this is bbc news. the headlines: gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland — the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 before the pandemic. yeah, i didn't expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've all had before, with the pandemic and stuff, but then why opened my envelope it was a really good shock. i'm at this high school in luton where pupils have got some fantastic gcse results this year. we will be talking about what the options are for post—16 education. the shooting of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel. merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. we will not rest until we find you,

and we will find you. a think—tank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that a catastrophe is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. the pm's former chief adviser dominic cummings has described mr sunak�*s criticism of the government's handling of the pandemic, as "dangerous rubbish. a police chief in uvalde, texas is sacked — afterfailing to send officers in, to stop the gunman who killed 19 pupils and two teachers. good afternoon. students in england, wales and northern ireland have been getting their gcse results — after the first exams

in three years. grades are lower than during the pandemic when they were based on teacher assessments, but higher than pre—covid. the government says that's part of the plan in the transition back to exams. there are strong regional variations in today's results with a north south divide in england. vocational and technical awards are also out, with some delays for btecs. here's our education correspondent sean dilley. success summed up. ifelt like i was missing out but i feel better now that i've got my results. not really nervous at all. i knew plenty of people that were nervous but you can't change what's on the paper. i did not expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've i all had before the pandemicl and stuff, but when i opened the envelope it wasl a really good shock. the truth is they have done better than they might think. this is the first year since 2019, before the pandemic, that traditional exams have taken place. if you have achieved top marks compared with the previous two years

when teacher assessments determined grades but that, says the government, was the plan. what we are seeing these results today is, yes, the return to examinations, albeit with a number of adaptations reflecting the disruption young people have faced over the past couple of years so results are higher than they were when we last had exams in 2019, but lower than under teacher assessed grades in 2021. while some may look enviously at those receiving higher teacher assessed grades in 2020 and 2021, additional help was given this year as well. grade boundaries were set more generously than in 2019 and advanced exam content information sheets were available for some subjects to compensate for disruption. here is what this year's gcse figures look like. 73.2% of gcses were marked at grade four or above in england, the broad equivalent of c or above. in wales and northern ireland, this is down from 77.1% last year but much higher than 2019

when the figure was 67.3%. those achieving top grades of seven or above in england, or a or a* in wales and northern ireland, fell to 26.3% from 28.9% last year. in 2019, the figure was 20.8%. the exams watchdog for england says its aim is for results to sit between pre—pandemic levels and last year's high was set with fairness in mind. similar plans were put in place in wales and northern ireland. scotland also saw fewer students land top marks in its exams earlier this month. concerns have been raised about regional differences in top grades. in england, the attainment gap between north and south is significant. in london, 32.6% of gcses were marked at seven or above compared with 22.4% in the north—east of england. the gap between the highest and lowest performing regions has actually closed slightly, particularly in comparison to last

year, so what we are seeing is a kind of mixed and complex picture. it has been a complicated few years with teacher assessed grades. the message from the government is that pupils should be proud of what they have achieved in an extraordinary year. the message from 92—year—old derek skipper, who is believed to be one of the oldest people to sit a gcse, is, it's never too late to sit another. i opened up this morning to find i got a five, which is as high as i could get on the very basic maths gcse course i took. so i'm delighted to have got it. my colleague martine has been speaking to students and teachers in denbigh high school in luton today — and we can cross to her now. how have they been getting on today? they've done extremely well here at this high school. nice to see everybody earlier in the day coming

on opening their envelopes and mostly very pleased with the results. this is a school where you leave at the age of 16 after year 11. you need to go on to some other couege 11. you need to go on to some other college or some kind of training elsewhere. 0f college or some kind of training elsewhere. of course, a—levels are a common root, but there are lots of other routes facing pupils these days. there is a slightly bewildering choice for some people when they are trying to choose what to do. one option is t levels. i'm joined by richard brennan, assistant principal of walsall college. tell us what is level for those of us who don't know? et level as the equivalent to doing three a—levels and it's for students who really know what they want to be in the future. they study both at college in facilities like this and in the t level health centre and they also do

a work placement over two years. they do around 20% on the job and 80% studying. they do around 2096 on the “ob and 80% studyingfi they do around 2096 on the “ob and 8096 studying. what sort of sub'ects mi . ht the 8096 studying. what sort of sub'ects might they cover? i 8096 studying. what sort of sub'ects might they cover? at i 8096 studying. what sort of sub'ects might they cover? at this i 8096 studying. what sort of subjects might they cover? at this college i 8096 studying. what sort of subjects| might they cover? at this college we would want to _ might they cover? at this college we would want to be _ might they cover? at this college we would want to be one _ might they cover? at this college we would want to be one of _ might they cover? at this college we would want to be one of the - might they cover? at this college we would want to be one of the first - would want to be one of the first colleges to do t levels, so we do the whole range designing buildings into social engineering, digital software design, nursing education, childcare, accounting. there is a whole range and there is likely to be over the next few years that package will develop to encompass all subject areas eventually. what all sub'ect areas eventually. what are all subject areas eventually. what are the benefits, _ all subject areas eventually. what are the benefits, to _ all subject areas eventually. what are the benefits, to prospective employers but also to students as well? is employers but also to students as well? , ., ., well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance — well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to _ well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to study _ well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to study at _ well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to study at a _ well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to study at a high - well? is a 16-year-old, you will get the chance to study at a high levell the chance to study at a high level but also with fantastic resources. we are in this really well funded

centre here which has been developed for us with our employer partners. 0ur for us with our employer partners. our local hospitals worked with us to set up an environment which exactly mimics the environments students will get on placement. then they will get to go out and work in they will get to go out and work in the real world and to develop the skills they learn at college any real—life situation. with our partnership with the hospital, or students are seeing real patients, working with the nurses, using that experience to help their studies when they get back to college and learn more theory and evaluate their practice. that's the same in all of it level subjects. it's a real balance between real life practice and academic study. t balance between real life practice and academic study.— balance between real life practice and academic study. t levels haven't been around — and academic study. t levels haven't been around anywhere _ and academic study. t levels haven't been around anywhere near - and academic study. t levels haven't been around anywhere near as - and academic study. t levels haven't been around anywhere near as long l and academic study. t levels haven't i been around anywhere near as long as a—levels have been, so how good is

the awareness of what they can do? we are seeing them becoming much more popular after they started the first group of t level students graduating this year. that was last week, the same day as the a—level results. we had some fantastic results. we had some fantastic results here at this college. those students took that leap of faith in the middle of the covid pandemic. we are seeing them becoming much more popular. they are oversubscribed in some areas and really it's that opportunity to be able to study at college, but also have a really meaningful, large extended placement that means that you can leave this place, notjust with a piece of paper qualification, but you have that real life experience. as an experience shaped by the employer. the employer has a chance to say we

want the students you teach to have these skills and work in this way, and that means when the students leave the are absolutely set and ready to go within the industry. the treatment on the same equipment, use the same techniques. employers traditionally say we have to retrain people when they come out of school. when they come out with et level, they have been trained by the company. as happy medium. thank you very much. i'm joined by isha ali, a t—levels graduate. how much of a leap of faith was it for you to opt for a t level?- how much of a leap of faith was it for you to opt for a t level? when i started off, — for you to opt for a t level? when i started off. i _ for you to opt for a t level? when i started off, i was _ for you to opt for a t level? when i started off, i was confused, - for you to opt for a t level? when i l started off, i was confused, because i didn't have the confidence to do media or it, so my mum sat down with a teacher and he reassured her that

the best thing for me would be our t level. i did add digital t level course at cranford community college for two years. i did my placement over the course of two years which was an it placement.— was an it placement. what sort of sub'ects was an it placement. what sort of subjects did _ was an it placement. what sort of subjects did you — was an it placement. what sort of subjects did you cover? _ was an it placement. what sort of subjects did you cover? well, - was an it placement. what sort of subjects did you cover? well, we. was an it placement. what sort of i subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to — subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to do. _ subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to do. it _ subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to do. it was _ subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to do. it was split _ subjects did you cover? well, we had ten units to do. it was split from - ten units to do. it was split from coding to business, data security, and then at the end of the year, we had two exams. we had to set them as part of the theory work we have learned. ~ ., ., ., ., , learned. what with the advantages and disadvantages _ learned. what with the advantages and disadvantages of— learned. what with the advantages and disadvantages of it, _ learned. what with the advantages and disadvantages of it, if - learned. what with the advantages and disadvantages of it, if other. and disadvantages of it, if other people are listening and thinking about possibly choosing to do t level? ., ., ., , ., , ., ., level? the advantages are you get to exerience level? the advantages are you get to exoerience and _ level? the advantages are you get to experience and learn _ level? the advantages are you get to experience and learn new _ level? the advantages are you get to experience and learn new skills, - level? the advantages are you get to experience and learn new skills, you | experience and learn new skills, you meet new people, you gain confidence, but honestly the disadvantages might be that if you don't enjoy the t level, then you

might have to do a—levels. don't enjoy the t level, then you might have to do a-levels. where is it takin: might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you — might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you to? _ might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you to? i _ might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you to? i think— might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you to? i think you - might have to do a-levels. where is it taking you to? i think you are - it taking you to? i think you are staying with the company, aren't you? staying with the company, aren't ou? , �* ., ., you? yes, i'm doing an apprenticeship - you? yes, i'm doing an apprenticeship in - you? yes, i'm doing an - apprenticeship in september with them. i will be going to university four times a week and i will be at the company one day per week. {iii the company one day per week. of course, that means you won't rack up student debt, is that right? i course, that means you won't rack up student debt, is that right?— student debt, is that right? i want to be. student debt, is that right? i want to be- not — student debt, is that right? i want to be. not like _ student debt, is that right? i want to be. not like that _ student debt, is that right? i want to be. not like that is _ student debt, is that right? i want to be. not like that is a _ student debt, is that right? i want to be. not like that is a huge - to be. not like that is a huge advantage at the moment, isn't it, when you think about how much it could cost a good university. we really appreciate you talking to us. we know you were an ambassador or you were when you're at for t levels. thank you for talking to us about them. you mentioned you're going on to do business apprenticeships. let's speak about

apprenticeships. let's speak about apprenticeships further. i'm joined by lisa 0'loughlin, principal of manchester college and mel nicholson, managing director of total people. thank you forjoining us. your couege thank you forjoining us. your college used to run a—levels and then stopped. why did you take that decision? we then stopped. why did you take that decision? ~ ., ., ~' then stopped. why did you take that decision? ~ ., ., ~ ., then stopped. why did you take that decision? ~ ., . , ., decision? we took that decision laru el decision? we took that decision largely because _ decision? we took that decision largely because there _ decision? we took that decision largely because there are - decision? we took that decision largely because there are some| largely because there are some absolutely fabulous providers in the region of a—levels. particularly in manchester, some of the best performing in the country. we were doing them reasonably well, but not as well as them, so we decided that as well as them, so we decided that as t levels were coming out that would be our priority and focus. we re—engineered the entire collector to develop qualifications that would prepare our organisation and start to ease some of our students into a sort of qualification that was very much like the t levels coming down

the line. we felt looking at the t level curriculum that that was the best possible route through technical education and into an occupation, into a really good job for our young people. and that that was the best offer we could make. in 2016, we re—engineered our curriculum in all of our departments. we ran what we called sponsored programmes, which was essentially taking an existing technical qualification and developing it into a qualification similar to a t level with an industry placement in it with support from employers. facilities designed with the employers, curriculum designed with the employers, training for our staff from the employers and we have been transitioning those qualifications into t levels as they came on stream. that's largely because we

know that it's the right thing for the students that come to us. what we've seen from the destinations that our students have gone on to from those precursor programmes ahead of t levels and thatjust like that student story, many of the employers take the students on at the end of the programme and for our students, many of them from deprived areas across greater manchester, that's exactly what they are coming to us for. they want to better their life prospects and t levels and sponsored programmes are working for them. . ~ sponsored programmes are working for them. ., ~ i. ., sponsored programmes are working for them. ., ~ ., ., ., ., them. thank you. you have got to get a match, haven't _ them. thank you. you have got to get a match, haven't you, _ them. thank you. you have got to get a match, haven't you, but— them. thank you. you have got to get a match, haven't you, but between i a match, haven't you, but between the person that the apprentice, the student and the employer. that's where you come in, matching the right people with the right companies. right people with the right companies-— right people with the right comanies. ~ , , , , right people with the right comanies. ~ , , , . ., companies. absolutely, yes. we have a dedicated team _ companies. absolutely, yes. we have a dedicated team that _ companies. absolutely, yes. we have a dedicated team that does _ companies. absolutely, yes. we have a dedicated team that does that. i a dedicated team that does that. they— a dedicated team that does that. they will— a dedicated team that does that. they will speak to the individual, they speak to the employers, and

over 600 — they speak to the employers, and over 600 different apprenticeships available _ over 600 different apprenticeships available at the moment. those programmes have been written by the employers _ programmes have been written by the employers for a industry. so matching _ employers for a industry. so matching the individual to an apprenticeship and any sector they are interested in is quite easy. and then 'ust are interested in is quite easy. fific thenjust briefly, you are interested in is quite easy. fific thenjust briefly, you end up are interested in is quite easy. e'"ic thenjust briefly, you end up with are interested in is quite easy. el"ic thenjust briefly, you end up with a young person who has already become pretty well whipped with the skills and employer needs?— and employer needs? absolutely, apprenticeship — and employer needs? absolutely, apprenticeship programmes i and employer needs? absolutely, apprenticeship programmes can l and employer needs? absolutely, i apprenticeship programmes can last anywhere _ apprenticeship programmes can last anywhere from 15 to 36 months. throughout that time, they will attend — throughout that time, they will attend masterclasses, workshops, they will _ attend masterclasses, workshops, they will undertake on and off the 'ob they will undertake on and off the job training. it is a real mastery of the _ job training. it is a real mastery of the skills to enable them to do thatiob _ of the skills to enable them to do thatjob well. of the skills to enable them to do that job well-— of the skills to enable them to do that 'ob well. ., ,, , ., , . that 'ob well. thank you very much. a that job well. thank you very much. a hue that job well. thank you very much. a huge range _ that job well. thank you very much. a huge range of _ that job well. thank you very much. a huge range of choice _ that job well. thank you very much. a huge range of choice for - that job well. thank you very much. a huge range of choice for young i a huge range of choice for young people who have got their gcses

today, they could go off in all sorts of directions in the next couple of years when they have to remain until the age of 18. we will be speaking to another member of staff any little while from this high school in luton about how they support that kind of personal development in their pupils who attend this school. we will speak to you later. i look forward to it. thank you very much. really underlining there are many different options after those exam results. we will speak to you a little later. police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. 0fficers gave an update on their investigation this morning, and say they've now identified a second man who was walking with the intended target of the attack. from liverpool, alison freeman reports. three days since 0livia pratt—korbel was murdered in her own home, the gunman remains at large. police say they have now been given

a number of names in the hunt for the killer of this nine—year—old, fatally shot as her mother tried to stop him entering their home. the force has repeatedly called on the man responsible to give himself up, knowing what he has done. i struggle to find the words to describe that individual and what they have done. and the fact that having found out, and they will know what they have done, they still do not have the conscience to come forward and give themselves up, i think that speaks volumes of the individual we are dealing with. 0livia was the third person to be shot dead in liverpool this week and today, the police said they had made three arrests in connection with the death of sam rimmer. they also said they had arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of ashley dale. raids took place across the wirral this morning as officers targeted organised crime gangs. merseyside police said it was baring its teeth at criminals

and actively going after them. so the full investigative resource that is available across this country is at mark and our team's disposal and it is being utilised. it is a direct message to those responsible, to reiterate what mark has said. we will come for you. we will identify you, and we will bring you to justice. joseph nee was the target of the gunman and today the police said they have identified and questioned the man he was with that night as well as another who took him to hospital. police have described the investigation into 0livia's death as fast paced and complex, saying information from the community has been vital. and they were saying that nobody should think that any information they have will not be of use, as they continue to search for this callous killer. and our correspondent alison freeman joine me now from liverpool. where they're from the police that

they will not rest until they find they will not rest until they find the killer of nine—year old 0livia. what have you been hearing this morning about investigation? weill. morning about investigation? well, the olice morning about investigation? well, the police are _ morning about investigation? well, the police are very _ morning about investigation? well, the police are very keen _ morning about investigation? well, the police are very keen to - morning about investigation? -ii the police are very keen to tell us about the updates on the investigation and we heard a number of new lines, the key one being they have been given several names now in the hunt for the gunman and they will keep searching and following up those leads. we also heard that three men withjoseph and the that night were also questioned. two men in the audi with him that took him to hospital and another man that was walking when the attack began. the police say they have not been arrested, they have simply been questioned. we also heard that 0livia's mother has been released from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. he is going to be returned to prison once his treatment for gunshot wounds is complete. this is all because of the

help from the public, peoples information has been vital. but he should think that anything they have seen or heard will have already been told of the police by somebody else. they really must, forward to help move this investigation forward. thank you very much for now, alison. the government is facing further calls to do more to help families and businesses with rising energy bills. the british chambers of commerce wants covid—style emergency grants for firms. and british gas says it will donate 10% of its profits to help poorer customers through a new hardship fund. tomorrow, the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales will be announced. here's our economics correspondent, andy verity. mixing, kneading and baking bread is an energy intensive business, which makes this small independent bakery in sudbury, suffolk, even more vulnerable to the price shock millions of small businesses are now facing. the government's collecting much

more tax on the energy they use, charging vat at 20% on their soaring energy bills. yet most support has been focused on households, while this bakery is facing a jump in its bill of £1,000 a month. at the moment we pay £1,800, which, to me, is a lot of money anyway. but then another £1,000 on top, so next october we will start paying about £3,000. it's frightening, to be perfectly honest. i don't know what we're going to do. i'm just hoping that maybe somebody will offer us a lifeline, maybe the government will help. who knows. customers are trying to spend less amid warnings of a recession. we'll have no businesses left. i think there's so many locally that i speak to that will just close because they can't afford their electricity bills. i'm just hoping we won't be one of them. to stop thousands of firms now feeling the heat from being burnt, business groups say as soon as a new government is formed it must offer much more support. energy prices are disproportionately hitting small and medium—sized businesses.

