this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. british prime minister liz truss has spoken to the bbc in an interview that was recorded before the u—turn on scrapping the 45p tax rate was announced. she says she's in listening mode. we are also a listening government that do listen to people, that do reflect on where we could have done things better. chancellor of the exchequer kwasi kwarteng will set out his plan to get uk debt falling earlier than planned. he's expected to publish details later this month on how it will be paid for. on the trail of the people smugglers — the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands of migrants crossing the english channel. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry will begin shortly, focussing on the

country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020. north korea fires a suspected missile overjapan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of tokyo and washington. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid—19 inquiry is about to begin. there will be an opening statement by the chair of the inquiry, baroness hallett, followed by a minute's silence. the session will focus on how prepared the uk was for a pandemic before 2020. joining us now from the inquiry is

our health correspondent, jim reed . hello. just tell us a little more, if you would, about this first phase of the inquiry?— of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced _ of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced by _ of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced by boris - of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry| was announced by boris johnson of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry - was announced by boris johnson back was announced by borisjohnson back in 2021, it has taken about a year—and—a—half until we got to this stage, the first preliminary hearings for the uk public inquiry covering england, wales, scotland and northern ireland. preliminary hearings means they are looking at quite technical matters, we are likely to hear an opening statement in the next few minutes from the charity inquiry, baroness hallett, followed by a minutes's silence to remember the 204,000 people across the uk who have now lost their lives to covid, as well as those working in the health sector who supported the country in that time. the preliminary hearing will start, we

will get information about the type of people who can give evidence. because the inquiry is so wide—ranging it covers everything from the provision of protective equipment through to impact on the economy, the vaccination roll—out, it is being split into at least nine separate sections. this first section look specifically at preparedness for the pandemic. i’m preparedness for the pandemic. i'm sorry- -- i'm — preparedness forthe pandemic. i'm sorry... i'm sorry to interrupt, we are going to go to baroness hallett, the charity inquiry.— the charity inquiry. consider and su ort the charity inquiry. consider and support on _ the charity inquiry. consider and support on the _ the charity inquiry. consider and support on the uk's _ the charity inquiry. consider and | support on the uk's preparations the charity inquiry. consider and - support on the uk's preparations for and the _ support on the uk's preparations for and the response to the covid pandemic. this is our first public hearing — pandemic. this is our first public hearing. there is one word that sums up hearing. there is one word that sums up the _ hearing. there is one word that sums up the pandemic. many, and that is the word _ up the pandemic. many, and that is the word loss. although there were positive _ the word loss. although there were positive aspects of the pandemic, for example the way in which communities banded together to help each other— communities banded together to help each other and the vulnerable,

millions— each other and the vulnerable, millions of people suffered loss, including — millions of people suffered loss, including the loss of friends and family— including the loss of friends and family members, the loss of good health. _ family members, the loss of good health, both mental and physical, economic— health, both mental and physical, economic loss, the loss of educational opportunities and the loss of— educational opportunities and the loss of social interaction. those who were — loss of social interaction. those who were bereaved lost the most. they lost — who were bereaved lost the most. they lost loved ones and the ability to mourn _ they lost loved ones and the ability to mourn properly. it is therefore right— to mourn properly. it is therefore right that — to mourn properly. it is therefore right that we begin this first hearing _ right that we begin this first hearing with a minute's silence for those _ hearing with a minute's silence for those who— hearing with a minute's silence for those who died, so would those of you who _ those who died, so would those of you who are able to do so, please stand _ you who are able to do so, please stand for— you who are able to do so, please stand for a — you who are able to do so, please stand for a minute's silence?

thank you. the inquiry will analyse our state of readiness for the pandemic and the response to it, as i've said,

and _ the response to it, as i've said, and determine whether that level of loss about _ and determine whether that level of loss about which we have just been reflecting _ loss about which we have just been reflecting was inevitable or whether things _ reflecting was inevitable or whether things could have been done better. my principal aim is to produce reports — my principal aim is to produce reports and recommendations before another— reports and recommendations before another disaster strikes the four nations— another disaster strikes the four nations of— another disaster strikes the four nations of the united kingdom, and if it is— nations of the united kingdom, and if it is possible, to reduce the number— if it is possible, to reduce the number of— if it is possible, to reduce the number of deaths, the suffering and hardshio _ number of deaths, the suffering and hardship. to that end i had set an ambitious — hardship. to that end i had set an ambitious timetable and the inquiry team is— ambitious timetable and the inquiry team is working extraordinarily hard to meet— team is working extraordinarily hard to meet it — team is working extraordinarily hard to meet it i— team is working extraordinarily hard to meet it. i will need the full cooperation of the core participants, witnesses, holders of documents and information and experts — documents and information and experts i— documents and information and experts. i have a duty to the public to conduct— experts. i have a duty to the public to conduct a — experts. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, fair and independent inquiry for the whole of the united kingdom and i intend to do so _

the united kingdom and i intend to do so i_ the united kingdom and i intend to do so i am — the united kingdom and i intend to do so. i am acutely conscious that different— do so. i am acutely conscious that different parts of the united kingdom, different communities and different— kingdom, different communities and different groups of people suffered in different ways, and the inquiry team— in different ways, and the inquiry team and— in different ways, and the inquiry team and i— in different ways, and the inquiry team and i will ensure we listen to them _ team and i will ensure we listen to them and — team and i will ensure we listen to them and learn from them. throughout them and learn from them. throughout the inquiry— them and learn from them. throughout the inquiry we should have the impact — the inquiry we should have the impact on _ the inquiry we should have the impact on them at the forefront of our minds — impact on them at the forefront of our minds i— impact on them at the forefront of our minds. i am also determined that this inquiry— our minds. i am also determined that this inquiry producing reports when it is too— this inquiry producing reports when it is too late for them to do any good _ it is too late for them to do any good my— it is too late for them to do any good. my terms of reference cover a huge _ good. my terms of reference cover a huge breadth of issues and i shall not be _ huge breadth of issues and i shall not be able to produce reports and recommendations in a timely manner if i recommendations in a timely manner it i grunt— recommendations in a timely manner if i grunt every application for core — if i grunt every application for core participants status, if we cover— core participants status, if we cover every issue that people want covered, _ cover every issue that people want covered, it— cover every issue that people want covered, if we call for every

document, examine every witness or cover— document, examine every witness or cover every— document, examine every witness or cover every issue in as much detail as some _ cover every issue in as much detail as some may— cover every issue in as much detail as some may wish. there is a balance to be _ as some may wish. there is a balance to be struck— as some may wish. there is a balance to be struck between making timely recommendations and the extent to which _ recommendations and the extent to which we _ recommendations and the extent to which we explore every issue, a balance — which we explore every issue, a balance recognised by many of the bereaved — balance recognised by many of the bereaved to whom i spoke during the public— bereaved to whom i spoke during the public consultation on the inquiry's terms _ public consultation on the inquiry's terms of— public consultation on the inquiry's terms of reference. i assure them and the _ terms of reference. i assure them and the rest — terms of reference. i assure them and the rest of the public that i will do — and the rest of the public that i will do everything in my power to ensure _ will do everything in my power to ensure we — will do everything in my power to ensure we achieve a sensible and fair balance and that the inquiry is as thorough as possible. i will consider— as thorough as possible. i will consider submissions on the various issues _ consider submissions on the various issues and _ consider submissions on the various issues and how that balance should be drawn _ issues and how that balance should be drawn before i reach any conclusion. no decision will be taken — conclusion. no decision will be taken lightly. 0ne conclusion. no decision will be taken lightly. one of my earliest decisions — taken lightly. one of my earliest decisions was to break the issues into several modules and to assign

members — into several modules and to assign members of the legal team and the secretariat to each module. each moduie _ secretariat to each module. each module involves a gathering of evidence, _ module involves a gathering of evidence, a process which has already— evidence, a process which has already begun, followed by the public — already begun, followed by the public hearings. we cannot hold hearings — public hearings. we cannot hold hearings into each module at the same _ hearings into each module at the same time — hearings into each module at the same time and they will therefore be held in— same time and they will therefore be held in sequence. but i wish to emphasise that the order of the modules— emphasise that the order of the modules does not indicate that i consider— modules does not indicate that i consider the issues in later modules to be _ consider the issues in later modules to be of— consider the issues in later modules to be of any— consider the issues in later modules to be of any lesser importance and the team _ to be of any lesser importance and the team is— to be of any lesser importance and the team is assigned to them will be working _ the team is assigned to them will be working on— the team is assigned to them will be working on them whilst the other modules— working on them whilst the other modules are heard. furthermore, the order— modules are heard. furthermore, the order and _ modules are heard. furthermore, the order and broad scope of the later modules— order and broad scope of the later modules are not yet set in stone. for the _ modules are not yet set in stone. for the avoidance of doubt and to allay— for the avoidance of doubt and to allay concerns expressed in the media — allay concerns expressed in the media over the weekend, i should

point _ media over the weekend, i should point out — media over the weekend, i should point out that the standard of care given _ point out that the standard of care given to _ point out that the standard of care given to those suffering from covid, inciuding _ given to those suffering from covid, including the triage system and the use of— including the triage system and the use of dna notices is very much of an issue _ use of dna notices is very much of an issue that i intend to explore and about— an issue that i intend to explore and about which i shall receive evidence — and about which i shall receive evidence in later module —— and the use of— evidence in later module —— and the use of dnr — evidence in later module —— and the use of dnr notices. i have also had to decide _ use of dnr notices. i have also had to decide on the designation of core participants for this the first moduie~ _ participants for this the first module. forthose participants for this the first module. for those who have not been designated _ module. for those who have not been designated a core participants for moduie _ designated a core participants for module one, i hope they understand my decision — module one, i hope they understand my decision does not mean i have concluded — my decision does not mean i have concluded that concerns are not legitimate or that they will not be addressed. if they are reasonable, my independent legal team will investigate them robustly and pursue them either in module one or in what we consider— them either in module one or in what we consider to be more appropriate moduie _ we consider to be more appropriate module modules, and they may wish to

apply for— module modules, and they may wish to apply for cp_ module modules, and they may wish to apply for cp status in that later moduie — apply for cp status in that later module or— apply for cp status in that later module or modules. even if they do not apply— module or modules. even if they do not apply again or have not yet appiied — not apply again or have not yet applied for cp status they can still contribute — applied for cp status they can still contribute to the inquiry. there will be — contribute to the inquiry. there will be many ways in which individuals and organisations can do this, for— individuals and organisations can do this, for example by providing information or evidence to the inquiry— information or evidence to the inquiry or— information or evidence to the inquiry or suggesting lines of inquiry— inquiry or suggesting lines of inquiry to the legal teams. alongside the preparation and hearings of the modules, i intend to conduct _ hearings of the modules, i intend to conduct a _ hearings of the modules, i intend to conduct a listening exercise. again there _ conduct a listening exercise. again there has— conduct a listening exercise. again there has been some reporting over there has been some reporting over the weekend about the design of and intent _ the weekend about the design of and intent behind the proposed listening exercise _ intent behind the proposed listening exercise. so let me explain a little more _ exercise. so let me explain a little more our— exercise. so let me explain a little more. our intention in contesting the listening exercises to ensure evervone — the listening exercises to ensure everyone across the uk who wishes to contribute _ everyone across the uk who wishes to contribute to the inquiry can do so

in a iess— contribute to the inquiry can do so in a less formal setting. people will not — in a less formal setting. people will not have to wait for the module in which _ will not have to wait for the module in which they have an interest to be heard _ in which they have an interest to be heard and _ in which they have an interest to be heard and they will not have to give evidence _ heard and they will not have to give evidence at — heard and they will not have to give evidence at the public hearings. but to their— evidence at the public hearings. but to their contributions will inform the inquiry, it will provide valuable _ the inquiry, it will provide valuable evidence to the inquiry about— valuable evidence to the inquiry about the — valuable evidence to the inquiry about the impact of the pandemic. and i_ about the impact of the pandemic. and i wish— about the impact of the pandemic. and i wish to emphasise that the fact that — and i wish to emphasise that the fact that someone contributes to the listening _ fact that someone contributes to the listening exercise will not prevent them _ listening exercise will not prevent them from giving evidence at the public— them from giving evidence at the public hearings of the inquiry if they— public hearings of the inquiry if they have _ public hearings of the inquiry if they have relevant evidence to give. i they have relevant evidence to give. i have _ they have relevant evidence to give. i have taken — they have relevant evidence to give. i have taken no decision is as yet on the _ i have taken no decision is as yet on the witnesses to be called so no one has— on the witnesses to be called so no one has been barred from giving evidence —— i have taken no decisions _ evidence —— i have taken no decisions as yet. we shall also find

an appropriate way always to commemorate those whom we have lost. forgive _ commemorate those whom we have lost. forgive me _ commemorate those whom we have lost. forgive me in— commemorate those whom we have lost. forgive me. in planning and designing the listening exercise and commemoration we shall ensure that those _ commemoration we shall ensure that those most _ commemoration we shall ensure that those most affected, in particular the bereaved, are properly consulted. i promised the bereaved during _ consulted. i promised the bereaved during the — consulted. i promised the bereaved during the consultation process on the terms — during the consultation process on the terms of reference that those who had — the terms of reference that those who had suffered will be at the heart _ who had suffered will be at the heart of — who had suffered will be at the heart of the inquiry. and i intend to keep — heart of the inquiry. and i intend to keep that promise. as i am sure they will— to keep that promise. as i am sure they will understand, that does not mean _ they will understand, that does not mean that— they will understand, that does not mean that i kernel should consult then and — mean that i kernel should consult then and the other core participants at every— then and the other core participants at every single stage of the preparation —— that does not mean that i_ preparation —— that does not mean that i can't. — preparation —— that does not mean that i can't, or should. if i did that, — that i can't, or should. if i did that, the _ that i can't, or should. if i did that, the inquiry would go on forever _ that, the inquiry would go on forever. but today i invite further submissions on the listening exercise _ submissions on the listening exercise and other issues and thereafter we shall of course be listening — thereafter we shall of course be listening to the most affected as we

design _ listening to the most affected as we design the listening exercise and the commemoration all commemorations. this is a preliminary hearing for module one, preparedness and resilience. several of the _ preparedness and resilience. several of the core _ preparedness and resilience. several of the core participants have provided _ of the core participants have provided extremely helpful and constructive submissions and within a tight— constructive submissions and within a tight timeframe. i am very grateful— a tight timeframe. i am very grateful to them. some of the issues raised _ grateful to them. some of the issues raised may— grateful to them. some of the issues raised may be more relevant to later moduies. _ raised may be more relevant to later moduies. i_ raised may be more relevant to later modules, i simply ask everyone to modules, isimply ask everyone to keep— modules, i simply ask everyone to keep that — modules, i simply ask everyone to keep that oral submissions today as succinct _ keep that oral submissions today as succinct as— keep that oral submissions today as succinct as possible and to focus on the issues — succinct as possible and to focus on the issues i — succinct as possible and to focus on the issues i have to consider today. mr hugo _ the issues i have to consider today. mr hugo keith, kings council, counsel— mr hugo keith, kings council, counsel to the inquiry, will now set those _ counsel to the inquiry, will now set thoseissues counsel to the inquiry, will now set those issues out. my counsel to the inquiry, will now set those issues out.— counsel to the inquiry, will now set those issues out. my lady, by way of brief introduction i will _ those issues out. my lady, by way of brief introduction i will commence i brief introduction i will commence by setting out the arrangements for today's hearing and introduce the core participants. i will then say a little about the background to and

the commencement of this inquiry before introducing module one and addressing some of the legal issues which arrive at which we have professed. the practical arrangements, necessarily starting with the arrangements for today, these proceedings are of course being recorded and live stream to other locations. may i say this has certain benefits, it allows the hearing to be followed by a greater number of people that would be able to be accommodated within this hearing room or any overspill room. also in accordance with section 18 of the inquiries act 2005 you are obliged to take such steps as you consider reasonable to ensure members of the public are able to attend or see and hear a simultaneous transmission of the proceedings. simultaneous transmission of the proceedings— proceedings. studio: is a more procedural— proceedings. studio: is a more procedural elements _ proceedings. studio: is a more procedural elements of - proceedings. studio: is a more procedural elements of this - proceedings. studio: is a more| procedural elements of this first public hearing of the uk covid inquiry continuing. baroness

hallett, the chair of the inquiry, introducing this first public hearing by saying there is one word which sums up the pandemic. many, and that is lost. that was followed by a minutes's silence for those who died. she went on to say she was determined this will not drag on for decades, there is a balance to be struck between making timely recommendations and exploring every issue. our health corresponding jim reedis issue. our health corresponding jim reed is that the inquiry in central london covering this for us. just tell us more about what involvement there will be for campaigners, because so many people, whether they have lost a loved one because of covid or perhaps are a survivor of covid, have been involved in campaigning for this inquiry to take place, so what role might they have to play?

