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.

his comments come ahead of tonight's penultimate conservative hustings with rishi sunak and liz truss facing tory votes in norwich. gcse results are out today for pupils in england, wales and northern ireland the pass rate is down on last year but higher than it was before the pandemic. good afternoon. pressure is growing on the government to help households and businesses cope with soaring energy costs. a think tank has called for a universal 30% cut in bills and businesses want covid—style emergency grants to help companies that are struggling. the upper limit of what suppliers

can charge per unit of energy in england, scotland and wales the energy price cap is set to be announced tomorrow. less than a year ago, a typical annual home energy bill was about £1,200, it's now about £2,000 and it's forecast tomorrow to reach £3,500 per year, payable from this october. there are further increases expected in january. back in may, the government promised a £15 billion support package for households, but critics say this is not enough and that it doesn't cover businesses. 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 metres, 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. let's speak to the chief executive of the national energy action, adam scorer.

what are your fears about tomorrow's announcement and what you think needs to be done to help from noble families? the needs to be done to help from noble families? ., , ., . , ., families? the fears of which you have let out _ families? the fears of which you have let out pretty _ families? the fears of which you have let out pretty confused - families? the fears of which you - have let out pretty confused fencing what we are facing a cataclysmic rise in energy prices. we are looking forward to winter, once we are into winter when people are having to, there is no choice to be made most people will not be able to keep their homes. they will add up to a huge amount of debt. what we need, it's not that we have to wait to the conservative election. that must be the first decision that they make. to put the money in the pockets in their pockets and have a plan that is proportionate to the crisis that we face. [30

plan that is proportionate to the crisis that we face.— plan that is proportionate to the crisis that we face. do you want to see a universal— crisis that we face. do you want to see a universal freeze _ crisis that we face. do you want to see a universal freeze or - crisis that we face. do you want to see a universal freeze or one - see a universal freeze or one that is targeted to help the most vulnerable families? bi; is targeted to help the most vulnerable families? by priority is that ou vulnerable families? by priority is that you should _ vulnerable families? by priority is that you should have _ vulnerable families? by priority is that you should have targeted - that you should have targeted support who are in the greatest jeopardy will stop those whose well—being, physical mental, the situation so deep so many people. more importantly is that you do it early so that you get the logistics sorted, you do a deep for people in the greatest need, and that also take steps to make sure you build in greater protections for the most vulnerable into our energy policy, welfare policy and energy regulation.— regulation. you're saying governments _ regulation. you're saying governments to - regulation. you're saying governments to start - regulation. you're saying i governments to start paying regulation. you're saying - governments to start paying the bills for at least some of society. if that's an open commitment, energy prices could rise for years to come,

that cost tens of billions of pounds. that cost tens of billions of ounds. �* ., my , ., that cost tens of billions of ounds. �* ., , ., pounds. i'm not saying we should pay the bills for everybody _ pounds. i'm not saying we should pay the bills for everybody or _ pounds. i'm not saying we should pay the bills for everybody or the - pounds. i'm not saying we should pay the bills for everybody or the whole i the bills for everybody or the whole of the bill for anybody but i am saying the price of energy is rising and it could go up higher still in january. those that are most vulnerable to the cold, we have to remember 10,000 people died in the uk directly from the costs of the cold, from the effects of a cold home, millions of people will not be heating their homes this winter. they have no choice, it is inevitable the government will have to step in to help those people to shoulder the burden of this. there is no choice that you have to step in, importantly you have to... how

you stop people in the lowest incomes from being devastated. not to include everyone. i incomes from being devastated. not to include everyone.— to include everyone. i know you represent _ to include everyone. i know you represent those _ to include everyone. i know you represent those poor _ to include everyone. i know you represent those poor people, . to include everyone. i know you i represent those poor people, but what about businesses. they are saying what about us? 0therwise what about businesses. they are saying what about us? otherwise we could go out of business. the energy crisis like the _ could go out of business. the energy crisis like the oil _ could go out of business. the energy crisis like the oil crisis _ could go out of business. the energy crisis like the oil crisis moves - crisis like the oil crisis moves throughout the whole economy. it hits everybody. because the government is there they have to consider the steps they need to take to protect the wider economic interests. when we are looking forward to winter, when we are in winter we will be looking at people who cannot afford to keep warm, who cannot cook food, who cannot afford to give their children a bath. it has a real impact on people �*s mental and physical well—being and it will be costing lives. and the

government will need to have that as their number one priority. the first statement they made by the first prime minister. heating oil— used in many rural homes— is not subject to the energy price cap. campaigners say hundreds of thousands of rural households could find themselves in fuel poverty for the first time this winter. they describe a "perfect storm" of high energy bills associated with being off the mains gas grid, old housing stock that's often hard to insulate, historically low wages and spiralling fuel costs of travelling to work. ellie price has been to rural south derbyshire to meet a family already struggling.

come the winter if we can have central heating if it's going to get cold. he central heating if it's going to get cold. , , . central heating if it's going to get cold. , ., �* ., ~ cold. he is disabled and can't work, he has received _ cold. he is disabled and can't work, he has received extra _ cold. he is disabled and can't work, he has received extra help - cold. he is disabled and can't work, he has received extra help from - cold. he is disabled and can't work, he has received extra help from the government as part as their universal credit but he says it's not enough. universal credit but he says it's not enough-— universal credit but he says it's not enou:h. ., �* , ., not enough. you can't save it up and bu a not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket — not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of _ not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, _ not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, it - not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, it makes. buy a bucket of kerosene, it makes me feel up the failer. i can explain to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that. he to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that.- to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that. he is getting help from--- _ don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally - don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally they - don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally they can | help from... occasionally they can fill a tank forfree help from... occasionally they can fill a tank for free and with prices doubling from last year more people are in the clinic in need of their

help. the official definition of fuel poverty differs between england and the rest of uk, house income and how needs to be taken into consideration. a fuel income... the end fuel poverty coalition predicted by that october this year a third of rule homes will be in fuel poverty. that is more than double that it was two years ago. the cost to lift a household out of fuel poverty in 2020 it was £193, a rural household would need £501 a year extra. those

figures were calculated before this year �*s energy price hikes. so the price is actually much higher. reef price is actually much higher. row houses tend _ price is actually much higher. row houses tend to _ price is actually much higher. row houses tend to be _ price is actually much higher. ir houses tend to be more price is actually much higher. flow houses tend to be more expensive to heat, but also the cost of stopping fuel poverty and introducing energy efficiency measures are far greater in rural areas and they are in towns and cities. he in rural areas and they are in towns and cities. , �* in rural areas and they are in towns and cities. ,, , �* ., in rural areas and they are in towns and cities. , �* ., ., and cities. he says he'll have to rel on and cities. he says he'll have to rely on hand-outs _ and cities. he says he'll have to rely on hand-outs to _ and cities. he says he'll have to rely on hand-outs to keep - and cities. he says he'll have to rely on hand-outs to keep his i and cities. he says he'll have to - rely on hand-outs to keep his family rely on hand—outs to keep his family warm this winter and tucked away in the countryside he won't be the only one.

