.— negotiations and talks are expected to resume on monday. thank you very much. officials in southern ukraine say at least 19 people, including a child, have been killed in two russian missile strikes in and around the port of 0desa. the missiles are thought to have been launched from russian warplanes over the black sea, hitting an apartment block and a resort. moscow has fired dozens of missiles on ukrainian cities in the past few days. a man accused of murdering a woman in a street attack in east london has appeared at the old bailey. 35—year—old zara aleena was walking in ilford, ten minutes from her home, when she was attacked in the early hours of sunday. this morning herfamily paid tribute to her fearlessness and independence. jon donnison reports. zara aleena, the latest young woman to be killed on the streets of london.

all week people have been paying tribute to the 35—year—old law graduate, described by herfriends as soft, gentle and a lifeline to her family. this morning they spoke publicly for the first time since she died. zara was incredibly giving, supportive, insightful as to what people needed around her, empathic and fearless. she had... the one word that would describe zara, if i had to use one word, i would say independent. that was what she valued more than anything, her independence. zara, heraunt said, was as happy as she'd ever been, having just started a newjob at the royal courts ofjustice in central london. she made herself at

home wherever she was. so wherever zara walked, it was home, that was home for her, because she knew everybody. hundreds of people that have come to our house, that have called us, that have sent a letter saying, "you don't know me but we knew zara." police are continuing to appeal for any potential witnesses to come forward. this morning a 29—year—old man, jordan mcsweeney, from dagenham, was remanded in custody after a court hearing in london. he's been charged with the murder, attempted rape and robbery of zara aleena. jon donnison, bbc news. people who take in relatives' children to keep them out of the care system are struggling to cope as the cost of living crisis bites, says a charity. in england and wales, unlike foster carers, relatives don't get financial support and some fear having to give up their kids,

says the charity kinship. 0ur reporter zoe conway has more. wendy and her grandchildren have a very special bond. she's everything to them. her daughter was unable to cope with looking after them. so they've lived with wendy since they were babies. why do you call wendy "mum"? because she, like, does everything like a mum. what do you mean? like, she cooks me dinner. she washes my clothes. she just does everything. it was 15 years ago, just when wendy had started thinking about retirement, that she was plunged into a world of nappies and night feeds. i had a nice office job, reasonably well paid. and overnight i found myself without a job, not allowed to work. all my pension rights gone, and just, you know, a kinship carer.

wendy's granddaughter is so good at rollerblading, she plays roller hockey at a national level. wendy's proud of both her grandchildren. but at 69, she finds being a mum exhausting being a mother. being a mother, you tend to say no rather a lot. you have to be the disciplinarian? absolutely. it's a shame i can't be a grandmother as well. i can't spoil them, which you can do as a grandmother. wendy wonders how she'd cope without being able to rely on donated food at this community centre. she's noticed the cost of everything going up. coffee — a jar of coffee — that had gone up by 50p from one week to the next. unbelievable. if she was a foster carer, she'd be entitled to £137 a week. but there's no such guarantee for kinship carers. kinship carers have been struggling financially for many, many years. they don't have the same

rights as foster carers to a financial allowance, so many of them give up work. they don't get an allowance, and of course they are plunged into poverty. what's worse now is there is a cost of living crisis, so it's more urgent than ever that the government steps in. laura was 27 years old when she got a call from social services, asking her to take in her half brother and half sister. their mother had died. it was really hard. i went from working 60—hour weeks ito working none and doing school. runs and doing hair in the morning. laura says it's not just an allowance that kinship carers need. they also need better access to emotional support. they needed bereavement counselling, but there's no bereavement _ counsellors for children in prettyj much the whole of west sussex. only private. i couldn't afford to do that. 0k.

let's go. laura also has her own five—year—old daughter. what the charity kinship fears most is that if families don't feel financially secure, children will end up back in the care system. my children are happy, they're healthy. - and if you were to meet them, you wouldn't even know - that they were kinship children. and they would probably say that i'm their mum. i and we have enjoyed every moment of it. i and i wouldn't be anywhere else. the government says it's considering how to help kinship carers further. they also say they're providing £37 billion to support vulnerable families. zoe conway, bbc news. we are going to speak more about this with lucy and also wendy who was also in that report as well.

