at what happens in afternoon. look at what happens in the central belt, this could create difficult travel conditions. rather more scattered into northern ireland and a few batches are working from west to east through england and wales. we are looking at a cluster heading towards the london area, all eyes on downing street, the question is the degree to which they will move in. keep the umbrella handy. warm, sunny spells around some of these downpours once they have moved, some continue overnight, another area moving from the south—west into england and wales may not be as lively as recently but still a chance it could be woken by a rumble of thunder, mild and humid overnight. in the morning showers break out, rain across scotland, some pleasantly warm, sunny spells but any showers could be heavy and thundery. still quite windy towards the south—west closer to the low

pressure, temperature starting to edge down during the second half of the week, feeling a bit fresher. there might be some extant fog patches by day, but on thursday showers around. —— there might be some mist and patches. some places inevitably stay dry with sunny spells. here is the low pressure again, moving across the sun is moving away by the weekend. we are into a gap between weather systems which allowed something drier before the pressure looks like moving back in at the start of the following week. a few city forecasts, it looks a bit drier at this stage. we are at least topping up some of the rainfall totals, but keep the umbrella handy for now, ben. i have it here, umbrella handy for now, ben. i have it here. thank _ umbrella handy for now, ben. i have it here, thank you! _ let's return now to the main story of the day — the appointment of the country's new prime minister liz truss. nick eardley is with me. she is the fourth prime minister in the last six years and she has already talked about fighting and

winning the next general election? it has been a turbulent old—time, it feels we are here more and more often waiting for a new prime minister. i think the feeling in her party is that liz truss has to guard the next few days and weeks right, that will mean this energy plan we heard about from simon earlier will be absolutely crucial. there is a view in the conservative party that if they get it right, and those degree freezing prices is a way of getting it right, potentially liz truss can get back on the front foot, talk about the wider economy and talk about some of her other plans for government. you will labour, the lib dems and the snp all saying that her plans do not go far enough and she should be introducing a new windfall tax, but if she goes

ahead with that and she sets out that wider vision, the hope that her team has is that she can spend the next couple of the ocean when the conservative party still has something to offer the country. —— mmx couple of years she can show the conservative party still had something to offer the country. there are big questions about the conservative party —— the cost of living, nothing is simple. nick eardley, thank you. another day of huge political significance in downing street. a reminder of our top story... in the last hour, the queen has appointed liz truss as the uk's new prime minister. in a break from tradition, the incoming prime minster made a i,000—mile round trip to balmoral castle in aberdeenshire where the queen asked her to form a government. that's all from the bbc news at one, so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.

good afternoon. this is bbc news channel, i'm laura mcghie with your latest sports news. the champions league returns tonight with manchester city, chelsea and celtic all in action. the scottish champions opened up their campaign with a visit of a0 time winners real madrid. confidence is high in the celtic camp after the weekend victory in the old firm derby, but the boss says his side should relish the boss says his side should relish the challenge of facing the defending champions, and one of european football �*s joints. —— giants. yeah, looking forward to it, excited by it. i mean, it's a reward for, you know, a fantastic season last year. and everyone at this football club

put in and, you know, the reward is you get to play in this tournament and test yourself against the best. and so, yeah, it's exciting, it's where we want to be and it's where we want to compete. england's women have announced their team. lauren bell has received her first international twenty20 call up, while katherine brunt has been rested for the three match series against india. bell made her test and one day international debuts earlier this year. nat sciver will continue to lead england in the absence of injured captain heather knight. there will be a first time grand slam winner at the men's us 0pen after rafa nadal was knocked out in the fourth round and said afterwards he wasn't sure when he'll play again. it's the first time he's been beaten at a grand slam this year, losing to the american frances tiafoe who knocked him out in four sets, ending any hopes of a record

extending 23rd grand slam. nadal adding he wasn't sure of his immediate future, with his thoughts elsewhere. congrats to him, wish him all the very best. i need to go back, i need to fix things — life — and then... i don't know when i'm going to come back. i'm going to try to be...ready mentally. when i feel that i will be ready to compete again, i will be there. there's going to be a new champion in the women's singles. top seed iga swiatek avoided an upset, recovering to beat jule neemyer and reach herfirst quarterfinal in new york. coco gauff is also through. now, what a year it's already been for welsh football, the men's side heading to their first world cup in 6a years, now the women's team have a chance tonight to move into the play—offs of world cup qualifying too — a match against slovenia — the biggest in their history. wales have never qualified for a major tournament and will see a record attendance at the cardiff city stadium —

nearly 12,000 fans, more than double their previous record. and all they need is a draw, just a point to the next stage, after beating greece last friday. the belief that i have, the staff have, in the team is something that we've had from day one. so game ten doesn't excite me any more than any of the others did, because we do very much focus on what we need to do to perform, and that's really important to us. so i'm happy to... you know, i'm happy that if the fans think that, then they can get excited around that. but i'm very much focused on what i want this team to do, and it's to do the best they can so that we can qualify scotland are already sure of their play—off place but play faroe islands. northern ireland go to latvia while england are back on home soil for the first time since beating germany to win the european championships. what an occasion it'll be in front of a sell—out crowd of 30,000 at stoke city's stadium with world cup qualification already secure.

they face luxembourg, who worth pointing out england beat 10—0 last time out. that's all the sport for now. good afternoon from downing street, where later today, liz truss is expected to make her first speech as the country's new prime minister. right from early this morning we have been here, from when boris johnson gave his farewell speech outside the door of number ten, and we are expecting another lecturn moment later today when liz truss makes her first speech as the new prime minister. she was formally appointed by the queen at balmoral about an hour ago. at the top of the new pm's agenda will be tackling the cost of living crisis. 0ur reporter nina warhurst has been to the constituency of leigh, a so—called red wall seat represented by labour for almost 100 years, until it was won by the conservatives at the 2019 election.

she's been finding out what people there would like to see from their new prime minister. here we go. i give notice that liz truss is elected as the leader of the conservative and unionist partx _ and so a new chapter begins. she was all about tax cuts, tax cuts, nothing that'd help people on carer's allowance. liz truss promised bold plans to help with rising costs, but what you need now depends who you are. she carried on working for a few months after she was diagnosed. this is tony — he gave up work suddenly when his wife sue developed pulmonary fibrosis. he went from being a high—rate taxpayer to living off a carer's allowance. their life savings are fading — fast. does it feel fair? it's the most unfair thing. it's heartbreaking, full stop, watching a loved one. as you'll know — if you've got anybody that you love, it's painful. er... and you're totally unsupported.

and when you look to what comes next for you, and for sue, what does it look like, what needs to happen? well, i have an outcome for me and sue, unfortunately, because this is a fatal disease. but i need, and i want — just like every other carer wants — they want to be recognised for what they do. kathleen runs a cooked—meat stall. what she worries about it how her 15 employees will cope this winter. do you think she gets it? i'm not sure whether she gets it, but i think if she actually comes and speaks to people and actually sees how people live... and a freeze to corporation tax? if businesses can't survive because nobody's buying their products, doesn't matter what corporation tax is! there are those whose loyalties lie elsewhere. iwould... i would support labour anyway. there are those who wish it had fallen a bit differently. i would have preferred rishi to get it, but, hey—ho. and then there are some with, frankly, more important things to worry about right now. liz truss? no. head of her? no!

