this is bbc news, with the latest headlines. former chancellor rishi sunak confirms he's in the race to be the next conservative leader. suella braverman, the former home secretary, is endorsing his bid. foreign secretary james cleverly endorses borisjohnson, although the former prime minister is yet to officially enter the race. a close ally is confident he will. yes, i have been speaking to borisjohnson and clearly, he's going to stand. there's a great deal of support for him, as you will have seen. penny mordaunt is still in the running, with 23 backers. she told the bbc she believes in cabinet—led politics. i have my views. i will not be imposing policy that i have just made up in a room, by myself. labour leader, sir keir starmer,

says his party hasn't got complacent, and repeats calls for a general election. these people are so fed up. they are entitled, they want a say in this. there is a choice to be made. we need a general election. let the public in to decide. do they want to continue with this utter chaos? elsewhere, headteachers in england say 9 in 10 schools will have run out of money by the next school year due to the cost of living crisis. good afternoon. rishi sunak has formally entered the contest to become the next conservative leader and prime minister. the former chancellor says he wants to lead the country with "integrity, "professionalism

and accountability". he already has the required backing of more than 100 fellow tory mps. this afternoon, suella braverman, the former home secretary became the lastest high profile mp to endorse him. writing in the telegraph ms braverman says the tories all need to "compromise" but that "rishi is the only candidate that fits "the bill" to deliver "unity, stability and efficiency". meanwhile the foreign secretary james cleverly is backing boris johnson. in a tweet he said that mrjohnson had "learned lessons" from his time in number 10 and will "focus on the needs of the country." mrjohnson has yet to declare his candidacy but held talks with mr sunak last night. penny mordaunt is also running but like mrjohnson has yet to achieve the required number of backers. here's our political correspondent helen catt. three potential prime ministers. two of them have officially said they want the job. the former chancellor rishi sunak has confirmed he is running,

after getting more than the 100 backers he needs. in a tweet, he said he was standing because he wanted to fix the economy, unite the party and deliver for the country. penny mordaunt had already said she was in the race and is the only contender so far to go in front of the cameras. but she wouldn't be drawn on the detail of the policy she would pursue. do you stand by what you said a couple of weeks ago? you are trying very hard, laura. her number of public backers is lower than her rivals. she insisted she hasn't done any deals to drop out. i am very confident about the progress we are making and i will say to you that i am in this to win it. it is important for our party we have a contest and i am very confident about our numbers. the reason why i am doing this is because i think i am best placed to bring the party together. which just leaves borisjohnson

to say what he plans to do. allies say he will run and insist he does have the numbers, despite the figure of public backers being just over half of what is needed. clearly, he's going to stand, there is a great deal of support for him. the system is that some have made their names public, and people have a choice to make their names public or not. but the people doing the numbers for boris�* campaign tell me they have the numbers, so the hundred that is necessary are there. another supporter said borisjohnson had promised to run a tighter ship if he went back to downing street. an investigation by mps is due to start soon about what he told parliament about the covid rule—breaking last time he was in charge. boris is an amazing figure in our party, an incredible campaigner, he lights up any room, people love him, and if he was in charge of the campaigning, he could be

an incredible asset, but as prime minister, we would be absolutely shackled to somebody who was bound to bring us down. the labour leader again said there should be a general election to let the public decide. there are worries among tory mps that mr sunak would not be able to win votes in the same way as mrjohnson when the next election is called. but for now, he is the only declared candidate who is certain of a place on the ballot tomorrow. helen catt, bbc news. rishi sunak is the second candidate to declare, following penny mordaunt, who announced her candicacy on friday. mr sunak held talks with borisjohnson last night, who has yet to publically declare that he'll be entering the race. the bbc�*s tally indicates that mr sunak has already received the backing of 145 mps. that's significantly more than the 100 needed, to enter the ballot. borisjohnson has 57 and penny mordaunt,

