this is bbc news. lam due i am due guru murphy. -- i am gita uuru i am due guru murphy. -- i am gita guru murphy- _ the headlines: excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. a woman is asking local authorities in the north of england why her child was taken from her at birth and given to a woman who later murdered him. how can someone hurt an innocent child? what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill him. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges�* the nhs has announced it will stop

the... legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges�* sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time. and stars are paying tribute to actor bernard cribbins — famous for his many roles, including in doctor who, the wombles and the original railway children — who has died at the age of 93. just great, funny, giggly company to be with, but he took his work very seriously, and he was a fine actor on all levels, and i think he will be so, well, obviously he is so badly missed. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at 2pm. the commonwealth games 2022 opens in birmingham later today. organisers say it's the biggest in the event's history. prince charles will represent the queen tonight and performances will include local music and dance groups,

emphasising birmingham's diversity. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will take part over the next 11 days. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events. and for the first time, there will be more medals for women than for men, and the para events will be included as part of the main games. phil mackie reports. cheering and applause. the queen's baton is on its final leg. first stop, birmingham's jewellery quarter, where the medals that they will be competing for tomorrow have been made. and this is where it will finish tonight, at the alexander stadium, where they are making final preparations for the opening ceremony. they have released these pictures from the dress rehearsals. the show�*s director is peaky blinders creator stephen knight, so it will celebrate both the west midlands and the commonwealth. one of the stars is dance school owner laurel. i'm from birmingham, so for my family and for myself,

it is history in the making. the city has put on its gladrags. everywhere, there are banners and logos, new floral displays and the smell of fresh paint. the commonwealth teams have arrived and are taking it all in. er... it is very majestic, in a way, but, with the games just about to start, i find it exciting and very buzzing. so, a very electric atmosphere. well, it has all come together pretty well, considering they only knew they were hosting the games just over four years ago. birmingham and the west midlands has always felt overlooked and unloved by the rest of the country, so this is a big moment, a chance for it to change people's perceptions. we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world. it gives an opportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. huge business conference here could coincide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without bumping into someone

from another competitor, in this case, guernsey, which is hosting next year's island games. one of the things we would like to replicate is the atmosphere and the friendliness because we are walking around today and anyone who has seen anyone in a kit is coming over and saying hello and chatting and it is, you know, really welcoming. so that is something we would definitely like to replicate. protests will take place, too. the games aims to be the most lgbtq+ inclusive yet, but two thirds of competing nations have laws against same—sex relationships. in a few hours, the party gets underway here in victoria square. it is the culmination of four years of preparations. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. salma zulfiqar is a birmingham artist and human rights activist. five years ago she set up artconnects, a project to empower and cultivate the talent of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. she's visualised theirjourney through art and has made this into a film that will debut today in birmingham. thanks forjoining us. why are you

connected with the games, which obviously is primarily a sporting event? ~ , ., , ., event? well, there is a festival here during _ event? well, there is a festival here during the _ event? well, there is a festival| here during the commonwealth event? well, there is a festival - here during the commonwealth games, the cultural festival, so our film is being featured as part of that festival. the film is called the migration blanket — climate solidarity and it brings together women from 15 commonwealth countries together with women in birmingham, it gives them a voice, on the issues that are affecting women like climate change and it is a call for action. we worked, you know, with women in these countries during lockdown, during the pandemic to bring their artwork together. find bring their artwork together. and who are you _ bring their artwork together. and who are you hoping will listen to that call for action? are you hoping to achieve any specific measures or is it reallyjust to highlight a number of concerns?- is it reallyjust to highlight a number of concerns? well, the film has raised a —

number of concerns? well, the film has raised a lot _ number of concerns? well, the film has raised a lot of— number of concerns? well, the film has raised a lot of different - has raised a lot of different issues. we are finding that a lot of people are interested, the general public and also politicians as well, so these are the people we are trying to influence. during the project we found out that a lot of women that we worked with who were marginalised and they were refugees and living in camps and in temporary accommodation, they didn't have any information about climate change, so through the film process we actually created change—makers and we are hoping the film influences other people to do the same thing and take action. 0ne people to do the same thing and take action. one of the things that we discovered is that, you know, 80% of people who are displaced in climate crisis are women. so women are being affected more than anyone else. so this is, you know, the message that is coming out from the film. and in terms is coming out from the film. and in | terms of the commonwealth games itself, do you think people feel the commonwealth is still politically relevant? are obviously very troubled roots, given it was born of empire. what do you think the place

is today of the commonwealth games thatis is today of the commonwealth games that is taking place today? the commonwealth _ that is taking place today? tue: commonwealth games that is taking place today? tte: commonwealth games is that is taking place today? "tt2 commonwealth games is a that is taking place today? tt2 commonwealth games is a sporting event, it brings everyone together and i think it is, you know, it is a positive event. you know, we can't hide the past. we all know what happened, but also i think we are in time is now where hopefully there is going to be change and through art and creativity we are hoping to bring about these discussions and create equality where we need it most. ~ . , ., , most. we have seen the governments commitment. — most. we have seen the governments commitment, plus _ most. we have seen the governments commitment, plus the _ most. we have seen the governments commitment, plus the two _ most. we have seen the governments commitment, plus the two leadership | commitment, plus the two leadership contenders for the prime minister's job here, very supportive of the policy in rwanda. have you had any comments on that proposal from government within the work you are doing or with people you are speaking to? doing or with people you are speaking to?— doing or with people you are speaking to? while, the film is focused on _ speaking to? while, the film is focused on climate _ speaking to? while, the film is focused on climate change - speaking to? while, the film is focused on climate change and j focused on climate change and climate change is, you know, displacing people. my work is all

about humanity. it is all about reaching out to people and making sure that they have all the resources and things that they need to be able to resettle their lives, if they have been uprooted by conflict or climate change, so, you know, i believe that a humane approach needs to be taken in any situation. ~ . situation. ok. we will leave it there. salma _ situation. ok. we will leave it there. salma zulfilqar, - situation. ok. we will leave it there. salma zulfilqar, thank| situation. ok. we will leave it. there. salma zulfilqar, thank you very much indeed for your time, thank you. the events leading up to the murder of a 13—month—old boy in cumbria are the subject of a safeguarding review to be published later today. leiland—james corkill was killed injanuary last year by laura castle, a woman who had hoped to adopt him. in herfirst interview, leiland—james' mother, laura corkill, says her son was wrongly taken away from her at birth and would still be alive if he had been left with her. this report from our special correspondent, ed thomas,

contains some distressing details. mummy, please don't be sad. i miss you so much too. "mummy, please don't be sad. "i miss you so much too. "i'm safe. "it's so beautiful up here. "but i do worry when i see you cry." the words of laura corkill read at the funeral of her son, leiland—james. and what do you remember about him? his smile, his cheeky laugh, his big, bright eyes. murdered by the woman who promised to love and care for him. when he came home, it was in a wooden box. this is the first time laura corkill has told her story. how long have you been here for? six years. it starts with her son being removed by a social worker. taken at birth from his hospital cot. i was in bits. what was leiland—james doing? crying. cumbria county council say they told laura they planned to remove leiland—james. she denies this.

years before, laura suffered severe domestic violence, abuse that she says social workers feared would happen again — a so—called risk of future emotional harm. she believes that is why her son was taken. what should have happened to leiland—james? he would come home. absolutely. yeah, absolutely. aisha and rebecca support women who have faced domestic abuse. they offered social workers a plan to bring leiland—james home. we did have e—mails going back and forward between us to see if we could work out a plan of support to see what we could offer. and was that negotiated, were you listened to? both: no. leiland—james' fate was already determined. cumbria county council had identified him for adoption. i was expecting him to come home. this was the last photo of mother and son together. was this during contact? that was my last contact.

she would never hold leiland—james alive again. laura corkill says she repeatedly asked for leiland—james to come back home. inside, she told me she passed several parenting assessments. and one social worker, she says, told her she could get the baby's room ready for when he came back here. cumbria county council say in april 2020, they told laura the plan was for leiland—james to be adopted. and, injuly, the family courts agreed. in august 2020, social workers placed leiland—james with this woman, laura castle. he cries. she would repeatedly beat him. she filmed him in distress. stood up like that... injanuary, 2021, she murdered leiland—james. how can someone hurt an innocent child?

what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill them. sorry. before leiland—james died, a social worker refused to tell laura which hospital he was in. it was 2a hours later, and then they eventually told me it was liverpool alder hey hospital. by the time i got down there he had already been dead. and eventually i went into his room. ijust wanted to pick him up. they wouldn't allow me. your child. they wouldn't allow me to pick him up. i spent more time with leiland in death than in life. the safeguarding review into the decision to allow leiland—james into laura castle's care will be published later. laura corkill was not asked to be part of it. i loved him. millions and millions.

that report from our special correspondent ed thomas. and you can watch a full documentary on that story on the bbc iplayer now. from today some criminal courts in england and wales are to allow filming for the very first time. this major change in the law will mean broadcasters can film judges sentencing serious criminals. our legal correspondent, dominic casciani, reports. would you stand up, please? the sentence i pass upon you is therefore one of life imprisonment, with a minimum term of ten years and eight months. justice being done, and in a way like never before. the moment today that judge sarah monro qcjailed ben 0liver at the old bailey for the manslaughter of his grandfather. you will not be released by the parole board unless they conclude that you no longer pose a risk to the public. that concludes these sentencing remarks. you may go down.

thank you. from today, news channels may televise judges sentencing the most serious of criminals in england and wales, starting with cases at the old bailey. scotland already allows cameras into courts, but few cases there are ever broadcast. for more than a century these benches have been the only way the public have been able to witness trials of gangsters like the kray twins all serial killers, including peter sutcliffe. tv cameras still want to be able to film defendants, but for the first time the audience will be able to watch and listen to the judge as he will be able to watch and listen to thejudge as he or she will be able to watch and listen to the judge as he or she sentences serious criminals, fulfilling a maximum of the law, but —— fulfilling a maxim of the law that not only should justice be done, but should be seen to be done. you won't see scenes like this. the oj simpson trial was nightly entertainment in america in 1995. in england and wales we are banned from filming

defendants, witnesses and victims. judges don't want to de—stress any participants in a trial, so defendants like ben 0liver today will still only be sketched by court artists. but they hope that a little more transparency will help the public understand how they really work. dominic casciani, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. a woman is asking local authorities in the north of england why her child was taken from her at birth and given to a woman who later murdered him. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. unions have reacted angrily to the decision by the labour leader to sack shadow transport minister sam tarry yesterday. labour says it was because he spoke to the media while on a picket line during wednesday's rail strike.

here's the labour leader sir keir starmer talking about the sam tarry situation this morning. sam tarry was sacked because he put himself onto media programmes and made a policy on the hoof without permission, so that sacking him was relatively straightforward. 0f relatively straightforward. of course, as far as the industrial action is concerned, i completely understand the frustration of so many people who have seen prices go up, inflation going through the roof and their wages haven't gone up, so the labour party will always be on the labour party will always be on the side of the working people, but we need collective responsibility, as any company does. we can speak now to rachael maskell, labour mp for york central. keir starmer is saying he had no choice, really, otherthan to keir starmer is saying he had no choice, really, other than to sack sam tarry because collective responsibility is crucial? well, it is absolutely _

responsibility is crucial? well, it is absolutely right _ responsibility is crucial? well, it is absolutely right that - responsibility is crucial? well, it is absolutely right that we - responsibility is crucial? well, it is absolutely right that we stand j responsibility is crucial? well, it i is absolutely right that we stand by working people at this time. keir starmer set himself we will work shoulder to shoulder with trade unions, stand up for people working to secure better pay and that is what sam tarry was doing, he was on the picket line, he heard the voices and stories of working people and of course, as the shadow transport minister was advocating, what working people were saying to him and that is why we go on picket lines, to listen to what working people are experiencing at a time of a cost of living crisis when wages are stagnating and regressing and governments are doing nothing to stop these soaring energy prices and other bills. of course work as a struggling right across the economy. rail workers are included with that. when i have been on picket lines, i have been hearing the extraordinary work rail workers have been doing, but also their concerns for how they are going to pay their bills and feed theirfamily. we have are going to pay their bills and feed their family. we have got to hear those voices and respond to that. that is what the labour party

is therefore. that. that is what the labour party is therefore-— that. that is what the labour party is therefore. yes, the labour party sa this is therefore. yes, the labour party say this wasn't _ is therefore. yes, the labour party say this wasn't about _ is therefore. yes, the labour party say this wasn't about being - is therefore. yes, the labour party say this wasn't about being on - is therefore. yes, the labour party say this wasn't about being on a i say this wasn't about being on a picket line, the parties have gone to picket lines, this was about sam tarry giving media interviews denouncing the party line and failing to follow collective responsibility as government in waiting, as labour put it.- responsibility as government in waiting, as labour put it. well, as mps, but especially _ waiting, as labour put it. well, as mps, but especially as _ waiting, as labour put it. well, as mps, but especially as labour- waiting, as labour put it. well, as i mps, but especially as labour mps, we must use every single platform we can to highlight what the government have done to our country. they have driven us into ruin, they have seen the closure other services and we must speak out because people are really struggling. i know what my surgeries are alike and the queue is getting longer and longer, and therefore to highlight the pressure that workers are under, whether in the rail industry or, as we know, across the economy, we have got a duty and responsibility to highlight those voices. after all, we were elected to be the voice of working people and therefore do use those

platforms is the responsibility of every mp and i would really encourage keir starmer to go on to those picket lines and listen to the powerful testimonies of those workers... figs powerful testimonies of those workers- - -_ powerful testimonies of those workers- - -— powerful testimonies of those workers... a ., workers... as i said, though, the -a is workers... as i said, though, the party is not _ workers... as i said, though, the party is not saying _ workers... as i said, though, the party is not saying this _ workers... as i said, though, the party is not saying this is - workers... as i said, though, the party is not saying this is about l party is not saying this is about picket lines, this is about collective responsibility. do not agree that all parties have to abide ijy agree that all parties have to abide by collective responsibility if you are actually in a shadow cabinet or are actually in a shadow cabinet or a shadow minister?— are actually in a shadow cabinet or a shadow minister? well, we have a collective responsibility _ a shadow minister? well, we have a collective responsibility as _ a shadow minister? well, we have a collective responsibility as a - a shadow minister? well, we have a collective responsibility as a party i collective responsibility as a party to the trade union movement and track well you have a response ability to be public, don't you, do have one united clear and coherent line? of course we have a response ability the public, the public is made up of chewed d trade union members who are also struggling and members who are also struggling 2tc whether —— in whatever members who are also struggling 2"tc whether —— in whatever industry, we know everyone is struggling. serra; know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in, know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in. but _ know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in, but we _ know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in, but we don't _ know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in, but we don't have - know everyone is struggling. sorry to cut in, but we don't have too much time. some people are saying is this an orchestrated movement by sam tarry? he is facing deselection is its own seat, easyjust trying to

get union support to it on to another seat, get union support to it on to anotherseat, is get union support to it on to another seat, is this what this is about, is he using concerns for rail workers as a political position? that is an appalling thing to say. i have known sam for many years and he is a trade unionist through and through. all his life he has stood up through. all his life he has stood up for working people and been their voice and their advocate and he is just simply making sure their voice is being heard. we have to remember that these are people politicians often ignore and he was ensuring the focus was brought onto their plight and of course calling for a resolution. government could resolve this dispute if they sat around the table. the chancellor needs to come forward with a means to do that. this government is asleep while the country is struggling and that is where the focus needs to be. yes. where the focus needs to be. yes, and sir keir _ where the focus needs to be. yes, and sir keir starmer _ where the focus needs to be. yes, and sir keir starmer and _ where the focus needs to be. yes, and sir keir starmer and his team say with an election a year or two away, with labour ahead in the polls, the only way they can sort out a lot of these issues is if they are in government and the public vote for united parties, don't they?

well, the pressures are building now, we can't wait two years until we bring resolution because families are going to really struggle over the coming months. we have heard today about the next hike in energy prices and of course food and other products are going up as well. today we have heard many of those stories, so we need to put the pressure on government. i want to see a general election, as opposed to this internal fighting we are seeing in the tory party because i do believe labour have got the solutions and therefore getting that labour government means we recognise the precious people are under, advocate for that at every opportunity and put the resolve in place. in for that at every opportunity and put the resolve in place.- put the resolve in place. in that case, put the resolve in place. in that case. don't _ put the resolve in place. in that case, don't all _ put the resolve in place. in that case, don't all mps _ put the resolve in place. in that case, don't all mps and - put the resolve in place. in that case, don't all mps and those l put the resolve in place. in that i case, don't all mps and those who are shadow ministers have to follow the leadership's line and the request for collective responsibility?- request for collective resonsibili ? ~ ., ., responsibility? well, look, we are a -a of responsibility? well, look, we are a party of many _ responsibility? well, look, we are a party of many parts. _ responsibility? well, look, we are a party of many parts, of _ responsibility? well, look, we are a party of many parts, of which - responsibility? well, look, we are a party of many parts, of which the i party of many parts, of which the trade unions play an essential part of our movement. we have never been a party that is just built from the top down. we have our members who

are part of our communities, who are advocating for change, it is really important that we speak truth to power when it comes to their plight, whether that is government or indeed within our own party to ensure we have the right policies in place ,who are advocating for change, it is really important that we speak truth to power when it comes to their plight, whether that is government or indeed within our own party to ensure we have the right policies in place to address this growing crisis across our country. this growing crisis across our count . .. . this growing crisis across our count . ., this growing crisis across our count . . ., ~ this growing crisis across our count . . ., country. rachael maskell, thank you ve much country. rachael maskell, thank you very much indeed. _ country. rachael maskell, thank you very much indeed. rachael- country. rachael maskell, thank you very much indeed. rachael maskelll very much indeed. rachael maskell thank you very nhs england has announced new plans to treat very young people with gender dysphoria at specialist children's hospitals. the current gender identity service run by the tavistock and portman nhs foundation trust will be closed after it was criticised by an independent review. let's talk to our social affairs editor, alison holt. rachael maskell thank you is to close that service that has been running in close that service that has been runnin- ., , ~ close that service that has been runnin- ., , ,, ,y :: ,': close that service that has been runninu ., , ,y ii g: ., running in tavistock by 2023 and re - lace running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the _ running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the plan _ running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the plan is _ running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the plan is to _ running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the plan is to close - running in tavistock by 2023 and replace the plan is to close that l replace the plan is to close that service that has been running in tavistock by 2023 and available. the

tavistock by 2023 and available. the tavistock team will feed its expertise into that and has said that given the increasing number of referrals that welcomes this shift, but it is never a big decision to close the centre, which has become increasingly controversial. just remind us _ increasingly controversial. just remind us of _ increasingly controversial. just remind us of the _ increasingly controversial. just remind us of the history of that controversy. remind us of the history of that controversy-— remind us of the history of that controversy. there have been a number of _ controversy. there have been a number of whistle-blowers - controversy. there have been a| number of whistle-blowers who controversy. there have been a - number of whistle-blowers who have number of whistle—blowers who have raised concerns about the way in which. .. raised concerns about the way in which... the treatment parts, if you like, for young people, questioning whether there was enough mental health input, questioning the ways in which things were running. there was a court case involving keira bell, a former patient, and she claimed she wasn't challenged enough by the service when she wanted to transition from female—to—male, that she started on puberty blockers and then that road to transitioning without her motives being challenged enough. her mental health issues being challenged enough. she has

since regretted that decision. when you have had reports, the independent review by doctor hilary cass and she has looked at the way the service is operating, she has looked at the huge increase in referrals, changes in the types of patients who say that has not been properly understood why there are now more females wanting to transition to males, she has also talked about these scarce and inconclusive evidence to support clinical decision and the long waiting lists and those long waiting lists because real distress to young people who want real help, who want support with their gender identity issues. , , , w' , , issues. just very quickly, it is important — issues. just very quickly, it is important to _ issues. just very quickly, it is important to say, _ issues. just very quickly, it is important to say, i _ issues. just very quickly, it is important to say, i think, - issues. just very quickly, it is| important to say, i think, that issues. just very quickly, it is - important to say, i think, that for people who are having treatment and seeing specialists at the moment, that will continue whilst this changes undergone. that will continue whilst this chances underaone. ~ ,,., , changes undergone. absolutely, the -lan changes undergone. absolutely, the lan is that changes undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it _ changes undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it should _ changes undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it should be _ changes undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it should be a _ changes undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it should be a smooth i plan is that it should be a smooth transition and that is one of the things that tavistock emphasises, that its staff and its clinicians will work with the new centres and will work with the new centres and will have two early adopters of the

new approach, one in london and i think one in liverpool, but then it will be more broadly available, but there will be the continuity of support and the hope is there will be a lot done to reduce those waiting lists.— be a lot done to reduce those waiting lists. be a lot done to reduce those waitin: lists. ~ ., ., waiting lists. 0k, alison holt, our social affairs _ waiting lists. 0k, alison holt, our social affairs editor, _ waiting lists. ok, alison holt, our social affairs editor, thank- waiting lists. 0k, alison holt, our social affairs editor, thank you i social affairs editor, thank you very much. british gas owner centrica has begun paying dividends to shareholders again, with the company reporting a big rise in profits for the first half of the year. it comes as uk households face increasing pressure from rising energy bills. gas prices are soaring, driven in part by russia's war in ukraine. speaking to radio 4's today programe, martin lewis — founder of the money saving expert website — explained why he describes the current situation as desperate. i've never seen anything like this, and because it's going to throw so many households into some terribly difficult financial situations that will leave them making some awful choices.

