at six — the prime minister sacks kwasi kwarteng as chancellor and replaces him withjeremy hunt — the fourth chancellor this year. liz truss announces another major u—turn on her economic plans — corporation tax will now rise to 25% next april. it is clear that parts of our mini budget went further and faster than markets were expecting. so the way we are delivering our mission right now has to change. kwasi kwarteng has had to wave goodbye — kwasi kwarteng has had to wave goodbye to hisjob kwasi kwarteng has had to wave goodbye to his job after 38 days as chancellor. former health secretary and leadership candidatejeremy hunt

is now tasked with bringing the financial turmoil under control — what can he do? he will hope things can get better, the prime minister hasjunked he will hope things can get better, the prime minister has junked two key planking of her programme for government. and her chance, the big question tonight, can she survive? also on the programme. police investigating the murder of leah croucher say a convicted sex offender who died three years ago is the murder suspect. almost a month since the death of mahsa amini in iran over her headscarf, 200 people are reported to have been killed. and robbie coltrane has died at the age of 72. and robbie coltrane has died at the age of 72. and coming up on the bbc news channel. hailed at the most inclusive rugby league event ever, we bring you all the build up to the world cup ahead of tomorrow's opening game.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. less than 2a hours after kwasi kwarteng insisted he was 100% safe in hisjob as chancellor, he has gone — sacked by liz truss after he flew back early from washington. three weeks of turmoil on the financial markets has culminated in this, another dizzying day in politics. the prime minister has announced a second major u—turn on her economic plans for growth — corporation tax will now rise from 19 to 25% in april after all. liz truss has sacked the chancellor and named a new one —jeremy hunt — the fourth this year. at a very short press conference this afternoon she was asked about her credibility as prime minister and why she was remaining in the job. she sidestepped those questions, but said repeatedly she was there to ensure economic stability. let's go straight to our political editor. chris mason is westminster.

you may just have you mayjust have noticed that poll tinge has skipped along at quite a pace. well, here is the thing, it's getting quicker. a lot quicker, very quickly, a new chancellor became a former chancellor. huge chunks of a prospectus for government were binned and now, hovering in the air, throughout westminster, huge questions about the prime minister's future too. up upfor up for another ing u—turn, the prime minister invited reporters to downing street this afternoon and scrapped one of her key policies that she's championed for months. it is clear that parts of our mini budget went further and faster than markets were expecting. so the way we are delivering our mission right now has to change. i have therefore decided to keep the increase in corporation tax that was planned by the previous government. this will

raise £18 billion per year. so a the previous government. this will raise £18 billion per year.— raise £18 billion per year. so a tax oli raise £18 billion per year. so a tax policy ditched. — raise £18 billion per year. so a tax policy ditched, and _ raise £18 billion per year. so a tax policy ditched, and her— raise £18 billion per year. so a tax policy ditched, and her chancellor| policy ditched, and her chancellor too. i policy ditched, and her chancellor too. ., ., . ., too. i met the former chancellor earlier today. _ too. i met the former chancellor earlier today. i _ too. i met the former chancellor earlier today. i was _ too. i met the former chancellor earlier today. i was incredibly i earlier today. i was incredibly sorry to lose him. he is a great friend. and he shares my vision to set this country on past to —— path to growth. today, i have asked jeremy hunt to become the new chancellor. jeremy hunt to become the new chancellor-— jeremy hunt to become the new chancellor. and one more thing, government _ chancellor. and one more thing, government spending _ chancellor. and one more thing, government spending will - chancellor. and one more thing, government spending will be - chancellor. and one more thing, j government spending will be cut compared to what was expected. fiur compared to what was expected. our ublic compared to what was expected. oi" public sector will compared to what was expected. qij' public sector will become more efficient, to deliver world class services for the british people. and spending will grow less rapidly than previously planned. it never rains but it pour, this was the now former chancellor kwasi kwarteng making an early dash home from a meeting of finance ministers in washington last night. a long—haulflight, in washington last night. a long—haul flight, followed in washington last night. a long—haulflight, followed by the sackis long—haulflight, followed by the sack is how his friday went.

