this is bbc news with the latest headlines. i'm ben brown with all the latest from westminster. rishi sunak is to hold his first cabinet meeting today after a major reshuffle of ministers. and a warning of tough choices ahead. i will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government's agenda. this will mean difficult decisions to come. suella braverman is back as home secretary, despite having broken the ministerial code last week. the foreign secretary says the new pm wanted an experienced team around him.

and its clear that suella knows the home _ and its clear that suella knows the home office, having very recently been _ home office, having very recently been there, and is able to hit the ground _ been there, and is able to hit the ground running from day one. the new prime minister has already spoken to the first ministers of scotland and wales — in what's being seen as a bid to improve relations with the devolved administrations. and at noon today, rishi sunak faces his first big parliamentary test at prime minister's questions. we'll have live coverage. good morning and welcome to bbc news. i'm here in westminster on the first day of rishi sunak�*s premiership. the new prime minister will hold his first cabinet meeting this morning after a major

reshuffle of ministers. after a day of hiring and firing, we now know who will be joining him around the cabinet table. mr sunak brought back several experienced ministers. the most controversial appointment was the return of suella braverman as home secretary, just six days after she resigned over a security breach. as expected, jeremy hunt remains as chancellor. mr hunt and the prime minister are considering when the financial statement, currently scheduled for monday, will take place. there are some reports that it might be delayed~ — and james cleverly stays on as foreign secretary. he backed borisjohnson in the leadership contest. steve barclay is appointed as health secretary for the second time this year, replacing therese coffey. dominic raab is back on the front bench in a role that will be familiar to him. he's deputy prime minister

and justice secretary. leadership contender penny mordaunt remains leader of the house of commons. some of her supporters were hoping she would get a higher profile role. and michael gove returns to the cabinet as levelling up secretary after being dramatically sacked by borisjohnson injuly. after this morning's first cabinet meeting, mr sunak will also take part in his first prime minister's questions. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. on day one as prime minister, among rishi sunak�*s first tasks in office, phone calls with other world leaders. mr sunak spoke last night to us presidentjoe biden and president zelensky of ukraine. there were calls too with the first minister of scotland, which nicola sturgeon described as constructive, and the welsh first minister, mark drakeford, who said the uk's urgent challenges were discussed.

earlier rishi sunak said he'd been elected partly to fix the mistakes made by his predecessor, liz truss. he promised hope but warned there'd be difficult decisions ahead. i will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government's agenda. this will mean difficult decisions to come. right now, our country is facing a profound economic crisis. the aftermath of covid still lingers. putin's war in ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over. there's a familiar look to mr sunak�*s top team. most of the faces around the cabinet table served under liz truss or borisjohnson. jeremy hunt remains as chancellor. the foreign secretary, james cleverly, stays in post, and ben wallace continues

as defence secretary. suella braverman�*s return as home secretary less than a week after she resigned over a security breach drew immediate criticism from labour. michael gove makes a comeback too to his previous post as levelling—up secretary, and dominic raab picks up two of his old jobs, deputy prime minister and justice secretary. it's all about continuity, says downing street. opposition parties argue more of the same is not good. we've had 12 years now of conservative failure, and we're now onto our third conservative prime minister in three months. they don't have a mandate to govern. rishi sunak himself has no mandate. the real problem we have, i this isn't one prime minister changing during the lifetime of a parliament, _ this is the third prime minister in the space of two months. i rishi sunak has asked today for the british people to trust him. yet the conservatives won't put their trust in the british people by giving them a say in a general election. people are worried sick out there. there are millions of struggling families and pensioners.

they need more help. the first big test for rishi sunak�*s premiership will come when his chancellor makes a statement on tax and spending plans — scheduled for monday, but there's talk of a delay. before that, this lunchtime, rishi sunak�*s first prime minister's questions on his first full day in office. jonathan blake, bbc news. rishi sunak will face opposition leader keir starmer in today's prime minister's questions. a very busy first full day for the incoming prime minister. for more now on what lies ahead for rishi sunak, let's talk to emeritus professor of political history at the university of nottingham steven fielding. first of all, in historic terms, rishi sunak is a very young prime minister, i think stop he has kind

of made history already, hasn't he? he has in personal terms, and he is probably one of the least experienced of prime ministers, because he has only been in parliament since 2015, so his rise has been remarkably swift. but i suspect if there is going to be a rishi sunak legacy, he will hope that it isn't simply for being, you know, the first hindu to become prime minister, it is what he does in government, and that is where his big problems lie.— big problems lie. obviously, the economy. _ big problems lie. obviously, the economy. he — big problems lie. obviously, the economy, he talked _ big problems lie. obviously, the economy, he talked about - big problems lie. obviously, the economy, he talked about that i big problems lie. obviously, the. economy, he talked about that as big problems lie. obviously, the - economy, he talked about that as an economic crisis at the moment, and there is talk that the economic statement that was due on monday, very important statement, may be delayed, that he and his chancellor want a bit more time to get their options together.— want a bit more time to get their options together. well, yes, as a consequence _ options together. well, yes, as a consequence of _ options together. well, yes, as a consequence of liz _ options together. well, yes, as a consequence of liz truss - options together. well, yes, as a | consequence of liz truss standing down and rishi sunak are coming in, there is bound to be some sort of tweaking to the programme that jeremy hunt was putting together.

