this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh, and these are the latest headlines: the chancellor defends his tax cuts aimed at boosting economic growth, saying they're fair for all but kwasi kwarteng's mini budget is receiving a mixed reaction from the public. i think it probably will help, yes, to a degree, but depends what bracket you're in of course in terms of income. i mean, does that even touch the sides? i don't know. we'll see. the labour leader sir keir starmer arrives in liverpool ahead of his party conference, telling crowds he'll set out the dividing lines between labour and the new tory government. this conference is our chance to set out the alternative, to make our case for an economy that works for people, growth for everyone everywhere, wherever they are. afairer, greenerfuture.

the home secretary tells police chiefs that common sense policing must take priority over diversity and inclusion initiatives as she sets out her the priorities of her crime—cutting agenda. good afternoon. the government has defended its sweeping range of tax cuts from criticism that they favour the better off. the chancellor kwasi kwarteng's package of measures include scrapping the top rate of income tax for the highest earners and reducing the basic rate by a penny — moves the government say will promote growth. the institute for fiscal studies says the richest — who pay the most tax — will benefit most. our political correspondent,

helen catt, reports. it's an all—out attempt to grow the economy with the biggest tax cuts in four decades. at spitalfields market, in east london, they are taking stock of a mini—budget that's signalled a massive shift in political direction. what do you make of moves like reversing the national insurance rise? will that help, do you think? i think it probably will help, yes, to a degree, but it depends what bracket you are in in terms of income. yeah, i think it will help. i mean, does that even touch the sides? i don't know. we'll see. there is a lot to take in. the treasury is cutting the basic rate of income tax from 20p to 19p from april next year. it is abolishing the 45p top tax rate for people who earn over £150,000, as well as reversing the national insurance rise from november, and cancelling a corporation tax rise planned for next year. stamp duty will be scrapped below £250,000. the government will borrow £231; billion this year

to fund the spending. there is criticism from opposition politicians that those with the most are getting the most, or as labour puts it, rewarding the already wealthy. when you are lifting bankers�* bonuses at the same time as saying that postal workers and rail workers can't have a decent pay rise, people can see that and see that as grossly unfair. and it looks like the conservatives are looking after people at the top and are not really channelling that long—term investment, which is what our proposal is around long—term investment and around skills for the future. labour is about to start its annual conference in liverpool, and is likely to face calls to spell out what it would do. it says it will back reducing the basic rate of income tax, but oppose scrapping the 45p top rate. ministers see the tax cuts as a tool to grow the economy for everyone. we are not into the politics of envy, where we want to deliberately penalise people who have been working hard.

we want to cut taxes for everybody. and the danger, by the way, if you have tax rates that are too high, for either companies orfor individuals, you drive them away. companies have a choice very often about where they locate — we want them to choose to locate here in the united kingdom. in the financial markets, the cost of borrowing for the uk government went up after the statement yesterday, and the pound fell to a 37—year low against the dollar. the new direction has been welcomed by some conservative mps, but others remain sceptical. it is now up to ministers to show they can deliver the goods. helen catt, bbc news. the independent think—tank, the resolution foundation, has published new analysis of the chancellor's announcements. its chief economist, mike brewer, gave me his assessment of the plan. this really was a budget that trashed previous treasury orthodoxy, i think. we could tell yesterday that kwasi kwarteng was spending large amounts of money,

giving away so much money in tax cuts, without really thinking too hard about what that does to public finances. it is a growth or bust strategy, different from what we have seen before, and i think today it is clear that the distribution impacts are very different, even from what we have seen from previous conservative chancellors. rishi sunak boosted universal credit when he was in charge, and the coalition government in the last decade always keen to stress... this was a budget with the distributional impact clearly where the biggest gains go to those with higher incomes. the resolution foundation has described this as a southern comfort mini—budget. has levelling up gone out the window? given the value of property in the south and south—east compared to other areas,

it seems to me this would benefit people more because of property prices in the south—east. ultimately if the government does get stronger economic growth, that could benefit all regions of the uk. but yes, that stamp duty move, first—time buyers in many poorer parts of the country don't pay any stamp duty already, so it does nothing to increase the threshold there, whereas the gain for a typical first—time buyer in london is about £6,000. even more striking is getting rid of the additional 45% tax rate, currently paid by about 600,000 people, and over half of those are in london and the south—east. when we look at the regional winners and losers, it is very clear that the average gain for a household in london and the south—east is three times as high as the gain for households for households in, say, yorkshire and wales. it is an incredibly stark regional divide. you said to me this is a growth

or bust mini—budget. what are your thoughts on the government's thinking behind all of this, and how much of a gamble this is, given both the economic conditions domestically and internationally, when many other countries are looking at a situation without significant growth in the short or medium term? we do need more faster growth. we have been on a low growth doldrums for about 15 years now and that is reflected in low living standards. we applaud the government's desire to try to grow the economy at a faster rate. what the gamble is, looking at lower taxes as the main way to get higher growth, meaning it rules out things like investing in our infrastructure, investing in skills and productivity, our physical infrastructure. it is all about tax cuts to try to incentivise companies to strive harder.