we want to see emergency energy grants for smaller businesses, a reduction in vat from 20% to 5%, and more powers to 0fgem to ensure businesses are getting the right fixed rate contracts. right now, liz truss's main proposal is to reverse april's rise in national insurance. labour has proposed freezing the energy price cap so the government, not households, pay any further rises in bills. but the living standards think tank the resolution foundation says both proposals help richer households unnecessarily. instead, the government could spend £23 billion cutting everyone's bill by 30%, with the cost offset by adding 1% to all income tax rates. most urgently in need are customers on prepayment meters, who are expected to face energy costs for next january averaging more than £600. tomorrow's expected announcement of another big jump in bills to three times what they were a year ago is unlikely to be the last. andy verity, bbc news. i'm joined now

by owner of the small business sunrise windows, ross dent. thank you for being with us. talk to me about some of the changes that you've seen in your costs. we know as consumers we are all feeling this. we are seeing our energy bills go this. we are seeing our energy bills 9° up this. we are seeing our energy bills go up to crazy levels. what are you seeing from a business point of view, because we should remember you don't get an energy price cap as far as businesses are concerned? brute as businesses are concerned? we don't. i as businesses are concerned? we don't- twill— as businesses are concerned? - don't. i will talk about that any minute if i can. we've had a massive increase in the cost of gas. there's another increase in september next month and are basic costs will have doubled. 0n month and are basic costs will have doubled. on top of that we've had an increase in pvc of 50 or 60%. our

prices have had to increase. a knock—on effect. we are despairing and the whole industry. since mr johnson resigned, they really haven't, you know, they are not addressing this critical issue of rising energy costs.— addressing this critical issue of rising energy costs. there are so many different — rising energy costs. there are so many different factors _ rising energy costs. there are so many different factors that i rising energy costs. there are so many different factors that you l rising energy costs. there are so l many different factors that you are contending with right now. we just got through that big supply chain disrupting, so one would assume getting everything you need to run your business has been difficult. people don't necessarily make that connection, oil costs are going up, so that means the cost of pvc is going up. that's before you get into the cost of running the business through fuel and deliveries and that sort of thing. what is the biggest cost for you?—

sort of thing. what is the biggest cost for you? energy costs, that is the ke , cost for you? energy costs, that is the key. if — cost for you? energy costs, that is the key. if that — cost for you? energy costs, that is the key, if that goes _ cost for you? energy costs, that is the key, if that goes up, _ cost for you? energy costs, that is l the key, if that goes up, everything goes up. the key, if that goes up, everything toes u. ., the key, if that goes up, everything t-oesu. ., ., ~ ., goes up. you were talking about not bein: able goes up. you were talking about not being able to _ goes up. you were talking about not being able to pass _ goes up. you were talking about not being able to pass on _ goes up. you were talking about not being able to pass on these - goes up. you were talking about not being able to pass on these price i being able to pass on these price rises to customers or you might not want to. we rises to customers or you might not want to. ~ ., ., ., ,, want to. we have had to pass them onto of them- _ want to. we have had to pass them onto of them. our _ want to. we have had to pass them onto of them. our customers i want to. we have had to pass them onto of them. our customers are l onto of them. our customers are thinking that is expensive. some of the costs and the increases are out of our control. stare the costs and the increases are out of our control.— the costs and the increases are out of our control. are people saying to ou that of our control. are people saying to you that we — of our control. are people saying to you that we just _ of our control. are people saying to you that we just cant _ of our control. are people saying to you that we just cant afford - of our control. are people saying to you that we just cant afford it? i you that we just cant afford it? some of them are now, yes. the knock—on effect of that is that we will have to reduce sales and vat and everything like that. as a national problem. tell and everything like that. as a national problem.— and everything like that. as a national problem. and everything like that. as a national roblem. ., , national problem. tell me what this for runnina national problem. tell me what this for running your— national problem. tell me what this for running your business _ national problem. tell me what this for running your business for- national problem. tell me what this for running your business for the i for running your business for the people you employ and how long you can absorb these sorts of prizes? brute can absorb these sorts of prizes? we have can absorb these sorts of prizes? - have to pass them the client. it

depends whether the client is willing to pay them. the whole industry has had a difficult two years, but now with the energy costs, the order intake is coming down, the level nationally has dropped as well, we are looking to october, november, december, we are looking at the whole industry at a potential disaster here unless the government can come up with something to reduce this energy cost. . �* , . something to reduce this energy cost. ., �*, ., ., , something to reduce this energy cost. ., ., , ,, ,,, cost. that's what many businesses and consumers _ cost. that's what many businesses and consumers will _ cost. that's what many businesses and consumers will be _ cost. that's what many businesses and consumers will be looking i cost. that's what many businesses and consumers will be looking forl and consumers will be looking for right now, a bit of clarity on what help if any is coming. thank you for being with us. we do wish you well. i think we all need to group together to try and get the government some focus on this. i

know there is this five—part plan and i am hoping that the government will take notice of this. we and i am hoping that the government will take notice of this.— will take notice of this. we will be keein: a will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close — will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close eye _ will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close eye on _ will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close eye on it - will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close eye on it as i i will take notice of this. we will be keeping a close eye on it as i am | keeping a close eye on it as i am sure you will too. good luck. i know it's a tough time to be running any sort of business. thank you for being with us this afternoon. we will stay right across that story and bring you up—to—date if there is any developments on any help being offered to people as a result of those rising prices, notjust energy, but the knock—on effect it has across business. a court in pakistan has given interim bail to the former prime minister, imran khan until the first—of—september in a terrorism case. the cricketer turned politician was charged after he condemned police and judicial officials for the detention and alleged torture of his political aide. 0ur pakistan correspondent pumza finhlani sent this update from outside the court. mr imran khan may not be a stranger to controversy, but these current

charges are the most serious yet. he's facing terrorism charges, and if they stand and he is found guilty, they pose a serious threat to his political career. when he arrived in court today, he arrived in an armoured car under heavy security. a few hundred metres from the courthouse, hundreds of supporters had been standing in the rain, chanting, "imran khan is our man," chanting, "long live imran khan." very clear evidence that this man still enjoys the support of the public. and there's reason for that. when he addresses people here in pakistan, he says that all the charges around him, all the controversy around him is rooted in a political conspiracy. he has repeatedly said that the government are behind it and they are trying to hamper his chances of coming back into politics. he has been using the months since being removed as prime minister as a political tool on the campaign trail to try and garner support. the next move now is this needs to be resolved by the courts. the terrorism charges are not

again for the public. they will need to be resolved by the court. and on the 1st of september is the next move where he will once again be expected to present himself for the terrorism case. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. it was a dramatic morning though for some of us, some thunderstorms moved across parts of the south—east of england. this is where we had lightning strikes and wet weather to the money, some parts of east anglia recorded a months worth of rain but thatis recorded a months worth of rain but that is now on the move, claiming it was, giving dry conditions throughout the day across parts of eastern england albeit with a fair amount of blood. further west, some spells of sunshine all over northern ireland and western parts of scotland, we will see more cloud and some showers. a much fresher feel than we have been used to lately. temperatures between 18—24. as we go through this evening and tonight,

the rain finally clears away. some fog patches here and there but more cloud rolling in from the west with some showers for northern ireland, parts of south—west scotland, maybe wales and the south—west by the end of the night, overnight close between 10—13. as we look towards the weekend, a bank holiday for many and it looks like it will be predominantly dry with some sunshine. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland. the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 — before the pandemic. yeah, i didn't expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've all had before, with the pandemic and stuff, but then when i opened my envelope it was a really good shock. the shooting of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. a think—thank campaigning on behalf

of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. rishi sunak has criticised the government's response to covid — suggesting independent scientific advisers were given too much authority. and a police chief in uvalde, texas, is sacked, after failing to send officers in to stop the gunman who killed 19 pupils and two teachers. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's laura magee. good afternoon. england have made a strong start to the second test against south africa at old trafford. they took five wickets before lunch. captain ben stokes promised his team would be more aggressive after losing the opening test last week — and they certainly have been with ball so far today. south africa won the toss and chose to bat, but afterjames anderson

took the early wicket of sarel erwee, stuart broad and stokes himself then took two further wickets each and anderson took two wickets in as many balls to reduce the visitors to 97—7. there's live coverage on bbc radio 5live sports extra right now and highlight clips on the bbc sport website. newcastle are set to sign real sociedad striker alexander isak for a club record fee of around £60 million. the sweden international would boost the magpies' attacking options given the injury record of callum wilson, who is awaiting results of a hamstring scan. isak has scored a total of 44 goals over the last four seasons for sociedad, and the signing of the 22—year—old would double newcastle's spending this summer to just short of £120 million. they have already recruited matt targett, sven botman and nick pope. rangers are eagerly awaiting this afternoon's champions league draw. they sealed a return to european football's top table for the first

time in more than a decade with a 1—0 defeat of psv eindhoven last night, and manager giovanni van bronkhorst feels the experience will help his side develop. i love that my players will have the opportunity to compete. i always remember my first game in champions league. it was feyenoord againstjuventus away. the first 25 minutes, i was blown away about the level and the wayjuventus played at that time. and to experience that as a player is very... you have to be very privileged because not many players get the chance to compete on this level. well, here's a look at the sides in each pot. rangersjoin rivals celtic in pot four. manchester city, liverpool, chelsea and tottenham are the four english sides to look out for. there'll be live text commentary on the bbc sport website from 5pm. england's jill scott says she'd eventually like to take up a coaching role in the national set—up but admits she will need to "get a bit more organised first".

the 35—year—old announced her retirement from football on tuesday. reflecting on her career and her euros win last month, she told bbc breakfast that the game is unrecognisable now from when she made her england debut in 2006. she's also backing the team to handle the pressure that comes with being european champions. 0lympic mountain biking champion tom pidcock will look to add the world title to his incredible list of successes this weekend. over the last 12 months, the british cyclist has emerged as one of the sport's biggest stars with success across multiple disciplines. in addition to his tokyo 2020 gold, pidcock has also won the cyclo—cross world championship, and the famous alpe d'huez stage in his first tour de france. last week, he warmed up for the world mountain biking championships with victory in the europeans. these, he's told the bbc, are all steps towards his ultimate legacy goal.

when people think of the best cyclists in the world, i want them to say my name. and it does not mean that i need to win the tour de france five times, if i win one, i will be happy. ifi if i win ifiwina if i win a tour, 0lympic mountain bike gold, world championships in three disciplines, the classics, no one else has ever done that. inspiring people as well, i take a lot of pride in being able to do that as well. that's all the sport for now. ill be back with another update in about an hour. let's go back to our top story today — the pass rate for gcses has fallen on last year, from about 77% of papers being awarded 4 or c grades or above, to just over 73%. this is still higher than pre—pandemic levels. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley has spent the morning at a school in wigan, to find out how pupils there have got on. this is a day of celebration. you have come through an awful lot.

you have shown massive fortitude, and we are really, really proud of you. this is how today started. a pep talk to settle nerves ahead of finding out their grades. we followed the pupils here at the deanery church of england high school in wigan. it is essential we have a good revision programme. from revision through to results day. the pandemic, missing school, people going off, i think it was really stressful and hard for everyone. for chelsea, callum and esther, the end of exams also marks the end of their time at this school, as they prepare to head off in different directions. off we go. for callum, there has been little rest this summer, as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional footballer, alongside doing a vocational qualification with wigan athletic. it's equivalent to three a—levels, it's a btec in sport. being able to pursue the start of a career in sport and then also being able to do education about sport on the side, as well, it's amazing.

today he picked up his gcse results. all the hard work has paid off. proud of you. i'm so glad! chelsea's going on to do a—levels. she is happy with her results. the pandemic has been a lesson in resilience. i finally got my results, i have passed. - you are not always going to get the grades you want, _ but i'm still planning to do| medicine, no matter what, i'm still going to become a doctor. ijust want to do something that will help the community. - esther got top marks in every subject, and is going to college. saying goodbye to the teachers who helped get her through the exams will be tough. the teachers have been amazing. in the run—up to exams, the big half—terms, breaks, they had full days of revision. i think it was mostly a confidence thing before going into the exams, just to have that reassurance. chelsea, esther and callum have made the grade, and like thousands of others, they will be moving on to the next phase in their education, and hoping for a future free from the disruption of their time at school. elaine dunkley, bbc news, in wigan.

police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. 0fficers gave an update on their investigation this morning, and say they've now identified a second man who was walking with the intended target of the attack. mark kameen is detective chief superintendent at merseyside police. poor 0livia was murdered brutally in her own home on the 22nd august. 0ur officers continue to carry out extensive inquiries, and i can confirm there are a number of very positive lines of inquiry that we are pursuing. in my previous appeal, i asked for the man responsible for this brutal, callous, thoughtless attack to surrender himself to the police. unfortunately, that individual has failed to do that. but my message to him

remains the same. we will not rest until we find you, and we will find you. again, as i've said, with the appeals around both sam and ashley, i cannot stress enough the importance of community engagement in solving each of these crimes. we have had a wealth of information and engagement, and i am incredibly grateful for that. i can confirm that the 35—year—old man who was the target of this attack remains in hospital, seeking treatment. i can also confirm that merseyside police, working with its partners, have caused that male's licence to be revoked, and he will be returned to prison once his treatment

has been finalised. i can also confirm and ask directly for communities to give us information for the second man that was in company with that 35—year—old man. again, i can now confirm that we have identified that male. i have repeatedly asked for any information and help from our communities, and as i've said already in this conference, i am incredibly grateful for the sheer levels and volume of information that we have received so far. this level of engagement, this level of cooperation and this level of working together simply must continue. mark kameen of merseyside police, there. some other news now. the former government advisor, dominic cummings, has described rishi sunak�*s criticism of the uk's response to covid, as "dangerous rubbish".

the conservative leadership candidate, who was the chancellor during the pandemic, criticised the handling of lockdowns and suggested independent scientists were given too much authority. 0ur political correspondent david wallace lockhart is in westminster and joins me now. we know that liz truss and rishi sunak are trying to make a point of difference in how they are different from the previous government but nonetheless, quite a criticism? it is, especially given rishi sunak was part of that government when the lockdowns were implemented but he has given an interview to the spectator magazine where he has given a bit of background as to his feelings at the time when the lockdowns were imposed. his big criticism is about how decisions were come to, essentially. he talks about there not being enough information on how independent government scientific advisers, the group known as sage, how they ultimately came to their decision all the advice that lockdown was the

correct way to go. he says there was not enough talk about trade—offs, for example, what would locking down society mean for the economy. and he talks about, he makes quite the accusation, actually, that the minutes from sage were edited to remove dissenting opinions. he has since been speaking to the bbc this afternoon on the radio, and he has clarified there that what he meant was that he was only provided with the consensus opinion from sage, so perhaps dissenting voices were not made available. he is also quite critical of what he calls a fear narrative that he believes the government employed at points, such as for example using pictures of people on ventilators when encouraging the public to follow the rules. he is not saying that there shouldn't have been lockdowns but he is saying that more discussion and willingness to engage with the trade—offs means there could have been perhaps different or shorter lockdowns. there has been quite a bit of a reaction to rishi sunak�*s comments, and quite a lot of people

not agreeing with him. we heard from downing street, who talked about at every point, there being collective decisions made by ministers, that were backed up by the scientific evidence, and one member of sage, professor graham ed leigh, has pointed out that it is government that has the power and ultimately, they are the ones that make the decisions, it is not the scientists, who are just providing advice to the government. and as you mentioned in the introduction, we have had from dominic cummings, the former senior adviser to borisjohnson. let's adviser to boris johnson. let's remember, adviser to borisjohnson. let's remember, dominic cummings is no big fan of borisjohnson these days, since he left downing street, he criticises the prime minister regularly but he says in this instance, it is unfair to point the finger of blame at borisjohnson, and he says that rishi sunak�*s interview is dangerous rubbish. we have heard from another former government adviser who was in government adviser who was in government at the time, lee cain, who says the public self—imposed lockdown on themselves, if you think back to the very start of the

pandemic, and he says that is because government ministers were having endless discussions about the trade—offs involved. he is challenging rishi sunak�*s narrative that the government was not talking about or thinking about the economic impact. of course, this is all part of the conservative leadership campaign going on at the moment. we have got another one of the hustings events in norwich tonight, the penultimate one, and around ten days left before party members vote —— as a party members to vote. it left before party members vote -- as a party members to vote.— a party members to vote. it feels like it has been _ a party members to vote. it feels like it has been going _ a party members to vote. it feels like it has been going on - a party members to vote. it feels like it has been going on a i a party members to vote. it feels like it has been going on a very i like it has been going on a very long time, doesn't it?- like it has been going on a very long time, doesn't it? yes. thank ou for long time, doesn't it? yes. thank you forjoining — long time, doesn't it? yes. thank you forjoining us. _ the headlines on bbc news... gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland. the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 before the pandemic. the shooting of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that a catastrophe is coming