place, so what role might they have to -la ? ., , place, so what role might they have to .la ? ., , ., place, so what role might they have tola? . ., to play? that is a beleaguered auestion to play? that is a beleaguered question and _ to play? that is a beleaguered question and what _ to play? that is a beleaguered question and what of- to play? that is a beleaguered question and what of the - to play? that is a beleaguered question and what of the big l to play? that is a beleaguered - question and what of the big areas of debate ahead of this first day of hearings —— that is a really good question and one of the big areas of debate. there will be people who will be giving testimony in that room themselves and there was something going on quality listening exercise being carried out in parallel with the inquiry, connected to it but not formal evidence in the room in the same way, as part of that listening exercise people are invited to come forward and talk about specific experiences that families went through with relation to covid, people who were ill and to lost their lives. it was interesting hearing from baroness hallett, she referenced some press coverage over the weekend because there has been speculation they will not be able to look in detail at individual cases, getting down to how individual patients were cared for, particularly for do not resuscitate notices, where people had a magical notices, where people had a magical notice pinned to them when they were in hospital essentially saying if

they could not breathe all their illness became so bad that they would not be associated and would essentially be left to die. baroness hallett said in that opening statement that those areas will be explored and she referenced concerns in the media, i think that it's a specific knowledge to some concerns that families of the bereaved had ahead of this hearing —— i think that it ahead of this hearing —— i think thatitis ahead of this hearing —— i think that it is a specific uprate. d0 ahead of this hearing -- i think that it is a specific uprate. do we have any sense _ that it is a specific uprate. do we have any sense of _ that it is a specific uprate. do we have any sense of how— that it is a specific uprate. do we have any sense of how long - that it is a specific uprate. do we have any sense of how long thisl have any sense of how long this might take until it gets to what the baroness described as timely recommendations? this baroness described as timely recommendations?— baroness described as timely recommendations? this is likely to be the largest _ recommendations? this is likely to be the largest and _ recommendations? this is likely to be the largest and most _ recommendations? this is likely to be the largest and most complex l be the largest and most complex public inquiry in british legal history which will have to take everything from the vaccine programme to lockdowns, to education, the impact on the economy, she said it would take some time and that is why they have split everything into the sections or modules you heard her referencing. there will be at least nine. module

one looks at preparedness, was the country properly prepared, did it understand the risks and were the right procedures put in place? that will start today but full evidence will start today but full evidence will not be taken until next spring, module two starts next month and it looks at political decision—making at the decision to put in place that first lockdown in march 2020, likely to be quite controversial. they'll likely to call witnesses, the health secretary of the time and perhaps borisjohnson but secretary of the time and perhaps boris johnson but they are not likely to get going with that until early summer and as baroness hallett said it could take many years before we get final recommendations and conclusions. we get final recommendations and conclusions-— conclusions. thank you, jim reed, our health — conclusions. thank you, jim reed, our health corresponding - to central london. —— correspondent in central london. the chancellor kwasi kwarteng

is to make a further change to his financial plans and bring forward an announcement on the uk's debts. he was facing mounting criticism for insisting the details would not be published until late november. a new date is expected to be confirmed today. it follows yesterday's dramatic u—turn on the top rate of income tax, as our political correspondent helen catt reports. it's fantastic to be here with you this evening. the prime minister was out at events on the conference fringe last night, rallying supporters. so, too, was the chancellor. but the night before, they had had a meeting that ended in a major u—turn when they backtracked on a headline pledge to scrap the 45p top rate of tax for the highest earners. in her first interview since, liz truss told the bbc that the government was listening. we are also a listening government, nick, that do listen to people. that do reflect on where we could have done things better, and i have said that about laying the groundwork, i have said that about the specific feedback we have had on the 45p tax rate. now there has been a new reversal. just yesterday on this programme, the chancellor committed to when he would set out his debt plan.

we are going to have a medium—term plan that is going to come out, as i've said, at the end of november. and all those plans will be set out in fuller detail there. sources have told the bbc he will now do it sooner than the end of november. he had been under pressure to speed the statement up to help calm the markets. but there could be fresh trouble brewing about benefits. under borisjohnson, there was a pledge to raise them in line with inflation. liz truss won't commit to that. we are working very closely with the obr. it's important that we have a forecast to go with that plan, and that is something the chancellor is working on. but you will bring it i forward if you could? i am a very clear that we have committed to having a proper obr forecast to reducing debt as a proportion of gdp over time. a number of conservative mps have already said they have concerns. and the immediate criticisms haven't quite gone away, either. the former home secretary,

priti patel, is expected to weigh in later, and warned that the conservatives will live or die by their economic credibility. helen catt, bbc news, birmingham. in the last hour, the prime minister has been speaking on a visit to a construction site in birmingham. she was asked whether she had confidence in her chancellor — after he had to backtrack on his plans for the top rate of tax. what we journey is we have listened to what people said on this issue. —— what we have done is. it was not a core part of our greater plan, our greater planners focused on helping people with energy bills, getting business moving. we are at this fantastic new development in birmingham creating jobs for the future, that is what the plan is about. it was becoming a distraction which is why we immediately change that policy and that is the kind of government we are, we respond where there are concerns and react

quickly. there are concerns and react cuickl . , ., ., ., quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer — quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer the _ quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer the question _ quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer the question about - not answer the question about whether you trust chancellor given the scale of the statement he made, are you sure you don't want to say you trust him? i are you sure you don't want to say you trust him?— you trust him? i work very, very closely with _ you trust him? i work very, very closely with my _ you trust him? i work very, very closely with my chancellor, - you trust him? i work very, very. closely with my chancellor, we're very focused on getting the economy growing, and that is what people in britain want. we are facing difficult times, rising interest rates around the world, very serious issues with energy prices and inflation and we have acted decisively. people were facing energy bills of up to £6,000, we put in place the energy price guarantee, the average household will not have to pay more than around £2500 and what we are focused on its getting on with the job. you what we are focused on its getting on with the job.— on with the 'ob. you still have not said ou on with the job. you still have not said you trust _ on with the job. you still have not said you trust your— on with the job. you still have not said you trust your chancellor. - on with the job. you still have not said you trust your chancellor. allj said you trust your chancellor. all over conference here it says in liz we trust, but why should people are told trust you to deliver? look at

your agenda, told trust you to deliver? look at youragenda, benefit told trust you to deliver? look at your agenda, benefit operating, planning regulations, childcare regulations, your mps have shown they can stop you doing things and they can stop you doing things and they say they will stop those things too, so how can you deliver your agenda now?— too, so how can you deliver your aaenda now? ., ., ., agenda now? look at what we have already delivered, _ agenda now? look at what we have already delivered, the _ agenda now? look at what we have already delivered, the energy - agenda now? look at what we have already delivered, the energy price | already delivered, the energy price guarantee from the 1st of october, making sure people are not facing these huge bills going into winter, we have already delivered a reduced stamp duty, helping homeowners, we have delivered in keeping corporation tax low so we can bring investment into fantastic cities like birmingham and we will continue to deliver. it is vitally important we grow the economy, that is what will help people get on in life, help them with those high wage jobs that we need to succeed as a country. that we need to succeed as a count . ~ , , , country. uk prime minister liz truss s-ueakin country. uk prime minister liz truss speaking at — country. uk prime minister liz truss speaking at the _ country. uk prime minister liz truss speaking at the last _ country. uk prime minister liz truss speaking at the last hour. _ north korea has launched a missile overjapan, sparking anger in tokyo. it defies a un security council resolution ban on missile launches.

the rocket came down in the pacific ocean and there are no reports of damage. in the past half hour, south korea said it had conducted bombing drills alongside us warplanes in response, something the country hasn't done for five years. stephanie prentice reports. it's a familiar sight — north korea testing its missiles — but monday's launch was different. for the first time since 2017 a missile flew all the way overjapan. the latest launch, the fifth in a week, has been strongly condemned by south korean and japanese officials. translation: north korea's actions, including the repeated _ ballistic missile launches, are a threat to the peace and security of our country, region and international community, and it is a serious challenge for our country and the entire international community. people injapan awoke to messages warning them to take shelter as rocket fragments landed in the pacific ocean. it's a serious escalation of military action, as north korea tests its rockets

as well as the patients of its neighbours. there are three things you can do and one is the kind of diplomatic statements you are hearing, we condemn it, maybe there's another resolution at the united nations security council. that goes so far. north korea's heard them before, it won't have much effect. the second is sanctions, but north korea's one of the most heavily sanctioned countries on earth, so that's unlikely. and the third is talk. whatever kim jong—un's intentions, the outcome is already clear as the international community unites to condemn the action, and japan says it is consulting its allies on next steps. stephanie prentice, bbc news. just to give you an idea of the effect the north korean missile launch had injapan, this video was filmed on board a train, which was brought to a halt, with alarms ringing, from what is known as the j—alert system. the announcement said

that the service would only resume moving once its safety had been confirmed. joining me now with the latest on the situation, isjongmin kim — lead correspondent at nk news — an american website with its headquarters in seoul that provides news and analysis and analysis about north korea. thank you very much forjoining us. if north korea wanted the attention of south korea, japan and the us, it seems to have done that with the news in the last 30 minutes also, south korea saying it has conducted bombing drills alongside us warplanes, something it has not done for a number of years.— for a number of years. right. what north korea _ for a number of years. right. what north korea fired _ for a number of years. right. what north korea fired eight _ for a number of years. right. what north korea fired eight missiles i for a number of years. right. what north korea fired eight missiles al north korea fired eight missiles a few weeks back, south korea did something very similar, but this time it is precision bombing training which is very new and a lot of working in the south korean military statement in that drill is

about the kill chain system the south korean administration has been talking about, basically talking about her south korea and the us are capable of targeting the leadership and where the orders are coming from at times of emergency. haifa and where the orders are coming from at times of emergency.— at times of emergency. how close did this missile get _ at times of emergency. how close did this missile get to _ at times of emergency. how close did this missile get to japan? _ at times of emergency. how close did this missile get to japan? it _ at times of emergency. how close did this missile get to japan? it flew - this missile get to japan? it flew 4500 kilometres _ this missile get to japan? it flew 4500 kilometres and _ this missile get to japan? it flew 4500 kilometres and it - this missile get to japan? it flew 4500 kilometres and it went - this missile get to japan? it flew| 4500 kilometres and it went over japan, and in the morning of the initial alarms showed that initially the intelligent thought that maybe it was targeted at her cato, so it is pretty close. this has not happened in the last five years and there was a lot of freak out in the morning in the region, especially japan —— thought that maybe it was targeted at hokkaido. but it splashed out outside the area of japan. splashed out outside the area of ja an. �* , ., , ., japan. beyond the drills we have soken japan. beyond the drills we have spoken about — japan. beyond the drills we have spoken about a _ japan. beyond the drills we have spoken about a second - japan. beyond the drills we have spoken about a second ago, - japan. beyond the drills we have| spoken about a second ago, what japan. beyond the drills we have - spoken about a second ago, what do you think the response will be to this in the region, and then further

afield from washington? i this in the region, and then further afield from washington?— afield from washington? i think it also depends _ afield from washington? i think it also depends on _ afield from washington? i think it also depends on when _ afield from washington? i think it also depends on when and - afield from washington? i think it also depends on when and how i afield from washington? i think it - also depends on when and how north korea will conduct the seven nuclear tests. we have been waiting for it for months after the us and south korea had spoken about its potential and how north korea has completed the preparation since mayalljune. south korea and the us have been talking about potential sanctions, stronger deterrence capabilities, strategic assets in the region in case north korea tests nuclear weapons. but in line with nuclear weapons. but in line with nuclear weapons tests it is also important to see how far... how much north korea has developed the delivery system too. if it turns out this is some sort of new model and it turns out to be a very significantly increased threat to the region, we

would see more bolster to postures in the region, including something we had signed in the past week which could have been north korea protesting against, which was a joint naval exercise involving the uss ronald reagan, which is nuclear capable, and aircraft carrier. jongmin kim, lead to correspondence at nk news on cell, thank you very much. —— nk news in seoul. the un has issued another urgent appeal for funds to help families in flood hit pakistan to cope with what it is describing as a "public health emergency". more than 1,700 people died, including nearly 600 children, and thousands more were injured as the floodwaters rose. but with the floods not expected to recede for many months, life threatening water borne diseases are on the rise. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports from sindh, the worst affected province. in pakistan, as fields remain flooded, villages remain isolated.

doctors are delivering medical care by boat, with the help here of unicef. we asked if we could follow them as they visited far—flung communities who have been stranded. these remote areas already have very limited access to medical help. now, what this mobile camp is providing today is testing for malnutrition over here, over there they are doing malaria tests, in the corner the tests for hepatitis and here, a whole load of medicines available for people, all kinds of things from oral rehydration to antimalarials and there's even soap that they are providing people. fouzia approaches the camp with herfour young children. she tells me they are all sick. translation: it's really difficult, there's water everywhere - and we can't get medicines. now, some help has arrived

to treat a rise in waterborne diseases like malaria and diarrhoea, and a spike in malnutrition. as doctors measure her arm, they learn that baby sima is perilously thin. since the floods, her mother has struggled to eat. there is a shortage of clean water and food supplies, so mainly there are so many people like this baby, she's nine months old, and she is severely malnourished. these camps provide some relief. but with a shortage of medicines, boats and even doctors, not everyone can get this help. it could take months for the waters to recede, that's many more months of suffering. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. ukrainian troops have broken through russian positions near kherson,

a strategic city in a part of southern ukraine annexed by moscow last week. this map gives an idea of recent ukrainian advances in the kherson region. there have been claims that ukrainian forces have captured parts of the west bank of the dnipro river, but they have not been confirmed. ukraine has released this video of its forces raising flags in what it says is a liberated settlement in the kherson region. according to president zelensky, ukrainian forces are currently pushing forward not only in kherson, but also in the eastern luhansk region. hugo bachega has the latest from kyiv. we are seeing the most significant breakthrough in the south by the ukrainian forces since the start of this counteroffensive, and it seems that the ukrainian forces are now moving forward along the dnipro river, which is a strategic river in that part of the country which acts as a natural barrier in the kherson region.

several villages have been retaken in the last day or so, and this progress by the ukrainian forces threatens supply lines of thousands of russian forces position in that part of the country. so it is very significant, because for weeks we had been following developments in kherson, heavy fighting there and no sign making any significant advance. so these gains by the ukrainians are very significant. so this is what is happening in the south. in the east of the country, the ukrainians are also going ahead with this counteroffensive, they are now fortifying their positions, especially around the town of lyman, which is a major hub, major logistics and transport hub

which was being used by the russians in the donetsk region, and it seems that the ukrainians are now reclaiming more villages around lyman and also moving towards the luhansk region. so the ukrainians making gains in two major regions of the country and reclaiming territory that is now under russian occupation. tougher rules for migrants will be set out later by the new home secretary suella braverman when she addresses the tory party conference. more than 32,000 people have crossed the english channel in small boats so far this year. our paris correspondent lucy williamson has been speaking to people in northern france about the growing popularity of this route into the uk. it's 3am and this french patrol are tracking their target. two people smugglers spotted by a uk—funded drone. they're half a mile away, swiftly preparing a boat to take migrants across the channel. a uk—funded buggy gets the patrol there in minutes. the smugglers have already fled. but they've lost their boat, their fuel and their motor to the patrol. this journey tonight is over.

french patrols are now stopping around half these crossings, but they are still attracting more migrants and new, more efficient smuggling networks run by albanians. translation: i don't know if it's the albanian mafia - in the uk, but there are a lot of albanian smugglers organising crossings. with prices of 3,000 to 4,000 euros per person and 40 people in a boat, do the maths. it is even more lucrative than drug trafficking and with lighter criminal charges. albanian customers have been filling cafes and hotels around the station in dunkirk. this summer i see a lot of albanian people come here. more and more. maybe double or triple compared to last year. and year after year, there are people and people coming and coming who say there is no people in albania any more. smugglers have extended their operations along this coastline to avoid daily patrols

from land, sea and air. this coastline has pulled in resources year after year — vehicles, technology, foot patrols. politicians change, strategies shift and, still, the number of people crossing this channel rises. and here in the camps, the uk government's latest deterrent, deportation to rwanda, isn't working. this crossing is sold as the solution to insurmountable problems, and that trumps any kind of risk. lucy williamson, bbc news, calais. immigration is expected to be a key area of discussion at the conservative party conference today, where the new home secretary, suella braverman, will be speaking. let's get a little more on this now with marley morris, associate director for migration, trade and communities at the institute for public policy research. that's a centre—left think tank. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news today, marley morris. first of all, what do we know about the liz truss cabinet�*s position on

the liz truss cabinet�*s position on theissue the liz truss cabinet�*s position on the issue of immigration? are they singing from the same song sheet on this? ., ., , , ., this? no, it does seem that there are some divisions, _ this? no, it does seem that there are some divisions, we _ this? no, it does seem that there are some divisions, we don't - this? no, it does seem that there l are some divisions, we don't know the full details yet but it appears that perhaps liz truss and kwasi kwarteng have perhaps more liberal views on immigration, they want to open up immigration in order to boost economic growth as part of their supply—side reforms, but on their supply—side reforms, but on the other hand we are hearing from suella braverman, the new home secretary, that she wants to lower immigration, she wants to tighten up, so, a bit ofa immigration, she wants to tighten up, so, a bit of a contradiction there. ,, . , , up, so, a bit of a contradiction there. ,, ., , , ., ,, up, so, a bit of a contradiction there. ,, . , , . ~ ., up, so, a bit of a contradiction there. ,, , . ~' ., there. she has been talking to young conservatives — there. she has been talking to young conservatives in _ there. she has been talking to young conservatives in the _ there. she has been talking to young conservatives in the last _ there. she has been talking to young conservatives in the last couple - there. she has been talking to young conservatives in the last couple of i conservatives in the last couple of days, some lines have been reported from that discussion and she is quoted as saying she wants to allow the kind of immigration that grows the kind of immigration that grows the economy but end abuse of the rules, so what is she talking about there? is she talking about people who would be deemed to be high skilled migrants, although skilled migrants? because there are all sorts of businesses who say to us they need workers to pick the crops from the fields, to help serve in

cafes, or whatever, to make their businesses work? i cafes, or whatever, to make their businesses work?— cafes, or whatever, to make their businesses work? i mean, it sounds as if where — businesses work? i mean, it sounds as if where the _ businesses work? i mean, it sounds as if where the cabinet _ businesses work? i mean, it sounds as if where the cabinet are - as if where the cabinet are coalescing is on increasing high skilled migration, whilst keeping restrictions on low skilled migration, but the thing is, that is kind of where policy is at the moment. we already have fairly liberal policies on highly skilled migration, the government actually tried to introduce new rules to get highly skilled and mobile migrants from around the world, and not many people are taking it up, so it is not clear what they could do which would help to improve economic growth, encourage highly skilled migration to the uk which is not what they are already doing. it is what they are already doing. it is also bein: what they are already doing. it is also being reported that there are plans for what is being described as a blanket ban on asylum claims for people who have entered the uk illegally, including on small boats. those are the government's words, we are led to believe, that is going to be really controversial, isn't it, a blanket ban potentially on asylum

claims? ~ , , ., claims? absolutely. on the face of it, it claims? absolutely. on the face of it. it seems _ claims? absolutely. on the face of it, it seems an _ claims? absolutely. on the face of it, it seems an abdication - claims? absolutely. on the face of it, it seems an abdication of- claims? absolutely. on the face of it, it seems an abdication of our. it, it seems an abdication of our international responsibility is under the refugee convention, it also seems kind of impractical because we know that for instance the government recently introduced under the nationality and borders act new rules to make claims inadmissible if you have come through a safe third country and also there are now ways to remove people to say third countries, so, what more can the government do, it is not totally clear? it is what more can the government do, it is not totally clear?— is not totally clear? it is bound to end u- in is not totally clear? it is bound to end up in the _ is not totally clear? it is bound to end up in the courts, _ is not totally clear? it is bound to end up in the courts, surely, - is not totally clear? it is bound to end up in the courts, surely, like| end up in the courts, surely, like the rwanda policy.— the rwanda policy. absolutely, likel to the rwanda policy. absolutely, likely to end — the rwanda policy. absolutely, likely to end up _ the rwanda policy. absolutely, likely to end up in _ the rwanda policy. absolutely, likely to end up in the - the rwanda policy. absolutely, likely to end up in the courts, i the rwanda policy. absolutely, i likely to end up in the courts, but also it is not clear what this would mean in practice because the government if it does not want to accept someone's asylum claim it has to decide to remove them to a different country, but it can't remove them to a country that isn't safe, that would be a complete breach of all international protections for refugees. is breach of all international protections for refugees. is there any recognition — protections for refugees. is there any recognition in _

protections for refugees. is there any recognition in what _ protections for refugees. is there any recognition in what we're - any recognition in what we're hearing and what we're expecting to hearing and what we're expecting to hear from the home secretary, that some aspects of brexit in terms of the impact of that on immigration are currently deemed to be unhelpful by the government, in relation to getting enough people into the country to drive growth? possibly. obviously. — country to drive growth? possibly. obviously, with _ country to drive growth? possibly. obviously, with brexit, _ country to drive growth? possibly. obviously, with brexit, we - country to drive growth? possibly. obviously, with brexit, we have i country to drive growth? possibly. i obviously, with brexit, we have had restrictions on low skilled migration from eu citizens, in particular we have had big changes in food processing, logistics, construction, where much fewer people are coming in, that is obviously having an impact on those sectors, the government might want to liberalise some of the rules there, but again we are having this clash between on the one hand wanting to increase economic growth and wanting to liberalise the rules to boost the economy, but also the government concerned about overall numbers and wanting to place restrictions on particular types of immigration. so, it is hard to see how you can bring those two views together.