long-haul flight, followed by the sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister _ sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go _ sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go next - sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go next mr- the prime minister go next mr kwarteng? the formalities look like this, in his letter to now former chancellor kwasi kwarteng making an early dash home from a meeting of finance ministers in washington last night. a long—haulflight, ministers in washington last night. a long—haul flight, followed ministers in washington last night. a long—haulflight, followed by ministers in washington last night. a long—haul flight, followed by the sackis a long—haul flight, followed by the sack is how his friday went. a long-haul flight, followed by the sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister _ sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go _ sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go next - sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go next mr- the prime minister go next mr kwarteng? the formalities look like this, in his letter to the prime minister, wrote "you have asked me to stand aside as your chance, i have accepted. accepted. " in reply liz truss wrote they shared followed by the sack is how his friday went. should the prime minister go next mr kwarteng? _ kwarteng? the formalities look like this, in his letter to the prime minister, wrote "you have asked me to stand aside as your chance, i have accepted." in reply liz truss wrote they shared the same vision and "i'm deeply sorry to lose you from the government.". jeremy hunt is a former health secretary and foreign secretary, and has tried to become leader himself twice. now, he is the fourth chancellor since july. politics has been on fast forward this autumn. it is five—and—a—half weeks since liz truss became prime minister. mr weeks since liz truss became prime minister. ~ ,,, ., ~ ., ., minister. mr speaker we are at the beauinnin minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of— minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a _ minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a new _ minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a new era _ minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a new era and - minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a new era and as - minister. mr speaker we are at the beginning of a new era and as we | beginning of a new era and as we contemplate plate... it beginning of a new era and as we contemplate plate. . ._ contemplate plate... it is three week since _ contemplate plate... it is three week since the _ contemplate plate... it is three week since the former - contemplate plate... it is three l week since the former chancellor contemplate plate... it is three - week since the former chancellor set out his planned tax cuts.

and less than a fortnight since he ditched the cut for the best paid. i felt and the prime minister felt that this was just a distraction on what is a very strong package. and then, just yesterday, there was this. and you will be chancellor and liz truss will be prime minister this time next month. absolutely 10096. it this time next month. absolutely 100�*56- it is _ this time next month. absolutely 100%. it is little _ this time next month. absolutely 10096. it is little wonder - this time next month. absolutely 10096. it is little wonder the - 10096. it is little wonder the conservatives _ 10096. it is little wonder the conservatives play - 10096. it is little wonder the conservatives play politicall 10096. it is little wonder the - conservatives play political rivals are sounding like this.— are sounding like this. another change in _ are sounding like this. another change in who is _ are sounding like this. another change in who is running the i change in who is running the treasury, another tory chancellor isn't the answer to the challenges that we face as a country, the tories are out of ideas, they are out of time it is time for a labour government. out of time it is time for a labour government-— out of time it is time for a labour government. this is beyond a 'oke, it was never— government. this is beyond a 'oke, it was never funny i government. this is beyond a 'oke, it was never funny but i government. this is beyond a 'oke, it was never funny but liz h government. this is beyond a joke, it was never funny but liz truss - government. this is beyond a joke, it was never funny but liz truss hasj it was never funny but liz truss has already— it was never funny but liz truss has already through her own decisions crashed _ already through her own decisions crashed the economy and heaped mystery— crashed the economy and heaped mystery on people who were already struggling with the cost of living crisis _ crisis. and even this — and even this former conservative chancellor reckons the government is incompetent. i do chancellor reckons the government is incompetent-—