there are other ways in which growth can be increased. byjust relying on tax cuts, the gamble is with the nation's public finances. we saw yesterday markets beginning to react against this, saying, hang on, you can't borrow your way to prosperity forever. let's talk to matt downie, chief executive of crisis uk, the national charity for homeless people. i want to begin with the issue of the private rented sector. i see from the right work that crisis is doing there is a rising homelessness among people that had been in the private rented sector. what impact do you think this mini budget is going to have on that?- do you think this mini budget is going to have on that? budgets and mini budgets _ going to have on that? budgets and

mini budgets like _ going to have on that? budgets and mini budgets like this, _ going to have on that? budgets and mini budgets like this, we - going to have on that? budgets and mini budgets like this, we look - going to have on that? budgets and mini budgets like this, we look to i mini budgets like this, we look to see whether there is to be help for people who are in trouble, people in poverty and homelessness, that sort of safety net needed. 0r poverty and homelessness, that sort of safety net needed. or we look to see whether some of that will be prevented and people will be protected from falling into homelessness free welfare anything like that. this did neither of those things. we are now in a situation where we are seeing unprecedented levels of homelessness coming towards us. the private rented sector is, frankly, it disaster for people on low incomes at the moment. evictions have gone up to record levels over the last year. rent levels over the last year. rent levels have gone to the highest levels have gone to the highest level in 16 years. this isjust levels have gone to the highest level in 16 years. this is just a sort of a cocktail of disaster for people who really need help from the government, not to wait for growth to come at some point down the track. the cost of living crisis is

really about people's housing costs more than anything, and nothing within the many statement yesterday that will help people. in within the many statement yesterday that will help people.— that will help people. in terms of safeguards _ that will help people. in terms of safeguards against _ that will help people. in terms of safeguards against evictions, - that will help people. in terms of safeguards against evictions, for| that will help people. in terms of | safeguards against evictions, for| safeguards against evictions, for example, as we see this rising cost of living, what would you like to see on that?— of living, what would you like to see on that? ., ., , , see on that? the government has been ”romisin see on that? the government has been promising has — see on that? the government has been promising has been _ see on that? the government has been promising has been promising - see on that? the government has been promising has been promising to - see on that? the government has been promising has been promising to make| promising has been promising to make a league goalfor many promising has been promising to make a league goal for many years of the idea of no fault evictions, and they still haven't done it. that measure alone would really help. but i would say in the long term is people who use housing benefit to pay their rent have had that housing benefits reason for so many years now. private landlords don't want to take people on housing benefits, so that specific things to change. it is to match the level of rent actually out there. without that, we'll see more and more people going to the council is needing help. nearly 300,000 households last year went to their

council for help. we will see more and more people on the streets. in london, rough sleeping is up 15%. this is not some future disaster for the winter or some future time, it is happening now. yesterday it was a huge missed opportunity to help people. huge missed opportunity to help --eole. ., , huge missed opportunity to help neale, ., , ., people. the government says that this is a fair— people. the government says that this is a fair for _ people. the government says that this is a fair for all— people. the government says that this is a fair for all mini _ people. the government says that this is a fair for all mini budget. . this is a fairfor all mini budget. how do you square that with the picture of the story you are telling us about? i picture of the story you are telling us about? ., ., , us about? i would invite kwasi kwarten: us about? i would invite kwasi kwarteng and _ us about? i would invite kwasi kwarteng and liz _ us about? i would invite kwasi kwarteng and liz truss - us about? i would invite kwasi kwarteng and liz truss to - us about? i would invite kwasi. kwarteng and liz truss to come us about? i would invite kwasi - kwarteng and liz truss to come to a homelessness service, orjust any council housing office, and see what is going on. our welfare state is absolutely on his knees. some people know, even though they are employed, they can't find any housing to get into. even when they can, the rent is not enough to keep that tendency to get there. health is almost a secondary concern for people, who is