lucy, just tell us what needs to change because kinship carers have we've seen in the report are facing real hardship because of the soaring cost of living. real hardship because of the soaring cost of living-— cost of living. nine in ten kinship carers said _ cost of living. nine in ten kinship carers said they _ cost of living. nine in ten kinship carers said they are _ cost of living. nine in ten kinship carers said they are struggling i cost of living. nine in ten kinship carers said they are struggling to pay for household items, essentials like clothes and food and heating. so, there is a real urgency to address the financial hardship they face. what's really, really worrying is one third of kinship carers said that they are so concerned they may not be able to carry on caring for the children. there is a real urgency that the government acts quickly and introduces a national minimum allowance for kinship carers thatis minimum allowance for kinship carers that is on a par with fostering allowance. quite how has this situation arisen is? it seems extraordinary and unfair. i think people watching will wonder how we've come to this. it's incredibly unfair. if the children had gone into foster care there would be an

allowance to cover the costs of raising them. because a relative steps in, they are taken for granted and left without adequate financial support. so, even when local authorities make an allowance available, 80% of carers say it's not enough to cover the cost of the child. we've got to end this discretionary system where local authorities will vary the amount thatis authorities will vary the amount that is paid. it's a postcode lottery and also varies by the legal order of child. we need to make it there and introduce a national minimum allowance.- there and introduce a national minimum allowance. ~ , , ., minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report _ minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report and — minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report and we _ minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report and we saw— minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report and we saw the _ minimum allowance. wendy, we saw you in the report and we saw the amazing - in the report and we saw the amazing work you've done to raise your grandchildren. tell us a bit more about how tough rings are for you at the moment in terms of day—to—day living and the cost of living, which we know is soaring but for you it's really difficult. i we know is soaring but for you it's really difficult.— really difficult. i mean, 'ust takin: really difficult. i mean, 'ust taking the i really difficult. i mean, 'ust taking the youngest i really difficult. i mean, just taking the youngest one - really difficult. i mean, just taking the youngest one to | really difficult. i mean, just - taking the youngest one to school is an extra _

taking the youngest one to school is an extra £20 a week, £50 a month extra _ an extra £20 a week, £50 a month extra on— an extra £20 a week, £50 a month extra on gas— an extra £20 a week, £50 a month extra on gas and electricity, water bills rising — extra on gas and electricity, water bills rising and the cost of food, you know. — bills rising and the cost of food, you know, it's changing so much. what _ you know, it's changing so much. what kind — you know, it's changing so much. what kind of assistance would you like at the moment to help you deal with that rising cost of living? well, to be quite honest, i'm not quite _ well, to be quite honest, i'm not quite sure. — well, to be quite honest, i'm not quite sure. i_ well, to be quite honest, i'm not quite sure, i mean the government are certainly doing things but other kinship _ are certainly doing things but other kinship carers, i think we've got to have _ kinship carers, i think we've got to have this _ kinship carers, i think we've got to have this national minimum allowance. not everybody gets it. because _ allowance. not everybody gets it. because he was saying in the report that you have made sacrifices to raise your grandchildren, haven't you? it's been difficult for you, you've been through a lot, you've done a fantasticjob but it's almost as if you're not getting any reward for it. ~ , ., as if you're not getting any reward forit. ~ , as if you're not getting any reward for it. ~ i. _, , .,

for it. when you consider that i ave u- for it. when you consider that i gave up a _ for it. when you consider that i gave up a well-paid _ for it. when you consider that i gave up a well-paid job, - for it. when you consider that i gave up a well-paid job, i - for it. when you consider that i i gave up a well-paid job, i wasn't gave up a well—paid job, i wasn't allowed — gave up a well—paid job, i wasn't allowed to— gave up a well—paid job, i wasn't allowed to work, and you go from having _ allowed to work, and you go from having a _ allowed to work, and you go from having a really well— paid allowed to work, and you go from having a really well—paid job to having — having a really well—paid job to having nothing coming in, and to be raising _ having nothing coming in, and to be raising a _ having nothing coming in, and to be raising a child as well. it's very difficult — raising a child as well. it's very difficult. so, all the savings have to go— difficult. so, all the savings have to go and. — difficult. so, all the savings have to go and, you know, no more holidays — to go and, you know, no more holidays and what have you. there are great _ holidays and what have you. there are great sacrifices. we do it for love _ are great sacrifices. we do it for love. , �* .,~ are great sacrifices. we do it for love. , �* are great sacrifices. we do it for love. ,�* , ., love. doesn't make you bitter that ou've love. doesn't make you bitter that you've ended _ love. doesn't make you bitter that you've ended up — love. doesn't make you bitter that you've ended up in _ love. doesn't make you bitter that you've ended up in this _ love. doesn't make you bitter that you've ended up in this very - you've ended up in this very difficult financial situation after all that you've done? hat difficult financial situation after all that you've done? not bitter, sad. all that you've done? not bitter, sad- because — all that you've done? not bitter, sad. because our _ all that you've done? not bitter, sad. because our children - all that you've done? not bitter, | sad. because our children matter all that you've done? not bitter, . sad. because our children matter as much _ sad. because our children matter as much as— sad. because our children matter as much as other children and i don't feel sometimes that we can give as much _ feel sometimes that we can give as much to— feel sometimes that we can give as much to them as perhaps other people can give _ much to them as perhaps other people can give to _ much to them as perhaps other people can give to their children, because we are _ can give to their children, because we are in— can give to their children, because we are in a — can give to their children, because we are in a difficult situation. lucy. — we are in a difficult situation. lucy. how— we are in a difficult situation. lucy, how common do you think