let's be absolutely plain here. we know roughly what the price cap is going to be. it is set based on the published algorithm. the algorithm as published, and it's based on wholesale prices. the october price cap is based on prices between february and mid august, so we're nearly at the end of that, and the current prediction is prices will rise 77% on top of the 52% rise we saw in april, taking a typical bill to £3,500 a year. that's with the prediction i go for. others say it will be higher. we are expecting it to rise again injanuary. now, what that means, and just listen to this, that means year on year from last october to this october, a typical house will be paying £2,300 a year more on their energy bills alone. martin lewis speaking to the bbc earlier. let's talk to our business and economy editor, douglas fraser. centrica are paying dividends. how does the companyjustify that? of course it is a business, it is not a

charity or a public service. yes, it claims to be making a loss i charity or a public service. yes, it claims to be making a loss on i charity or a public service. yes, it claims to be making a loss on its| claims to be making a loss on its retail division because at that price cap, but making substantial profits upstream where it is drilling for oil and gas and with nuclear power stations as well. we are getting this from a very large company, shelled today announcing £9.5 million profit for only three months and also total energy based in france, £4.5 billion there, and other company which sends a lot of its gas into britain from norway, £145 its gas into britain from norway, £14.5 billion of profit for three months announced just yesterday. it is hard to justify these figures, but they say the market sets the prices. a lot of the profits are going to shareholders and also going to investment in the oil and gas resources to try to get supply up and into renewables in order to make that transition that we are all agreeing is very well worth doing. will they be subject, though, to the windfall taxes that were called for by the labour party and the

government adopted? well, the windfall taxes _ government adopted? well, the windfall taxes worth _ government adopted? well, the windfall taxes worth £5 - government adopted? well, the windfall taxes worth £5 billion. l windfall taxes worth £5 billion. what the company said when that was introduced was that that brings an element of uncertainty, but it is fairly small beer compared with the amount of money they are making, as i say, only three months. the pressure is now on for the windfall tax to be extended. it is not very clear how long it is in place for, after all, so that pressure will continue, a lot of criticism coming from these companies about the profits they are making, but their defence is they have probably underinvested in the last few years in order to keep supply up and the other part of the equation is demand has to be suppressed and part of thatis has to be suppressed and part of that is about insulating our homes less, but a transition to battery powered transport. {lilla less, but a transition to battery powered transport. 0k, douglas fraser, thank _ powered transport. 0k, douglas fraser, thank you _ powered transport. 0k, douglas fraser, thank you very - powered transport. 0k, douglas fraser, thank you very much. i the number of people who died of drug misuse in scotland last year fell slightly to 1,330 — the first time the figure has fallen in eight years. but scotland still has by far the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in europe. 0ur scotland editor,

james cook, reports. i started at an early age, yeah, started at about 11 or 12 year old. by the time he was 16, chris had tried cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, lsd and amphetamines. but it was heroin which he says ruined his life. i'm very lucky to be alive. there's been many occasions where i possibly could have overdosed and died. and i know people, i have had people within my life that have passed away sadly to overdose. drug deaths in scotland have risen dramatically over the past quarter of a century. they are now more than five times as high as they were in the mid—�*90s, and although there has been a slight fall, they remain by far the highest recorded in europe. we have seen a trend of increasing drug deaths since 2013, which has halted, but i am determined to use this change as a real platform to power ahead, to do more. it contains three needles.

at this support service in glasgow, they do what they can to keep drug addicts safe. this vending machine provides clean needles and other paraphernalia. but some critics of the scottish government's approach say ministers should be trying harder to get people off drugs altogether. the majority of our treatment budget is currently going into what we would call really vital harm reduction practices, but we are not offering people the chance to get well. we are not offering them the chance to detox and get rehab and to recover. are you enjoying my cups of tea? chris is confident he is now on the road to recovery. a charity called with you has helped him, and he is now volunteering to help others, in a country still struggling with an addiction emergency. james cook, bbc news, glasgow. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. a lot of cloud around this afternoon. we have seen a few patches of rain

in south—west england, wales, north—west england and are used in most areas of northern ireland, but the greater chance of seeing further rain edging ever further the greater chance of seeing further rain edging everfurther north, in scotland through the days of heavy and thundery burst in places, and the far north and north—west same dry with sunny spells. hazy brightness and to the east and south—east of england, temperatures as the high teens and low 20s. 0vernight, a lot of cloud around, and with it some patchy rain, particularly in some parts of northern england and scotland. largely the central belt and southwards here. clear spells developing elsewhere. temperatures a touch higher overnight, most noticeably in scotland. more sunshine on offer tomorrow, though a cloudy start in northern england, southern selby scotland, cloud clearing away, and there will be scattered showers following on behind. the chance of a scattered shower popping up just about anywhere, but many places giving drive. wetter in northern ireland in the evening. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines:

excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. a woman is asking local authorities in the north of england why her child was taken from her at birth and given to a woman who later murdered him. how can someone hurt an innocent child? what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill him. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges' sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time. and stars are paying tribute to actor bernard cribbins — famous for his many roles including in doctor who, the wombles and the original railway children —

who has died at the age of 93. just great, funny, giggly company to be with, but he took his work very seriously, and he was a fine actor on all levels, and i think he will be so, well, obviously he is so badly missed. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. here is paul. what is going on today? perhaps unsurprisingly, we will start in birmingham. it's been nearly five years in the making, but the wait is almost over. the 2022 commonwealth games opening ceremony takes place this evening in birmingham. peaky blinders creator steven knight is producing the event, duran duran headlining. 0rganisers have given us a taster of what to expect at the alexander stadium. we are trying to tell a really big story and there is a big story to tell about this place. birmingham is an extraordinary place in the midlands, an extraordinary, pioneering place.

it has an exciting history. we have loads of led screens, tony iommi from black sabbath making an appearance. soweto kinch will be here. some great younger artists performing. it is the story, it is 2500 volunteers who have made the show, 2000 in the cast. an audience of over a billion. i have never done anything on this scale. well, the commonwealth games isn't the only major sporting event taking place in england. the women's euros final is at wembley on sunday. england will take on eight—time champions germany. that's after they beat france 2—1 in milton keynes, germany captain alexandra popp scoring twice. she's now the tournament's joint leading scorer, along with england striker beth mead, on six goals. both teams have pressure, because both teams know what you can win on that night, and they have the whole nation behind them but it can also give great energy,

but for sure the whole inclination is expecting to win and win but for sure the whole england nation is expecting to win and win in their own country, and we will give it our best to avoid that. four—time formula one world champion sebastian vettel is retiring at the end of the season. the german, racing for aston martin this year, is one of the sport's most succesful ever drivers. he's won 53 races and won all four of his world championships for red bull, back—to—back, between 2010 and 2013. committing to my passion the way i did, and the way i think it is right, does no longer go side by side with my wish to be a great father and husband. the energy it takes to become one with the car and the team, to chase perfection, takes focus and commitment. my girls have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to seeing

my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall, listening to them when they need me, not having to say goodbye, and most importantly, being able to learn from them and let them inspire me. england's white ball cricketers are back in action in cardiff this evening, in the second of their t20 matches against south africa. after a big win in bristol last night, the hosts won by 41 runs. there were 29 sixes in the game, with moeen ali reaching a half century injust 16 balls — the fastest ever by an england player. they made 249 from their 20 overs. and it was too much for south africa — they could only manage 193 in reply. it's reported that two—time former masters champion bubba watson will be the next big name to join golf�*s controversial saudi—backed liv series. the announcement is expected later today, when the third event on the tour gets underway in bedminster, newjersey. england's paul casey will make his liv debut at trump national

and insists his move was not motivated by money. pga tour is something... i mean, it was a goal of mine to play on the pga tour, but i am a... and its been an incrediblejourney, but i'm also an incrediblejourney, but i'm also a guy who is one multiple source, i think five, australasian, asian, korean, european tour and pga tour, and i would love to add a liv victory to that as well. that's all the sport for now. plenty more from birmingham through the afternoon. thanks. see you later. kyiv says moscow is moving troops to the south of the country, where a counter—offensive by ukrainian forces is underway, in an attempt to retake the city of kherson. kherson was the first city to fall to russia in the war. now uk defence officials say it is "virtually cut off from other territories" held by the russians. 0ur diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, has more from kyiv. a ferocious ukrainian barrage

late on tuesday on a key bridge in russian—controlled territory. the damage from this and earlier attacks is clear to see. yesterday, russia said the antonovsky bridge was finally closed. for moscow, it is a setback. kherson is vulnerable, separated from the rest of russian— controlled southern ukraine by the wide dnipro river. russia needs a number of key bridges to keep its forces supplied, which is why ukraine has been hitting them. kherson was one of the first cities captured by the russians at the beginning of march. it fell without a fight, a significant prize for moscow. a shocked population protested, but there was very little they could do. and this is why kyiv thinks it has a chance —

a high mobility artillery rocket system supplied by america in an effort to turn the tide of the war. used to hit distant targets, including bridges, with great accuracy. russia is said to be sending reinforcements to kherson. to lose such an important city would be the most significant defeat for moscow since it withdrew its forces from around kyiv back in april. but if it happens, it is not going to be quick. in the eastern donbas, the grinding bombardment from russia goes on, not as intense as before, but tell that to the people of this town. here, a lucky escape, but the city is being hit hard. if the course of this war is changing, it is changing slowly. pauladams, bbc news, kyiv. the actor and singer bernard cribbins, whose career spanned seven decades, has died aged 93. mr cribbins narrated the 1970s children's programme the wombles. and his appeareances

in doctor who date back to the 1960s when the series began. 0ur media and arts correspondent david sillito looks back at his life. me, sir, i'm perks! good wives and private soldiers should be ignorant. and i'll keep herfrom your instruction, i warrant you. bernard cribbins — he was in everything. morning, tobermory. you look hot. from classical drama to the wombles. what about a nice drop of brandy in your tea? that's a very sound idea, lenny. two way stretch with peter sellers in 1960 was an early film role, but he'd already been acting for 17 years. he'd started out in rep in 0ldham when he was 1a. i'm the new midshipman. poopdecker is my name — albert poopdecker. in the �*60s, he was appearing in the carry on films. # there i was, digging this hole...# and recording some very successful comic songs.

one i must have and no offence, i know, day like this. haven't taken too great a liberty, have i, on a day like this? you know? but perhaps his best—known film role was lovable mr perks in the railway children. oh, dear. we'll never manage by ourselves. and his voice was part of daily life, from the wombles... i never realised before what hard work cooking is. ..to buzby. .. is this thejiffy plumbing service? ..to tufty. mrs fluffytail is walking along the road with tufty... 0h, doctor, what about you now? who have you got? this appearance in doctor who was his second doctor, a0 years after his first spell in the tardis. still, that's fine. from perks to songs to jackanory to fawlty towers, bernard cribbins could turn his hand to anything. right on time! he was, for millions of us, a down—to—earth, funny,

friendly, much loved part of childhood. the actor bernard cribbins, who's died aged 93. i'm joined now by singer and actress elaine paige, who worked with bernard cribbins in the 1989 west end musical anything goes! thank you very much forjoining us, elaine paige. and just let me ask you. very sad news, of course today. how will you remember bernard cribbins? filth. t remember bernard cribbins? oh, i remember bernard cribbins? oh, i remember him _ remember bernard cribbins? oh, i remember him as _ remember bernard cribbins? oh, i remember him as being _ remember bernard cribbins? oh, i remember him as being a - remember bernard cribbins? ot i remember him as being a very genuine, funny, charismatic man. he was a man, as you havejust genuine, funny, charismatic man. he was a man, as you have just said a new report, have so many talents. he could really do absolutely everything. i mean, he loved music, with his singing, and we had to sing together in anything goes! 0ne with his singing, and we had to sing together in anything goes! one of

the songs we sang together was friendship, and indeed, we were lucky enough to keep our friendship going for over 30 years. one of the things that bernard and i also love to do was go shooting clays together for a charity, and he was very much instrumental in encouraging me to do that. and i can remember the first night of anything goes, as well, he brought me a first night present of three carp for my pond, when i lived in chelsea! and he named them after the characters that we all played in anything goes. it is, of course was moon face marvin, one was reno, and one was billy crocker afterjohn barrowman, and the three of us said those roles in the show together. he was such great fun. a stickler for hard work. he wanted everything to be spot on, and we would rehearse and rehearse and rehearse until we got it absolutely as he wanted, and the thing i remember is, he always

seemed to know when the laughs were going to come. you knew how to read the audience, and i think there are not many actors that have such a knowledge of great comic timing as bernard did. and he was absolutely ubiquitous. he seemed to be on so many things all the time. did you ever ask him what he was most proud of or what he enjoyed doing the most?- he was most proud of or what he enjoyed doing the most? well, you know, he enjoyed doing the most? well, you know. hejumped. _ enjoyed doing the most? well, you know, hejumped, he _ enjoyed doing the most? well, you know, he jumped, he was - enjoyed doing the most? well, you know, he jumped, he was one i enjoyed doing the most? well, you know, he jumped, he was one of. enjoyed doing the most? well, you i know, he jumped, he was one of those actors that could turn his hand to anything. he really could do anything. he really could do anything. i also worked with him on russell t davies' adaptation of a midsummer night's dream, and he could do the classic, the comedy, just about everything. and i think hats off to him, because at 93, literally only about a month or seven weeks ago, he was working on some more scenes for doctor who, so he was one of those men that, he

just wanted to be out there with his career as it has been, going great guns. he never wanted to give up. he always wanted to be out there doing what he loved most, and he was just one of the good guys, really. he always had a smile on his face and a quick quip, and so fabulously talented. he brightened so many lives. i shall so miss him. he always used to ring me up every birthday. he never missed one, from 1989 until this year, so i am going to miss him terribly, terribly. and we always wonder about the private person behind the public face. was he as we saw him? 0r person behind the public face. was he as we saw him? or was he very different in private? no, i think what you saw, bernard, is particularly the light—hearted comedy that he portrayed so well, that was the bernard i knew offstage. he was always warm and friendly, helpful, kind, generous man, a real

kind of... just a genuine kind of man, and that was how i knew him. it was always, as i say, he always had a smile on his face, a laugh and joke. he was a good—humoured, decent human being. just one of the best. well, it is lovely to hear that from you. elaine paige, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today. thank you. employers' lack of support for women experiencing menopausal symptoms is pushing highly skilled and experienced women out of work, a cross—party group of mps has warned. the women and equalities committee has called on the government to act by making menopause a protected characteristic under the law, and include a duty for employers to provide reasonable adjustments for women. the committee wants greater rights and protections in the workplace, with calls to tackle what it calls "stigma, shame and dismissive cultures". their report found with most women going through the menopause between 45 and 55, around 4.5 million women aged between 50 and 64 are currently employed. they say women with at least one

problematic menopausal symptom are 43% more likely to leave theirjobs by the age of 55. and that few women ask for adjustments like flexible working, with many saying they're worried about the reaction from their employer. joining me now is fiona mckay, a menopause career coach and founder of the menopause maze, which supports women in business to navigate the menopause. thanks forjoining us. there has been a lot of publicity around trying to help women, trying to help public awareness around the menopause, but being protected in yourjobif menopause, but being protected in yourjob if you are suffering those symptoms is a real concern, isn't it? do you think there needs to be a law change? t it? do you think there needs to be a law change?— law change? i do, and after childbirth, _ law change? i do, and after childbirth, menopause i law change? i do, and after childbirth, menopause is. law change? i do, and afterl childbirth, menopause is the law change? i do, and after- childbirth, menopause is the second most career limiting issue for women, and there is already provision in the equality act to protect women after pregnancy and

through their maternity status, and i think it's only right and proper and required that that same provision is included for women in menopause too. and what would that actually mean for employers? well, it would mean that they would have to take menopause much more seriously. first and foremost. and that there would be consequences for them if they treat women less favourably, and you talked about reasonable adjustments. reasonable adjustments are just one thing that they would be expected and required to do, and if women are not treated equally and are treated less favourably because of their menopause, and they are subsequently dismissed or overlooked for promotion, there will be recourse for women and legal protection, and i think that's absolutely right. what are the sorts of problems that women face in this particular phase of life that affect their work in particular?—

of life that affect their work in articular? ~ . , , ., ., particular? well, anxiety is one of them, particular? well, anxiety is one of them. loss _ particular? well, anxiety is one of them. loss of— particular? well, anxiety is one of them, loss of confidence - particular? well, anxiety is one of them, loss of confidence is - particular? well, anxiety is one of i them, loss of confidence is another. brain fog, really doubting yourself, hot flashes, changes in mood, not sleeping, and of course, if you are not sleeping, you can't perform to your best ability often, and it is a real catch 22 situation, because there are so many different symptoms of menopause, and it affects women in so many different ways, that it is notjust the one size fits all, and we see hot flashes, you know, really put front and centre that it is one of the main symptoms, and it is one of the main symptoms, and it is one of the main symptoms, and it is one of the main symptoms, but the symptoms are very different for women, and that needs to be understood and accommodated as well. i kind of wonder whether the reason we have heard so much more about it is that there are a lot more women in the workforce globally now who are going through these changes, but they are at a senior level and therefore want to talk about it. yes. �* . ,., ., �* yes. but at the same time, won't --eole yes. but at the same time, won't people feel _ yes. but at the same time, won't people feel vulnerable _ yes. but at the same time, won't people feel vulnerable raising i yes. but at the same time, won't|

people feel vulnerable raising any concerns with their boss, whether you are working for a small or big company, because regardless of what the law may say in future, people will feel vulnerable? the law may say in future, people will feel vulnerable ?_ the law may say in future, people will feel vulnerable? will feelvulnerable? well, you will feel vulnerable, _ will feelvulnerable? well, you will feel vulnerable, you _ will feelvulnerable? well, you will feel vulnerable, you talked - will feelvulnerable? well, you will feel vulnerable, you talked there l feel vulnerable, you talked there about high performing women. let's take the example, say, of a female ceo who is leading a very successful high growth company or a public listed company. if she came out and said, actually, iam listed company. if she came out and said, actually, i am feeling a little vulnerable, i am feeling perhaps not as sharp as what i did, my symptoms are quite strong and are affecting me, that is going to have impact across shareholders, across the city, confidence, and therefore, there needs to be a whole root and branch review of how we actually understand, educate workplaces and support women in this time of transition. support women in this time of transition-— transition. and 'ust to flip the argument. — transition. and 'ust to flip the argument. if_ transition. and 'ust to flip the argument, if i i transition. and just to flip the argument, if i was _ transition. and just to flip the argument, if i was employing| transition. and just to flip the - argument, if i was employing people and they said they thought they would not be able to perform as well as that used to in this phase would last a few years, would i not be justified in being concerned about that, especially if you are a small

company? you can't afford to kind of p"°p company? you can't afford to kind of prop people up, can you? find company? you can't afford to kind of prop people up. can you?— prop people up, can you? and it is a challenge. — prop people up, can you? and it is a challenge, because _ prop people up, can you? and it is a challenge, because we _ prop people up, can you? and it is a challenge, because we are - prop people up, can you? and it is a challenge, because we are talking i challenge, because we are talking about capability here, but fundamentally, if you have employed somebody and their talent is really valuable for your business, keeping that talent and retaining it through the whole of the career life cycle is really important, and we tend to think that the adjustments needed are going to be huge. sometimes it is open—ended working hours, more open conversations, being part of a community of other women, whether that be inside of your workplace or externally. that can really help you understand, navigate, give you best practice, and also as well, employers would do well to really think about getting better health care, particularly private health care, particularly private health care, for their staff, so they can access support services much earlier and are therefore able to really produce and be productive and participate in the workforce fully.