very basic living arrangements are falling to pieces. this is nothing like a strategy to have everyone in society. even if growth gets us to a point where that is higher productivity, higherwages, it is really laughable that's going to affect the people that we see everyday in our services any time soon. . ~' everyday in our services any time soon. . ~ ,., everyday in our services any time soon. . ~ ,. y everyday in our services any time soon. . ~ y., , . ukrainians have reported armed soldiers going door—to—door in occupied parts of the country to collect votes for self—styled "referendums" on joining russia. the group of seven wealthiest nations has condemned what it says are sham referendums in those regions on whether they want to join russia. 0ur ukraine correspondent, hugo bachega, is in kyiv. western officials have dismissed this as a propaganda exercise, they say that the result has already been decided by moscow, and that this is going to be used by russia as an excuse to annex parts of ukraine. the fear here is that russia is going to say that these areas

are now part of russia and that any attacks on those regions will be seen as an attack on russian territory. now, it's hard to get independent information from those areas, some residents say that soldiers are going door—to—door forcing people to vote, and in some towns ukraine as say that residents have been banned from leaving. now, speaking to the bbc, the eu foreign policy chief said the threats being made by the russian president should be taken seriously. i don't want to spread alarm, but certainly it's a dangerousj moment, because the russian army has been pushed into a corner, _ and knowing putin, his reaction, |threatening using nuclear arms. j yes, it's very much worrisome. yesterday president biden said any annexation of territory would be a flagrant violation of international law, and he said

russia would pay a severe cost. meanwhile, russians are continuing to leave the country in their thousands following president putin's announcement of mobilisation of at least 300,000 extra troops. there's a queue more than six miles long at the border between georgia and russia, as men attempt to avoid being called—up. officials in finland say the number of russians arriving there has more than doubled in the past week. 0ur correspondent, reyhan demytrie, is in tblisi. 0nline maps of the russian internet company, yandex, show that the queue on the russian side of the border is about eight kilometres long, but there are reports that congestion, traffic congestion stretches back all the way to the nearest russian town, which is 30 kilometres away from the russia—georgia border crossing. people have been queueing

for more than 24 hours. i've been in touch with one man who told me that he has spent more than 26 hours in the queue, he described the situation as chaotic, he said there were no food or toilet facilities. but the vast majority are desperate to escape being drafted. many of the travellers are of fighting age, and they want to leave the country because they don't want to be part of the ongoing mobilisation. there are limited options left for russians, where to go. at the moment, the border with kazakhstan and mongolia remains open. three baltic states have closed their borders for russians. in georgia, they do not need an entry visa, and that's one of the reasons why so many are trying to come here, but once in georgia they are unlikely to get a warm welcome from the georgians because of the poor history of relations between these two countries.

georgia and russia fought a war back in 2008, and many of those wounds are still not healed. georgians want to know why russians are escaping the country, why are they not staying in russia and not resisting vladimir putin and his war in ukraine? sport — and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. it's record breaker at the emirates — with a landmark womens super league crowd out in force to see arsenal against tottenham. it was a rather one—sided affair in front of 47,367 inside the ground — and arsenal took the lead early. beth mead, carrying on her great run of form she opened the scoring after 5 minutes. vivienne miedema got the second of her goals in the second half. two league wins in a row now for arsenal. their players felt the power of the crowd today. you

arsenal. their players felt the power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and _ power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it _ power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it does _ power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it does me _ power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it does me a - power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it does me a bit - power of the crowd today. you are so aware of it and it does me a bit of. aware of it and it does me a bit of aware of it and it does me a bit of a difference to have that atmosphere. 0bviously some are in the euros, the england girls felt that. i'm glad everybody came out today to show that support. i am just happy we were able to put on a performance and get the three points. he performance and get the three oints. , ., performance and get the three oints. , ._ ., , performance and get the three oints. , ., , points. he played a very good possession — points. he played a very good possession game _ points. he played a very good possession game which - points. he played a very good possession game which made j points. he played a very good i possession game which made it points. he played a very good - possession game which made it very difficult _ possession game which made it very difficult for _ possession game which made it very difficult for tottenham to press us, but that— difficult for tottenham to press us, but that was our positioning that made _ but that was our positioning that made that. tottenham is a very good team, _ made that. tottenham is a very good team, but_ made that. tottenham is a very good team, but they're pressed as it doesn't — team, but they're pressed as it doesn't look that aggressive today, but i doesn't look that aggressive today, but i think— doesn't look that aggressive today, but i think that was thanks to our positioning. england's women are taking on india in the third and final one day international at lord's looking to salvage some pride having already lost the series. and they got off to a flying start, kate cross taking four wickets as india were reduced to 87—5. and in her 204th and final 0di, jhulan goswami was bowled for a duck as india were all out for 169. she has made amends with the ball.