that's all right, you've got a lot on. josephine has cerebral palsy and is full—time carer for her husband. she says financial support for the disabled has been disappearing for decades. how much money have you and gary got in your pocket as the cost of living goes up? none. we have to borrow from family, friends. and then, when we do get our money in, obviously then all the money that we get in has to go out to pay people back. you voted conservative in 2019. would you vote for liz truss next? yeah, yeah. why's that? well, because... ..i feel that she's... she's doing more than a lot of other people have done. josephine's isjust one voice in many millions. liz truss has won the keys to number ten. now the challenge

begins to keep them. nina warhurst with that report. will the new prime minister's reported plans to freeze energy bills help business? i'm joined now by the director of the cable company gem cable solutions, sinead jack. good afternoon to you. good afternoon- — good afternoon to you. good afternoon. tell _ good afternoon to you. good afternoon. tell us _ good afternoon to you. good afternoon. tell us a - good afternoon to you. good afternoon. tell us a little - good afternoon to you. good afternoon. tell us a little bit| afternoon. tell us a little bit about your business and what your energy bills are like at the moment. well, we are based in hertfordshire and we have two sides, one in st albans and one in garden city. make a very high end cable manufactured products. we have situations where we have to keep the energy running all the time, and as recently as two weeks ago we had notification that at one of our sites, the gas prices are going to be rising from £3000 up

to £1a,000, so if i add in the electricity increases and multiply that across both my sites, that's roughly £a0,000 we have been asked to spend over the next 6—12 months. that is someone's wage. we currently employ 31 people and we had plans to expand that to 50 people before the end of this year, but we have now had to scale back those plans to invest in people. and that is not good for us. 50 invest in people. and that is not good for us- invest in people. and that is not good for m— invest in people. and that is not aood for us. , . ., , good for us. so the price of energy is havin: good for us. so the price of energy is having a — good for us. so the price of energy is having a direct _ good for us. so the price of energy is having a direct impact _ good for us. so the price of energy is having a direct impact on - good for us. so the price of energy is having a direct impact on your. is having a direct impact on your plans to grow your business. liz truss is talking about wanting to grow the economy. so, what do you make of her plan to deal with energy bills? fist make of her plan to deal with energy bills? �* ., ., , bills? at the moment, i am still very unsure _ bills? at the moment, i am still very unsure about _ bills? at the moment, i am still very unsure about the _ bills? at the moment, i am still very unsure about the plans - bills? at the moment, i am still| very unsure about the plans that bills? at the moment, i am still- very unsure about the plans that she has. as recently as this weekend, we hear about a plan within seven days of being elected but that is a long

time in the current climate. there are businesses as we speak owing to the wall. some people don't know how they are going to pay those increases in the energy prices. it could be too little, too late for some businesses, and i speakfrom my business, but i have got other colleagues in business who are really, really being affected by this situation. and, as far as we know, we have heard a little bit of detail, but as you say there is still a lot to learn about these plans, we have heard there will be a freeze on energy bills for households energy months, a freeze for businesses, we are told, for approximately six months, so it is significantly shorter period with more frequent reviews of that. to what extent would a six—month freeze help you? it would bring some comfort to us, but at the end of the day, there has got to be a longer term plan and a longer term investment. the most obvious thing would be the windfall tax situation. all the money that can be brought in immediately from

the large energy companies as a windfall tax could be used to help businesses and to help both householders with their energy expenses and the household expenses. itjust expenses and the household expenses. it just does expenses and the household expenses. itjust does not make sense as to why they won't do something like that. perhaps a reduction in the vat rates. i send out invoices to my customers every day, and if i was sending just a vat invoice, that will immediately impact on helping them. likewise, iget will immediately impact on helping them. likewise, i get supplier invoices into my business every day, and if i received an invoice that has been reduced vat then that will help my business as well. everything that we say is that we invest in our company, in our staff.— that we say is that we invest in our company, in our staff. sinead, thank ou for company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking _ company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking to _ company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking to us. _ company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking to us. we _ company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking to us. we are - company, in our staff. sinead, thank you for talking to us. we are going l you for talking to us. we are going to be talking about energy a little more in just a second, to be talking about energy a little more injust a second, but i want to be talking about energy a little more in just a second, but i want to bring you a statement from the irish

prime minister. he has extended his congratulations to liz truss on her appointment as prime minister, uk prime minister. he says, "a shared history and close ties of people and economy and culture link our two countries. a strong partnership between our two governments is vital to underpin the good friday agreement, and support peace and prosperity on these islands." he goes on, "i hope we can use the period ahead to prioritise eu — uk engagement and to reach agreed outcomes on the issues around implementation of the northern ireland protocol. he says he is committed to a strong and deep relationship and to working in an open and constructive way with the prime minister. so, that issue of the northern ireland protocol, those are the arrangements covering post—brexit trade in northern ireland. a very thorny issue indeed at the moment, that is effectively stopping a return to the power—sharing assembly at some because of disagreement over the

protocol arrangements, so there we have the irish prime minister congratulating liz truss, and saying that he hopes the uk and irish governments can work together on these issues. let's return out of the issue of energy bills. i am joined now by rob gross, who is a director at the uk energy research centre. hello and thank you forjoining us. i begin by asking you what you think the supply of energy will be like over the winter into the spring because the supply will affect the wholesale price, which in turn will affect how much the government has to pay to freeze bills. yes. affect how much the government has to pay to freeze bills.— to pay to freeze bills. yes, so it is important — to pay to freeze bills. yes, so it is important to _ to pay to freeze bills. yes, so it is important to understand - to pay to freeze bills. yes, so it is important to understand that| to pay to freeze bills. yes, so it - is important to understand that what we are mainly talking about is the supply of gas. we still get about half of our gas from our own north sea, and about one third of the remainderfrom norway. the rest of it we buy mainly on the open market

in liquefied gas, that comes by tanker. the price of all of that gas is affected, if you like, by the most expensive unit of gas. so people are concerned about russia effectively cutting off supplies to western europe, and that might happen, but irrespective of whether that happens, we can expect to be paying extremely high prices through the course of the coming winter. qm. the course of the coming winter. ok, so what do — the course of the coming winter. ok, so what do you _ the course of the coming winter. ok, so what do you make them of the new prime minister �*s plan to deal with household bills and with bills for business? 0bviously household bills and with bills for business? obviously we are waiting for more details on those, but we have a basic idea at this stage. yes, details are quite limited, and until we know more about what they might do to regulate and intervene, upstream in the market, so for example, will they consider a price cap on domestically produced gas? my

research organisation has already suggested a means by which payment can be reduced to by nuclear generators because the price of electricity are set by the price of gas. notwithstanding all of that, numbers in the energy system of the numbers in the energy system of the numbers that billions are involved in our eye watering. if you are protecting customers, and it is inevitable, whoever had one the prime minister race, they would have announced something quite similar. this is unprecedented, to see the kind of scale and speed of price increases that we have been experiencing recently, but there is absolutely no question that the fiscal burden of this on the country is very large, and it is right that the prime minister is acting, but exactly how she is going to make that work, particular when she professes to be a free market it is hard to square that with the kind of intervention this is going to mean.

yes, looking at that fiscal burden, given that we are hearing the new prime minister wants to freeze bills, but she also wants to cut tax and grow the economy, she says, but do you think it is inevitable if the price of energy keeps going up, that she is going to have to return to the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax cuite the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax quite possibly _ the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax quite possibly has _ the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax quite possibly has a _ the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax quite possibly has a role - the idea of windfall taxes? windfall tax quite possibly has a role to - tax quite possibly has a role to play. there is no question that some energy producers have been benefiting hugely from the very high prices, but i think it is important to be clear, that will go nowhere near, i mean, that might raise tens of billions perhaps at the absolute most, this could cost hundreds of millions of pounds. the only way to raise that kind of money is the government, whether it is through borrowing or ultimately through taxes or consumer bills, yes a windfall tax absolutely we should be

having that conversation, but let's not be under the illusion that this can in any way raise the amount of money that will be needed to pay for this. ., ., ., ., money that will be needed to pay for this. ., . ,., money that will be needed to pay for this. ., ., i. , ., this. 0k, good to have you put that into context — this. 0k, good to have you put that into context for _ this. 0k, good to have you put that into context for us. _ this. ok, good to have you put that into context for us. director- this. 0k, good to have you put that into context for us. director of - this. 0k, good to have you put that into context for us. director of the l into context for us. director of the uk energy research centre. thank you. 0ur reporter levi jouavel has been catching up with some young people on either side of the political spectrum. i'm outside parliament, speaking to young voters about how they feel about the outcomes of the race. i am joined by ralph, a member of the labour party, and also a conservative member and truss supporter. how are you both feeling about the outcome? i’m supporter. how are you both feeling about the outcome?— supporter. how are you both feeling about the outcome? i'm quite happy to see liz truss _ about the outcome? i'm quite happy to see liz truss win. _ about the outcome? i'm quite happy to see liz truss win. was _ about the outcome? i'm quite happy to see liz truss win. was supporting j to see liz truss win. was supporting her. i originally supported kemi badenoch, but once she was knocked out i supported liz truss. i think