those new ministers he has got to talk to, and also sunak knows that this statement will define the early stages of his prime ministership, so he will want to make sure that what the chancellor does is what he wants the chancellor does is what he wants the chancellor does is what he wants the chancellor to do, so it is a really important moment. it is unfortunate that it is being delayed, because the markets are just waiting, and any extra insecurity is not going to do the british economy any favours. we do not et british economy any favours. we do not yet know _ british economy any favours. we do not yet know if _ british economy any favours. we do not yet know if it _ british economy any favours. we do not yet know if it is _ british economy any favours. we do not yet know if it is delayed, - british economy any favours. we do not yet know if it is delayed, we - not yet know if it is delayed, we will keep our eyes on that. in terms of his cabinet appointments, clearly trying to bring in members of all different factions of the tory party, he said to mps that they have to unite or die. what you make of his choices, in particular suella braverman back at the home office very controversially after being forced to resign just a few days ago

over that security breach? weill. forced to resign just a few days ago over that security breach?- over that security breach? well, he has had a big _ over that security breach? well, he has had a big problem _ over that security breach? well, he has had a big problem with - over that security breach? well, he has had a big problem with his - has had a big problem with his cabinet, because any new prime minister wants to establish a new identity, they usually want to show that they are different from their predecessor, and they usually do that by having a different kind of cabinet. he has not been able to do that, because his position is actually rather weak. he might have been the only person to be put forward to be the new leader, but there is a lot of division in his party, so it was principally created, his cabinet, to kind of accommodate all the different wings. and suella braverman is there, i think, to accommodate the hard right of his party, to reassure the european research group that he is on the side and is going to take immigration seriously. that is also an issue that those who are remaining conservative voters at the moment, that is an issue that they take very seriously, and if he has got any

hope, but suella braverman brings baggage with her. hope, but suella braverman brings baggage with her-— hope, but suella braverman brings baggage with her. labour saying that he did a grubby _ baggage with her. labour saying that he did a grubby deal _ baggage with her. labour saying that he did a grubby deal with _ baggage with her. labour saying that he did a grubby deal with suella - he did a grubby deal with suella braverman to get his support in the crucial stages of the leadership contest. , , ,. contest. yes, she is credited with officially killing _ contest. yes, she is credited with officially killing off— contest. yes, she is credited with officially killing off boris - officially killing off boris johnson's chances of becoming conservative leader, because she came out and endorsed rishi sunak over the weekend. and as she was one of the leaders of the erg, one of those on the hard right, that was seen to be the death knell of boris johnson's campaign, and i will have been deals, and i suspect this is a

consequence of the deal. but as i say, she brings with her the support of that faction of the conservative party which he desperately needs to be onside if his premiership is to survive beyond christmas to the next election, whenever.— survive beyond christmas to the next election, whenever. professor steven fieldin: , election, whenever. professor steven fielding. thank _ election, whenever. professor steven fielding, thank you _ election, whenever. professor steven fielding, thank you very _ election, whenever. professor steven fielding, thank you very much - fielding, thank you very much indeed. 0ur chief political correspondent nick eardley is in downing street, and this is the most controversial of all those appointments, suella braverman, and labour are going to go on the attack on that, they already have been, saying, as i wasjust mentioning to the professor, that this was a grubby deal that rishi sunak and suella braverman cooked up during the crucial stages of the leadership contest. ., ., �* contest. yeah, morning dew, ben. i can tell you— contest. yeah, morning dew, ben. i can tell you the _ contest. yeah, morning dew, ben. i can tell you the home _ contest. yeah, morning dew, ben. i can tell you the home secretary - can tell you the home secretary arrived in downing street a few minutes ago the first meeting of the new cabinet. we asked her on her way in if she was a symbol of the professionalism and integrity that

rishi sunak is promising in his operation — no answerfrom her. but you are right, it is a controversial appointment, it was last week, just appointment, it was last week, just a week ago that she was forced to resign by the last prime minister for breaking the ministerial code, for breaking the ministerial code, for sending e—mails on her private account, related to government business. now, there is also a subtext to this, in that there would big rows between liz truss and suella braverman about immigration, and ijust wonder if her appointment is a sign that rishi sunak is not going to relax immigration rules to try and boost economic growth, as some people have been asking him to do. but i think we will hear more about suella braverman's appointment over the course of the day. labour are determined to push on what they think is a very controversial doll and to continue to criticise her return to government so soon after being forced to resign. band.