if they are increasing then i will have even less to live on. i don't know what i will do then. eventually, i will have to go for food parcels to help meet and that is happening to more and more people that i know. and information campaigns on how to cut energy

uses uses we have to look for structural member measures and we need to accelerate the energy transition, renewable energy is the root most renewable energy is the root most renewable form of energy and will bring energy bills down. this weasel on supply is spilling across borders and the government is looking at ways to help... 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. at 11:30am here on the bbc news channel, we'll be joined by a consumer expert and our personalfinance 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. a think tank containing on campaign of flow and middle income family unless the government steps in to help with energy costs the

unless the government steps in to help with energy costs— help with energy costs the fields shootin: help with energy costs the fields shooting of— for the killer of this nine—year—old, fatally shot as her mother tried to stop him entering their home. police have vowed not to rest until they find the killer of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbell. olivia was shot as her mother struggled with two men at her home in liverpool on monday night. officers 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. our reporter alison freeman is in liverpool. police say they have now been given

a number of names in the hunt they've been following up a number of leads in relation to the name of the suspect in particular to the gunman with a clear message to him, they will find him, they will bring him tojustice. three days since olivia 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. olivia 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 olivia'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. alison freeman, bbc news, liverpool. we also heard today olivia's mum has been released from hospital. the family of olivia have issued a plea to help them find out who have taken their baby away from them. getting information from the community is vital and now more than ever they are asking help from people to find out who killed olivia.

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.

we've been hearing about this from assistant head teacher who is also responsible for personal development.— responsible for personal develoment. _, . ., , , development. personal development is a wide ranae development. personal development is a wide range of— development. personal development is a wide range of responsible _ development. personal development is a wide range of responsible a _ development. personal development is a wide range of responsible a school i a wide range of responsible a school has for— a wide range of responsible a school has for a _ a wide range of responsible a school has for a child. we are looking at the value — has for a child. we are looking at the value of— has for a child. we are looking at the value of education, teaching about— the value of education, teaching about values and also looking at a wide range — about values and also looking at a wide range of trips and extra opportunities so students can kind of develop their own interests outside — of develop their own interests outside of the taught curriculum. we know outside of the taught curriculum. know that outside of the taught curriculum. - know that schools have to equip to you with complications but wise's appointment? it you with complications but wise's appointment?— you with complications but wise's a- ointment? , , , , appointment? it helps students with their future career _ appointment? it helps students with their future career paths. _ appointment? it helps students with their future career paths. it - appointment? it helps students with their future career paths. it helps i their future career paths. it helps with the — their future career paths. it helps with the academic side as well, all of the _

with the academic side as well, all of the events we offer are linked to academic— of the events we offer are linked to academic events.— academic events. what sort of things can they do? — academic events. what sort of things can they do? there's _ academic events. what sort of things can they do? there's debate - can they do? there's debate societies _ can they do? there's debate societies student _ can they do? there's debate societies student council, i can they do? there's debate i societies student council, more sporting — societies student council, more sporting activities as well, and a wide _ sporting activities as well, and a wide range of creative arts as music, — wide range of creative arts as music, drama. wide range of creative arts as music. drama-— wide range of creative arts as music, drama. they begin at year seven all the _ music, drama. they begin at year seven all the way _ music, drama. they begin at year seven all the way to _ music, drama. they begin at year seven all the way to year - music, drama. they begin at year seven all the way to year 11. i'm l seven all the way to year 11. i'm hoinr seven all the way to year 11. i'm hoping you _ seven all the way to year 11. i'm hoping you saw— seven all the way to year 11. i'm hoping you saw today when you interviewed are students here, we have _ interviewed are students here, we have a _ interviewed are students here, we have a very — interviewed are students here, we have a very confident cohort of students — have a very confident cohort of students they are very happy to come on camera _ students they are very happy to come on camera and be interviewed and i think— on camera and be interviewed and i think our— on camera and be interviewed and i think our extracurricular programme as well— think our extracurricular programme as well as _ think our extracurricular programme as well as our top programme and are fantastic— as well as our top programme and are fantastic teachers that we had here have helped them to develop these skills and _ have helped them to develop these skills and their confidence. how do you see them carrying _ skills and their confidence. how do you see them carrying on - skills and their confidence. how do you see them carrying on with i skills and their confidence. how do | you see them carrying on with some of those activities and interests after they leave here? i of those activities and interests after they leave here?- of those activities and interests after they leave here? i think not all of the students _ after they leave here? i think not all of the students are _ after they leave here? i think not all of the students are going i after they leave here? i think not all of the students are going to l all of the students are going to carry— all of the students are going to carry on— all of the students are going to carry on all of their clubs, but

they— carry on all of their clubs, but they will— carry on all of their clubs, but they will of had the opportunity to take part — they will of had the opportunity to take part in the club, if they don't carry— take part in the club, if they don't carry it _ take part in the club, if they don't carry it on — take part in the club, if they don't carry it on its fine but they may have _ carry it on its fine but they may have an — carry it on its fine but they may have an interest in music when they go into— have an interest in music when they go into six— have an interest in music when they go into six form they might learn another— go into six form they might learn another instrument, they might become — another instrument, they might become a — another instrument, they might become a part of a society where they are — become a part of a society where they are using the skills that they first developed here.— first developed here. that's an u date first developed here. that's an update looking _ first developed here. that's an update looking at _ first developed here. that's an update looking at the - first developed here. that's an i update looking at the differences in some of the results, it's been a difficult year for some of the students facing exams for the first time. it's really interesting used to talk about that north—south divide, for the students who have been trying to contend with a such a strange few years. what are your impressions about these results? i think what strikes me are schools

like this and another when i visited in darlington last september in a similar area where there are so few economic challenges and families who don't have enough to get by. and are relying on their school and community to support their children, is there is a great deal of creative resourceful teaching going on and a lot of schools. we hear that they don't have the funding that they would like some of the time, but because of those shared skills and commitments of both staff and schools they are adding value and they are taking a lot of them don't have english as a first language, they have those barriers to overcome. with the right support at age 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 good at guiding