the other declared candidate, has 23. with me is our political correspondent, jonathan blake. we have had some significant endorsements in the last hour. tell us about them. the endorsements in the last hour. tell us about them.— us about them. the numbers are chanauin us about them. the numbers are changing all _ us about them. the numbers are changing all the _ us about them. the numbers are changing all the time, _ us about them. the numbers are changing all the time, and - us about them. the numbers are i changing all the time, and probably the most significant endorsement that we have had this afternoon is from suella braverman, the former home secretary. she resigned towards the end of last week, of course, with a swipe at liz truss, but has now come out in favour of rishi sunak. she is a key figure on the right of the party, he might, under different circumstances, expect to support borisjohnson. she has written in the daily telegraph, in stark terms, saying we are in dire straits now, we need unity stability and efficiency. rishi is the only candidate who fits the bill. she goes on to praise borisjohnson, saying his achievements will mark a as one of the most significant prime ministers in history, but she says

the uk is gripped by a crisis, trust in politics that are low, and our party is divided and heading towards a wipe—out. we have been used to hyperbole over the last few days and weeks, but it is worth dwelling on the fact that a minister who resigned very recently from cabinet is warning that the party is facing a wipe—out, and supporting rishi sunak, is something more of a moderate in the party, really. from a different standpoint on certain issues that she sees as the only person who can attempt to unite the party and lead. that is a significant endorsement. also the foreign secretary, james cleverly, coming out in support for boris johnson, saying that being for is tough, saying that borisjohnson has learned his lessons from this times in numberten, and learned his lessons from this times in number ten, and will focus on the needs of the country from day one. even with that, borisjohnson�*s numbers are rising fairly steadily, but not as quickly as you would think they might give in the surety

with which his campaign seem to say that they have required level of support. he is approaching 60 who have publicly supported him, he needs 100, and that is a big gap. is needs 100, and that is a big gap. is that why we are waiting for him to declare, he isn't going to declare until you get that number of 100? i until you get that number of 100? i think you will want to be sure of it. his campaign will likely have a spreadsheet, several lists and ticks and crosses in boxes, and it will be tallying up names. borisjohnson will not want to officially declare his candidacy to —— his candidacy until he wants... certainly dominic raab, who is supporting rishi sunak, said there is not any deals done, but the size the importance of unity. the big question hanging over the race, will borisjohnson end up

running overall, and if not, where will his supporters swung behind. it looks like would have to be rishi sunak. looks like would have to be rishi sunak, , , ., , ., looks like would have to be rishi sunak. , , ., , ., sunak. just explain why two o'clock tomorrow is — sunak. just explain why two o'clock tomorrow is the _ sunak. just explain why two o'clock tomorrow is the cut-off _ sunak. just explain why two o'clock tomorrow is the cut-off time? - sunak. just explain why two o'clock i tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to — tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to stand _ tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to stand in _ tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to stand in the _ tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to stand in the race - tomorrow is the cut-off time? anyone who wants to stand in the race has - who wants to stand in the race has to put forward their nominations by then. they need 100 names, and they cannot back themselves, and they cannot back themselves, and they cannot propose themselves stop that is 100 mps to formally enter the race. that means that simply, mathematically, they can be in a maximum of three candidates, given how many conservative mps there are in total. if there are three, there will be a vote with mps to narrow them down to two, and then there will be a vote online providing the

other members do not drop out. let's speak now to sir bob neill he's the mp for bromley and chislehurst and is supporting rishi sunak. why is rishi sunak the right man for thejob, in your view? why is rishi sunak the right man for thejob, in yourview? rishi why is rishi sunak the right man for the job, in your view?— the “ob, in your view? rishi sunak in the job, in your view? rishi sunak in myjudgment— the job, in your view? rishi sunak in myjudgment is _ the job, in your view? rishi sunak in my judgment is the _ the job, in your view? rishi sunak in myjudgment is the one - the job, in your view? rishi sunak i in myjudgment is the one candidate who is in a position to pull the party together. even more importantly, he is the candidate to regain public confidence, notjust in the party, but in political leadership generally, and to tackle the economic challenges that the country faces, both in the short term and in the run—up to the general election, which is going to be decided on the economy. you say he is the man _ be decided on the economy. you say he is the man to _ be decided on the economy. you say he is the man to pull _ be decided on the economy. you say he is the man to pull the _ be decided on the economy. you say he is the man to pull the party - he is the man to pull the party together, but isn't this also the man who effectively stabbed boris johnson in the back, and his resignation from borisjohnson's resignation from boris johnson's government resignation from borisjohnson's government triggered further