wendy's situation is? how many people are there like wendy? there are about 200,000 _ people are there like wendy? ii—ii” are about 200,000 children in kinship care across the uk. the numbers aren't counted accurately, that's part of the problem, but we know that there are far more children kinship care than foster care. kinship carers are this vital part of the children's social care system. if we don't support them, there is a risk more children would need to go into the care system. so, we are calling on the government to act with urgency now value and support kinship carers with financial, practical and emotional support. financial, practical and emotional su ort. ., �* , financial, practical and emotional suuort. ., �*, ., financial, practical and emotional suuort. ., h ., , financial, practical and emotional suuort. ., �*, ., , .,, support. that's what needs to be done in your _ support. that's what needs to be done in your view. _ support. that's what needs to be done in your view. wendy, - support. that's what needs to be done in your view. wendy, do . support. that's what needs to be | done in your view. wendy, do you think things will change and you'll get any more help? i think things will change and you'll get any more help?— think things will change and you'll get any more help? i think changes are about to _ get any more help? i think changes are about to happen _ get any more help? i think changes are about to happen and _ get any more help? i think changes are about to happen and thanks - get any more help? i think changes are about to happen and thanks to | are about to happen and thanks to kinship. _ are about to happen and thanks to kinship, who have been absolutely amazing, _ kinship, who have been absolutely amazing, and the review board for social— amazing, and the review board for social care — amazing, and the review board for social care i— amazing, and the review board for social care. ijust think amazing, and the review board for social care. i just think that the changes, — social care. i just think that the changes, we are becoming more visible, — changes, we are becoming more visible, everybody seems to know

that we _ visible, everybody seems to know that we are kinship carers, they don't _ that we are kinship carers, they don't say— that we are kinship carers, they don't say what is that any more. i certainly— don't say what is that any more. i certainly think we are being hopefully more valued than previously. hopefully more valued than previously-— hopefully more valued than reviousl . �* , ., , ., hopefully more valued than reviousl . �*, ., , ., previously. let's hope we have shone a liuht previously. let's hope we have shone a li . ht on previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what _ previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what you _ previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what you and _ previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what you and others - previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what you and others do - previously. let's hope we have shone a light on what you and others do asl a light on what you and others do as kinship carers. thank you very much. steve wright has announced he is stepping down from his afternoon show. he announced he will be leaving the afternoon show in three months' time. scott mills will be taking over the slot. steve wright will continue to present sunday love songs on radio 2. matt taylor has the weather forecast for us this evening. hello, another day of sunshine and showers at the

moment, as we head towards the evening it will be across eastern areas with rumbles of thunder, if you are in western parts of britain, where we still few cooler the breeze, but finish with outbreaks of rain spreading widely across northern ireland, heavy and persistent for a while, then that will spread into parts of scotland, northern england and wales into the south—west, overnight turning a bit showery. it will stay dry over night once we have lost those showers with some clear skies and sunny spells into the morning, temperatures 11-12 into the morning, temperatures 11—12 for most. it should stay dry to the day across east anglia and the south—east, but this is where the south—east, but this is where the front will slide east through the front will slide east through the midlands and south—west and get close towards the south—east by the end of the afternoon. 0ccasional showers, which could affect silverstone and also the cricket at edgbaston, but sunshine and showers in its wake towards the north and west, more persistent rain in northern scotland. sunday, a brighter day, fewer showers around, drier still on monday, but a cool breeze across the board.