she is a principled market liberal and that's what i want to see in the party. the conservative party haven't been conservative for a really long time with the highest tax burden in 70 years, and she now has a mammoth task to deal with. but i'm glad to see her win. it wasn't a huge margin, 57%, but it shows that she will work really hard to be able to show us that markets work. i think liz truss represents the same continuity— think liz truss represents the same continuity of boris johnson and inaction— continuity of boris johnson and inaction over the cost of living crisis — inaction over the cost of living crisis. years of families will wonder— crisis. years of families will wonder how they will pay their energy— wonder how they will pay their energy bills this winter, and i don't — energy bills this winter, and i don't think liz truss has a solid answer— don't think liz truss has a solid answer as— don't think liz truss has a solid answer as to how she is going to do that _ answer as to how she is going to do that she _ answer as to how she is going to do that. she has said about the energy freeze. _ that. she has said about the energy freeze. but — that. she has said about the energy freeze, but she hasn't said how she will pay— freeze, but she hasn't said how she will pay for— freeze, but she hasn't said how she will pay for it. labour have said they— will pay for it. labour have said they would pay for it with a windfall _ they would pay for it with a windfall tax on profits for coal and a-s windfall tax on profits for coal and gas companies, which are record amounts, — gas companies, which are record amounts, where is liz truss does not have that _ amounts, where is liz truss does not have that in—depth plan. that is how ifeel— have that in—depth plan. that is how ifeel about — have that in—depth plan. that is how i feel about liz truss. and have that in-depth plan. that is how i feel about liz truss.— i feel about liz truss. and how do ou think i feel about liz truss. and how do you think both _ i feel about liz truss. and how do you think both of— i feel about liz truss. and how do

you think both of your _ i feel about liz truss. and how do you think both of your parties - i feel about liz truss. and how do you think both of your parties will| you think both of your parties will do over the next few months and in the next general election? 50. i the next general election? so, i think liz truss _ the next general election? so, i think liz truss now _ the next general election? so, i think liz truss now has - the next general election? so, i think liz truss now hasjust - the next general election? srr, i think liz truss now has just under two years to convince the country that markets work, and if she is able to do that then i think we will win the next general election. keir starmer has not really shown what sort of policy direction he wants to take the labour party in. not really much opinion coming from him from the front benches on the shadow cabinet. but i am feeling cautiously optimistic. i think if liz truss can really convince us that markets work, that the free market as a way to go and show us that actually, we have principles that we are driving forward within the party, i feel confident will win. bud forward within the party, i feel confident will win.— forward within the party, i feel confident will win. and ralph, you will be able _ confident will win. and ralph, you will be able to _ confident will win. and ralph, you will be able to vote _ confident will win. and ralph, you will be able to vote in _ confident will win. and ralph, you will be able to vote in the - confident will win. and ralph, you will be able to vote in the next - will be able to vote in the next election, how do you think labour will do? i election, how do you think labour will do? ~ ,., , election, how do you think labour will do? ~ , , ., will do? i think the polls show everything- — will do? i think the polls show everything. labour— will do? i think the polls show everything. labour are - will do? i think the polls show everything. labour are ahead | everything. labour are ahead massively in the polls by about 12%, getting _ massively in the polls by about 12%, getting really positive numbers. i think— getting really positive numbers. i think people are fed up of 12 years of conservative austerity and damaging policies. people want a change. _ damaging policies. people want a change, people want to see new hope, and i change, people want to see new hope, and i think— change, people want to see new hope, and i think young people in

particularjust want to see a new sort of— particularjust want to see a new sort of style of leadership, one centred — sort of style of leadership, one centred on integrity and competence rather— centred on integrity and competence rather than _ centred on integrity and competence rather than untrustworthiness and constant _ rather than untrustworthiness and constant u—turns. so i am feeling positive _ constant u—turns. so i am feeling positive and i think keir starmer, i think— positive and i think keir starmer, i think i_ positive and i think keir starmer, i think i am — positive and i think keir starmer, i think i am positive about the work he has _ think i am positive about the work he has done as a leader. young _ he has done as a leader. young voters there. traditionally, the incoming prime minister is appointed by the queen at buckingham palace. it's been more than a century since that process has happened at balmoral. so what's behind the change in tradition? let's speak to robert lacey, who's a royal historian and biographer. good to have you with us again. you are nearby on college green to us in downing street. just remind our viewers if they are not aware of why this has happened at balmoral, rather than at buckingham palace. take us through the reasons for that. last week, when it became obvious what was going to happen, the timetable was worked out and the

queen and her advisers in balmoral specifically said she would be down here next week, she will come from scotland to buckingham palace and i think the plan was for two days for her to stay there, and in that time the normal sort of transition of power can take place with the retiring prime minister going to see her in buckingham palace, and then the new prime minister coming to kiss hands, as it is called, and have what is effectively their first audience. well, that did not happen. sometime at the end of last week, it became clear, and we don't know the medical details, but the queen could not travel and the palace confirmed this but would not give details of her condition. some people may well be worried by this, and it clearly is a sign of her age and her increasing difficulties. but all the matter at all events, we have then been treated today to a very visual demonstration of how the british

system works, that the retiring prime minister actually flew up to balmoral, to the head of state to hand over the office. there was that half an hour or so when we had no prior minister at all because, although liz truss was voted for and chosen as a leader of the conservative party yesterday, she was not prior minister until she went to "kiss hands" with the head of state, and then, as we understand it, sat down for about half an hour �*stalk, talking about the sort of issues we have been hearing about all day publicly, but on which liz truss would have given her private perspective. liz truss as we know is back here and the queen is now returning to her holiday. in the coming weeks, the queen will chair a privy council meeting and that is something she will do virtually, over zoom, something she will do virtually, overzoom, orsomething

something she will do virtually, over zoom, or something like that. and she may well have more audiences with liz truss, which can be virtual as well. right through the pandemic, the prime minister �*s weekly meeting with the queen was done virtually and the queen became very adept at using her ipad. but next month, here, there will be the state opening of parliament, and that is a question from the point of view of the participation of the queen. will the participation of the queen. will the queen be able physically to come to parliament, dress in the robes, do the walk, or will it be, as it was in may, when parliament was last open, when prince charles did the job? in that case, it will be twice that prince charles has done the job and that is quite a look at the future. 0k, future. ok, we must leave it there, robert. thank you for your thoughts. robert lacey, royal historian and biographer. time now for the weather forecast.

batches of heavy rain moving northward through scotland as the day goes on and turning very wet in the central belt. another area from south—west england moving into of wales, towards the midlands and pushing east across southern england with heavy and thundery showers. gusty winds possible, too. away from the showers there are pleasantly warm spells of sunshine. another warm spells of sunshine. another warm and humid night to come with bands of heavy and at times thundery rain moving north, another moving in towards england and wales and northern ireland by the end of the night. maybe not as lively as recent nights, but we could still be woken by a rumble of thunder. tomorrow, another day for dodging the downpours. no pressure to the south—west and this is where it will be windiest. plenty of showers breaking out, some heavy and thundery but tending to move through to brighter skies but not long before the next thunderstorm arrives.

today at two: we're live in downing street. the queen has appointed liz truss as the uk's new prime minister. in a break from tradition, the incoming prime minster made a 1,000—mile round trip to balmoral castle in aberdeenshire, where the queen asked her to form a government. prime minister truss will address the nation this afternoon. early this morning borisjohnson left downing street for the final time and called on his party to unite behind their new leader. my fellow conservatives, it's time for politics to be over, folks. it's time for us all to get behind liz truss and her team and her programme and deliver for the people of this country.

liz truss is expected to start appointing her new cabinet later today. one of the most pressing issues she will face is how to deal with soaring energy bills. details are beginning to emerge of a plan that could see energy bills frozen at their current levels for 18 months. we'll hear from voters about what they want from the new prime minister. i feel like there needs to be somebody who is a little bit more honest, a bit more transparent and has a goal that is going to make the world a better place for this generation because, as a mother, i'm really worried about the cost of living, with everything. good afternoon and welcome back to downing street where later this

afternoon liz truss is expected to make her first speech as the uk's new prime minister. she was appointed by the queen at balmoral about an hour appointed by the queen at balmoral aboutan hourand appointed by the queen at balmoral about an hour and a half ago. shortly before that, her predecessor, borisjohnson, also went to balmoral to formally resign as prime minister. in his farewell speech here in downing street this morning, he offered liz truss his fervent support and called on the conservative party to unite behind her. here is our political correspondent helen kat. it was an early start in downing street this morning, cameras and microphones from around the world waiting to hear boris johnson's final farewell. as the sun came out, so did his supporters, staff filing out of number 11, and on the other side, political allies, friends and family. at half seven on the dot, borisjohnson, holding hands with his wife, carrie, approached the lectern. this is it, folks, thank you, everybody, for coming out

so early this morning. in only a couple of hours, i will be in balmoral to see her majesty the queen, and the torch will finally be passed to a new conservative leader, the baton will be handed over in what has unexpectedly turned out to be a relay race, they changed the rules halfway through, but never mind that now. going with some bitterness, then, but with thanks to the people in the building behind him. the people who got brexit done, the people who delivered the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, and never forget 70% of the entire population got a dose within six months, faster than any comparable country. that is government for you, that is this conservative government. the people who organised those prompt, early supplies of weapons to the heroic ukrainian armed forces, an action which may very well have helped change the course of the biggest european warfor 80 years.