resignation and toppled the prime minister? the resignation and toppled the prime minister? ., , , ., minister? the only person who brou:ht minister? the only person who brought down _ minister? the only person who brought down boris _ minister? the only person who brought down boris johnson i minister? the only person who. brought down boris johnson was minister? the only person who - brought down boris johnson was boris brought down borisjohnson was boris johnson, unfortunately, by some of his own behaviour. when you remember thejohnson government fell apart the johnson government fell apart because 60 plus ministers were unable to continue to serve, richey was but one of that number. that is why, whatever his merits, which are very real, i think he has to be ruled out simply because those issues of conduct are still unresolved before the privileges committee, and he faces potential sanctions, which could result in them having to fight a by—election in his seat. pm them having to fight a by-election in his seat-— in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak _ in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak is _ in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak is that _ in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak is that he _ in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak is that he does - in his seat. an argument against rishi sunak is that he does not l in his seat. an argument against - rishi sunak is that he does not have a mandate, borisjohnson does have a mandate, a huge one, and the conservative party members actively rejected rishi sunak last summer, didn't they? doesn't all that count against rishi sunak? tiara didn't they? doesn't all that count against rishi sunak?—

didn't they? doesn't all that count against rishi sunak? two things they are, firstl , against rishi sunak? two things they are. firstly. we _ against rishi sunak? two things they are, firstly, we do _ against rishi sunak? two things they are, firstly, we do not— against rishi sunak? two things they are, firstly, we do not have - against rishi sunak? two things they are, firstly, we do not have a - are, firstly, we do not have a presidential system in this country, no individual prime minister has a mandate. the mandate is for the party, of which that individual happens to be the leader. if they get a majority of mps then they can form a government. that is a fundamental constitutional point, and i don't think conservatives should make such light of that. secondly, rishi sunak was the person you call the economic risks right in the summer. it gives us no pleasure to say that he has been proved right, but that is the case, and therefore he has the remedy is working, i'm sure, along the same path asjeremy hunt has already started on, that he can, with an competent team of people, can turn it around. ., ., , ,, ., ,, it around. how would rishi sunak fill the massive _ it around. how would rishi sunak fill the massive economic - it around. how would rishi sunak fill the massive economic black. it around. how would rishi sunak i fill the massive economic black hole that has emerged since he was

chancellor?— that has emerged since he was chancellor? ~ ., ., ~ ., ., chancellor? what we do know about rishi sunak is _ chancellor? what we do know about rishi sunak is that _ chancellor? what we do know about rishi sunak is that when _ chancellor? what we do know about rishi sunak is that when confronted | rishi sunak is that when confronted with a crisis, and having to deliver under pressure, he did that. he did that with the furlough scheme, which we shouldn't forget, probably save literally millions ofjobs and businesses from going under, and he was able to do that at speed. he will need to look at the books, i am absolutely confident that he can do it, because he proved that he could do it last time round. we do have to restore confidence, and i think the idea of their instability, which i think any other candidate would bring, is one that would damage our standing with the market still further. we can't have a repeat of a run on the markets, a run on the currency, we when need to select a candidate that has a proven economic track record. if candidate that has a proven economic

track record-— track record. if boris johnson is re-elected _ track record. if boris johnson is re-elected as _ track record. if boris johnson is re-elected as leader _ track record. if boris johnson is re-elected as leader of - track record. if boris johnson is re-elected as leader of the - re—elected as leader of the conservative party and prime minister, what would you do? i think we have to think— minister, what would you do? i think we have to think very _ minister, what would you do? i think we have to think very carefully - we have to think very carefully about that, as i think it would present very grave difficulties for the standing of the conservative party. the reasons i have set out, i don't believe you can have someone who is not going to be able to concentrate on the key issues of the job of prime minister, when they have a very important parliamentary inquiry hanging over them, they should not hit that lightly. the risk of that finding might be against them. if boris wants to return to front line politics and futures, and say he has learnt lessons and moved on, that is fine, i do not bear him any personal ill will, but that should only happen if and when that inquiry has dealt with theseissues and when that inquiry has dealt with these issues will stop it is with respect premature, and not in the interest of the party of the country