this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. the bbc has discovered that google has changed the way it calculates the impact of flying on our climate. the calculator, used by popular online travel sites like skyscanner, now suggests emissions from flights have almost halved. google has been accused of "airbrushing out a huge chunk" of the aviation industry's impact on climate change. 0ur climate editor justin rowlatt has more. aviation has a number of impacts on the climate, one of which is c02 but in addition to that, releasing pollutants at a high altitude produces those contrails that you see in the air, those have additional impacts, driving warming even further. the site is very uncertain but scientists say it is probably in the order of more or less doubling the impact of

aviation. google in its carbon calculator used to take these additional factors calculator used to take these additionalfactors into calculator used to take these additional factors into account and i discovered it had taken them out and it is really interesting because in the know it posted on the website where the methodology is hosted, it said it recognised they were critically important and it wanted to bring them back but after negotiations, discussions with what it calls industry partners, it decided it would not include them any more. google is saying, look, we get that on a global scale, this is important and to give you a sense of how important we are talking about, 1.5% of mankind's total impact on warming, that is how much this additional impact of flying is worth across the whole globe, they say, we recognise that is really important but what the tool does is calculate individual flights and it is really hard to calculate these other factors on individual flights. hard to calculate these other factors on individualflights. what environmental campaigners say is listen, you should be indicating to people that effectively, what you are saying is half of what the real impact is. google says, you know, we will try to do that in the future,

we are talking to academics and we will try to assess it and address it in the future.— in the future. justin rowlatt, there. a school district in the town of uvalde in texas has dismissed its police chief over his handling of a shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers. in may, his officers waited more than an hour to confront the gunman at robb elementary school. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. it was the deadliest school shooting in the united states in almost a decade. tragically familiar scenes. a rampage in the small town of uvalde, where there has been growing pressure for the police to be held accountable. at approximately 11:32am this morning, there was a mass casualty incident at robb elemetary school in uvalde, texas. incident at robb elementary school in uvalde, texas. pete arrendondo was in charge of the six—member police force assigned to the school. shortly after the shooting, it emerged that it was 77 minutes before officers at the

scene breached a door to the classroom where the massacre happened. eventually, a group of officers from the us border control moved in to kill the 18—year—old gunman. the decision to sack the police chief came at a public meeting of the school board. relatives and friends of those who died spoke of their grief and anger at the way the police responded to the shooting. i'm here today to make a statement. if a law enforcement�*s job is to protect and serve, why didn't they protect and serve my friends and teachers on may 24th? i have messages for pete arredondo and all the law enforcement that was there on that day. turn in your badge and step down, you don't deserve to wear one! mr arrendondo did not attend the meeting. his lawyer said he had received death threats and said the vote to dismiss him amounted to a public lynching. the seven—member school board discussed their decision behind closed doors. do not take this into closed sessions. we deserve to hear it. 0ur babies are dead, our teachers are dead, our parents are dead.

the least y'all can do is show us the respect and do this in the public. i move that good cause exists to terminate the noncertified contract of pete arrendondo effective immediately. when it came, the decision to sack the police chief was unanimous. there was applause from the audience, but in a statement, mr arrendondo's lawyer said the school district had failed to carry out any investigation establishing evidence supporting their decision to terminate the employment of his client. peter bowes, bbc news. under way for many farmers but it is a pretty labour—intensive business. but in shropshire, the world's most advanced robot combine harvester is bringing in the wheat and barley. it's the culmination of more than five years of work at harper adams university to develope self driving farm vehicles including

tractors and combines. the aim is to bring products to the market and also help everyone from insurers to the government understand how to make the robot future work. here's our rural affairs correspondent david gregory—kumar. we're here in newport, in shropshire, and this field has been planted and then harvested by autonomous vehicles, what you might like to think of as robots. and now behind the man in charge, and that is kit. what are these vehicles? what are they doing? so we've got a tractor trailer and a combine harvester, essentially small scale machines that you'd find on any farm in the uk. but these drive themselves. so we've got systems on board that take all the controls that an operator would normally do, and we do them autonomously. so they're out in the field following routes, cutting the crops. so we first met you back in 2016. it was like one hectare. you were basically trying to raise crops using these machines. how much have things changed since then? well, in terms ofjust scale,

we're now 35 hectares of land, five different fields, and ourfields are all different shapes, sizes. we have trees and power lines and all the obstacles and intricacies you'd find on a commercial farm, unlike our first perfectly square flat field. so a much more challenging environment. and what have you learned since 2016? well, we've been trying to get these machines to sort of commercial readiness. and that's going from that first prototype system to now a commercially ready system has taken an awful lot of work, but it's getting really close. and some of, i guess our competitors in the market are starting to come to market as well. so you now see autonomous systems on farms. and when do you think you might see sort of robot combine harvesters? is that the hardest thing to do? i think the robot combine harvester is probably the pinnacle and is probably the furthest thing that's going to going to happen. but between now and then, there'll be, you know, all sorts of operations on a farm that can be automated fairly quickly and fairly soon and as i say, already is happening. kit, thank you very much for talking to us. the wheat and the barley that comes from here is actually going into animalfeed now.

so it's quite possible you've eaten a steak that was actually harvested by a robot. when anoosheh ashoori was serving five years in an iranian prison on trumped—up charges, he promised himself that if he ever got back home to the uk, he'd run the london marathon. back in march, he was released at the same time as nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. and it didn't take long for him to keep that promise and pull on his trainers. celestine 0lulode went to meet anoosheh and his family at home. the things that i really missed were such simple things, like making tea. back home and free. a reality anoosheh is still adjusting to five months on. those feelings of waking up in my cell, after having had a nice dream about my wife, about my kids, and then you suddenly wake up to what i used to call my coffin. because it was about one metre by two metres.

and that was my world for nearly five years. afterfive months, i have discovered that i'm getting more flashbacks and i'm also having more panic attacks. that didn't exist two months ago. but now i am feeling that i'm having them. seen here in march with nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, touching down on uk soil, five years earlier, anoosheh was arrested whilst visiting his mother in iran. unknowingly we had prepared ourselves that he would be away for ten years, because that was his sentence. and there was no guarantee that they would not add onto it at the end of it. but also at the same time, you don't consciously, you try not to think about that. because if you do think about it, you go mad. so you live your life day to day. keeping fit kept anoosheh determined, and whilst in prison, he decided that whenever

he was released, he would take part in the london marathon. when i was transferred to the main prison, a group of inmates were actually doing exercises every day. and i asked if i could join them. in october, he will be running with his son aryan. they are fundraising for amnesty international and hostage international. i arrived at a point where i could in fact do more than an hour. and i reached a point that i once did two hours of running, nonstop. hollywood actor idris elba is in east london for his new film, beast. in it — he battles with a lion. just the latest in a very varied career, spanning almost every genre. he's been speaking to our reporter michael mckenzie about what might come next. # it's gonna be a bright, bright...#

what's that? there's something crossing up ahead. it's an action—packed movie set in the bush of south africa, and stars londoner idris elba. it tells the story of a family who find themselves face to face with a lion. it was filmed on location in south africa, in the bush, what was that like? south africa was great, i love working in south africa as a location, as a place, as a country, ijust, very, very have a lot of affection for it. this film needed to shoot in the wilderness, like even for us as a crew, it wasn't easy for us, we were out there. and for his producer will packer, living in the bush was quite an experience. i often second guessed that decision, my friend, when i was out deep in the bush, you know, trying to dodge poisonous snakes and hearing nomadic lions growl in the middle of the night, when we were in tents and huts. but you know what,

it was all worth it, because i think that it makes the film, it gives the film an authenticity it would not otherwise have. and then for you, idris, you are really busy, what's next? three thousand years of longing is the next film, which comes out in a week. it's a very, very different film. i did it with george miller and tilda swinton. then i have luther the movie coming, i am hoping to bring luther back to the big screen with, for a new audience and the existing audience. we're in his territory now. and beast is released in cinemas this friday. michael mckenzie, bbc london. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. it was a dramatic start to the day for some of us with thunderstorms that moved across some southern and eastern parts of england. this is where we had the lightning strikes and the very wet

weather through the morning. some parts of east anglia recorded more than a months worth of rain. that wet weather is now on the move, clearing eastwards to give drier conditions through the rest of the day across parts of eastern england, albeit with a fair amount of cloud. further west, spells of sunshine although for northern ireland and western parts of scotland, more clout and some showers. much fresher feel than we have been used to lately. temperatures between 18—24. as we go through this evening and overnight, we will see the rain finally clearing away, some fog patches here and there and more cloud rolling in from the west with some showers for northern ireland and parts of south—west scotland and maybe wales and the south—west by the end of the night. 0vernight close between 10—13. as we look ahead towards the weekend, a bank holiday for many and it looks like it will be predominantly dry with some sunshine.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the shooting of 9—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. we will not rest until we find you, and we will find you. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland — the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 — before the pandemic. yeah, i didn't expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've all had before, with the pandemic and stuff, but then why opened my envelope it was a really good shock. and martin and i met this high school in luton where we'll be

talking about the difference in attainment levels and gcses between the north and south of the country. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that a catastrophe is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. rishi sunak has criticised the government's response to covid — suggesting independent scientific advisers were given too much authority. and a police chief in uvalde, texas is sacked afterfailing to send officers in, to stop the gunman who killed 19 pupils and two teachers. our top story this afternoon: police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbell. 0livia was shot as her mother

struggled with two men at her home in liverpool on monday night. 0fficers gave an update on their investigation earlier today, and say they've now identified a second man who was walking with the intended target of the attack. from liverpool, alison freeman reports. three days since 0livia pratt—korbel was murdered in her own home. the gunman remains at large. police say they have now been given a number of names in the hunt for the killerfor this nine—year—old, fatally shot as her mother tried to stop him entering their home. the force has repeatedly called on the man responsible to give himself up, knowing what he has done. i struggle to find the words to describe that individual and what they have done. and the fact that having found out, and they would know what they've done, they still do not have the conscience to come forward and give themselves up. i think that speaks volumes

of the individual that we are dealing with. 0livia was the third person to be shot dead in liverpool this week, and today the police said they had made three arrests in connection with the death of sam rimmer. they also said they had arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of ashley dale. raids took place across the wirral this morning as officers targeted organised crime gangs. merseyside police saying it was baring its teeth at criminals and actively going after them. the full investigative resource available across this country is at mark's and our team of�*s disposal and it is being utilised. it is a direct message to those responsible, to reiterate what mark has said, we will come for you, we will identify you, and we will bring you to justice. joseph nee was the target of the gunman and today police say they have identified and questioned the man who was with him that night as well as another who

took him to hospital. police have described the investigation into 0livia's death as fast—paced and complex, saying information from the community have been vital. they are saying that nobody should link any information they have will not be of use as they continue to search for this callous killer. alison freeman, bbc news, liverpool. and our correspondent alison freeman joine me now from liverpool. we've joine me now from liverpool. been hearing from tt today we've been hearing from the police today that they say they will not rest until they find the killer. yes, and they've been very keen to tell us the lines of inquiry they are pursuing and the progress they're making. the key point they wanted to tell us today, they have several names now in the hunt for that gunman that's forced her way into 0livia's home. just down the road behind me. they will leave no stone on unturned. joe sidney...

joseph nee has been spoken to. they then drove him to hospital in an audi. they have not been arrested, but they have been questioned by police. 0ther but they have been questioned by police. other information onjoseph nee being returned to prison once his hospital treatment is complete after he has been treated for those gunshot wounds he suffered and we also now know that 0livia's mother has been released from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. the message here today is that as they continue to do forensic search is on the ground, they want to hear from anybody who is search is on the ground, they want to hearfrom anybody who is in search is on the ground, they want to hear from anybody who is in the area that night. they don't want people to assume the information they might have has already been given by someone else. the police want you to talk to them and they have had fantastic information already, but that is key to this investigation.— already, but that is key to this investigation. absolutely a key messa . e investigation. absolutely a key message there. _

investigation. absolutely a key message there. thank - investigation. absolutely a key message there. thank you i investigation. absolutely a key message there. thank you so l investigation. absolutely a key i message there. thank you so much, alison. students in england, wales and northern ireland have been getting their gcse results — after the first exams in three years. grades are lower than during the pandemic when they were based on teacher assessments, but higher than pre—covid. the government say that's part of the plan in the transition back to exams. there are strong regional variations in today's results — with a north south divide in england. vocational and technical awards are also out, with some delays for btecs. here's our education correspondent sean dilley. success summed up. ifelt like i was missing out but i feel better now that i've got my results. not really nervous at all. i knew plenty of people that were nervous but you can't change what's on the paper. i did not expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've i all had before the pandemicl and stuff, but when i opened the envelope it wasl a really good shock. the truth is they have done better than they might think.

this is the first year since 2019, before the pandemic, that traditional exams have taken place. fewer have achieved top marks compared with the previous two years when teacher assessments determined grades but that, says the government, was the plan. what we are seeing these results today is, yes, the return to examinations, albeit with a number of adaptations reflecting the disruption young people have faced over the past couple of years so results are higher than they were when we last had exams in 2019, but lower than under teacher assessed grades in 2021. while some may look enviously at those receiving higher teacher assessed grades in 2020 and 2021, additional help was given this year as well. grade boundaries were set more generously than in 2019 and advanced exam content information sheets were available for some subjects to compensate for disruption. here is what this year's gcse figures look like. 73.2% of gcses were marked at grade four or above in england, the broad equivalent of c or above.

in wales and northern ireland, this is down from 77.1% last year but much higher than 2019 when the figure was 67.3%. those achieving top grades of seven or above in england, or a or a* in wales and northern ireland, fell to 26.3% from 28.9% last year. in 2019, the figure was 20.8%. the exams watchdog for england says its aim is for results to sit between pre—pandemic levels and last year's high was set with fairness in mind. similar plans were put in place in wales and northern ireland. scotland also saw fewer students land top marks in its exams earlier this month. concerns have been raised about regional differences in top grades. in england, the attainment gap between north and south is significant. in london, 32.6% of gcses were marked at seven or above compared with 22.4% in the north—east of england. the gap between the highest

and lowest performing regions has actually closed slightly, particularly in comparison to last year, so what we are seeing is a kind of mixed and complex picture. it has been a complicated few years with teacher assessed grades. the message from the government is that pupils should be proud of what they have achieved in an extraordinary year. the message from 92—year—old derek skipper, who is believed to be one of the oldest people to sit a gcse, is, it's never too late to sit another. i opened up this morning to find i got a five, which is as high as i could get on the very basic maths gcse course i took. so i'm delighted to have got it. my colleague martine has been speaking to students and teachers in denbigh high school in luton today — and we can cross to her now. lots of nerves this morning. some of us have gone away as they did pretty

well, didn't they?— well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were _ well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were a _ well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were a lot _ well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were a lot of— well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were a lot of squeals i well, didn't they? yes, they did. there were a lot of squeals of i there were a lot of squeals of delight. most people doing better than they expected they said. the school is particularly pleased with the amount of value they feel they can add between when the children arrive at age 11 and when they leave at 16. arrive at age 11 and when they leave at16. because arrive at age 11 and when they leave at 16. because this is in an area of looting that has pockets of disadvantage. we heard in the report there that attention is being paid after the pandemic to the differs in attainment to the north and south of england. and england, wales and northern ireland have received their gcse results today. i'm joined by allie denholm, headteacher of heworth grange school in gateshead. tell us how well your students have done today? i tell us how well your students have done today?— tell us how well your students have done toda ? ., , done today? i am 'ust delighted with the outcome — done today? i am just delighted with the outcome today. _ done today? i am just delighted with the outcome today. it's _

done today? i am just delighted with the outcome today. it's been - done today? i am just delighted with the outcome today. it's been the i the outcome today. it's been the first formal exams in three years. the students went into those exams calm, focused, and worked really, really well with the staff and they have had tears ofjoy, whoops of delight, it'sjust been have had tears ofjoy, whoops of delight, it's just been a fabulous day today. really happy for everyone. i day today. really happy for everyone-— day today. really happy for everyone. day today. really happy for eve one. ., ., ., everyone. i am delighted to hear that. i believe _ everyone. i am delighted to hear that. i believe you _ everyone. i am delighted to hear that. i believe you have - everyone. i am delighted to hear that. i believe you have two i everyone. i am delighted to hear. that. i believe you have two pupils with you have had their results today. how did you get on? i did well. today. how did you get on? i did well- very _ today. how did you get on? i did well. very well, _ today. how did you get on? i did well. very well, very _ today. how did you get on? i c c well. very well, very happy. today. how did you get on? i did. well. very well, very happy. what does that mean _ well. very well, very happy. what does that mean you _ well. very well, very happy. what does that mean you can _ well. very well, very happy. what does that mean you can go - well. very well, very happy. what does that mean you can go on and do next? it does that mean you can go on and do next? . . . does that mean you can go on and do next? ., , ., ., next? it means i am enrolled in newcastle _ next? it means i am enrolled in newcastle sixth _ next? it means i am enrolled in newcastle sixth form _ next? it means i am enrolled in newcastle sixth form college i next? it means i am enrolled in i newcastle sixth form college and i can go on and do my a—levels. what can go on and do my a-levels. what sub'ects can go on and do my a-levels. what subjects have _ can go on and do my a-levels. what subjects have you _ can go on and do my a-levels. what subjects have you chosen? - can go on and do my a-levels. what subjects have you chosen? i - can go on and do my a-levels. what subjects have you chosen? i have i subjects have you chosen? i have chosen maths, _ subjects have you chosen? i have chosen maths, physics, - subjects have you chosen? i have | chosen maths, physics, computer science for my three a—levels. it’s