brexit, ukraine and the vaccine are what he hopes will form his legacy, but he has been a colourful and divisive prime minister whose personaljudgments led to his downfall. so what will he do next? let me say that i am now like one of those booster rockets that has fulfilled its function, and i will now be gently re—entering the atmosphere and splashing down invisibly in some remote and obscure corner of the pacific. like cincinnatus, i am returning. although cincinnatus was a roman dictator who did return to lead again. mrjohnson urged his party to come together and he finished by pledging his full support to his successor. thank you all very much, thank you and goodbye. just time, then, for some last handshakes before climbing into his ministerial car to head to balmoral to resign

to the queen. waiting in the wings, or at least on the tarmac, liz truss. also bound for balmoral. there, the queen has formally asked her to form a government. when liz truss gets back to downing street, it will be her chance to set out her vision for her government to the public. she will then appoint at least some of her cabinet. james cleverly is expected to become foreign secretary, he was not commenting this morning. the attorney—general suella braverman is likely to become home secretary, while kwasi kwarteng is expected to be the new chancellor. and they will need to move fast. people are absolutely petrified about the energy bills that are coming their way, businesses are as well. we've needed an answer to this and it is urgent that liz truss deals with this immediately. we have said there should be an energy freeze. we have also said that we should pay for that with a windfall tax on the gas and energy companies, oil companies that have made huge profits. liz truss has not said that

and the concern is how we pay for that when national debt is going up. it is important that liz and her ministers get the chance to set out those plans in full detail and i cannot pre—empt them today, but it is absolutely the case that people can rest assured listening this morning that early action is going to follow under liz's premiership. liz truss has had some weeks to decide on her top team and how to keep promises to deliver. now she is the prime minister, the country is waiting to see what she has planned. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. it feels like a long day already but there is a lot still to do, especially for liz truss. bring us up especially for liz truss. bring us up to date. especially for liz truss. bring us up to date-— especially for liz truss. bring us utodate. ., ., i. , up to date. normally on these days it is all over — up to date. normally on these days it is all over in _ up to date. normally on these days it is all over in a _ up to date. normally on these days it is all over in a flash _ up to date. normally on these days it is all over in a flash in _ up to date. normally on these days it is all over in a flash in the - it is all over in a flash in the people you see clapping go back in

and leave out the back door. today is a longer process because both borisjohnson and liz is a longer process because both boris johnson and liz truss is a longer process because both borisjohnson and liz truss are travelling to aberdeenshire to see the queen at balmoral but in a couple of hours, we are going to see liz truss here and it's a moment of history, it's a big political moment for her and the country because it is where the new prime minister gets a chance to set out her vision. there will be a lot of thought that has gone on the ten minutes or so that she will stand there and say to viewers at home, this is what i want to do with power. it’s viewers at home, this is what i want to do with power.— to do with power. it's about setting a tone, to do with power. it's about setting a tone. isn't— to do with power. it's about setting a tone, isn't it? _ to do with power. it's about setting a tone, isn't it? it _ to do with power. it's about setting a tone, isn't it? it absolutely - to do with power. it's about setting a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is - a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think— a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think we _ a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think we got _ a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think we got a _ a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think we got a hint - a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is and i think we got a hint of - a tone, isn't it? it absolutely is| and i think we got a hint of what that tone will look like over the last few weeks. she will talk a lot about economic growth, what she sees as the tax burden, but the thing we keep coming back to for a reason is the cost of living, that's the thing liz truss is going to face pressure on, question after question on, she is going to be bold, she's going to come up with a big plan that will be

revealed in the next few days that is almost certain to freeze prices, costing the government a lot of money. this is a government that is going to borrow a lot of money which some tories are raising eyebrows over, given she is a small tag story, but she wants to hit the ground running. —— small tax tory. i wonder, is she going to be able to deliver, deliver, deliveras she talked about yesterday in her acceptance speech. how is she going to match up against the challenges she's going to face to try to deliver, giving the economic headwinds?— deliver, giving the economic headwinds? . �*, ., , , headwinds? that's absolutely the ruestion headwinds? that's absolutely the question here, _ headwinds? that's absolutely the question here, can _ headwinds? that's absolutely the question here, can all— headwinds? that's absolutely the question here, can all the - headwinds? that's absolutely the l question here, can all the promises that liz truss has made over the past few weeks really all be fulfilled in such a difficult economic time with the uk apparently on the brink or even in a recession? how much of those spending commitments on things like defence,

cutting tax, not going ahead with corporation tax increase and tens of billions in subsidising energy bills, can she do it all? it's worth pointing out that we have seen prime ministers stand in the street before on their first day and make huge promises, come up with a big plan and struggle to deliver. liz truss doesn't have long to do this, there will be a general election in the next two years. the hint from yesterday was her she will wait until 202a for that to happen but she has a lot to do and the answers to these big questions she is posing an incredibly difficult. bind to these big questions she is posing an incredibly difficult.— an incredibly difficult. and she doesnt an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have _ an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have a _ an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have a full— an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have a full term - an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have a full term to - an incredibly difficult. and she doesn't have a full term to do| an incredibly difficult. and she - doesn't have a full term to do what she wants to do and labour is well ahead in the polls. within the party itself, how much leeway is she going to get from conservatives, many of whom chose to back rishi sunak in the leadership campaign? the result esterda the leadership campaign? the result yesterday was _ the leadership campaign? the result yesterday was comfortable _ the leadership campaign? the result yesterday was comfortable but - the leadership campaign? the result yesterday was comfortable but it - the leadership campaign? the result| yesterday was comfortable but it was not decisive. in terms of a

percentage, it was the lowest that any tory leader has had since the membership was given the final say from 2001 so this isn't an absolute slam dunk for liz truss. i do think the vast majority of mps are going to give her the benefit of the doubt in the immediate term, certainly for the next few weeks, but they want to see what she is going to do and spending a couple of hours earlier over the road chatting to tory mps, over the road chatting to tory mp5, i get the impression those who didn't back liz truss, who are sceptical of her, are going to continue to be a bit sceptical, they want to see what she does and it will be looking at the cabinet, the people that are going to be sitting around the table tomorrow morning in number ten for that first cabinet meeting. they want to see people from different parts of the party in that cabinet and from the names we are hearing from the top of the cabinet and some of the other names we are expecting to feature, a lot of them are liz truss loyalists which has raised a few eyebrows. hagar which has raised a few eyebrows. how do ou

which has raised a few eyebrows. how do you think — which has raised a few eyebrows. how do you think labour and other opposition parties are going to take on this new prime minister? we got liz truss's first pmqs tomorrow lunchtime. i liz truss's first pmqs tomorrow lunchtime-— lunchtime. i think it will be a sliuhtl lunchtime. i think it will be a slightly different _ lunchtime. i think it will be a slightly different affair - lunchtime. i think it will be a i slightly different affair because keir starmer got used to challenging borisjohnson and saying he was an nonserious character, this is a new prime minister so it will be different. there is some criticism of liz truss's energy plan not involving a windfall tax, we don't think, that's what labour, the snp and liberal democrats all want, and extra tax on the profits of oil and gas companies to pay for subsidised bills so i think there are going to be questions over that and i think there will be questions from labour and the conservative party about the extent of borrowing, whether it is a sustainable and whether liz truss's tax—cutting plans plus her big spending pledges we are now going to see are actually compatible. take a moment in two hours' time, liz

truss's chance to say to the country after talking to the tory party four weeks, —— four —— but the challenges she is facing are among the most serious any modern prime minister has faced. ~ ., serious any modern prime minister has faced. ~ . ., , , , has faced. waiting to see liz truss standin: has faced. waiting to see liz truss standing in — has faced. waiting to see liz truss standing in front _ has faced. waiting to see liz truss standing in front of— has faced. waiting to see liz truss standing in front of that _ has faced. waiting to see liz truss standing in front of that famous i standing in front of that famous black door of number 10 downing street later this afternoon, another lecture and moment happening later after borisjohnson's departure —— lectern moment. we can speak to a historian who has written biographies of several prime ministers including tony blair, david cameron and theresa may. it is another moment of history, we saw borisjohnson going this morning, we are waiting on liz truss to arrive as prime minister. give us your