for that to happen at this stage. here with me now is lucy fisher, she is the chief political commentator for the times radio. borisjohnson is boris johnson is keeping borisjohnson is keeping everyone hanging on, why do you think that is? i think it is clear, there are only 60 mps that have publicly declared for him. these keeping a tally of additional mps who they say are privately backing him, whether they are whips are private members of the party who do not want to back him publicly for some reason. i think it is likely the case that he would want to launch only when he has reached that threshold, and are certain of being on the ballot paper. certain of being on the ballot -a er. ~ .

certain of being on the ballot .aer_ . ., , paper. we were hearing the views there of itoh _ paper. we were hearing the views there of bob neill, _ paper. we were hearing the views there of bob neill, and _ paper. we were hearing the views there of bob neill, and is - paper. we were hearing the views there of bob neill, and is there i paper. we were hearing the views there of bob neill, and is there a | there of bob neill, and is there a similar level of antipathy towards rishi sunak? pm? similar level of antipathy towards rishi sunak?— similar level of antipathy towards rishi sunak? similar level of antipathy towards rishisunak? , ., ., , rishi sunak? any word, no. there is a clear anti-boris _ rishi sunak? any word, no. there is a clear anti-boris vote, _ rishi sunak? any word, no. there is a clear anti-boris vote, and - rishi sunak? any word, no. there is a clear anti-boris vote, and some i a clear anti—boris vote, and some conservative mps have made it clear that they feel so strongly about him returning, and they are so firmly against that, that they would resign the party whip if you were to reprise his position as prime minister. there are even suggestions that some tory mps could defect opposition benches, so i gassed are they and that a deal. —— so aghast are they. particularly around the privileges committee probe, steve baker, an important coup for

rishi sunak to pick up the nomination earlier today. he made it clear that he thought the privileges committee meant that boris johnson returning could be a complete disaster for the conservative party, and he put it in very stark terms when he said he wasn't willing to compromise his integrity is to support borisjohnson coming back to power. two other key nominations from rishi sunak are kemi badenoch and in the past hour or so suella braverman. that suggests that the momentum is with rishi sunak even on the right of the party. also among the right of the party. also among the moderates he is picking up many votes, penny mordaunt, the third player in this race, is really lagging behind now on only 25 public nominations, and it really feels like momentum has stalled with her campaign. i like momentum has stalled with her camaiun. . ., like momentum has stalled with her camaiun. ., ., like momentum has stalled with her camaiun. . ., ., campaign. i wanted to ask you ruickl campaign. i wanted to ask you quickly about _ campaign. i wanted to ask you quickly about her— campaign. i wanted to ask you quickly about her and - campaign. i wanted to ask you quickly about her and her- quickly about her and her supporters, where do you think this leaves her, and if she was left unable to pick up many more significant votes, when you think they would go? i

significant votes, when you think they would go?— they would go? i was looking carefully at — they would go? i was looking carefully at the _ they would go? i was looking carefully at the spreadsheet l they would go? i was looking l carefully at the spreadsheet of supporters for people who declared for her in the third round of the leadership contest earlier this summer, and quite a significant number of those have already declared for borisjohnson and rishi sunak. by last night it was about half a dozen fur borisjohnson and seven for a rishi sunak, so she has not retained the support of those who backed in the previous campaign. i don't think it is necessarily the case that if she pulls out all of her supporters would follow her if she made an endorsement of either of the candidates, they might split both ways, it is unclear, but at the moment rishi sunak doesn't look as though he necessarily needs to win a major part of those 25, he is already at 146 publicly declared mps, he has a lot of momentum, there are still about 100 mps yet to declare, it could be he picks up a lot of those as well.—