incompetent. i do not think they can resolve the — incompetent. i do not think they can resolve the political— incompetent. i do not think they can resolve the political damage - incompetent. i do not think they can resolve the political damage that. resolve the political damage that has been caused, the tory party has to be the party of competence in government. i am afraid we have thrown away years and years of painstaking work. 50 thrown away years and years of painstaking work.— thrown away years and years of ”ainstakin work. . , , ., , painstaking work. so many questions for the prime — painstaking work. so many questions for the prime minister, _ painstaking work. so many questions for the prime minister, but _ painstaking work. so many questions for the prime minister, but she - painstaking work. so many questions for the prime minister, but she onlyl for the prime minister, but she only asked four of us to ask one. ichris asked four of us to ask one. chris mason. excuse _ asked four of us to ask one. chris mason. excuse the _ asked four of us to ask one. chris mason. excuse the bluntness - asked four of us to ask one. chris mason. excuse the bluntness butj mason. excuse the bluntness but riven mason. excuse the bluntness but given everything _ mason. excuse the bluntness but given everything that _ mason. excuse the bluntness but given everything that has - mason. excuse the bluntness but i given everything that has happened what credibility do you have to continue governing?— what credibility do you have to continue governing? what credibility do you have to continue eaovernin ? . ., ., ., continue governing? what i have done toda is continue governing? what i have done today is made — continue governing? what i have done today is made sure _ continue governing? what i have done today is made sure that _ continue governing? what i have done today is made sure that we _ continue governing? what i have done today is made sure that we have - today is made sure that we have economic stability in this country. jeremy hunt as chancellor is somebody who shares my desire for a high growth, low tax economy. the ruestions high growth, low tax economy. the questions from others were in a similar vein questions from others were in a similarvein and questions from others were in a similar vein and brutal. questions from others were in a similarvein and brutal. he questions from others were in a similar vein and brutal. he has to go because of the stephen mcfaul out, how come you are have to stay by, out, how come you are have to stay a difficult day, can you explain why

you think— difficult day, can you explain why you think you should remain as prime ministen _ you think you should remain as prime minister. will you think you should remain as prime minister. ~ , ., you think you should remain as prime minister. ~ i. ., ., , minister. will you apologise? herrances — minister. will you apologise? herrances were similar - minister. will you apologise? herrances were similar to - minister. will you apologise? j herrances were similar to the minister. will you apologise? - herrances were similar to the one i got and then that was it.— herrances were similar to the one i got and then that was it. thank you ve much got and then that was it. thank you very much everybody. _ very much everybody. what we are seen is the prime ministerjunk a central plank of her programme for government having junked her chancellor what she needs to do is restore credibility with her mps and with the financial markets. the early evidence is that plenty on her own backbenches are not convinced. all eyes will remain on liz truss, to put it at its gentlest her difficultieses are far from over. and the reason for that is the reaction that has arrived on my phone and into my notebook and plenty of others round here in the hours since that news conference, let me bring you a few of the quotes from conservative mps, remember, it was awful. i voted for liz, sadly i

think that has hastened her demise, i can't see how she survive, she has trashed our reputation and at heart of groomles is a sense of hypocrisy and inconsistencies. she sacked the chancellor but remains in post, and she has got rid of some of her big ideas and she remains in post. in private tonight, conversations are advancing among conservative mps, about plans to topple her and replace her with someone else. thank you chris. so the prime minister says she still wants to achieve a "low—tax, high—wage, high—growth economy", but she has accepted that her mini budget went faster and further than many had expected. that prompted turmoil on the financial markets. willa new chancellor and another major u—turn help calm the situation? our business editor simonjack is here. the sequence of events that led to the chancellor's sacking and another major u—turn on tax

policy started on september 23rd, when kwasi kwarteng delivered his not—so—mini budget that contained huge tax cuts, with no detail on how they would be paid for, and no analysis from the budget watchdog on whether the numbers could add up. it announced £115 billion in cuts — then came the u—turns. abolishing the 45p tax rate for high earners — scrapped — saving £2. proceeding with a big rise in corporation tax they had planned to scrap — saving £18. and bringing forward the independent budget watchdog report from late november to late october. this is thousand markets have responded. this shows how much it cost the government to borrow more the longer the, this is the an nousments here on 23rd november. 23rd november this is the announcement of the mini budget, this is when the bank this is when the bank of england had to intervene to calm the markets.