thoughts on what kind of prime minister you think she might make. well, it is a real moment in history, it shows how the rest of the world how important the monarch is, the fact that the incoming prime minister is going all the way up to scotland to be asked, invited to form a government. that's are saying something about that sort of country britain is, but it also says how constrained the new prime minister is because the in—tray is grim, economically, financially with trade unions, socially with unrest and waiting lists in the nhs, politically she's got a divided party, she won on quite a slender majority. internationally there is a war in ukraine. she has to repair relations with the eu. she has to show the world that brexit was for

something, she has to repair relations with eu leaders and has to somehow forge a relationship with the united states, arguably with the president so important throughout history is at its weakest now —— the relationship with the president is possibly at its weakest now since the end of the second world war, so she is heavily constrained financially and with the market. i think she would like to be like margaret thatcher without saying it, she would like to have fireworks going off in all directions, she would like to make history, she would like to make history, she would like to make history, she would like big statements but it will be much more of a constrained premiership by the economic and political and social and international realities that she is going to be governing under. sir

anthony, i'm pleased our audience will have been able to hear you speaking, unfortunately i have not been able to hear you speaking and therefore it is difficult for me to pick up with the questions. {30 therefore it is difficult for me to pick up with the questions. go on to the next question! _ pick up with the questions. go on to the next question! i _ pick up with the questions. go on to the next question! iwill— pick up with the questions. go on to the next question! i will do. - the next question! i will do. lookin: the next question! i will do. looking at _ the next question! i will do. looking at that _ the next question! i will do. looking at that meeting - the next question! i will do. - looking at that meeting between the queen and liz truss, we had that still image to go by, how significant is it for an eu prime minister —— for a new prime minister, they must feel a sense of history at that point, given that queen elizabeth has seen out 15 prime ministers during her reign. enormously significant. i think the two biggest moments for the prime minister are when they get invited, so the queen has had 15 prime ministers but has only invited 1a different people to form governments

because winston churchill was already prime minister when she took overin already prime minister when she took over in 1952. it's such an enormous dawning of reality on them. all their lives, they have often wanted to become prime minister, often denying that that has been the case, and now it is happening, there they are in front of this most famous face in the world, the most photographed person in the world, this is their private moment together and the queen is inviting them to form a government. that's their one really big moment. the next is when they get inside downing street after liz truss makes that statement in the lectern from just outside to the waiting public, as she goes into the door and one of the first things she will do is decide what to do in the event of a nuclear strike on britain. i think that's probably the second moment when it dawns on the prime minister

that their responsibility is utterly awesome, and they are no longerjust the heads of a political party, a tribe, a faction of the country, they are the head of the government of the united kingdom and their prime responsibility is keeping them safe. a huge, momentous moment happening for liz truss, the like of which anyone hardly ever experiences and only 55 people before in history have done so. she and only 55 people before in history have done so-_ have done so. she may well be too bus with have done so. she may well be too busy with all _ have done so. she may well be too busy with all of _ have done so. she may well be too busy with all of the _ have done so. she may well be too busy with all of the tasks _ have done so. she may well be too busy with all of the tasks on - have done so. she may well be too busy with all of the tasks on her. busy with all of the tasks on her agenda but do you think she will be reflecting on the past five, six years when there has been a pretty rapid turnover of prime ministers? this rapid succession, it might be all right for the premiership league, but it shouldn't be all right for the league of british premiers. it is deplorable that we

are having such a rapid succession because it takes a prime minister a long time, i am aware i've got one of our most distinguished cabinet secretaries on my side here who has seen them come in and out, you cannot do a job, it takes two, three, four years to really learn how to do it and if you are gone before those years are over, then there is not the accumulated institutional memory, the wisdom, the understanding about how to be prime minister. if we look at britain's more successful prime ministers, of the 55, there have only been nine who have really made history, who have changed the course of british history and all of them were in powerfor more than of british history and all of them were in power for more than five or six years. you simply cannot do any job with that rapid transition so not good for the country and, of course, she's got, coming up in two

years' time, a general election. no political party since the birth of democracy has won five general elections on the trot as the conservatives are now going to have to do. i'm not saying she won't do it, i'm not saying she won't be a good prime minister, i'm saying it's going to be extremely tough and that most prime ministers find a job impossible, not because the job of prime minister is impossible, but because of the way that they choose to do it and their lack of learning from other prime ministers, other teams, the importance of institutional memory, the importance of going with the grain of government, with the civil service, with whitehall. they are the people delivering minister after prime minister, they come in, high on adrenaline like their aids who they give jobs to ——

aides who they give jobs to. their aids who they give jobs to -- aides who they give jobs to. aides who they give “obs to. thank ou ve aides who they give “obs to. thank you very much. — aides who they give “obs to. thank you very much, sir — aides who they give jobs to. thank you very much, sir anthony. - aides who they give jobs to. thankj you very much, sir anthony. some really interesting points he is making about the length of time it takes a prime minister to get into the field for thejob takes a prime minister to get into the field for the job and we know that liz truss yesterday when she was announced as leader of the conservative party was talking about 202a election so she has lots to get on with. there have been a lot of comings and goings. let mejust confirm... this is borisjohnson's plane. no, its liz truss's plane in aberdeen actually, forgive me. she

will have the benefit of a slightly longerjourney back to london rather than just longerjourney back to london rather thanjust being around longerjourney back to london rather than just being around the corner at buckingham palace to think about what she is going to say when she arrives back into downing street. i'm sure there is lots of advice going into this important speech she is going to make in front of the door of number ten a little later this afternoon, setting out some of her plans, her direction of travel and the tone that she wants to set as the uk's new prime minister. she is about to make thatjourney back to london from aberdeen. just a quick recap on what exactly happens next. liz truss will travel back here, she will make that speech, i think everyone has been looking at

the weather forecast because earlier there were predictions of some pretty heavy rain and possibly lightning, but she will be trying to get a window hopefully where she can come out in the dry and make her speech. later, she will be getting on with the business of appointing her cabinet. we know some of the names already but most of them we don't know so lots of work for her to do later. we are going to go now to do later. we are going to go now to holyrood. nicola sturgeon is setting out her programme for government. brute nicola sturgeon is setting out her programme for government. we try to find money for — programme for government. we try to find money for things _ programme for government. we try to find money for things that _ programme for government. we try to find money for things that matter - find money for things that matter but under the current devolved settlement, our budget is essentially fixed and it is under severe and increasing pressure. i have a duty to be frank about the limits of this puts on our ability to respond as fully as we want to

do. let me illustrate that point very starkly. to start with, this year's scottish government budget was 2.9% lower than the year before. every penny was allocated when that budget was passed by parliament back in february. since then, inflation has gone from 2% last summer to 6% in february to more than 10% now. that means our budget today is worth a staggering £1.7 billion less than when it was published last december. in addition and by necessity, we are also spending more in some areas than was anticipated. for example, public sector pay deals are so far costing £700 million more than we budgeted for. to be clear, i don't begrudge a single penny of that. on the contrary, paying higher wages is

the contrary, paying higher wages is the biggest contribution we can make to helping families with soaring costs. when we intervened in the local government dispute, we did so to help shift funding from the highest to the lowest paid and secure the best possible pay increases overall. that was the right thing to do. criticism of workers and trade unions fighting for higher pay is deeply misplaced. that is why, to the tories threatening to row back on protections for workers and restrict the right to strike and to labour, who last month voted to block a bigger pay rise for council workers, i see this. ourjob in the midst of a cost crisis is not to press down on pay, ourjob is to boost it with every penny we can lay our hands on and that is the approach this government will take. that is the approach we will take, presiding officer, but there is no unallocated

pot of money from which to fund higher pay deals or extra support for those in need. our powers over tax and borrowing are also woefully inadequate so unless westminster increases the total amount of money available, every additional percentage point on a pay deal and every pound we spend on measures to help with rising costs must be funded by reductions elsewhere in our budget. that is the reality and it does mean hard choices. out emergency budget review is intended to maximise the we can provide while still balancing the books. that will mean stopping some things we planned to do to find what is essential to support people through this crisis. john swinney will say more about the budget review in a statement tomorrow. however, that work will be impacted by the fiscal plans of the uk government. for example, if liz truss decides to pay for irresponsible and regressive tax cuts by reducing spending on public