lot of those as well. much to discuss and _ lot of those as well. much to discuss and keep _ lot of those as well. much to discuss and keep an - lot of those as well. much to discuss and keep an eye - lot of those as well. much to discuss and keep an eye on. | well, whoever becomes the next conservative leader and prime minister will have the cost of living crisis at the top of their in tray. this morning there was a stark warning from the former governor of the bank of england, lord king, about the size of the challenge they'll face. he said whoever is in power will need to impose public spending cuts or tax rises in order to tackle inflation. mervyn king said economists had got it wrong by suggesting printing money to support people during the pandemic. i think all central banks made the mistake during the lockdown period of thinking that they should print a lot of money to support the economy. whereas, with the economy contracting under lockdown, that was the wrong policy. and all central banks, not just ours, but the federal reserve, the european central bank are all facing now, very high inflation rates of close to 10%.

england are through to the quarter finals of the women's rugby union world cup after comprehensive 75—0 win against south africa. their winning streak extended to 28 games. jo currie is in new zealand. they made many changes to the starting 15. the driving will eventually crash over the line. south africa's big hits reminded england they were in a big clash, but quickly england started pulling away in the first half, dotting down four more times. the bonus point secured as they headed in at the break. after the restart, there was

no letup from the world number ones, as their try count continue to top top. a hat—trick on her world cup debut, and a moment to remember. she wasn't the only one to impress. relentless till the final whistle, and then inflicting a thrashing without ever really being tested. that is the 28th consecutive win, form they will need to continue as they head into the knockout stages. england have cruised through the script stage, standing on their way next is a familiar foe, as next weekend they take on australia in the quarterfinals. the red roses will start as favourites, but it is a rivalry worse sparks always fly. four games in the premier league to update you on — leaders arsenal are in action — they're away at southampton. all the games into the second half.

arsenal are currently 0—1 up thanks to granite shackle. leicester could move out of the relegation zone, they are beating wolves 3—0. arsenal are top of the women's super league, for the moment, after winning 2—0 at liverpool. lia walti fired the gunners into the lead after a quarter of an hour. frida maanum added another goal soon after. it's arsenal's 12th straight league win. manchester united are could go back above arsenal at the top of the wsl. ireland have been hammered by sri lanka

in their opening super 12s match at the t20 world cup. they could only manage 128 from their innings, with the wicket of harry tector a big one for sri lanka. the irish struggled with the ball too, with kusal mendis reaching an unbeaten 68 — including a 6 to finish off the chase — with sri lanka winning by nine wickets. and there was a thriller between india have beaten pakistan in their t20 game at the melbourne cricket ground. batting first, pakistan stuttered early on but recovered well thanks to some big late hitting, and half centuries from shan masood and iftikar ahmed. india lost early wickets but virat kohli's brilliant unbeaten 82 kept his side in the hunt. carlos sainz will start

from pole tonight, at the united states grand prix — ahead of world champion max verstappen. sainz�*s ferrari teamate charles leclerc was second fastest in qualifying but a 10 place penalty means that he'll start from 12th on the grid. sainz will be hoping to convert his pole, into just his second race win of the season. francesco bagnaia has taken a huge step towards his first motogp world title by winning the malaysian grand prix. the italian made a superb start, moving up from ninth to second on the first lap. with six laps remaining he took the lead and held on to win by two tenths of a second ahead of compatriot enea bastianini. french rider fabio quartararo kept alive faint hopes of retaining his title by finishing third in sepang. the rugby league world cup continues today too, catch up with ireland's important group game with lebanon on the bbc sport website.

head teachers in england say 9 out of 10 schools will have run out of money by the next school year due to the cost—of—living crisis. the national association of head teachers says there could be a £2 billion shortfall by 2024 due mainly to increased energy costs and staff salaries. the teaching profession is calling on the government to stand by its 2019 election pledge to restore education spending to 2010 pre—austerity levels. paul gosling is the president of the national association of head teachers — which comissioned the report. he's also a headteacher himself and a member of the labour party. what will further impact on students be if there are spending cuts? that be if there are spending cuts? git the moment nine out of ten schools