science for my three a-levels. it's treat to science for my three a-levels. it's great to hear— science for my three a—levels. it's great to hear so many people choosing sciences today. how did you get on? i choosing sciences today. how did you net on? . , . get on? i did pretty well, i am chuffed. both _ get on? i did pretty well, i am chuffed. both rather— get on? i did pretty well, i am chuffed. both rather modest. | get on? i did pretty well, i am i chuffed. both rather modest. what are ou chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping _ chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping to _ chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping to do _ chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping to do next? - chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping to do next? i- chuffed. both rather modest. what are you hoping to do next? i bet i chuffed. both rather modest. what. are you hoping to do next? i bet you are you hoping to do next? i bet you are not normally this quiet. what are not normally this quiet. what are you going to do next? physics and maths- _ are you going to do next? physics and maths. and _ are you going to do next? physics and maths. and maybe _ are you going to do next? physics| and maths. and maybe chemistry. are you going to do next? physics i and maths. and maybe chemistry. you must have done _ and maths. and maybe chemistry. you must have done pretty _ and maths. and maybe chemistry. you must have done pretty well _ and maths. and maybe chemistry. you must have done pretty well to - and maths. and maybe chemistry. you must have done pretty well to have i must have done pretty well to have chosen those. just briefly, how well supported did you feel from school? quite well supported, over lockdown we were getting work sent through and revision to do. you we were getting work sent through and revision to do.— and revision to do. you haven't really known — and revision to do. you haven't really known what _ and revision to do. you haven't really known what it's - and revision to do. you haven't really known what it's like i and revision to do. you haven't really known what it's like to i and revision to do. you haven't| really known what it's like to be and revision to do. you haven't i really known what it's like to be at

a normal school for about three years, have you? a lot of it has been done at home. it’s years, have you? a lot of it has been done at home.— years, have you? a lot of it has been done at home. it's been quite difficult with _ been done at home. it's been quite difficult with laptops _ been done at home. it's been quite difficult with laptops and _ been done at home. it's been quite difficult with laptops and having i been done at home. it's been quite difficult with laptops and having to | difficult with laptops and having to adapt _ difficult with laptops and having to adapt and change to the situation. thankfully— adapt and change to the situation. thankfully i am here and i've got the results they wanted. quite happy. — the results they wanted. quite happy. i— the results they wanted. quite ha . _ ., , the results they wanted. quite ha - . .. , ., the results they wanted. quite ha... ., , ., ., the results they wanted. quite happy. i am pleased to hear it. can ou happy. i am pleased to hear it. can you expand — happy. i am pleased to hear it. can you expand on _ happy. i am pleased to hear it. can you expand on that, _ happy. i am pleased to hear it. can you expand on that, the _ happy. i am pleased to hear it. can you expand on that, the impact i happy. i am pleased to hear it. can| you expand on that, the impact that covid has had particularly in the north—east of england, what supporter you hoping for first schools and you're part of the country for the future to try and narrow that attainment gap? brute country for the future to try and narrow that attainment gap? we have been really fortunate _ narrow that attainment gap? we have been really fortunate in _ narrow that attainment gap? we have been really fortunate in that - narrow that attainment gap? we have been really fortunate in that we've i been really fortunate in that we've been really fortunate in that we've been able to take advantage of the national tutoring programme, which has been really well received by the students here. we were fortunate enough to have fantastic tutors and maths, english and science who are able to work with the children in very small groups to make a big difference and that's been fantastic. we are supported with

budgets for our careers education through ourfunding budgets for our careers education through our funding formula we use that to make sure our students can really open their eyes to what is out there and what's available for them and they can go on to do these amazing next steps which we are hearing from the pupils here. that's what we want for all our children. this is about providing the very best education day in and day out and we want to provide equity for our students and obviously financial support is really important to be able to do that. everything that we do is around making sure those children can get the very best outcomes they can get. finally and briefl , outcomes they can get. finally and briefly. how _ outcomes they can get. finally and briefly, how resourceful _ outcomes they can get. finally and briefly, how resourceful does i outcomes they can get. finally and briefly, how resourceful does that l briefly, how resourceful does that mean that you and your staff have to be every year? i mean that you and your staff have to be every year?—

be every year? i think we are extremely — be every year? i think we are extremely creative. - be every year? i think we are extremely creative. we i be every year? i think we are extremely creative. we work| be every year? i think we are i extremely creative. we work really hard to find out what is going to make the biggest difference. we focus on high quality teaching and learning all of the time, but also really ensuring that the literacy and strategy that we have in place for the school is top—notch and that our children have fantastic personal experiences as well and that they get to go and visit the colleges and universities that we also have some great people coming into school to provide workshops for our children, whether it's in the arts or sciences. it'sjust whether it's in the arts or sciences. it's just about ensuring our children get the access to everything that they absolutely deserve. it's what they should have and it has been fantastic to be able to move from that being online to now being face—to—face and it's made such a difference. it is obvious. to see that in school. the such a difference. it is obvious. to see that in school.— see that in school. the next forthcoming _ see that in school. the next forthcoming academic i see that in school. the next forthcoming academic year | see that in school. the next i forthcoming academic year might see that in school. the next -

forthcoming academic year might be even better, even easier, for you all. thank you and congratulations to you all. schools these days do far more than just prepare children for exams. here at this high school they pride themselves on offering all sorts of extra curricular activities to try to broaden horizons to give children opportunities they might not otherwise get. we have been hearing about this from assistant head teacher who is also responsible for personal development. pupil development is quite a broad remit. it covers a wide range of responsibility that the school has to help students to develop their character. what we are really looking at their is firstly kind of values in education, so explicitly teaching students our values. we are also looking at a wide range of trips and extracurricular opportunities, so that students can kind of develop their own interests outside of the taught curriculum. why do you do it, though?

we know that schools have to hopefully equip you with qualifications but why is this important? it helps students for their future career path. it makes them more articulate. it helps them to develop their own confidence and of course, if they can develop interest in things, it helps with the academic side as well because all of the events we offer are linked to kind of academic subjects in some ways. what sort of activities can they do? so there are book clubs, there is debate societies, there is the student council. we also have the sporting activities as well. and a wide range of creative arts, so music and drama. and you begin this programme with them as soon as they arrive at 11, in year seven, all the way through to year 11 when they are 16. what difference do you see it makes to a child across those five years? yeah, well, i mean, iam hoping you saw it today when you interviewed some of the students here. we have a very confident cohort of students. they are articulate, happy to come on camera and be interviewed and i like to think that our

extracurricular programme as well as the taught programme and the fantastic teachers we have here have helped them to develop those skills and to develop their self—confidence. and how do you see them carrying on with some of those activities and interests after they leave you? not all of the students are going to carry on all of their clubs but they will have had the opportunity to take part in a piano club or the opportunity to take part in violin club and if they don't carry it on, that's fine but they may have an interest in music when they get to six form. they might learn to play another instrument. they might become part of a society or an organisation where they are using the skills that they first developed here. as an update looking at some of the differences in results. it's been a difficult year for so many students getting through the pandemic and then facing exams for the first time in three years. let's return to

martin who has been there all day. you've talked about that north and south divide, the difference in difficulty for many of the students who have been trying to contend with such a strange few years. what are your impressions of the day and where these results leave us, what do they tell us about what has gone on? ~ . do they tell us about what has gone on? . ., , ~' , do they tell us about what has gone on? . . , ,, , , do they tell us about what has gone on? ,, on? what strikes me is schools like this and another— on? what strikes me is schools like this and another when _ on? what strikes me is schools like this and another when i _ on? what strikes me is schools like this and another when i visited i on? what strikes me is schools like this and another when i visited in i this and another when i visited in darlington last september in a similar sort of catchment area where there are socio— economic challenges and families who don't really have enough to get by often and are relying on their school and the school community to really support their children is that there is a great deal of creative, resourceful teaching going on any lot of schools and we hear that they don't have the funding they would like some of the time, but because of the sheer skill and commitment of a lot of staff in schools, they are adding that value.

they are taking children in at 11 who may be lacking in confidence and a lot of them don't have english as a lot of them don't have english as a first language, so they have all of those barriers and challenges to overcome. with the right support, we have seen extraordinary results at 16. not everyone gets the results they want, not everyone can. schools are much better equipped to guide people whether they are high achievers are not doing as well as they would have liked into post—16 or higher education. there are so many more options than there were ten or 20 years ago. it doesn't have to be a levels. it can be technical or vocational training that leads you to a job where employers are getting the skills from you that they already need. i feel optimistic about what we have heard today. that's interesting about vocational qualifications. so many business i talked to on the road as well told

me it's about having the right skills for the rightjobs available. we should say top marks to you today interviewing some less than talkative teenagers, so well done. i have two teenagers of my own, so i am well qualified. you certainly are. thank you so much. let's look at some of our other stories today. the government is facing further calls to do more to help families and businesses with rising energy bills. the british chambers of commerce wants covid—style emergency grants for firms. and british gas says it will donate 10% of its profits to help poorer customers through a new hardship fund. tomorrow, the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales will be announced. here's our economics correspondent, andy verity. mixing, kneading and baking bread is an energy intensive business, which makes this small independent bakery in sudbury, suffolk, even more vulnerable to the price shock millions of small businesses are now facing.

the government's collecting much more tax on the energy they use, charging vat at 20% on their soaring energy bills. yet most support has been focused on households, while this bakery is facing a jump in its bill of £1000 a month. at the moment we pay £1800, which, to me, is a lot of money anyway. but then another £1000 on top, so next october we will start paying about £3000. it's frightening, to be perfectly honest. i don't know what we're going to do. i'm just hoping that maybe somebody will offer us a lifeline, maybe the government will help. who knows. customers are trying to spend less amid warnings of a recession. we'll have no businesses left. i think there's so many locally that i speak to that will just close because they can't afford their electricity bills. i'm just hoping we won't be one of them. to stop thousands of firms now feeling the heat from being burnt, business groups say as soon as a new government is formed it

must offer much more support. energy prices are disproportionately hitting small and medium—sized businesses. we want to see emergency energy grants for smaller businesses, a reduction in vat from 20% to 5%, and more powers to 0fgem to ensure businesses are getting the right fixed rate contracts. right now, liz truss's main proposal is to reverse april's rise in national insurance. labour has proposed freezing the energy price cap so the government, not households, pay any further rises in bills. but the living standards think tank the resolution foundation says both proposals help richer households unnecessarily. instead, the government could spend £23 billion cutting everyone's bill by 30%, with the cost offset by adding 1% to all income tax rates. most urgently in need are customers on prepayment meters, who are expected to face energy costs for next january averaging more than £600. tomorrow's expected announcement of another big jump in bills to three times what they were a year ago is unlikely to be the last.

andy verity, bbc news. so what are the answers if any? i'm joined now by the alex veitch, director of policy and public affairs at the british chambers of commerce, the organisation that has just published it's five point plan to help businesses with the rising cost of energy. talk to me about the five—point plan. what is the answer to the soaring prices that we have been told could put many businesses out of business? we told could put many businesses out of business?— told could put many businesses out of business? we are putting forward solutions today _ of business? we are putting forward solutions today to _ of business? we are putting forward solutions today to help _ of business? we are putting forward solutions today to help tackle i of business? we are putting forward solutions today to help tackle the i solutions today to help tackle the problems we've just heard about in your package. it was very depressing news to hear about the small businesses facing monthly costs rises. we spoke to a small manufacturer in the north west is energy costs went up to £700,000 for the year. he was put on a variable rate. i think the trick here is to look for solutions that are workable, that can help in the

short—term, build to the long term, we have a range of options here from a longer term measure. that is bringing 0fgem, the regulator, interplay, to make sure they are taking a careful look to make sure businesses get fair and fixed rates. then we are asking governments to step in with financial support ranging from a temporary cut in vat to 5% and covid style emergency funds to tide vulnerable businesses over until hopefully costs come down and the economy comes up. not like you mentioned 0fgem, the regulator. many people are struggling to figure out what of genders. is it on the side of the consumer or business? 0fgem has a responsibility to provide fair approaches. what we are

seeing is a difference in the way that they approach nondomestic users and households. i cannot speakfor households. they don't have the same responsibility to make sure businesses can access multiple quotes with fixed prices over time. we have spoken to 0fgem and this is a well—known issue in policy world and it's true and we know they are looking at it. it takes a bit of time to get sorted out. we then give 0fgem where a player in the game helping businesses access contracted rates that would really help because it would mean that less businesses default to variable tariffs which are normally much higher. we think 0fgem are but we would like them to step up their support and advice and regulatory authority for businesses. we hope to see that happen. we know

business is pretty _ we hope to see that happen. we know business is pretty flexible _ we hope to see that happen. we know business is pretty flexible and - business is pretty flexible and resilient. it'sjust gone business is pretty flexible and resilient. it's just gone through one of the bigger pupils. lots of businesses were. close or downsize staff. how seismic is this? it 3 seismic and is a tidal wave. we think every time we are out of the woods we are back in the middle of the forest. this is something that really is what the economists call something that came outside of normal economic life and business life. we are any world unfortunately were russia's weapon icing energy supplies and that is driving up prices. it's a fundamental challenge to the economy and what we are asking for today is for government to step in and help the vulnerable businesses and this is important because there are businesses of a smaller size like the bakery you heard from before and we have members of the chamber is commerce

in the black country making ceramics, they are very heavy energy users. we have larger businesses that use less because they are based or working from home. there are targeted approaches the government can use. they can look at peoples energy usage, look at their vulnerability to a dramatic increase in price to target support. that's where we are taking it to the next stage, talking to the treasury to make sure the government can target their support to people most in need. pt. their support to people most in need. �* ., ., , their support to people most in need. ., ., , ,, , ., need. a lot of people keeping a close e e need. a lot of people keeping a close eye on — need. a lot of people keeping a close eye on what _ need. a lot of people keeping a close eye on what would i need. a lot of people keeping a close eye on what would help i need. a lot of people keeping a i close eye on what would help and that may be forthcoming to tackle those soaring prices. good to have you with us this afternoon from the british chambers of commerce. and tomorrow morning on bbc news as the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales is announced. we'll be answering your questions on energy costs.

at 11.30am here on the bbc news channel we'll be joined by a consumer expert and our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey. get in touch with your questions — by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk or get in touch on social media using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. it was a dramatic start to the day for some of us with thunderstorms that moved across some southern and eastern parts of england. this is where we had the lightning strikes and the very wet weather through the morning. some parts of east anglia recorded more than a month's worth of rain. that wet weather is now on the move, clearing eastwards to give drier conditions through the rest of the day across parts of eastern england, albeit with a fair amount of cloud. further west, spells of sunshine although for northern ireland and western parts of scotland, more clout and some showers. much fresher feel than we have been used to lately.

temperatures between 18—24. as we go through this evening and overnight, we will see the rain finally clearing away, some fog patches here and there and more cloud rolling in from the west with some showers for northern ireland and parts of south—west scotland and maybe wales and the south—west by the end of the night. 0vernight lows between 10—13. as we look ahead towards the weekend, a bank holiday for many and it looks like it will be predominantly dry with some sunshine. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the shooting of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in, despite repeated appeals. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland. the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019, before the pandemic. a think—thank campaigning on behalf

of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. rishi sunak has criticised the government's response to covid — suggesting independent scientific advisers were given too much authority. and a police chief in uvalde, texas, is sacked, after failing to send officers in to stop the gunman who killed 19 pupils and two teachers. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's laura magee. good afternoon. england have made an impressive start to the second test against south africa at old trafford. they took five wickets before lunch. captain ben stokes promised his team would be more aggressive after losing the opening test last week — and they certainly have been with ball so far today. south africa won the toss and chose to bat, which so far looks like a bad decision.