how you can bring those two views to . ether. ., how you can bring those two views touether. ., , , . how you can bring those two views touether. . , , . ., ., together. that speech from the home secretary suella _ together. that speech from the home secretary suella braverman _ together. that speech from the home secretary suella braverman later - secretary suella braverman later today. marley morris, associate directorfor today. marley morris, associate director for migration, today. marley morris, associate directorfor migration, trade today. marley morris, associate director for migration, trade and communities at the ippr, thank you very much. donald trump has launched a libel action against cnn, accusing the us broadcaster of comparing him to hitler. the former president is seeking $475 million in damages. mr trump accuses cnn of carrying out a slanderous campaign against him because it fears he will stand again for the presidency. the network has not responded. our north america correspondent david willis says it's not the first time the former us president has threatened to sue the broadcaster. donald trump has used the phrase fake news in regard to all sorts of different media organisations here in the us, of course, but perhaps none more so than cnn, which, together with the new york times, have become his betes noires, if you like, as far as media organisations are concerned. he's filed this 29—page lawsuit in his home state of florida,

which basically accuses cnn of attempting to undermine his political ambitions, and also increasing its attacks in recent months, as speculation has grown, that he, donald trump, might run for office once again. but in particular, this lawsuit draws attention to parallels which it says cnn presenters and reporters have drawn between the former president and adolf hitler, in particular, its use of the phrase the big lie, which is the phrase that cnn presenters have taken to using in order to describe donald trump's claims that there was fraud in the 2020 election, at the big lie was also a phrase used by adolf hitler to invoke violence against thejews. so, in this lawsuit, donald trump is seeking $75,000 in compensatory damages, and $475 million in punitive damages.

and he's saying in a statement that he is going to file similar lawsuits against other media organisations in the weeks and months ahead. he has had mixed results in the past in this look, he has sued the new york times and the washington post a couple of years ago, after those newspapers suggested that he had some involvement in russian attempts to undermine the result of the 2020 election. one of those lawsuits was thrown out, another is still pending, and of course, he lost a lawsuit against twitter after it threw him off its social media platform. he threatened to sue cnn three years ago but never followed through, and at the time, cnn described it as a pr stunt. well, it has yet to comment on this latest lawsuit. students around iran have stepped up protests in response to reports of security forces attacking demonstrators at an iranian campus. police chased the students through a car park

at the sharif university of technology, then reportedly beat and blindfolded them. video verified by the bbc shows forces waiting for the students and taking them away by motorbike. let's get more on this now withjiyar gol, who's a correspondent at bbc persian. the supreme leader in iran gave a speech yesterday for the first time since the protests started, what impact has that had? i since the protests started, what impact has that had?— since the protests started, what impact has that had? i would say the seech was impact has that had? i would say the speech was more _ impact has that had? i would say the speech was more directed _ impact has that had? i would say the speech was more directed to - impact has that had? i would say the speech was more directed to his - impact has that had? i would say the speech was more directed to his own followers and security forces. he pretty much called the victim of this protest the security forces, and even he suggested those teenagers who, in his own words, they were emotional, they should be published. so, ithink they were emotional, they should be published. so, i think that this speech angered more many people in iran, and we see the footage coming out from iran from yesterday, the slogan against him becoming harsher,

and you could say ruder, they show a middle finger to his picture, and evenin middle finger to his picture, and even in some universities, and some high schools young girls burning the scarves or removing their scarves and shouting, his authority is nullified, he is a murderer. and i think the scene i have seen from high school students, girls, it was the one i saw in syria when women were liberated from isis, islamic state—controlled territories. i think what we are seeing in iran is absolutely unprecedented, young women, and most of them come of ar teens or early 20s.— teens or early 20s. girls, young women, teens or early 20s. girls, young women. who — teens or early 20s. girls, young women, who are _ teens or early 20s. girls, young women, who are determined i teens or early 20s. girls, young women, who are determined to j teens or early 20s. girls, young - women, who are determined to express themselves and to be heard. tell us about the story of this 17—year—old? 0f about the story of this 17—year—old? of this is a very heartbreaking story, the 17—year—old, she disappeared almost two weeks ago in tehran, and then 16 days later, the

official called the family to come and collect her corpse. obviously she was killed in the protests. and then the intelligence service was pushing herfamily but then the intelligence service was pushing her family but they have to bury her in a remote village in their hometown, which is not tehran, without the presence of people, so, the family agreed, ok, just a certain number of people attend, but the body wasn't snatched and buried, there was a video from the mum, and she said, today was her birthday, and congratulations on her martyrdom. this is the kind of footage coming out from iran. that was nika shakarami we were just was nika shakarami we werejust seeing pictures of her on your screens. tell us the latest, about the international response to everything that has been happening? i think this time around there is a unique character to this protest, women are leading the protest, it isn't the universities, the high school, the streets, i think this attracts the attention of many

international people, from jk rowling, celebrities, all the way to angelina jolie, also politicians, joe biden, condemning, and sanctioning some of the iranian morality police officials. uk foreign secretary, also calling on iran, do not blame outside actors, just listen to your own people. jiyar gol, thank you very much for that, jiyar gol, from bbc persian. a rover designed and built by british engineers at airbus in stevenage was all set to go to mars until its role in a mission to collect martian rocks was cancelled. now it's a robot on the hunt for a newjob to prevent all of the expertise and work that's taken more than a decade from going to waste. our science editor, rebecca morelle, reports. one state—of—the—art rover. its skills, it can drive autonomously, negotiate the most difficult terrain and cope in extreme environments. but now it's looking for work.

built in the uk, it's being tested in a quarry in bedfordshire. it was heading for mars until its mission was cancelled. its task on the red planet was to pick up samples, but it's been scrapped. mini mars helicopters will do thejob instead. the uk doesn't want to see the technology mothballed, they think this rover has still got a bright future. we have spent a lot of time and a lot of effort on developing this expertise. in developing this expertise. we don't want to let that go to waste, we want to exploit it to make sure that investment comes to fruition. also, it puts us in a good place to be involved in future space missions which is brilliant for the reputation of the uk. so, where could the rover go instead of mars? one option could be to swap the red martian terrain for the grey lunar landscape. this rover was designed for mars. if it's heading to the moon,

it will need some modifications. the lunar surface can get as hot as 120 degrees celsius, and as cold as —230. so this will have to cope with extremes. there's also problem with light. the moon gets two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness, and this will be a challenge for solar power. and then there's the fine lunar dust. it's particularly clingy and abrasive, which could be an issue for the rover�*s moving parts. lunar exploration is having a resurgence right now. nasa's new artemis rocket will soon be heading there and eventually taking astronauts to the moon's surface. the idea is to have a permanent lunar base, and rovers could play a crucial role. they could be used anywhere that you want to do something

autonomously, so it could be autonomously moving around rovers for building habitats, or it could be used for going to places that are uninhabitable by humans or an extreme temperature or particularly dangerous. so anywhere that you want to do something autonomously, this rover could still use that technology to do that. for now, the rover is out of work, stuck on earth, driving around a quarry. but this isn't just about salvaging a £23 million piece of kit, it's about the people and expertise that goes with it. the hope is the rover gets some new employment soon. rebecca morelle, bbc news. in san francisco a futuristic pilot is taking place. fully driverless robo—taxis are being permitted at night—time for paying customers. cruise, the company behind them, says the cars will revolutionise transport. but critics say putting fully autonomous taxis on urban streets is premature and dangerous. our north america technology reporterjames clayton has more. wow, i think there's

actually no—one in there. this is incredible. on san francisco streets, something straight out of a sci—fi film is happening. people are able to hail cabs with no driver — fully autonomous robo—taxis. some love it. i cannot believe this is happening. but is the tech ready? there's only one way to find out. get into one of these cars ourselves. the bbc was one of the first media organisations in the world to try it. car: buckle up and get ready to ride. - it's really, really weird. it doesn't act like a race track or a testing facility. we are fully in the centre of san francisco. the car is totally driverless. it's amazing, unnerving, surreal, all mixed into one. on any of our cruise avs, we have lidar, we have radar and we have cameras. and what we do is we fuse all those together using machine learning and that gives us this amazing understanding of the world around us. but it didn't always feel like that. well, this is interesting.

there is a bus in our lane and there are cars to our left. so, what is it going to do? 0h... ok, it's pulling out left. oh, another bus is coming out. oh, another bus is coming out right. it really doesn't know what to do. oh... there is a car behind us. like, this isjust bad driving. i was ready to love this and i'm definitely... i'm definitely nervous. cruise has been involved in a number of accidents in san francisco this year, most of them minor. however, after a collision injune, its software was recalled. and some believe it's too soon for real passengers to be driven around without a driver on urban streets. these vehicles are still somewhat in the test phase. we believe that manufacturers need to provide the public with some sort of transparent evidence that these vehicles aren't going to cause problems, deaths or injuries on the road. we are six months into deploying this product — brand—new, game—changing product — and, with that, comes some early teething problems.

we're really proud of our safety record and we report continuously to our regulators, and safety is absolutely the top priority at cruise. despite safety concerns, cruise's vision is to expand, and quickly. and if they get their way, these kinds of rides will become the new normal. bye! james clayton, bbc news, san francisco. let's get some of the day's other news. the brazilian leader, jair bolsonaro, has said the outcome of the presidential run—off vote at the end of october will shape the country's identity and values. after a stronger than predicted performance in the first round of the presidential election on sunday, he accused the media and pollsters of spreading lies against him. president biden has promised the people of puerto rico that they'll get every dollar promised to them as the caribbean island recovers from the battering it suffered when hurricane fiona struck two weeks ago. it's thought at least 25 people died in the storm,

which caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. the australian tennis star nick kyrgios has asked to have an assault charge dismissed because of what his lawyer called his mental health struggles. the wimbledon finalist is accused of assaulting a former partner last year. kyrgios's lawyer told a court hearing in canberra that he'd made the application having reviewed his client's medical history. one more story to bring you before we go, one of the largest collections of prehistoric animal tracks on earth has been discovered on the uk coastline. the prints found in mud beds at a beach in northwest england at a beach in north—west england are over 8,000 years old and show how the area was once home to animals like red deer, wild boars and wolves before sea levels rose and covered the terrain. they are believed to be one of the largest collections of prehistoric animal tracks on earth.

hello again. the forecast for the next few days is a wet and windy one for most of us. the least amount of rain is going to fall in the south—east, the most across western parts of scotland. today, we got two weather fronts sinking southwards. today, we've got two weather fronts sinking southwards. you can see from the isobars it is going to be a blustery day, windier across england and wales than it has been, and with our first band of rain sinking southwards, the second one tending to stall across parts of scotland and northern ireland and to the north of that we are looking at some brighter skies and scattered showers. the rain not getting into the south—east, where we've got highs of up to 20 degrees. but wherever you are you will notice the wind, it will be blustery today. this evening and overnight,

if anything, the weather fronts start to go back northwards, we've got this developing low pressure also pushing northwards, producing some heavy rain, and some more rain coming into the west. it will be windy again, especially across england and also wales and it will be another mild night. tomorrow, the low pressure pushes into the north sea but you can see two weather fronts moving towards the south—east, one of them fairly weak. in graphic form, there goes the rain, there go the weather fronts, and behind them, we see a return to some sunshine but some heavy and potentially thundery showers, and windy, these are the gusts, even inland it is going to be windy. it will be windy all day. we're looking at gusts to gale force with exposure. temperature—wise, tomorrow, a wee bit cooler in the north, 11—13, but coming south, we could see 18 or 19 degrees. heading into thursday, we start off on a dry but cooler note across england and wales.

in scotland and northern ireland we will see the showers emerging we will see some of the showers merging to give longer spells of rain and a few showers in the midlands and wales. and still a blustery day. the strongest winds across the north and the west. and that continues into friday, the strongest winds will be in the north and the west, once again we're looking at some showers and a weather front sinking south, taking some rain with it, but in between, something drier and brighter. temperature—wise, ii in lerwick to a high of about 19 down towards london.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11... prime minister liz truss has not ruled out real—terms benefit cuts to help pay for her government's growth plan. she's in listening mode though. there will be discussions about the way forward on commitments like benefits and how we deal with future budgets but i am very clear that going into this winter, we don't need to help the most vulnerable. —— we do need. chancellor of the exchequer, kwasi kwarteng, will set out his plan to get uk debt falling earlier than planned. he's expected to publish details later this month on how it will be paid for. on the trail of the people smugglers — the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands

of migrants crossing the english channel. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry will begin shortly, focussing on the country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, there are an independent inquiry for the whole of the uk and i intend to do so. north korea fires a suspected missile overjapan in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of tokyo and washington. and driverless taxis arrive on the streets of san francisco — the robo—taxis are being permitted at night time for paying customers. good morning. at the conservative conference, liz truss will attempt to move on from yesterday's u—turn over tax policy.

but, there is continued pressure on her over some of her key policies. yesterday, chancellor kwasi kwarteng abandoned his plan to cut the tax rate for the highest earners — to stave off a revolt among tory mps. today, he's expected to reveal when he'll publish his plan to cut the uk's debts to help regain the confidence of the markets after last month's mini—budget. the plan's being brought forward after widespread criticism that the original date — november 23rd — was too long to wait. the pm is also under pressure over whether or not there will be real—terms cuts to benefits — to help pay for her economic plans. on a visit to a construction site this morning, she was asked if she had confidence in her chancellor after yesterday's tax u—turn. what we have done is we have listened to what people said. on this issue. it wasn't a core part of our growth plan, what their plan is focused on is helping people with

energy bills, getting business moving and we are here at this fantastic new development in birmingham, creatingjobs forthe birmingham, creating jobs for the future. birmingham, creatingjobs forthe future. that is what the plan is about. it was becoming a distraction and that's why be immediately changed the policy and that is the kind of government we are. we respond when there are concerns and we act quickly. respond when there are concerns and we act quickly-— we act quickly. viewers will have heard do rrot _ we act quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer— we act quickly. viewers will have heard do not answer the - we act quickly. viewers will have | heard do not answer the question about whether you trust your chancellor. are you sure you don't want to say you trust your chancellor? i want to say you trust your chancellor?— want to say you trust your chancellor? ., ~' , , chancellor? i work very, very closely with _ chancellor? i work very, very closely with my _ chancellor? i work very, very closely with my chancellor i chancellor? i work very, very l closely with my chancellor and chancellor? i work very, very - closely with my chancellor and we're very focused on getting the economy going and that is what people in britain one. we are facing difficult economic times, we are seeing rising interest rates around the world, very serious issues with energy prices and inflation and we have acted decisively. if you remember, people were facing energy bills of “p people were facing energy bills of up to £6,000, we put in place the energy price guarantee, the average household will not pay more than around two and a half thousand

pounds and are focused on is getting on the job. let's talk to our political correspondent nick eardley who's in birmingham for us. it's an issue of the personnel, i suppose, but she declined to say she trusted her chancellor. that feels like something we should talk about and obviously there's all the other stuff as well? the issues of decisions and benefits. it’s stuff as well? the issues of decisions and benefits. it's so interesting. — decisions and benefits. it's so interesting, joanna. - decisions and benefits. it's so interesting, joanna. when - decisions and benefits. it's so interesting, joanna. when liz| decisions and benefits. it's so - interesting, joanna. when liz truss became prime minister and appointed kwasi karteng, anyone you spoke to would tell you they are politically inseparable, they are intellectual bosom buddies, they are at the closest prime minister and chancellor we have had in years. it feels a bit like that has unravelled and there are serious questions over just how close that relationship is because sunday, liz truss said 45p was the decision of the chancellor, when it was junked, was the decision of the chancellor, when it wasjunked, he was the decision of the chancellor, when it was junked, he said that was the decision of the prime minister

and she didn't do what seemed like a pretty obvious thing this morning and say yes, i trust my chancellor. so yes, i suspect that will lead to more questions today and people will be trying to find out whether the chancellor is happy with that or not. as you mentioned, there is the other row brewing here in birmingham about benefits and just how much benefits should go up by. so boris johnson �*s government committed to putting benefits up by the rate of inflation, that is the current government policy. but liz truss has been asked a lot about that as have other ministers and they are suspiciously avoiding answering the question. the reason for that is because there is a debate going on behind—the—scenes between senior ministers about when there are benefits you grew up with the rate of inflation or whether they should only go up by the average increase in salaries across the uk which would be a real terms benefit cut. the argument that you hear from some

in government is if people in work are only getting certain pay increases it's fair to do the same with benefits. you cannot warn of a wage price inflation spiral and then give people on benefits and potentially not working a significant increase in the payments they get from the state. but a load of tory mps and opposition parties are horrified by that argument, frankly, and think in a cost—of—living crisis, the worst thing you could do is because the incomes of people on benefits. there are some in cabinet who are making that argument publicly. penny mordaunt said this morning that she thinks benefits should go up with the rate of inflation so yesterday, we had the u—turn on the 45p income tax rate, then in the afternoon we had the government saying it was going to bring forward its plans for cutting debt which were supposed to