services, that could mean an immediate cut in scotland's budget. it is not possible, therefore, to conclude our own budget review until we understand the impact of decisions that will be taken at westminster in the days and weeks ahead. however, ican westminster in the days and weeks ahead. however, i can confirm that within two weeks of an expected uk government budget, we will lay out an emergency scottish government budget review to parliament. this will then inform our annual budget bill for 2023, 2a. the cost—of—living crisis means that this programme for government is even more focused than usual, deliberately so. ourambition even more focused than usual, deliberately so. our ambition and our intentions are unchanged, our commitment to the full parliament plans set out in last year's programme and in the bute house agreement stands, but increased uncertainty and rising costs are very real. quite simply, given all i have set out, we cannot do

everything that in more normal times we would want to do. i know that is not a message anyone wants to hear, but that, unfortunately, is the reality. understandably, there are also calls on the scottish government every day for more support. we will respond as positively as we possibly can, but we cannot do so —— where we cannot do so, it is not a lack of political will that stops us, it is a lack of money. as well as targeting our own resources as effectively as we can, we will continue to apply maximum pressure on the uk government to provide the additional funding that is so desperately needed and i hope we will have the full support from parties across this chamber in doing so in the interests of the people of scotland. i will now turn to the priority actions set out in this programme for government. these are focused on providing help now but

also in continuing our long—term work to build a wealthier, fairer and greener country. we will take the following steps to strengthen the following steps to strengthen the emergency safety net for those who are right now struggling to pay bills. firstly, to provide more help for people who may be at risk of self rationing or even self disconnection from their energy supply. i can announce we will double the fuel insecurity fund from £10 million to £20 million this year. secondly, we will give local authorities flexibility to use discretionary housing payments to help with energy costs as well as with rent payments. we will also increase funding for discretionary housing payments by £5 million. thirdly, we will extend eligibility for the tenant grant fund introduced as part of our covid response so that it can provide help for those struggling to pay rent as a result

of wider cost—of—living increases. this parliament regrettably does not have the power to freeze energy prices, but there are other costs that we can and we will use our devolved powers to bear firmly down on. to that end, i can announce that scot railfares will on. to that end, i can announce that scot rail fares will be frozen until at least march 2023. as well as rising energy bills, housing costs and increasing levels of debt and a concern for many. we do not controlled mortgage or general borrowing rates but we will continue discussions to encourage banks and other financial services firms to take an approach that security for homeowners and for businesses. we will also raise the minimum threshold at which bank arrestment is can be made and introduced regulations to give greater protection to those repaying debts through the debt arrangement scheme.

and a new bankruptcy and diligence bill will also seek to improve the lives of those who are struggling with debt. in what is perhaps the most significant announcement i will make today, i can confirm to parliament that we will take immediate action to protect tenants in the private and in the social rented sector is. presiding officer, i can announce we will shortly introduce emergency legislation to parliament. the purpose of the emergency law will be twofold. firstly, it will aim to give people security about the roof over their heads this winter through a moratorium on evictions. the legislation will also include measures to deliver a rent freeze. the scottish government does not have the power to stop your energy bills soaring but we can and will take action to ensure that your rent does not rise. presiding officer, by definition, these are temporary

measures but they will provide much—needed security many during what will be a difficult winter. we envisage that both measures will remain in place until at least the end of march next year, and crucially i can confirm that we will time the emergency legislation to ensure, subject to parliament to's agreement, that the practical effect of this statement is that rents are frozen from today. presiding officer, two of the most important and fundamental sources of security for any of us are a job and a home. in times of economic and financial crisis, these can be the foundations that help people through. the scottish government's powers to respond to this crisis are constrained. it is a matter of the amazon frustration. but our policy of no compulsory redundancies in the public sector, which we continue to support, notwithstanding the

budgetary pressures we face, will give those delivering essential services the peace of mind of knowing theirjob is safe over this winter, and for those who live in rented accommodation, we aim to ensure that their homes will be safe too. the choices any government banks ultimately come down to a question of values and priorities. where we can, we are prioritising interventions that will provide security, stability and reassurance by safeguarding jobs and homes. we will put as much money as possible into people's pockets through decent pay rises and will continue to make tough choices to target support to those who need it most. presiding officer, this programme also sets out measures to address longer term challenges and build a wealthier, fairer and greener country. i can therefore announce that a housing bill in the coming year ahead will improve affordability for the longer term, provide new and strengthened rights for tenants and implement key

policies on short—term lets and the prevention of homelessness. we will support more households to install energy efficiency measures, the continued investment in and extended eligibility for the warmer homes in scotland programme. this will help lower energy costs, reduce energy use and deliver our climate change obligations. we will also launch a £25 million mission for decarbonisation to support zero emission heat projects and communal heating systems along the length of the river clyde. presiding officer, we will also continue our work to tackle child poverty, increase opportunity and improve educational attainment. the most significant anti—child poverty measure anywhere in the united kingdom is the scottish child payment. it already delivers pretty pounds per week for every eligible child up to age six.

i can confirm today that from the iath of i can confirm today that from the 1ath of november, the scottish child payment will increase again to £25 a week per child. presiding officer, this means that the scottish child payment will have increased by 150% in less than eight months. the payment will also open on that date to applications for children up to age 16. presiding officer... applause these extensions to a strand of the social security safety net that is completely unique to scotland will make more than a00,000 children eligible for support of £1300 per year. it will lift children out of poverty, enhance their life chances, and improve the lives of thousands of families across the country. in addition to the start grants, the

early learning and school aid payments will now be awarded automatically to families in receipt of the scottish child payment without any need for a further application. we will also make two child payment bridging payments at the end of the year. i know there have been understandable calls to increase the value of these payments increase the value of these payments in light of the cost crisis. the reasons i set out earlier, we cannot commit this today, but i can confirm that this will be given priority consideration in the emergency budget review. presiding officer, we will also take further action to reduce the cost of the school day. having delivered universal free school meals for all pupils in primary one to five, i can announce we will now start work with local authorities to extend universal provision to all pupils in primary six and seven. we will continue to keep the promise to children and families in and at the edges of the care system. this year, the first 50

million of the 500 million hole family well—being fund will be invested to improve support for vulnerable families. i can also announce that we will introduce a children's care and justice bill, to ensure that young people who come into contact with the justice and care systems are treated more appropriately. and i am pleased to confirm that amongst other measures, this bill will finally end the practice of placing children under 18 years old in young offenders institutions. we will also continue to invest in and improve early education and child and school education. last year we delivered the expansion of funded early learning and childcare for all three and four—year—olds and eligible two—year—olds. in the year ahead we will design and test options to extend year round childcare for school—age children. our school buildings are in the best condition that they have ever been, and over

the coming year work will start on a further 17 new schools. we will also introduce an education reform bill, this will establish an independent education inspectorate and a new public body responsible for qualifications. and to support our commitment to substantially eliminating the poverty —related attainment gap by 2026, we will invest £200 million each year in the scottish attainment challenge. and having already met the initial target for widening access to higher education, we will now appoint a new widening access commissioner to build on this progress. presiding officer, we will continue to support our national health service. the nhs recovery plan to tackle the covid backlog and build sustainability will be supported by more than £1 billion of targeted investment over this parliament. we will invest £2

million to help improve accident and emergency waiting times. we will ensure that waiting times are more than 18 months for outpatients are eliminated in most specialties by the end of the year and for inpatients by september next year. we will then aim to eliminate weights of more than one year for outpatients by march of next year. and for inpatients and day cases by september 202a. as part of work to reduce waiting times, the next four national treatment centres will open over this coming year, in fife, forth valley, highland and at the goldenjubilee in glasgow. we will also invest a further £10 million to improve waiting times for cancer diagnostics and treatments and establish a further two rapid cancer diagnostic services. we will also continue to offer protection from covid over this autumn and winter. covid over this autumn and winter. covid booster shots alongside flu vaccines will be offered to those most vulnerable to serious illness.