fiona mckay from the menopause maze, thank you very much for your time. thank you. climate change is now a bigger threat to elephant conservation than poaching — so says kenya's wildlife and tourism ministry. in the last year, the country has recorded 179 elephant deaths due to the ongoing drought affecting the horn of africa. merchuma reports from the tsavo national park in kenya, where poor rainy seasons have seen rivers drying up and grasslands have shriveled in the game reserves. a bone here, a jaw there, ribs scattered around. these are the remains of an elephant. in the last few months, such scenes have been found by rangers in kenya's largest park, the tsavo. for the last about 30 minutes we have been following a really, really strong stench. the rangers say that stench will lead us to a carcass. this is the carcass of an elephant and it is still fresh.

maybe a few days old. it is nowjust pieces of bones and some flesh remaining. kenya and the larger horn of africa is going through the worst drought in 40 years. there have been four failed rain seasons. the situation has become unforgiving even to the giants of the animal kingdom. climate change kills 20 times more elephants than poaching, so it is a red alarm. total across the country, elephants died already, as by the end ofjune,179. so far poached animals across the country, there are less than ten. the elephants who roam kenya's broad savannah bring hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. kenya's wildlife service rangers bring tourists here any time they come down to the tsavo national park, because normally there would be hundreds of wild animals here, drinking water, playing with mud, taking a bath, but today there is none.

this water pan is gradually drying up and the animals have moved away in search of water. the elephants are not only dying of dehydration but also malnutrition, because even where there are water holes, they have seriously depleted vegetation. elephants in a day, they eat 300 kilograms of dry mass, drinking 240 litres of water. remember, this is the season when elephants give birth. we expect so many miscarriages. we expect so many miscarriages than we have seen them before. and those calves who manage to be born, their chances of survival will be limited. there are efforts to bring some relief to the elephants and other animals in the park. drought—resistant trees are being planted in some areas. huge water ponds are also being dug with the hopes that when it will rain, the water they will collect there will sustain the animals for a longer period. remains of nearly 6,000 elephants that died during the drought

of the early �*70s are preserved at this research centre. perhaps a constant reminder that it could happen again. there are 36,000 elephants in kenya. climate change is now threatening their survival. merchuma, bbc news. after 37 years and nearly 9,000 episodes, the last episode of the soap opera neighbours has screened in australia. kylie minogue and jason donovan returned for the show, offering viewers a bit of tearjerking nostalgia from the programme's heyday. 0ur australia correspondent shaimaa khalil reports from melbourne. # neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours...# it was the soundtrack for a soap opera generation. guess what? well, you're talking to me at any rate. and a tv show that turned australian suburbia... g'day. ..into a global success. you might not recognise the name, but if you have been watching neighbours over the years, you will definitely

know where we are. it is the famous ramsay street, the home of the soap. neighbours became a massive hit in the late �*80s and the early �*90s, and while many australians loved it... i'm talking to you, madge mitchell, ramsay, whatever your name is. ..it was britain where it really took off. 0h, someone else to... i couldn't walk down the street, particularly in the uk. you would just be mobbed and chased. of course, i'd be happy to but i'm a little snowed under here. we got to a time here where the post office had to put on a special delivery because they couldn't deliver all the english fan mail. 0h, right, you must be mike. the show was the launch pad for the careers of guy pearce, margot robbie and jason donovan. then, of course... charlene! ..there's kylie minogue. from suburban mechanic to the princess of pop. charlene and scott's wedding

in 1987 pulled in over 20 million viewers in the uk, more than a third of the country. both the cast and storylines have become more diverse. neighbours had australia's first same—sex wedding on tv, broadcast soon after gay marriage was legalised in the country. forthe finale, neighbours stars have returned. i like to think i'm just going to hang the shoes up, or in paul's case, the suit up, and walk away. but i don't know. i think it will probably take a bit of a while to shake off. how the show ends is a closely guarded secret. the producers want the finale to be fulfilling, joyous, and a big group hug for all the fans, for whom neighbours became good friends. shaima kalil, bbc news, melbourne. # that's when good neighbours become good...friends #.

vanessa feltz has announced she is leaving her two bbc radio programmes after more than two decades. the broadcaster will present her last early breakfast show on bbc radio 2 on friday. she will sign off from bbc radio london in late august. ms feltz says she has "loved every moment" but is stepping down "to catch up on a much needed decade's deficit of beauty sleep". now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. a lot of cloud around this afternoon. we have seen a few patches of rain in parts of south—west england, wales, north—west england, the easternmost areas of northern ireland, but the greater chance of seeing further rain , ., rain 'ust edging ever further north is rain just edging ever further north is in scotland. _ is in scotland. through the day, some heavy burst in places, then the north and north—west searing drive. hazy too into the east of eastern england, 10% of the high teens and low 20s.

0vernight, still a lot of cloud around, and from its in patchy rain, especially in some parts of northern england and scotland. largely central belt and southward here. clear spells developing elsewhere. temperatures a touch higher overnight, most noticeably in scotland. more in the way of sunshine on offer tomorrow, though a cloudy start another link southern and south—east scotland, outbreaks clearing away, but the northern england, some showers following on behind, the chance of a shower popping upjust about behind, the chance of a shower popping up just about anywhere, but some places feeling dry. wetter in northern ireland in the evening.

this is bbc news. iam i am geeta guru—murthy. the headlines: excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. iamup i am up here at the alexander stadium, where we are expecting up to 30,000 spectators and athletes from all 72 nations and territories from all 72 nations and territories from hpm. —— from hpm. a woman is asking local authorities in the north of england why her child was taken from her at birth and given to a woman who later murdered him. how can someone hurt an innocent child? what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill him. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders,

as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges' sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time. and stars are paying tribute to actor bernard cribbins — famous for his many roles, including in doctor who, the wombles and the original railway children — who has died at the age of 93. just great, funny, giggly company to be with, but he took his work very seriously, and he was a fine actor on all levels, and i think he will be so, well, obviously he is so badly missed.

hello, good afternoon. the final preparations are being put in place for the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games in birmingham tonight. more than 6,500 athletes and officials are involved. let's go straight to my colleague, reeta chakrabarti. she is in birmingham. the commonwealth games 2022 opens in birmingham later today. you can hear the rehearsals going on behind me. 0rganisers say it's the biggest in the event's history. prince charles will represent the queen tonight and performances will include local music and dance groups, emphasising birmingham's diversity. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will take part over the next 11 days. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events,

and for the first time, there will be more medals for women than for men, and the para events will be included as part of the main games. phil mackie reports. cheering and applause. the queen's baton is on its final leg. first stop, birmingham's jewellery quarter, where the medals that they will be competing for tomorrow have been made. and this is where it will finish tonight, at the alexander stadium, where they are making final preparations for the opening ceremony. they have released these pictures from the dress rehearsals. the show�*s director is peaky blinders creator stephen knight, so it will celebrate both the west midlands and the commonwealth. one of the stars is dance school owner laurel. i'm from birmingham, so for my family and for myself, it is history in the making. the city has put on its gladrags. everywhere, there are banners and logos, new floral displays and the smell of fresh paint. the commonwealth teams have arrived and are taking it all in.

er... it is very majestic, in a way, but, with the games just about to start, i find it exciting and very buzzing. so, a very electric atmosphere. well, it has all come together pretty well, considering they only knew they were hosting the games just over four years ago. birmingham and the west midlands has always felt overlooked and unloved by the rest of the country, so this is a big moment, a chance for it to change people's perceptions. we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world. it gives an opportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. huge business conference here could coincide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without bumping into someone from another competitor — in this case, guernsey, which is hosting next year's island games. one of the things we would like to replicate is the atmosphere and the friendliness because we are walking around today and anyone who has seen anyone in a kit is coming over and saying

hello and chatting and it is, you know, really welcoming. so that is something we would definitely like to replicate. protests will take place, too. the games aims to be the most lgbtq+ inclusive yet, but two thirds of competing nations have laws against same—sex relationships. in a few hours, the party gets underway here in victoria square. it is the culmination of four years of preparations. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. it makes me proud to be a brummie. those are the words of a birmingham resident on the game is being hosted here. but from funding for sports to hospitality and potential legacy, what do these games mean for the people of birmingham? nestor mcgregor has been finding out. this time round, at least, bike polo isn't one of the 26 ports being isn't one of the 26 sports being showcased.

but across birmingham, projects like this one are benefiting from funding allocated to the host city. there's probably 8—10 cities around the uk that play it. we've spent our money on some equipment, the facilities, our time. we're hoping to do a little tournament at the end, which will have refreshments, first aid. you know, we are trying to have a little bit of a party at the end. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will experience the best in brummie hospitality. world champion gymnastjoe fraser already knows it well. it's not very often you get an opportunity to do a major competition in your back garden. everyone's buying tickets, you know, everyone wants to support. but now, they're going to have the opportunity to see what i've been doing and what i've been grafting for my whole life. the commonwealth games is the first major in the uk since the covid pandemic. reason enough to be excited. can't remember the last time that birmingham hosted something as big as the commonwealth games. i think it was a good use of money. it's definitely bringing a lot more attention to being in, and attention to birmingham, and it's a really good city, so i think it's good that it's getting the attention it deserves.

makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in europe, and it's also one of the most diverse, with large asian, african and caribbean communities. and for some, the occasion hasn't lived up to its motto of "games for everyone". for example, the organising board was accused of lacking diversity. changes have been made since. we, all loyal subjects - of his majesty, will take part in the games in the true spirit of sportsmanship! | then there are those who say its colonial origins are still being felt today. at a sensitive time, when the windrush scandal hasn't been fully resolved yet, families torn apart, people who spent all their lives here, people born and here, people born in caribbean countries and african countries and parts of asia, when the union flag flew over those countries, being told, you have no right to be here, and then we are saying, oh, yes, but we embrace our commonwealth family. it does say double standards. the commonwealth games organisers say they are committed to the event

reflecting the region. the city of birmingham's official slogan is "forward", and ultimately, the legacy of these games leave behind will be far more important than the medals won. nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events — nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events going _ nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events going on _ nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events going on here - nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events going on here at i nestor mcgregor, bbc news. are so many events going on here at this i many events going on here at this stadium and that the news all across the area, in birmingham and also across the west midlands. 0ne the area, in birmingham and also across the west midlands. one of the sports in this year's commonwealth games is women's cricket and it is the first time women's cricket has featured in a commonwealth games and i am pleased to say we can speak to bismah maroof. she is pakistan women's captain. hello, thanks so much forjoining us. what is it going to feel like for you tomorrow leading the team out onto the pitch? iuntil]! tomorrow leading the team out onto the itch? ~ , , . ., the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time in _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time in the _ it is our first time in the commonwealth, so we are all very excited _ commonwealth, so we are all very excited as— commonwealth, so we are all very excited as women cricketers to show

our talent _ excited as women cricketers to show our talent in — excited as women cricketers to show our talent in this stage. i think it is a big _ our talent in this stage. i think it is a big opportunity for all of us. and how— is a big opportunity for all of us. and how has it been for you, in terms of growing up in pakistan, becoming a female cricket player? are there hurdles, barriers that you have faced?— have faced? initially, we don't get so much support _ have faced? initially, we don't get so much support playing - have faced? initially, we don't get so much support playing sport i have faced? initially, we don't get so much support playing sport or. so much support playing sport or women's — so much support playing sport or women's cricket in pakistan, but now the teams. _ women's cricket in pakistan, but now the teams, be women's cricket is growing — the teams, be women's cricket is growing all— the teams, be women's cricket is growing all around the world, in pakistan— growing all around the world, in pakistan as well and the support we have got— pakistan as well and the support we have got from the people and the parents. — have got from the people and the parents, especially the families, they want— parents, especially the families, they want their daughters to play cricket _ they want their daughters to play cricket. that is a big change in pakistan _ cricket. that is a big change in pakistan. ., , ., cricket. that is a big change in pakistan. . , ., , cricket. that is a big change in pakistan. . . ., pakistan. that is a big change. so what advice _ pakistan. that is a big change. so what advice would _ pakistan. that is a big change. so what advice would you _ pakistan. that is a big change. so what advice would you give i pakistan. that is a big change. so what advice would you give to i pakistan. that is a big change. so i what advice would you give to young women looking at you, seeing you as a role model? how should they progress if they want to become what you have become? t progress if they want to become what you have become?—

you have become? i think, to be honest, you have become? i think, to be honest. to _ you have become? i think, to be honest, to work _ you have become? i think, to be honest, to work hard _ you have become? i think, to be honest, to work hard is the i you have become? i think, to be honest, to work hard is the only| honest, to work hard is the only key _ honest, to work hard is the only key i_ honest, to work hard is the only key ithink— honest, to work hard is the only key. i think as cricketers, it is important _ key. i think as cricketers, it is important that as professionals we are honest — important that as professionals we are honest to ourselves and do the best we _ are honest to ourselves and do the best we can — are honest to ourselves and do the best we can do and in pakistan the people. _ best we can do and in pakistan the people, the girls look up to us and now at— people, the girls look up to us and now at the — people, the girls look up to us and now at the stage i am in after starting — now at the stage i am in after starting my career, a mother, that is a huge _ starting my career, a mother, that is a huge responsibility for me and i is a huge responsibility for me and i want _ is a huge responsibility for me and i want to— is a huge responsibility for me and i want to inspire girls that they can definitely pursue their careers after— can definitely pursue their careers after motherhood as well. that can definitely pursue their careers after motherhood as well.- can definitely pursue their careers after motherhood as well. that is a very inspiring _ after motherhood as well. that is a very inspiring message. _ after motherhood as well. that is a very inspiring message. so - after motherhood as well. that is a very inspiring message. so play- very inspiring message. so play starts tomorrow, pakistan against barbados. what are you hoping for in terms of the conditions? t barbados. what are you hoping for in terms of the conditions?— terms of the conditions? i think the conditions are _ terms of the conditions? i think the conditions are different, as we i terms of the conditions? i think the | conditions are different, as we used to play— conditions are different, as we used to play in— conditions are different, as we used to play in pakistan, but yes, i have practised _ to play in pakistan, but yes, i have practised well and adapted well here _ practised well and adapted well here so — practised well and adapted well here. so we are looking forward to

the match— here. so we are looking forward to the match and looking forward to tomorrow — the match and looking forward to tomorrow and he started the tournament.— tomorrow and he started the tournament. . . ., tournament. thanks so much for talkin: to tournament. thanks so much for talking to us- — tournament. thanks so much for talking to us. that _ tournament. thanks so much for talking to us. that is _ tournament. thanks so much for talking to us. that is bismah i tournament. thanks so much for- talking to us. that is bismah maroof from the pakistan women's cricket team. thank you so much and good luck tomorrow.— team. thank you so much and good luck tomorrow._ thank i team. thank you so much and good i luck tomorrow._ thank you. let's speak now with alison shanks, 0ceania representative at the commonwealth games federation and new zealand 0lympian, and lechezdani luza, the africa representative and former botswana boxer. cani can ijust can i just start with alison shanks first, just outline for people who makes up the 0ceania group. yes. first, just outline for people who makes up the oceania group. yes, so i am the oceania _ makes up the oceania group. yes, so i am the oceania representative i makes up the oceania group. yes, so i am the oceania representative on i i am the oceania representative on the commonwealth mission and basically— the commonwealth mission and basically we have all of those countries, australia, new zealand, island _ countries, australia, new zealand, island nations as well, it is part

of that— island nations as well, it is part of that group. 50 island nations as well, it is part of that group-— of that group. so it is the day before the — of that group. so it is the day before the events _ of that group. so it is the day before the events start. i of that group. so it is the day before the events start. how| of that group. so it is the day i before the events start. how are of that group. so it is the day - before the events start. how are the athletes on your team is feeling? yes, well i am sure there will be a few butterflies flying around, but a lot of— few butterflies flying around, but a lot of excitement, i suppose, and especially, — lot of excitement, i suppose, and especially, i'm sure they are all looking — especially, i'm sure they are all looking forward to the ceremony tonight— looking forward to the ceremony tonight and marching with their teams — tonight and marching with their teams and seeing their flags fly high _ teams and seeing their flags fly hiuh. �* teams and seeing their flags fly hiuh. ~ . ., ., teams and seeing their flags fly hi . h. ~ . . ., ., high. and lechezdani luza, what about the athletes _ high. and lechezdani luza, what about the athletes on _ high. and lechezdani luza, what about the athletes on the - high. and lechezdani luza, what| about the athletes on the african teams? , ., ., ._ , teams? yes, i met a them today, they are ruite teams? yes, i met a them today, they are quite excited _ teams? yes, i met a them today, they are quite excited about _ teams? yes, i met a them today, they are quite excited about the _ are quite excited about the opportunity _ are quite excited about the opportunity. the _ are quite excited about the i opportunity. the commonwealth are quite excited about the _ opportunity. the commonwealth games present— opportunity. the commonwealth games present a _ opportunity. the commonwealth games present a great — opportunity. the commonwealth games present a great opportunity— opportunity. the commonwealth games present a great opportunity for- opportunity. the commonwealth games present a great opportunity for most i present a great opportunity for most of the _ present a great opportunity for most of the african — present a great opportunity for most of the african athletes _ present a great opportunity for most of the african athletes who - present a great opportunity for most of the african athletes who normallyj of the african athletes who normally don't make — of the african athletes who normally don't make it — of the african athletes who normally don't make it to— of the african athletes who normally don't make it to the _ of the african athletes who normally don't make it to the olympics, i of the african athletes who normally don't make it to the olympics, so i don't make it to the olympics, so they are — don't make it to the olympics, so they are really _ don't make it to the olympics, so they are really excited _ don't make it to the olympics, so they are really excited and - don't make it to the olympics, sol they are really excited and looking forward _ they are really excited and looking forward to — they are really excited and looking forward to the _ they are really excited and looking forward to the opening _ they are really excited and looking forward to the opening ceremony. forward to the opening ceremony tonight — forward to the opening ceremony tonight lt— forward to the opening ceremony toniaht. , ., .,. forward to the opening ceremony toni. ht, , ., .,. , �* tonight. it is a fact, isn't it, that africa _ tonight. it is a fact, isn't it, that africa has _ tonight. it is a fact, isn't it, that africa has never i tonight. it is a fact, isn't it, | that africa has never hosted tonight. it is a fact, isn't it, i that africa has never hosted a commonwealth games? it was meant to do so this time around, it was meant to be in durban in south africa and