be happening next month, they will probably happen out this month and it feels like there's another big row brewing on benefits and there are some well—connected tory mps who i have been chatting to him said the government will have to back down on this as well. ., ~ government will have to back down on this as well. ., ,, , ., ,., government will have to back down on this as well-— let's speak to the mp for north thanet, sir roger gale. what do you think should be done on benefits? it is what do you think should be done on benefits? , ., ., what do you think should be done on benefits? , . ., . ., what do you think should be done on benefits? , . . w . benefits? it is a hard coal and the prime minister _ benefits? it is a hard coal and the prime minister has _ benefits? it is a hard coal and the prime minister has made - benefits? it is a hard coal and the prime minister has made it - benefits? it is a hard coal and the prime minister has made it plain l benefits? it is a hard coal and the i prime minister has made it plain she intends to see people through what is likely to be a very hard winter and to protect the most vulnerable. you do not protect the most vulnerable by cutting benefits. by the same token, when households are facing a serious cost—of—living rise, and not matching those rises with their incomes from work, it is a difficult call to say we have got to raise benefits but on balance, my

personal view is the benefits will have to go up. by the rate of inflation. because to do otherwise would leave a lot of people literally and metaphorically out in the cold. liz literally and metaphorically out in the cold. . . literally and metaphorically out in the cold. , , . , literally and metaphorically out in the cold. ,, ., , . . the cold. liz truss has been asked a number of times _ the cold. liz truss has been asked a number of times whether _ the cold. liz truss has been asked a number of times whether she - the cold. liz truss has been asked a number of times whether she will i the cold. liz truss has been asked a| number of times whether she will do it and obviously she is not committing to it. if she stands by a position where benefits don't cooperate line with inflation, what would you do? i cooperate line with inflation, what would you do?— would you do? i suspect she is between a _ would you do? i suspect she is between a rock— would you do? i suspect she is between a rock and _ would you do? i suspect she is between a rock and a - would you do? i suspect she is between a rock and a hard - would you do? i suspect she is. between a rock and a hard place because the triumph of the budget that was not a budget, she was accused of not consulting the cabinet. i would accused of not consulting the cabinet. iwould imagine accused of not consulting the cabinet. i would imagine she, accused of not consulting the cabinet. iwould imagine she, on this instance, definitely wants to take the cabinet with her before she makes any decision. i would not be inclined to support cutting benefits myself. 50 inclined to support cutting benefits m self. ., ., . . , myself. so you would vote against? because obviously _ myself. so you would vote against? because obviously the _ myself. so you would vote against? because obviously the question - myself. so you would vote against? because obviously the question is l because obviously the question is how many tory mps would vote against if the government decided not to

operate benefits by the rate of inflation? i operate benefits by the rate of inflation? ,, ., operate benefits by the rate of inflation? ~ ., . operate benefits by the rate of inflation? ,, ., . , inflation? i know that is the question — inflation? i know that is the question and _ inflation? i know that is the question and the _ inflation? i know that is the question and the answer. inflation? i know that is the question and the answer is| inflation? i know that is the i question and the answer is we inflation? i know that is the - question and the answer is we all want to wait and see what is on the table. and you would not expect anybody to make a decision before they know what the position actually is rather than hypothetically. but i think i have indicated very clearly that i am not minded to support a cut in the value of benefits. what cut in the value of benefits. what ha--ened cut in the value of benefits. what happened with — cut in the value of benefits. what happened with the _ cut in the value of benefits. what happened with the 45p _ cut in the value of benefits. what happened with the 45p tax rate, that was clearly on the table. then there was clearly on the table. then there was clearly on the table. then there was clearly descent brimming behind—the—scenes and it seems it was only when the level of that dissent was put to the attention of the prime minister that the policy got changed which underlines how much dissent is in the party and how much dissent is in the party and how much clout people like you and the party will have if you decide that you don't want to go to the prime minister and say, i disagree with what are doing.— minister and say, i disagree with what are doing. yesterday that it was art what are doing. yesterday that it was part of _ what are doing. yesterday that it was part of the — what are doing. yesterday that it was part of the attention - what are doing. yesterday that it was part of the attention of - what are doing. yesterday that it was part of the attention of the l was part of the attention of the prime minister, i have thought the

prime minister, i have thought the prime minister, i have thought the prime minister was aware of it within the 45 seconds of the statement being made. it within the 45 seconds of the statement being made. within the 45 seconds of the statement bein: made. . . . �* . statement being made. it seems she's stuck to her gun _ statement being made. it seems she's stuck to her gun and _ statement being made. it seems she's stuck to her gun and the _ statement being made. it seems she's stuck to her gun and the night - stuck to her gun and the night before the u—turn, she could not get a tree? before the u-turn, she could not get a tree? . . .~' before the u-turn, she could not get a tree? ,, , .~ ., before the u-turn, she could not get a tree? . , .~ ., , a tree? she stuck to her guns until she changed _ a tree? she stuck to her guns until she changed her _ a tree? she stuck to her guns until she changed her mind. _ a tree? she stuck to her guns until she changed her mind. and - a tree? she stuck to her guns until she changed her mind. and she i she changed her mind. and she changed her mind because she had to. and actually, to be fair, i was not... loss of sound. i'm so sorry, the line cut out and be missed but you were saying. he said be missed but you were saying. he: said unfortunately you are not... i was not particularly personally exercised by the tax cuts, i did not regard it as a budget for the rich but what i remain exercised by is how all this largesse will be paid for. because that wasn't spelt out in the budget which was not a budget and it still hasn't been spelt out and it still hasn't been spelt out and that is why i and others have been saying we have got to get some serious answers from the chancellor well before the 23rd of november

which was his preferred date. i understand that data is being brought forward and at that chimes with the office for budget responsibility figures coming out at the end of october then i think that will probably satisfy mel stride, the chairman of the treasury select committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. w, ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., ., w ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., ., , , well. coming out soon i will satisfy ou but well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what _ well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about _ well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if _ well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if the - well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if the answer i well. coming out soon i will satisfyl you but what about if the answer is, ok, in orderto you but what about if the answer is, ok, in order to pay for what we have already announced we have to do something like not operate benefits by the rate of inflation?— by the rate of inflation? they're ”atchin by the rate of inflation? they're patching back — by the rate of inflation? they're patching back into _ by the rate of inflation? they're patching back into that - by the rate of inflation? they're patching back into that sticky i patching back into that sticky position. there are ways of exercising savings. in public department. without necessarily cutting benefits. there is a raft of measures that can be taken and i want to hear what the chancellor has to say. and i think as a courtesy to the chancellor and the prime minister, we need to hear what they are actually seeing before we rush tojudgment. 50

are actually seeing before we rush to judgment-— are actually seeing before we rush to judgment. so virtual, thank you for “oininu to judgment. so virtual, thank you forjoining us- _ the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid—i9 inquiry is taking place in london today. it will examine whether the risk of the coronavirus pandemic was properly identified and planned for. the hearing had originally been scheduled for last month, but was delayed after the death of the queen. in her opening statement, baroness hallett, the chair of the inquiry, outlined its key aims. the inquiry will analyse our state of readiness for the pandemic, and the response to it, as i've said, and to determine whether that level of loss about which we have just been reflecting was inevitable, or whether things could have been done better. my principle aim is to produce reports and recommendations before another disaster strikes the four nations of the united kingdom, and if it is possible, to reduce the number of deaths

the suffering and the hardship. to that end, i've set an ambitious timetable, and the inquiry team are working extraordinarily hard to meet it. i will need the full cooperation of the core participants, witnesses, holders of documents and information and experts. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, fair and independent inquiry, for the whole of the united kingdom and i intend to do so. let's talk to our health correspondentjim reed. setting out the store there and making clear it is important to learn lessons?— making clear it is important to learn lessons? that is right. just to explain. _ learn lessons? that is right. just to explain. we — learn lessons? that is right. just to explain, we were _ learn lessons? that is right. just to explain, we were hearing i learn lessons? that is right. just| to explain, we were hearing from baroness heather hallett, appointed by borisjohnson to chair this inquiry into the actions around the

pandemic, the uk covid inquiry, it has been called. the baroness was probably best known in legal terms for being the coroner who investigated the deaths of 42 people involved in the 2005 terror attacks so she is very experienced. today she was addressing some concerns that the relatives of some victims have had that they might be sidelined in some way, that this inquiry might be technical, you might hearfrom inquiry might be technical, you might hear from politicians a lot and nhs decision—makers but will it hearfrom the families and nhs decision—makers but will it hear from the families of victims? she said today she understood that there was concern about victims being sidelined but said they would being sidelined but said they would be properly consulted. she said i promise they believe that those who have suffered the most will be at the heart of this inquiry and i intend to keep their promise. she went on to say if there is one word that could some up the work she is doing here it would be lost, it will be less of economic ability, the ability to lend money, lots of

education, loss of social contact but above all, they believe to have lost the most and she wanted to address that. i think that's the tone today, this idea it would be something that will focus very much on the loss of loved ones and the impact that covid has had on so many families across the country.— families across the country. thank ou. tougher rules for migrants will be set out later by the new home secretary suella braverman when she addresses the tory party conference. more than 32,000 people have crossed the english channel in small boats so far this year. our paris correspondent lucy williamson has been speaking to people in northern france about the growing popularity of this route into the uk. it's 3am and this french patrol are tracking their target. two people smugglers spotted by a uk—funded drone. they're half a mile away, swiftly preparing a boat to take migrants across the channel. a uk—funded buggy gets

the patrol there in minutes. the smugglers have already fled. but they've lost their boat, their fuel and their motor to the patrol. this journey tonight is over. french patrols are now stopping around half these crossings, but they are still attracting more migrants and new, more efficient smuggling networks run by albanians. translation: i don't know if it's the albanian mafia i in the uk, but there are a lot of albanian smugglers organising crossings. with prices of 3,000 to 4,000 euros per person and 40 people in a boat, do the maths. it is even more lucrative than drug trafficking and with lighter criminal charges. albanian customers have been filling cafes and hotels around the station in dunkirk. this summer i see a lot of albanian people come here. more and more. maybe double or triple compared to last year.

and year after year, there are people and people coming and coming who say there is no people in albania any more. smugglers have extended their operations along this coastline to avoid daily patrols from land, sea and air. this coastline has pulled in resources year after year — vehicles, technology, foot patrols. politicians change, strategies shift and, still, the number of people crossing this channel rises. and here in the camps, the uk government's latest deterrent, deportation to rwanda, isn't working. this crossing is sold as the solution to insurmountable problems, and that trumps any kind of risk. lucy williamson, bbc news, calais. north korea has launched a missile overjapan, sparking anger in tokyo. it defies a un security council resolution ban on missile launches. the rocket came down in the pacific ocean

and there are no reports of damage. stephanie prentice reports. it's a familiar sight — north korea testing its missiles — but monday's launch was different. for the first time since 2017 a missile flew all the way overjapan. the latest launch, the fifth in a week, has been strongly condemned by south korean and japanese officials. translation: north korea's actions, including the repeated _ ballistic missile launches, are a threat to the peace and security of our country, region and international community, and it is a serious challenge for our country and the entire international community. people injapan awoke to messages warning them to take shelter as rocket fragments landed in the pacific ocean. it's a serious escalation of military action, as north korea tests its rockets as well as the patients of its neighbours.

there are three things you can do and one is the kind of diplomatic statements you are hearing, we condemn it, maybe there's another resolution at the united nations security council. that goes so far. north korea's heard them before, it won't have much effect. the second is sanctions, but north korea's one of the most heavily sanctioned countries on earth, so that's unlikely. and the third is talk. whatever kim jong—un's intentions, the outcome is already clear as the international community unites to condemn the action, and japan says it is consulting its allies on next steps. stephanie prentice, bbc news. just to give you an idea of the effect the north korean missile launch had in japan. this video was filmed on board a train — which was brought to a halt, with alarms ringing, from what is known as the j—alert system. the announcement said that the service would only resume moving once its safety had been confirmed. the bbc�*sjean mackenzie is in seoul — she told me more.

we are getting very used to reporting these north korean missile launches. they have almost become normalised. this has been a record year for north korean missile tests and just last week, we had four instances of these. but today's really does stand apart because it is the first time for five years that they have flown a missile overjapan. so most of their launches this year have been short range missile launches. and even when they have been testing something longer range, they fly it in such a way so that it lands in the sea between korea and japan. for it actually to fly other in other country's territory is seen as incredibly provocative, and it appears that japan was not given any prior warning that this was going to take place. so you have, as we just heard, people in the northern parts of japan waking up to the sounds of warning sirens and being told to take cover, being told to look up into the sky, to check forfalling debris. so it is a major escalation on the part of north korea. ukrainian troops have

broken through russian positions near kherson, a strategic city in a part of southern ukraine annexed by moscow last week. this map gives an idea of recent ukrainian advances in the kherson region. there have been claims that ukrainian forces have captured parts of the west bank of the dnieper river but they have not been confirmed. ukraine has released this video, of its forces raising flags in what it says is a liberated settlement in the kherson region. according to president zelensky, ukrainian forces are currently pushing forward not only in kherson, but also in the eastern luhansk region. let's talk to our correspondent in kyiv, hugo bachega. what is the latest on the ground? in the south, we are seeing the most significant breakthrough by ukrainian forces in the curse on region. we have been watching developments here for some time,

heavy fighting, but no major changes in terms of military positions while this is changing in the last 24 hours, the ukrainians had made some gains along the river which works as a natural barrier on the front line so a very significant gain for the ukrainians, reclaiming several villages on the western banks of the region in kherson. this is the situation in the south. in the east of the country ukrainians are going ahead with a counter offensive after retaking a key town which was being used as a major transport and logistics hub by the russians in the donetsk region and it seems the ukrainians are fortifying their positions around this town and the location of this town gives the ukrainians in very good position to not only try to reclaim territory in donetsk but also to try to enter the

region of luhansk, also in the east of the country. all these gains are happening in regions that russia says it has annexed so it is very important for the ukrainian strategically but it is also very symbolic because it's a major embarrassment for russia. russia has been manoeuvring _ embarrassment for russia. russia has been manoeuvring potentially - embarrassment for russia. russia has been manoeuvring potentially some i embarrassment for russia. russia hasj been manoeuvring potentially some of its nuclear equipment, raising concerns that it may be thinking about a nuclear test on the border with ukraine. what is the reaction there to that? i with ukraine. what is the reaction there to that?— there to that? i think the ukrainians _ there to that? i think the ukrainians have - there to that? l think the i ukrainians have downplayed there to that? l think the _ ukrainians have downplayed perhaps the threat of any nuclear weapons being used. they think that the threats coming from russia, the statement being issued by president putin and some senior russian officials are unacceptable. i think this is pretty much the same reaction we have been hearing from western officials and we haven't seen any kind of sign that the russians are ready to use any kind

of nuclear weapons. i think the fact that there has been some movement with a trend that is perhaps carrying nuclear weapons could be seen as a message, perhaps, but i do not think the ukrainians think that there is an escalation when it comes to the possibility of the russians using any kind of nuclear threat, nuclear weapon, using any kind of nuclear threat, nuclearweapon, here using any kind of nuclear threat, nuclear weapon, here in the country. i think there is a fear, perhaps a concern, that tensions could escalate following the annexation of those regions, the russians may see these regions are not part of ukraine under the attack on those areas would be seen as an attack on russia itself. areas would be seen as an attack on russia itself-— the uk's ministry of defence gives a daily intelligence briefing on the situation in ukraine — and today it's looking at the russian plans to mobilise hundreds of thousands of additional soldiers tojoin its invasion forces. it says that, alongside the mobilisation which was announced on the 21st of september, president putin has ordered another conscription cycle —

a month later than usual. this will involve 120,000 new conscripts — who, under the russian constitution, are not legally permitted to be deployed outside of russia. it says this is a sign of the growing pressure on russia's ability to train and equip a large number of newly conscripted personnel. and it concludes that the challenges of accomodating, training, equipping and deploying mobilised and conscripted personnel are significant — suggesting it won't be straightforward to bring them to the front lines of the battles. a wave of unrest has rocked iran since 22—year—old massa had many died last month after being arrested by the iranian reality police for failing to adhere to restricted dress code. the executive director

of human rights group that monitors the situation in iran been speaking to us. we have protests now that have spread to more than 100 towns. the last widespread protest we had had spread to more than 30 towns. and so we have smaller localities, small towns that we have never heard of in terms of protests that havejoined in. and obviously, the crackdown is massive and there has been thousands of arrests and only in one province, in zahedan, there we are counting there are 80 more than 80 names, 83 names of people who have already been killed. but in the whole country, the number of deaths is unknown. but there are at least my organisation and others have collected more than 80, close to 90 names so far, of people who have been killed. not every information can be

verified because the crackdown on activists, journalists, even cultural activists, cultural rights activists, has been massive. anyone who can transmit information or at least become a source of information has been arrested or threatened. women's rights activists in kurdistan, where the movement started, have been arrested massively, but also through their phones, threat messages has been sent to a lot of other people. one of our best universities, sharif, the students have been arrested in great numbers and beaten and some of them, we hear, have been even held in drug offenders' camps where people are seriously mistreated and abused. so it's really... the width of the protest is much,

much bigger than usual. and that's because, you know, women are 50% of the population and they are... they've been the first victims of the iranian revolution through the laws and the elimination of the family protection law and the criminal law. so it affects everyone. a woman has died after being attacked by dogs at a house in liverpool. merseyside police say the victim — who was in her 60s — was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon at an address in kirkdale. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days, the forecast is a wet one and also a fairly windy one.

we've certainly got that combination today, we've got two weather fronts sinking south, both bringing some rain, not getting into the far south—eastern quarter, and behind them across the north of scotland it will brighten up with some scattered showers. wherever you are it is going to be windy with temperatures ranging from 13 in the north to 20 in the south. tonight, weather fronts retreat northwards as low pressure develops. we have also got another couple of weather fronts coming into the west bringing rain, and the winds are strengthening, especially across england and wales. it is leading us into another mild night. tomorrow, eventually, the heavy rain clears much of scotland, our two fronts push southwards, the second one being fairly weak, behind them, blustery showers, another windy day with gales with exposure and temperatures 11 to 20.