return to government so soon after being forced to resign.— being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well _ being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well be _ being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well be one _ being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well be one of— being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well be one of the - being forced to resign. and, nick, that may well be one of the linesl being forced to resign. and, nick, l that may well be one of the lines of attack at prime minister's questions for sir keir starmer today. it will be a big test for the new prime minister, his first prime minister's questions in the bearpit of the house of commons. it is questions in the bearpit of the house of commons. it is always a big moment for— house of commons. it is always a big moment for any _ house of commons. it is always a big moment for any prime _ house of commons. it is always a big moment for any prime minister, - moment for any prime minister, absolutely, for them to be in the chamber for the first time, seeing the 30 minutes of intense scrutiny from opposition and from your own backbench mps. it is also quite a unique moment in the context of rishi sunak being prime minister, because he hasn't fazed any scrutiny as part of this leadership campaign. yes, we heard a lot from him over the summer and we have an idea about his broad parameters, but things have changed since the summer, the economic picture has got worse, the government is now preparing for big cuts and potentially tax rises too. just seeing armed forces minister johnny mercer arriving for cabinet here. there is no question about

whether rishi sunak�*s plans have changed because of the economic picture changing, and that would be the first time he has faced that scrutiny since liz truss announced she was standing down, so we will be hearing that from other mps later today. there is also that question, as nadhim zahawi arrives, morning, how bad are the cuts going to be? can you save the economy? we asked the question this morning because there is this question mark over whether the fiscal statement that the chancellor has been drawing up is going to be happening next monday as planned. there have been some suggestions from ministers this morning that it might not be asset in the diary as it might have been. i suspect the prime minister will have to decide whether he can

swallow some of the cuts that the chancellor has been working on, things thatjeremy hunt thinks is necessary to fill a fiscal black hole, about £40 billion a year based on what the 0br were saying a couple of weeks ago. so i think that will be on the agenda, let's see if by the end of the day we are still expecting those details next monday. it could well be that is delayed by a few days. it could well be that is delayed by a few days-_ it could well be that is delayed by afewda s. �* ., ., , .,, a few days. and that would be a bit of a difficulty _ a few days. and that would be a bit of a difficulty perhaps _ a few days. and that would be a bit of a difficulty perhaps for _ a few days. and that would be a bit of a difficulty perhaps for the - of a difficulty perhaps for the prime minister and the chancellor, because any delay mightjust cut i hesitate to say spook the markets, but it is going to be halloween that it is meant to be on, but it might spook the markets if there is a significant delay of more than a few days. i significant delay of more than a few da s. ., ., , ., days. i imagine that some politicians _ days. i imagine that some politicians who _ days. i imagine that some politicians who would - days. i imagine that some politicians who would like | days. i imagine that some l politicians who would like to days. i imagine that some - politicians who would like to avoid some of those halloween comparisons as well, ben, given the headlines that could well be produced by a big fiscal event on halloween! look, there is a couple of things to bear in mind. a few days after, next

thursday, that is the point at which the bank of england makes its next decision on interest rates. there are a lot of conservative mps who want to government to set out more details of how it is going to balance the books before that decision is made, hoping that it will limit how much interest rates go will limit how much interest rates 9° up will limit how much interest rates go up by. but then there is also that question, i think, for the new prime minister, that, you know, he has been in office for less than 24 hours, he has to weigh up what his political priorities are, what he is prepared to sell to the country, as what is economically required to balance the books, as he would put it. it is a difficult moment, actually, because we know that the economic picture has got worse, we know that rishi sunak was telling the nation that there are difficult decisions to come, that he feels he has to clean up some of the mess left by his predecessor, liz truss. so that will be an important moment for him. it will also tell us,

though, a lot about his political priorities, the areas where he is prepared to cut back on spending or to introduce a bit of a spending squeeze. it really does matter for his political future. squeeze. it really does matter for his politicalfuture. here is the new work and pensions secretary. the benefits going to go up with inflation?! i asked that question, ben, because that is something that mel stride said he would be in favour of over the past few weeks, or at least he said he thinks the government would face a problem with backbenchers if it wanted to put benefits up by less than the rate of inflation. rishi sunak promised to do that when he was chancellor, then there was a question mark over it under liz truss. we don't really know what mr sunak thinks of it now, but he has a new work and pensions secretary, a very close ally who ran his leadership campaign, very short lived, four day one, anyway, who has said in the past that he thinks the

government will face real trouble if it tries to put benefits by less than the rate of inflation. i admire our than the rate of inflation. i admire your persistence _ than the rate of inflation. i admire your persistence in _ than the rate of inflation. i admire your persistence in asking - than the rate of inflation. i admire your persistence in asking those i your persistence in asking those questions to the arriving cabinet ministers when you pretty much know you are not going to get an answer! keep going, maybe you'll get some in the next few minutes! nick eardley, chief political correspondent, in downing street. among the appointments made to the cabinet yesterday was suella braverman, reappointed as home secretary only six days after she had to resign from thejob for sending six days after she had to resign from the job for sending an official document from her personal e—mail address. earlier on this morning, foreign secretaryjames address. earlier on this morning, foreign secretary james cleverly was asked about her reappointment. the home secretary has said she made a mistake. she apologised for that. but she is also absolutely determined and focused to crack down on crime and to secure our borders and make sure that the home office is a very, very high—functioning delivery department. and clearly that is what the prime minister has decided he needs and wants.