they had to pull out because of money problems. that must have been a disappointment to you? yes. a disappointment to you? yes, obviously _ a disappointment to you? yes, obviously it _ a disappointment to you? yes, obviously it is _ a disappointment to you? yes, obviously it is a _ a disappointment to you? yes, obviously it is a disappointment. i would _ obviously it is a disappointment. i would one — obviously it is a disappointment. i would one day— obviously it is a disappointment. i would one day want _ obviously it is a disappointment. i would one day want to _ obviously it is a disappointment. i would one day want to have - obviously it is a disappointment. i would one day want to have the i would one day want to have the commonwealth _ would one day want to have the commonwealth closer- would one day want to have the commonwealth closer to - would one day want to have the commonwealth closer to homel would one day want to have the i commonwealth closer to home where would one day want to have the - commonwealth closer to home where we can have _ commonwealth closer to home where we can have our— commonwealth closer to home where we can have our friends _ commonwealth closer to home where we can have our friends and _ commonwealth closer to home where we can have our friends and family— commonwealth closer to home where we can have our friends and family is- can have our friends and family is coming _ can have our friends and family is coming to— can have our friends and family is coming to watch _ can have our friends and family is coming to watch us, _ can have our friends and family is coming to watch us, but - can have our friends and family is coming to watch us, but yes, i can have our friends and family is coming to watch us, but yes, youj coming to watch us, but yes, you know, _ coming to watch us, but yes, you know. we — coming to watch us, but yes, you know. we have _ coming to watch us, but yes, you know, we have to _ coming to watch us, but yes, you know, we have to do _ coming to watch us, but yes, you know, we have to do what - coming to watch us, but yes, you know, we have to do what we i coming to watch us, but yes, you| know, we have to do what we can coming to watch us, but yes, you i know, we have to do what we can now until we _ know, we have to do what we can now until we can _ know, we have to do what we can now until we can change _ know, we have to do what we can now until we can change the _ know, we have to do what we can now until we can change the situation. i until we can change the situation. it is unfortunate, _ until we can change the situation. it is unfortunate, but _ until we can change the situation. it is unfortunate, but in— until we can change the situation. it is unfortunate, but in the - until we can change the situation. | it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe — it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe it— it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe it will— it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe it will be _ it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe it will be better. - it is unfortunate, but in the future we believe it will be better. find i we believe it will be better. and alison shanks, _ we believe it will be better. alison shanks, what are you we believe it will be better.- alison shanks, what are you hoping forfrom your alison shanks, what are you hoping for from your athletes? which of the sports you will particularly be keeping your eye on?- sports you will particularly be keeping your eye on? while, myself, bein: a keeping your eye on? while, myself, being a former _ keeping your eye on? while, myself, being a former track _ keeping your eye on? while, myself, being a former track cyclist, - keeping your eye on? while, myself, being a former track cyclist, i - keeping your eye on? while, myself, being a former track cyclist, i will. being a former track cyclist, i will being a former track cyclist, i will be heading — being a former track cyclist, i will be heading down to london tomorrow to see _ be heading down to london tomorrow to see the _ be heading down to london tomorrow to see the track cycling in action and obviously we have a strong kiwi contingent— and obviously we have a strong kiwi contingent down there, but the commission will be going out around all the _ commission will be going out around all the sports and supporting all the athletes of the commonwealth, especially getting to the pool, we have actually got our own commission member, _ have actually got our own commission

member, matt leavey, the australian power— member, matt leavey, the australian power representative, so he is competing still, so we will be supporting him. competing still, so we will be supporting him-— competing still, so we will be supporting him. competing still, so we will be su ”ortin him. �* . . supporting him. and what about you, lechezdani luza? _ supporting him. and what about you, lechezdani luza? are _ supporting him. and what about you, lechezdani luza? are there - lechezdani luza? are there particular events you will be looking at?— particular events you will be lookin: at? , . . looking at? yes, i am quite excited as well, obviously _ looking at? yes, i am quite excited as well, obviously coming - looking at? yes, i am quite excited as well, obviously coming from i as well, obviously coming from boxing — as well, obviously coming from boxing i— as well, obviously coming from boxing i will— as well, obviously coming from boxing i will want _ as well, obviously coming from boxing i will want to _ as well, obviously coming from boxing i will want to watch i as well, obviously coming from boxing i will want to watch one| as well, obviously coming from i boxing i will want to watch one or two matches _ boxing i will want to watch one or two matches and _ boxing i will want to watch one or two matches and support - boxing i will want to watch one or two matches and support the i boxing i will want to watch one ori two matches and support the guys boxing i will want to watch one or - two matches and support the guys and i am two matches and support the guys and lam really— two matches and support the guys and i am really looking _ two matches and support the guys and i am really looking forward _ two matches and support the guys and i am really looking forward to even - i am really looking forward to even meeting _ i am really looking forward to even meeting them _ i am really looking forward to even meeting them before _ i am really looking forward to even meeting them before because - i am really looking forward to even meeting them before because i- i am really looking forward to even i meeting them before because i have seen the _ meeting them before because i have seen the drawers _ meeting them before because i have seen the drawers and _ meeting them before because i have seen the drawers and they— meeting them before because i have seen the drawers and they are - meeting them before because i have seen the drawers and they are reallyi seen the drawers and they are really interesting — seen the drawers and they are really interesting i— seen the drawers and they are really interesting. i have _ seen the drawers and they are really interesting. i have seen _ seen the drawers and they are really interesting. i have seen teams - seen the drawers and they are really interesting. i have seen teams like i interesting. i have seen teams like england. _ interesting. i have seen teams like england. it — interesting. i have seen teams like england, it looks _ interesting. i have seen teams like england, it looks like _ interesting. i have seen teams like england, it looks like they - interesting. i have seen teams like england, it looks like they have - england, it looks like they have picked — england, it looks like they have picked up — england, it looks like they have picked up a _ england, it looks like they have picked up a new— england, it looks like they have picked up a new guys, - england, it looks like they have picked up a new guys, you - england, it looks like they have . picked up a new guys, you know? england, it looks like they have - picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, i_ picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, ithink— picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, ithink it— picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, ithink it is— picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, i think it is going _ picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, i think it is going to— picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, i think it is going to be _ picked up a new guys, you know? and yes, i think it is going to be big, - yes, i think it is going to be big, so yeah. — yes, i think it is going to be big, soyeah, i— yes, i think it is going to be big, soyeah, iwiti— yes, i think it is going to be big, so yeah, i will be _ yes, i think it is going to be big, so yeah, i will be there - yes, i think it is going to be big, so yeah, i will be there and - yes, i think it is going to be big, so yeah, i will be there and who| so yeah, i will be there and who knows, — so yeah, i will be there and who knows, maybe _ so yeah, i will be there and who knows, maybe i— so yeah, i will be there and who knows, maybe i will— so yeah, i will be there and who knows, maybe i will go - so yeah, i will be there and who knows, maybe i will go to - so yeah, i will be there and whoi knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling — knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as — knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as wett _ knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as well. i— knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as well-— knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as well.- it - knows, maybe i will go to watch cycling as well.- it will i cycling as well. ! yeah. it will depend- _ cycling as well. ! yeah. it will depend. well, _ cycling as well. ! yeah. it will depend. well, very _ cycling as well. ! yeah. it will depend. well, very good - cycling as well. ! yeah. it will depend. well, very good lucki cycling as well. ! yeah. it will i depend. well, very good luck to cycling as well. ! yeah. it will - depend. well, very good luck to all of our depend. well, very good luck to all of your teams _ depend. well, very good luck to all of your teams and _ depend. well, very good luck to all of your teams and also _ depend. well, very good luck to all of your teams and also i _ depend. well, very good luck to all of your teams and also i really - depend. well, very good luck to all| of your teams and also i really hope you enjoy the next 11 days of fantastic sport. alison shanks and lechezdani luza, thank you both very much. well, it is all about to happen here in a few hours' time,

the opening ceremony is at eight o'clock, but of course we have a lot going on behind me, you can see a whole group of people, a lot of noise and music, lots of rehearsals going on and also we don't entirely know what the main themes of the opening ceremony are going to be. you get a little hint from wandering around the stadium. right over there in the corner there is a canal, which speaks to birmingham's industrial heritage. there is also graffiti and a skateboard ramp, which speaks to its gritty present, if you like, so a few hints as to what we will see this evening. lots more to come from me here in birmingham, but for the time being it is back to you, geeta guru—murthy, in the studio. you it is back to you, geeta guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be lad to guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be glad to know _ guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be glad to know the _ guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be glad to know the fun _ guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be glad to know the fun and - guru-murthy, in the studio. you will be glad to know the fun and games. be glad to know the fun and games continues here in the gallery with the director having to be very careful between reeta chakrabarti and geeta guru—murthy this afternoon! if we talk over around,

thatis that is why. and the menus today. —— on to other news today. the events leading up to the murder of a is—month—old boy in cumbria are the subject of a safeguarding review to be published later today. leiland—james corkill was killed injanuary last year by laura castle, a woman who had hoped to adopt him. in herfirst interview, leiland—james' mother, laura corkill, says her son was wrongly taken away from her at birth and would still be alive if he had been left with her. this report from our special correspondent, ed thomas, contains some distressing details. "mummy, please don't be sad. "i miss you so much too. "i'm safe. "it's so beautiful up here. "but i do worry when i see you cry." the words of laura corkill read at the funeral of her son, leiland—james. and what do you remember about him? his smile, his cheeky laugh, his big, bright eyes. murdered by the woman who promised to love and care for him. when he came home,

it was in a wooden box. this is the first time laura corkill has told her story. how long have you been here for? six years. it starts with her son being removed by a social worker. taken at birth from his hospital cot. i was in bits. what was leiland—james doing? crying. cumbria county council say they told laura they planned to remove leiland—james. she denies this. years before, laura suffered severe domestic violence, abuse that she says social workers feared would happen again — a so—called risk of future emotional harm. she believes that is why her son was taken. what should have happened to leiland—james? he would come home. absolutely. yeah, absolutely. aisha and rebecca support women who have faced domestic abuse. they offered social workers a plan to bring leiland—james home. we did have e—mails going back

and forward between us to see if we could work out a plan of support to see what we could offer. and was that negotiated, were you listened to? both: no. leiland—james' fate was already determined. cumbria county council had identified him for adoption. i was expecting him to come home. this was the last photo of mother and son together. was this during contact? that was my last contact. she would never hold leiland—james alive again. laura corkill says she repeatedly asked for leiland—james to come back home. inside, she told me she passed several parenting assessments. and one social worker, she says, told her she could get the baby's room ready for when he came back here. cumbria county council say in april 2020, they told laura the plan was for leiland—james to be adopted.

and, injuly, the family courts agreed. in august 2020, social workers placed leiland—james with this woman, laura castle. he cries. she would repeatedly beat him. she filmed him in distress. stood up like that... injanuary, 2021, she murdered leiland—james. how can someone hurt an innocent child? what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill them. sorry. you have nothing to be sorry for. before leiland—james died, a social worker refused to tell laura which hospital he was in. it was 2a hours later, and then they eventually told me it was liverpool alder hey hospital. by the time i got down there he had already been dead. and eventually i went into his room. ijust wanted to pick him up. they wouldn't allow me. your child. they wouldn't allow

me to pick him up. i spent more time with leiland in death than in life. the safeguarding review into the decision to allow leiland—james into laura castle's care will be published later. laura corkill was not asked to be part of it. i loved him. millions and millions. that report from our special correspondent, ed thomas. and you can watch a full documentary on that story on the bbc iplayer now. british gas owner centrica has begun paying dividends to shareholders again, with the company reporting a big rise in profits for the first half of the year. it comes as uk households face increasing pressure from rising energy bills. gas prices are soaring, driven

in part by russia's war in ukraine. we can speak now to mike tholen. he's director of sustainability at offshore energies uk, a trade body representing many of the oil and gas companies. we are being warned of huge increases in our bills in the coming months again. surely these profits are just notjustifiable, are they? the profits are the result of where the prices are in the market, with a severe demand for both oil and gas. we face a real challenge to meet the needs of society, not least because of what russia is doing to constrain production of gas into europe. but shouldn't these companies therefore be paying much more, for example an increased windfall tax? imisti. be paying much more, for example an increased windfall tax?— increased windfall tax? well, they are already _ increased windfall tax? well, they are already paying, _ increased windfall tax? well, they are already paying, this _ increased windfall tax? well, they are already paying, this year - increased windfall tax? well, they are already paying, this year in . increased windfall tax? well, they | are already paying, this year in the uk, offshore energies uk have been facing the highest tax rates we have ever faced and are paying something like £13 billion to the exchequer, partly as a result of that windfall

tax, so we are already making a very significant contribution to society and hopefully that will go some way to assuage some of the challenges we are facing. is it to assuage some of the challenges we are facina. , , ., ,., ., . are facing. is it proportionate, thou~h, are facing. is it proportionate, though. when _ are facing. is it proportionate, though, when you _ are facing. is it proportionate, though, when you look - are facing. is it proportionate, though, when you look at - are facing. is it proportionate, though, when you look at the | are facing. is it proportionate, - though, when you look at the level of the prophets and the dividends we are seeing here? surely these companies should accept that they should pay more, so that that money can perhaps be used to help the most vulnerable households cope with the bills that are coming their way, everyone's way, in the coming months? has everyone's way, in the coming months? �* . everyone's way, in the coming months? a everyone's way, in the coming months? �* , ., months? as i say, from the uk perspective _ months? as i say, from the uk perspective and _ months? as i say, from the uk perspective and someone - months? as i say, from the uk perspective and someone like l months? as i say, from the uk - perspective and someone like shell's profits reported today, less than 5% of those profits come from the uk. in the uk we are already making a really significant contribution to through taxes to help the people with what they face. we really need to work with the government to see how we can best address both solving this challenge in the short term and helping us move away from an oil and gas and the economy in the years to come. . ., , come. the tuc director said these e e come. the tuc director said these eye watering _ come. the tuc director said these

eye watering profits _ come. the tuc director said these eye watering profits are _ come. the tuc director said these eye watering profits are an - come. the tuc director said these eye watering profits are an insult. eye watering profits are an insult to working people struggling to get by. she says energy profits are rising 23 times faster than wages. do not think there is going to be an increased public outcry of something that isn't taken from these companies, ratherthanjust that isn't taken from these companies, rather than just paying dividends to shareholders? we’re companies, rather than just paying dividends to shareholders? we've got to look at this — dividends to shareholders? we've got to look at this in _ dividends to shareholders? we've got to look at this in the _ dividends to shareholders? we've got to look at this in the round. _ dividends to shareholders? we've got to look at this in the round. there - to look at this in the round. there is a major issue here about soaring energy prices, there is a major issue here about the challenges of energy supply and we have to find a way to square that circle, which means we need to sit down with government of, of course address the issues of today and how we can afford to pay those bills, but also work to see how we can afford to pay to invest in the energy supplies will need to see in tomorrow's world. the two come hand in hand. just looking at supply, we are obviously seeing a lot of concern about gas supplies and already hanover in germany is turning off the hot water, it is restricting air—conditioning. germany is obviously very exposed to russian

supplies, more than the uk, but is there concerned that here there could be rationing this winter alsolt looks like we will avoid the worst of the challenges that europe are facing, but at the very least are are facing, but at the very least we will are facing, but at the very least "he will have to are facing, but at the very least w9 will have to look very carefully at how we actually meet winter to demand that we have a very cold winter or if we see supplies from russia completely turned off, so we are on a knife edge, which is why say we have to keep investing in the supplies of oil and gas and we are meeting with government on a weekly basis to make sure we are doing all we can to meet supplies as best we can over the next six months, so we're sitting here in a real crisis, notjust we're sitting here in a real crisis, not just one we're sitting here in a real crisis, notjust one of affordability, one of keeping the lights on across europe and here in the uk. and. europe and here in the uk. and, uiven the europe and here in the uk. and, given the turmoil _ europe and here in the uk. and, given the turmoil in _ europe and here in the uk. and, given the turmoil in government at the moment, is there enough guidance from government, from officials in terms of, you know, decisions that might be being bade right now? i am might be being bade right now? i am leased to

might be being bade right now? i am pleased to say _ might be being bade right now? i am pleased to say we — might be being bade right now? i —n pleased to say we continue to have very good contact with the department of energy at a ministerial level, notjust with officials, so even now, when there are many other things distracting politicians, they are really trying to focus on the security of supply and the hope is when the new government comes into place we can begin to sit with them really quickly to talk about how we can address financial challenges everyone faces and indeed security of supplies that we face as we get to this coming winter. ok. of supplies that we face as we get to this coming winter.— to this coming winter. 0k. mike tholen at offshore _ to this coming winter. ok. mike tholen at offshore energies - to this coming winter. ok. mike | tholen at offshore energies uk, thank you very much for your time. thank you. nhs england has announced new plans to treat young people with gender dysphoria at specialist children's hospitals. the current gender identity service run by the tavistock and portman nhs foundation trust will be closed after it was criticised by an independent review. editor, alison holt, a short time ago i spoke to our social affairs editor, alison holt, who told me that plans include closing the centre in london by spring 2023 and providing gender identity support services in a different way.

replace it replace it with regional centres. the tavistock team will feed its expertise into that and has said that given the increasing number of referrals that welcomes this shift, but it is nevertheless a big decision to close the centre, which has become increasingly controversial. just remind us of the history of that controversy. there have been a number of whistle—blowers who have raised concerns about the way in which... the treatment paths, if you like, for young people, questioning whether there was enough mental health input, questioning the ways in which things were running. there was a court case involving keira bell, a former patient, and she claimed she wasn't challenged enough by the service

when she wanted to transition from female—to—male, that she started on puberty blockers and then that road to transitioning without her motives being challenged enough. her mental health issues being challenged enough. she has since regretted that decision. then you have had the report, the independent review by doctor hilary cass and she has looked at the way the service is operating, she has looked at the huge increase in referrals, changes in the types of patients, so saying that has not been properly understood, why there are now more females wanting to transition to males, she has also talked about the scarce and inconclusive evidence to support clinical decision—making and the long waiting lists and those long waiting lists cause real distress to young people who want real help, who want support with their gender identity issues. just very quickly, it is important to say, i think, that for people who are having treatment and seeing specialists at the moment, that will continue whilst this change is undergone. absolutely, the plan is that it

should be a smooth transition and that is one of the things that tavistock emphasises, that its staff and its clinicians will work with the new centres and will have two early adopters of the new approach, one in london and i think one in liverpool, but then it will be more broadly available, but there will be the continuity of support and the hope is there will be a lot done to reduce those waiting lists. alison holt there. from today some criminal courts in england and wales are to allow filming for the very first time. this major change in the law will mean broadcasters can film judges sentencing serious criminals. our legal correspondent, dominic casciani, reports. would you stand up, please? the sentence i pass upon you is therefore one of life imprisonment, with a minimum term of ten years and eight months. justice being done, and in a way like never before. the moment today that judge sarah monro qcjailed ben oliver at the old bailey for the manslaughter of his grandfather.

you will not be released by the parole board, unless they conclude that you no longer pose a risk to the public. that concludes these sentencing remarks. you may go down. thank you. from today, news channels may televise judges sentencing the most serious of criminals in england and wales, starting with cases at the old bailey. scotland already allows cameras into courts, but few cases there are ever broadcast. for more than a century these benches have been the only way the public have been able to witness trials of gangsters like the kray twins or serial killers, including peter sutcliffe. tv cameras still won't be able to film defendants, but for the first time the audience will be able to watch and listen to the judge as he or she sentences serious criminals, fulfilling a maxim of the law that not only should justice be done, but it should be seen to be done. we find the defendant, orenthaljames simpson, not guilty of murder... you won't see scenes like that. the oj simpson trial was nightly

entertainment in america in 1995. in england and wales we are banned from filming defendants, witnesses and victims. judges don't want to distress any participants in a trial, so defendants like ben oliver today will still only be sketched by court artists. but they hope that a little more transparency will help the public understand how they really work. dominic casciani, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. a lot of cloud around this afternoon. we have seen a few patches of rain in parts of south—west england, wales, north—west england, the easternmost areas of northern ireland, but a greater chance of seeing further rain just edging ever further north is in scotland. through the day, some heavy bursts in places, but the north and north—west staying dry. sunny spells here.