that intervention ends today. and this is the reaction to the government u—turn on corporation tax. bob rows corresponds borrowing costs are higher than last night. so business was expecting tax rates to stay frozen to promote growth — now they are rising from 19% to 25% as the last chancellor — as the last chancellor planned — how does business feel about that? talking to businesses up and down the country in the last few days and today, and they're pretty clear that the first step before they even begin to start investing again is that we have stability in the markets. now once that's there, we will, as a country, have to get back to a discussion about what are the tax policies, what are the regulation policies, what are the immigration policies that will get the country moving again? and government borrowing costs affect all borrowing costs, including mortgages. this time last year, a typical £200k mortgage would have cost around 2%. today that is closer to 6%, meaning an extra £500 a month in mortgage costs. 1.7 million people see their fixed deals end in the next 12 months, and it's ended some people's dreams

of buying their first home. with mortgages, it feels like petrol station prices really — really quick to go up and very slow to come back down, and despite the fact they have made a u—turn in this budget again, i feel like the damage has already been done. so, as an example for us, we would have to be paying around £700 a month more today than we would have around three or four weeks' ago, and this really makes us to to reassess all of the criteria when it comes to buy our first home, when it comes to location, number of bedrooms, public transport links, so all of that has really gone out the window. so if she was hoping sacking the chancellor, scrapping tax cuts would instantly restore market faith, she he will be disappointed tonight. sophie. simon, thank you. simon, thank you. liz truss was voted in as prime minister byjust over 80,000 conservative party members. for many of them, and for conservative voters, the last few weeks have been difficult to watch as the reputation of their party has been battered and bruised.

our political correspondent alex forsyth has been talking to conservatives in witney in oxfordshire. in the market town of witney people were going about their daily business, as the drama unfolded in westminster. and at this town centre coffee shop talk of political turf my honourable friend did filter there. bob, a lifelong conservative voter has lost faith in the prime minister, and for him, today's actions didn't help. i minister, and for him, today's actions didn't help.— minister, and for him, today's actions didn't help. i have always voted conservative _ actions didn't help. i have always voted conservative but _ actions didn't help. i have always voted conservative but i - actions didn't help. i have always voted conservative but i will - actions didn't help. i have always. voted conservative but i will never voted conservative but i will never vote conservative again.— voted conservative but i will never vote conservative again. why? why? because i vote conservative again. why? why? because i think _ vote conservative again. why? why? because i think they _ vote conservative again. why? why? because i think they are _ vote conservative again. why? why? because i think they are greedy, cutting taxes for the rich, it is not right. there is a lot people going to face poverty.- going to face poverty. there is concern about _ going to face poverty. there is concern about the _ going to face poverty. there is concern about the every - going to face poverty. there is concern about the every day i going to face poverty. there is - concern about the every day impact of economic instability, on people and businesses. mike thinks it is too late for liz truss to pull it back. i too late for liz truss to pull it back. ., , �* , too late for liz truss to pull it back. ~ , �* , ., too late for liz truss to pull it back. ~ , �*, ., too late for liz truss to pull it back. «a �*, ., ., , back. i think she's made so many errors she _ back. i think she's made so many errors she has _ back. i think she's made so many errors she has already _ back. i think she's made so many errors she has already lost - back. i think she's made so many errors she has already lost the i errors she has already lost the confidence of the people she needs. but forjackie and paul there is