and i think that is because the feedback that i get from my constituents is that that's what they want as well. and i suspect that is why he has chosen her to return to that incredibly importantjob, and not because she promised to vote for him? well, i think what the numbers make clear is that is that the prime minister was way, way, way ahead when it came to the support of the parliamentary party. i doubt that really he needed any particular individual�*s endorsement. but what he has also made clear is that he wants all of government to be delivery—focused from day one. that means getting people to understand the departments, have experience. i think that's one of the reasons why i was retained. and it's clear that suella knows the home office, having very recently been there, and is able to hit the ground running from day one.

that is the foreign secretary, the re—appointed foreign secretary. how have they markets been reacting to the new government and the news that the crucial economic statement, due on monday, mightjust be delayed a few days or even longer. we can talk to business correspondence peter ruddick. yeah, house booked with the markets be if there were a delay in that economic statement? —— how spooked. i delay in that economic statement? -- how smoked-— how spooked. i think they would not be particularly _ how spooked. i think they would not be particularly pleased _ how spooked. i think they would not be particularly pleased necessarily. l be particularly pleased necessarily. i think we saw in the markets yesterday, both on government borrowing, the strength of the pound, and on the stock markets, a vote of confidence in the new administration, in the new prime minister, and there is perhaps a little bit of wiggle room, a little bit of time, a couple of days here and there, i think the markets would allow them that. it doesn't feel, at the moment, famous last words, it doesn't feel like we are back to paying very close attention to the

gilt yields every hour or so, which we have been in the past week or so. but i think they are going to be very closely watching this economic plan, and businesses will as well, notjust markets, because attention will turn away from the broad economic delivery to some of the specifics. businesses need to know what is going to happen with energy bills. injust a what is going to happen with energy bills. in just a few months�* time, we know there will be some targeted support for businesses, who will get it, what kind of support will be, and there is concern within businesses about whether there is an over correction coming. the feeling is that unfunded tax cuts are not the way to go for the markets in the economy as a whole, but if the reverse of that is tax rises, spending cuts, a possible debt to consumer confidence, there is a fear that could well harm growth, and businesses threw prospects for the future. so i think there is a bit of concern that there could be a bit of

an over correction coming. so, as i say, markets to give a couple of days if there is a delay, i don�*t think we will see massive market moves, but business groups, small and large, are really keen now on some of the detail which they will want to hear sooner rather than later. ., ., ,, , later. peter, whatever the markets been doing — later. peter, whatever the markets been doing since _ later. peter, whatever the markets been doing since the _ later. peter, whatever the markets been doing since the mini - later. peter, whatever the markets been doing since the mini budget? j later. peter, whatever the markets - been doing since the mini budget? we know it was pretty much disastrous as far as the markets were concerned, we saw the dramatic changes on the markets as a result of that, but to what extent in the last few weeks since then have a settled down?— last few weeks since then have a settled down? well, they certainly haven't settled _ settled down? well, they certainly haven't settled down _ settled down? well, they certainly haven't settled down in _ settled down? well, they certainly haven't settled down in the - settled down? well, they certainly haven't settled down in the last i settled down? well, they certainlyl haven't settled down in the last few haven�*t settled down in the last few weeks. in haven't settled down in the last few weeks. . , haven't settled down in the last few weeks. ., , , haven't settled down in the last few weeks. .,, , , weeks. in the last few days, sorry. well, in the _ weeks. in the last few days, sorry. well, in the last _ weeks. in the last few days, sorry. well, in the last couple _ weeks. in the last few days, sorry. well, in the last couple of- weeks. in the last few days, sorry. well, in the last couple of days, i well, in the last couple of days, things really have returned, it is no exaggeration to say that things have returned to where they were before that mini budget, which caused all the chaos. the level of the pound is back to the level it was before kwasi kwarteng delivered

his so—called growth plan, and government borrowing, which is what we were paying such close attention to, that is now back to the levels before the mini budget as well. economic credibility is quickly lost and slowly regained, but government borrowing in particular, it is really important that it has returned to those levels from before the mini budget, because that essentially means the size of the fiscal hole for the new chancellor to fill may be smaller than it was just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk — just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk to. _ just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk to. we _ just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk to. we also _ just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk to. we also joined - just a week ago, for example. peter, thanks to talk to. we also joined by l thanks to talk to. we also joined by ben boulos, who is in alfreton in derbyshire, speaking to small owners conor benn. yes, ben, as the new prime minister is constructing his cabinet, staff here are constructing garments. this is rachel�*s handiwork, to me this is magic, the way they turn bits of cloth into finished items like this, but when you talk about decisions