ito—year—old james anderson has been the pick of the bowlers taking the first wicket and two in as many balls after lunch to reduce the visitors to 160—8. there's live coverage on bbc radio 5 live sports extra right now. ex—england batter gary ballance has apologised to azeem rafiq for using racist language against his former 0nce yorkshire team—mate. details of racial abuse at the county emerged in september 2020 when rafiq said discrimination had left him feeling suicidal. ballance made the apology in—person during a meeting with rafiq in london this week. after meeting, rafiq said, "all i ever wanted was acceptance and apologies for what happened." newcastle are set to sign real sociedad striker alexander isak for a club record fee of around £60 million. the sweden international would boost the magpies' attacking options given the injury record of callum wilson, who is awaiting results of a hamstring scan. isak has scored a total of 44 goals over

the last four seasons for sociedad. his signing would be a significant shift from newcastle's owners, who took over the club in october, and would almost double their spending this summer to short of £120 million. well, there is only a week of the transfer window left and it's been another big summer of spending in the premier league — according to analysis from finance company deloitte. they claim premier league clubs have broken their record for spending in a summer transfer window, exceeding the previous record of £1.11 billion in 2017. the so—called big six have contributed heavily to that — liverpool spent £61; million on darwin nunez, while manchester united have signed midfielder casemiro for £60 million. richarlison, erling haaland and raheem sterling have also alljoined new clubs — and all moved for £50 million or more. injust over an hour, the draw for the champions league group stage will be made. rangers are in it for the first time

in a decade following their 1—0 win against psv eindhoven last night, and theyjoin rivals celtic in pot four. manchester city, liverpool, chelsea and tottenham are the four english sides to look out for. there'll be live text commentary on the bbc sport website from 5pm. over the last 12 months, the british cyclist tom pidcock has emerged as one of the sport's biggest stars with success across multiple disciplines. and this weekend, the olympic mountain biking champion will look to add the world title to his incredible list of successes. in addition to his tokyo 2020 gold, pidcock has also won the cyclo—cross world championship, and the famous alpe d'huez stage in his first tour de france. last week he warmed up for the world mountain biking championships with victory in the europeans. these , he's told the bbc, are all steps towards his ultimate legacy goal. when people think of the best cyclists in the world,

i want them to say my name. and it does not mean that i need to win the tour de france five times, if i win one, i will be happy. if i win a tour, 0lympic mountain bike gold, world championships in three disciplines, the classics, no one else has ever done that. inspiring people as well, i take a lot of pride in being able to do that as well. just before i go, 21 time grand slam tennis champion novak djokovic has just released a statement on social media saying he will not be able to travel to new york for the us open. we will have more on that later. thank you forjoining us. and i know you will say across that story for us. we will see you in an hour. let's go back to our top story today. the pass rate for gcses has fallen on last year, from about 77% of papers being awarded 4 or c grades or above, to just over 73%. this is still higher than pre—pandemic levels. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley has spent the morning at a school in wigan, to find out how pupils there have got on.

this is a day of celebration. you have come through an awful lot. you have shown massive fortitude, and we are really, really proud of you. this is how today started. a pep talk to settle nerves ahead of finding out their grades. we followed the pupils here at the deanery church of england high school in wigan. it is essential we have a good revision programme. from revision through to results day. the pandemic, missing school, people going off, i think it was really stressful and hard for everyone. for chelsea, callum and esther, the end of exams also marks the end of their time at this school, as they prepare to head off in different directions. off we go. for callum, there has been little rest this summer, as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional footballer, alongside doing a vocational qualification with wigan athletic. it's equivalent to three a—levels, it's a btec in sport. being able to pursue the start of a career in sport and then also being able to do education about sport on the side, as well, it's amazing.

today he picked up his gcse results. all the hard work has paid off. proud of you. i'm so glad! chelsea's going on to do a—levels. she is happy with her results. the pandemic has been a lesson in resilience. i finally got my results, i have passed. - you are not always going to get the grades you want, _ but i'm still planning to do| medicine, no matter what, i'm still going to become a doctor. ijust want to do something that will help the community. - esther got top marks in every subject, and is going to college. saying goodbye to the teachers who helped get her through the exams will be tough. the teachers have been amazing. in the run—up to exams, the big half—terms, breaks, they had full days of revision. i think it was mostly a confidence thing before going into the exams, just to have that reassurance. chelsea, esther and callum have made the grade, and like thousands of others, they will be moving on to the next phase in their education, and hoping for a future free from the disruption of their time at school. elaine dunkley, bbc news, in wigan.

let's get the latest from our education correspondent sean dilley. nice to see you. a really nerve—racking day for so many and it has been a such a weird few years as well for them, has been a such a weird few years as well forthem, hasn't has been a such a weird few years as well for them, hasn't it? talk to me about what the grades tell us about what is happened.— what is happened. certainly, i imatine what is happened. certainly, i imagine it— what is happened. certainly, i imagine it is _ what is happened. certainly, i imagine it is probably - what is happened. certainly, i imagine it is probably very i imagine it is probably very nerve—racking for parents, thinking, are they going to have to do a steak dinner or buy new games consul, you know what it is like when gcse results come out. they tell us what the exams watchdog in england, 0fqual, and the other three bodies in scotland, wales and northern ireland had wanted to, really, there's a significant reduction compared with last year's fairly high results but it is still much higher than 2019, the last year when exams were taken. these are different because for the past two years, gcses were decided based upon teacher assessments. you can imagine, can't you, and infact, i

can't even fully imagine but you can imagine being envious of the pupils who took it last year and the year before but the important thing to remember is, two things, actually, they are marked differently, you can't really compare a or a* or a seven, eight or nine in england and wales and it is an important part of getting gcses back to where they were at pre—pandemic level. you were at pre-pandemic level. you touched on _ were at pre-pandemic level. you touched on that _ were at pre—pandemic level. you touched on that difference not only on how grades are awarded by the regional disparities as well, so just explain what that tells us may be a bit about the marking but also about where students are taking exams? . , ., ., , exams? certainly, in their nations, there are significant _ exams? certainly, in their nations, there are significant differences i there are significant differences because you can look to wales, where 25.1% were graded as a* and a and it is 37% in northern ireland, and in england, there is a large disparity depending on where you are in the

country, 32.6% in london were marked at grade seven or above, which is the equivalent of a* and a in old money and that is compared with 22.4% in the north—east. 0ne money and that is compared with 22.4% in the north—east. one of the reasons various schools have been proffering as a result north beyond general socio— economic inequality is the fact there were more restrictive regional lockdowns and that was their submission in terms of inequality in different parts of the country but whether we have seen a widening of the gap in different years anyway. it is not a new thing but people will be saying why and how did lockdown policies influence that. edit how did lockdown policies influence that. , ., ., how did lockdown policies influence that. ., ., ~ that. of course, and on days like these there's _ that. of course, and on days like these there's a _ that. of course, and on days like these there's a lot _ that. of course, and on days like these there's a lot of _ that. of course, and on days like these there's a lot of focus i that. of course, and on days like these there's a lot of focus on i these there's a lot of focus on results and numbers and statistics. but we should also talk about vocational qualifications and the importance of people just having the right skills for the next stage, because this is just a long right skills for the next stage, because this isjust a long process, isn't it? gcses will lead onto other things that will potentially lead to job in the end. yes things that will potentially lead to job in the end-—

job in the end. yes and we had a similar chat _ job in the end. yes and we had a similar chat when _ job in the end. yes and we had a similar chat when a-level i job in the end. yes and we had a| similar chat when a-level results similar chat when a—level results came out last week, in fact, this time last week. of course your gcse or your btec results or your tech awards are going to make a difference. there are many people now thinking about what is going to happen next but you have to bear in mind, further education institutions will know the grades are different compared with last year, they will know that and the majority of pupils will get what they want. you have to bear this in mind, will get what they want. you have to bearthis in mind, i'm not will get what they want. you have to bear this in mind, i'm not being flippant, i'm being bear this in mind, i'm not being flippant, i'm being serious, if bear this in mind, i'm not being flippant, i'm being serious, if you are watching this now as a student, your parents and family are dead proud of you today, they really are. look at what options are there, on bbc breakfast this morning, a 92—year—old gentleman was on there, talking about is maths gcse. in a way, it is never too late to learn. but i will make a recommendation, throughout the day, colleagues from the bbc news education team are posting on the live page on your app, posting on the live page on your app, smartphone and online and you have to check it out because it shows for example that girls are

doing much better than boys, even more pronounced in northern ireland than in england. you can find out the latest with the pearson apology for the delays with the btec results, those results should be coming today and it is a treasure trove of information. i am monitoring it all day and you would be daft not to. monitoring it all day and you would be daft not to-_ be daft not to. some really good advice. thank _ be daft not to. some really good advice. thank you _ be daft not to. some really good advice. thank you for _ be daft not to. some really good advice. thank you forjoining i be daft not to. some really good advice. thank you forjoining us. j advice. thank you forjoining us. you are absolutely right, there are plenty of opportunities out there. absolutely. this is bbc news. police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. 0fficers gave an update on their investigation this morning, and say they've now identified a second man who was walking with the intended target of the attack. mark kameen is detective chief superintendent at merseyside police. poor 0livia was murdered brutally in her own home on the 22nd august. 0ur officers continue to carry out extensive inquiries,

and i can confirm there are a number of very positive lines of inquiry that we are pursuing. in my previous appeal, i asked for the man responsible for this brutal, callous, thoughtless attack to surrender himself to the police. unfortunately, that individual has failed to do that. but my message to him remains the same. we will not rest until we find you, and we will find you. again, as i've said, with the appeals around both sam and ashley, i cannot stress enough the importance of community engagement in solving each of these crimes. we have had a wealth of information and engagement, and i am incredibly grateful for that.

i can confirm that the 35—year—old man who was the target of this attack remains in hospital, seeking treatment. i can also confirm that merseyside police, working with its partners, have caused that male's licence to be revoked, and he will be returned to prison once his treatment has been finalised. i can also confirm and ask directly for communities to give us information for the second man that was in company with that 35—year—old man. again, i can now confirm that we have identified that male. i have repeatedly asked for any information and help

from our communities, and as i've said already in this conference, i am incredibly grateful for the sheer levels and volume of information that we have received so far. this level of engagement, this level of cooperation and this level of working together simply must continue. that is the latest update from merseyside police on the death of a nine—year—old girl in liverpool. just a line of breaking news to bring you regarding the water shortages, we havejust been bring you regarding the water shortages, we have just been updated from parts of south—east wales and mid wales now, declared officially in drought. that status now covering most of the country, you will know earlier in the week there was a similar announcement for other parts of wales, pembrokeshire and parts of carmarthenshire. this is all based on things like low water, river flows, ground water levels and the impact of things like canals. it does not necessarily relate to any shortage of drinking water but nonetheless it looks at how much rain fallen in wales and across now

large parts of wales, meaning the country is now officially in drought, covering most of the country, drought has been declared for south—east wales and parts of mid wales, and as you would expect, the advice is to be very wary of the water that you are using. and please be mindful of water usage, if that is where you are in the country. the headlines on bbc news... the shooting of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in, despite repeated appeals. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland. the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019, before the pandemic. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. the bbc has discovered that google has changed the way it calculates

the impact of flying on our climate. the calculator, used by popular online travel sites like skyscanner, now suggests emissions from flights have almost halved. google has been accused of "airbrushing out a huge chunk" of the aviation industry's impact on climate change. 0ur climate editor justin rowlatt has more. aviation has a number of impacts on the climate, one of which is c02 but in addition to that, releasing pollutants at a high altitude produces those contrails that you see in the air. those have additional impacts, driving warming even further. the science is very uncertain but scientists say it is probably in the order of more or less doubling the impact of aviation. google in its carbon calculator used to take these additional factors into account and i discovered it had taken them out, and it is really interesting because in the note it posted on the website where the methodology is hosted, it said it recognised they were critically important and it wanted to bring them back,

but after negotiations, discussions with what it calls industry partners, it decided it would not include them any more. google is saying, look, we get that on a global scale, this is important and to give you a sense of how important we are talking about, 1.5% of mankind's total impact on warming, that is how much this additional impact of flying is worth across the whole globe, they say, we recognise that is really important but what the tool does is calculate individual flights and it is really hard to calculate these other factors on individual flights. what environmental campaigners say is, listen, you should be indicating to people that effectively, what you are saying is half of what the real impact is. google says, you know, we will try to do that in the future, we are talking to academics and we will try to assess it and address it in the future. justin rowlatt, there. the former government advisor, dominic cummings, has described rishi sunak�*s criticism of the uk's response to covid, as "dangerous rubbish". the conservative leadership

candidate — who was the chancellor during the pandemic — criticised the handling of lockdowns and suggested independent scientists were given too much authority. earlier, i spoke to our correspondent david wallace—lockhart, with the latest. he has given an interview to the spectator magazine where he has given a bit of background as to his feelings at the time when the lockdowns were imposed and his big criticism is about how decisions were come to, essentially. he talks about there not being enough information on how independent government scientific advisers, the group known as sage, how they ultimately came to their decision or their advice that lockdown was the correct way to go. he says there was not enough talk about trade—offs, for example, what to locking down society would mean for the economy. and he talks about, he makes quite the accusation, actually, that the minutes from sage were edited to

remove dissenting opinions. he has since been speaking to the bbc this afternoon on the radio, and he has clarified that what he meant was he was only provided with the consensus opinion from sage, so perhaps dissenting voices were not made available. he was also quite critical of what he calls a fear narrative, that he believes the government employed at points, for example, using pictures of people on ventilators when encouraging the public to follow the rules. he is not saying that there should not have been lockdowns but he is saying that more discussion and willingness to engage with the trade—offs means they could have perhaps been different or shorter. now there has been quite a bit of reaction to rishi sunak�*s comments and quite a lot of people not agreeing with him. we heard from downing street, who talked about at every point, there being collective decisions made by ministers that were backed by the scientific evidence, and one sage sage member, professor graham medley

has pointed out government has the power and ultimately they are the ones that make decisions, it is not the scientist, who are just providing advice to the government. as you mentioned in your intro, we have heard from dominic cummings, the former senior adviser to boris johnson. let's remember, dominic cummings is no big fan of boris johnson these days, since he left downing street. he criticises the prime minister regularly. but he does say in this instance it is unfair to does say in this instance it is unfairto point does say in this instance it is unfair to point the finger of blame at borisjohnson and he said that rishi sunak�*s interview is dangerous rubbish. we have heard from another former government adviser who was in government at the time, lee cain, who says that the public self—imposed lockdown on themselves, if you think back to the very start of the pandemic, and he says that is because government ministers were having endless discussions about the trade—offs involved. so he is challenging the rishi sunak narrative that the government was not talking about or thinking about the economic impact. of course, this

is all part of the conservative leadership campaign going on at the moment. we have got another one of those hustings events in norwich tonight, the penultimate one and around ten days left for party member to vote.— member to vote. david wallace-lockhart, i member to vote. david i wallace-lockhart, there. a school district in the town of uvalde in texas has dismissed its police chief over his handling of a shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers. in may, his officers waited more than an hour to confront the gunman at robb elementary school. 0ur north america correspondent, peter bowes, reports. it was the deadliest school shooting in the united states in almost a decade. tragically familiar scenes. a rampage in the small town of uvalde, where there has been growing pressure for the police to be held accountable. at approximately 11:32am this morning, there was a mass casualty incident at robb elementary school in uvalde, texas. pete arredondo was in charge of the six—member police force assigned to the school. shortly after the shooting,

it emerged that it was 77 minutes before officers at the scene breached a door to the classroom where the massacre happened. eventually, a group of officers from the us border control moved in to kill the 18—year—old gunman. the decision to sack the police chief came at a public meeting of the school board. relatives and friends of those who died spoke of their grief and anger at the way the police responded to the shooting. i'm here today to make a statement. if a law enforcement�*s job is to protect and serve, why didn't they protect and serve my friends and teachers on may 24th? i have messages for pete arredondo and all the law enforcement that was there on that day. turn in your badge and step down, you don't deserve to wear one! mr arredondo did not attend the meeting. his lawyer said he had received death threats and said the vote to dismiss him amounted to a public lynching. the seven—member school board discussed their decision behind closed doors. do not take this into closed sessions.

we deserve to hear it. 0ur babies are dead, our teachers are dead, our parents are dead. the least y'all can do is show us the respect and do this in the public. i move that good cause exists to terminate the noncertified contract of pete arredondo effective immediately. when it came, the decision to sack the police chief was unanimous. there was applause from the audience, but in a statement, mr arredondo's lawyer said the school district had failed to carry out any investigation establishing evidence supporting their decision to terminate the employment of his client. peter bowes, bbc news.

hollywood actor idris elba is in east london for his new film, beast. in it — he battles with a lion. just the latest in a very varied career, spanning almost every genre. he's been speaking to our reporter michael mckenzie about what might come next. # it's gonna be a bright, bright...# what's that? there's something crossing up ahead. it's an action—packed movie set in the bush of south africa, and stars londoner idris elba. it tells the story of a family who find themselves face to face with a lion. it was filmed on location in south africa, in the bush, what was that like? south africa was great, i love working in south africa as a location, as a place, as a country, ijust, very, very have a lot of affection for it. this film needed to shoot in the wilderness, like even for us as a crew, it wasn't easy for us, we were out there. and for his producer will packer, living in the bush was quite an experience. i often second guessed that decision, my friend,

when i was out deep in the bush, you know, trying to dodge poisonous snakes and hearing nomadic lions growl in the middle of the night, when we were in tents and huts. but you know what, it was all worth it, because i think that it makes the film, it gives the film an authenticity it would not otherwise have. and then for you, idris, you are really busy, what's next? three thousand years of longing is the next film, which comes out in a week. it's a very, very different film. i did it with george miller and tilda swinton. then i have luther the movie coming, i am hoping to bring luther back to the big screen with, for a new audience and the existing audience. we're in his territory now. and beast is released in cinemas this friday. michael mckenzie, bbc london. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. the thunderstorms that moved across some southern and eastern parts of england made for a noisy and really wet start to today in places. that was the scene from one

of our weather watchers in hastings. this is how it looked on the radar, this rain piling its way northwards. some places in east anglia had a months's worth of rain and there were plenty of lightning strikes as well, thousands of them, as we started the day. however, the wet weather is clearing so it is going to be drier through the rest of the day across parts of eastern england, albeit quite cloudy here and there. elsewhere, spells of sunshine although northern ireland and western scotland seeing more cloud and some showers in places. a fresher feel by the end of the day after the recent humidity. a much cooler and fresher night to come. clear spells for many and the odd fog patch especially for central and eastern parts of england but cloud rolling in through northern ireland, western scotland, some western parts of england and wales with the odd shower. 0vernight, temperatures 10—13 in towns and cities, cooler than that out in the countryside. tomorrow, this weak frontal system pushing in from the west will generate a zone of cloud and some showers, initially through northern ireland, parts of southern scotland, getting into north—west england,

wales and the south—west. further east, early fog clearing and then some sunshine but more cloud developing as the day wears on. top temperatures ranging from 17 in aberdeen to 26 in london with a fresher feel than we have been used to lately. into the weekend, a bank holiday for many, of course, we will see some spells of sunshine. there will be just one or two showers, for the most part it will be dry. on saturday, most places fine with some sunshine. we will see this zone of cloud and someone getting perilously and some rain getting perilously close to northern ireland and western scotland, isolated showers elsewhere. a bit cool for some north sea coasts. and that is a sign of things to come because as we move into sunday, with high pressure to the north, we will start to develop more of a breeze along the north sea coasts, bringing just one or two showers but also some rather cool conditions for some. the best of the sunshine and indeed the higher temperatures will be

out towards the west. cardiff, for example, up to 26, newcastle, more like 18. for monday, bank holiday for many, it is looking mainly dry with some spells of sunshine.