frustration at what they see as attempts to undermine the prime minister. , ., ., ., minister. they are out to get rid of her. it is pressure _ minister. they are out to get rid of her. it is pressure from _ minister. they are out to get rid of her. it is pressure from all- minister. they are out to get rid ofj her. it is pressure from all around, just to get rid of who is in power at the moment.— just to get rid of who is in power at the moment. boris should have sta ed. in at the moment. boris should have stayed. in this _ at the moment. boris should have stayed. in this rural _ at the moment. boris should have stayed. in this rural part _ at the moment. boris should have stayed. in this rural part of- stayed. in this rural part of oxfordshire _ stayed. in this rural part of oxfordshire witney - stayed. in this rural part of oxfordshire witney has - stayed. in this rural part of. oxfordshire witney has been considered a safe conservative seat, one the domain of david cameron. this deputy chairman of the local party who didn't back liz truss but was willing to get behind her is now concerned. irate was willing to get behind her is now concerned. ~ ., was willing to get behind her is now concerned. ~ . ., , ,, ,, concerned. we are the ones knocking on doors, delivering leaflet, - concerned. we are the ones knocking on doors, delivering leaflet, we - on doors, delivering leaflet, we need a stable government. ii on doors, delivering leaflet, we need a stable government. if and it is still a big — need a stable government. if and it is still a big if. _ need a stable government. if and it is still a big if, if— need a stable government. if and it is still a big if, if tory _ need a stable government. if and it is still a big if, if tory mps - need a stable government. if and it is still a big if, if tory mps did - is still a big if, if tory mps did decide to replace her with someone else, how would the members feel about that, if they didn't get a say. i about that, if they didn't get a sa . ., �* , about that, if they didn't get a sa. ., �* , , say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a lot — say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a lot of _ say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a lot of colleagues - say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a lot of colleagues would i say. i wouldn't be too bothered but i know a lot of colleagues would be passionate about having that vote but that contest was very long, we have a cost of living crisis, we have a cost of living crisis, we have all sorts going op with the economy, if we don't change now, we are going to be in opposition for a

very long time. bit nervous. for aman do who — very long time. bit nervous. for aman do who works _ very long time. bit nervous. for aman do who works in - very long time. bit nervous. for aman do who works in the i very long time. bit nervous. for aman do who works in the town | very long time. bit nervous. for- aman do who works in the town centre there are nerves about the economy and the uncertainty that brings but in her view it is too soon to pass judgment on the prime minister she came in, judgment on the prime minister ’iie: came in, she hasn't judgment on the prime minister ’i“ie: came in, she hasn't been judgment on the prime minister s“ie: came in, she hasn't been in long, and the queen sadly passed away so she has had a lot to contend with, so give her a chance.— so give her a chance. while the prime minister tries _ so give her a chance. while the prime minister tries to shore i prime minister tries to shore up support for her approach it is voters who will ultimately decide if there comes a point when times up for her party. so what now? our political editor, chris mason, is in westminster. our economics editor faisal islam is in washington — where the chancellor was supposed to be today. chris — can liz truss survive this? what does jeremy hunt what doesjeremy hunt now have to do? it has been an utterly

extraordinary 24—hour, a combination of drama, crisis and some fast too, epitomised by the extraction of the then chancellor who was meeting in there, telling us he was 100% going to say, the extraction of him across the atlantic by the prime minister and his firing. we are talking about this corporation tax change and u—turn. i don't think that quite captures the change because what we understand about corporation that when liz truss, the prime minister, was trying to win the conservative party leadership and creating the mini budget and during the conservative party conference, she did not believe that rises in the rate of corporation tax raised any money because it hits the economy. it was anti—growth, to use her phrase. now, in a crisis, in an emergency, to persuade the markets, she says that it will raise £67 billion over the next five years. that strikes me notjust as a u—turn but a near capitulation of what has become known as liz truss economics.

now, forjeremy hunt, the issue is notjust that there now, forjeremy hunt, the issue is not just that there is damage from that that he wants to reverse, but there may be scars that last much longer and that requires reading credibility that is lost and that is a lot more difficult when you have lost it and gaining it in the first place. and chris mason in westminster, can liz truss survive this? that is the central question. credibility is one of the most prized commodities in politics. hard to gain, very easy to lose and when it drains away, restoring it can be near on impossible. and that is the situation liz truss finds herself into night. so she has a new chancellor who is counting down to the same deadline of this economic statement at the end of the month. that does seem quite a long way off still, given the restive mood amongst conservative mps who stare at reality right now and are

fatalistic, doom laden and fear defeat. many are convinced of defeat at the next general election as a result of what has happened over the last five or so weeks. and so in that kind of mood, how do they now respond? do they reflect that they can cobble together by persuasion with the prime minister some sort of government that is able to make some sort of progress? or, at this sort is rising among many conservative mps tonight, is it the nuclear option yet again and the idea of toppling liz truss and replacing her with someone else? not an easy thing to pull off and it may take a little time but those conversations very life tonight. thank you both. it has certainly been a day of fast moving events — you can keep up to date with what is happening by going to bbc news online — that's bbc.co.uk/news, and you can also get