made in westminster, it affects places like this, and the factory has been here since 1961, harold macmillan was the prime minister back then when the business started. they have seen their fair share of prime ministers over the decades, indeed quite a few over the last few weeks. but let�*s find out what people here would like to hear from rishi sunak as he outlined support for people with the cost of living crisis. angie, i�*m going to interrupt you from your work, what are the biggest pressures you are facing day today?— are the biggest pressures you are facing day today? grocery shopping. three years — facing day today? grocery shopping. three years ago _ facing day today? grocery shopping. three years ago there _ facing day today? grocery shopping. three years ago there were - facing day today? grocery shopping. three years ago there were four- facing day today? grocery shopping. three years ago there were four of. three years ago there were four of us, now that is only to whip of way, and it seems to be costing the same. so less food costing the same? == so less food costing the same? -- now there — so less food costing the same? -- now there is only two of us. so less food costing the same? -- | now there is only two of us. angela was talking — now there is only two of us. angela was talking about _ now there is only two of us. angela was talking about groceries, - now there is only two of us. angela was talking about groceries, where | was talking about groceries, where would you need to see help? for me personally. — would you need to see help? for me personally. it —

would you need to see help? for me personally. it is _ would you need to see help? for me personally, it is petrol, _ would you need to see help? for me personally, it is petrol, at _ would you need to see help? for me personally, it is petrol, at least - personally, it is petrol, at least with _ personally, it is petrol, at least with my — personally, it is petrol, at least with my expenses. this last month, this last _ with my expenses. this last month, this last day — with my expenses. this last month, this last day in october, with the same _ this last day in october, with the same job, — this last day in october, with the same job, i— this last day in october, with the samejob, i spent this last day in october, with the same job, i spent £65 on petrol for the whole — same job, i spent £65 on petrol for the whole month, and this year it has been — the whole month, and this year it has been £100 per month, and we are not even _ has been £100 per month, and we are not even at _ has been £100 per month, and we are not even at the end of the month yet. not even at the end of the month yet so_ not even at the end of the month et, ., , not even at the end of the month et. ., , ., not even at the end of the month et, ., , ., ., not even at the end of the month et. ., , ., ., ., yet. so really having an impact on our yet. so really having an impact on your spending _ yet. so really having an impact on your spending money. _ yet. so really having an impact on your spending money. it - yet. so really having an impact on your spending money. it is - yet. so really having an impact on your spending money. it is a - your spending money. it is a noticeable impact, and i have been looking for a house for the past year, and i havejust been looking, and i used to be one of few houses put up for auction, but now the vast majority have been repossessed and are up for auction, and they are family houses, for a family of five. that is a harsh reality many people. thank— that is a harsh reality many people. thank you _ that is a harsh reality many people. thank you for sharing your experiences with you. | thank you for sharing your experiences with you. i will let you car on experiences with you. i will let you carry on working. _ experiences with you. i will let you carry on working, let's _ experiences with you. i will let you carry on working, let's speak - experiences with you. i will let you carry on working, let's speak to . experiences with you. i will let you | carry on working, let's speak to the carry on working, let�*s speak to the boss, christopher. with a business like this, you have a keen interest in what the government plans to do to help support firms like yours, what would you like to hear? weill. what would you like to hear? well, the new prime _ what would you like to hear? well,

the new prime minister— what would you like to hear? well, the new prime minister talks - what would you like to hear? -ii the new prime minister talks about a profound economic crisis. the fact that stems from a productivity problem, and that comes from a scarcity of skills. but let�*s not be gloomy, there is terrific demand for quality british product around the country, we have had one of the best years ever, and i think we could solve this not by manipulating taxes, but unlocking talent in towns like this all around the country. there are millions of people in this country who could add to our productivity, so i suggest, one of our previous prime ministers had a mantra, education, education, education. why doesn�*t this prime minister start with skills, skill, skill? he is welcome to come here to see how we work with the local school and how we could make it work. �* , ., ., work. let's get an overview with melanie from — work. let's get an overview with melanie from the _ work. let's get an overview with melanie from the federation - work. let's get an overview with melanie from the federation ofl work. let's get an overview with - melanie from the federation of small businesses, what are the businesses that you represent, hundred and

50,000 around the uk, what are their biggest challenges? that 50,000 around the uk, what are their biggest challenges?— biggest challenges? at the moment, it has not biggest challenges? at the moment, it has got to — biggest challenges? at the moment, it has got to be _ biggest challenges? at the moment, it has got to be access _ biggest challenges? at the moment, it has got to be access to _ biggest challenges? at the moment, it has got to be access to finance, . it has got to be access to finance, late payments. the prime minister could _ late payments. the prime minister could very— late payments. the prime minister could very easily solve this without any cost _ could very easily solve this without any cost to — could very easily solve this without any cost to the taxpayer by making sure that _ any cost to the taxpayer by making sure that businesses get a fair price _ sure that businesses get a fair price for— sure that businesses get a fair price for the goods and services, but also — price for the goods and services, but also get paid on time. it is costing — but also get paid on time. it is costing our— but also get paid on time. it is costing our economy by not being paid on— costing our economy by not being paid on time. 50,000 businesses a year go _ paid on time. 50,000 businesses a year go out — paid on time. 50,000 businesses a year go out of business is by simple cash flow— year go out of business is by simple cash flow issues, by not being paid. access _ cash flow issues, by not being paid. access to— cash flow issues, by not being paid. access to finance and credit, business _ access to finance and credit, business confidence is low simply because _ business confidence is low simply because they have got the staff and the cash _ because they have got the staff and the cash. �* , ., the cash. and in terms of the reversal on — the cash. and in terms of the reversal on the _ the cash. and in terms of the reversal on the plans - the cash. and in terms of the reversal on the plans for- reversal on the plans for corporation tax to come down to 19%, chancellorjeremy hunt said it will not come down, it will go up to 25% — what are businesses saying to you about that? it - what are businesses saying to you about that?— about that? it has been a confusing time for them. _ about that? it has been a confusing time for them, of _ about that? it has been a confusing time for them, of course, - about that? it has been a confusing time for them, of course, and - about that? it has been a confusing time for them, of course, and all i time for them, of course, and all business — time for them, of course, and all business know we need to pay tax, but it _ business know we need to pay tax, but it has— business know we need to pay tax, but it has to — business know we need to pay tax, but it has to be finely balanced between — but it has to be finely balanced between what is achievable and doable. — between what is achievable and doable, and with energy prices and labour— doable, and with energy prices and