england have continued to struggle with the chase. it's the end of season climax in rugby league and we could see history made in the super league grand final. st helens are the reigning champions, and are looking to become the first side ever to win the super league title, for the fourth season in a row. but standing in their way at old trafford will be a resurgent leeds rhinos side. we could potentially cement our place by being the first team ever to win the four league titles in a row. that's a huge credit to allot people and the hard work that has gone on for a number of years. regardless of who is playing, we 'ust regardless of who is playing, we just put — regardless of who is playing, we just put our attention on today. we have done — just put our attention on today. we have done a — just put our attention on today. we have done a clay with that, we have been _ have done a clay with that, we have been pretty— have done a clay with that, we have been pretty adaptable, we don't make too much _ been pretty adaptable, we don't make

too much song about who is not playing — too much song about who is not playing. but to also acknowledge the whole _ playing. but to also acknowledge the whole squad effort has gone into getting _ whole squad effort has gone into getting to this point. if you have even _ getting to this point. if you have even moved onto other clubs during the season— even moved onto other clubs during the season but everyone has a part. great _ the season but everyone has a part. great britain won four more goals at the world rowing championships this afternoon. —— for more golds. the men's four also won gold, as that the women's double sculls. great britain cyclist zoe backstedt marked her 18th birthday in style by retaining herjunior road race title. the welsh rider attacked early at the road cycling world championships in australia — and went on to win by more than two minutes. it was backstedt�*s second gold of the week, after winning the time trial on wednesday. in the under—23 race, britain's pfeiffer georgi took silver. six—time moto gp champion marc marquez has claimed his first pole position for three years ahead of the japanese grand prix. the honda rider only returned to action a fortnight ago

after three months off with a broken arm. the spaniard took control in a rain delayed qualifying at motegi to claim the top spot by two tenths of a second. championship leader fabio quartararo will start ninth, with title rival francesco bagnaia 12th. britain's cal crutchlow was 23rd. that's all the sport for now. get all the latest on all those those on the bbc sport website. we will see you soon. labour party delegates are gathering in liverpool for the party's annual conference. party leader sir keir starmer is promising to set out an alternative to the government's economic strategy. thanky you very much, it's really lovely to see you all here. after 12 long years of tory failure, didn't they just show their true colours yesterday? their thriving ideology — make the rich richer and do nothing for working people. well, this conference is our chance to set out the alternative, to make our case for an economy that works for working people,

growth for everyone everywhere, wherever they are. afairer, greenerfuture. let's do it! thanks so much. are you going to reverse . the tory tax cuts, sir keir? the tory tax cuts? 0ur political correspondent, ben wright, is in liverpool. i wondered if we will hear more from sir keir starmer on that particular question that was being shouted out to him there? yell and i'm sure we will. ithink to him there? yell and i'm sure we will. i think yesterday's mini budget has really shaken up the context of this conference, raising all sorts of big questions for the labour party and how they respond. clarifying the choices they will have to make a guess what is a very

difficult economic backdrop. the looming recession, the cost of living crisis. this is it alters time that the labour party is meeting in the. sir keir starmer arriving forjust a second in—person conference is becoming a leader. the delegates and members of the shadow cabinet are beginning to trickle in, i'm joined by lucy powell. first of all, what is your reaction to the statement we had from the chancellor yesterday? this statement we had from the chancellor esterda ? , , ., , ., yesterday? this budget, it was a buduet in yesterday? this budget, it was a budget in all— yesterday? this budget, it was a budget in all but _ yesterday? this budget, it was a budget in all but name, - yesterday? this budget, it was a budget in all but name, we - yesterday? this budget, it was aj budget in all but name, we think yesterday? this budget, it was a l budget in all but name, we think it is budget in all but name, we think it must— budget in all but name, we think it isjust taking the budget in all but name, we think it is just taking the country budget in all but name, we think it isjust taking the country in budget in all but name, we think it is just taking the country in the wrong — is just taking the country in the wrong direction. when you take the package _ wrong direction. when you take the package as — wrong direction. when you take the package as a whole in what they are offering, _ package as a whole in what they are offering, we think it is the wrong approach. — offering, we think it is the wrong approach, because they are basically saying _ approach, because they are basically saying that _ approach, because they are basically saying that if you are very wealthy will give _ saying that if you are very wealthy will give you more money back in the pay packets, — will give you more money back in the pay packets, they will get rid of the 45p — pay packets, they will get rid of the 45p top rate of tax, will give bankers — the 45p top rate of tax, will give bankers bonuses. they believe that will stimulate growth, which we