hello, this is bbc news, withjoanna gosling. the headlines. prime minister liz truss has not ruled out real—terms benefit cuts to help pay for her government's growth plan. she's in listening mode though. there will be discussions about the way for ward on commitments like benefits, on how we deal with futurer budgets, but i'm very clear going into this winter we do need to help the most vulnerable. on the trail of the people smugglers. the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands of migrants crossing the english channel. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry, investigating the country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020 takes place with inquiry chair, baroness heather hallet. let us go back to our main news. let's go back to our top story —

and the conservative conference continues today, with more pressure on liz truss over some of her key policies. union leaders have called on the prime minister and the chancellor to provide a "cast—iron assurance" they will not make further spending cuts to public services. nick back to you. thank you very much. nick back to you. thank you very much- the _ nick back to you. thank you very much. the there _ nick back to you. thank you very much. the there is _ nick back to you. thank you very much. the there is a _ nick back to you. thank you very much. the there is a lot - nick back to you. thank you very much. the there is a lot going i nick back to you. thank you very | much. the there is a lot going on here, there are a lot of tensions in the conservative party, and i have the conservative party, and i have the transport secretary here. he low, thank you for coming to talk to us. cash about benefits first. your cabinet colleague has been saying this morning that benefits should go up this morning that benefits should go up in line with inflation, is she right? up in line with inflation, is she riuht? up in line with inflation, is she ritht? up in line with inflation, is she riuht? ., right? so, as ever with government we are sorry — right? so, as ever with government we are sorry it _ right? so, as ever with government we are sorry it takes _ right? so, as ever with government we are sorry it takes longer- right? so, as ever with government we are sorry it takes longer to i we are sorry it takes longer to reach right decision than the media would like but chloe smith the dwp secretary is charged with looking at this and making the right decision, which she will do in the autumn which she will do in the autumn which is the normal time which this happens every year, chloe will be completely minded of all the cost of living challenges that those on

universal credit have, of course some are also working, the large number, that is the beauty of uc and she will want to make sure she is providing both a sustainable and a fair outcome. so we look forward to that and we should allow her to to have the time to reach that. i find have the time to reach that. i find the sustainable _ have the time to reach that. i find the sustainable argument - have the time to reach that. i find the sustainable argument interesting because the arguments some of your colleagues are making in private, is that if you bringing spending down you can't afford to just keep putting benefits up, and actually, you will have to make tough decisions in the next few week, is that broadly fair, that the it might be too ex pen issist to put benefits up be too ex pen issist to put benefits up at the same rate as inflation? so, when i say i think we should allow chloe smith time to reach the right conclusion because the huge energy package we have committed to and it is coming into place will take away an enormous part of that cost of living challenge including those on the lowest wages so we need to make sure that we are factoring

these things in and providing everyone the support they need. fine everyone the support they need. one of our everyone the support they need. one of your cabinet colleagues is saying you shouldn't be taking we one hand and taking where the other, is that the danger, if you don't put them up enough that extra money you are getting for energy will be eaten up by inflation? br; getting for energy will be eaten up by inflation?— by inflation? by doing energy ackaue by inflation? by doing energy package we _ by inflation? by doing energy package we have _ by inflation? by doing energy package we have in _ by inflation? by doing energy package we have in fact i by inflation? by doing energy package we have in fact both | package we have in fact both stabilised and will bring down inflation because gnaw the energy price spike has been one of the central causes of the inflation, not only here of course, in the uk but across the world and the package the prime minister has brought in incredibly fast, has ensured that we will stabilise and bring down inflation in the near to medium term, in doing that we will therefore be able to assess where we need to support the lowest paid workers and those who are unemployed and the universal credit framework will fit for them to be able to receive it. when we got here on sunday the government was sticking to its plan,

its timetable, we have had the u—turn on the 45 pence, we have had the chancellor forced to bring forward his medium term plan on bringing debt down, doesn't really feel like the government is in control. 50 feel like the government is in control. ~ , control. so the prime minister has been very clear. — control. so the prime minister has been very clear, she _ control. so the prime minister has been very clear, she felt _ control. so the prime minister has| been very clear, she felt eventually the 45 pence narrative that the media was pushing on... this wasn't a media narrative, _ media was pushing on... this wasn't a media narrative, it _ media was pushing on... this wasn't a media narrative, it was _ media was pushing on... this wasn't a media narrative, it was coming i a media narrative, it was coming from your own mp, conservative mps were bringing this up proactivity so were bringing this up proactivity if the were bringing this up proactivity 5r the prime were bringing this up proactivity 5;r the prime minister were bringing this up proactivity 5r the prime minister decided this was a distraction to what the bulk of the growth plan package is about, about that energy support package, importantly for me, a huge rocket boosting of infrastructure investment. programmes that are in the pipeline that have be going too slowly, the prime minister has charged me with making sure we push on with projects so we have space on the ground more quickly, we know infrastructure one of the drivers of economic growth, so everything this package is doing is pushing towards that, and i think, looking to ward as you say, the chancellor has

decided to bring forward that, the wrap round of the panel, i think thatis wrap round of the panel, i think that is probably a good thing in order to help stabilise the market, the challenge he had and you know, life is what it is, is the prime minister came in and two days in her late majority dies and the whole of government was focus on ensuring we could give her the global send off she needed and deserved. iuteri; she needed and deserved. very cuickl she needed and deserved. very quickly on _ she needed and deserved. very quickly on your— she needed and deserved. very quickly on your brief, _ she needed and deserved. very quickly on your brief, as - she needed and deserved. very quickly on your brief, as transport secretary, you have been meeting with the unions, which is something your predecessor didn't do, the unions told us last week that they thought it was a good start, they seem a bit more optimistic about a breakthrough, do you think one is on the cards? ~ ., . breakthrough, do you think one is on the cards? ~ ., , . the cards? well, i hope that we with find somewhere _ the cards? well, i hope that we with find somewhere we _ the cards? well, i hope that we with find somewhere we can _ the cards? well, i hope that we with find somewhere we can land, i i the cards? well, i hope that we with find somewhere we can land, i work| find somewhere we can land, i work on the basis everyone has a voice in this discussion, but not negotiating with me, but i am you know an important and invested party and i am here to make sure our train work, if they don't work and businesses and customers can't get on the trains we don't see the economic growth we want. this is important to

resolve. i want everyone to come round the table and find solutions and make compromises where we need to that are sustainable for the long term, but ensure that the customer, iran colluding companies that the customer, the passenger is at the heart of the right outcome.- heart of the right outcome. thank ou for heart of the right outcome. thank you for coming — heart of the right outcome. thank you for coming to _ heart of the right outcome. thank you for coming to talk _ heart of the right outcome. thank you for coming to talk to - heart of the right outcome. thank you for coming to talk to us, i i heart of the right outcome. thank i you for coming to talk to us, i know you for coming to talk to us, i know you have your speech this afternoon. yes, 4pm. i you have your speech this afternoon. yes, 4m. , ., you have your speech this afternoon. yes, 4m. ., . yes, 4pm. i will let you go and fiaure yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out _ yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out the _ yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out the last _ yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out the last bits - yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out the last bits of- yes, 4pm. i will let you go and figure out the last bits of that. | figure out the last bits of that. that. there you have it, there is still that sense of splits round here, anne—marie trevelyan saying things have ended up in the right place. interesting comment about the train strike, remember the government's position was we are not getting involving in this, it is for the companies and the union, anne—marie trevelyan urging everyone to compromise. thank you nick. let us talk more about what is happening in terms of political polling, because there has been a big shift in the polling analysis since the

mini budget that was obviously just over a week ago, but it feels like a lot longer, there has been a lot unfolding. let us chew over some of the latest research. priya minhas is a senior research manager at polling organisation opinium. and joins me now from the conference. what have you been looking to into, what your research is showing? brute what your research is showing? we have what your research is showing? - have seen an incredibly big shift over such a small perioded of time, to an extent we haven't seen since we started polling. labour have jump from a five point lead to 19 points in opinions latest poll. we are seeing a situation where 23% of those that voted for boris johnson's government back in 2019, are now telling us they would switch their preference directly to labour and with that sort of switch, you could likely be seeing keir starmer in number ten with a comfortable majority, which is an incredibly dramatic turn round in such a short

period of time. dramatic turn round in such a short period of time-— period of time. how sustainable, thou . h, period of time. how sustainable, though. are _ period of time. how sustainable, though, are figures _ period of time. how sustainable, though, are figures like - period of time. how sustainable, though, are figures like this, i period of time. how sustainable, i though, are figures like this, when it is people reacting you know with immediacy to something that is being quite a dramatic moment in politics, and economics, and cost of living? yes, so we wanted to do further poll ocean this week to see what impact the u—turn has had. but to impress how incredibly different this is to what we usually see, usually, among the public there are two key perceptions you have of the two main party, with labour they are seen as the party that care, that work for the party that care, that work for the nhs and for better public service, with the conservatives that have been seen as the party that is best at running the economy and what we have seen happen in the past week we have seen happen in the past week we have seen happen in the past week we have not seen happen for the longest time w the markets collapsing w the response to the mini budget, and with interest rates set to go up, we have now seen the conservatives lose their long—standing reputation as that

competent party, as they party that would be better at handling the economy, before the mini budget, the conservatives had a one point lead on being best at handling the economy, that has switched to a double digit lead for labour which we have not seen before for the longest time, and, even more so 75% of the public think that the government have lost control of economic situation, and that perception is held by a lot of 2019 conservative voters so it feels like this government from the start has really put themselves a lot on the back foot and it will be a an uphill struggle to overturn the damage they have done none the space of a week on perceptions on the economy and the way they are handling everything. on pretty much every single issue we ask about, defence, immigration, with the economy, labour now leads over the conservatives being the best party to handle all of those issues which again, we have to seen that for the longest time so it feels like this

are while this is roll time situation it feels like real damage down done to the public and it will take a lot to overturn that. you are at the tory — take a lot to overturn that. you are at the tory party — take a lot to overturn that. you are at the tory party conference, i take a lot to overturn that. you are at the tory party conference, howl at the tory party conference, how are people reacting, who are you talking to, what is going on? so are people reacting, who are you talking to, what is going on? 50 it talking to, what is going on? so it has been a _ talking to, what is going on? so it has been a more _ talking to, what is going on? 5r it has been a more subdued conservative party conference compared to previous year, there has been more of a sense of deflation i would say, among the vents and people i have been speaking to, so, i think there is a sense e, here that there has been so much damage done, can you overturn this, what will it take to overturn this, what will it take to overturn it, will we see a labour government in the next general election? . ~ government in the next general election? . ,, , ., , . thank you very much. the un has issued another urgent appeal for funds to help families in flood hit pakistan, as doctors face what it describes as a "public health emergency". more than 1,700 people have died including nearly 600 children and with waters not expected to recede for many months, life threatening water borne diseases are on the rise.

our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports from sindh. in pakistan, as fields remain flooded, villages remain isolated. doctors are delivering medical care by boat, with the help here of unicef. we asked if we could follow them as they visited far—flung communities who have been stranded. these remote areas already have very limited access to medical help. now, what this mobile camp is providing today is testing for malnutrition over here, over there they are doing malaria tests, in the corner the tests for hepatitis and here, a whole load of medicines available for people, all kinds of things from oral rehydration to antimalarials and there's even soap that they are providing people.

fouzia approaches the camp with herfour young children. she tells me they are all sick. translation: it's really difficult, there's water everywhere - and we can't get medicines. now, some help has arrived. to treat a rise in waterborne diseases like malaria and diarrhoea, and a spike in malnutrition. as doctors measure her arm, they learned that baby sima is perilously thin. since the floods, her mother has struggled to eat. there is a shortage of clean water and food supplies, so mainly there are so many people like this baby, she's nine months old, and she is severely malnourished. these camps provide some relief. but with a shortage of medicines, boats and even doctors, not everyone can get this help.

it could take months for the waters to recede, that's many more months of suffering. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. an inquest into the death of an unarmed black man who was shot dead by armed police in south london has been opened. 24—year—old chris kaba was shot through the windscreen of a car in streatham hill on five september, the met police marksman who fired the shot has since been suspended from duty. mr kaba's parents, brother and cousin have attended the hearing at inner south london coroner's court today. tau you —— today's hearing was another step in achieveling justice for chris, tomorrow, the 5th october, marks exactly one month since chris was shot dead by a police officer while sitting unarmed in a car. ever since that terrible moment my family and everyone that knew him are asking one question. why? a month on and we are still

very farfrom getting why? a month on and we are still very far from getting a why? a month on and we are still very farfrom getting a proper answer. but there is something else we want to know. which isjust answer. but there is something else we want to know. which is just as important. who will be held accountable for his death any i am chris's cousin and today we are here as a family because we want answers to both those questions. we need answers. notjust this family but the whole of london, the whole of the country needs to know how something like this could occur. how can a young man, sitting in a car, unarmed be shot in the head by a police in 2022? this should never have happened. it must never happen again. we must never accept this as normal. someone must be held accountable. we are glad this matter has been investigate bit the iopc as a homicide investigation and we hope that this will lead to prosecutions. but we are alarmed at what we have been told about how long this is

expected to take. we do not accept this process should take longer than other homicide investigations, mainly because the person who killed chris is a police officer. there are three things that must now happen. one, officers must be interviewed under caution immediately. we have been told that after nearly a month, neither the officer who killed chris nor any of the officers involved have been interviewed under caution. two, a cbs charging decision needs to happen urgently. this should not take months and months, the evidence they need to make that decision should be available within weeks. an urn gent decision on criminal charges is criticalfor urn gent decision on criminal charges is critical for this family and many others to have faith in the system that is supposed to bring them justice. and three, the family needs to be kept up—to—date with the investigation. while we have had

positive communications with the iopc, at times ourfamily has had to chase the iopc for information, or push them to do what they should be doing already. the best way for the family to have confidence in the process, is for the family to be closely kept informed at every stage. we know there are many, many people who are as concerned about what happened to chris as his family and friends are. for many of them, chris could have been their son, their brother, their cousin, their friend. and communities across london, what happened to chris feels very personal. they understand and feel the pain ourfamily is going through. the family thanks everyone who has supported the justice campaign, that support has been so important and it shows that what happened to chris is something that thousands of people feel is

unacceptable. we also ask that anyone that has any information, people who may have seen something or may have video that was taken on the camera or phone, please contact our lawyers and provide it to us or contact the iopc and provide it to them. we want to ensure that we have as much evidence as possible, so that we have the best chance of ensuring justice is done. my cousin chris was very much loved by us. his loss is with us every day. he had a bright future ahead of him. his first child was about to be born. that his life was cut short by a miss officer is a tragedy. we will not rest until the people responsible for chris's death are held fully accountable. thank you. —— police officer. chris kaba's cousin speaking live outside the coroner's court. let us

speak to greg mckenzie. tell us more about what happened there today, what was said.— about what happened there today, what was said. well, good morning, es, in what was said. well, good morning, yes. in terms _ what was said. well, good morning, yes. in terms of— what was said. well, good morning, yes, in terms of today, _ what was said. well, good morning, yes, in terms of today, it _ what was said. well, good morning, yes, in terms of today, it was i what was said. well, good morning, yes, in terms of today, it was the i yes, in terms of today, it was the opening of the inquest into the death of chris kabas who was shot dead by a police officer in south london on 5th september, as you saw there his entire family were there at the inquest and ultimately what happened today was more details were revealed as to the time line, as to the circumstances, which led up to that shooting on the 5th september, in south london, more details have been revealed as to why his car was stopped. the car he was driving was an audi that had been flagged as being involved in a firearms incident the day before, this car had been flagged on a metropolitan police an pr camera and oleate —— ultimately the car chris kaba was driving was following in an unmarked

police car for 15 minute, without the blue lightses that the police used. those lights were not used. the car then drove off into a pursuit, really, and ultimately it was stopped in a neighbouring area of streatham, about 15 minutes away, where chris kaba's car was hemmed in, by two police cars and it was here, where one firearm was discharmed, and a single bullet went into the head of chris kaba. now, chris kaba died a short time later in hospital, about two hours later, and it was only two weeks later that his father prosper went to the mortuary to identify the body, so ultimately the coroner has said that he will await the outcome of the independent office for police conduct�*s home side investigation before any inquest can take place, because ultimately, that investigation will take six to nine

month, now only then, whether there is enough evidence to pass to it the crown prosecution service, will the crown prosecution service, will the crown prosecution decide whether or not to prosecute the officer, who has since been suspended. thank you greu. donald trump has launched a libel action against cnn, accusing the us broadcaster of comparing him to hitler. the former president is seeking $475 million in damages. mr trump accuses cnn of carrying out a slanderous campaign against him because it fears he will stand again for the presidency. the network has not responded. a rover designed and built by british engineers at airbus in stevenage was all set to go to mars until its role in a mission to collect martian rocks was cancelled. now it's a robot on the hunt for a newjob to prevent all of the expertise and work that's taken more than a decade from going to waste. our science editor rebecca morelle reports.

one state—of—the—art rover. its skills, it can drive autonomously, negotiate the most difficult terrain and cope in extreme environments. but now it's looking for work. built in the uk, it's being tested in a quarry in bedfordshire. it was heading for mars until its mission was cancelled. its task on the red planet was to pick up samples, but it's been scrapped. mini mars helicopters will do thejob instead. the uk doesn't want to see the technology mothballed, they think this rover has still got a bright future. we have spent a lot of time and a lot of effort on developing this expertise. we don't want to let that go to waste, we want to exploit it to make sure that investment comes to fruition. also, it puts us in a good place to be involved in future space missions which is brilliant for the reputation of the uk. so, where could the rover go instead of mars? one option could be to swap the red martian terrain for the grey lunar landscape.