hazy too into the east and south—eastern england, temperatures in the high teens and low 20s. overnight, still a lot of cloud around, and patchy rain, especially in some parts of northern england and scotland. largely central belt and southward here. clear spells developing elsewhere. temperatures a touch higher overnight, most noticeably in scotland. more in the way of sunshine on offer tomorrow, though a cloudy start in northern england. southern and south—east scotland too, outbreaks clearing away, but the northern england, some showers following on behind. the chance of a shower popping up just about anywhere, but some places feeling dry. wetter in northern ireland in the evening. hello, this is bbc news with geeta guru—murthy. the headlines: excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. a woman is asking local authorities in the north of england why her child was taken from her at birth and given to a woman who later murdered him. how can someone hurt an innocent child?

what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill him. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges' sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time. and stars are paying tribute to actor bernard cribbins, famous for his many roles including in doctor who, the wombles and the original railway children, who has died at the age of 93. just great, funny, giggly company to be with, but he took his work very seriously, and he was a fine actor on all levels, and i think he will be so, well, obviously he is so badly missed.

sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's paul scott. looking ahead to what's coming up tonight? yes. good afternoon. there is only one place to start. after nearly five years of preparation, the 2022 commonwealth games get under way in birmingham later. it's1o years and a day since the memorable london 2012 opening ceremony. so what can we expect from birmingham this evening? well, peaky blinders creator steven knight is part of the team behind the extravaganza. a cast of 2,500, including duran duran and black sabbath's tony iommi will be part of the show at the alexander stadium. organisers say the brummie accent will also be put on the world stage. i started boxing in istarted boxing in birmingham, walked in my first boxing gym in birmingham, and from the age of 18

years old, and six years later, i'm going to be representing team england in front of my friends and family in birmingham, you know, for an event like the commonwealth games. it's massive, it really is, and it goes to show all the hard work i've been putting in over the years, you know, it's going to come to this moment, so ijust can't wait. scotland's rugby 75 captainjamie farndale has been named as one of team scotland's sustainability of team scotland's sustainability captains, who is advocating for a more environmentally friendly sporting event. i'v e i've got this vision of sports events that, whenever they run, they make profit, yes, but they also give back to society, which i think sport already has a lot of that baked in, but if they can give back to the environment, then it becomes this regenerative model, and every time sports events happen around the world, itjust regenerates and it's really positive. so i think we need to acknowledge that we're definitely not there yet. i think birmingham's taking is definitely a step in the

right direction by being aware of it, but it'sjust right direction by being aware of it, but it's just this idea for me of what the future looks like and being a part of driving the change towards it. squash player tesni evans will be wales' flagbearer along with three—time commonwealth games medallist and double olympic champion geraint thomas. the cyclist finished third overall in the tour de france this year, crossing the line in paris only last weekend. he won gold in the road race at the commonwealth games in glasgow in 2014. tesni evans won wales' first ever female squash medal during the 2018 games. germany manager martina voss—tecklenburg says the final of the women's euros will be a special one for football fans after securing their place at wembley with victory over france in the semis. the wolfsburg striker alexandra popp was the heroine, scoring in each half in a 2—1win. she's scored six goals in five games now. germany will face england in sunday's final, with nearly 90,000 expected at wembley. it's been a successful tournament

overall for the women's game, but players union fifpro says footballers need to play more matches to prevent the gap between the best teams and the rest from getting bigger. i think one really telling statistic is that england may, for example, play 45% more matches in the last year the northern ireland so i think evenin year the northern ireland so i think even in women's football, amongst the big 16 teams in europe, there are still a gap. there are still vastly different levels of preparedness coming into the tournament for where we are at in women's football. we do need to focus on the markets that are there, their home base for the teams and players already competing, because the leagues are too small. there is not enough competitive opportunities. we don't access international club football, for example, so that really needs some attention as well. lorena weibes has won stage five

of the tour de france femmes. remarkably, only denmark's emma norsgaard had to drop out of the race after being injured in this crash that involved around thirty riders. wiebes claimed her second stage win of the race and strengthen her grip on the green points jersey. her fellow dutch woman marianna vos finished third to retain the overall lead. that's all the sport for now. plenty more from birmingham through the afternoon. paul, thanks very much. the number of people who died of drug misuse in scotland last year fell slightly to 1,330 — the first time the figure fallen in eight years. but scotland still has by far the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in europe. our scotland editor james cook reports. i started at an early age, yeah, started at about 11 or 12 year old. by the time he was 16, chris had tried cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, lsd and amphetamines. but it was heroin which he says ruined his life. i'm very lucky to be alive. there's been many occasions where i possibly could have overdosed and died.

and i know people, i have had people within my life that have passed away sadly to overdose. drug deaths in scotland have risen dramatically over the past quarter of a century. they are now more than five times as high as they were in the mid—�*905, and although there has been a slight fall, they remain by far the highest recorded in europe. it contains three needles. we have seen a trend of increasing drug deaths since 2013 which has halted but i am determined to use this change as a real platform to power ahead, to do more. it contains three needles. at this support service in glasgow, they do what they can to keep drug addicts safe. this vending machine provides clean needles and other paraphernalia. but some critics of the scottish government's approach say ministers should be trying harder to get people off drugs altogether. the majority of our treatment budget is currently going into what we would call really vital harm reduction practices, but we are not offering people

the chance to get well. we are not offering them the chance to detox and get rehab and to recover. are you enjoying my cups of tea? chris is confident he is now on the road to recovery. a charity called with you has helped him, and he is now volunteering to help others, in a country still struggling with an addiction emergency. james cook, bbc news, glasgow. the actor and singer bernard cribbins, whose career spanned seven decades, has died aged 93. mr cribbins narrated the 19705 children's programme the wombles. and his appeareances in doctor who date back to the 19605 when the series began. our media and arts correspondent david sillito looks back at his life. me, sir, i'm perks! good wives and private soldiers should be ignorant. and i'll keep herfrom your instruction, i warrant you. bernard cribbins —

he was in everything. morning, tobermory. you look hot. from classical drama to the wombles. what about a nice drop of brandy in your tea? that's a very sound idea, lenny. two way stretch with peter sellers in 1960 was an early film role, but he'd already been acting for 17 years. he'd started out in rep in 0ldham when he was 1a. i'm the new midshipman. poopdecker is my name — albert poopdecker. in the �*605, he was appearing in the carry on films. # there i was, digging this hole...# and recording some very successful comic songs. one i must have and no offence, i know, day like this. haven't taken too great a liberty, have i, on a day like this? you know? but perhaps his best—known film role was lovable mr perks in the railway children. oh, dear. we'll never manage by ourselves. and his voice was part of daily life, from the wombles... i never realised before

what hard work cooking is. ..to buzby... is this thejiffy plumbing service? ..to tufty. mrs fluffytail is walking along the road with tufty... 0h, doctor, what about you now? who have you got? this appearance in doctor who was his second doctor, a0 years after his first spell in the tardis. still, that's fine. from perks to songs to jackanory to fawlty towers, bernard cribbins could turn his hand to anything. right on time! he was, for millions of us, a down—to—earth, funny, friendly, much loved part of childhood. bernard cribbins, who has died aged 93. kyiv says moscow is moving troops to the south of the country where a counter—offensive

by ukrainian forces is under way, in an attempt to retake the city of kherson. kherson was the first city to fall to russia in the war. now uk defence officials say it is "virtually cut off from other territories" held by the russians. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams has more from kyiv. the aftermath of a ferocious ukrainian barrage late on tuesday on a key bridge in russian—controlled territory. the damage is clear to see. from moscow, this is a setback. kherson is vulnerable, separated from the rest of russian— controlled southern ukraine by the wide dnipro river. russia needs a number of key bridges to keep its forces supplied, which is why ukraine has been hitting them. kherson was one of the first cities captured by the russians at the beginning of march. it fell without a fight, a significant prize for moscow.

a shocked population protested, but there was very little they could do. russia wants to annex the whole area. it is spoken about carrying out a referendum. but now, they want to take it back. and this is why kyiv thinks it has a chance. this high powered artillery rocket system supplied by the americans. used to hit distant targets including bridges with great accuracy. the ukrainians have to fight different from the russians. they can'tjust different from the russians. they can't just use a different from the russians. they can'tjust use a hammer to destroy population centres, these are ukrainian cities, so they have to be very careful about how they go about it, and the strikes on this bridge are exactly that. they have modelled exactly what they might have to replicate in the east further down the line. russia are said to be sending reinforcements to curse on. to lose such an important city would be a do with the most significant defeat

from for moscow since it withdrew its forces from the city kyiv back in april. but if it happens at all, it won't be quick. and in the eastern donbas, russia's grinding bombardment goes on. not as intense before, but tell that to the people of this village. here, a lucky escape. the city is being hit hard. if the course of this war is changing, is changing slowly. more now on one of our main stories. nhs england has announced new plans to treat young people with gender dysphoria at specialist children's hospitals. the current gender identity service run by the tavistock and portman nhs foundation trust will be closed, after it was criticised by an independent review. we're joned now by dr david bell, former president of the british psychoanalytic society and a former consultant psychiatrist at the tavistock and portman nhs foundation. he was a whistleblower who raised concerns about the trust's gender identity development service.

thank you very much forjoining us. what are your thoughts on what has been announced today? well, this is really the end of a long chain of events which has been going on for many years now, and has been increasingly intense in terms of criticism of the gender service. as you said, i was a consultant at the tavistock last year, and was also a member of the council of governors, and in that capacity, i wrote a very critical port of report about the gender service in 2018. there's a very critical report. since then, there have been a number of other very serious criticisms, including the judicial review, the care quality commission, various parents�* groups complaining. so i

think it's a good thing that the services at last closing down. the cast report, there was a report released very recently, if you months back which was an interim report, that echoes the concerns that many people like myself have raised about the gender service being an inappropriate model. i'm sorry, i can't stop that coming up on my computer, i'm afraid. don't worry, we can't see anything. we can see you and hear you clearly. i'm hearing messages coming up, i am so sorry. anyway, so the interim report echoed a lot of concerns that many people had raised that this is the wrong model, that is, that there shouldn't be a national service for gender identity, and that it is the wrong treatment for these children. originally, the service used what is called the affirmation model, which is a very inappropriate model for treating children and young people.

that is, that there gender conflict and the dysphoria and the disturbance and the pain they were feeling was immediately accepted as being due to there being transgender, rather than having gender dysphoria and they were put onto an inappropriate treatment of puberty blockers opposite sex omens and surgery. —— sex hormones. now know there are a large group of detransitioners who are having to live with the inappropriate consequences of this treatment. some went on to have surgery they now regret. so i'm now very pleased that this independent review has supported this view and we can protect these children from this inappropriate treatment. one of the pru there were problems is that it is a terrible stain on the reputation of the tavistock, something that i and many colleagues raised. many people think the

tavistock is the gender service. the tavistock is the gender service. the tavistock is the gender service. the tavistock is so much more, but its traditions have been really damaged ijy traditions have been really damaged by this precipitate giving into an ideology without proper forethought, so... but what i'm most concerned about, of course, is what is going to happen some of these children who have been given the wrong treatment and are living with the damages of that. also, children have complex problems, many of them with complex problems, many of them with complex problems about their sexuality, internalised feelings of hatred against their sexual body for complicated reasons, sometimes trauma, sometimes depression, large incidence of autism. these other problems were not addressed because everything, because of the model, got seen through the crystal of gender, and therefore, they have got the double problem of living with the double problem of living with the wrong treatment and their original problems weren't addressed, but the last thing i would like to say is that these children need to

be looked after in the context of local services, be looked after in the context of localservices, but be looked after in the context of local services, but we need to bear in mind as we all know that the nhs as a whole is an absolutely crippled state at the moment, and this was a case before covid, so much worse now. so much worse in mental health services, which are on their knees, and particularly children and adolescent services, so we're not going to deal with this problem in the context of what are called camhs, without a big rethink about how they are organised and proper funding. and if! funding. and if i can ask you just briefly, you have been through a very tortured process, and this whole question has become very political and very divisive and very difficult. foranyone and very divisive and very difficult. for anyone watching him is concerned about themselves or their children, what are the changes announced today going to mean for young people who need help, you need guidance? do you think it is going

to be a positive step forwards, that there is going to be clarity, that people can go forward outside of a very rancorous political debate? well, the short answer to that is no, because i'm sure there is going to pay a fury from those... it is not fair to talk about the trans— lobby, because there are many trans people who also do not agree with this treatment of children, but there has been a huge ideological pressure from stonewall, mermaids and other organisations, and of course, they will challenge this. they will say this is transphobic. they will say this is transphobic. they will say this is transphobic. they will try and influence politicians and services in the way they have done before. but this is a first, very, very important move in the right direction. it will take quite a lot of unpacking, and as i said, what we hope that children and young people will now have access to a more appropriate service which

should have a kind of neutrality, not be lined up with a political agenda. but the bigger problem, even bigger than this, in schools. because these schools have also been caught up in this politicisation, and this is causing considerable damage to children, and a lot of children are developing these kinds of problems in school. there was a very good programme recently on panorama about lots and lots of children getting to rett syndrome because of media influence and all sorts of complicated situations, particularly during covid. but that has also been the same for these children with gender problems. so there needs to be, although the government have produced very good guidelines for schools, they are not being followed, and they are not really helping these children at the moment, because they have fallen in with the wrong agenda, so i hope they will similarly be infamous. doctor david bell, thank you very much. it is a complex and difficult

and sensitive area, but thank you very much. and sensitive area, but thank you very much-— and sensitive area, but thank you ve much. :. , :, very much. can i 'ust say one thing before you _ very much. can ijust say one thing before you close? _ very much. can ijust say one thing before you close? briefly. - very much. can ijust say one thing before you close? briefly. i- very much. can ijust say one thing before you close? briefly. i don't l before you close? briefly. i don't think in a way — before you close? briefly. i don't think in a way it _ before you close? briefly. i don't think in a way it is _ before you close? briefly. i don't think in a way it is complex. - before you close? briefly. i don't think in a way it is complex. i - think in a way it is complex. i think in a way it is complex. i think it is quite simple these children have been given the wrong treatment. that is not complex. we take that point. thank you for your time. thank you. now to something rather different, and the media front. after 37 years and nearly 9,000 episodes, the last episode of the soap opera neighbours has screened in australia. kylie minogue and jason donovan returned for the show, offering viewers "'the perfect blend' of tearjerking nostalgia from the programme's heyday. joining me now is neighbours super—fan karen rainey. she loves the show so much, she had a cardboard cut out of her favourite character paul robinson at her wedding, after her husband proposed to her with a paul robinson mask on! how are you feeling that the last episode has been aired or is airing?

yes, so basically, it has already aired in australia but it airs tomorrow in the uk, but i am devastated. i mean, i have watched it my whole life, and just can't believe it's finishing for good, although i do believe it's going to get the sendoff it deserves. why do you love it so much? i mean, as i said, i have watched it my whole life. ijust i mean, as i said, i have watched it my whole life. i just think the characters gelled so well together. it's such a well—run show, and the storylines appeal to all age groups. it's diverse, and it's also relatable for a lot of people, and i was actually on an australian radio station this morning and i said it was the best ever, because it has the iconic storylines, comedy, drama, cliffhangers, and it really is the highlight of the evening, and just brings so much warmth.

and fun. we are seeing some images from your house and your wedding. did you really have a cardboard cutout of paul robinson at your wedding? cutout of paul robinson at your weddin: ? . :, , wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcomin: wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcoming guest _ wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcoming guest into _ wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcoming guest into the _ wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcoming guest into the wedding, - wedding? yes, we did, we did. he was welcoming guest into the wedding, so | welcoming guest into the wedding, so that was well received! truth? welcoming guest into the wedding, so that was well received!— that was well received! why is he our that was well received! why is he your favourite? _ that was well received! why is he your favourite? oh, _ that was well received! why is he your favourite? oh, i— that was well received! why is he your favourite? oh, i don't - that was well received! why is he j your favourite? oh, i don't know. that was well received! why is he | your favourite? oh, i don't know. i have loved — your favourite? oh, i don't know. i have loved him _ your favourite? oh, i don't know. i have loved him from... _ your favourite? oh, i don't know. i have loved him from... ever- your favourite? oh, i don't know. i have loved him from... ever since | your favourite? oh, i don't know. i. have loved him from... ever since he has been in it. ijust think he is like a lovable rogue. he is like a bad boy, but he also does have a good heart. bad boy, but he also does have a good heart-— good heart. when your husband doesnt good heart. when your husband doesn't mind — good heart. when your husband doesn't mind this?! _ good heart. when your husband doesn't mind this?! element. good heart. when your husband - doesn't mind this?! element well... well... we are going to the tour at the waterfront in march next year, and i think he is hoping he is not going to be there! i am not surprised! but he goes along with it. so will you watch reruns now? is that when you will have to do?— have to do? yes, ijust think i'm have to do? yes, i 'ust think i'm auoin to have to do? yes, i 'ust think i'm going to watch — have to do? yes, i 'ust think i'm going to watch it _ have to do? yes, ijust think i'm going to watch it from _ have to do? yes, ijust think i'm going to watch it from the - have to do? yes, ijust think i'm going to watch it from the start | going to watch it from the start again, andjust going to watch it from the start again, and just keep watching it, you know?

again, and 'ust keep watching it, you know?— you know? what, from the very beginning? _ you know? what, from the very beginning? yes, _ you know? what, from the very beginning? yes, i— you know? what, from the very beginning? yes, i think- you know? what, from the very beginning? yes, i think i - you know? what, from the very beginning? yes, i think i will. l you know? what, from the very l beginning? yes, i think i will. are ou old beginning? yes, i think i will. are you old enough — beginning? yes, i think i will. are you old enough to _ beginning? yes, i think i will. are you old enough to remember - beginning? yes, i think i will. are you old enough to remember the | beginning? yes, i think i will. are - you old enough to remember the very early once? i you old enough to remember the very earl once? :. you old enough to remember the very earl once? :, ,':,": you old enough to remember the very earl once? :, ,':,': :, early once? i am 33 now, so i can vaouel early once? i am 33 now, so i can vaguely remember... _ early once? i am 33 now, so i can vaguely remember... well, - early once? i am 33 now, so i can - vaguely remember... well, obviously i can't go back to 37 years, but i can vaguely remember some of the older episodes. but it will be nice to watch them again and just be able to watch them again and just be able to watch them again and just be able to watch it from the start. 95nd to watch it from the start. and k lie and to watch it from the start. and kylie and jason, _ to watch it from the start. and kylie and jason, do _ to watch it from the start. and kylie and jason, do they factor in your top characters?— kylie and jason, do they factor in your top characters? yeah... i mean, the are your top characters? yeah... i mean, they are top — your top characters? yeah... i mean, they are top characters, _ your top characters? yeah... i mean, they are top characters, but - your top characters? yeah... i mean, they are top characters, but my - your top characters? yeah... i mean, they are top characters, but my top l they are top characters, but my top character is paul robinson. but then, i also love karl and susan, and i also love melanie, who has come into it recently. she is getting married to toadie. so i like her as well. i'm afraid you have lost me there! i am the kylie and jason era. but i'm sure lots of people will sympathise with you about it all ending. but we can watch the reruns if we

won. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much for having me. and enjoy the last episode. vanessa feltz has announced she is leaving her two bbc radio programmes after more than two decades. the broadcaster will present her last early breakfast show on bbc radio 2 on friday. she will sign off from bbc radio london in late august. ms feltz says she has "loved every moment" but is stepping down "to catch up on a much needed decade's deficit of beauty sleep". she does have an extraordinary routine, an extraordinary amount of stamina. good luck to her. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. the driest parts of the uk are set to stay that way for at least the next few days. we have seen some rain in parts of scotland so far today. that said, the further north you are, the more likely you will stay dry today and get to see some sunny spells, wherein south—west scotland today we have seen some heavy, even thundery rain.