there by using the bbc news app. the time is coming up to 6.20pm. our top story this evening: the prime minister sacks kwasi kwarteng as chancellor and replaces him withjeremy hunt — the fourth chancellor this year. we will be looking back at the life of the actor robbie coltrane, his death has been announced tonight at the age of 72. as wasps wait to find out theirfight, we the age of 72. as wasps wait to find out their fight, we look at the financial crisis engulfing rugby union and what this could mean for the future of the premiership. around 200 people are reported to have been killed in the past month in iran during mass protests that have swept across the country. these are the faces of some of those who have lost their lives — children and young people that the bbc have managed to identify.

the wave of demonstrations are the boldest challenge to the islamic republic since 1979 when it was established. the unrest was sparked by the death in police custody of this 22—year—old woman, mahsa amini, who was detained by the morality police for allegedly breaking rules on headscarves. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet reports. a defiance that is dangerous. brandishing headscarves, burning them can get you arrested. hundreds have been detained. this may seem so ordinary, but even walking without compulsory hijab can have consequences. dounir in a white shirt eating breakfast went to prison after she posted this photo. across iran over the past month, there have been unprecedented scenes like this. and this too.

schoolgirls ripping photos of iran's leaders. this defiance spread across society, across generations, on wider issues. and security forces have shot back, with tear gas, metal pellets, live fire. one protester who, like most, hides her identity, told us, it's no longer just about hijab. they don't want islamic republic with all of the violence it is giving. things that they have done politically to us, economically to us and what they are showing as the face of iranians to the world and this is what we do not want. power resides here in the islamic republic. the supreme leader 83—year—old ayatollah khomeini has said little, but he is blaming the west. translation: these recent matters i are not home-grown and spontaneous. it is possible that the enemy used

some pretext to pursue their agenda using provocative propaganda. those who back the government deny the islamic republic is at risk or even rattled. we see them everyday. that is factually incorrect. the we see them everyday. that is factually incorrect.— factually incorrect. the united states and _ factually incorrect. the united states and its _ factually incorrect. the united states and its allies _ factually incorrect. the united states and its allies try - factually incorrect. the united states and its allies try to i states and its allies try to undermine _ states and its allies try to undermine iran— states and its allies try to undermine iran in - states and its allies try to undermine iran in every. states and its allies try to - undermine iran in every possible way _ undermine iran in every possible way iran — undermine iran in every possible way iran is _ undermine iran in every possible way. iran is more _ undermine iran in every possible way. iran is more than any- undermine iran in every possible| way. iran is more than any of the —— many— way. iran is more than any of the —— many of— way. iran is more than any of the —— many of the — way. iran is more than any of the —— many of the countries _ way. iran is more than any of the —— many of the countries in _ way. iran is more than any of the —— many of the countries in this - many of the countries in this region _ but these protests aren't dying down. no one is sure how far they will go. mahsa amini! in london last night, a vigil to mark this month of defiance. to remember 22—year—old mahsa amini. it was her death which sparked this movement. say her name, say her name! protests like this have been happening in cities across the world

over the past month. what is happening now in iran and what happens next matters in many places, but the course of events inside iran will be decided there. lyse doucet, bbc news, london. a convicted sex offender who killed himself while on the run from police has been named as the prime suspect in the murder of the teenager leah croucher. the 19—year—old disappeared in 2019. this week police discovered human remains in the loft of a house in milton keynes. our midlands correspondent phil mackiejoins us now. thinks have been moving very rapidly with the investigation this week. more than three and a half years since leah croucher disappeared on her way to work. she hasn't been seen or heard from since then and despite a massive police investigation at the time, no progress has really been made until monday, when there was a tip—off and police came to this house here in