children who are not high achievers into post—16 education. that's the other thing i've learned today is that there are so many options, ten, 20 years ago it doesn't have to be a levels it can be more vocational technical training that is actually leads you to a job where employers are getting the skills from you that they already need. i feel quite optimistic about all of it today. your focus on the overall happiness and well—being of the children how has he been in the last few years dealing with covert? it’s has he been in the last few years dealing with covert?— dealing with covert? it's been really tough _ dealing with covert? it's been really tough dealing - dealing with covert? it's been really tough dealing with i

dealing with covert? it's been i really tough dealing with them. it is so important, we have been hearing great stuff about schools that have been given all—around education and people in government and department for education still incredibly think that exams, tests are important. that we need you more and more of that and we can't do anything else. but i will tell you this simple truth, the best schools in our country teach really well for exams but also do all the extracurricular stuff, they give young peoplejoy, the skills extracurricular stuff, they give young people joy, the skills for work, the confidence, make them more articulate. so both go hand—in—hand you have lots of extracurriculars and character builders as well as a

really good focus on exams. but if you just focus on exams you have unhappy children and they learned nothing, absolutely nothing. about how to live a life or about how to succeed at university if they go there or x to the max work. —— succeed at work. there or x to the max work. -- succeed at work.— there or x to the max work. -- succeed at work. now we have the return of exams _ succeed at work. now we have the return of exams would _ succeed at work. now we have the return of exams would you - succeed at work. now we have the return of exams would you ratherl return of exams would you rather just stick to teacher assessment? i think there is a case for having both, teachers and other students fairly well and some people including parents who are listening to this now were not good at doing exams. sometimes thingsjust to this now were not good at doing exams. sometimes things just go wrong and exams and an exam tells us very little about how good someone

is at math or physics. so i would go for a blend of both and a key point is it is a national disgrace that those young people who don't succeed at gcse are branded failures. they are not failures. the only people who failed here are the government. for devising a system that does not allow young people to shine. every single child in this country is good at something. thejob single child in this country is good at something. the job of government is to let schools find out what they are good at, rather than finding out what they can't do which exams do, have a system at school, and every good teacher knows this, a good school system is one that lets young people blossom and flourish and find

out what they love doing in life and really succeed.— out what they love doing in life and really succeed. what is your message to an one really succeed. what is your message to anyone today _ really succeed. what is your message to anyone today who _ really succeed. what is your message to anyone today who has _ really succeed. what is your message to anyone today who has heard i really succeed. what is your message to anyone today who has heard they l to anyone today who has heard they had failed, they did badly? remember that most successful _ had failed, they did badly? remember that most successful athletes, - that most successful athletes, footballers, artists, business people, politicians have failed. do not look back, look forwards and take your futures into your own hands. you can have and will have a fantastic future, be confident in yourself and it will become right for you. thank you for being with us, thank you for your time.— train drivers at another three companies have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action

in a dispute over pay. members of aslef at chiltern, northern and transpennine express have voted for walkouts in the long—running row affecting the industry. let's speak to our transport correspondent katy austin. tell us what this will mean. we already have — tell us what this will mean. - already have strikes at other companies and that we have three others as there is an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action would turn out over 80% at each of the three operators in the yes vote was over 90% at all three. this brings the total number of trained companies where aslef says there is a mandate for strike action to 12. no further strike actions have been set at the moment. aslef says this is over pay and members are angry at the lack of a pay rise over the last few years and they want a pay increase it matches the increased cost of living, so inflation as we all know has been really high recently and they have said that the way to avoid further strike action

is that in talks they said they are calling on the companies to come to the table with a proper proposal that they say would help their members, the drivers, by this year with a could last year.— with a could last year. what about long-running _ with a could last year. what about long-running action _ with a could last year. what about long-running action by _ with a could last year. what about long-running action by the - with a could last year. what about long-running action by the rmt. long—running action by the rmt union, any sort of progress there? not of the moment. strike action continues there and there are no dates in the diary again with the national strikes, so the national dispute that has involved more than 40,000 members of the rmt union has already seen six days of national strike action there. but what the train companies in the government perspectives on this with me in the rmt dispute it is probably similar to what it is in the aslef dispute, the industry says it wants to give people a pay rise with a sect that have to be paid for and that has been paid for by reforms and modernisation because there is been a big drop in revenue during the pandemic and therefore to pay more, they had to save the money somewhere else for making the fall. that is

where things are at. the talks on the rmt side of things have been continuing. i know they did seem to be pretty deadlocked last time we heard from the rmt general secretary, today, the secretary of aslef it said talks between him and the real delivery group which represent string companies, they only started very recently those formal talks and he described them as strain but quite constructive. he said there were no concrete proposals but dialogue will continue so we are not at the end of these disputes. talks continue with no strike dates in the diary right now. all right, you very much. let's bring more on the premise of it from the little girl who was shot dead in

liverpool, olivia pratt—korbell, killed in liverpool. the family put out a statement of tribute to her and let's read it to you. "live was and let's read it to you. "live was a unique chatty girl who broke the mould when she was more and love life and all it had to offer. liv love to dressing up as she was very particular on how she was dressed in like any other girl she loved doing makeup and nails. she was nine coming on 19. liv was adored by anyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone. she was office and going up in the street on her new bike she had just got for her birthday. " this family statement goes on. "although her life was short her personality certainly was not. she lived it to the most she could and will blow people away with her wit and kindness. we as a family are heartbroken and have lost a huge part of our life. if anyone knows anything, say the family of olivia

pratt—korbel, now is the time to speak up. not about being a snitch or a grass, it's about finding out who took our baby away from us. please do the right thing. "the same concludes we as a family are eternally grateful for the help and support we received from people across the world and we are also grateful and thankful to merseyside police for the outstanding work and to the staff of alder hay and aintree hospitals so that very moving statement from the family of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel, who lost her life in that shooting in liverpool. now suffer look at the weather with thomas. wa nt to want to watch out it was across parts of england today. thunderstorms and a deluge in places

but most is cleared away if you wonder about tomorrow, a few showers in the forecast but nothing quite as heavy or thunderous. here are the storms we had actually well out in the north sea through tonight and then left with clear skies and just a few showers moving into northern ireland and perhaps the irish sea overnight. so a lot of clear, dry weather tonight. temperatures at lowest around 13 in london, ten in newcastle and ebony and tomorrow starts off pretty cloudy across the western part of the uk. particularly northern ireland, southwestern scotland and clouds will also increase and lamp and i think the best chance of more prolonged and sunny spells the further east you are in here temperatures should get into the low or perhaps mid—20s if you wonder about the bank holiday weekend, at the moment it looks very promising with some sunny spells in just a few showers and now back to you. thank you very much indeed.

sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's laura. thank you, hello, everyone. we will start with cricket, and england have made an impressive start to the second test against south africa at old trafford. the tourists won the toss and chose to bat, but were soon struggling against england's bowlers and were 77—5 at lunch. jimmy anderson struck after the break with the consecutive wickets of simon harmer and keshar maharaj, and the tourists were eventually all out for 151. england have made a poort start to their reply, with alex lees out for four and ollie pope gone for 23. joe rew also sent packing 49. they're now 43—3. south africa lead the three—test series 1—0. 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 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 the 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 £1.4 billion in 2017. the so—called big six have contributed heavily to that. liverpool spent £64 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. 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 duez 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 someone ask you the best cyclists in the world, i want you to say my name. and it doesn't mean that i need to win five tour de frances. if i win one, i will be happy. if i win a tour, olympic mountain

biking 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. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website, including the live champions league draw which is currently under way. there are six british teams involved. that's all from me for now. gavin ramjaun will be here with sportsday at 6:30pm. many thanks, gloria. see you later on. 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. tonight, the other leadership candidate liz truss said she agrees with her opponent. i did candidate liz truss said she agrees with her opponent.— with her opponent. i did not sit on the covid-19 _ with her opponent. i did not sit on the covid-19 council because i i with her opponent. i did not sit on | the covid-19 council because i was the covid—19 council because i was busy stroking trade deals around the

world. but my view is this was too difficult for children and parents and i would not have a lock down again. ii and i would not have a lock down aaain. , ., and i would not have a lock down aaain. and i would not have a lock down aain, again. if you were in cabinet, you would say — again. if you were in cabinet, you would say that? _ again. if you were in cabinet, you would say that? would _ again. if you were in cabinet, you would say that? would you i again. if you were in cabinet, you would say that? would you say i again. if you were in cabinet, you would say that? would you say it| would say that? would you say it again? _ would say that? would you say it again? |— would say that? would you say it auain? ., , , would say that? would you say it auain? ., ,~ ., would say that? would you say it auain? ,~ ., , again? i was very clear in cabinet that i again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was — again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was one _ again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was one of _ again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was one of the _ again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was one of the main i again? i was very clear in cabinet that i was one of the main voicesj again? i was very clear in cabinet i that i was one of the main voices in favour of it. that i was one of the main voices in favour of it— favour of it. let's get the opinion of our political _ favour of it. let's get the opinion of our political correspondent i favour of it. let's get the opinion | of our political correspondent who is been following development. a bit of revisionism going on when it comes to talking here about how the government made its decisions on the various lockdowns during the height of cobit. �* ., ., , ., various lockdowns during the height of cobit. ., , ., , of cobit. both candidates of course art of the of cobit. both candidates of course part of the government _ of cobit. both candidates of course part of the government that - of cobit. both candidates of course part of the government that made l part of the government that made those _ part of the government that made those decisions _ part of the government that made those decisions and _ part of the government that made those decisions and certainly i those decisions and certainly distancing _ those decisions and certainly distancing themselves - those decisions and certainly distancing themselves from i those decisions and certainly i distancing themselves from those decisions — distancing themselves from those decisions today. _ distancing themselves from those decisions today. we _ distancing themselves from those decisions today. we heard - distancing themselves from those decisions today. we heard liz- distancing themselves from those i decisions today. we heard liz truss there _ decisions today. we heard liz truss there said _ decisions today. we heard liz truss there said she — decisions today. we heard liz truss there said she felt— decisions today. we heard liz truss there said she felt locked _ decisions today. we heard liz truss there said she felt locked out - decisions today. we heard liz truss there said she felt locked out wentl there said she felt locked out went too far~ _ there said she felt locked out went too far~ rishi — there said she felt locked out went too far. rishi sunak _ there said she felt locked out went too far. rishi sunak is _ there said she felt locked out went too far. rishi sunak is more - too far. rishi sunak is more critical— too far. rishi sunak is more critical of— too far. rishi sunak is more critical of how— too far. rishi sunak is more critical of how the _ too far. rishi sunak is more critical of how the decisionsj too far. rishi sunak is more i critical of how the decisions were made, _ critical of how the decisions were made. perhaps. _ critical of how the decisions were made, perhaps, rather— critical of how the decisions were made, perhaps, ratherthan- critical of how the decisions were made, perhaps, rather than the. made, perhaps, ratherthan the conclusions— made, perhaps, ratherthan the conclusions that— made, perhaps, ratherthan the conclusions that they _ made, perhaps, ratherthan the conclusions that they came i made, perhaps, ratherthan the conclusions that they came to. i made, perhaps, rather than the i conclusions that they came to. he talks— conclusions that they came to. he talks about — conclusions that they came to. he talks about there _ conclusions that they came to. he talks about there being _ conclusions that they came to. he talks about there being a - conclusions that they came to. he talks about there being a lack i conclusions that they came to. he talks about there being a lack of i talks about there being a lack of transparency— talks about there being a lack of transparency about _ talks about there being a lack of transparency about how - talks about there being a lack of transparency about how they i transparency about how they scientists _ transparency about how they scientists advising _ transparency about how they scientists advising the - transparency about how they -