high pressure beginning to edge away. into that, a week when the disturbance comes in, bringing a lot of cloud, and the chance write this in patchy rain or showers from parts of south—west and then, wales, north—west and then, easternmost parts of northern ireland, but especially through the rest of the day, edging further north through scotland, though not reaching the far north and north—west, with the sunny spells here. a bit of hazy brightness into the east and south—east of england as well. temperatures high teens, low 205. temperatures high teen5, low 205. the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games in birmingham thi5 commonwealth games in birmingham this evening. it is likely to stay dry de5pite this evening. it is likely to stay dry despite all of the clown around, and temperatures edging 5lowly down from 20. in tonight, 5till and temperatures edging 5lowly down from 20. in tonight, still a lot of cloud producing some patchy rain in places. more e5pecially into place5. more e5pecially into northern and then, part5 place5. more e5pecially into northern and then, parts of scotland, mainly into the cell. some clear 5pell5 developing elsewhere. temperatures a touch higher overnight, and that is most noticeably 50 into scotland. tomorrow, more on the way of sunny 5pell5 around. a cloudy 5tart 5pell5 around. a cloudy start another link south—east scotland, outbreaks of rain ju5t clearing ea5tward5, and scotland and northern

england, they will be further scattered showers following on behind, and the chance of a shower ju5t behind, and the chance of a shower just about anywhere else, but many places will be staying dry, broken cloud, sunny spells, and it will feel warmer. in fact, cloud, sunny spells, and it will feel warmer. infact, central eastern, south—eastern in them, mid to upper 205 in places. northern ireland and the evening, cloud thickening, outbreaks of rain with a freshening breeze, and rain pushing over scotland overnight, and into saturday, an area of north del at high pressure. weakening as it does so, cloud and a few splashes of rain. a mixed picture on saturday, nowhere really getting a wash—out. there will be bright and sunny spells towards eastern scotland early on in the east and south—east of england feeling warm, when you get to see some sunshine. this weather system in no hurry to clear a wagering party of the weekend on sunday. the chance of seeing some rain even further south then you see here. of course, there is a big football match happening on sunday at wembley, so if you are following that one, it is the case, when it

comes to the weather, watch this space. bye—bye.

this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines: a report into the murder of 13—month—old leiland—james corkill in cumbria calls for better communication between agencies. he was killed injanuary last year by a woman who had hoped to adopt him. we are all deeply saddened and sorry for leiland—james corkill�*s death at the hands of laura castle and i share the public�*s shock and anger. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. legal history is made as broadcasters airjudges'

sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time. excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. preparations are well under way here at the alexander stadium. it all kicks off at eight o'clock tonight, where we are expecting up to 30,000 spectators and athletes from all 72 nations and territories. hello. a report looking into events leading up to the death of a 13—month—old boy in cumbria has found that the woman

who killed him misled social workers about her mental health, her alcohol use, and her debts. leiland—james corkill was killed injanuary last year by laura castle, a woman who had hoped to adopt him. a safeguarding report found that relevant information about castle was not shared between agencies. it concluded that checks on people who want to adopt should be strengthened. first, our special correspondent, ed thomas, has this report. it contains some distressing details. "mummy, please don't be sad. "i miss you so much too. "i'm safe. "it's so beautiful up here. "but i do worry when i see you cry." laura inhales sharply. the words of laura corkill read at the funeral of her son, leiland—james. .. and what do you remember about him? his smile, his cheeky laugh, his big, bright eyes. ..murdered by the woman who promised to love and care for him. when he came home, it was in a wooden box. is this home? yeah. this is the first time

laura corkill has told her story. how long have you been here for? six years. it starts with her son being removed by a social worker. taken at birth from his hospital cot. i was in bits. what was leiland—james doing? crying. cumbria county council say they told laura they planned to remove leiland—james. she denies this. years before, laura suffered severe domestic violence, abuse that she says social workers feared would happen again — a so—called "risk of future emotional harm." she believes that is why her son was taken. what should have happened to leiland—james? he'd come home with support in place. absolutely. yeah, absolutely. aishea and rebecca support women who have faced domestic abuse. they offered social workers a plan to bring leiland—james home. we did have e—mails going back and forward between us to see if we could work out a plan of support to see

what we could offer. and was that negotiated, were you listened to? both: no. leiland—james' fate was already determined. cumbria county council had identified him for adoption. yeah, i was expecting him to come home. this was the last photo of mother and son together. was this during contact? that was my last contact. she would never hold leiland—james alive again. laura corkill says she repeatedly asked for leiland—james to come back home. inside, she told me she passed several parenting assessments. and one social worker, she says, told her she could get the baby's room ready for when he came back here. cumbria county council say in april 2020, they told laura the plan was for leiland—james to be adopted. and injuly, the family courts agreed. in august 2020, social workers placed leiland—james with this

woman, laura castle. he cries. she would repeatedly beat him. she filmed him in distress. stood up like that... injanuary, 2021, she murdered leiland—james. how can someone hurt an innocent child? what, just because they couldn't cope with him? doesn't mean you've got to kill them. sorry. before leiland—james died, a social worker refused to tell laura which hospital he was in. it was 2a hours later, and then they eventually told me it was liverpool alder hey hospital. by the time i got down there he had already been dead. and then eventually i went into his room. ijust wanted to pick him up. but they wouldn't allow me. your child. they wouldn't allow me to pick him up. laura sniffs.

i spent more time with leiland in death than in life. the safeguarding review into the decision to allow leiland—james into laura castle's care will be published later. laura corkill was not asked to be part of it. i loved him. millions and millions. and ed thomas, who's been investigating this, joins me now. urge, this report has come out and we are getting statements, aren't we? . we are getting statements, aren't we? , : :, :, we are getting statements, aren't we? , :, :, :,, we? yes, we can now report what was in the safeguarding _ we? yes, we can now report what was in the safeguarding review _ we? yes, we can now report what was in the safeguarding review now- we? yes, we can now report what was in the safeguarding review now and i in the safeguarding review now and it is important to remember this review was looking at two things. one, the decision to replace leiland—james corkill in the home of laura castle and then the decision—making of social workers leading up to the 13—month—old's

death. this review has found that laura castle lied and misled social workers her mental, physical health, about her alcohol use, about her issues with debts. it also says relevant information was not shared between agencies that could have made a difference to leiland—james corkill�*s life. it has concluded that checks on people who want to adopt should be strengthened, and thatis adopt should be strengthened, and that is notjust in west cumbria, where this is, it is saying this should happen right across the country. i think we can now hear from john redmond, executive director of people at cumbria county council and he apologised and offered his condolences to the birth family of leiland—james corkill. we are all deeply saddened and sorry for leiland—james corkill's death at the hands of laura castle. and i share the public's shock and anger. it should not have happened and our absolute condolences to both family

and all who knew leiland—james. this report today is so important. we fully accept the findings and recommendations have played a key part in contributing to it. it recommends national action and also action for us in cumbria. we have not waited to implement that and we will already be making significant changes, not least to how, strengthening the process of how we assess people going through adoption. it is already a very engaging, complex process. also in terms of how we work with the nhs, particularly about sharing information, and also what we do, what more we can do to support adoptive families if they are struggling. so the question, of course, is how did this happen?— so the question, of course, is how did this happen? yes. the court case into leiland-james _ did this happen? yes. the court case into leiland-james corkill's - did this happen? yes. the court case into leiland-james corkill's death . into leiland—james corkill's death was harrowing. it found out that laura castle was beating leiland—james corkill repeatedly. she was filming him in distress,

messages, she called him the double's spawn and she bragged how she had levelled him and it seems from this, the people who should have been checking up on leiland—james corkill and making sure he was safe, namely cumbria county council, the person who carried out this review, leslie walker, is the independent scrutiny for cumbria's safeguarding partnership and this is what she had to say. i can understand why people would be questioning why, why cant nobody pick up on the issues? clearly, the criminal trial also evidenced that the prospective adoptive mother was extremely deceitful, she lied to a _ whole range of professionals. as part of this review, we did bring practitioners together, as would normally be the case in reviews, and to really look at where there and to really look at were there normally be the case in reviews, and to really look at were there no opportunities in terms of signs, symptoms, anything that could have been picked up on? as i have already said, we tried to avoid hindsight, but i know the professionals involved have asked themselves that question as well. it is very clear that all the professionals involved,

there were no indicators of what was really going on within that house and they were seen by a number of professionals through that period and in fact theirfamily members were— not aware of what was going on within their day—to—day living situation, so it is very difficult to pick up on those particular issues. so what more do we know about the failings here? this so what more do we know about the failings here?— failings here? this report is clear that laura castle _ failings here? this report is clear that laura castle was _ failings here? this report is clear that laura castle was not - failings here? this report is clear that laura castle was not being l that laura castle was not being honest with professionals, but it has highlighted the difficulty with that. professionals were asking laura castle questions, what is your mental health like? she was saying, fine. and it is suggested that the crucial information between doctors or people who are helping laura castle has not been shared and was not being given to professionals. now, professor sarah o'brien is the chief nursing officer in lancashire and south cumbria and she says this

needs to be addressed now. evident from the review that there is a lot of learning around information sharing across different partners in the nhs. so, some of the information that the mum had revealed when she accessed first step wasn't included in a letter to the gp and also some of the information that gp had received from other hospital appointments hadn't all been triangulated. i think one of the learnings from the review is to have more robust systems to flag to primary care and to other clinicians the whole picture around it. so, there wasn't a flag on the surgery records that showed that there was a child going for adoption from that family, which might have then heightened the _ awareness around some of that information. as part of the learning from this review, those things are now being addressed and we are doing a lot of work to make those processes more robust _ we heard in your report, ed, a bit more from leiland—james corkill's mother. where is she in all this

now? i mean, heartbreaking, unbearable agony doesn't really even begin to describe it.— begin to describe it. cumbria county council said — begin to describe it. cumbria county council said they were _ begin to describe it. cumbria county council said they were deeply - begin to describe it. cumbria county council said they were deeply sorryl council said they were deeply sorry and offered condolences to leiland—james corkill's birth family. laura corkill, leiland—james corkill's mother, was not asked to be part of this review. she had no stake in this whatsoever. throughout my time with her, she says she repeatedly asked for leiland—james corkill back to be with her. her key workers, a key worker is�* manager said leiland—james corkill should have been returned to her with support in place and what she said was, if leiland—james corkill was in her house he would still be alive today. and reading this report today, there is nothing in this report that would question that assertion. :, :, , , assertion. ok. ed thomas, obviously an incredibly — assertion. ok. ed thomas, obviously an incredibly difficult, _ assertion. ok. ed thomas, obviously an incredibly difficult, distressing - an incredibly difficult, distressing case, but thank you very much for your time. british gas owner centrica has begun paying dividends to shareholders again,

with the company reporting a big rise in profits for the first half of the year. it comes as uk households face increasing pressure from rising energy bills. gas prices are soaring, driven in part by russia's war in ukraine. a short time ago, i spoke to our business and economy editor, douglas fraser, who told me more about centrica. it claims to be making a loss on its retail division because of that price cap, but making very substantial profits upstream where it is drilling for oil and gas and with nuclear power stations as well. we are getting this from several of the other very large companies, shell today announcing £9.5 billion profit for only three months. we are also hearing from total energy based in france, does a lot of drilling in uk waters £4.5 billion there — equinor, which sends a lot of its gas into britain from norway, £14.5 billion of profit for three months announced just yesterday. it is hard to justify these figures, but they say the market sets the prices, a lot of the profits are going to shareholders and also going into investment in new oil

and gas resources to try to get supply up and into renewables, in order to make that transition that we are all agreeing is very well worth doing. will they be subject, though, to the windfall taxes that were called for by the labour party and the government adopted? well, the windfall taxes were £5 billion. what the companies said when that was introduced was that that brings in an element of uncertainty, but it is fairly small beer compared with the amount of money they are making, as i say, in only three months. the pressure is now on for the windfall tax to be extended. it is not very clear how long it is in place for, after all, so yes, that pressure will continue, a lot of criticism coming from these companies about the profits they are making, but their defence is they have probably underinvested in the last few years in order to keep supply up. the other part of the equation is demand has to be suppressed and part of that is about insulating our homes less, about the transition to battery powered transport.

douglas fraser there. nhs england has announced new plans to treat young people with gender dysphoria at specialist children's hospitals. the current gender identity service run by the tavistock and portman nhs foundation trust will be closed, after it was criticised by an independent review. i am joined now by stephanie davies—arai, the founder and director of a safeguarding campaign group called transgender trend. this group campaigns for evidence—based health care for dysphoric children and young people. thanks for your time today. what is your response to this report and announced today? brute your response to this report and announced today?— your response to this report and announced today? we are very, very ha . at announced today? we are very, very happy at this — announced today? we are very, very happy at this announcement. - announced today? we are very, very happy at this announcement. it - announced today? we are very, very happy at this announcement. it is i happy at this announcement. it is everything that we have called for the last seven years, that children with gender dysphoria should be treated within the normal paediatric clinical care and mental health care. gender dysphoria should not be separated out into some specialist area, but most clinicians and

therapists are able to help these children and adolescents who are typically autistic, gay or lesbian, there is a high percentage from care homes, and they often have co—occurring mental health issues, issues that were already there, so we don't know whether their issue is actually about gender or not. there may be some causative factor that needs thorough exploration and mental health support. as doctor hilary cass said in her interim report, having a separate gender clinic assumes the word gender is mentioned and all other issues tend to be overlooked and overshadowed by that one diagnosis. what to be overlooked and overshadowed by that one diagnosis.— that one diagnosis. what do you think it is going _ that one diagnosis. what do you think it is going to _ that one diagnosis. what do you think it is going to mean - that one diagnosis. what do you think it is going to mean for - think it is going to mean for families, for young people who now need help going forward? what is the picture going to look like across the uk? ~ :, , :, :, the uk? well, one, is there going to be able to access _

the uk? well, one, is there going to be able to access the _ the uk? well, one, is there going to be able to access the local— be able to access the local services, which will be extended, and two, they are going to see the same level of care as any adolescent who needs the support of mental health services. so, the services will be in line with proper clinical standards, which we know from the doctor hilary cass report hasn't been the case at tavistock, where there have been huge failings and huge harm is done to children because the medical pathway that they are put on has hugely significant effects on them for the rest of their lives. i mean, it is not insignificant, the results of the medical treatment. it can be sterilisation, loss of sexual function, changes in the body that cannot be reversed. is function, changes in the body that cannot be reversed.— cannot be reversed. is there any risk of, cannot be reversed. is there any risk of. you _ cannot be reversed. is there any risk of, you know, _ cannot be reversed. is there any risk of, you know, political- risk of, you know, political pressure from all different sides affecting the medical treatment, the guidance that, you know,

professionals are able to give, even though this is being rolled out in different centres now? i though this is being rolled out in different centres now?— though this is being rolled out in different centres now? i think that has been the _ different centres now? i think that has been the problem _ different centres now? i think that has been the problem at - different centres now? i think that has been the problem at the - has been the problem at the tavistock, the political pressure by lobby groups has resulted in, for example, puberty blockers being given at an earlier age. and it is really unprecedented that an nhs service would listen and consult with what are essentially political lobby groups about the care of children, and hopefully in this new system that political pressure will not be put on these regional clinics, but that. and i think we really need to look at how that happened in the first place. ok. ste-hanie happened in the first place. 0k. stephanie davies—arai, we will leave it there. thank you very much for your time today.— the final preparations are being put in place for the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games in birmingham tonight. more than 6,500 athletes and officials are involved. let's go straight to my colleague, reeta chakrabarti, in birmingham.

how is it looking? well, it has been re how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy — how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy here — how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy here until _ how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy here untiljust - how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy here untiljust a - how is it looking? well, it has been pretty noisy here untiljust a few . pretty noisy here untiljust a few minutes ago and i must say i am thankful because it is easier for me to talk to you, but preparations are well under way. the commonwealth games 2022 opens in birmingham later today. a5 as you said, and there is a lot of excitement and anticipation here. organisers say it's the biggest in the event's history. prince charles will represent the queen tonight and performances will include local music and dance groups, emphasising birmingham's diversity. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will take part over the next 11 days. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events, and for the first time there will be more medals for women than for men — and the para events will be included as part of the main games. i'm joined now by our sport

correspondent, nesta mcgregor. he was telling me you are here really fully best part of two weeks, aren't you, get embedded in? tell us more about the new sports these games. more about the new sports these names. , more about the new sports these .ames. , ., , , more about the new sports these names. , :, , , :, :, �* games. yes, absolutely, and i don't think games — games. yes, absolutely, and i don't think games organisers _ games. yes, absolutely, and i don't think games organisers can - games. yes, absolutely, and i don't think games organisers can ignore l think games organisers can ignore the fact— think games organisers can ignore the fact that with the world championships last week a few high—profile athletes have pulled out, but — high—profile athletes have pulled out, but still over the next 11 days some _ out, but still over the next 11 days some of— out, but still over the next 11 days some of the top stars are going to be here _ some of the top stars are going to be here from the world, in team england — be here from the world, in team england adam peaty you have lots of other high—profile athletes, scotland's middle runner laura, so people _ scotland's middle runner laura, so peppte are — scotland's middle runner laura, so people are still going to be witnessing some of the greatest sporting — witnessing some of the greatest sporting athletes that have ever been _ sporting athletes that have ever been and — sporting athletes that have ever been and i should say as well as the new sports— been and i should say as well as the new sports as well, there is a new kind of— new sports as well, there is a new kind of basketball, which is really exciting _ kind of basketball, which is really exciting and really fast paced, we have _ exciting and really fast paced, we have women's t20 cricket for the first time — have women's t20 cricket for the first time as well and as you mentioned the largest ever contingent of para— sports, more medals—

contingent of para— sports, more medals handed out to females than males. _ medals handed out to females than males. so _ medals handed out to females than males, so you can see the commonwealth games are really trying to lead _ commonwealth games are really trying to lead when it comes to inclusivity and diversity as well. in to lead when it comes to inclusivity and diversity as well.— and diversity as well. in terms of the wider impact _ and diversity as well. in terms of the wider impact these _ and diversity as well. in terms of the wider impact these games i and diversity as well. in terms of| the wider impact these games are making on the city and the region because of these a west midlands games, how would you assess that? again, it is hard to ignore that birmingham picked up the button when durban _ birmingham picked up the button when durban dropped it and hosted the games— durban dropped it and hosted the games last minute and when you look around _ games last minute and when you look around it— games last minute and when you look around it has got the feel of the last few— around it has got the feel of the last few moments of a home improvement tv programme with the hi-h improvement tv programme with the high viz— improvement tv programme with the high vizjackets and rushing around, but no _ high vizjackets and rushing around, but no doubt, birmingham as a city say they— but no doubt, birmingham as a city say they are — but no doubt, birmingham as a city say they are ready to host these games — say they are ready to host these games i— say they are ready to host these games. i was here last week and the excitement— games. i was here last week and the excitement level was about a seven, today— excitement level was about a seven, today it _ excitement level was about a seven, today it is _ excitement level was about a seven, today it is definitely a ten. this is the _ today it is definitely a ten. this is the alexander stadium and we have been privy— is the alexander stadium and we have been privy to a little sneak peek of the opening ceremony tonight, we have also— the opening ceremony tonight, we have also seen the aquatic centre and i_ have also seen the aquatic centre and i think— have also seen the aquatic centre and i think throughout birmingham, it has— and i think throughout birmingham, it has cost— and i think throughout birmingham, it has cost them nearly £800 million. _ it has cost them nearly £800 million, the legacy these games leave _ million, the legacy these games leave behind, whether that is its