this is bbc news. i'm ben thompson. the headlines: the shooting of 9—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals we will not rest until we find you, and we will find you. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland — the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 — before the pandemic. yeah, i didn't expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've all had before, with the pandemic and stuff, but then why opened my envelope it was a really good shock. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that

a catastrophe is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. rishi sunak has criticised the government's response to covid — suggesting independent scientific advisers were given too much authority. the bbc has discovered that the way google calculates the impact of your flights has changed. flights now appear to have much less impact on the environment than before. we will look ahead to the penultimate tory party hustings for rishi sunak and liz truss. our top story this afternoon: police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbell. 0livia was shot as her mother struggled with two men at her home in liverpool on monday night. 0fficers gave an update on their investigation earlier today, and say they've now identified a second man who was walking with the intended

target of the attack. from liverpool, alison freeman reports. three days since 0livia pratt—korbel was murdered in her own home. the gunman remains at large. police say they have now been given a number of names in the hunt for the killerfor this nine—year—old, fatally shot as her mother tried to stop him entering their home. the force has repeatedly called on the man responsible to give himself up, knowing what he has done. i struggle to find the words to describe that individual and what they have done. and the fact that having found out, and they would know what they've done, they still do not have the conscience to come forward and give themselves up. i think that speaks volumes of the individual that we are dealing with. 0livia was the third person to be shot dead in liverpool this week, and today the police said they had

made three arrests in connection with the death of sam rimmer. they also said they had arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of ashley dale. raids took place across the wirral this morning as officers targeted organised crime gangs. merseyside police saying it was baring its teeth at criminals and actively going after them. the full investigative resource available across this country is at mark's and our team of�*s disposal and it is being utilised. it is a direct message to those responsible, to reiterate what mark has said, we will come for you, we will identify you, and we will bring you to justice. joseph nee was the target of the gunman and today police say they have identified and questioned the man who was with him that night as well as another who took him to hospital. police have described the investigation into 0livia's death as fast—paced and complex, saying information from the community have been vital. they are saying that nobody should think any information they have will not be of use as they continue to search

for this callous killer. alison freeman, bbc news, liverpool. 0ur correspondent alison freeman has been giving me the latest from the scene, and has been explaining that the police are still very much want to hear from eyewitnesses. that the police are still very much wanting to hear from eyewitnesses. they've been very keen to tell us the lines of inquiry that they're pursuing and the progress that they're making. really, the key point that they wanted to tell us today, that they have had several names now in the hunt for that gunman that forced his way into 0livia's home just down the road behind me here. and they say they are going to leave no stone unturned as they start to follow up those lines of inquiry. we also found out a little bit more about the men who were withjoseph nee that night. that was the man who was being pursued by the gunmen. the police say that they have now spoken to three men, the man who was with him before the attack started and two other men who were in the audi that then drove him to hospital.

they have not been arrested, but they have been questioned by police. other bits of information on that, joseph nee will be being returned to prison once his hospital treatment is complete after he's been treated for those gunshot wounds that he suffered. and we also know now that 0livia's mother has been released from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. the message here today, though, is as they continue to do forensic searches on the ground, they still want to hear from anybody who was in the area that night because they don't want people to assume the information they might have may have been given by somebody else. so the message still from the police is they want them to talk to them. they've had fantastic information already, but that is key to this investigation. that is alison live at the scene in liverpool. students in england, wales and northern ireland have been getting their gcse results after the first exams in three years. grades are lower than during the pandemic when they were based on teacher assessments, but higher than pre—covid. the government say that's part of the plan in the transition back to exams.

there are strong regional variations in today's results — with a north south divide in england. vocational and technical awards are also out, with some delays for btecs. here's our education correspondent sean dilley. success summed up. ifelt like i was missing out but i feel better now that i've got my results. not really nervous at all. i knew plenty of people that were nervous but you can't change what's on the paper. i did not expect to get what i did get, considering the year we've i all had before the pandemicl and stuff, but when i opened the envelope it wasl a really good shock. the truth is they have done better than they might think. this is the first year since 2019, before the pandemic, that traditional exams have taken place. fewer have achieved top marks compared with the previous two years when teacher assessments determined grades but that, says the government, was the plan. what we are seeing these

results today is, yes, the return to examinations, albeit with a number of adaptations reflecting the disruption young people have faced over the past couple of years so results are higher than they were when we last had exams in 2019, but lower than under teacher assessed grades in 2021. while some may look enviously at those receiving higher teacher assessed grades in 2020 and 2021, additional help was given this year as well. grade boundaries were set more generously than in 2019 and advanced exam content information sheets were available for some subjects to compensate for disruption. here is what this year's gcse figures look like. 73.2% of gcses were marked at grade four or above in england, the broad equivalent of c or above. in wales and northern ireland, this is down from 77.1% last year but much higher than 2019 when the figure was 67.3%. those achieving top grades of seven or above in england, or a or a* in wales and northern ireland, fell to 26.3% from 28.9% last year.

in 2019, the figure was 20.8%. the exams watchdog for england says its aim is for results to sit between pre—pandemic levels and last year's high was set with fairness in mind. similar plans were put in place in wales and northern ireland. scotland also saw fewer students land top marks in its exams earlier this month. concerns have been raised about regional differences in top grades. in england, the attainment gap between north and south is significant. in london, 32.6% of gcses were marked at seven or above compared with 22.4% in the north—east of england. the gap between the highest and lowest performing regions has actually closed slightly, particularly in comparison to last year, so what we are seeing is a kind of mixed and complex picture. it has been a complicated few years with teacher assessed grades. the message from the government is that pupils should be proud of what they have achieved in an extraordinary year. the message from 92—year—old derek skipper, who is believed to be

one of the oldest people to sit a gcse, is, it's never too late to sit another. i opened up this morning to find i got a five, which is as high as i could get on the very basic maths gcse course i took. so i'm delighted to have got it. congratulations to him. my colleague martine croxall has been at denbigh high school in luton speaking to students and teachers today about their results and the challenges of the past year. here at this high school, they pride themselves on offering all sorts of extracurricular activities to broaden horizons and give children opportunities they might not otherwise get. we have been hearing about this from the assistant head teacher who is also responsible for personal development.—

personal development. personal development — personal development. personal development covers _ personal development. personal development covers a _ personal development. personal development covers a wide i personal development. personal| development covers a wide range personal development. personal. development covers a wide range of responsibilities to help students develop their character. we are looking at explicitly teaching students about values, we are also looking at a wide range of trips and extracurricular activities so students can develop their own interests outside of the normal curriculum. interests outside of the normal curriculum-— curriculum. why do you do it, because we — curriculum. why do you do it, because we know _ curriculum. why do you do it, because we know that - curriculum. why do you do it, | because we know that schools curriculum. why do you do it, - because we know that schools have to equip you with qualifications, but why is this important? it equip you with qualifications, but why is this important?— why is this important? it helps students with _ why is this important? it helps students with future _ why is this important? it helps students with future career - why is this important? it helps - students with future career paths, makes a more articulate, develops confidence, and if they can develop interest in things it helps with the academic side of things as well, because all of the events we offer are linked to the academic side of things. are linked to the academic side of thins. ~ ., ,., ., are linked to the academic side of thins. ~ ., ., , , things. what sort of events can they do? book clubs, _ things. what sort of events can they do? book clubs, debate _ things. what sort of events can they do? book clubs, debate societies, l do? book clubs, debate societies, student council, _ do? book clubs, debate societies,

student council, sporting - do? book clubs, debate societies, \ student council, sporting activities as well. we wide range of creative arts, music and drama. you as well. we wide range of creative arts, music and drama.— arts, music and drama. you begin this programme — arts, music and drama. you begin this programme with _ arts, music and drama. you begin this programme with them - arts, music and drama. you begin this programme with them as - arts, music and drama. you begin| this programme with them as soon arts, music and drama. you begin - this programme with them as soon as they arrive in year seven all the way through to year 11 when they are 16. what difference do you see it make to a child across those five years? make to a child across those five ears? �* ., , , ., make to a child across those five ears?�* ., years? i'm hoping you saw it today when ou years? i'm hoping you saw it today when you interviewed _ years? i'm hoping you saw it today when you interviewed some - years? i'm hoping you saw it today when you interviewed some of- years? i'm hoping you saw it today when you interviewed some of our| when you interviewed some of our students here, we have a confident cohort of students, the articulate, they were happy to come on and be interviewed. i would like to thank our programme and our thought programme has helped them develop those skills and their self—confidence. those skills and their self-confidence. ., ., , ., those skills and their self-confidence. ., ., , self-confidence. how do you see them car in: on self-confidence. how do you see them carrying on with _ self-confidence. how do you see them carrying on with those _ self-confidence. how do you see them carrying on with those activities - carrying on with those activities and interests after they leave you? not all of the students are going to carry on all of their clubs. but they will have had the opportunity to take part in violent club and if they don't carry it on, that's fine, but they may have an interest in music when they go to sixth form.

—— violin club. they are using the skills that they developed here.— they are using the skills that they developed here. looking at some of the differences _ developed here. looking at some of the differences in _ developed here. looking at some of the differences in those _ developed here. looking at some of the differences in those results. - developed here. looking at some of the differences in those results. 0f| the differences in those results. of course, it has been a really difficult year for those students coming through the pandemic and facing exams for the first time in three years. you have talked about that north and south divide, the difference and difficulty for many of the students trying to contend with such a strange few years. what are your impressions of the day and where these results leave us and what they tell us about what has gone on? what they tell us about what has one on? ~ . what they tell us about what has one on? r, , ~ , what they tell us about what has coneon? ., , ~ , , what they tell us about what has coneon? ., , «m gone on? what strikes me is schools like thism — and another one that i visited in darlington last september in a similar sort of catchment area, really, where there are socio— economic challenges and families who

don't really have enough to get by often and are relying on their school and the school community to support their children is that there is a great deal of creative, resourceful teaching going on in a lot of schools. we hear that they don't have the funding that they would like some of the time but because of the sheer skill and commitment of a lot of staff in schools, they are adding that value. they are taking children in at 11 who may be lacking in confidence and a lot of them don't have english as a first language so they have all of those kind of barriers and challenges to overcome and with the right support, at the age of 16, we have seen some extraordinary results here today. of course, not everyone gets the results they want. not everyone can. but schools are so much better equipped these days at being able to guide children, whether they are high achievers or not doing as well as they would like into post—16 education. that is the other thing i have learned very much today.

there are so many more options and there were say, ten or 20 years ago. it does not have to be a—levels. it can be more vocational, technical training, that actually leads you to a job, where employers are getting the skills from you that they already need. i feel quite optimistic about what we have heard today. that was martin in luton with students getting those results and we are hearing very big differences with what has been a turbulent few years for those students and the first year to sit exams since the pandemic. some breaking news to bring you here at bbc news. an update from train drivers that chill turn, northern and trans— pennine express. they have held a ballot and voted overwhelmingly for strike action. this is a dispute over pay. this is separate to the rmt strikes, their union is as left. we don't yet have updates for the strikes. they probably will be announced next

week. these are trains drivers. you will know that there has already been a strike involving nine other railway come pennies. railway come —— been a strike involving nine other railway come —— companies. there could be coordinated strike action to come involving all 12. a further three companies that have today voted overwhelmingly for strike action. as i say, quite separate to the rmt dispute, but they say the issues are the same, disputes over pgy- the headlines on bbc news... the shooting of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel. merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland —

the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 — before the pandemic. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that a catastrophe is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. let's stay with that story. the government is facing further calls to do more to help families and businesses with rising energy bills. the british chambers of commerce wants covid—style emergency grants for firms. and british gas says it will donate 10% of its profits to help poorer customers through a new hardship fund. tomorrow, the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales will be announced. here's our economics correspondent, andy verity. mixing, kneading and baking bread is an energy intensive business, which makes this small independent bakery in sudbury, suffolk, even more vulnerable to the price shock millions of small businesses are now facing. the government's collecting much more tax on the energy they use,

charging vat at 20% on their soaring energy bills. yet most support has been focused on households, while this bakery is facing a jump in its bill of £1000 a month. at the moment we pay £1800, which, to me, is a lot of money anyway. but then another £1000 on top, so next october we will start paying about £3000. it's frightening, to be perfectly honest. i don't know what we're going to do. i'm just hoping that maybe somebody will offer us a lifeline, maybe the government will help. who knows. customers are trying to spend less amid warnings of a recession. we'll have no businesses left. i think there's so many locally that i speak to that will just close because they can't afford their electricity bills. i'm just hoping we won't be one of them. to stop thousands of firms now feeling the heat from being burnt, business groups say as soon as a new government is formed it must offer much more support. energy prices are disproportionately hitting small and medium—sized businesses.

we want to see emergency energy grants for smaller businesses, a reduction in vat from 20% to 5%, and more powers to 0fgem to ensure businesses are getting the right fixed rate contracts. right now, liz truss's main proposal is to reverse april's rise in national insurance. labour has proposed freezing the energy price cap so the government, not households, pay any further rises in bills. but the living standards think tank the resolution foundation says both proposals help richer households unnecessarily. instead, the government could spend £23 billion cutting everyone's bill by 30%, with the cost offset by adding i% to all income tax rates. most urgently in need are customers on prepayment meters, who are expected to face energy costs for next january averaging more than £600. tomorrow's expected announcement of another big jump in bills to three times what they were a year ago is unlikely to be the last. andy verity, bbc news.

it is worth saying that tomorrow morning there will be a domestic price cut for england, scotland and wales announced tomorrow and we will answer your questions on all things related to soaring energy costs at 11:30am tomorrow. we will be joined by a consumer expert and our financial correspondent. get in touch if you have any questions, you can get in touch here... just for consumers, not businesses. we are hearing that that soaring price of energy could be catastrophic for businesses over the winter. energy prices are rising notjust in the uk. governments in europe are also under

pressure to support their citizens with huge sums of money already being spent to shield the most vulnerable. our europe correspondent, jessica parker, reports from belgium. veronique often wears a smile. though her money, she says, doesn't go far. she gets a discount on energy bills through a social tariff, along with a million belgian households. but still, she's taking fewer showers and won't heat her flat above 16 degrees this winter. higher energy costs will have consequences. translation: if they're increasing, l then i'll have even less to live on. | i don't know what i'll do then. eventually i'll have to go for food parcels to help me eat. and that's happening to more and more people i know. europe is awash with warnings about hard times ahead, and information campaigns on how to cut energy use. it's hitting the news as governments use tax breaks, price caps and lump sum payments

to help people with rising prices. how long can this go on for in terms of providing this level of government support? this cannot go on forever. so that means that we have to look for structural measures. we need a price cap at european level. at the same time, we need to accelerate the energy transition because renewable energy is the most affordable form of energy and will bring energy bills down. but moving to a green economy is a long haul. i'm on the north coast of belgium. to the west is france, across the water is the uk. and while countries are taking national measures, this squeeze on supply that's pushing up energy prices is spilling across borders. and governments looking at ways to help face the same question everywhere. will it be enough? i've been working on energy poverty now for the last ten years, and it's never been this bad. it's not only people

in poverty that are worrying. it's a big middle class of people who are also worrying about their energy bill. the war in ukraine feels far away from here as families enjoy the last days of summer. but supply cuts from russia are feeding a crisis that could seriously test political and public resolve. jessica parker, bbc news, belgium. a court in pakistan has given interim bail to the former prime minister, imran khan until the first—of—september in a terrorism case. the cricketer turned politician was charged after he condemned police and judicial officials for the detention and alleged torture of his political aide. our pakistan correspondent pumza finhlani sent this update from outside the court. mr imran khan may not be a stranger to controversy, but these current charges are the most serious yet. he's facing terrorism charges,

and if they stand and he is found guilty, they pose a serious threat to his political career. when he arrived in court today, he arrived in an armoured car under heavy security. a few hundred metres from the courthouse, hundreds of supporters had been standing in the rain, chanting, "imran khan is our man," chanting, "long live imran khan." very clear evidence that this man still enjoys the support of the public. and there's reason for that. when he addresses people here in pakistan, he says that all the charges around him, all the controversy around him is rooted in a political conspiracy. he has repeatedly said that the government are behind it and they are trying to hamper his chances of coming back into politics. he has been using the months since being removed as prime minister as a political tool on the campaign trail to try and garner support. the next move now is this needs to be resolved by the courts. the terrorism charges are not again for the public. they will need to be