disagree — will stimulate growth, which we disagree with. they say that growth will then— disagree with. they say that growth will then trickle down to everybody else _ will then trickle down to everybody else that — will then trickle down to everybody else. thatjust will then trickle down to everybody else. that just about will then trickle down to everybody else. thatjust about happen. we have _ else. thatjust about happen. we have had — else. thatjust about happen. we have had the economic experiment in this country— have had the economic experiment in this country for the last 30 years, and it— this country for the last 30 years, and it has— this country for the last 30 years, and it has not worked for people here _ and it has not worked for people here in— and it has not worked for people here in liverpool and the north of england _ here in liverpool and the north of england over that period and we don't _ england over that period and we don't believe it will work again. it is not _ don't believe it will work again. it is not the — don't believe it will work again. it is not the kind of growth we need in this country~ — is not the kind of growth we need in this country. we need growth for everyone — this country. we need growth for everyone and the benefits of that to be fairly— everyone and the benefits of that to be fairly shared. gr everyone and the benefits of that to be fairly shared.— be fairly shared. or that those tax chan . es, be fairly shared. or that those tax changes. they _ be fairly shared. or that those tax changes, they will _ be fairly shared. or that those tax changes, they will be _ be fairly shared. or that those tax changes, they will be a _ be fairly shared. or that those tax changes, they will be a vote - be fairly shared. or that those tax changes, they will be a vote on i be fairly shared. or that those tax l changes, they will be a vote on this in the house of commons. you will how's the abolition of the 45% top rate. what about reducing the basic rate. what about reducing the basic rate from 20p to 19p? brute rate. what about reducing the basic rate from 20p to 19p?— rate from 20p to 19p? we will not o- ose rate from 20p to 19p? we will not oppose that _ rate from 20p to 19p? we will not oppose that when _ rate from 20p to 19p? we will not oppose that when it _ rate from 20p to 19p? we will not oppose that when it comes - rate from 20p to 19p? we will not oppose that when it comes into . oppose that when it comes into parliament. ahead of the next election. — parliament. ahead of the next election, we will set out our full tax bend — election, we will set out our full tax bend and proposals near at the time when — tax bend and proposals near at the time when we know what the economic situation _ time when we know what the economic situation is _ time when we know what the economic situation is. you viewers can rest assured — situation is. you viewers can rest assured that the labour party is always— assured that the labour party is always on—

assured that the labour party is always on at the side of hard—working ordinary people, who need _ hard—working ordinary people, who need help— hard—working ordinary people, who need help to do with the cost of living _ need help to do with the cost of living crisis. that is why we have been _ living crisis. that is why we have been leading the way on coming for a yin been leading the way on coming for a vin energv_ been leading the way on coming for a yin energy price freeze and a windfall— yin energy price freeze and a windfall tax on excess profits will stop we _ windfall tax on excess profits will stop we believe those with the broader— stop we believe those with the broader shoulders, those who earn the most _ broader shoulders, those who earn the most money in this country, not through— the most money in this country, not through work back from assets and property— through work back from assets and property they hold, they should pay for the _ property they hold, they should pay for the fairer share of... can property they hold, they should pay for the fairer share of. . ._ for the fairer share of... can you guarantee _ for the fairer share of... can you guarantee voters _ for the fairer share of... can you guarantee voters now _ for the fairer share of... can you guarantee voters now you - for the fairer share of... can you guarantee voters now you will. for the fairer share of... can you i guarantee voters now you will keep the basic rate at 19p will need to win? is there a chance you will put it back up? clearly, the government want to paint you as a tax—raising party as we head into the next election. flit party as we head into the next election. .., , , ., party as we head into the next election. u, , , ., , election. of course they do, but that is not _ election. of course they do, but that is not our— election. of course they do, but that is not our record _ election. of course they do, but that is not our record in - that is not our record in government. we will set out our full package _ government. we will set out our full package ahead of the next election. what you _ package ahead of the next election. what you have got to do with the set of packages is notjust look at what you have got to do with the set of packages is not just look at one particular— of packages is not just look at one particular individual thing here or