very mixed generation or even volunteers, equipping them with skills. _ volunteers, equipping them with skills. it — volunteers, equipping them with skills, it ensures that when these games— skills, it ensures that when these games are — skills, it ensures that when these games are gone it ensures the legacy will remain _ games are gone it ensures the legacy will remain. you games are gone it ensures the legacy will remain. :, :, , games are gone it ensures the legacy will remain-— will remain. you have been looking into that for _ will remain. you have been looking into that for us, _ will remain. you have been looking into that for us, let's _ ta ke take a look. this time round at least, take a look. this time round at least. bike _ take a look. this time round at least, bike polo _ take a look. this time round at least, bike polo isn't _ take a look. this time round at least, bike polo isn't the - take a look. this time round at least, bike polo isn't the only i least, bike polo isn't the only sport— least, bike polo isn't the only sport being showcased, but sports like this— sport being showcased, but sports like this one are benefiting from funding — like this one are benefiting from funding allocated to the host city. there _ funding allocated to the host city. there are — funding allocated to the host city. there are probably eight to ten cities from around the uk that played. we have spent our money on the equipment, facilities, our time and we are hoping to do a little tournament at the end of some refreshments and first aid. we will try to have a bit of a party around at the end. try to have a bit of a party around at the end-— try to have a bit of a party around at the end. a, :, :: :: :: :, , at the end. more than 5000 athletes from 72 nations _ at the end. more than 5000 athletes from 72 nations and _ at the end. more than 5000 athletes from 72 nations and territories - at the end. more than 5000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will i from 72 nations and territories will experience — from 72 nations and territories will experience the best of rummy hospitality. world champion gymnast joe cerezo _ hospitality. world champion gymnast joe cerezo reddy knows it well. it joe cerezo reddy knows it well. [it is not joe cerezo reddy knows it well. it is not everyday you get the opportunity _ is not everyday you get the opportunity to _ is not everyday you get the opportunity to do - is not everyday you get the opportunity to do a - is not everyday you get the opportunity to do a major. opportunity to do a major competition— opportunity to do a major competition in— opportunity to do a major competition in your- opportunity to do a major competition in your backi opportunity to do a major- competition in your back garden. everyone — competition in your back garden. everyone is— competition in your back garden. everyone is buying _ competition in your back garden. everyone is buying tickets - competition in your back garden. everyone is buying tickets and i competition in your back garden. - everyone is buying tickets and wants to support. — everyone is buying tickets and wants to support. but _ everyone is buying tickets and wants

to support, but now— everyone is buying tickets and wants to support, but now they _ everyone is buying tickets and wants to support, but now they are - everyone is buying tickets and wants to support, but now they are going i to support, but now they are going to support, but now they are going to have _ to support, but now they are going to have the — to support, but now they are going to have the opportunity— to support, but now they are going to have the opportunity to - to support, but now they are going to have the opportunity to see - to support, but now they are going i to have the opportunity to see what i to have the opportunity to see what i have _ to have the opportunity to see what i have been— to have the opportunity to see what i have been doing _ to have the opportunity to see what i have been doing and _ to have the opportunity to see what i have been doing and grafting - to have the opportunity to see what i have been doing and grafting for. i have been doing and grafting for my whole — i have been doing and grafting for my whole life _ i have been doing and grafting for my whole life. the _ i have been doing and grafting for my whole life. the commonwealth games is the _ my whole life. the commonwealth games is the first _ my whole life. the commonwealth games is the first major _ my whole life. the commonwealth| games is the first major multisport event _ games is the first major multisport event held — games is the first major multisport event held in the uk since the covid pandemic, — event held in the uk since the covid pandemic, reason enough to be excited — pandemic, reason enough to be excited i— pandemic, reason enough to be excited. �* . pandemic, reason enough to be excited. �* , :, , excited. i can't remember the last time birmingham _ excited. i can't remember the last time birmingham hosted - excited. i can't remember the last i time birmingham hosted something excited. i can't remember the last - time birmingham hosted something as big as the commonwealth games. i think it was a good use of money, it is definitely — think it was a good use of money, it is definitely bringing _ think it was a good use of money, it is definitely bringing a _ think it was a good use of money, it is definitely bringing a lot _ think it was a good use of money, it is definitely bringing a lot more - is definitely bringing a lot more attention— is definitely bringing a lot more attention to _ is definitely bringing a lot more attention to birmingham - is definitely bringing a lot more attention to birmingham and i is definitely bringing a lot more attention to birmingham and it| is definitely bringing a lot more i attention to birmingham and it is is definitely bringing a lot more . attention to birmingham and it is a really— attention to birmingham and it is a really good — attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, _ attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, so _ attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, so i _ attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, so i think- attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, so i think it - attention to birmingham and it is a really good city, so i think it is - really good city, so i think it is good _ really good city, so i think it is good to— really good city, so i think it is good to get— really good city, so i think it is good to get the _ really good city, so i think it is good to get the attention - really good city, so i think it is good to get the attention it. good to get the attention it deserves _ good to get the attention it deserves. [it— good to get the attention it deserves-— good to get the attention it deserves. :, ~ , , :, :, good to get the attention it deserves. w , , :, :, , :, deserves. it makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham _ deserves. it makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is _ deserves. it makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is one - deserves. it makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is one of - deserves. it makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is one of the | brummie! birmingham is one of the ouncest brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities _ brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in _ brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in europe _ brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in europe and - brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in europe and also l youngest cities in europe and also the most — youngest cities in europe and also the most diverse, with large asian, african _ the most diverse, with large asian, african and — the most diverse, with large asian, african and caribbean communities. and for— african and caribbean communities. and for some, the occasion hasn't lived _ and for some, the occasion hasn't lived up _ and for some, the occasion hasn't lived up to— and for some, the occasion hasn't lived up to its motto of games for everyone — lived up to its motto of games for everyone. for example, the organising board was accused of tacking — organising board was accused of lacking diversity. changes have been made _ lacking diversity. changes have been made since — lacking diversity. changes have been made since. we, lacking diversity. changes have been made since. ~ :. lacking diversity. changes have been made since-— made since. we, all loyal sub'ects of his majesty. i made since. we, all loyal sub'ects of his majesty, willfi made since. we, all loyal sub'ects of his majesty, will take h made since. we, all loyal sub'ects of his majesty, will take part b made since. we, all loyal subjects of his majesty, will take part in i of his majesty, will take part in the games— of his majesty, will take part in the games in— of his majesty, will take part in the games in the _ of his majesty, will take part in the games in the true - of his majesty, will take part in the games in the true spirit- of his majesty, will take part in the games in the true spirit of. the games in the true spirit of sportsmanship. _ the games in the true spirit of sportsmanship.— the games in the true spirit of sportsmanship. the games in the true spirit of s-ortsmanshi -. :, :,, sportsmanship. then there are those who sa its sportsmanship. then there are those who say its colonial— sportsmanship. then there are those who say its colonial origins _ sportsmanship. then there are those who say its colonial origins are - who say its colonial origins are still being _ who say its colonial origins are still being felt today. at

who say its colonial origins are still being felt today. fist a still being felt today. at a sensitive _ still being felt today. at a sensitive time _ still being felt today. at a sensitive time when - still being felt today. at a sensitive time when the l still being felt today. git —." sensitive time when the windrush scandal hasn't fully been resolved yet, families torn apart, people who spent all their lives here and were born in african and caribbean countries and parts of asia, when the union flag flew over those countries, saying, you have no right to be here, and they were saying, oh, but yes, we embrace our commonwealth family, it shows double standards. the commonwealth family, it shows double standards. :, :, , , , standards. the organisers say they are committed _ standards. the organisers say they are committed to _ standards. the organisers say they are committed to the _ standards. the organisers say they are committed to the event - are committed to the event reflecting the region. the city of birmingham's official slogan is forward — birmingham's official slogan is forward and ultimately the legacy these _ forward and ultimately the legacy these games leave behind will be far more important than the medals won. mr macgregor, bbc news. well, i have with me now martin green, who is the chief creative officer... for the 2022 commonwealth games. you must be a bit of a sucker for

punishment because you did the london 2012 games as well? yes. london 2012 games as well? yes, clearl a london 2012 games as well? yes, clearly a sucker _ london 2012 games as well? yes, clearly a sucker for _ london 2012 games as well? yes, clearly a sucker for punishment. tell me. — clearly a sucker for punishment. tell me, between these two events, is it easier or harder to put on a big extravaganza like this, given all the technological changes that have been? i all the technological changes that have been? .. . . all the technological changes that have been?— have been? i think it is 'ust two different things fl have been? i think it isjust two different things because - have been? i think it isjust two different things because the - have been? i think it isjust two i different things because the worst thin- different things because the worst thing you — different things because the worst thing you can do is try to repeat anything. — thing you can do is try to repeat anything, so it is really about looking — anything, so it is really about looking into this place, birmingham, this show— looking into this place, birmingham, this show has been made by birmingham and creatives and i think if you _ birmingham and creatives and i think if you start _ birmingham and creatives and i think if you start with that point of view you will _ if you start with that point of view you will always make something unique. — you will always make something unique, so yes, we have some technological advances and stuff we didn't— technological advances and stuff we didn't have ten years ago, but other than that— didn't have ten years ago, but other than that a — didn't have ten years ago, but other than that a blank sheet of paper. i know than that a blank sheet of paper. know you than that a blank sheet of paper. i know you have kept lots of it under wraps, of course, that make sense, but can you give us a bit of an idea about themes?— about themes? well, our director wanted to welcome _ about themes? well, our director wanted to welcome the _ about themes? well, our director - wanted to welcome the commonwealth and tell— wanted to welcome the commonwealth and tell the story of this place, so it is really— and tell the story of this place, so it is really a — and tell the story of this place, so it is really a celebration of the heart — it is really a celebration of the heart and _ it is really a celebration of the heart and soul of birmingham, both its past _ heart and soul of birmingham, both its past in _ heart and soul of birmingham, both its past in terms of what it has given— its past in terms of what it has given the _ its past in terms of what it has given the world, but also its future is a really — given the world, but also its future is a really young and diversity. it

has a _ is a really young and diversity. it has a great — is a really young and diversity. it has a great sense of humour, look out for— has a great sense of humour, look out for the — has a great sense of humour, look out for the big floating lemon at one point... 0k! and i would also say have — one point... 0k! and i would also say have a — one point... 0k! and i would also say have a look at how royal guests arrive _ say have a look at how royal guests arrive this — say have a look at how royal guests arrive this evening. oh, say have a look at how royal guests arrive this evening.— arrive this evening. oh, now that is arrive this evening. oh, now that is a bi hint! arrive this evening. oh, now that is a big hint! because _ arrive this evening. oh, now that is a big hint! because in _ arrive this evening. oh, now that is a big hint! because in 2012, - arrive this evening. oh, now that is a big hint! because in 2012, of- a big hint! because in 2012, of course, the queen appeared to parachute in! she did. that is all i'm going to say! all right, but you did hear this first here. tell us how much they feat it is to put on something like this?— how much they feat it is to put on something like this? well, i started three ears something like this? well, i started three years ago _ something like this? well, i started three years ago as _ something like this? well, i started three years ago as the _ something like this? well, i started three years ago as the first - something like this? well, i started three years ago as the first person l three years ago as the first person in the _ three years ago as the first person in the room. — three years ago as the first person in the room, so it has been a long journey— in the room, so it has been a long journey for— in the room, so it has been a long journey for me, but we gradually got the creatives together and more and more _ the creatives together and more and more people in the team, there are thousands— more people in the team, there are thousands of people in the show, hundreds— thousands of people in the show, hundreds of producers and production people _ hundreds of producers and production people behind the scenes working like mad — people behind the scenes working like mad. it is a difficult process but something on this big, particularly with surprises when they test— particularly with surprises when they test the sound in the middle of interviews... they test the sound in the middle of interviews- - -—

they test the sound in the middle of interviews. . ._ but i they test the sound in the middle of| interviews. . ._ but the interviews... music blares. but the main thing is — interviews... music blares. but the main thing is we _ interviews... music blares. but the main thing is we are _ interviews... music blares. but the main thing is we are ready. _ interviews... music blares. but the main thing is we are ready. well, - main thing is we are ready. well, martin, i main thing is we are ready. well, martin. i am _ main thing is we are ready. well, martin, i am delighted _ main thing is we are ready. well, martin, i am delighted to - main thing is we are ready. well, martin, i am delighted to say... l main thing is we are ready. 9ii martin, i am delighted to say... we are going to have to shout a bit, but i'm delighted to say we are joined by some of the people who are taking part in the opening ceremony. zoie golding and evangeline grace, who will be performing in tonight's opening ceremony. and we have the director of the ceremony. and introduce yourself? hello, i am ceremony. and introduce yourself? hello, lam in ceremony. and introduce yourself? hello, i am in a ceremony. and introduce yourself? hello, lam in a band ceremony. and introduce yourself? hello, i am in a band called critical— hello, i am in a band called critical mass. i hello, i am in a band called critical mass.— hello, i am in a band called critical mass. i am in a... mass o-rou critical mass. i am in a... mass group and _ critical mass. i am in a... mass group and l _ critical mass. i am in a... mass group and i met— critical mass. i am in a... mass group and i met evangeline. i critical mass. i am in a... mass. group and i met evangeline. and i critical mass. i am in a... mass- group and i met evangeline. and i am also art group and i met evangeline. and i am also part of— group and i met evangeline. and i am also part of the _ group and i met evangeline. and i am also part of the critical— group and i met evangeline. and i am also part of the critical advance - also part of the critical advance group — also part of the critical advance group and _ also part of the critical advance group and they're excited to be part of this— group and they're excited to be part of this group. that group and they're excited to be part of this group-— of this group. that is wonderful. can i ask of this group. that is wonderful. can i ask you. — of this group. that is wonderful. can i ask you, zoe, _ of this group. that is wonderful. can i ask you, zoe, how - of this group. that is wonderful. can i ask you, zoe, how long i of this group. that is wonderful. l can i ask you, zoe, how long have you been preparing for this and what are you hoping to do with the themes of your dance?—

of your dance? critical mass is a 200 strong _ of your dance? critical mass is a 200 strong collective _ of your dance? critical mass is a 200 strong collective of- of your dance? critical mass is a 200 strong collective of people | of your dance? critical mass is a - 200 strong collective of people from around _ 200 strong collective of people from around the _ 200 strong collective of people from around the west midlands, we have been training together for a year performing for some of the most amazing — performing for some of the most amazing performances for the opening of this— amazing performances for the opening of this festival, we opened the festival— of this festival, we opened the festival itself, we opened part of the birmingham dance festival and we are part _ the birmingham dance festival and we are part of— the birmingham dance festival and we are part of a _ the birmingham dance festival and we are part of a team today that will absolutely blow you away. i am so proud _ absolutely blow you away. i am so proud of _ absolutely blow you away. i am so proud of our participants, we have been _ proud of our participants, we have been working for a year and they are 'ust been working for a year and they are just astonishing and we will show the world — just astonishing and we will show the world what we can do today. are ou the world what we can do today. you excited, the world what we can do today. 9.9 you excited, nervous, both? the world what we can do today. are you excited, nervous, both? i- the world what we can do today. are you excited, nervous, both? i am i you excited, nervous, both? i am actually pretty — you excited, nervous, both? i am actually pretty excited _ you excited, nervous, both? iam actually pretty excited and nervous for this _ actually pretty excited and nervous for this it — actually pretty excited and nervous for this. . :. . actually pretty excited and nervous for this. , :, , :, , �* for this. it is a big moment, isn't it? yes, for this. it is a big moment, isn't it? yes. my _ for this. it is a big moment, isn't it? yes. my dad _ for this. it is a big moment, isn't it? yes, my dad will _ for this. it is a big moment, isn't it? yes, my dad will be - for this. it is a big moment, isn't| it? yes, my dad will be watching, for this. it is a big moment, isn't - it? yes, my dad will be watching, my mum as my brother as well, so i think they are really proud of me to do this. and how much is you had to prepare for this? it do this. and how much is you had to prepare for this?— prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation _ prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation for _ prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation for this, _ prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation for this, but - prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation for this, but i - prepare for this? it was quite a lot of preparation for this, but i think| of preparation for this, but i think we are _ of preparation for this, but i think we are quite — of preparation for this, but i think we are quite professional- of preparation for this, but i think we are quite professional now- of preparation for this, but i think we are quite professional now in. we are quite professional now in this stage — we are quite professional now in this stage because _ we are quite professional now in this stage because we _ we are quite professional now in this stage because we opened i we are quite professional now in. this stage because we opened the birmingham — this stage because we opened the birmingham festival— this stage because we opened the birmingham festival as— this stage because we opened the birmingham festival as well, - this stage because we opened the birmingham festival as well, so. this stage because we opened the birmingham festival as well, so i| birmingham festival as well, so i think— birmingham festival as well, so i think we — birmingham festival as well, so i think we are _ birmingham festival as well, so i think we are ready. _ birmingham festival as well, so i think we are ready. it _ birmingham festival as well, so i think we are ready. it was - birmingham festival as well, so i think we are ready. it was a - birmingham festival as well, so i think we are ready. it was a lot i birmingham festival as well, so i| think we are ready. it was a lot of preparation. _

think we are ready. it was a lot of preparation. but— think we are ready. it was a lot of preparation, but we _ think we are ready. it was a lot of preparation, but we are _ think we are ready. it was a lot of preparation, but we are ready. i preparation, but we are ready. eventually _ preparation, but we are ready. eventually on. _ preparation, but we are ready. eventually on, i'm _ preparation, but we are ready. eventually on, i'm going - preparation, but we are ready. eventually on, i'm going to- preparation, but we are ready. | eventually on, i'm going to ask preparation, but we are ready. - eventually on, i'm going to ask you the same question, excited or nervous? it the same question, excited or nervous? . the same question, excited or nervous?— the same question, excited or nervous? , :, :, , nervous? it is wonderfulto be part ofthe nervous? it is wonderfulto be part of the opening _ nervous? it is wonderfulto be part of the opening ceremony - nervous? it is wonderfulto be part of the opening ceremony and - nervous? it is wonderfulto be part. of the opening ceremony and critical mass _ of the opening ceremony and critical mass. ~ :. of the opening ceremony and critical mass. ~ :, :, , of the opening ceremony and critical mass. 9 :, :, , . mass. well, we are all very excited to what you — mass. well, we are all very excited to what you later _ mass. well, we are all very excited to what you later on, _ mass. well, we are all very excited to what you later on, we _ mass. well, we are all very excited to what you later on, we really - mass. well, we are all very excited j to what you later on, we really are. thank you all very much indeed and martin, thank you so much and good luck, we are all intrigued. it is back to you, geeta guru—murthy. amazing, well done, reeta chakrabarti, managing all the chakra barti, managing all the different chakrabarti, managing all the different sound and the background volume levels, but great to see a lot of excitement there, as you can see the ceremony bear starting. let's catch up with the weather, what is it going to be like? whatever happens tonight, we know the sound system works and that is very important! we saw the cloud there and the cloud will hold on, but thankfully no rain expected from the cloud, temperatures just slowly dipping away from 20 as we go on to

the evening. the weather is not getting in the way of proceedings. but we have got some heavy rain falling across parts of south—west scotland, just nudging a bit further north into parts of the central belt and overnight tonight we are going to see parts of further rain across northern england and southern scotland. elsewhere if you see a bit of rain at the moment it will become mainly dry with clear spells. attach mod overnight. the rain will clear way eastwards tomorrow and for many places it will be a brighter day, though some cloud still around, more in the way of bright spells, scattering is of shower, elsewhere feeling warmer and hot towards the south—east of england, the end of the day with rain pushing into northern ireland, some of this accompanied by stronger winds, that rain pushing across scotland overnight and into saturday morning, quite a changeable weekend. some rain and showers around, a breezy looking picture, but still very warm down towards the south and south—east of the uk.

the headlines on bbc news... a report into the murder of 13 month old leiland—james corkill in cumbria calls for better communication between agencies. he was killed injanuary last year by a woman who had hoped to adopt him. we are all deeply saddened and sorry for leiland—james corkill's death at the hands of laura castle and i share the public's shock and anger. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. the us and chinese presidents talk on the phone — the war in ukraine and trade also on the agenda.

excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. more on that coming up. paul is with us at the bbc sport centre, and it is getting closer. after nearly five years of preparation, the 2022 commonwealth games get underway in birmingham later. it's 10 years and a day since the memorable london 2012 opening ceremony. what can we expect from birmingham this evening? this is the display that organisers put on at the previous games four years ago in australia. tonight a cast of two and a half thousand, including duran duran and black sabbath's tony iommi will be part of the show at the alexander stadium. delicious orie is a local super heavyweight boxer who can't wait to compete in front of his friends and family. istarted boxing in birmingham, walked in my first boxing gym in birmingham, and from the age of 18 years old, and six years later, i'm going to be representing

team england in front of my friends and family in birmingham, you know, for an event like the commonwealth games. it's massive, it really is, and it goes to show all the hard work i've been putting in over the years, you know, it's going to come to this moment, so i just can't wait. squash player tesni evans will be one of wales' flagbearers, along with three—time commonwealth games medallist and double olympic champion geraint thomas. the cyclist finished third overall in the tour de france this year, crossing the line in paris only last weekend. he won gold in the road race at the commonwealth games in glasgow in 2014. four—time formula one world champion sebastian vettel is retiring at the end of the season. the german won all of his world titles with red bull between 2010 and 2013. his total of 53 grand prix wins has only been bettered by lewis hamilton and michael schumacher. he also drove for ferrari and will finish his final season

racing for aston martin. germany manager martina voss—tecklenburg says the final of the women's euros will be a "special one" for football fans. her side booking their place at wembley with a 2—1victory over france in the semis. the wolfsburg striker alexandra popp added to her tournament tally, scoring in each half. she's scored six goals in five games now. germany will face england in sunday's final, with nearly 90,000 expected at wembley. it's been a successful tournament for the women's game, but players�* union fifpro says footballers need to play more matches to prevent the gap between the best teams and the rest from getting bigger. one really telling statistic is that england may, for example, play 45% more matches in the last year the northern ireland so i think

play 45% more matches in the last year than northern ireland, so i think even in women's football, amongst the big 16 teams in europe, there is still a gap. there are still vastly different levels of preparedness coming into the tournament for where we are at in women's football. we do need to focus on the markets that are there, their home base for the teams and players already competing, because the leagues are too small. there is not enough competitive opportunities. they don't access international club football, for example, so that really needs some attention as well. lorena wiebes has won stage five of the tour de france femmes. remarkably, only denmark's emma norsgaard had to drop out of the race after being injured in this crash that involved around 30 riders. wiebes claimed her second stage win of the race to strengthen her grip on the green points jersey. her fellow dutch woman marianna vos finished third to retain the overall lead. that's all the sport for now. back to you. that is a bad crash, paul! extraordinary pictures. thank you

very much. let's get more now on the decision of british gas owner centrica to restart paying dividends to shareholders, with the company reporting a big rise in profits for the first half of the year. it comes as uk households face increasing pressure from rising energy bills. gas prices are soaring, driven in part by russia's war in ukraine. we can speak now to frances o'grady, the general secretary of the trades union congress. thanks very much forjoining us today. obviously, these big companies haven't always had this level of profit or dividend. is it notjustifiable level of profit or dividend. is it not justifiable that they are businesses, they have to give something back to shareholders? this is a kick in the teeth for working families who are really struggling with the cost of living crisis. we have had the longest, harshest squeeze in living standards in the uk for 200 years, and yet too often, we are seeing companies profiteering through the pandemic, now through

the ukraine warand through the pandemic, now through the ukraine war and the latest crisis, making huge profits with energy bills rising now at 23 times faster than wages. it's just not sustainable, and instead of politicians lecturing workers about wage restraint, i think it's about time we had some profit restraint. we've heard from the chief executive of centrica chris 0 shea, saying they expect to pay windfall taxes of over £600 million on their uk gas business offers profits, so a lot is going back into uk society already? i think there is a real sense amongst working families that government had to be dragged kicking and screaming into imposing a windfall tax on energy companies. but at the same time, we are seeing workers being expected to take the blame for inflation when we know that this is being driven by energy

prices. so we need to see some action on prices, but we also need to see a plan to get wages rising again, and at the moment, the government, who once described key workers as pandemic heroes, is now blaming and demonising workers who are looking for pay claims simply to keep up with the cost of living. something has to give. many working people are saying enough is enough. so what precisely do you think should happen? what they want the government to do? it should happen? what they want the government to do?— government to do? it should stop handin: government to do? it should stop handing out _ government to do? it should stop handing out tax _ government to do? it should stop handing out tax breaks _ government to do? it should stop handing out tax breaks to - government to do? it should stop i handing out tax breaks to companies that are giving out huge payouts to shareholders. we sawjust yesterday that british companies' dividend payouts have soared by 39% at a time when wages are being cut in real terms, but we need a plan to get living standards rising again, wages rising again, not only because that

is fair for workers who should get fair shares of what working people produce, after all, fair shares of what working people produce, afterall, but fair shares of what working people produce, after all, but because it is important for our economy. we need to get our economy growing. the last thing the government should be doing is sucking demand out of the economy by cutting in real terms, nurses�* anteaters�* and prison officers�* pay. lwolfe nurses' anteaters' and prison officers' pay-— nurses' anteaters' and prison officers' pay. we will come onto that, but officers' pay. we will come onto that. butjust — officers' pay. we will come onto that, butjust as _ officers' pay. we will come onto that, butjust as to _ officers' pay. we will come onto that, but just as to what - officers' pay. we will come onto that, but just as to what they i that, but just as to what they should do about the windfall tax, for example, should it be increase? i think already, 5 billion is expected to be taken by the windfall tax the government has announced. the tuc and unions have called for an overhaul on the taxation system. it is frankly not fair that people who have to work for a living are paying a higher rate of tax than those who are getting unearned earnings. so for example, we have argued that we should equalise capital gains tax with income tax. thatin capital gains tax with income tax. that in itself would raise a much—needed £17 billion to end their

way to invest in our hard—pressed public services, and i say, this is notjust public services, and i say, this is not just about it public services, and i say, this is notjust about it being the moral thing to do. that is important for our economy, because we need educated and healthy workers to be able to work and boost our productivity. they have got to be scaled up, trained, educated, they have got to be healthy. that�*s why it is so important that we protect our nhs and education system, and all our public services. as you know, these big companies have argued that they need to protect some profits to give back to shareholders, because their profit margins are uneven. energy is obviously very politically unpredictable, and obviously, they do reinvest, and they want to invest in green energies, and therefore, given that they do raise a loss of revenue were ready for this country, it�*s wrong to completely penalised them, isn�*t it? i it's wrong to completely penalised them. isn't it?— it's wrong to completely penalised them, isn't it? i don't think anyone is an uino them, isn't it? i don't think anyone is arguing against _ them, isn't it? i don't think anyone is arguing against companies, -

is arguing against companies, private companies turning a profit. i think the concern is when you see blatant profiteering at the expense of ordinary working people. there are far too many politicians and government who simply don�*t understand the pressure that ordinary working families are under, and don�*t have savings to be able to dip into to subsidise that scale of profiteering that we are seeing at the top. what do you make of the row in the labour party at the moment? sur keir starmer, the labour leader, has sacked his transport spokesman sam tarry for doing interviews without permission and making up policy on the hoof, they say. who do you support on this?— the hoof, they say. who do you support on this? well, my 'ob is absolutely i support on this? well, my 'ob is absolutely to i support on this? well, my 'ob is absolutely to focus * support on this? well, my 'ob is absolutely to focus on h support on this? well, my 'ob is absolutely to focus on the h support on this? well, my job is absolutely to focus on the real l absolutely to focus on the real issues here, not the symptoms, but the causes of this living standards crisis, and i want everybody, all stripes of politicians to be focused

on how we tackle these real cuts in pay that working people have suffered now for well over a decade. but was keir starmer right to sack him? ~ :, �* :, :, , him? well, i wouldn't want any tolitical him? well, i wouldn't want any political leader— him? well, i wouldn't want any political leader telling - him? well, i wouldn't want any political leader telling me - him? well, i wouldn't want any political leader telling me howl him? well, i wouldn't want any i political leader telling me how to do myjob, and i don�*t propose starting to tell any party leader how to do bears. but what i think is important here —— how to do bears. but i think what is important here is that millions of people in this country are suffering a living standards crisis, we have argued for a very they plan to get wages rising again. we like to see a boost to the national minimum wage, we�*d like to see fair pay agreements, just as they are introducing in countries like new zealand and a sector basis, so that we start lifting terms and conditions as well as pay, and start companies competing in a race to the top by treating workers well, by skilling them, training them,

investing in new technologies, and training. that is the way to get this country growing and we need that investment in green jobs, not least renewables, again, and decent jobs. that people can afford to bring a family on. this is common sense, i think, bring a family on. this is common sense, ithink, in bring a family on. this is common sense, i think, in the view of many people, wejust wish sense, i think, in the view of many people, we just wish that the government would give unions a fair hearing instead of bashing them with anti—union legislation. frances 0�*grady, general secretary of the tuc, thank you very much for your time. thank you. from today, some criminal courts in england and wales are to allow filming for the very first time. this major change in the law will mean broadcasters can film judges sentencing serious criminals. our legal correspondent dominic casciani reports. would you stand up, please? the sentence i pass upon you is therefore one of life imprisonment, with a minimum term of ten years and eight months. justice being done, and in a way like never before. the moment today that judge sarah monro qcjailed

ben oliver at the old bailey for the manslaughter of his grandfather. you will not be released by the parole board unless they conclude that you no longer pose a risk to the public. that concludes these sentencing remarks. and he may go down. thank you. from today, news channels may televise judges sentencing the most serious of criminals in england and wales, starting with cases at the old bailey. scotland already allows cameras into courts, but few cases there are ever broadcast. for more than a century these benches have been the only way the public have been able to witness trials of gangsters like the kray twins, or serial killers including peter sutcliffe. the tv cameras still won�*t be able to film defendants, but for the first time the audience will be able to watch and listen to the judge as he or she sentences serious criminals, fulfilling a maxim of the law that not only should justice be done,

it should be seen to be done. you won�*t see scenes like this. the oj simpson trial was nightly entertainment in america in 1995. in england and wales we are banned from filming defendants, witnesses and victims. judges don�*t want to distress any participants in a trial, so defendants like ben oliver today will still only be sketched by court artists. but they hope that a little more transparency will help the public understand how they really work. dominic casciani, bbc news. the number of people who died of drug misuse in scotland last year fell slightly to 1,330 — the first time the figure fallen in eight years. but scotland still has by far the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in europe. our scotland editor james cook reports. i started at an early age, yeah, started at about 11 or 12 year old. by the time he was 16, chris had tried cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, lsd and amphetamines. but it was heroin which he

says ruined his life. i�*m very lucky to be alive. there�*s been many occasions where i possibly could have overdosed and died. and i know people, i have had people within my life that have passed away sadly to overdose. drug deaths in scotland have risen dramatically over the past quarter of a century. they are now more than five times as high as they were in the mid—�*905, and although there has been a slight fall, they remain by far the highest recorded in europe. we have seen a trend of increasing drug deaths since 2013 which has halted but i am determined to use this change as a real platform to power ahead, to do more. it contains three needles. at this support service in glasgow, they do what they can to keep drug addicts safe. this vending machine provides clean needles and other paraphernalia. but some critics of the scottish government�*s approach say ministers should be trying harder to get people off drugs altogether.

the majority of our treatment budget is currently going into what we would call really vital harm reduction practices, but we are not offering people the chance to get well. we are not offering them the chance to detox and get rehab and to recover. are you enjoying my cups of tea? chris is confident he is now on the road to recovery. a charity called with you has helped him, and he is now volunteering to help others, in a country still struggling with an addiction emergency. james cook, bbc news, glasgow. kyiv says moscow is moving troops to the south of the country where a counter—offensive by ukrainian forces is under way, in an attempt to retake the city of kherson. kherson was the first city to fall to russia in the war. now uk defence officials say it is "virtually cut off from other territories" held by the russians. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams has more from kyiv. the aftermath of a ferocious ukrainian barrage late on tuesday on a key bridge

in russian—controlled territory. the damage is clear to see. for moscow, it is a setback. kherson is vulnerable, separated from the rest of russian— controlled southern ukraine by the wide dnipro river. russia needs a number of key bridges to keep its forces supplied, which is why ukraine has been hitting them. kherson was one of the first cities captured by the russians at the beginning of march. it fell without a fight, a significant prize for moscow. a shocked population protested, but there was very little they could do. russia wants to annex the whole area. it has spoken about holding a referendum.

but now, ukrain seems determined to take it back. and this is why kyiv thinks it has a chance — a high mobility artillery rocket system supplied by america in an effort to turn the tide of the war, used to hit distant targets, including bridges, with great accuracy. the ukrainians have to fight different from the russians. they can�*tjust use a hammer to destroy population centres. these are ukrainian cities, so they have to be very careful about how they go about it, and the strikes on this bridge are exactly that. they have modelled exactly what they might have to replicate in the east further down the line. russia are said to be sending reinforcements to kherson. to lose such an important city would be the most significant defeat for moscow since it withdrew its forces from this city, kyiv, back in april. but if it happens at all, it won�*t be quick. and in the eastern donbas, russia�*s grinding bombardment goes on. not as intense as before — but tell that to the people of this village. here, a lucky escape. but the city is being hit hard. if the course of this war

is changing, is changing slowly. is changing, it�*s changing slowly. the actor and singer bernard cribbins, whose career spanned seven decades, has died aged 93. mr cribbins narrated the 19705 children�*s programme the wombles, and his appeareances in doctor who date back to the 19605 when the series began. our media and arts correspondent david sillito looks back at his life. me, sir, i�*m perks! good wives and private soldiers should be ignorant. and i�*ll keep herfrom your instruction, i warrant you. bernard cribbins — he was in everything. morning, tobermory. you look hot. from classical drama to the wombles. what about a nice drop of brandy in your tea? that's a very sound idea, lenny. two way stretch with peter sellers in 1960 was an early film role, but he�*d already been acting for 17 years. he�*d started out in rep

in 0ldham when he was 11l. i�*m the new midshipman. poopdecker is my name — albert poopdecker. in the �*605, he was appearing in the carry on films. # there i was, digging this hole...# ..and recording some very successful comic songs. one i must have and no offence, i know, day like this. haven�*t taken too great a liberty, have i, on a day like this? you know? but perhaps his best—known film role was lovable mr perks in the railway children. oh, dear. we�*ll never manage by ourselves. and his voice was part of daily life, from the wombles... i never realised before what hard work cooking is. ..to buzby... is this thejiffy plumbing service? ..to tufty. mrs fluffytail is walking along the road with tufty... 0h, doctor, what about you now? who have you got? this appearance in doctor who

was his second doctor, llo years after his first spell in the tardis. still, that's fine. from perks to songs to jackanory to fawlty towers, bernard cribbins could turn his hand to anything. right on time! he was, for millions of us, a down—to—earth, funny, friendly, much loved part of childhood. the actor bernard cribbins, who�*s died aged 93. climate change is now a bigger threat to elephant conservation than poaching — so says kenya�*s wildlife and tourism ministry. in the last year, the country has recorded 179 elephant deaths due to the ongoing drought affecting the horn of africa. merchuma reports from the tsavo national park in kenya, where poor rainy seasons have seen rivers drying up and grasslands have shriveled in the game reserves. a bone here, a jaw there,

ribs scattered around. these are the remains of an elephant. in the last few months, such scenes have been found by rangers in kenya�*s largest park, the tsavo. for the last about 30 minutes we have been following a really, really strong stench. the rangers say that stench will lead us to a carcass. this is the carcass of an elephant and it is still fresh. maybe a few days old. it is nowjust pieces of bones and some flesh remaining. kenya and the larger horn of africa is going through the worst drought in a0 years. there have been four failed rain seasons. the situation has become unforgiving even to the giants of the animal kingdom. climate change kills 20 times more elephant than poaching, so it is a red alarm. total across the country,

elephants died already, as by the end ofjune,179. so far poached animals across the country, there are less than ten. the elephants who roam kenya�*s broad savannah bring hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. kenya�*s wildlife service rangers bring tourists here any time they come down to the tsavo national park because normally there would be hundreds of wild animals here, drinking water, playing with mud, taking a bath, but today there is none. this water pan is gradually drying up and the animals have moved away in search of water. the elephants are not only dying of dehydration but also malnutrition, because even where there are water holes, they have seriously depleted vegetation. elephants in a day, they eat 300 kilograms of dry mass, drinking 240 litres of water. remember, this is the season when elephants give birth. we expect so many miscarriages than we have seen them before. and those calves who manage

to be born, their chances of survival will be limited. there are efforts to bring some relief to the elephants and other animals in the park. drought—resistant trees are being planted in some areas. huge water ponds are also being dug with the hopes that when it will rain, the water they will collect there will sustain the animals for a longer period. remains of nearly 6,000 elephant that died during the drought of the early �*705 are preserved at this research centre. perhaps a constant reminder that it could happen again. there are 36,000 elephants in kenya. climate change is now threatening their survival. merchuma, bbc news. vanessa feltz has announced she is leaving her two bbc radio programmes after more than two decades. the broadcaster will present her last early breakfast show

on bbc radio 2 on friday. she will sign off from bbc radio london in late august. m5 feltz says she has "loved every moment" but is stepping down "to catch up on a much needed decade�*s deficit of beauty sleep". now it�*s time for a look at the weather with nick. i guess they are hoping for a nice evening tonight at birmingham? absolutely. all eyes are met opening ceremony, and a lot of cloud around. but not a lot of rain falling from that card. some areas where want to rain, but i�*m guessing this evening they will be happy if it doesn�*t rain in birmingham, and there is nonein rain in birmingham, and there is none in the forecast. not a particularly warm day. gradually slipping away from 20 degrees on in the evening. where we see some heavy rain at the moment, parts of south—west scotland, some of it nudging a little further north, but overnight, towards southern scotland and parts of northern and then, we will continue with rain at times.

elsewhere, clear spells, temperatures edging upwards, and we will have warmer and more humid nights to come in the next several nights. a more sunny prospect tomorrow, kind of in between weather systems, looking at the big picture. this is the next one coming in, and coming in for the weekend, and that will bring some spells of rain, showers turning things breezy as well. we start the day tomorrow with a lot of dry weather overall, but some outbreaks of rain still and northern england, and south—east scotland, and it will clear away and brighten up. scattered showers for scotland may the east, but if you are into northern england, some in wales and the midlands, but overall, mostly dry weather. it will feel warmer tomorrow. mostly dry weather. it will feel warmertomorrow. look mostly dry weather. it will feel warmer tomorrow. look at these temperatures, heading to the upper 205 in the midlands and south—east england. the breeze picks up later in northern ireland and rain moves in northern ireland and rain moves in on the evening to western scotland too, pushes across scotland overnight and into saturday morning. from that area of low pressure, maybe a little feeding into parts of northern englund. south of that, it is dry and warm at night as well. a

solid area of low pressure with some weather fronts is the feature for the weekend, but the front is starting to move south on saturday. they will weaken as they do so, and that means don�*t expect a huge amount of rain from them. gradually clearing away from scotland and northern ireland on saturday after a damp start, slowly brightening with a view showers. cloud and some patches of rain, northern and western parts of englund, to wales as well, but low cloud increasing in east anglia and the south—east. it stays dry here, and we see higher temperatures. a little humidity out there as well. part two of the weekend on sunday, and this weather front, this system are still lingering, a bit of uncertainty about where it�*s rain could be. it could end up a bit further south than this, so keep checking the forecast. by sunday, it looks like much of northern ireland and scotland are out of this system. it will be a bit cooler and fresher, whereas to the south, if you have got the sunshine, it will still feel quite warm and humid out there. and as ever, there is a forecast wherever you are wherever you are

going this weekend online and through the app. that is your latest weather.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a report into the murder of 13—month—old leiland—james corkill in cumbria calls for better communication between agencies. he was killed injanuary last year by a woman who had hoped to adopt him. we are all deeply saddened and sorry for leiland—james corkill�*s death at the hands of laura castle, and i share the public�*s shock and anger. the nhs has announced it will shut the tavistock gender identity clinic for children from next spring after a review found it was failing vulnerable people under 18. british gas owner centrica defends a decision to resume payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. excitement in birmingham as the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games takes place this evening. and stars are paying tribute

to actor bernard cribbins, famous for his many roles including in doctor who, the wombles