resolved by the court. and on the ist of september is the next move where he will once again be expected to present himself for the terrorism case. the bbc has discovered that google has changed the way it calculates the impact of flying on our climate. the calculator used by popular online travel sites like sky scanner now suggests emissions from flights have almost halved. google has taken a key driver out of its online carbon calculator. i'm joined now by marc stettler, a senior lecturer in transport and the environment in the department of civil and environmental engineering at imperial college london. the google calculator quantifies the

amount of carbon dioxide from a particular flight amount of carbon dioxide from a particularflight and amount of carbon dioxide from a particular flight and previously estimated and included the climate effect of non—co2 components related to aviation. what i by that? we are all familiar with carbon dioxide and omitted from jet fuel. that is related to primarily condensation trails or clouds that form behind aircraft. we know that these are very significant and part of aviation is overall climate effect. certainly as significant as co2 and what has changed is that the calculator was calculating an average value, a global average value and spreading that on each flight equally. or at least scaling it with the flight distance or something similar. we know from the

research we've done and my own research we've done and my own research group but that is not accurate. we know that there is a high variability in the country effect of one flight versus another flight and you can do this experiment for yourself. on some days you will see contrails streaking across the sky and other days you won't see any at all even though you will see flights. there is an atmospheric reliance. there is a dependence on the atmospheric conditions as to whether a country of forms and how long it lasts and then the climate effect of that country will depends on whether it happens during daytime or night—time and otherfactors. we know an average value that was previously included in the calculator is not accurate and there are better ways we can come up with more accurate estimates. i am we can come up with more accurate estimates. iam interacting we can come up with more accurate estimates. i am interacting with google on improving those estimates. i don't speak on behalf of them, but i don't speak on behalf of them, but i don't speak on behalf of them, but i do have confidence it will be reinstated at some point. so many

interestin: reinstated at some point. so many interesting points _ reinstated at some point. so many interesting points you _ reinstated at some point. so many interesting points you have - reinstated at some point. so many interesting points you have raised| interesting points you have raised there. let's talk first of all, people won't really be aware of the difference of environmental impacts. you have highlighted some of them there. can you explain the difference between day and night? a, difference between day and night? contrail is essentially an ice cloud and it can reflect incoming sunlight back out to space because it is nice and bright and scatters the sunlight back out to space, but it can also trap heat that would otherwise escape to space. the heat is trapped in the atmosphere and contributes to warming effect of the atmosphere. you have this balance of the cooling effect associated with sunlight and a warming effect. each individual contrail has a net effect, a balance of effect between the cooling and the warming. during the daytime, you get both affects happening and during the night there is no

sunlight so you only have the warming effect happening. we can be reasonably confident that night—time flights would have a more warming effect than the daytime flights. you said ou're effect than the daytime flights. you said you're working on a new model that might be more accurate and give you better representation of the damage inflicted on the atmosphere by taking flight. do you think this is altering customer behaviour, are they really looking at something like this google calculator and thinking i will take that one versus that one or that is quite a lot of carbon on that flight or i will not go at all? i carbon on that flight or i will not no at all? ., �* ~ ., ., go at all? i don't know that honestly- _ go at all? i don't know that honestly- i _ go at all? i don't know that honestly. i would _ go at all? i don't know that honestly. i would be - go at all? i don't know that - honestly. i would be interested to hear from somebody that does know where that information is being incorporated into peoples decisions. it might be more for corporate users of google flights in terms of their carbon budget. it might have a bigger impact than maybe we think.

but the key thing is that we need the information to be accurate. we need that information to provide incentives to people to change behaviour and that behaviour change needs to lead to the right things at the right outcomes. if the numbers are not right, those behavioural outcomes won't necessarily be right and contrails really are something we need to address very quickly for aviation in terms of comparing against other ways in which we can carbon eyes aviation. that against other ways in which we can carbon eyes aviation.— carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating- _ carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating. there _ carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating. there is _ carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating. there is a _ carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating. there is a lot - carbon eyes aviation. that is really fascinating. there is a lot of - fascinating. there is a lot of software i have no idea about. thank you for that. a senior lecturer in the department of aviation at imperial college london. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich.

hello. a pretty soggy one today but the worst of it is clearing away now so for many it is a decent end to the day. that is the scene at 5pm that we have got cloud bringing showers backin we have got cloud bringing showers back in across northern ireland and the odd heavy one at the moment and is cloudy and showery weather will put eastward as we go through the night. furthersouth put eastward as we go through the night. further south and east, the odd fog patch and clear spells and one thing you will notice is a much cooler, fresher feel than recently. no more of that humidity, that will clear eastwards so a fresh start to friday morning. spells of sunshine around but this zone of cloudy and showery weather through northern ireland and southern scotland, getting into wales and the south—west and may be the north—west as the day wears on. it will cloud over across the south—east as well through the afternoon. temperatures, 17-24. through the afternoon. temperatures, 17—21i. forthe through the afternoon. temperatures, 17—21i. for the weekend, the bank holiday for most of us, it looks like being mainly dry with some sunny spells and just one or two isolated showers.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the shooting of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel — merseyside police say the suspected gunman has not handed himself in despite repeated appeals. we will not rest until we find you, and we will find you. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland. the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019 — before the pandemic. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. and the bbc has discovered google is changing the way it calculates the impact of flights on global warming. environmentalists are worried it could encourage more people to take to the sky.

sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's laura. good afternoon. we will start with cricket and england have made an impressive start to the second test against south africa at old trafford. captain ben stokes promised his team would be more aggressive after losing the opening test last week — and they certainly have been with the ball so far today. south africa won the toss and chose to bat. they were all out for 151. james anderson was the pick of the bowlers with stuart broad and ben stokes chipping in. england are 4—0 in response. there's live coverage on bbc radio 5live sports extra right now. ex—england batter gary ballance has apologised to azeem rafiq for using racist language against his former yorkshire team—mate. details of racial abuse at the county emerged in september

2020 when rafiq said discrimination had left him feeling suicidal. ballance made the apology in person during a meeting with rafiq in london this week. after the meeting, rafiq said, "all i ever wanted was acceptance and apologies for what happened." novak djokovic says he will be unable to travel to new york for the us open, which begins on monday. in a statement on social media, the 21—time grand slam champion said, "sadly, i will not be able to travel to new york this time for us open." djokovic did not defend his australian open title injanuary because his covid—19 vaccination status led to him being deported from the country. since october 2021, the united states has banned non—vaccinated visitors. newcastle are set to sign real sociedad striker alexander isak for a club record fee of around £60 million. the sweden international would boost the magpies attacking options given the injury record of callum wilson, who is awaiting results of a hamstring scan. isak has scored a total of 44 goals over the last four seasons for sociedad.

his signing would be a significant shift from newcastle's owners, who took over the club in october, and would almost double their spending this summer to just short of £120 million. and newcastle have not been the only big spenders in this transfer window. there's only a week left, and according to analysis from finance company deloitte, premier league clubs have broken their record for spending in a summer transfer window, exceeding the previous record of £1.11 billion in 2017. the so—called big six have contributed heavily to that. liverpool spent £61; million on darwin nunez, while manchester united have signed midfielder casemiro for £60 million. richarlison, erling haaland and raheem sterling have also alljoined new clubs, and all moved for £50 million or more. in just under half an hour, the draw for the champions league group stage will be made. four english teams, manchester city, liverpool, chelsea and tottenham are in the draw along

with scottish champions celtic. rangers booked their place by beating psv eindhoven last night, securing their first appearance in the group stage in over a decade. there'll be live text commentary on the bbc sport website from 5pm. over the last 12 months, the british cyclist tom pidcock has emerged as one of the sport's biggest stars with success across multiple disciplines. and this weekend the olympic mountain biking champion will look to add the world title to his incredible list of accolades. in addition to his tokyo 2020 gold, pidcock has also won the cyclo—cross world championship, the famous alpe d'huez stage in his first tour de france, and last week he warmed up for the world mountain biking championships with victory in the europeans. these, he's told the bbc, are all steps towards his ultimate legacy goal. when people think of the best cyclists in the world, i want them to say my name. and it does not mean that i need to win the tour

de france five times, if i win one, i will be happy. if i win a tour, olympic mountain bike gold, world championships in three disciplines, the classics, no one else has ever done that. inspiring people as well, i take a lot of pride in being able to do that as well. that's all the sport for now. i'll be back in the next hour with another sport update. back to the story of soaring energy prices. and because on the garment to do more to help families and businesses facing rising energy bills. andrea jenkyns runs a b&b in filey —— andrewjenkins. i have been looking at what you have been saying about how quickly your costs are rising. talk us through them because some of them are astronomical, aren't they? it some of them are astronomical, aren't they?— aren't they? it is quite terrifying at the moment, _ aren't they? it is quite terrifying at the moment, for _ aren't they? it is quite terrifying at the moment, for any - aren't they? it is quite terrifying at the moment, for any small i at the moment, for any small business like ours, it really is

hard work. it is really quite frightening, the prices coming down the line. if i give you some examples, electricity, we came out of contract in april, at the end of april, the electricity costs went from 12 and 15p per unit to 27p and 32p per kilowatt unit so an absolutely astronomical change. even things like small bits for the breakfast that we serve, you know, if i give you an example, tomatoes have gone from £5.99 per box to £7.99 per box, itjust keeps rising and it is all down to the cost of fuel. ., , , fuel. that is the interesting thing, isn't it because _ fuel. that is the interesting thing, isn't it because we _ fuel. that is the interesting thing, isn't it because we are _ fuel. that is the interesting thing, isn't it because we are very - fuel. that is the interesting thing, isn't it because we are very used i fuel. that is the interesting thing, l isn't it because we are very used to talking about rising gas and electricity prices but of course, all of the stuff that you need, that lots of businesses need, is transported by road and therefore, fuel prices push up costs for everything else. what does it mean for you and your business

day—to—day, can you pass any of that uncut to customers who stay with you? uncut to customers who stay with ou? ., , , ., ., ., uncut to customers who stay with ou? _ ., ., ., you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on — you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a _ you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a ready _ you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a ready but _ you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a ready but like - you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a ready but like a - you? inevitably, we have had to pass some of it on a ready but like a lot i some of it on a ready but like a lot of businesses, if we passed it all in, we would very quickly have no guests. so we are withstanding what we can but we are, like all businesses, having to pass rising prices on. we have no choice. find prices on. we have no choice. and ou sa prices on. we have no choice. and you say that _ prices on. we have no choice. and you say that you — prices on. we have no choice. and you say that you will absorb what you say that you will absorb what you can. given that you have come out of a very difficult period during covid, and you arejust getting back on your feet, i assume, how much of a setback is this? filth. how much of a setback is this? oh, it is huge- — how much of a setback is this? oh, it is huge- i — how much of a setback is this? oh, it is huge- i am _ how much of a setback is this? oh, it is huge. i am also _ how much of a setback is this? on it is huge. i am also chair of how much of a setback is this? 01, it is huge. i am also chair of the local trade and tourism association. you know, businesses have really taken a massive impact over the last two and half years. and to have this on top, we all need serious help from government now in the form of grants, in the form of vat cuts, but

also, looking longer term, grants, in the form of vat cuts, but also, looking longerterm, how grants, in the form of vat cuts, but also, looking longer term, how vat is actually dealt with by government. at the moment, there is no incentive for businesses like ours to grow past 85,000. we look at the threshold and in fact, we need to get from 85,000 to about 120,000 to get from 85,000 to about 120,000 to make it cost—effective which is a huge leap for like ours. so there are big impacts across the board. —— for businesses like ours. i are big impacts across the board. -- for businesses like ours.— for businesses like ours. i wanted to talk about _ for businesses like ours. i wanted to talk about the _ for businesses like ours. i wanted to talk about the help _ for businesses like ours. i wanted to talk about the help you - for businesses like ours. i wanted to talk about the help you need . to talk about the help you need day—to—day because you are right, there are short—term grants and loans which might tide you over in the short term but longer term i would imagine there are some huge issues that need to be addressed. we will have a new prime minister in a manner of weeks —— matter of weeks. what would you like them to do? i absolutely need them to look at root and branch at how vat is charged. that would be the first port of call for businesses like ours. also, you

know, fuel caps. businesses like ours, with electricity, it is not regulated as to how much the companies can charge us, hence why businesses are facing some enormous electricity price hikes, for example. that actually needs to come in, certainly for small businesses but i think for big ones as well. the electricity companies are making phenomenal profits at the moment. it really isn't sustainable. you know, they are just putting small businesses out of business by doing this. �* ., . , businesses out of business by doing this. . ., . , ., businesses out of business by doing this. . .. , ., , . this. and the fact there is no price ca . this. and the fact there is no price ca- for this. and the fact there is no price cap for commercial _ this. and the fact there is no price cap for commercial businesses, i cap for commercial businesses, although there is a domestic one for us but nothing for businesses. yes. you talk about _ us but nothing for businesses. jazz you talk about sustainability. how long can you keep going like this? well, we worked very hard through the last three years to ensure that our business was, you know, financially very well protected. we did a lot of work, my wife and i,

even going to work at tesco for the first lockdown, that is how hard we work to protect our business. from then on, we have done a lot of work and so on, looking at costs, staffing costs, you know, there's a lot of talk at the moment about people wanting bigger wages and so on, there's talk about 15% increases or taking the minimum weight up to £15 per hour. if you did that, that would instantly put a lot of people out of work because businesses could not afford it. they really can't. business owners like myself, we have got to maintain really strict cost controls to make sure that our business remains viable, and people are still in work and we are still able to employ them.— are still in work and we are still able to employ them. andrew, thank ou for able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking _ able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking to _ able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking to us, _ able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking to us, i _ able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking to us, i know - able to employ them. andrew, thank you for talking to us, i know things i you for talking to us, i know things are pretty tough right now and i hope there is some support or help

for you to be able to tackle this rising cost. andrewjenkins, the owner of a b&b in filey and scarborough. the conservative leadership contest has just 11 days to go until an official winner is declared. the foreign secretary liz truss is still the strong favourite amongst the membership to become the next prime minister but there is still arguably a lot to play for, as another hustings takes place this evening in norwich at 7pm. let's speak to two young conservative members who will be voting for their next leader. george is director of the young conservative network and supports rishi sunak and remit ebrahim supports liz truss. thank you forjoining us. george, let me start with you because we have got the penultimate hustings tonight and i wonder whether we will learn anything new. it feels like it has been going on a long time, doesn't it? what will be here tonight? i highly doubt we are going to hear anything new. coming to the end of

the contest, both candidates have set out their stalls and the members are beginning to finish their voting process. i suspect we will hear more of the same like we have heard over the past few weeks. share of the same like we have heard over the past few weeks.— of the same like we have heard over the past few weeks. are you thinking that there will _ the past few weeks. are you thinking that there will be _ the past few weeks. are you thinking that there will be any _ the past few weeks. are you thinking that there will be any revelation - that there will be any revelation did this because a lot of people want them to get on with it, choose the new leader and deal with some of the new leader and deal with some of the big issues at hand, like the cost of living crisis.— cost of living crisis. absolutely cover the _ cost of living crisis. absolutely cover the cost _ cost of living crisis. absolutely cover the cost of _ cost of living crisis. absolutely cover the cost of living - cost of living crisis. absolutely cover the cost of living crisis i cost of living crisis. absolutelyj cover the cost of living crisis is really — cover the cost of living crisis is really quite a significant issue now — really quite a significant issue now the _ really quite a significant issue now. the figure is now one third of households— now. the figure is now one third of households are really struggling to pay their_ households are really struggling to pay their energy bills. we want to -et pay their energy bills. we want to get on _ pay their energy bills. we want to get on with it, we've got 11 days left and — get on with it, we've got 11 days left and it— get on with it, we've got 11 days left and it is pretty clear that liz truss _ left and it is pretty clear that liz truss will— left and it is pretty clear that liz truss will win. i left and it is pretty clear that liz truss will win.— truss will win. i want to ask you about that _ truss will win. i want to ask you about that because _ truss will win. i want to ask you about that because you - truss will win. i want to ask you about that because you are - about that because you are supporting liz truss and you think she will win it and become the third female conservative prime minister, what will she do, what are her plans to help the cost of living crisis? you know, ithink to help the cost of living crisis? you know, i think she is really clear— you know, i think she is really clear about _ you know, i think she is really clear about the fact we need more of our own_ clear about the fact we need more of our own money in our pockets. she is going _ our own money in our pockets. she is going to _ our own money in our pockets. she is going to reduce the national