this rover was designed for mars. if it's heading to the moon, it will need some modifications. the lunar surface can get as hot as 120 degrees celsius, and as cold as —230. so this will have to cope with extremes. there's also problem with light. the moon gets two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness, and this will be a challenge for solar power. and then there's the fine lunar dust. it's particularly clingy and abrasive, which could be an issue for the rover�*s moving parts. lunar exploration is having a resurgence right now. nasa's new artemis rocket will soon be heading there and eventually taking astronauts to the moon's surface. the idea is to have a permanent lunar base, and rovers could play a crucial role. they could be used anywhere that you want to do something

autonomously, so it could be autonomously moving around rovers for building habitats, or it could be used for going to places that are uninhabitable by humans or an extreme temperature or particularly dangerous. so anywhere that you want to do something autonomously, this rover could still use that technology to do that. for now, the rover is out of work, stuck on earth, driving around a quarry. but this isn't just about salvaging a £23 million piece of kit, it's about the people and expertise that goes with it. the hope is the rover gets some new employment soon. rebecca morelle, bbc news. in san francisco a futuristic pilot is taking place — fully driverless robo—taxis are being permitted at night time for paying customers. cruise, the company behind them, says the cars will revolutionise transport. but critics say putting fully autonomous taxis on urban streets is premature and dangerous. our north america technology

reporterjames clayton has more. wow, i think there's actually no—one in there. this is incredible. on san francisco streets, something straight out of a sci—fi film is happening. people are able to hail cabs with no driver — fully autonomous robo—taxis. some love it. i cannot believe this is happening. but is the tech ready? there's only one way to find out. get into one of these cars ourselves. the bbc was one of the first media organisations in the world to try it. car: buckle up and get ready to ride. - it's really, really weird. it doesn't act like a race track or a testing facility. we are fully in the centre of san francisco. the car is totally driverless. it's amazing, unnerving, surreal, all mixed into one. on any of our cruise avs, we have lidar, we have radar and we have cameras. and what we do is we fuse all those together using machine learning and that gives us this amazing understanding

of the world around us. but it didn't always feel like that. well, this is interesting. there is a bus in our lane and there are cars to our left. so, what is it going to do? oh... ok, it's pulling out left. oh, another bus is coming out right. it really doesn't know what to do. oh... there is a car behind us. like, this isjust bad driving. i was ready to love this and i'm definitely... i'm definitely nervous. cruise has been involved in a number of accidents in san francisco this year, most of them minor. however, after a collision injune, its software was recalled. and some believe it's too soon for real passengers to be driven around without a driver on urban streets. these vehicles are still somewhat in the test phase. we believe that manufacturers need to provide the public with some sort of transparent evidence that these vehicles aren't going to cause problems, deaths or injuries on the road. we are six months into

deploying this product — brand—new, game—changing product — and, with that, comes some early teething problems. we're really proud of our safety record and we report continuously to our regulators, and safety is absolutely the top priority at cruise. despite safety concerns, cruise's vision is to expand, and quickly. and if they get their way, these kinds of rides will become the new normal. bye! james clayton, bbc news, san francisco. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. the forecast for the next few days is a wet and windy one for most of us. the least amount of rain is going to fall in the south—east, the most across western parts of scotland. today, we've got two weather fronts sinking southwards. you can see from the isobars it is going to be a blustery day,

windier across england and wales than it has been, and with our first band of rain sinking southwards, the second one tending to stall across parts of scotland and northern ireland and to the north of that we are looking at some brighter skies and scattered showers. the rain not getting into the south—east, where we have got highs of up to 20 degrees. but wherever you are you will notice the wind, it will be blustery today. this evening and overnight, if anything, the weather fronts start to go back northwards, we have got this developing low pressure also pushing northwards, producing some heavy rain, and some more rain coming into the west. it will be windy again, especially across england and also wales and it will be another mild night. tomorrow, the low pressure pushes into the north sea but you can see two weather fronts moving towards the south—east, one of them fairly weak. in graphic form, there goes the rain, there go the weather fronts, and behind them, we see a return to some sunshine but some heavy and potentially thundery showers, and windy, these are the gusts, even inland it is going to be windy.

it will be windy all day. we're looking at gusts to gale force with exposure. temperature—wise, tomorrow, a wee bit cooler in the north, 11—13, but coming south, we could see 18 or 19 degrees. heading into thursday, we start off on a dry but cooler note across england and wales. in scotland and northern ireland we will see the showers emerging to give longer spells of rain and a few showers in the midlands and wales. and still a blustery day. the strongest winds across the north and the west. and that continues into friday, the strongest winds will be in the north and the west, once again we're looking at some showers and a weather front sinking south, taking some rain with it, but in between, something drier and brighter. temperature—wise, 11 in lerwick to a high of about 19 down towards london.

this is bbc news — the headlines... prime minister liz truss has not ruled out real—terms benefit cuts to help pay for her government's growth plan. she's in listening mode, though... there will be discussions about the way forward on commitments like benefits and how we deal with future budgets but i am very clear that going into this winter, we do need to help the most vulnerable. chancellor of the exchequer, kwasi kwarteng, will set out his plan to get uk debt falling earlier than planned. he's expected to publish details later this month on how it will be paid for. on the trail of the people smugglers — the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands of migrants crossing the english channel.

the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry, focussing on the country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020 takes place with inquiry chair, baroness heather hallet. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, there are an independent inquiry for the whole of the uk and i intend to do so. north korea fires a suspected missile overjapan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of tokyo and washington. and driverless taxis arrive on the streets of san francisco — the robo—taxis are being permitted at night time for paying customers.

good afternoon. at the conservative conference, liz truss will attempt to move on from yesterday's u—turn over tax policy. but there is continued pressure on her over some of her key policies. yesterday, chancellor kwasi kwarteng abandoned his plan to cut the tax rate for the highest earners — to stave off a revolt among tory mps. today, he's expected to reveal when he'll publish his plan to cut the uk's debts to help regain the confidence of the markets after last month's mini—budget. the plan's being brought forward after widespread criticism that the original date — november 23rd — was too long to wait. the pm is also under pressure over whether or not there will be real—terms cuts to benefits — to help pay for her economic plans. on a visit to a construction site this morning, she was asked if she had confidence in her chancellor — after yesterday's tax u—turn. let's talk to our political correspondent leila nathoo

who's in birmingham for us the answer to that was she did not say she had confidence in her chancellor and that is all the policies of that is going on. bring us a round—up. policies of that is going on. bring us a round-up— policies of that is going on. bring us a round-up. yesterday liz truss manaued us a round-up. yesterday liz truss managed to _ us a round-up. yesterday liz truss managed to quell _ us a round-up. yesterday liz truss managed to quell speculation i us a round-up. yesterday liz truss managed to quell speculation over| managed to quell speculation over the 45p tax rate.— the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing- -- _ the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing- -- l _ the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing- -- lam — the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing... i am so _ the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing... i am so sorry. - the 45p tax rate. already we are seeing... i am so sorry. we i the 45p tax rate. already we are | seeing... i am so sorry. we have the 45p tax rate. already we are i seeing... i am so sorry. we have a technical problem and we cannot hear a word that our correspondent as saying. we will try and fix those and rejoin her as soon as we can. the pm is keen to stress her plans to grow the economy — and this morning went to visit a construction site in birmingham. she was asked if she had confidence in her chancellor — after yesterday's tax u—turn. what we have done is we have listened to what people said on this issue. it wasn't a core part of our growth plan, what the plan is focused

on is helping people with energy bills, getting business moving and we are here at this fantastic new development in birmingham, creating jobs for the future. that is what the plan is about. it was becoming a distraction and that's why we immediately changed the policy and that is the kind of government we are. we respond when there are concerns and we act quickly. viewers will have heard you not answer the question about whether you trust your chancellor. are you sure you don't want to say you trust your chancellor? i work very, very closely with my chancellor and we're very focused on getting the economy going and that is what people in britain want. we are facing difficult economic times, we are seeing rising interest rates around the world, very serious issues with energy prices and inflation and we have acted decisively. if you remember, people were facing energy bills of up to £6,000, we put in place the energy price guarantee, the average household

will not pay more than around two and a half thousand pounds and what we are focused on is getting on with the job. i'm afraid we are still having technical issues with our correspondent at the tory party conference. we are hoping to fix that releasing. we are hoping to speak to lord pickles, and he said prior to the tax u—turn, if the prime minister did a u—turn on it, she would be dead in the water without a paddle. but i hear right now that we had fixed a technical issue in birmingham so let's rejoin our correspondent back in birmingham.— our correspondent back in birmingham. joanna, sincere apologies — birmingham. joanna, sincere apologies for _ birmingham. joanna, sincere apologies for the _ birmingham. joanna, sincere| apologies for the microphone problems here. we were discussing the u—turn yesterday, quelling dissent over the abolition of the 45p tax rate. tonys were voicing

their concern over that, the politicaljudgment involved and how it looked to be prioritising tax cuts for the rich. we saw that acknowledgement from the prime minister and the chancellor but already we are getting a sense of the political battle to come because we heard liz truss refusing to rule out not increasing benefits in line with inflation during the cost of living crisis. mps saying this is another no—brainer, we are hearing from penny mordaunt already publicly this morning saying that is the wrong idea. that is a huge intervention when you are having backbenchers, that is one thing but when you have a cabinet split over this policy it is quite another. i am joined by lea anderson who has come to talk to us. this is a row of the governments own making, why cannot the prime ministers say the benefits will go up? i cannot the prime ministers say the benefits will go up?— benefits will go up? i have not heard much — benefits will go up? i have not heard much of— benefits will go up? i have not heard much of a _ benefits will go up? i have not heard much of a rout -

benefits will go up? i have not heard much of a rout so i benefits will go up? i have not heard much of a rout so far, i benefits will go up? i have not i heard much of a rout so far, that is a row— heard much of a rout so far, that is a row being — heard much of a rout so far, that is a row being stoked up by the bbc but this is— a row being stoked up by the bbc but this is where i stand. we are telling — this is where i stand. we are telling public sector workers, and people _ telling public sector workers, and people working in the private sector that they _ people working in the private sector that they will get as much as 4% pay rises in _ that they will get as much as 4% pay rises in difficult times, and yet we are saying — rises in difficult times, and yet we are saying to other sectors of society— are saying to other sectors of society you will get an inflation busting — society you will get an inflation busting ten or 11%. that doesn't seem _ busting ten or 11%. that doesn't seem fair— busting ten or 11%. that doesn't seem fair to people and hard—working constituencies like mine. seem fair to people and hard-working constituencies like mine.— constituencies like mine. tensions to constituencies like mine. tensions t o u n constituencies like mine. tensions no u- in constituencies like mine. tensions go up in line _ constituencies like mine. tensions go up in line with _ constituencies like mine. tensions go up in line with inflation, i constituencies like mine. tensions go up in line with inflation, why i go up in line with inflation, why should they be prioritised? thea;r should they be prioritised? they have worked _ should they be prioritised? they have worked 40 _ should they be prioritised? they have worked 40 or _ should they be prioritised? they have worked 40 or 50 _ should they be prioritised? they have worked 40 or 50 years, they have _ have worked 40 or 50 years, they have put— have worked 40 or 50 years, they have put in— have worked 40 or 50 years, they have put in a shift for us and deserve _ have put in a shift for us and deserve extra in their pay packet, people _ deserve extra in their pay packet, people working currently and people not working, there is a big disparity~ _ not working, there is a big disparity. i have seen people in ashfield — disparity. i have seen people in ashfield working all the hours god sends, _ ashfield working all the hours god sends, six— ashfield working all the hours god sends, six or seven days a week, struggling — sends, six or seven days a week, struggling to pay their bills and they are — struggling to pay their bills and they are going to have to get by on three _ they are going to have to get by on three or— they are going to have to get by on three or 4%—

they are going to have to get by on three or 4% yet some people not working — three or 4% yet some people not working those hours for whatever reason, _ working those hours for whatever reason, and they want ten or 11%, it doesn't _ reason, and they want ten or 11%, it doesn't seem — reason, and they want ten or 11%, it doesn't seem fair. taxpayers money paying _ doesn't seem fair. taxpayers money paying for— doesn't seem fair. taxpayers money paying for it — doesn't seem fair. taxpayers money paying for it the pay rises, people working _ paying for it the pay rises, people working their hardest, and working for these _ working their hardest, and working for these pay rises. most working their hardest, and working for these pay rises.— working their hardest, and working for these pay rises. most people on benefits are — for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in _ for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in work _ for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in work so _ for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in work so why - for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in work so why is i for these pay rises. most people on benefits are in work so why is that l benefits are in work so why is that those people who are receiving benefit payments should be penalised in this environment?— in this environment? there are --eole in this environment? there are people on _ in this environment? there are people on universal _ in this environment? there are people on universal credit i in this environment? there are people on universal credit to i in this environment? there are i people on universal credit to get their— people on universal credit to get their salaries topped up, we need to move _ their salaries topped up, we need to move away— their salaries topped up, we need to move away from that in this country, upscaled _ move away from that in this country, upscaled the workforce and make sure we have _ upscaled the workforce and make sure we have a _ upscaled the workforce and make sure we have a work environment where people _ we have a work environment where people and — we have a work environment where people and higher wages without getting _ people and higher wages without getting hand—out. iwould people and higher wages without getting hand—out. i would start, people and higher wages without getting hand—out. iwould start, if you want— getting hand—out. iwould start, if you want to — getting hand—out. iwould start, if you want to subsidise wages, let's start with — you want to subsidise wages, let's start with the bbc, you lot raking in £5_ start with the bbc, you lot raking in £5 billion a year, gary lineker earning — in £5 billion a year, gary lineker earning and _ in £5 billion a year, gary lineker earning and others earning millions of pounds — earning and others earning millions of pounds. £160 a year that can go back into _ of pounds. £160 a year that can go back into people's pockets. i�*m of pounds. £160 a year that can go back into people's pockets. i'm not sure we are — back into people's pockets. i'm not sure we are talking _ back into people's pockets. i'm not sure we are talking about - back into people's pockets. i'm not sure we are talking about the i back into people's pockets. i'm not sure we are talking about the bbc| sure we are talking about the bbc wages at the moment, we are talking

about benefits. that wages at the moment, we are talking about benefits.— about benefits. that can pay towards the benefit system. _ about benefits. that can pay towards the benefit system. let's _ about benefits. that can pay towards the benefit system. let's get - about benefits. that can pay towards the benefit system. let's get back i the benefit system. let's get back to the point _ the benefit system. let's get back to the point in _ the benefit system. let's get back to the point in hand, _ the benefit system. let's get back to the point in hand, how- the benefit system. let's get back to the point in hand, how do i the benefit system. let's get back to the point in hand, how do you i to the point in hand, how do you think this is coming across to your constituents when government is prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy?— prioritising tax cuts for the wealth 7~ . . . ., wealthy? we change direction yesterday- — wealthy? we change direction yesterday. that _ wealthy? we change direction yesterday. that was _ wealthy? we change direction yesterday. that was the i wealthy? we change direction yesterday. that was the right | wealthy? we change direction i yesterday. that was the right thing to do _ yesterday. that was the right thing to do. there is a time and place for tax cuts _ to do. there is a time and place for tax cuts in — to do. there is a time and place for tax cuts in this country, at the moment— tax cuts in this country, at the moment people are struggling, we are rubbing _ moment people are struggling, we are rubbing our— moment people are struggling, we are rubbing our arms around the country, the most _ rubbing our arms around the country, the most vulnerable getting an extra thousand _ the most vulnerable getting an extra thousand pounds in the pockets this year to— thousand pounds in the pockets this year to pay— thousand pounds in the pockets this year to pay for energy bills, people going _ year to pay for energy bills, people going to _ year to pay for energy bills, people going to work to subsidise the extra thousand _ going to work to subsidise the extra thousand pounds. the going to work to subsidise the extra thousand pounds.— going to work to subsidise the extra thousand pounds. the government is doinu treat thousand pounds. the government is doing great things. _ thousand pounds. the government is doing great things. thank _ thousand pounds. the government is doing great things. thank you i thousand pounds. the government is doing great things. thank you for i doing great things. thank you for joining us. you get a flavour of the strength of opinion within the tory party, lots of different camps and lots of different schools of thought but there definitely is a difference of opinion. you've got cabinet ministers going public but i think the view of downing street as they have enough support amongst mps

likely anderson that they bite be able to do this policy and upgrade benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation.- benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation. thank you. we soke to rather than inflation. thank you. we spoke to the — rather than inflation. thank you. we spoke to the chair— rather than inflation. thank you. we spoke to the chair of— rather than inflation. thank you. we spoke to the chair of the _ rather than inflation. thank you. we spoke to the chair of the treasury i spoke to the chair of the treasury select committee and he welcomed the move to bring forward the publication of the plan to reduce debt. it publication of the plan to reduce debt. . , publication of the plan to reduce debt. , , w, publication of the plan to reduce debt. , , . , debt. it is very positive that this forecast has _ debt. it is very positive that this forecast has been _ debt. it is very positive that this forecast has been brought i debt. it is very positive that this i forecast has been brought forward and the government will produce it at the same time because provided it's credible, provided it is credible on the market see it as such, it will start to further settle the market and take pressure from increasing interest rates and lower expectations a little as to why inflation might go and provided it is before the 3rd of november which is when the monetary policy committee meets to set interest rate rises, the base rate, that could perhaps have the impact on the committee of making them feel they don't have to be quite as aggressive

in interest rate increases and that could help millions of people with their mortgages. there have clearly been misjudgments and missteps. i have been urging this forecast to be brought forward for a number of weeks and pushing very hard on that. i am however heightened to some degree by the 45p tax change, deciding not to go ahead without, the pulling forward of the obr forecast and it shows me is some pragmatism that is beginning to seep into the centre of government but we need more because this plan that the government comes forward with, and the obr forecast, when that happens it needs to have everything thought through so if they are relying on spending cuts they have to be politically deliverable and they've got to work out the issues in pretty short order. it may mean if they cannot find enough savings in

government, realistically, they will have to revisit other tax pledges because they may not be affordable. that was the view of mel stride. let's speak to lord pickles — eric pickles — conservative peer and former chairman of the conservative party. thank you forjoining us. before the 45p tax u—turn you said if liz truss you turned on it she would be dead in the water without a paddle. she did it, and now there has been a change on what we were being told was absolutely a fixed position which was the announcement of how to deal with debts on the 23rd of november, also coming forward. how do you feel about those u—turns in quick succession? do you feel about those u-turns in quick succession?— do you feel about those u-turns in quick succession? let's hope that i am wron: quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and _ quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and let's _ quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and let's hope _ quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and let's hope i - quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and let's hope i have i quick succession? let's hope that i am wrong and let's hope i have to| am wrong and let's hope i have to eat lots and lots of humble pie but i think it is the second of those decisions that is the most important. because the process of

the government talking to the independent office for budget responsibility is quite a complex one. the government will have to persuade them that the various cuts will create... i'm so sorry. the level of growth, that is going to be the important thing. we level of growth, that is going to be the important thing.— level of growth, that is going to be the important thing. we have been havin: the important thing. we have been having some _ the important thing. we have been having some sound _ the important thing. we have been having some sound issues, - the important thing. we have been having some sound issues, so i having some sound issues, so perhaps... i having some sound issues, so perhaps- - -_ having some sound issues, so --erhas... . . . ., perhaps... i am getting an echo. what we will _ perhaps... i am getting an echo. what we will do _ perhaps... i am getting an echo. what we will do in _ perhaps... i am getting an echo. what we will do in eight - perhaps... i am getting an echo. what we will do in eight few i perhaps... i am getting an echo. i what we will do in eight few moments is could goodbye to viewers on bbc two. we will keep talking for now. you were concerned obviously about whether the obr forecast is going to be possible to bring it forward. now