scientists advising the government, that group— scientists advising the government, that grouu known— scientists advising the government, that group known as _ scientists advising the government, that group known as sage, - scientists advising the government, i that group known as sage, ultimately came to _ that group known as sage, ultimately came to their— that group known as sage, ultimately came to their conclusions. _ that group known as sage, ultimately came to their conclusions. he - that group known as sage, ultimately came to their conclusions. he said i came to their conclusions. he said there _ came to their conclusions. he said there was— came to their conclusions. he said there was not— came to their conclusions. he said there was not enough— came to their conclusions. he said there was not enough discussion i there was not enough discussion about— there was not enough discussion about the — there was not enough discussion about the trade—off— there was not enough discussion about the trade—off of— there was not enough discussion. about the trade—off of lockdowns, for example. _ about the trade—off of lockdowns, for example, and— about the trade—off of lockdowns, for example, and the _ about the trade—off of lockdowns, for example, and the damage i about the trade—off of lockdowns, for example, and the damage it. about the trade—off of lockdowns, i for example, and the damage it could do to the _ for example, and the damage it could do to the economy, _ for example, and the damage it could do to the economy, and _ for example, and the damage it could do to the economy, and he _ for example, and the damage it could do to the economy, and he says- for example, and the damage it could do to the economy, and he says thatl do to the economy, and he says that when _ do to the economy, and he says that when sage _ do to the economy, and he says that when sage worked _ do to the economy, and he says that when sage worked permit _ do to the economy, and he says that when sage worked permit denting i when sage worked permit denting findings _ when sage worked permit denting findings of— when sage worked permit denting findings of the _ when sage worked permit denting findings of the government, i when sage worked permit denting findings of the government, the i findings of the government, the government— findings of the government, the government was— findings of the government, the government was not _ findings of the government, the government was not given i findings of the government, the i government was not given dissenting opinions, _ government was not given dissenting opinions. they— government was not given dissenting opinions, they were _ government was not given dissenting opinions, they were just _ government was not given dissenting opinions, they were just given - government was not given dissenting opinions, they were just given the i opinions, they were just given the final consensus— opinions, they were just given the final consensus opinion _ opinions, they were just given the final consensus opinion so - opinions, they were just given the final consensus opinion so he i opinions, they were just given the final consensus opinion so he is i final consensus opinion so he is quite _ final consensus opinion so he is quite critical— final consensus opinion so he is quite critical of— final consensus opinion so he is quite critical of that. _ final consensus opinion so he is quite critical of that. he - final consensus opinion so he is quite critical of that. he also i final consensus opinion so he is quite critical of that. he also an interview— quite critical of that. he also an interview with _ quite critical of that. he also an interview with the _ quite critical of that. he also an interview with the spectator i quite critical of that. he also an i interview with the spectator today, took aim _ interview with the spectator today, took aim at — interview with the spectator today, took aim at what _ interview with the spectator today, took aim at what he _ interview with the spectator today, took aim at what he called - interview with the spectator today, took aim at what he called a - interview with the spectator today, took aim at what he called a fear. interview with the spectator today, | took aim at what he called a fear of narrative _ took aim at what he called a fear of narrative that — took aim at what he called a fear of narrative that he _ took aim at what he called a fear of narrative that he feels the - narrative that he feels the government— narrative that he feels the government used - narrative that he feels the government used answer| narrative that he feels the - government used answer simply talking _ government used answer simply talking about _ government used answer simply talking about campaigns - government used answer simply| talking about campaigns showing people _ talking about campaigns showing peopte on— talking about campaigns showing people on ventilators, _ talking about campaigns showing i people on ventilators, encouraging people _ people on ventilators, encouraging people to — people on ventilators, encouraging people to avoid _ people on ventilators, encouraging people to avoid or— people on ventilators, encouraging people to avoid or follow— people on ventilators, encouraging people to avoid or follow the - people on ventilators, encouraging| people to avoid or follow the rules. he is_ people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite — people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite critical— people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite critical of— people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite critical of that. - people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite critical of that. he - people to avoid or follow the rules. he is quite critical of that. he is - he is quite critical of that. he is not saying — he is quite critical of that. he is not saying there _ he is quite critical of that. he is not saying there should - he is quite critical of that. he is not saying there should not - he is quite critical of that. he isl not saying there should not have been _ not saying there should not have been lockdowns but _ not saying there should not have been lockdowns but he - not saying there should not have been lockdowns but he is - not saying there should not have been lockdowns but he is saying| not saying there should not have i been lockdowns but he is saying if there _ been lockdowns but he is saying if there have — been lockdowns but he is saying if there have been _ been lockdowns but he is saying if there have been a _ been lockdowns but he is saying if there have been a different- been lockdowns but he is saying if. there have been a different approach than perhaps— there have been a different approach than perhaps they— there have been a different approach than perhaps they could _ there have been a different approach than perhaps they could have - there have been a different approach than perhaps they could have been l than perhaps they could have been different _ than perhaps they could have been different and — than perhaps they could have been different and perhaps _ than perhaps they could have been different and perhaps they- than perhaps they could have been different and perhaps they could i different and perhaps they could have treen— different and perhaps they could have been shorter. _ different and perhaps they could have been shorter. a— different and perhaps they could have been shorter. a bit- different and perhaps they could have been shorter. a bit of- different and perhaps they could - have been shorter. a bit of pushback though— have been shorter. a bit of pushback though from — have been shorter. a bit of pushback though from sage _ have been shorter. a bit of pushback though from sage. we _ have been shorter. a bit of pushback though from sage. we heard - though from sage. we heard from professor— though from sage. we heard from professor graham _ though from sage. we heard from professor graham medley- though from sage. we heard from