insurance rise, she is going to help us keep— insurance rise, she is going to help us keep more money in our own pockets — us keep more money in our own pockets and also cut the green levy, so hopefully that will help with energy — so hopefully that will help with energy bills. i think as a young person. — energy bills. i think as a young person, the biggest issue we are facing _ person, the biggest issue we are facing is — person, the biggest issue we are facing is the housing crisis. i will probably— facing is the housing crisis. i will probably never be able to own my own home _ probably never be able to own my own home until— probably never be able to own my own home until the age of 30, maybe even older, _ home until the age of 30, maybe even older. and _ home until the age of 30, maybe even older, and she has said she will help— older, and she has said she will help build — older, and she has said she will help build 1 million homes on the green _ help build 1 million homes on the green belt. we need to be able to cut the _ green belt. we need to be able to cut the nimby stuff and build more of our— cut the nimby stuff and build more of our own— cut the nimby stuff and build more of our own home.— of our own home. let's talk about the cost of _ of our own home. let's talk about the cost of living _ of our own home. let's talk about the cost of living of— of our own home. let's talk about the cost of living of you _ of our own home. let's talk about the cost of living of you have - of our own home. let's talk about the cost of living of you have laid| the cost of living of you have laid out what you think liz truss can deliver on the cost of living but george, rishi sunak says that is not enough and he is the former chancellor.— enough and he is the former chancellor. , , ,, .,~ , chancellor. yes, rishi sunak is the candidate who _ chancellor. yes, rishi sunak is the candidate who would _ chancellor. yes, rishi sunak is the candidate who would be _ chancellor. yes, rishi sunak is the candidate who would be best - chancellor. yes, rishi sunak is the l candidate who would be best placed to combat inflation. liz truss's campaign has been somewhat what i would discovers policy light and the good thing about rishi sunak�*s campaign is that he has set out some detailed plans about how he will combat inflation and that is why he's got my vote. he combat inflation and that is why he's got my vote.— combat inflation and that is why he's got my vote. he has also been very critical— he's got my vote. he has also been very critical today _ he's got my vote. he has also been very critical today about _ he's got my vote. he has also been very critical today about some - he's got my vote. he has also been very critical today about some of i very critical today about some of the scientists, he says we are

giving too much power to them to determine things like lockdowns during the covid pandemic. it feels like an effort to distance himself from the borisjohnson government. can he do that? he was the chancellor, one of the most important people in the government, and he is saying, he had a lot of problems with how they dealt with the pandemic. he problems with how they dealt with the pandemic— problems with how they dealt with the pandemic. he is not distancing himself from _ the pandemic. he is not distancing himself from the _ the pandemic. he is not distancing himself from the government, - the pandemic. he is not distancing himself from the government, he l the pandemic. he is not distancing i himself from the government, he was there, he was the chancellor but what he is saying is, he's making his clear on what at the time, he was bound by collective responsibility, as was liz truss, who has also voiced her concerns about lockdowns and i am sure you will agree, about lockdowns and i am sure you willagree, reem, liz truss about lockdowns and i am sure you will agree, reem, liz truss has said she would have done it differently if she had been in charge. both the candidates have criticised how it went down. candidates have criticised how it went down-— candidates have criticised how it went down. ., ., , went down. reem, one of the points of difference — went down. reem, one of the points of difference that _ went down. reem, one of the points of difference that liz _ went down. reem, one of the points of difference that liz truss _ went down. reem, one of the points of difference that liz truss is - of difference that liz truss is trying to highlight of course is the national insurance rise. it is a u—turn. the point being, it is a very small contribution to the cost of living crisis and criticism that it is just not enough to deal with

what we are facing coming down the line. i what we are facing coming down the line. ., , ., , �* ., line. i mean, she hasn't ruled out any other — line. i mean, she hasn't ruled out any other different _ line. i mean, she hasn't ruled out any other different help _ line. i mean, she hasn't ruled out any other different help packages| any other different help packages either_ any other different help packages either but i think that this argument. either but i think that this argument-— either but i think that this aruument. ,, ., argument. she has not ruled them in, either, we haven't— argument. she has not ruled them in, either, we haven't had _ argument. she has not ruled them in, either, we haven't had a _ argument. she has not ruled them in, either, we haven't had a lot _ argument. she has not ruled them in, either, we haven't had a lot of - either, we haven't had a lot of detail. ,, ., , , _, , , detail. she has been completely 0 en, detail. she has been completely open. this _ detail. she has been completely open, this idea _ detail. she has been completely open, this idea that _ detail. she has been completely open, this idea that lower - detail. she has been completely open, this idea that lower taxes| open, this idea that lower taxes don't _ open, this idea that lower taxes don't help— open, this idea that lower taxes don't help the worst off is entirely untrue _ don't help the worst off is entirely untrue because businesses create 'obs untrue because businesses create jobs and — untrue because businesses create iobs and if— untrue because businesses create jobs and if we continue to increase corporation — jobs and if we continue to increase corporation tax and continue to increase — corporation tax and continue to increase national insurance, it stifles— increase national insurance, it stifles growth, sorry, it restricts growth — stifles growth, sorry, it restricts growth and means we have fewerjobs available _ growth and means we have fewerjobs available it— growth and means we have fewerjobs available. if we want to get through the crisis _ available. if we want to get through the crisis and hopefully be able to avoid _ the crisis and hopefully be able to avoid a _ the crisis and hopefully be able to avoid a recession, we need to cut taxes _ avoid a recession, we need to cut taxes and — avoid a recession, we need to cut taxes and encourage great. but avoid a recession, we need to cut taxes and encourage great. but it is uuite taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple. _ taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple. if— taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple, if you _ taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple, if you are _ taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple, if you are paying - taxes and encourage great. but it is quite simple, if you are paying less| quite simple, if you are paying less tax because you are earning less, you will get less of a tax credit or rebate. , ., , ., , rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest _ rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest of _ rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest of the _ rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest of the tax - rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest of the tax cut. - rebate. yes, and you will benefit from the rest of the tax cut. in i from the rest of the tax cut. in what from the rest of the tax cut. what way? from the rest of the tax cut. in what way? because _ from the rest of the tax cut. in what way? because when - from the rest of the tax cut. in - what way? because when businesses have more money — what way? because when businesses have more money to _ what way? because when businesses have more money to be _ what way? because when businesses have more money to be able - what way? because when businesses have more money to be able to - what way? because when businesses i have more money to be able to spend, they can _ have more money to be able to spend, they can give _ have more money to be able to spend, they can give wage increases or other— they can give wage increases or other benefits that you will be able to receive — other benefits that you will be able to receive. , ., ., .,

to receive. george, we have heard from rishi — to receive. george, we have heard from rishi sunak, _ to receive. george, we have heard from rishi sunak, as— to receive. george, we have heard from rishi sunak, as we _ to receive. george, we have heard from rishi sunak, as we said, - to receive. george, we have heard from rishi sunak, as we said, the | from rishi sunak, as we said, the former chancellor, making a claim that he is a best man to tackle an economy that is facing a recession and a cost of living crisis. he has the credentials to do it. are we expecting announcements on something akin to the furlough scheme or maybe grants and loans for businesses that we saw during the pandemic, but to deal with the cost of living crisis? well, he has not said anything like that. ~ , ., �* ., ., ~ ., that. why don't we have that kind of detail if he is — that. why don't we have that kind of detail if he is expecting _ that. why don't we have that kind of detail if he is expecting people - that. why don't we have that kind of detail if he is expecting people to i detail if he is expecting people to back him? ~ ., ., , detail if he is expecting people to back him? . ., ., , , back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a — back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a bit — back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a bit early _ back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a bit early to _ back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a bit early to jump - back him? what i am saying is, is that it is a bit early to jump into i that it is a bit early to jump into that. i am that it is a bit early to jump into that. iam highly that it is a bit early to jump into that. i am highly sceptical and i think most researchers are that the best way to combat inflation would best way to combat inflation would be to give out free money. it doesn't really add up. we be to give out free money. it doesn't really add up. we don't have much detail. — doesn't really add up. we don't have much detail, yet, _ doesn't really add up. we don't have much detail, yet, though, _ doesn't really add up. we don't have much detail, yet, though, given - much detail, yet, though, given quite how pressing the issue is for so many people. we have had a lot of forecasts today about a catastrophe coming down the line as far as energy prices and inflation are

concerned. don't you think energy prices and inflation are concerned. don�*t you think it energy prices and inflation are concerned. don't you think it would be reasonable for us to have a bit more detail from be reasonable for us to have a bit more detailfrom both be reasonable for us to have a bit more detail from both candidates about what they intend to do? i think we would all like more detail, you know, but these elections, these are fought on big, multiple —— are not fought on multiple page manifestos, it is not like that, they are fought on principles and i'm sure we will get more detail when the winner is at number 10 but we aren't there yet. we both know that liz truss and rishi sunak are going to take quite different directions in solving this crisis and i think that is information enough for most conservative party member. �* , member. reem, i'm interested in the fact that they — member. reem, i'm interested in the fact that they are _ member. reem, i'm interested in the fact that they are quite _ member. reem, i'm interested in the fact that they are quite clearly - fact that they are quite clearly criticising each other, saying they are the better person for the job, that the other doesn't have the answers, and yet after all this is finished, we are expected to think they could potentially work together and bring the party together. is that reasonable?— and bring the party together. is that reasonable? absolutely, that is how every democrat _ that reasonable? absolutely, that is how every democrat election - that reasonable? absolutely, that isj how every democrat election works, you end _ how every democrat election works, you end up — how every democrat election works, you end up showing that they are the best person — you end up showing that they are the best person and they are going to argue _ best person and they are going to argue that — best person and they are going to argue that they are and then by the end of—

argue that they are and then by the end of it. _ argue that they are and then by the end of it, this blue on blue infighting will cease and they will be able _ infighting will cease and they will be able to support each other. but as soon as — be able to support each other. as soon as it be able to support each other. emit as soon as it finishes, it is happy families, happy ever after? as soon as it finishes, it is happy families, happy everafter? i as soon as it finishes, it is happy families, happy ever after? i don't think it will _ families, happy ever after? i don't think it will be — families, happy ever after? i don't think it will be like _ families, happy ever after? i don't think it will be like that, _ families, happy ever after? i don't think it will be like that, they - think it will be like that, they will be — think it will be like that, they will be both bound by collective responsibility if they are in cabinet. _ responsibility if they are in cabinet, which others will be able to see _ cabinet, which others will be able to see as— cabinet, which others will be able to see as well but i think the idea we have — to see as well but i think the idea we have two very different definitions of what conservatism is, the members will decide the one they want and _ the members will decide the one they want and that will be at and we will back the _ want and that will be at and we will back the leader. not want and that will be at and we will back the leader.— back the leader. not much longer left to wait. _ back the leader. not much longer left to wait. i _ back the leader. not much longer left to wait, i think _ back the leader. not much longer left to wait, i think we _ back the leader. not much longer left to wait, i think we said - back the leader. not much longer left to wait, i think we said 11 - left to wait, i think we said 11 days. thank you for being with us this afternoon.— days. thank you for being with us this afternoon._ back. days. thank you for being with us| this afternoon._ back to this afternoon. thank you. back to one of our— this afternoon. thank you. back to one of our other _ this afternoon. thank you. back to one of our other top _ this afternoon. thank you. back to one of our other top stories - this afternoon. thank you. back to one of our other top stories now. i more now on the pass rate for gcses having fallen compared to last year — from about 77% of papers being awarded 4 or c grades or above, to just over 73%. this is still higher than pre—pandemic levels.

our education correspondent elaine dunkley has spent the morning at a school in wigan, to find out how pupils there have got on. this is a day of celebration. you have come through an awful lot. you have shown massive fortitude, and we are really, really proud of you. this is how today started. a pep talk to settle nerves ahead of finding out their grades. we followed the pupils here at the deanery church of england high school in wigan. it is essential we have a good revision programme. from revision through to results day. the pandemic, missing school, people going off, i think it was really stressful and hard for everyone. for chelsea, callum and esther, the end of exams also marks the end of their time at this school, as they prepare to head off in different directions. off we go. for callum, there has been little rest this summer, as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional footballer, alongside doing a vocational qualification with wigan athletic. it's equivalent to three a—levels, it's a btec in sport. being able to pursue the start of a career in sport and then also

being able to do education about sport on the side, as well, it's amazing. today he picked up his gcse results. all the hard work has paid off. proud of you. i'm so glad! chelsea's going on to do a—levels. she is happy with her results. the pandemic has been a lesson in resilience. i finally got my results, i have passed. - you are not always going to get the grades you want, _ but i'm still planning to do| medicine, no matter what, i'm still going to become a doctor. ijust want to do something that will help the community. - esther got top marks in every subject, and is going to college. saying goodbye to the teachers who helped get her through the exams will be tough. the teachers have been amazing. in the run—up to exams, the big half—terms, breaks, they had full days of revision. i think it was mostly a confidence thing before going into the exams, just to have that reassurance. chelsea, esther and callum have made the grade, and like thousands of others, they will be moving on to the next phase in their education, and hoping for a future free from the disruption

of their time at school. elaine dunkley, bbc news, in wigan. just an update on the breaking news we brought you earlier in the hour that three more train companies will be involved in industrial action, train drivers at chilton, northern and trans— pennine express will walk out on strike. they have backed strikes on a turnout of over 80%, with a vote of more than 91 in favour, overwhelmingly voting to walk out. —— nine to one. you will know there were a lot of other strikes on the 13th of august that involved nine of the rail companies, these are the three that were not involved so it takes the number to 12. it is quite separate to the rmt action which has also crippled the railways on a number of days over the last few weeks. this is just the latest, members of aslef, the train

drivers at chiltern, northern and trans— pennine express, the general secretary of aslef have said these are men and women who meet key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic but they have not had a pay rise since 2019. quite clearly, he is pointing to the cost of living crisis, saying that with inflation running north of 10%, and set to go much higher still, several train companies are now saying they want their drivers to take a real terms pay cut. their attitude, he says, is suck it up and in his words, that stinks. there are mandates for 12 rail companies to walk out on strike, the drivers. the one on the 13th of august involved nine companies and this is a further three, the drivers of chiltern, northern and trans— pennine express will walk out. we don't yet have dates for the further strike action but nonetheless, that is now emotion. it's six months since people across the uk offered homes

to ukranians fleeing the invasion of russia. mary and hwan were two of their first to arrive in louth in lincolnshire. this week, they will celebrate getting the keys to their first flat. but the couple say family members in odesa, still suffering in the war, should not be forgotten. our correspondent linsey smith has more. thinking, you know the wardrobe and the drawers in that room, you can take them if you want. making plans for the future. six months ago, mary and hwan were escaping their homeland. today, they are looking forward to connecting the keys to collecting the keys to their very first flat. the work ethic is second to none, so they... i don't think either of them have missed a day's work in the last six months. and obviously, with that, they have managed to save money and that is what has kind of enabled them to be independent and move out as well. dancers in their native ukraine, mary and hwan left their dance studio in odesa unlocked. it ensured their students had

a safe space, which was on their mind when we first met. it was pretty hard at the beginning to adapt to everything, to like, solve our problems, to understand what was going on and how to continue to live, because everything at the time for us was frozen. we did not know about the future. we couldn't think about anything because on our minds was our families and our country. whilst inside, they were in turmoil, they quickly found jobs. mary works at a local hotel which allowed her to save for a car. they have also run community dance classes. our friends gave us a second home land we are very thankful to them. | and thankful for everything. yeah, true. we are very happy here. jasmine says that rather than losing house guests, she feels she has gained two friends.

linsey smith, bbc look north, louth. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. ben brown will be back with the bbc using just a second. there's never a shortage, more bens then you could possibly need. good afternoon. more rain than some of us could possibly want this afternoon and some pretty soggy conditions in places after the torrential downpours that we saw across parts of southern and eastern england. a lot of cloud from one of our weather watchers in essex. look at the rain pushing northwards earlier. we saw around 5000 lightning strikes, lots of rain will stop in fact, i will show you some of the rainfall figures, up to about 3pm. bury st edmunds is a good example, 73 millimetres of rain falling. that is more than it would normally expect

in the whole month of august. so for some, it has been a very wet day indeed but not for all. further west, some good spells of sunshine, most of us ending the day with sunny skies, the last of the rain clearing eastern parts part we have got more cloud getting into northern ireland with some quite heavy showers at the moment and that zone of cloudy and showery weather will push further eastward through the night. also potentially one or two fog patches developing through the midlands and into east anglia and the south—east corner. it will be a much cooler and fresher night than we have been used to lately. towns and cities in double digits in the countryside, may be down to seven or eight. tomorrow, spells of sunshine for many once any early fog has cleared but we will see a zone of cloud and showers pushing eastward as we go through the day and even where it stays dry in the south—east corner, more cloud to be had by the afternoon. northern scotland perhaps seeing the best of the sunshine with temperatures 15 or 16, 2a towards the south—east corner but a fresher feel for all of us. a bank holiday

weekend for many and we will see some sunny spells and a lot of dry weather, just one or two showers. look closely at the map and you can see some showers popping up as we go through the day but most places on saturday will be dry with sunny spells. this lump of rain probably not getting close enough to threaten northern ireland or western scotland. as we move out of saturday into sunday, high—pressure to the north of us and this weather set up will start to bring quite a keen north—easterly breeze which we will feel the effects of if you are spending your sunday across the north sea coast. could generate one or two showers and will bring some cloud but also a slightly cooler feel. temperatures from aberdeen down to hull, 16—19 but further west, with some shelter and more sunshine, 2a is looking pretty likely in cardiff. on monday, mostly dry and the best of the sunshine in the west where it will be warmest. further east, more cloud and a bit cooler. that is all from me for now.

this is bbc news i'm ben brown. the headlines at five. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families warns "a catastrophe' is coming this winter" unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. i don't know what we are going to do. i hope the someone offers a lifeline. i hope the someone offers a lifeline. the shooting of 9—year—old olivia pratt—korbel merseyside police say the suspected gunman is still on the run despite appeals to hand himself in. we will not rest until we find him. and we will find him. conservative leadership candidate rishi sunak says the government gave too much power to scientists during covid lockdowns. but experts who advised downing street say ministers

were responsible for decisions made.