i am the one loosing my thread, i am going to come back to you. let me first say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. i am so sorry, i have made a real hash of that but i will continue here on the bbc news channel, speaking to lower pickles. 0k. now we can carry on talking and hope that all the technical issues are being fixed as we speak! lord pickles, can you hear me? 0k. are being fixed as we speak! lord pickles, can you hear me? ok. that is live tv inaction, isn't it?! we will go to lord eric pickles in a few moments and i made a pickle of that and i sincerely apologise. but let's catch up with the sport first. and it is a mystery how we can join now. i and it is a mystery how we can 'oin now. ~' and it is a mystery how we can 'oin now. ~ , ., ., now. i feel like i should have 'um ed now. i feel like i should have jumped out _ now. i feel like i should have jumped out from _ now. i feel like i should have jumped out from underneath now. i feel like i should have - jumped out from underneath the table. i will let you go and sort out all the issues. we have got

quite a special much to look forward to tonight. in the champions league. the first time liverpool and rangers will face each other despite 6! years of rivalry between scottish and english clubs in europe. rangers and english clubs in europe. rangers and celtic by the big teams in scottish football. whilst rangers have face manchester united in europe previously, celtic taking on manchester city five years ago, this is actually the first time between the side so it is one for the history books. if the side so it is one for the history books.— the side so it is one for the histo books. , . ,., history books. it is a huge podium for us to perform. _ history books. it is a huge podium for us to perform. not _ history books. it is a huge podium for us to perform. not only - history books. it is a huge podium for us to perform. not only for- history books. it is a huge podium| for us to perform. not only for the club but _ for us to perform. not only for the club but also for the players. as i said before, against a quality side. but since _ said before, against a quality side. but since many years, there was a scottish_ but since many years, there was a scottish team playing against english teams, i think the first time _ english teams, i think the first time in — english teams, i think the first time in both histories of the clubs that we _ time in both histories of the clubs that we are — time in both histories of the clubs that we are facing each other so we are excited — that we are facing each other so we are excited to be here and try to -et are excited to be here and try to get a _ are excited to be here and try to get a good — are excited to be here and try to get a good result.— get a good result. really good football team _ get a good result. really good football team and _ get a good result. really good football team and that - get a good result. really good

football team and that is - get a good result. really good football team and that is what i get a good result. really good i football team and that is what we have to _ football team and that is what we have to prepare _ football team and that is what we have to prepare for _ football team and that is what we have to prepare for and _ football team and that is what we have to prepare for and how- football team and that is what we have to prepare for and how thati have to prepare for and how that result _ have to prepare for and how that result they— have to prepare for and how that result. they did _ have to prepare for and how that result. they did want. _ have to prepare for and how that result. they did want. that - have to prepare for and how that result. they did want. that is - have to prepare for and how that l result. they did want. that is what they waht— result. they did want. that is what they want to — result. they did want. that is what they want to change, _ result. they did want. that is what they want to change, definitely. i result. they did want. that is what| they want to change, definitely. so we expect — they want to change, definitely. so we expect a — they want to change, definitely. so we expect a pmper_ they want to change, definitely. so we expect a proper fight, - they want to change, definitely. so we expect a proper fight, a - they want to change, definitely. so we expect a proper fight, a real- we expect a proper fight, a real fight _ we expect a proper fight, a real fight that _ we expect a proper fight, a real fight that is _ we expect a proper fight, a real fight. that is what _ we expect a proper fight, a real fight. that is what we _ we expect a proper fight, a real fight. that is what we are - we expect a proper fight, a real. fight. that is what we are prepared for. lotte wubben—moy and nikita parris have been added to the england women's senior squad. euro winners wubben—moy and parris join the 23—player squad for the game against the usa at wembley on friday night after injuries to leah williamson and lucy parker. williamson will undergo further assessment on an injury sustained in training. shaunagh brown will miss out on england's opening game of the women's rugby world cup against fiji on saturday in auckland. the prop's tested positive for covid—i9. the world number ones are favourite to win the competition and are hoping that will attract a whole new audience. the lioness team attracted such a

huge _ the lioness team attracted such a huge crowd and i wasn't a women's foothati— huge crowd and i wasn't a women's football fah — huge crowd and i wasn't a women's football fan beforehand but tuning into those games and getting behind the girls. _ into those games and getting behind the girls. a _ into those games and getting behind the girls, a sporting perspective, it was— the girls, a sporting perspective, it was huge so if we can have that same _ it was huge so if we can have that same influence, people might not have watch women's rugby before but if they— have watch women's rugby before but if they had _ have watch women's rugby before but if they had the opportunity to tuning — if they had the opportunity to tuning and the amount of media around — tuning and the amount of media around it. — tuning and the amount of media around it, think of where we are now as a sport _ around it, think of where we are now as a sport and — around it, think of where we are now as a sport and we can come back to off the _ as a sport and we can come back to off the back— as a sport and we can come back to off the back of some successful performances and the right side of the results. moeen ali's ruled out playing test cricket for england in the future, despite briefly considering a return under brendon mccullum. the worcestershire all—rounder successfully captained england to their recent t20 victory against pakistan. but says he cannot commit to the test tour of the country in december and the period in secure hotels it requires. and that is all your sport. hopefully, hopefully, joanna, it is back to you. laughter. we have fixed or technical issues.

so let's rejoin lord eric pickles at the conservative party conference. can you hear you clearly? ! the conservative party conference. can you hear you clearly?- the conservative party conference. can you hear you clearly? i can hear ou ve can you hear you clearly? i can hear you very clearly _ can you hear you clearly? i can hear you very clearly and _ can you hear you clearly? i can hear you very clearly and most _ you very clearly and most especially, i cannot hear you three times over. the affordability issue has always been my concern. the decision to bring forward the publication of the obr report. that means a couple of things, the thing it probably means is they are confident they can persuade the office that there various cuts long term in taxation is something that will produce growth. so the test that the government will face is in a very short time, almost immediately after the bank of england deciding with

regard to interest rates so in a way, all the things are happening at this conference are wholly dependent on what that report says about growth and the prospect of growth. have the issues been completely self—inflicted? publishing without that obr report. the decision on the 45p tax rate take and it seems, just by kwasi karteng and liz truss without consultation with the rest of the cabinet? then the internal politics of the party seeing a u—turn on that? what is your view on how they are managing things? the short how they are managing things? the: short answer to how they are managing things? tu9 short answer to that how they are managing things? tu9: short answer to that is how they are managing things? tu9 short answer to that is they have admitted they made a mistake and it's brave of them to do so. but the most important thing about politics is you need to be able to count, you need to be able to say if you are doing things, can you get things through the parliamentary party? and

it was very clear for those who were able to count that that wasn't going to be the case. iirratith able to count that that wasn't going to be the case-— to be the case. with a huge majority. — to be the case. with a huge majority. that _ to be the case. with a huge majority, that shouldn't - to be the case. with a huge majority, that shouldn't be | to be the case. with a huge i majority, that shouldn't be an issue? t7! majority, that shouldn't be an issue? , :, majority, that shouldn't be an issue? , ., :, , issue? if they are doing things the parliamentary _ issue? if they are doing things the parliamentary party _ issue? if they are doing things the parliamentary party does - issue? if they are doing things the parliamentary party does not - issue? if they are doing things the parliamentary party does not like, | parliamentary party does not like, the next big issue is with regards to the top rating of benefits. i am out of it, i do not know what is happening in the comments but i was recently talking to someone who knows what is happening and it was her estimation that the numbers against not operating were greater than those against the 45 p income tax rate. :, ~' , than those against the 45 p income tax rate. :, ~ , :, tax rate. you think they will not aet tax rate. you think they will not net that tax rate. you think they will not get that through _ tax rate. you think they will not get that through either - tax rate. you think they will not get that through either if - tax rate. you think they will not get that through either if they l get that through either if they decide to make what is affordable, they will not operate benefits by

they will not operate benefits by the rate of inflation? t they will not operate benefits by the rate of inflation?— the rate of inflation? i think that is almost certain _ the rate of inflation? i think that is almost certain but _ the rate of inflation? i think that is almost certain but bearing - the rate of inflation? i think that is almost certain but bearing in l is almost certain but bearing in mind i have been proved wrong a couple of times this week, when things are going a different way but it doesn't mean to say they cannot do something with the budget, they cannot look at those people who are on benefits who could be in work. but you do not achieve that by cutting benefits, you achieve that by getting training and giving them an opportunity for work, you achieve them by getting alongside them and getting them into work and offering them support. t’m getting them into work and offering them support-— them support. i'm sorry but what does that say _ them support. i'm sorry but what does that say about _ them support. i'm sorry but what does that say about this - them support. i'm sorry but what . does that say about this government if you are saying potentially there will be a bigger rebellion on what they are suggesting they will do because obviously if they did not have a desire to do it, we would not even be discussing this because the borisjohnson government even be discussing this because the boris johnson government said even be discussing this because the borisjohnson government said they would operate benefits by the rate of inflation so the fact they cannot do these things, what does that say

about the state of this government and whether it is a viable government in terms of driving through policy that they want? as]!!! through policy that they want? fill governments are like this. the thatcher government was like this exceptin thatcher government was like this except in those days it was slightly more hidden. there was not a 24—hour rolling news. but more hidden. there was not a 24-hour rolling news— rolling news. but can you think of another example _ rolling news. but can you think of another example of _ rolling news. but can you think of another example of a _ rolling news. but can you think of| another example of a government which has had such a big majority thatis which has had such a big majority that is being held to account? i know you say it has happened behind closed doors before and this is public but being held to account in this way by its own government in this way by its own government in this way? this way by its own government in this wa ? ,:, ., .,, this way by its own government in this wa ? ., :, , this way? the poll tax was worse than this. _ this way? the poll tax was worse than this. it _ this way? the poll tax was worse than this, it was _ this way? the poll tax was worse than this, it was a _ this way? the poll tax was worse than this, it was a bigger- this way? the poll tax was worse | than this, it was a bigger majority than this, it was a bigger majority than this. t than this, it was a bigger ma'ority than this. :, , . :, :, than this, it was a bigger ma'ority than this. :,, . i. ., than this. i was much too young to remember — than this. i was much too young to remember the _ than this. i was much too young to remember the politics _ than this. i was much too young to remember the politics of _ than this. i was much too young to remember the politics of it, - than this. i was much too young to remember the politics of it, i - remember the politics of it, i remember the politics of it, i remember it so are you basically saying the tory party, you are likening it to what happened with the poll tax? t likening it to what happened with the poll tax?— the poll tax? i am not using that analot . the poll tax? i am not using that analogy- you _ the poll tax? i am not using that analogy. you asked _ the poll tax? i am not using that analogy. you asked me - the poll tax? i am not using that analogy. you asked me if- the poll tax? i am not using that analogy. you asked me if i - the poll tax? i am not using that analogy. you asked me if! could

analogy. you asked me if i could think of an example. i could think of examples with the labour party, problems with denis healey, problems that have occurred to a lesser extent... party conferences do not create policy. it is the reality of the market. and what we need is a period in which the prime minister can clearly demonstrate to the british public and i suppose to parliament... damnation, to parliament, that they are capable of being able to deliver that growth package. my earphone has fallen out so i do not think we can continue. more pickles, thank you so much for joining us. —— lord eric pickles. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid—i9 inquiry is taking place in london today. it will examine whether the risk

of the coronavirus pandemic was properly identified and planned for. the hearing had originally been scheduled for last month, but was delayed after the death of the queen. click in her opening statement, baroness hallett, the chair of the inquiry, outlined its key aims. the inquiry will analyse our state of readiness for the pandemic, and the response to it, as i've said, and to determine whether that level of loss about which we have just been reflecting was inevitable, or whether things could have been done better. my principle aim is to produce reports and recommendations before another disaster strikes the four nations of the united kingdom, and if it is possible, to reduce the number of deaths, the suffering and the hardship. to that end, i've set an ambitious timetable, and the inquiry team are working extraordinarily hard to meet it. i will need the full cooperation of the core participants, witnesses, holders of documents and information and experts. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, fair and independent inquiry,

for the whole of the united kingdom and i intend to do so. our health correspondentjim reed explained more about how the inquiry would work. just to explain, we were hearing from baroness heather hallett, appointed by borisjohnson to chair this inquiry into the actions around the pandemic, the uk covid inquiry, it has been called. the baroness was probably best known in legal terms for being the coroner who investigated the deaths of 42 people involved in the 2005 terror attacks so she is very experienced. today, she was addressing some concerns that the relatives of some victims of covid have had that they might be sidelined in some way, that this inquiry might be technical, it might hear from politicians a lot and nhs decision—makers but will it hear properly from the families of victims? she said today she understood

that there was concern about victims being sidelined but said they would be properly consulted. she said i promise the bereaved that those who have suffered the most will be at the heart of this inquiry and i intend to keep that promise. she went on to say if there is one word that could some up the work she is doing here it would be "loss", it would be loss of economic ability, the ability to earn money and have a job, loss of education, loss of social contact but above all, it would be the bereaved who have lost the most and she wanted to address that. i think that's the tone today, this idea that it will be something that will focus very much on the loss of loved ones and the impact that covid has had on so many families across the country. north korea has launched a missile overjapan, sparking anger in tokyo. it defies a un security council resolution ban on missile launches. the rocket came down in the pacific ocean and there are no reports of damage.

just to give you an idea of the effect the north korean missile launch had in japan. this video was filmed on board a train — which was brought to a halt, with alarms ringing, from what is known as the j—alert system. the announcement said that the service would only resume moving once its safety had been confirmed. the bbc�*sjean mackenzie is in seoul and she told me more. we are getting very used to reporting these north korean missile launches. they have almost become normalised. this has been a record year for north korean missile tests and just last week, we had four instances of these. but today's really does stand apart because it is the first time for five years that they have flown a missile overjapan. so most of their launches this year have been short range missile launches. and even when they have been testing something longer range, they fly it in such a way so that it lands in the sea between korea and japan. for it actually to fly other in other country's territory is seen as incredibly provocative, and it appears that japan was not given any prior warning that this was going to take place. so you have, as we just heard, people in the northern parts

of japan waking up to the sounds of warning sirens and being told to take cover, being told to look up into the sky, to check forfalling debris. so it is a major escalation on the part of north korea. a woman has died after being attacked by dogs at a house in liverpool. merseyside police say the victim — who was in her 60s — was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon at an address in kirkdale. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days, the forecast is a wet one and also a fairly windy one. we've certainly got that combination today, we've got two weather fronts sinking south, both bringing some rain, not getting into the far south—eastern quarter, and behind them across the north of scotland it will brighten up with some scattered showers. wherever you are it is going to be windy with temperatures ranging from 13 in the north to 20 in the south. tonight, weather fronts retreat northwards as low pressure develops.

we have also got another couple of weather fronts coming into the west bringing rain, and the winds are strengthening, especially across england and wales. it is leading us into another mild night. tomorrow, eventually, the heavy rain clears much of scotland, our two fronts push southwards, the second one being fairly weak, behind them, blustery showers, another windy day with gales with exposure and temperatures 11 to 20.

hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines. prime minister liz truss has not ruled out real—terms benefit cuts to help pay for her government's growth plan, she's in listening mode though. there will be discussions about the way forward on commitments like benefits, on how we deal with futurer budgets, but i'm very clear, going into this winter, we do need to help the most vulnerable. on the trail of the people smugglers. the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands of migrants crossing the english channel. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry, investigating the country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020 takes place with inquiry chair baroness heather hallet.

our paris correspondent has been speaking to people in northern france about the growing popularity of the route into the uk. it is sam, and this french patrol are tracking their target. tiara are tracking their target. two eo - le are tracking their target. two peeple smugglers _ are tracking their target. two people smugglers spotted by a uk funded drone. they are half a mile away, swiftly preparing a boat to take migrants across the channel. a uk funded buggy gets the patrol there in minutes. the smugglers have already fled. but they have lost their boat. their fuel and their motor to the patrol. thisjourney, tonight, is over.