that we surveyed saying that they are going to be finishing the financial year in deficit. schools are not supposed to be able to do that, they need to look to balance their books, so at the moment, even before we are hearing there will be further cuts, in this year, we are looking at trying to further cuts, in this year, we are lookin- at tryin- to do further cuts, in this year, we are looking at trying to further cuts, in this year, we are lookin- at tryin- to do thin-s further cuts, in this year, we are looking at trying to further cuts, in this year, we are lookin- at tryin- to do thin-s to looking at trying to do things to reduce costs, and that will inevitably have an erosive effect on the quality of education for the children. making further cuts in the climate that we are in, we are facing huge energy costs compared to last year, increase staff costs for a number reason, it isjust an absolute nightmare, and if you're going to announce cuts, you have to be really honest about the quality of education in this country, which will suffer. ~ . of education in this country, which will suffer-— will suffer. what will this mean, will suffer. what will this mean, will it mean _ will suffer. what will this mean, will it mean bigger _ will suffer. what will this mean, will it mean bigger classes, - will suffer. what will this mean, i will it mean bigger classes, reduce curriculum opportunities, less support, perhaps mental health support, perhaps mental health support for students, what are we talking about? shill support for students, what are we talking about?— support for students, what are we talking about? all of those things.

the bi est talking about? all of those things. the biggest cost _ talking about? all of those things. the biggest cost in _ talking about? all of those things. the biggest cost in education - talking about? all of those things. the biggest cost in education as i the biggest cost in education as people. 80% of our costs are spent on people, and people are important in education. you need to have the best pop quality of people, and also the support staff that we have, who do an incredible job supporting children in class, particularly those with special education needs, but also all children in teachers. that will have an impact not only on the children directly, but also on the staff who will be having to work harder to fill in the gaps. i don't think they can work any harder at the moment, since 2010 schools have been dealing with austerity, and we have reduced budgets, we have found cost savings, and to have a threat of even more cuts piled on top of that is just a disaster waiting to happen. the department _ disaster waiting to happen. the department for education is said that there is the energy release scheme, and it is also said that

schools will benefit from an increase in core funding. this includes a cash increase of £4 billion. what more can schools do to help themselves? i billion. what more can schools do to help themselves?— help themselves? i keep a little bit of issues with _ help themselves? i keep a little bit of issues with those _ help themselves? i keep a little bit of issues with those figures. - help themselves? i keep a little bit of issues with those figures. rishi i of issues with those figures. rishi sunak announced when he was chancellor, remember him, in september 2021, and the aim of the money he announced was to restore us to 2010 funding levels. the iss did a report earlier this year saying that the funding has just evaporated due to increasing costs. yes, they have put extra money on, but not enough. we need them to relook at the overall budget for schools, and take into consideration the increased staff costs, and energy costs, and food costs, and all the other things that schools have to pay for, which have increased since that money was announced, and

recalculate what we actually need to keep going. i don't accept that these figures are enough at the moment. we these figures are enough at the moment. ~ ., ., ., moment. we have to leave it there, aood to moment. we have to leave it there, good to talk — moment. we have to leave it there, good to talk to _ moment. we have to leave it there, good to talk to you. _ ukrainian officials say more than 200,000 households remain without power across the country a day after a wave of russian air strikes on the electricity infrastructure. president volodymyr zelensky said, the attacks had struck on a very wide scale, but that they would not break ukraine's determination to resist. hugo bachega has the latest from kyiv. engineers are working across the country to restore electricity in those places affected by the power cuts. we just had an update from the president's office saying that electricity has now been restored to 1.2 million households across ukraine. around 200,000 households remain without power. work is under way to restore

electricity in those places. yesterday we saw a wave of attacks, russian air strikes targeting electricity infrastructure across the country. people in several regions, including here in kyiv however told that they could see blackouts today because of those attacks. engineers are working to stabilise the system, and residents have been told to reduce energy consumption as this is a system that is under a lot of pressure. more than a third of the country's power stations have been hit in recent weeks. 0fficials here say that russia is trying to create russia is trying to create a humanitarian crisis by attacking energy facilities ahead of winter. we heard from president zelensky yesterday, saying that these russian attacks targeting energies infrastructure are acts of terrorism, and that they would not stop the country's military as they go ahead with the counteroffensive.