labour costs going up, where are they going — labour costs going up, where are they going to find the money? there has got _ they going to find the money? there has got to— they going to find the money? there has got to be a proper regulatory framework in place and a fair tax system — framework in place and a fair tax system. looking at business rates, they have — system. looking at business rates, they have to look at the holistic picture — they have to look at the holistic picture of — they have to look at the holistic picture of finance when it comes to recovering — picture of finance when it comes to recovering the economy for small businesses. recovering the economy for small businesses-— businesses. people watching this thinkin: businesses. people watching this thinking that _ businesses. people watching this thinking that business _ businesses. people watching this thinking that business pressures| businesses. people watching this i thinking that business pressures are far removed from their own life, these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn�*t it? bi]! these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn't it? , , ,, , these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn't it?— doesn't it? all businesses want to -a a fair doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair wage. — doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair wage, but _ doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair wage, but when - doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair wage, but when there i pay a fair wage, but when there simply— pay a fair wage, but when there simply isn't the money, what are they going — simply isn't the money, what are they going to do? at the holistic picture — they going to do? at the holistic picture of— they going to do? at the holistic picture of finance when it comes to recovering — picture of finance when it comes to recovering the economy for small businesses. people watching this thinking — businesses. people watching this thinking that business pressures are far removed from their own life, these _ far removed from their own life, these all— far removed from their own life, these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn't _ these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn't it? — these all feed into staff pay rises, doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a _ doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair— doesn't it? all businesses want to paya fairwage, doesn't it? all businesses want to pay a fair wage, but when there simply— pay a fair wage, but when there simply isn't the money, what are they going — simply isn't the money, what are they going to do? they have not got enough _ they going to do? they have not got enough staff to grow, and he is manufacturing goods or staff, so they will— manufacturing goods or staff, so they will have to make more cuts. the small— they will have to make more cuts. the small business community has shrunk— the small business community has shrunk by— the small business community has shrunk by half a million over the last two— shrunk by half a million over the last two years. just shrunk by half a million over the last two years-— last two years. just before we finish, let's _ last two years. just before we finish, let's take _ last two years. just before we finish, let's take a _ last two years. just before we finish, let's take a look - last two years. just before we finish, let's take a look at - last two years. just before we finish, let's take a look at the j finish, let�*s take a look at the handiwork going on here, this is amy, very impressive work. there were a couple of spare machines, they invited me to sit down and have

a go, i will be honest, i would have stitched my fingers to the desk rather than made anything that looked even vaguely sellable. i am not sure how your needle work in pairs, benjamin, buti not sure how your needle work in pairs, benjamin, but i will leave that thought with you. you should be learning a new skill, why not, ben? spend the day, master that if you had a few hours! ben boulos, thank you very much, good to see you. we are going to go and look at the weather with carol. it is a beautiful day, i thought i would be wearing an overcoat. it is going to be a mild day, we have had two bands of rain, one moving northwards across scotland, the second one doing the same thing, caving in to the south—east, where it is really weak, but for most it is going to be a dry day with one or two showers. but it is going to be blustery, windy out towards the west with exposure, and some very large waves today across the south—west of england and through the irish sea,

up england and through the irish sea, up to about three metres, something to consider if you are planning a day at the beach. temperatures of 12 to 20 degrees. through the evening and overnight, many of the showers will fade, cloud in the south is a weather front which will move northwards, bringing more rain across england and wales. another weather front brings rain across western scotland and a mild night in prospect. tomorrow, all this rain moves northward and eastward, the rain across scotland to push as northwards as well, some bright skies, cloudy in the north, but in the sunshine we could hit 22 somewhere.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... ministers have been arriving for rishi sunak�*s first cabinet meeting after the new prime minister warned that there will be tough choices

ahead. i will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government�*s agenda. this will mean difficult decisions to come. perhaps the most controversial appointment was suella braverman, back as home secretary, despite having broken the ministerial code only last week. the foreign secretary says the new pm wanted an experienced team around him. and its clear that suella knows the home office, having very recently been there, and is able to hit the ground running from day one. the new pm has already spoken to the first ministers of scotland and wales — in what�*s being seen as a bid to improve relations with the devolved administrations. and at noon today rishi sunak faces his first big parliamentary test in the newjob at prime minister�*s questions. we�*ll have live coverage.