hello, this is bbc news. iam ben i am ben brown. the headlines: the former deputy chief whip chris pincher has been suspended as a conservative member of parliament after allegations that he grouped two men. doctors are warning of a shortage of beds, due to covid related to staff sickness. there are cases across the uk jumping by 32% in the week. police officers in scotland have stopped carrying out extra unpaid work, unless they are ordered to do so, amid a pay dispute. the chinese president, shooting pain, has defended his country's model of ruling hong kong. —— xijinping,. it to mark 25 years since they handed over the colony. he says it is now enjoying true democracy.

sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's... it is ben croucher at the bbc sport centre and we had wimbledon, cricket, loads of sport this weekend. it is a packed sporting weekend, the tour de france and the british grand prix as well, but we will start with wimbledon and a historic day for heather watson already. yes, an historic day for heather watson already and we've another brit vying for a fourth round spot right now. chetan pathak�*s at wimbledon for us — chetan, we'll get onto cam norrie in a second, but court one was bordering raucous earlier for heather watson. what happened ? it was, ben, heatherwatson it was, ben, heather watson is easily and might be the hardest working woman here at wimbledon. she has had to play every single day because her first and second—round matches were carried across two days because of the rain and they relate starts. i should tell you, harriet dart is playing right behind me and the women's doubles. she was on earlier on on court 18, but what a start for heather watson, as he

referenced, she's through to the round 16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career, as she saw off kaja juvan in the end, the first set was a lot tighter, and they both broke each other�*s serves, but watson was consistent throughout it, in the tie—break then, took a bit of a scare, but heather watson saw herself over the line in that first set, she was 5—0 up at one stage, kaja juvan staged a mini fight back, but heather watson is a determined player, making history for herself, the first time in the second week of a grand slam and filled afterwards. it wouldn't be me there wasn't a bit of drama _ it wouldn't be me there wasn't a bit of drama at— it wouldn't be me there wasn't a bit of drama at the end. laughter. and laughter. ant- laughter- _ and while, what an atmosphere! i mean, and while, what an atmosphere! i mean. there _ and while, what an atmosphere! i mean, there is _ and while, what an atmosphere! i mean, there is nowhere _ and while, what an atmosphere! i mean, there is nowhere i - and while, what an atmosphere! i mean, there is nowhere i would i mean, there is nowhere i would ratherm — mean, there is nowhere i would ratherm ~— rather... . are - rather... . are you guys are what rather... . — are you guys are what got me over the line — are you guys are what got me over the line there at the end, but i felt like — the line there at the end, but i felt like she was playing her best tennis— felt like she was playing her best tennis at— felt like she was playing her best tennis at the end. i actually wasn't that nervous. but yes, first time in

the fourth — that nervous. but yes, first time in the fourth round, i am so happy. and next isjule — the fourth round, i am so happy. situc next isjule niemeier the fourth round, i am so happy. fific next isjule niemeier for the fourth round, i am so happy. e"ic next isjule niemeier for heather next isjule niemeierfor heather watson in the last 16. she already fancied her chance to reach the quarterfinals, and the world number two is one of the favourites this title winning in straight sets. taking care of for women, then, but on centre court elsewhere djokovic and cameron norrie taking to the court? yes, djokovic, lets take him off first, no big surprises here, another easy win for the defending champion, looking to win four consecutive wimbledons. he beat his fellow serbian countrymen in straight sets, djokovic looking formidable, returning the ball as good as i had he seen him do on the centre court, which is pretty much a second home here. talked a bit in the first round about having to make adjustments from clay to grass, but he has made them very

happily he is into the last 16. let's about cameron norrie because he wanted to do what heather watson has done and that is reach the second week of a grand slam for the first time in his career. it is very early days for him on centre court at the moment. he is playing the american, stevejohnson, and it is one game all there, so it is going with serve, he is in that andy murray prime—time slot, if you like, henman hill filling up trying to support cameron norrie over the line. we will keep you updated with that and so much more to come on sports day at 6:30pm, but for now back to you. ii sports day at 6:30pm, but for now back to you-— back to you. if heather watson is the hardest _ back to you. if heather watson is the hardest working _ back to you. if heather watson is the hardest working woman - back to you. if heather watson is the hardest working woman in i back to you. if heather watson is i the hardest working woman in more modern, i have got you down for the hardest working man! keep up the good work. it was england's morning at edgbaston in the cricket. it has definitely been india's afternoon. a fascinating first day of the final test. you might remember it was delayed because of a covid outbreak. three wickets, matthew potts took to india 95, but