milton keynes. they very quickly found some of her personal belongings. crucially including the rucksack she was wearing on the day she disappeared and then some human remains. today we have an update from thames valley police in which they said they now have a suspect, a man called neil maxwell. he was a convicted sex offender who at the time of leah because my disappearance was wanted for another sexual assault and was on the run from the police. crucially, he had the keys to this property. he was found that he had taken his own life a few months later. the postmortem examination is expected to confirm that it was leah his remains had been found here and a note from her parents was left here last night saying that their darkest fears have now come true. thank you. the royal mail says it will consult on up to 6,000 redundancies as it blamed industrial action for large financial losses. royal mail wants union chiefs to call off their latest strike action and discuss a deal but said that the job cut

plans cannot be avoided. the communication workers union said the move was as a result of "mismanagement and a failed business agenda". the latest covid infection survey suggests there's been a further increase in cases in the uk. data from the office for national statistics indicates that about 1.7 million people had the virus in the most recent week — or one in 37. everyone in england aged 50 or over is now able to book covid posters and flu vaccinations on the nhs. the rugby league world cup begins tomorrow in newcastle when england play samoa in what is expected to be one of the most competitive tournaments in its history. for the first time, the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments will take place simultaneously, with organisers expecting record ticket sales. our sports editor dan roan reports. and there's the great britain captain. half a century's passed since the last british success in rugby league's showpiece event. legendary captain clive sullivan leading his country to world cup glory.

these days, the four home nations have teams of their own. the captain of this year's hosts, england, telling me what victory on home soil would mean. it's a huge opportunity, i think, for the sport. we've got a great sport and we just want more people to get involved in it, so, a world cup on home soil is the perfect advert, and i think that adds a little bit of pressure to us as a group, because, you know, nothing will spark interest more than england being successful. so you pass it and run round the back. here at portico vine in st helens, they are already benefiting from the world cup, a social impact fund attached to the tournament helping them build a new clubhouse and fuelling passion for the game. ijust really like rugby better than football. it's family to me. they include you in everything and it'sjust, it's — i'm proud to be here. here at clubs like this in st helens, there is no shortage of excitement ahead of the rugby league world cup, but perhaps a true test of this tournament is whether or not it can

help grow the sport and engage new audiences beyond this, its traditional heartland in the north of england. men's, women's and wheelchair. together for the first time ever. with three tournaments culminating on the same weekend, this is the most inclusive world cup ever, with 86% of matches staged in the north of the country. organisers having to contend with a year's delay due the covid and a cost of living crisis. i think the pandemic really affected us. refunds were really high during the pandemic, but we've gradually built back up. we'll start strongly on saturday. we haven't sold every seat in every venue, but similar to the women's euros, similar to the commonwealth games, if we start well, we will build momentum. big smiles. 16 teams are in the men's competition, including debutantes jamaica and greece, but with champions australia having won eight of the last nine world cups, loosening their grip on the trophy will be no easy task. dan roan, bbc news.

it has been announced tonight that the harry potter and cracker actor robbie coltrane has died at the age of 72. we look back at his life. large, fond of a drink, a bit fierce, but blessed with a good heart, hagrid and harry potter. take a rolling said only one man to play him, robbie coltrane. i a rolling said only one man to play him, robbie coltrane.— him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me _ him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me to _ him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me to play _ him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me to play hagrid - him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me to play hagrid in i him, robbie coltrane. i knew she wanted me to play hagrid in the i him, robbie coltrane. i knew she i wanted me to play hagrid in the film and then i heard that she actually imagined me as hagrid, which women imagined me as hagrid, which women imagine me all the time, you know. sorry, governor. apples and pears, tit for tat, i love london town. robbie coltrane was in the 80s at the heart of what was then called alternative comedy. i the heart of what was then called alternative comedy.— the heart of what was then called alternative comedy. i went into the video shop and _ alternative comedy. i went into the video shop and i _ alternative comedy. i went into the video shop and i was _ alternative comedy. i went into the video shop and i was disgusted. i video shop and i was disgusted. political and the establishment, a worldview that was forged at school. glenn almond, one of scotland's most