rishi sunak is chairing his first cabinet meeting before he heads to prime minister�*s questions later on at midday. nick eardley is in downing street. you have been watching the new cabinet arriving this morning. in some ways, quite a lot of old faces. there has been a premium on stability and continuity. yes, and experience. a lot of ministers who have been walking in over the last 30 minutes or so who will be quite familiar faces to cabinet watchers, people like michael gove are back in the fold, the foreign secretary stayed the same, the home secretary, controversial appointment, but the same home secretary as a week ago. the chancellor is stilljeremy hunt. there will be a lot of eyes on

jeremy hunt today, because he was in here earlier, discussing with the prime minister whether to delay the so—called medium—term fiscal plan, the cuts that we expect the government back to announce, potential tax rises that he has been drawing up as well. we were expecting the plan on monday. all of the mood music this morning is that is going to potentially be delayed. it's is going to potentially be delayed. it�*s not confirmed yet by the government, but certainly something that was being discussed. i think that was being discussed. i think thatis that was being discussed. i think that is because the new prime minister will want to have a look at the numbers, to dot the is and cross the numbers, to dot the is and cross the ts, work out what he can sell politically that the new chancellor wants to do. there were rapid decisions made last week on things like keeping the triple lock on pensions, announced by liz truss at pmqs last week, after a meeting with the chancellor. but i wouldn�*t be

surprised if by prime minister�*s questions we are talking about that fiscal plan being delayed by a while. quite how long, i�*m not sure. i think the government will want to do it sooner, rather than later the bank of england is due to announce the interest rate decision next thursday. there are many conservative mps who want to government to set out more of its fiscal plans before them. let�*s wait and see what happens. it seems that there is a good chance there will be a delay to that fiscal plan. lets throw a two — a delay to that fiscal plan. lets throw a two prime _ a delay to that fiscal plan. lets throw a two prime minister's throw a two prime minister�*s questions at midday, rishi sunak�*s first taste of gladiatorial combat in the chamber of the house of commons at pmqs. you just wonder what is sir keir starmer�*s line of attack? in a sense, you could argue, with borisjohnson, he had a few open goals, with the partygate allegations, with liz truss, some open goals with a disaster of the

mini budget. how does he go on the attack with the new prime minister? i think labour�*s argument will be that, although there is a new prime minister, the governing party are the ones responsible for the mess that the country is in and he will pick on the fact that there are a lot of cabinet ministers who are familiarfaces and say, lot of cabinet ministers who are familiar faces and say, they are the ones responsible for all of the problem is that the country, the economy are facing at the moment. but it is a big moment for rishi sunak. and it�*s sort of a peculiar moment, because we saw mr sunak on monday, we saw him on tuesday, giving preprepared statements, not taking any questions. he still hasn�*t done any interviews in the last few weeks. we�*ve not really heard from him in any real detail since the summer, when he lost the leadership election to liz truss. he is now prime minister and at pmqs today at noon in the commons, we are going to see the first time that his new plans face any real scrutiny.

there will be a lot of scrutiny. because the economic picture is different to the one we had over the summer. we know that the cost of borrowing, for example, has gone up. that puts a bit more of a squeeze on what the government can do. we know that the treasury is looking at the £40 billion black hole that it has to fail. that is going to mean, because of the choices the chancellor is making, that there are probably spending cuts to come and probably spending cuts to come and probably tax rises to accompany them. that means that mr sunak is going to have to set out to the country exactly what his priorities are. there are some interesting cabinet appointments that might give us a flavour of where some of his priorities do live. 0ne us a flavour of where some of his priorities do live. one of the ones that arrived was mel stride, a key ally of rishi sunak, now the pension sector. a couple of weeks ago, he

was saying that he thinks the government back there will be in real trouble with backbenchers if it doesn�*t increase benefits by the rate of inflation. that is something thatis rate of inflation. that is something that is going to be expensive, it is something that government has not committed to in the last few weeks, although it is something that mr sunak said he would do when he was chancellor. so, ijust wonder, is not a sign may be that the work and pensions secretary is being put in place to oversee benefits going up by the rate of inflation? we don�*t know for sure, but one of the reasons we don�*t know is because mr sunak has not faced those questions just yet. noon today on bbc news, primus is questions, we will see some of that scrutiny happening. it's some of that scrutiny happening. it�*s going to be really interesting to watch and we will get your assessment later. nick eardley, our chief political correspondent. i�*m nowjoined by broadcaster ayesha hazarika, who is also the former labour adviser for gordon brown, harriet harman and ed miliband. good to have you with us. what do you think is keir starmer�*s line of

attack? do you think for keir starmer and for labour in general, rishi sunak is a more formidable opponent than liz truss? i did think that yesterday _ opponent than liz truss? i did think that yesterday morning, _ opponent than liz truss? i did think that yesterday morning, and - that yesterday morning, and particularly when rishi sunak made what was a very accomplished, elegant, slick speech on the steps of downing street, talking about being a compassionate conservative and talking about bringing back professionalism and integrity to the cabinet. i thought at that moment, yes, labour is going to have a bit more of a challenge from rishi sunak. to be fair, it�*s not as ashley difficult to provide more challenge than liz truss did. but i think his cabinet reshuffle has undermined that persuasive and compelling argument he himself made, with the appointment of particularly suella braverman. you cannot make an argument about professionalism and integrity, and have somebody back at the department of homeland security