they have just made a century, the batters, and the tourists are 2aa—5 in the 58th over. you can follow commentary of that one right now over on radio five sports extra. after a rain interrupted first practice for the british grand prix, the sun came out at silverstone for the second with ferrari's carlos sainz quickest and some encouragement for lewis hamilton after a difficult season. he was second fastest in his mercedes, ahead of mclaren's lando norris. championship leader max verstappen was fourth quickest with more rain forecast for qualifying tomorrow, so it could get interesting. liverpool striker mo salah has commited his future to the club for another three years. he was entering the final year of his contract, but has now signed a deal that will keep him at anfield until 2025. he said it was a happy day for everyone. salah has won three premier league golden boots in five years, helping liverpool to a domestic cup double last season. salah is staying on merseyside, but everton's richarlison is not.

he's on his way to tottenham in a deal worth up to £60 million. he'll link up with his new team—mates in north london next week. and it's the first day of the tour de france too. getting underway with a time trial in copenhagen this year. you can read more on that and all the top stories at bbc.co.uk/sport. sarah and chetan will have a comprehensive round up in sportsday at 6:30. thank you very much, then. good to see motson are staying put, good news. now, it is 25 years since britain ended its rule in hong kong and had the colony back to china. since that handover in 1997, critics have accused china of stifling freedom in hong kong and suppressing so resistance, but china's president, shooting pain, says china

has in fact brought true democracy to the country. he has been visiting hong kong to swear in the new leader. we have this report. a day of celebration under bad weather. just like 25 years ago, when britain returned hong kong to china. they mack beijing promised them to keep the one country, to system principal for at least 50 years, after the 1997 handover, meaning hong kong would remain part of china, but be three to govern itself. lord patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at a handover ceremony in 1997. he told the bbc that china broke its promise.— 1997. he told the bbc that china broke its promise. well, the words i s - oke broke its promise. well, the words i soke to broke its promise. well, the words i spoke to emma. _ broke its promise. well, the words i spoke to emma, saying _ broke its promise. well, the words i spoke to emma, saying that - broke its promise. well, the words i spoke to emma, saying that it - broke its promise. well, the words i spoke to emma, saying that it was l spoke to emma, saying that it was now hong kong's destiny to be run by the people of hong kong have turned to ashes because hong kong was once one is the freest, arguably the freest and most open society in asia

and it has now been turned into a police state. and it has now been turned into a police state-— police state. over the past two ears, police state. over the past two years. beijing _ police state. over the past two years, beijing has _ police state. over the past two years, beijing has cracked - police state. over the past two | years, beijing has cracked down police state. over the past two - years, beijing has cracked down on dissent in hong kong, introducing a nationalist security law in 2020 that critics say stifles free speech. pro—democracy news outlets have also been shut down and a zero covid policy makes life here and easy. covid policy makes life here and eas . ., , ., �* ., ., easy. there are pro-bei'ing, who are ha . . l easy. there are pro-bei'ing, who are happy. and — easy. there are pro-bei'ing, who are happy. and there h easy. there are pro-bei'ing, who are happy, and there are _ easy. there are pro-beijing, who are happy, and there are those - easy. there are pro-beijing, who are happy, and there are those who - easy. there are pro-beijing, who are happy, and there are those who are l happy, and there are those who are very, very anguished and very worried or even scared. and there are thousands of people, including members of my party, in prison. despite a recent overhaul of the election system, the incoming leader, john lee, was the only candidate to run in this race. today's ceremonies mark president xi jinping's first steps outside china for nearly two and a half years since the start of the pandemic. you can't quite control the weather, but

in beijing's perspective to date is all about regaining control over hong kong, it is all about the rejuvenation of the chinese race and thatis rejuvenation of the chinese race and that is what president xi jinping has been talking about. translation: the practice of one country, two systems has achieved the success in hong kong, recognised by all since its return to the motherland. president xijinping its return to the motherland. president xi jinping will be its return to the motherland. president xijinping will be hoping his visit convinces hong kong people and the world that there is stability on the shores following his crackdown in hong kong. and that it will usher in a revival of the global financial centre's boost economy. martin gibb, bbc news, hong kong. and now here is sarah with a look ahead to sports day at 6:30pm this evening. coming up later on bbc news, it has been a busy day at wimbledon with britain's heather watson reaching the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career, as she overcame kaja juvan