professor graham medley he - though from sage. we heard from professor graham medley he wasi though from sage. we heard from . professor graham medley he was on that body— professor graham medley he was on that body during _ professor graham medley he was on that body during the _ professor graham medley he was on that body during the pandemic- professor graham medley he was on that body during the pandemic and i professor graham medley he was on. that body during the pandemic and he says is— that body during the pandemic and he says is government _ that body during the pandemic and he says is government who _ that body during the pandemic and he says is government who has - that body during the pandemic and he says is government who has the - says is government who has the power. — says is government who has the power. its — says is government who has the power, its ministers _ says is government who has the power, its ministers to - says is government who has the power, its ministers to get - says is government who has the| power, its ministers to get given advice _ power, its ministers to get given advice and — power, its ministers to get given advice and they— power, its ministers to get given advice and they ultimately- power, its ministers to get given advice and they ultimately have i power, its ministers to get given i advice and they ultimately have to make _ advice and they ultimately have to make the — advice and they ultimately have to make the decisions _ advice and they ultimately have to make the decisions and _ advice and they ultimately have to| make the decisions and essentially own those — make the decisions and essentially own those decisions _ make the decisions and essentially own those decisions afterwards. i own those decisions afterwards. downing — own those decisions afterwards. downing street _ own those decisions afterwards. downing street have _ own those decisions afterwards. downing street have responded| own those decisions afterwards. - downing street have responded saying that decisions — downing street have responded saying that decisions were _ downing street have responded saying that decisions were made _ that decisions were made collectively— that decisions were made collectively by— that decisions were made collectively by ministers i that decisions were made - collectively by ministers after were given _ collectively by ministers after were given scientific _ collectively by ministers after were given scientific advice _ collectively by ministers after were given scientific advice from - collectively by ministers after were given scientific advice from acrossi given scientific advice from across the board — given scientific advice from across the board also— given scientific advice from across the board also heard _ given scientific advice from across the board also heard from - given scientific advice from across the board also heard from a - given scientific advice from acrossi the board also heard from a couple of government _ the board also heard from a couple of government figures _ the board also heard from a couple of government figures or _ the board also heard from a couple of government figures or former. of government figures or former government— of government figures or former government figures— of government figures or former government figures taking - of government figures or former government figures taking aim i of government figures or formerl government figures taking aim at criticism — government figures taking aim at criticism of— government figures taking aim at criticism of lockdowns, _ government figures taking aim at criticism of lockdowns, and - government figures taking aim at. criticism of lockdowns, and dominic cummings, — criticism of lockdowns, and dominic cummings, a — criticism of lockdowns, and dominic cummings, a force _ criticism of lockdowns, and dominic cummings, a force the _ criticism of lockdowns, and dominic cummings, a force the former- criticism of lockdowns, and dominici cummings, a force the former senior adviser— cummings, a force the former senior adviser to _ cummings, a force the former senior adviser to boris — cummings, a force the former senior adviser to borisjohnson, _ cummings, a force the former senior adviser to borisjohnson, although. adviser to boris johnson, although no adviser to borisjohnson, although no trig _ adviser to borisjohnson, although no trig fan— adviser to borisjohnson, although no trig fan of— adviser to borisjohnson, although no big fan of boris— adviser to borisjohnson, although no big fan of borisjohnson- adviser to borisjohnson, although no big fan of boris johnson these i no big fan of boris johnson these days, _ no big fan of boris johnson these days, he — no big fan of boris johnson these days, he has— no big fan of boris johnson these days, he has defended _ no big fan of boris johnson these days, he has defended the - no big fan of boris johnson thesei days, he has defended the prime minister— days, he has defended the prime minister saving _ days, he has defended the prime minister saying it _ days, he has defended the prime minister saying it is _ days, he has defended the prime minister saying it is unfair- days, he has defended the prime minister saying it is unfair to- minister saying it is unfair to point — minister saying it is unfair to point fingers _ minister saying it is unfair to point fingers at _ minister saying it is unfair to point fingers at him - minister saying it is unfair to point fingers at him and - minister saying it is unfair to point fingers at him and he i minister saying it is unfair to- point fingers at him and he accuses rishi _ point fingers at him and he accuses rishi sunak— point fingers at him and he accuses rishi sunak of— point fingers at him and he accuses rishi sunak of actually _ point fingers at him and he accuses rishi sunak of actually talking - rishi sunak of actually talking dangerous— rishi sunak of actually talking dangerous rubbish— rishi sunak of actually talking dangerous rubbish in- rishi sunak of actually talking dangerous rubbish in his - rishi sunak of actually talking i dangerous rubbish in his words rishi sunak of actually talking - dangerous rubbish in his words in his interview— dangerous rubbish in his words in his interview with _ dangerous rubbish in his words in his interview with the _ dangerous rubbish in his words in his interview with the spectator. i his interview with the spectator. another— his interview with the spectator. another former— his interview with the spectator. another former senior— his interview with the spectator. . another former senior government official, _ another former senior government official, lee — another former senior government official, lee kane, _ another former senior government official, lee kane, saying - another former senior government official, lee kane, saying that - official, lee kane, saying that essentially— official, lee kane, saying that essentially the _ official, lee kane, saying that essentially the government. official, lee kane, saying thatl essentially the government did official, lee kane, saying that - essentially the government did spend so tong _ essentially the government did spend so tong tatking — essentially the government did spend so long talking about _ essentially the government did spend so long talking about the _ essentially the government did spend so long talking about the trade—offs l so long talking about the trade—offs that at— so long talking about the trade—offs that at the — so long talking about the trade—offs

that at the beginning _ so long talking about the trade—offs that at the beginning of _ so long talking about the trade—offs that at the beginning of the - that at the beginning of the pandemic, _ that at the beginning of the pandemic, the _ that at the beginning of the pandemic, the public- that at the beginning of the pandemic, the public had . that at the beginning of the - pandemic, the public had actually tregun_ pandemic, the public had actually tregun a _ pandemic, the public had actually tregun a self— pandemic, the public had actually begun a self imposed _ pandemic, the public had actually begun a self imposed lockdownsi pandemic, the public had actually| begun a self imposed lockdowns a pandemic, the public had actually. begun a self imposed lockdowns a is addressing _ begun a self imposed lockdowns a is addressing that _ begun a self imposed lockdowns a is addressing that narrative _ begun a self imposed lockdowns a is addressing that narrative that - begun a self imposed lockdowns a is addressing that narrative that the i addressing that narrative that the government— addressing that narrative that the government launched _ addressing that narrative that the government launched straight - addressing that narrative that the | government launched straight into addressing that narrative that the i government launched straight into a tockdown— government launched straight into a tockdown and — government launched straight into a lockdown and talking _ government launched straight into a lockdown and talking about - government launched straight into a lockdown and talking about what - government launched straight into a lockdown and talking about what it i lockdown and talking about what it would _ lockdown and talking about what it would do _ lockdown and talking about what it would do to — lockdown and talking about what it would do to the _ lockdown and talking about what it would do to the economy. - lockdown and talking about what it would do to the economy. of- lockdown and talking about what it. would do to the economy. of course leadership— would do to the economy. of course leadership contest— would do to the economy. of course leadership contest still— would do to the economy. of course leadership contest still going - would do to the economy. of course leadership contest still going on - would do to the economy. of course leadership contest still going on at i leadership contest still going on at the moment, — leadership contest still going on at the moment, members— leadership contest still going on at the moment, membersjust- leadership contest still going on at the moment, membersjust over. leadership contest still going on at the moment, membersjust overai leadership contest still going on at - the moment, membersjust over a week to keep _ the moment, membersjust over a week to keep voting. — the moment, membersjust over a week to keep voting, another— the moment, membersjust over a week to keep voting, another hustings - to keep voting, another hustings event _ to keep voting, another hustings event in — to keep voting, another hustings event in norwich— to keep voting, another hustings event in norwich tonight, - to keep voting, another hustings event in norwich tonight, but - event in norwich tonight, but certainly— event in norwich tonight, but certainly an— event in norwich tonight, but certainly an area _ event in norwich tonight, but certainly an area where - event in norwich tonight, buti certainly an area where these candidates _ certainly an area where these candidates seem _ certainly an area where these candidates seem to _ certainly an area where these candidates seem to agree - certainly an area where these candidates seem to agree is i certainly an area where these i candidates seem to agree is that lockdown— candidates seem to agree is that lockdown could _ candidates seem to agree is that lockdown could have _ candidates seem to agree is that lockdown could have been - candidates seem to agree is that l lockdown could have been handled differentlv — lockdown could have been handled differently. fill — lockdown could have been handled differentl . �* . ~ lockdown could have been handled differentl . �* . ,, differently. all right, thank you very much _ differently. all right, thank you very much indeed, _ differently. all right, thank you very much indeed, david. - differently. all right, thank you very much indeed, david. let's| differently. all right, thank you - very much indeed, david. let's talk to a scientist right now for that reaction, a member of the independent sage, scientific advisory group, kit yates can join us, also a senior mathematical lecturing at the university of bath. thank you very much forjoining us. the charge from rishi sunak and it is quite emotional actually, he says that we should not have empowered the scientists the way we did and at one stage he says there were meetings where it was literally me