and we will provide nhs boards with funding and support to deliver coordinated services for those living with long covid. presiding officer, we will also introduce legislation for a patient safety commissioner to help improve safety and amplify the voice of patients. and we will publish a new mental health and well—being strategy and a refreshed suicide prevention strategy. the year ahead will also see the creation in law of the national care service. the new service will deliver the consistency and quality of care across scotland that people deserve. it will be the most significant development in health and social care since the establishment of the national health service. we will also drive forward our national mission to reduce drug deaths, with a total investment of £250 million by the end of this parliament. and we will continue to work with partners, with the clear aim, if end as soon as possible of establishing a safer drug

consumption facility in glasgow. we will also introduce a new public health bill to restrict promotions of less healthy food and drink and we will consult on proposals to restrict alcohol promotions. we will take forward a range of actions to improve women's access to health care and appoint a woman's health champion. and we will work with msps across this chamber to safeguard the access of women to abortion services without harassment or intimidation. as well as investment in health and care services, we will support the justice system. we will introduce a criminaljustice bill. amongst other measures, presiding officer, this bill will provide for the abolition of the not proven verdict. presiding officer, if approved by parliament, this will be a change of truly historic significance in scotland. and one firmly intended to improve access to justice for victims of crime. this bill will also deliver

statutory protection for the anonymity of complainers and sexual offence cases. in the coming year we will also consult on specific draft laws to give effect to the recommendations in helena kennedy's report on tackling misogynistic behaviours. we intend to introduce a mythology and criminaljustice bill later in this parliament. we will also introduce a police complaints and misconduct handling bill to improve the way in which complaints about the police are managed and investigated, and a legal services regulation reform bill to improve the accountability and transparency of the legal complaints system. we will introduce a charity regulation bill to update and strengthen the legal framework governing the work of charities. presiding officer, let me turn to business and the economy. the pressures on business as on individuals are acute. we will continue to support both the lowest business rates poundage in the most generous small business rates relief

scheme anywhere in the uk. we will support the business community in demands to the uk government for amongst other measures on energy price freeze and a reduction of vat on energy bills. for the longer term, we will continue to implement a national strategy for economic transformation, with a laserfocus on entrepreneurship, productivity and skills and market opportunities. in the ahead will further fund the scottish national investment bank to deliver its key missions. we will support further improvements to broadband infrastructure. we will establish a national network of six new hubs for tech companies, giving scotland's tech start—ups access to some of the best development and support anywhere in the world, as part of our wider work to promote entrepreneurship. we will continue to deliver our export growth plan, new export plans for the life sciences and renewables such as. it is, presiding officer, worth noting

that scottish goods exports excluding oil and gas grew by more than 5% in the two years to the end of march, compared to a fall elsewhere in the uk. scotland's a position as the most successful location in the uk outside of london for inward investment projects has also been strengthened. we will also introduce a local visitor levy bill to give more local authorities additional fiscal facility to help councils, if they so choose, to fund activities related to tourism and related infrastructure. one of the central aims of the national strategy for economic transformation is to maximise jobs and economic activity that the net to zero transition can deliver. the recent scott wind option which offered lease options for up to 28 gigawatts of energy has the potential to deliver £28 billion of supply chain work. indeed, scotland has a golden opportunity now to lead an energy transition that secures net zero,

enhances energy security and lowers energy costs. we must grasp that opportunity. however, maximising that opportunity will require fundamental reform of the energy market. the scandal of the current situation, the scandal of extreme fuel poverty in energy—rich scotland, is the renewable electricity is already relatively cheap. offshore and onshore wind can now provide electricity at a lower cost than nuclear or gas—fired power. yet the wholesale price of electricity in britain is driven by gas, the most expensive form of generation. that must change. we will press the uk government to speed up fundamental reform of the energy market and break the link between the cost of gas and the price of the renewable and low carbon electricity foot up in the meantime we will do all we can to speed up our development and use of renewable energy. this autumn we will seek approval for the fourth national planning framework which will support the delivery of renewable energy projects. in the

year ahead we will publish an energy strategy and a just transition plan to guide our path to net zero. we will continue to support solar energy and maintain scotland because mac position as one of the most advanced nations in the world for the development of wave and tidal technologies that we will set out plans for further expansion in onshore wind capacity as we also support the massive expansion in offshore wind. the scale of our onshore and offshore wind capacity also gives us huge potential in green had you're in. in the coming months we will work to develop a new hydrogen industry with publication of the finalised hydrogen action plan an investment proposition backed by £100 million of capital funding. finally, we will establish two green ports in scotland and make the first investments from the £500 million north—east and murrayjust transition fund. we will introduce a secular economy bill to increase the reuse and recycling of materials, and next august we will launch the deposit returned scheme to encourage

the reuse and recycling of containers, such as drinks bottles. we will also support public transport. in addition to the freezing of scot rail fares will support bus services including the continued delivery of free bus travel for all those under 22 and over 60 footer we will invest in vital improvements to ferry services and consult on the new islands connectivity plan. we will support the shift to electric road vehicles and we will do even more in the year ahead to support active travel, with investment in new routes for walking, wheeling and cycling. we will —— we will take action to address the nature crisis. in the year ahead, we will publish a biodiversity strategy and take action to stimulate private investment in nature, restoration. we will continue work to identify the location of a new national park and develop the land reform bill to further diversify land ownership and empower communities. we will work with partners to further improve land protection and resilience and support farmers and crofters to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions. and we will introduce a wildlife management bill for grouse to reduce the negative impact of some chris moore practices on wildlife and the environment. presiding officer, in addition to those i have mentioned already, this programme also includes bills for the new devolved tax on aggregates, and to clarify the law on trusts and succession. and last but by no means least, this programme for government provides for the scottish independence referendum bill. if the outcome of the forthcoming supreme court referral confirms that a consultative vote is within the competence of this parliament, i can confirm that we will legislate or a referendum on the 19th of october next year. presiding officer, this current crisis highlights starkly the pressing need for independence. we are being reminded every day that where and in whose hands power lies really matters. this crisis is much

worse in the uk than in other developed countries because of a brexit that scotland voted against, but was powerless to stop. under the current devolution settlement, powers of borrowing, taxation and energy regulation, the key powers need to address this crisis, are reserved to westminster. and yet the exercise of these powers, by a uk government scotland didn't vote for, has been woefully inadequate. as a consequence, and despite the obvious and urgent need to provide help to millions, people are suffering. this parliament, by contrast, stands ready, willing and eager to act, but we lack the powers and resources we need to do so in all the way and resources we need to do so and always necessary. independence would give us, like it does other independent countries, the levers we desperately need to respond to a crisis like this. but more than that, independence would give us the wherewithal to build a better, wealthier, fairerfuture. that is

the prize we should now grasp. presiding officer, despite the uncertainties we face in the current limitations in our powers, this programme seeks to chart a path towards a better future. programme seeks to chart a path towards a betterfuture. we programme seeks to chart a path towards a better future. we will do everything possible to support people and businesses through the months ahead and we will do so in a manner consistent with our values and our long—term vision for scotland. we will improve our energy security and cut carbon emissions. we will support business growth, we will tackle the lasting harm caused by child poverty that we will prioritise help for those who most need it, just as we did in the face of a virus, we will foster a spirit of a virus, we will foster a spirit of solidarity to help each other through the challenges ahead. we will provide as much security and reassurance as we can in these tough times, as we continue to lay the foundations for a more equal and more sustainable country, and together we will build a wealthier, fairer, greener scotland. applause

so there we believe the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, laying out her programme for government. a wide—ranging address, quite clearly the focus on the cost—of—living crisis. nick lester butten dish—mac nicola sturgeon describing it as the most severe cost crisis in our lifetimes. she has called on the west missed government to cancel that october energy price rise per makappa price rise and also to freeze prices at their current level. more details on that, we are expecting to hear from the new prime minister liz truss in the new prime minister liz truss in the coming days. she's has also talked about help for those under incomes, she has called for immediate relief for households to help lower inflation, and she said all of the help that is being offered must apply also to business, not just offered must apply also to business, notjust individual consumers and not just individual consumers and the notjust individual consumers and the public. she says there are many already struggling. you may have heard there towards the end, renewing her call for independence, saying scotland stands ready and willing to act but lacks the powers

to do so. so let's speak to our scotland corresponded lorna gordon. so much we had from nicola sturgeon in the programme for government, wonder what stood out most for you? it was interesting, nicola sturgeon said this was a more focused programme for government than is normal and she said that was deliberately so, because of what the scottish government because the cost crisis, the most severe cost crisis in our lifetimes. a crisis she has also described as a humanitarian one. heavily trailed was this rent—free is that they are going to bring in four people who are renting in both the public and private sector and an expansion of this child payment that is unique to scotland. it'll be expanded to all children under 16 who are eligible, whose parents are on income and in receipt of certain benefits, and it

will be increased from £20 to £25. that will be worth £1300 a year for and nicola sturgeon said around a00,000 children will be eligible for that. a00,000 children will be eligible forthat. but a00,000 children will be eligible for that. but she did point out, check out interesting, that the government here is facing a budget squeeze, their budget is worth 1.7 billion p less than when it was published last december. and the public sector pay bills are so focused on £700 million more than has been budgeted for. she said they are doing all they can, the government here in edinburgh, to mitigate this crisis, but she has called for a four nations summit to talk about it and she has pointed out, as you said, that the big levers, the really big labours rest with the uk government in terms of reserved issues like energy and fiscal policy. there were a few other bills that were passed there were interesting, but the criminal justice bill, i will provide for the