to win through. novak djokovic is also in action, plus it is day one of england's rearranged test against india in edgbaston, with a couple of early wickets with jimmy anderson and we are building up to formula 1 this weekend from silverstone. that is all on sports day at 6:30pm, but now on bbc news it is time for the the film review. hello and welcome to the film review on bbc news. i amjane hill and taking us through this week's cinema releases is mark kermode. what have you been watching? hferr; releases is mark kermode. what have you been watching?— you been watching? very mixed bag, we have minions: _ you been watching? very mixed bag, we have minions: the _ you been watching? very mixed bag, we have minions: the rise _ you been watching? very mixed bag, we have minions: the rise of- you been watching? very mixed bag, we have minions: the rise of gru, i we have minions: the rise of gru, the little yellow people are back. we have tigers, which is a sports drama with a difference, it was sweden's academy awards entry. and nitram, a very disturbing, with a

great central performance by caliper landryjones. so where do you stand on minions? i landry jones. so where do you stand on minions?— landry jones. so where do you stand on minions? ., , ., ., on minions? i have seen one of them. it made on minions? i have seen one of them. it made me — on minions? i have seen one of them. it made me laugh. — on minions? i have seen one of them. it made me laugh, i _ on minions? i have seen one of them. it made me laugh, i seem _ on minions? i have seen one of them. it made me laugh, i seem to - it made me laugh, i seem to remember, it was a while ago, there have been a lot of them. yes. remember, it was a while ago, there have been a lot of them.— have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but have been a lot of them. yes, there have. but i — have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but i think _ have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but i think that _ have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but i think that is _ have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but i think that is a _ have been a lot of them. yes, there have, but i think that is a good - have, but i think that is a good thing. so this is the sequel to the minions movie, which was the prequel to the despicable me movies, which is where we first met the minions. the 1970s, the main character was a kid, he dreams of something called the vicious six, his plans go awry, he ends up being kidnapped and therefore the minions must save gru and in order to save him they have to do a whole load of things, including learning martial arts by master chow, voiced by michelle yeo. i think this is hilarious. don’t i think this is hilarious. don't tell to me — i think this is hilarious. don't tell to me i— i think this is hilarious. don't tell to me i cannot _ i think this is hilarious. don't tell to me i cannot break - i think this is hilarious. don'tj tell to me i cannot break this i think this is hilarious. don't - tell to me i cannot break this word. but doubt _ tell to me i cannot break this word. but doubt exists only in the mind. you know— but doubt exists only in the mind. you know what i say to my mind?

yahl _ you know what i say to my mind? yahl now— you know what i say to my mind? yah!. now you. you know what i say to my mind? yahi- now you-— you know what i say to my mind? yah!. now you. our! kevin, kevin, kevin. yah! 0k, ok, we are both laughing a lot! and i haven't even seen it!— i haven't even seen it! there we are! that _ i haven't even seen it! there we are! that is _ i haven't even seen it! there we are! that is so _ i haven't even seen it! there we are! that is so silly, _ i haven't even seen it! there we are! that is so silly, but - i haven't even seen it! there we are! that is so silly, but very - are! that is so silly, but very funn . are! that is so silly, but very funny- yes. _ are! that is so silly, but very funny. yes, and _ are! that is so silly, but very funny. yes, and it _ are! that is so silly, but very funny. yes, and it made - are! that is so silly, but very funny. yes, and it made you | are! that is so silly, but very - funny. yes, and it made you laugh, so russell— funny. yes, and it made you laugh, so russell brand, _ funny. yes, and it made you laugh, so russell brand, julie _ funny. yes, and it made you laugh, so russell brand, julie andrews, i so russell brand, julie andrews, steve ca rell, so russell brand, julie andrews, steve carell, a plot involving a magical stone, steve carell, a plot involving a magicalstone, none steve carell, a plot involving a magical stone, none of that matters. what matters is generally think that the minions are the great animated slapstick creation of our time, in the same way as tom and jerry. it is a formula that works and i love

slapstick comedy, i absolutely