prestigious public schools. thea;r prestigious public schools. they teach you manners _ prestigious public schools. i“ie: teach you manners and things prestigious public schools. t“ier teach you manners and things like that and i am all for that but really what they do as they teach you to assume a role in the class system which is naturally at the top and alienates you deeply from almost every other set of the community. a guy just every other set of the community. a guyjust admits to being nuts about you and go out to buy toothpaste. and terry mcmillan became tropical train, actor. i and terry mcmillan became tropical train. actor-— train, actor. i am go to let my aeoin train, actor. i am go to let my going out _ train, actor. i am go to let my going out to _ train, actor. i am go to let my going out to get _ train, actor. i am go to let my going out to get us. _ train, actor. i am go to let my going out to get us. by - train, actor. i am go to let my going out to get us. by come| train, actor. i am go to let my i going out to get us. by come back here, dammit! _ going out to get us. by come back here, dammit! don't _ going out to get us. by come back here, dammit! don't get - going out to get us. by come back here, dammit! don't get the i going out to get us. by come back i here, dammit! don't get the stripey stuff. it stings my gums.— stuff. it stings my gums. cracker was his perfect — stuff. it stings my gums. cracker was his perfect role. _ stuff. it stings my gums. cracker was his perfect role. an - stuff. it stings my gums. crackerj was his perfect role. an apology. you are me _ was his perfect role. an apology. you are me nothing. _ was his perfect role. an apology. you are me nothing. my- was his perfect role. an apology. you are me nothing. my life i was his perfect role. an apology. you are me nothing. my life is i was his perfect role. an apology. you are me nothing. my life is al was his perfect role. an apology. i you are me nothing. my life is a bit of a mess- — you are me nothing. my life is a bit of a mess- he _ you are me nothing. my life is a bit of a mess. he played _ you are me nothing. my life is a bit of a mess. he played a _ you are me nothing. my life is a bit of a mess. he played a criminal- of a mess. he played a criminal psychologist. — of a mess. he played a criminal psychologist, another _ of a mess. he played a criminalj psychologist, another troubled, heavy drinking man with a heart of gold. he won the best actor bafta three times. he gold. he won the best actor bafta three times-—

gold. he won the best actor bafta three times. ., ., , ., , ., three times. he would not be able to resist it. three times. he would not be able to resist it- he — three times. he would not be able to resist it. he would _ three times. he would not be able to resist it. he would have _ three times. he would not be able to resist it. he would have it _ three times. he would not be able to resist it. he would have it pinned i resist it. he would have it pinned up resist it. he would have it pinned up on his will. there are some questions so obvious no one thinks to ask them. he questions so obvious no one thinks to ask them-— to ask them. he had a carefully euarded to ask them. he had a carefully guarded private _ to ask them. he had a carefully guarded private life. _ to ask them. he had a carefully guarded private life. this i to ask them. he had a carefully guarded private life. this is i to ask them. he had a carefully guarded private life. this is ourj guarded private life. this is our only chance _ guarded private life. this is our only chance to _ guarded private life. this is our only chance to go _ guarded private life. this is our only chance to go straight. i guarded private life. this is our only chance to go straight. the | only chance to go straight. the killer is not on the dole. you are not running around at that time if you are unemployed. i terminated my categorisation of them... you are unemployed. i terminated my categorisation of them. . ._ categorisation of them. .. there was an edae categorisation of them. .. there was an edge to — categorisation of them. .. there was an edge to robbie _ categorisation of them. .. there was an edge to robbie coltrane. - categorisation of them. .. there was an edge to robbie coltrane. big, i an edge to robbie coltrane. big, tough, clever, funny, vulnerable. that is what made him so compelling to watch. robbie coltrane, who has died at the age of 72. time for a look at the weather. dotting the downpours to start the weekend. the new area of pressure will be moving in. sunday is a different story. we will find ourselves in a gap between weather systems on sunday and that means for much of us for most of the day sunday will be dry. out there this evening, showers for wales, the midlands, into northern england

which will trickle further south. the heavier downpours going