abolition of the not proven verdict, thatis abolition of the not proven verdict, that is unique to scotland. and the children's care and justice bill, which will legislate to end the practice of children under 18 being placed in young offenders institutions. those were a couple of other pieces of legislation that are going to be introduced and perhaps worth noting. but of course, at the end, as you said, did come back to nicola sturgeon's desire for another referendum on scottish independence in october of next year, cooper the 19th. there will be a supreme court hearing next month that will look at the arguments for and against the parliament here legislating on this matter, but nicola sturgeon's argument is that the tax powers and resources needed to mitigate the worst of this crisis do not lie with the parliament here or the government here, they lie with

westminster, and this crisis, she said, has been made much worse because of brexit, a crisis which she says the majority of people in scotland did not vote for, and she said independence would give scotland the levers needed to respond to this crisis. these rising bills. ~ , ,., y respond to this crisis. these rising bills. ~ , , ., ., respond to this crisis. these rising bills. , ., ., ., bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, thank you _ bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, thank you very _ bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, thank you very much _ bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, thank you very much for - bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, j thank you very much for running bills. absolutely. lorna gordon, i thank you very much for running us through that. nicola sturgeon laying out her programme for government. so that's the situation in scotland. let's talk about northern ireland. among the challenges facing the new prime minister is the problem of how to restore power sharing at stormont after the northern ireland executive collapsed earlier this year, and sorting out trading arrangements in the wake of brexit. our ireland correspondent emma vardy has this report. dealing with the politics on the

small part of the uk has long been a challenge for british prime ministers. and liz truss will be landing here at a critical time. good morning, everyone, welcome to belfast. . ., , good morning, everyone, welcome to belfast. ,, ., , ., belfast. she will need to try to broker a new _ belfast. she will need to try to broker a new political - belfast. she will need to try to broker a new political peace i belfast. she will need to try to i broker a new political peace between highly polarised parties, and prepare the british and irish relationship which brexit has taken on a bumpy ride. emir; relationship which brexit has taken on a bumpy ride-— relationship which brexit has taken on a bumpy ride. only 'oking -- my only joking — on a bumpy ride. only 'oking -- my only joking about_ on a bumpy ride. only 'oking -- my only joking about the i on a bumpy ride. only joking -- my only joking about the flak _ on a bumpy ride. only joking -- my only joking about the flakjacket! i only joking about the flak jacket! it will still divide unionist and nationalist communities and getting out government back for northern ireland means the stronger partnership between political parties on both sides. == partnership between political parties on both sides. -- restoring a partnership- _ parties on both sides. -- restoring a partnership- my _ parties on both sides. -- restoring a partnership. my name _ parties on both sides. -- restoring a partnership. my name is - parties on both sides. -- restoring a partnership. my name is elsie i a partnership. my name is elsie kilpatrick — a partnership. my name is elsie kilpatrick. with this centre, we have _ kilpatrick. with this centre, we have been— kilpatrick. with this centre, we have been across community for 20 years _ have been across community for 20 years a— have been across community for 20 years a lot — have been across community for 20 years. a lot of people now that there _ years. a lot of people now that there is— years. a lot of people now that there is not this hatred of

catholics or protestants. until the fallout over _ catholics or protestants. until the fallout over which _ catholics or protestants. until the fallout over which sinn _ catholics or protestants. until the fallout over which sinn fein i catholics or protestants. until the fallout over which sinn fein and l fallout over which sinn fein and the democratic unionists had been sharing power together but since february, that delicate dance has been on hold. if the politicians are not getting on at stormont, does that mean people don't get on in communities?— that mean people don't get on in communities? ., , ., ., , communities? no. they are all very, very friendly- — communities? no. they are all very, very friendly- it _ communities? no. they are all very, very friendly. it is _ communities? no. they are all very, very friendly. it is sad _ communities? no. they are all very, very friendly. it is sad they _ communities? no. they are all very, very friendly. it is sad they are i very friendly. it is sad they are treating the country the way they are foot of the category so we suffer. i are foot of the category so we suffer. ., �* ~' are foot of the category so we suffer. ., �* ~ ,, ., suffer. i don't think sinn fein and the dup will— suffer. i don't think sinn fein and the dup will ever _ suffer. i don't think sinn fein and the dup will ever agree _ suffer. i don't think sinn fein and the dup will ever agree and i suffer. i don't think sinn fein and the dup will ever agree and they | suffer. i don't think sinn fein and i the dup will ever agree and they are dividing _ the dup will ever agree and they are dividing the people.— dividing the people. brexit has raised new _ dividing the people. brexit has raised new tensions _ dividing the people. brexit has raised new tensions over i dividing the people. brexit has raised new tensions over old i raised new tensions over old divides. ,, ., raised new tensions over old divides. , ., , raised new tensions over old divides. , ., ., , divides. some people want to be irish, the look _ divides. some people want to be irish, the look of _ divides. some people want to be irish, the look of ourselves, i divides. some people want to be irish, the look of ourselves, we | divides. some people want to be i irish, the look of ourselves, we are happy— irish, the look of ourselves, we are happy with— irish, the look of ourselves, we are happy with the way they are living. how it— happy with the way they are living. how it will— happy with the way they are living. how it will ever end, i don't know. the focus — how it will ever end, i don't know. the focus of— how it will ever end, i don't know. the focus of the breakdown in government is here. our agreement with the eu created barriers to goods coming over from with the eu created barriers to goods coming overfrom britain. northern ireland's democratic unionists say they will not go back into government until the

arrangement is scrapped. so it can now take almost twice as long to goods to get to northern ireland? yes, things haven't got any better and they have got worse. infinite yes, things haven't got any better and they have got worse. while the ma'ori of and they have got worse. while the majority of the _ and they have got worse. while the majority of the politicians _ and they have got worse. while the majority of the politicians in - majority of the politicians in northern ireland want to keep the eu's arrangements, unionists are urging liz truss to push ahead with controversial plans to change the rules. , ,., controversial plans to change the rules. , , , rules. our message is, the number one priority — rules. our message is, the number one priority should _ rules. our message is, the number one priority should be _ rules. our message is, the number one priority should be than - rules. our message is, the number one priority should be than number one priority should be than number one -- _ one priority should be than number one —— should be that in your entry. and at— one —— should be that in your entry. and at stormont she will have to navigate a new dynamic because sinn fein, the hardline dutchman hardline republicans, have become the largest party at stormont and do not in the future of northern ireland to be within the uk at all.— within the uk at all. very frustrating, _ within the uk at all. very frustrating, doesn't i within the uk at all. very i frustrating, doesn't matter within the uk at all. very - frustrating, doesn't matter what side you're on, they are walking into a nightmare.— into a nightmare. through its troubled history, _ into a nightmare. through its troubled history, prime i into a nightmare. through its i troubled history, prime ministers have also helped their visits here would be remembered for peace building and progress. and with the current crisis, that is as big a challenge as ever. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast.

huw edwards is coming up for you at three o'clock, he is live in downing street to guide you through what will be a busy afternoon of events. before that, let's take a look at the weather. hello, low—pressure nearby will keep showers and thunderstorms going right the way through to the end of the week. batches of heavy rain moving north through scotland, turning very wet in the central belt in the afternoon but an area from south west england moving into more of oil towards the midlands, push east across southern england, some heavy and thundery gusty winds possible. away from the showers, some patently warm spells of sunshine. a warm and humid night with bands of heavy and at times thundery rain moving north. another one moving in towards england and wales, may be in northern ireland by the end of the night. not as lively as recent nightspot we could be woken by a rumble of thunder. it tomorrow, another day for dodging the downpours that appear as the circulation around that area of low

pressure. this is where it will be just windy. plenty of showers breaking up, some heavy and thundery, tending to move through to brighter skies, thundery, tending to move through to brighterskies, but thundery, tending to move through to brighter skies, but not too long before the next shower or thunderstorm arrives.

today at three, we're live in downing street, where the new prime minister liz truss is expected to arrive in a short while. in a break with tradition, the new prime minster made a 1,000—mile round trip to balmoral in aberdeenshire — where the queen is in residence — where she accepted an invitation to form a government. earlier today, borisjohnson left downing street for the last time as prime minister and called on his party to unite behind their new leader. my fellow conservatives, it's time for politics to be over, folks. it's time for us all to get behind liz truss and her team and her programme and deliver for the people of this country. liz truss is expected to start appointing her

new cabinet later today. one of the most pressing issues she will face is how to deal