french patrols are now stopping round half these crossings but they are still attracting more migrants and new more efficient smuggling networks run by albanians t and new more efficient smuggling networks run by albanians- networks run by albanians i don't know if it is _ networks run by albanians i don't know if it is the _ networks run by albanians i don't know if it is the albane _ networks run by albanians i don't know if it is the albane jane - know if it is the albane jane platform in the uk but there are a lot organising crossing, with prices of 2-3,000 lot organising crossing, with prices of 2—3,000 euro, it is more lucrative than drugs. of 2-3,000 euro, it is more lucrative than drugs. albanian customers _ lucrative than drugs. albanian customers have _ lucrative than drugs. albanian customers have been - lucrative than drugs. albanian customers have been filling i lucrative than drugs. albanian . customers have been filling cafes and hotels round the station in dunkirk. tit and hotels round the station in dunkirk. , ., ., and hotels round the station in dunkirk. , :, ., ., :, ., dunkirk. in this area a lot ail banian people _ dunkirk. in this area a lot ail banian people come - dunkirk. in this area a lot ail banian people come here, . dunkirk. in this area a lot ail - banian people come here, maybe double, triple compared to last year, and years after year, people come in and come in and say there is no people in ail baneia any more. smugglers have extended their operations along this coastline to avoid daily patrols from land, sea, and air. this coastline has pulled

in resources year after year, vehicles, technology, foot patrols, politicians change, strategies shift, and still the number of people crossing this channel rises. and here in the camps the uk government's latest deterrent, deportation to rwanda isn't working. this crossing is sold as the solution to insurmountable problems and that trumps any kind of risk. lucy williamson, bbc news calais. let us go to the conservative mp for dover natalie elphick live from the tory party conference in birmingham. thank you forjoining us, so we expect to hear stricter policy from suella brave man today, do you think they will work, where already strict policies have so far failed to work? the home secretary has said and she is right, that the small boat

situation is out of control, so, clearly there needs to be further measures taken, we need to do those swiftly before we have the risk of more lives lost in the wintry seas as the seas get rougher. so more lives lost in the wintry seas as the seas get rougher.- as the seas get rougher. so the nationality _ as the seas get rougher. so the nationality and _ as the seas get rougher. so the nationality and borders - as the seas get rougher. so the nationality and borders act - as the seas get rougher. so the i nationality and borders act means that people smugglers currently face a sentence potentially of life imprisonment, anyone illegally entering country can be jailed for “p entering country can be jailed for up to fouryear, entering country can be jailed for up to four year, there is the deportation policy to send people arriving illegally to rwanda and so far more immigrants have arrived from across the channel than arrived in the whole of last year. so why keep going with the same strategy, albeit making it even stricter as you go? albeit making it even stricter as ou to? ~ :, albeit making it even stricter as ou to? : ., ., albeit making it even stricter as ou to? :, ., :, you go? well, there are a package of measures to — you go? well, there are a package of measures to deal _ you go? well, there are a package of measures to deal with _ you go? well, there are a package of measures to deal with the _ you go? well, there are a package of measures to deal with the illegal - measures to deal with the illegal migration situation, and it is out of control in the channel, so it is vital that the new home secretary gets a grip of this, and makes sure she brings forward swift and

immediate measures, that is absolutely needs to also focus on stopping those boats on the french side. this is criminality plain and simple happening in france, the boats shouldn't be leaving let alone the 33,000 people who have come through on the illegaljourney into our country in the last year. ishtith our country in the last year. with resect our country in the last year. with respect you _ our country in the last year. with respect you didn't _ our country in the last year. with respect you didn't answer the question, which was the current strategy is designed to deal with exactly that, it is stricter than anything we have seen before, it talks about deporting people who come to this country via that route, entering illegally, jaming people who enter illegally, and it is not working, so it is time for a rethink?— working, so it is time for a rethink? ~ :, , ., ., , rethink? well, as we have, as we know those _ rethink? well, as we have, as we know those measures _ rethink? well, as we have, as we know those measures have - rethink? well, as we have, as we know those measures have no . rethink? well, as we have, as we| know those measures have no yet rethink? well, as we have, as we - know those measures have no yet had a chance to work because they are tied up in the legal courses, that is why i am clear we need to have diplomatic engagement at the highest possible level. i hope that this week, when the prime minister meets with president macron she will make sure she has the conversation about

how to deal with the small boat, i would like to see joint patrols and a joint security channel, across the whole of the area, to make sure that we can really tackle this. the bottom line is, that this will only end on the small boats crisis, when people smuggler, and migrants alike know they can't break in to britain in this way, that is what we meed to do and use every tool, diplomatic, legal and other to make sure that we bring an end toe the small boats crisis. ~ , :, , :, ~' bring an end toe the small boats crisis. ~ , :, , :, ~ , crisis. why do you think the number of small boats _ crisis. why do you think the number of small boats coming _ crisis. why do you think the number of small boats coming across - crisis. why do you think the number of small boats coming across the i of small boats coming across the channel has increased so dramatically over the last year? so that the numbers by the end of the year on course to be double that they were last year?— they were last year? well, what we have seen is _ they were last year? well, what we have seen is that _ they were last year? well, what we have seen is that it _ they were last year? well, what we have seen is that it is _ they were last year? well, what we have seen is that it is the _ they were last year? well, what we have seen is that it is the route - have seen is that it is the route itself that needs to be tackled, because we have seen the albanian smuggling gangs come in and really put very large numbers now, through the small boats route, albania is a

country applying to whereon join the eu, it is a member of nato, it is not the profile of country that i think most people would have in mind, when they think about helping people who are refugees as we are doing with ukraine, and other countries, so this is criminality, plain and simple. and it needs to be tackled as such. it is absolutely vital that temperature french don't allow as has happened the albanian gangs to be going round french shore, getting business, touting for business, piling people in boats and as we have seen too many times the french police standing by while they launch in the water. it is vital that we tackle this as a criminal activity, on both sides of the channel, and that is what needs to happen. thank you forjoining us. the marks man who fired the shot has

beens is spended from duty. mr kaba's parents brother and cousin have attended the hearing at london in a coroner's court they a.— in a coroner's court they a. today's heanna in a coroner's court they a. today's hearing was — in a coroner's court they a. today's hearing was another— in a coroner's court they a. today's hearing was another step _ in a coroner's court they a. today's hearing was another step in - hearing was another step in achieving justice for chris, tomorrow, the 5th october, marks exactly one month since chris was shot dead by a police officer while sitting unarmed in a car. ever since that terms and condition moment my family and everyone that knew him are asking one question. why? we are still very farfrom are asking one question. why? we are still very far from getting a are asking one question. why? we are still very farfrom getting a proper answer. but there is something else we want to know. which isjust answer. but there is something else we want to know. which is just as important. who will be held accountable for these death? i am chris's cousin and today we are here as a family, because we want answers to both those questions. we need answers. notjust this to both those questions. we need answers. not just this family, to both those questions. we need answers. notjust this family, but the whole of london, the whole of the whole of london, the whole of the country, needs to know how something like this could occur. how

can a young man sitting in a car, unarticled be shot in the head by police in 2022? this should never have happened. it must never happen again. we must never accept this as normal. someone must be held accountable.— normal. someone must be held accountable. _, , , accountable. our correspondent greg mckenzie attended _ accountable. our correspondent greg mckenzie attended court _ accountable. our correspondent greg mckenzie attended court this - mckenzie attended court this morning. tit mckenzie attended court this mornint. , :, :, .,, morning. in terms of today, it was the opening _ morning. in terms of today, it was the opening of— morning. in terms of today, it was the opening of the _ morning. in terms of today, it was the opening of the inquest, - morning. in terms of today, it was the opening of the inquest, into i morning. in terms of today, it was. the opening of the inquest, into the death of chris kaba who was shot dead by a police officer on 5th september in south london. his entire family were here at the inquest, and ultimately what happened today was more details were revealed as to the time line, as to the circumstances which led up to that shooting on 5th september, in south london. more details have been revealed as to why his car was stopped. the car he was driving was an audi carflagged has being involved in a firearms incident the

day before. this car had been flagged on a metropolitan police an pr camera and ultimately the car, chris kaba was driving, was followed in an unmarked police car, for about 15 minutes. without the blue lights that the police use. those lights were not used. the car then drove off on to, into a pursuit, really and ultimately it was stopped in a neighbouring area of streatham, about 15 minutes away, where chris kaba's car was hemmed in by two police cars, and it was here where one firearm was discharged, and a single bullet went into the head of chris kaba. now, chris kaba died a short time later in hospital, about two hours later and it was only two weeks later that his father prosper went to mortuary to identify the body. so ultimately the coroner has said that he will await the outcome

of the independent office for police conduct�*s homicide investigation before any inquest can take place, because ultimately, that investigation will take six to nine month, now only then, whether there is enough evidence to pass it to the crown prosecution service will the crown prosecution service will the crown prosecution decide whether or not to prosecute the officer, who has since been suspended. the un has issued another urgent appeal for funds to help families in flood hit pakistan — as doctors face what it describes as a "public health emergency". more than 1,700 people have died including nearly 600 children and with waters not expected to recede for many months, life threatening water borne diseases are on the rise. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports from sindh. in pakistan, as fields remain flooded, villages remain isolated.

doctors are delivering medical care by boat, with the help here of unicef. we asked if we could follow them as they visited far—flung communities who have been stranded. these remote areas already have very limited access to medical help. now, what this mobile camp is providing today is testing for malnutrition over here, over there they are doing malaria tests, in the corner the tests for hepatitis and here, a whole load of medicines available for people, all kinds of things from oral rehydration to antimalarials and there's even soap that they are providing people. fouzia approaches the camp with herfour young children. she tells me they are all sick. translation: it's really difficult, there's water everywhere - and we can't get medicines. now, some help has arrived.

to treat a rise in waterborne diseases like malaria and diarrhoea, and a spike in malnutrition. as doctors measure her arm, they learned that baby sima is perilously thin. since the floods, her mother has struggled to eat. there is a shortage of clean water and food supplies, so mainly there are so many people like this baby, she's nine months old, and she is severely malnourished. these camps provide some relief. but with a shortage of medicines, boats and even doctors, not everyone can get this help. it could take months for the waters to recede, that's many more months of suffering. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. the former president is seeks $475

million this damage, he accuses cnn of carrying out a sunderland rows campaign against him, because it fears he will stand again for the fears he will standagain. for the network fears he will standagain. fer the network has not presidency, the network has not responded. our headlines on bbc news. on the trail of the people smugglers , the uk government prepares to set out new rules to stop thousands of migrants crossing the english channel. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid public inquiry, investigating the country's pre—pandemic preparations before 2020 takes place with inquiry chair, baroness heather hallet. ukrainian troops have broken through russian positions near kherson, a strategic city in a part of southern ukraine annexed by moscow last week.this map gives

an idea of recent ukrainian advances in the kherson region. there have been claims that ukrainian forces have captured parts of the west bank of the dnieper river but they have not been confirmed. ukraine has released this video of its forces raising flags in what it says is a liberated settlement in the kherson region. according to president zelensky, ukrainian forces are currently pushing forward not only in kherson, but also in the eastern luhansk region. our correspondent in the ukrainian capital kyiv, hugo bachega, told me this was a significant development. we've being watching developments in kherson for quite some time, heavy fighting there, but no major changes in terms of military positions. while this is changing, in the last 24 hours, the ukrainians have made some gains, along the dnipro river which works as a national barrier on the front lines,

so, very significant gains for the ukrainians, reclaiming several villages on the western bank of the dnipro river in kherson. so this is the situation in the south. in the east of the country, the ukrainians are going ahead with the counter offensive, after retaking the key town of lyman, which was being used as a major transport logistics hub by the russians in the donetsk region, and it seems that the ukrainians are fortifying their positions round the town, and the location of this town gives the ukrainians a very good position to not only try to reclaim territory in donetsk, but also to try to enter the region of luhansk in the east _ of the country, and all these gains are happening in those regions that russia says it is annexing. so it is very important for the ukrainians, strategically, but it is also symbolic because it is a major embarrassment for russia.

and russia has been manoeuvring potentially some of its nuclear equipment, raising concerns that it may be thinking about a nuclear test and russia has been manoeuvring potentially some of its nuclear equipment, raising concerns that it may be thinking about a nuclear test on the border with ukraine. what is the reaction there to that? i think the ukrainians have down played perhaps the threat of any nuclear weapons being used. i think that the threats coming from russia, the statements being issued by president putin, by some senior russian officials, are unacceptable. i think is pretty much the same reaction we have been hearing from western officials as well, and we haven't seen any kind of sign that the russians are ready to use any kind of nuclear weapon. i think the fact there has been some movement with the train that's perhaps carrying some nuclear weapons could be seen as a message, perhaps, but i don't think the ukrainians think that there is an escalation when it comes to the possibility of the russians using any kind of nuclear threat, nuclear weapon, here in the country. i think there is the fear that perhaps the concern that

tensions could escalate following the annexation of the four region, the russians may say, look, these regions are part of ukraine, any attack on those areas will be seen as an attack on russia itself. a rover designed and built by british engineers at airbus in stevenage was all set to go to mars — until its role in a mission to collect martian rocks was cancelled. now it's a robot on the hunt for a newjob to prevent all of the expertise and work that's taken more than a decade from going to waste. our science editor rebecca morelle reports. one state—of—the—art rover. its skills, it can drive autonomously, negotiate the most difficult terrain and cope in extreme environments. but now it's looking for work. built in the uk, it's being tested in a quarry in bedfordshire. it was heading for mars until its mission was cancelled. its task on the red planet was to pick up samples, but it's been scrapped. mini mars helicopters

will do thejob instead. the uk doesn't want to see the technology mothballed, they think this rover has still got a bright future. we have spent a lot of time and a lot of effort on developing this expertise. we don't want to let that go to waste, we want to exploit it to make sure that investment comes to fruition. also, it puts us in a good place to be involved in future space missions which is brilliant for the reputation of the uk. so, where could the rover go instead of mars? one option could be to swap the red martian terrain for the grey lunar landscape. this rover was designed for mars. if it's heading to the moon, it will need some modifications. the lunar surface can get as hot as 120 degrees celsius, and as cold as —230.

so this will have to cope with extremes. there's also problem with light. the moon gets two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness, and this will be a challenge for solar power. and then there's the fine lunar dust. it's particularly clingy and abrasive, which could be an issue for the rover�*s moving parts. lunar exploration is having a resurgence right now. nasa's new artemis rocket will soon be heading there and eventually taking astronauts to the moon's surface. the idea is to have a permanent lunar base, and rovers could play a crucial role. they could be used anywhere that you want to do something autonomously, so it could be autonomously moving around rovers for building habitats, or it could be used for going to places that are uninhabitable by humans or an extreme temperature or particularly dangerous. so anywhere that you want to do something autonomously, this rover could still use that

technology to do that. for now, the rover is out of work, stuck on earth, driving around a quarry. but this isn't just about salvaging a £23 million piece of kit, it's about the people and expertise that goes with it. the hope is the rover gets some new employment soon. rebecca morelle, bbc news. in san francisco a futuristic pilot is taking place — fully driverless robo—taxis are being permitted at night time for paying customers. cruise, the company behind them, says the cars will revolutionise transport. but critics say putting fully autonomous taxis on urban streets is premature and dangerous. our north america technology reporterjames clayton has more. wow, i think there's actually no—one in there. this is incredible. on san francisco streets, something straight out of a sci—fi film is happening. people are able to hail cabs with no driver — fully autonomous robo—taxis. some love it.

i cannot believe this is happening. but is the tech ready? there's only one way to find out. get into one of these cars ourselves. the bbc was one of the first media organisations in the world to try it. car: buckle up and get ready to ride. - it's really, really weird. it doesn't act like a race track or a testing facility. we are fully in the centre of san francisco. the car is totally driverless. it's amazing, unnerving, surreal, all mixed into one. on any of our cruise avs, we have lidar, we have radar and we have cameras. and what we do is we fuse all those together using machine learning and that gives us this amazing understanding of the world around us. but it didn't always feel like that. well, this is interesting. there is a bus in our lane and there are cars to our left. so, what is it going to do? 0h...

it really doesn't know what to do. 0h... there is a car behind us. like, this isjust bad driving. i was ready to love this and i'm definitely... i'm definitely nervous. cruise has been involved in a number of accidents in san francisco this year, most of them minor. however, after a collision injune, its software was recalled. and some believe it's too soon for real passengers to be driven these vehicles are still somewhat in the test phase. we believe that manufacturers need to provide the public with some sort of transparent evidence that these vehicles aren't going to cause problems, deaths or injuries on the road. we are six months into deploying this product — brand—new, game—changing product — and, with that, comes some early teething problems. we're really proud of our safety record and we report continuously to our regulators, and safety is absolutely the top priority at cruise. despite safety concerns, cruise's

vision is to expand, and quickly. and if they get their way, these kinds of rides will become the new normal. bye! james clayton, bbc news, san francisco. have you ever wanted to own something belonging to james bond, darth vader or david bowie? well, later this year you can. at an auction at bafta in london, some of the music and film industry's most recognisable items will be on offer. grace harbage reports. collectors' items don't come much bigger than these. superman, elvis presley, harry potter and whitney houston, to name a few highlights. items from these famous films and musicians will be available to buy later this year. among the most prized possessions is the complete superman costume worn by christopher reeve in the film franchise over 40 years ago. the tunic is actually a tunic

that was used in superman 3. the belts and then the trunks and the leggings were labelled and used for superman 2, and then the cape itself was actually made for superman 1, and then repurposed and reused for superman 2. so, during the productions themselves, as the budgets got less and less between the films, they actually reused the costumes throughout them to save money. saving money you will not at this auction. the superman suit is estimated to be sold at $280,000 to $570,000. and this first edition hardback book of harry potter and the philosopher's stone is expected to go between $110,000. this is a really special first edition, very rare, they only made about 500. the key identifier for a first edition is the serial number on the front, as you can see, it starts with a one. interestingly, the author is also referred to asjoanne rowling, rather than jk rowling.

and on the back, we have a little spelling error of philosopher. following a successful auction in los angeles injune, the london selection has over 1500 items, with a total sale due to reach roughly $12 million. but if you think fears of a global recession will put people off, think again. it's very interesting, we've seen this a similarly in 2007 and 2008, when we had the financial crash, that actually where there is volatility in the markets, people look for fixed assets and items like these to investor money into. from james bond's number plates to darth vader's gloves, there really is a piece of history for everyone. grace harbage, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. the rest of s this week is looking pretty autumnal, it will feel autumnal, wet, windy weather at times. temperatures wise not too bad. fair plield, i think for the time of year but certainly the wind and the rain will be noticeable for

the next couple of days and that will be followed by sunshine and showers so there will be sunshine round too. today, low pressure sits to the north 0 of the uk. and associated with that autumn cough weather fronts bringing wet weather to much of the country winds a feature in northern, western areas with temperatures in the south—east given good spells of sunshine, reaching round 20 degree, there will be sunshine at times in scotland too, but the rain, the cloud piles backin too, but the rain, the cloud piles back in to the north and the west, of the country as we head through this evening and overnight. heavy bursts of rain, so the rain gets into the south—east as well towards the end of the night and it will be mild, you will notice, 15, 16 degrees the low across england and wales and the wind pick up it will turn blustery for all. as we move through wednesday the weather fronts start to push their wear eastwards, so it will start to turn wetter across more eastern pars of the country as we head through wednesday afternoon, so a wet start, northern and areas, that rain bank trend

trillions eastwards. clearing to the end of the day. skies bright up for many but there will be showers and they will be heavy and thinnedry, and it will be a blustery day, particularly round irish sea coast, those are the wind gusts there. temperatures wise, cooler air spreading south—east wards behind the rain band, so, the low teens in the rain band, so, the low teens in the north round the mid to high teens further south. then through thursday and friday we hold on to low pressure through the north. high tore the south. you can see plenty of isobars so it will be stay blustery and there will be rain followed by sunshine and showers. now thursday, doesn't look too bad in central and southern part, the best of the drier weather will be to eastern england, north and west it stays blustery, windy with showers or even longer spells of rain as you can see for western scotland. temperatures maybe a bit higher, what will have on wednesday. similar story on friday, it stays blustery, sunshine and showers most in the

north and west, turns less windy for a time before it turns wet and windy again on sunday.

a fresh battle within the conservative party, this time over benefit payments. after the row over tax cuts for higher earners, now the prime minister is under pressure to increase welfare payments in line with inflation, and not to consider cutting them in real terms. well, we haven't made a decision yet on that specific issue, and all of these things depend on the specific circumstances. one cabinet minister, penny mordaunt, has broken ranks, calling on the prime minister to honour the increase in benefits promised under borisjohnson's government. also this lunchtime... the first preliminary hearing of the public inquiry on covid looks at how prepared the uk was for a pandemic. i have a duty to the public to conduct a thorough, fair and independent inquiry for the whole of the united kingdom,

and i intend to do so.