there. _ particular individual thing here or there. but— particular individual thing here or there, but take them as a whole. what _ there, but take them as a whole. what this— there, but take them as a whole. what this government did yesterday was give _ what this government did yesterday was give huge tax to those at the top, allow— was give huge tax to those at the top, allow city bankers to get their bonuses— top, allow city bankers to get their bonuses in — top, allow city bankers to get their bonuses in. these are tax breaks for millionaires— bonuses in. these are tax breaks for millionaires and city bankers, while doing _ millionaires and city bankers, while doing nothing for those on the lowest — doing nothing for those on the lowest income, and actually doing it through— lowest income, and actually doing it through borrowing. it is the worst kind of— through borrowing. it is the worst kind of tax— through borrowing. it is the worst kind of tax cuts for all, because all it— kind of tax cuts for all, because all it is— kind of tax cuts for all, because all it is doing is ladling us with borrowing into the future and potential tax rises into the future. we think— potential tax rises into the future. we think they have got the whole thing _ we think they have got the whole thing wrong. the we think they have got the whole thing wrong-— we think they have got the whole thing wrong. the tax question will certainly feature _ thing wrong. the tax question will certainly feature here _ thing wrong. the tax question will certainly feature here over - thing wrong. the tax question will certainly feature here over the - thing wrong. the tax question will. certainly feature here over the next four or so days, so too will questions about industrial action and what labour leadership should be doing that. what growth will look like under a labour government. it will be a very busy few days here in liverpool, and it kicks off properly tomorrow. the home secretary,

suella braverman, has written to police in england and wales, calling for a change in "culture and standards" in policing. in a letter, she says public trust has been shattered and that the police "spend too much time on symbolic gestures, rather than actually fighting crime." earlier i asked leroy logan, former superintendent in the metropolitan police for his reaction to the home secretary's comments. police used to have the bandwidth to do all of this, especially in the macpherson inquiry in the late 90s and the recommendations rolled out during the labour government. the home secretary, jack straw, and others took ownership of this to ensure you get the culture change that everyone wants to see and reflects an organisation that is more efficient in answering the needs of a diverse personnel. since we have had this government, since 2010, we have had this enforcement driven type approach, and this operational interference, which doesn't seem to help in any shape orform.

in fact, we have got a record number of police services in special measures, trust and confidence is the lowest it has been, especially in the black community. this sort of interference is not needed. i don't think she really understands what equality, diversion and inclusion does. it makes an organisation less toxic in its culture and more efficient in dealing with the needs of a diverse public. the home secretary says she is dismayed by the deterioration of public confidence in the police, adding too many high profile incidents have shattered public trust. how important are what is described as symbolic gestures to actually building that trust in the police? one of the things that a lot of politicians don't get, because they have never been police officers, they have never understood what the dynamics of the culture is, and what the public see

as a reassurance. it is to build bridges. sometimes it is around showing a more reflective organisation. it's around you're not going to arrest your way out of a problem, you're not going to stop and search your way out of a problem. a lot of people might think that's all political wrong and being woke and everything like that. we have heard the home secretary talk about this during the conservative leadership campaigns. i'm not surprised she has come out with this. it's very similar to what priti patel was saying. in all honesty, until they understand what this all entails, a reflective organisation that retains people who look like the public, they are better equipped to deal with the crime and safety and security issues on the long term. i'd like to see less interference and let the police get on with theirjob. the home secretary says vehicle

theft, vandalism, graffiti, drug fuelled crimes are not being treated seriously enough. is it about how seriously the police take these offences? is the home secretary suggesting, in your mind, that they are taking diversity and inclusion more seriously than offences like the ones i have just listed? they go hand in hand. you can show diversity in an operational and strategic setting. as i said, you have got a more reflective organisation building bridges with the community, and you are getting the information to not only prevent crimes, but to solve crimes. people are more reassured to make a statement, go on an id parade and pull out the suspect, and go and give evidence at court. all of these things are essential to policing. it is notjust one or the other. it is a combination of that.

getting it right and getting it coordinated in a way that the community sees you are an organisation that is for them, and they're not just doing things to the public, like arresting and stopping and searching unnecessarily. briefly, in terms of the relationship between this new home secretary and the police — your assessment? i think certain elements will like what she said, similar to the federation liked what priti patel said. i wouldn't be surprised if this flies into the playbook of the federation, who makes the culture very toxic, i might add. in all honesty, it is the same old type of approach and it will not make things better. it might even make things worse.

most of