around the table just fighting. i was very emotional about it. and he was very emotional about it. and he was talking about the trade—offs, children's education was suffering, he was furious and actually sounds pretty angry about the power of the scientists as he sees it during the lockdowns. the scientists as he sees it during the lockdowns— lockdowns. the irony is that if an hinu lockdowns. the irony is that if anything scientist _ lockdowns. the irony is that if anything scientist felt - lockdowns. the irony is that if - anything scientist felt disempowered throughout the pandemic. scientific advice was consistently ignored by the government from locking down too late in 2020 and billing to take action in autumn 2020 and the debacle of board shots and trying to save christmas again scientific advice in 2020 and also the one day christmas term in 2021 so scientists work consistently ignored. this from rishi sunak is revisionist history, we have done actually badly in terms of health impact and economic impact throughout the pandemic in the government needs to own this. the mantra is always advice is advising politicians decide to try to project

these failures onto scientists and civil service is really not as a dual is government need to own their mistakes. ., �* . , . . mistakes. you're really arguing that if there were _ mistakes. you're really arguing that if there were something _ mistakes. you're really arguing that if there were something like - mistakes. you're really arguing that if there were something like this . if there were something like this again, another kind of pandemic or public health emergency, if anything scientist need to have more power. i scientist need to have more power. i think both scientists and other experts need to not have necessarily more power but need to have their voices heard. rishi sunak makes his claim that there was no social economic impact equivalent of sage people probably are not aware that sage's remit is quite narrow, to review and assess scientific evidence to help decision makers. if it was never asked to inform about economic impact, so it may have been the case of public health data was hit hardly then economic economic data but the power is to push

science, not the economy. who should be paying for that, probably the minister who was in charge of the economy, the chancellor of the exchequer, who at the time was rishi sunak. , , , ., .. exchequer, who at the time was rishi sunak. , , , ., ., ., sunak. the impression we got at the time auoin sunak. the impression we got at the time going back _ sunak. the impression we got at the time going back to _ sunak. the impression we got at the time going back to the _ sunak. the impression we got at the time going back to the height - sunak. the impression we got at the time going back to the height of - sunak. the impression we got at the time going back to the height of the | time going back to the height of the pandemic we the nightly briefings from downing street the prime minister side by side with the chief scientific officer and chief medical officer, it looked very much like they were singing from the same hymn sheet and the scientists were very central to the decisions that were being taken. central to the decisions that were being taken-— being taken. yeah, i think that havin: being taken. yeah, i think that having advice _ being taken. yeah, i think that having advice you _ being taken. yeah, i think that having advice you have - being taken. yeah, i think that having advice you have been i being taken. yeah, i think that i having advice you have been very central to the decisions we were taking about the scientific impacts of this pandemic. because otherwise we were just relying on boris johnson and matt hancock guessing in the dark. i'm not a member of sage so i'm not privy to what went on in those meetings but rishi sunak is claiming that scientific voices were silenced in these committees in that she is not the way these groups work. they bring it consists of statements which the majority if not all the scientist can be happy with and the government and people

sitting in on sage meetings, listening to or contributing information so the idea that some of the voices on these sage committee should not get through to the government isjust should not get through to the government is just embarrassing. d0 government isjust embarrassing. do you think the scientist got it right there in the pandemic was meant i think there were many instances where they got it right but there were places where we should all learn from the mistakes that were made. �* learn from the mistakes that were made. . ,, ., , learn from the mistakes that were made. . ., , ., ., learn from the mistakes that were made. . ., ., , made. and lockdowns overall probably had a net benefit _ made. and lockdowns overall probably had a net benefit but _ made. and lockdowns overall probably had a net benefit but there _ made. and lockdowns overall probably had a net benefit but there were - had a net benefit but there were definitely downsides to lockdowns and we need to try to make sure that we can avoid those next time. but there is no evidence of this government are learning from the mistakes that were made during the pandemic. kit mistakes that were made during the andemic. ., , ., ~ mistakes that were made during the andemic. ., , ., ,, , ., , pandemic. kit yates, thank you very much and did _ pandemic. kit yates, thank you very much and did commit _ pandemic. kit yates, thank you very much and did commit member - pandemic. kit yates, thank you very much and did commit member of i pandemic. kit yates, thank you very| much and did commit member of the independent sage group of scientific advisers not affiliated with the government. thank you very much for your time. government. thank you very much for our time. . «a

as government continues to choose the prime minister at the conservative party, peoples and we getting tired including this woman who seems to be getting tired of it as she encounters the berkeley. i as she encounters the berkeley. i don't think 12 years is long as she encounters the berkeley. i don't think 12 years is long enough! 12 years! you have done but are all about it, people have died and all you have done is nothing! colourful lanauuae you have done is nothing! colourful language there _ you have done is nothing! colourful language there with _ you have done is nothing! colourful language there with steve - you have done is nothing! colourful language there with steve barkley l language there with steve barkley being heckled in the street. let's go back to the top story with government facing more calls than to do more to help businesses with rising energy bills as the british chambers of commerce want covid—19 style emergency grants for companies, as we have a new energy press give an estimate tomorrow which only applies to private households and not commercial properties. martin mctague is from the federation for small businesses and joins us now. we talk about the poor and more honourable households in the help they need to what help

do you think businesses and companies need? it’s do you think businesses and companies need?— do you think businesses and companies need? it's clear that businesses _ companies need? it's clear that businesses are _ companies need? it's clear that businesses are fighting - companies need? it's clear that businesses are fighting an - businesses are fighting an absolutely toxic mix of rapid inflation, very high levels of tax and slumping demand. so we are saying because of the energy crisis driving this massive inflation and we don't have a cap, as you say, that we need politicians to step up to the mark. we need them to stop this paralysis that's been going on while the leadership campaign went on. and deal with the fact that many businesses are absolutely at the end of their tether now. their cash is depleted, only if you miss ago we were finding that 40% of businesses were finding that 40% of businesses were operating on less than three months worth of cash, and we think now the time to reverse the national insurance race to reduce business rates, which are hitting the most

vulnerable businesses very hard and cut vat is overdue.— cut vat is overdue. those are some ofthe cut vat is overdue. those are some of the measures _ cut vat is overdue. those are some of the measures he _ cut vat is overdue. those are some of the measures he would _ cut vat is overdue. those are some of the measures he would like - cut vat is overdue. those are some of the measures he would like to i cut vat is overdue. those are some | of the measures he would like to see but you want specific help on energy. do you want covid—19 style grant for companies who are paying their bills? ., ~ ., grant for companies who are paying their bills? ., ,, ., ., , , ., grant for companies who are paying their bills? ., ,, ., ., ,, ., , their bills? yakima grass would be really helpful— their bills? yakima grass would be really helpful and _ their bills? yakima grass would be really helpful and we _ their bills? yakima grass would be really helpful and we suggest - their bills? yakima grass would be really helpful and we suggest that| really helpful and we suggest that can be done through essentially discounts on business rates. we also believe that lower taxes on energy could make a big difference, but there is also things that can be done about help to green. we think there are a lot of businesses that are willing to take steps to reduce their energy consumption, but they need help to find the right solutions. and we are pressing the government to offer some of those solutions in a more meaningful way. some people listening to you might say the government cannot do everything, he cannot help everybody. yes this is a crisis when bills are shooting up but the

priority is the vulnerable families who are really struggling and may have to choose between heating and eating and the priority is not really business. l eating and the priority is not really business. eating and the priority is not reall business. , ., ., really business. i understand that oint of really business. i understand that point of view. _ really business. i understand that point of view, but _ really business. i understand that point of view, but with _ really business. i understand that| point of view, but with businesses facing something like twice the amount of inflation, something has to give. and what will end up happening is either businesses will go bust and if you think that 60% of the private sector workforce work for small businesses, that could mean a lot of people losing their jobs. and also you are in a situation where many of those businesses will be forced to pass on those increased prices, and that will fuel inflation and hurt the most vulnerable.— will fuel inflation and hurt the most vulnerable. . , ., ., most vulnerable. and it is that what com anies most vulnerable. and it is that what companies are _ most vulnerable. and it is that what companies are already _ most vulnerable. and it is that what companies are already doing, - most vulnerable. and it is that what companies are already doing, do - most vulnerable. and it is that what | companies are already doing, do you think about passing on those price rises and adding to the inflationary spiral? rises and adding to the inflationary s - iral? , .. rises and adding to the inflationary s - iral? , ., , rises and adding to the inflationary siral? , .. , . .. . spiral? they have very little choice and as i spiral? they have very little choice and as i said _ spiral? they have very little choice and as i said if _ spiral? they have very little choice and as i said if you _ spiral? they have very little choice and as i said if you are _ spiral? they have very little choice and as i said if you are running - and as i said if you are running out of cash and you think that passing on prices is the last thing you want

to do, you will avoid that to the last possible minute. but when all else is exhausted, you feel you have no more margin to work with, then you have got to try that. i mean, i heard a poultry farm or the other day say to me that his energy bills had gone up from 23,000 two £112,000 a year and he was the king of running a generator as an alternative to using grid electricity.— alternative to using grid electricity. alternative to using grid electrici . , ., ., ,, ., electricity. interesting to talk to ou, electricity. interesting to talk to you. thanks _ electricity. interesting to talk to you. thanks very _ electricity. interesting to talk to you, thanks very much - electricity. interesting to talk to you, thanks very much for- electricity. interesting to talk to you, thanks very much for that l you, thanks very much for that business perspective on the energy crisis, martin mctague it from the federation of small businesses, many thanks will stop harvest is well under way for many, 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 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, basically. and now the man behind is in charge and that is kit. what are these vehicles, what do they do? we have got a tractor trailer and a combine harvester, essentially small—scale machines that you would find on any farm in the uk, but these drive themselves so we have got systems on board that take all the controls that an operator would normally do, and we do them, you know, autonomously. so they are out in the field, following routes and cutting the crop. we first met you back in 2016, it was like one hectare

you were basically trying to raise a crop on using these machines. how much have things changed since then? in terms ofjust scale, we are now 35 hectares of land, five different fields and our fields are all different shapes and sizes. we have trees and power lines and all the obstacles and intricacies you would find on a commercialfarm, unlike our first, perfectly square field. a much more challenging environment. and what have you learned since 2016? well, we have been trying to get these machines to sort of commercial readiness, and that's, going from that first prototype systems and our commercially ready system has taken an awful lot of work, but it is 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 robot combine harvesters? is that the hardest thing to do? i think the robot combine harvester is probably the pinnacle and probably the furthest thing that is going to happen, but between now and then, there will be 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 barley that comes from here is actually going to animal feed now, so it is quite possible you have eaten a steak that was harvested by a robot. david gregory—kumar reporting. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. we got all of that rain earlier in the southeast and the east of the country, and absolute they lose with a month worth of rainfall and a short space of time. as tomorrow is concerned, a few showers in the forecast but generally speaking it is going to be a dry day for many of us with perhaps guys like this, a little on the cloudy side with few glimmers of brightness. here is that whether from the deluge to southeastern parts of the uk and not only the southeast but bits and pieces of rain elsewhere but the bulk of the rain went across the southeastern portion of the country, clipped parts of literature quite heavily as well and storms interestingly almost missing the tip of kent there. here are the amounts of kent there. here are the amounts of rainfall we had about 3pm and the

reason why i have to be in there is after that the rain mostly clear to wait so really a lot of rape in some areas, 60—70 mm of rain for sure causing some flash flooding. that was a front is in the north sea this evening and a lot of clear weather to come and i and this area of cloud drifting in and to western part of the uk. -- drifting in and to western part of the uk. —— a lot of rain in certain areas. on the whole it is a mostly dry and pretty clear night for a lot of us with temperatures around 10-13. of us with temperatures around 10—13. stark saw quite sunny tomorrow but in this area of cloud spreads into western and more central areas of the uk so for some of us tomorrow afternoon it will actually turn fairly cloudy and the possibility of a few showers with a very different day on the way for that southeastern portion of the uk. that dilution died, tomorrow some sunshine and temperatures up to around 2a say in london. the all—important bank holiday weekend, sunny spells and just a few showers and it really is not looking back at

all for most of us. here's a look at saturday's forecast, dry with plenty of sunny spells in just a few showers here and there is a possibility it with a front will brush by tonight for western parts of scotland we think the rain should stay out the seat so a generally dried ape and here is that front shooting up to the north and staying out to sleep and high pressure building in from the north. i think it will be quite breezy so if you are into the coast of east anglia, the kim coates there could be quite breezy, gusty and that also means the high temperatures will be further southwest at places like cardiff, north devon where as on the north sea coast it could be a little on the chilly side on sunday. but on the i think the weekend is not looking back at all for the most of us. bye—bye.

today at six... calls for the government to step in, as the cap on energy prices is set to triple compared to a year ago. with the new energy price cap announced tomorrow, ministers are urged to help households and businesses facing crippling bills. 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? we'll be asking how ministers might respond to what are becoming urgent cries for help. also on the programme... as the family of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel say they are heartbroken by her death, merseyside police pledged to bring her killer to justice. we will not rest until we find you — and we will find you.