who just a few days ago breached security rules and breached the ministerial code. we know that he has done that because his party is still very, very divided. i think this does give the labour party are very good attack line, he may be this very interesting, shiny new face, but it is essentially the old band back together. that was a band which was very recently getting booed off stage.— which was very recently getting booed off stage. which was very recently getting booed off staue. , . , , booed off stage. james cleverly, the forei . n booed off stage. james cleverly, the foreign secretary, _ booed off stage. james cleverly, the foreign secretary, was _ booed off stage. james cleverly, the foreign secretary, was saying - booed off stage. james cleverly, the foreign secretary, was saying about| foreign secretary, was saying about the suella braverman appointment, well, it�*s about experience and stability, continuity. she is going back to thejob stability, continuity. she is going back to the job she was doing just a few days ago. she back to the job she was doing 'ust a few days ago.— back to the job she was doing 'ust a few days ago. she had hardly been in that position. — few days ago. she had hardly been in that position, then _ few days ago. she had hardly been in that position, then the _ few days ago. she had hardly been in that position, then the time - few days ago. she had hardly been in that position, then the time she - few days ago. she had hardly been in that position, then the time she had | that position, then the time she had been home secretary, she was only brought in as home secretary a couple of weeks ago, six or seven weeks ago, by liz truss. she didn�*t achieve anything of great note while she was home secretary, apart from saying some quite as tasteful things about having a dream of rounding up

asylum seekers and sending them to rwanda. we know that is a policy that a is unworkable, potentially breaches international law and is actually costing the taxpayer a lot of money. we also know that she played a part in really creating obstacles to a big trade deal with india, because she would not yield on some of her very hardline views on some of her very hardline views on immigration. and if you want to have growth, you are going to have to liberalise some of the immigration rules. i think this argument that she is this really experienced old hand at the home office is absolute nonsense. she broke the ministerial code and security rules just six days ago. i think if rishi sunak wanted somebody serious, with experience, back at the home office, sajid javid would have been an obvious appointment. what about labour more generally now? because they have been calling for a general election immediately. that is not going to happen, it�*s pretty clear. do they need to do more now to explain that their

policies? we know some of the specifics, obviously the windfall tax and so on. do they need to be going on the offensive a little bit more than they have been perhaps in recent weeks, where they have watched the liz truss government fall apart, they watch the boris johnson government fall apart. they didn�*t have to do that much in opposition. now do you think they have to do a little bit more? i think that is a fair point. although from a strategic point of view, when your enemy is making an absolute mess of things, it is best to sit back and let them carry on with it. i think labour will want to allow rishi sunak some time to set out the contours of his government, particularly around this economic event that we were hoping would happen on halloween, but might be delayed by a few days or so. i don�*t think labour will feel under any pressure to set out specific tax—and—spend plans now. why would they? as soon as they issue any detail, everyone will start pulling it apart. and the economy is

changing very quickly as well. but i do think that you do have a point in the sense that labour can�*tjust coast and bank on the fact that they have got a big poll lead. rishi sunak may get a bounce, the election is a long time away. labour will have to put more flesh on the bone. if labour�*s argument is that they are a government in waiting, ready to go, they have a duty to tell the public a bit more about the direction of travel. [30 public a bit more about the direction of travel.- public a bit more about the direction of travel. do you think rishi sunak _ direction of travel. do you think rishi sunak gets _ direction of travel. do you think rishi sunak gets a _ direction of travel. do you think rishi sunak gets a honeymoon l direction of travel. do you think- rishi sunak gets a honeymoon period as the new prime minister? you know, i think he as the new prime minister? you know, i think he would _ as the new prime minister? you know, i think he would have _ as the new prime minister? you know, i think he would have had _ as the new prime minister? you know, i think he would have had a _ as the new prime minister? you know, i think he would have had a bigger- i think he would have had a bigger honeymoon period if it wasn�*t for the return of people like suella braverman and gavin williamson, who is basically seen as a comedy figure, the frank spencer of british politics. if he brought back more serious people, he had to would have had a long honeymoon period. and he looks the part, he�*s far more articulate and slick than any predecessors have been in downing

street for quite some time. but i just feel he has undermined a lot of the goodwill that there was for him yesterday by the reshuffle. iie the goodwill that there was for him yesterday by the reshuffle. he is also young. _ yesterday by the reshuffle. he is also young. 42. _ yesterday by the reshuffle. he is also young, 42, the _ yesterday by the reshuffle. he is also young, 42, the youngest i yesterday by the reshuffle. he is also young, 42, the youngest prime ministerfor a couple of also young, 42, the youngest prime minister for a couple of centuries, the first british asian prime minister as well. he is making history, apart from anything he does in office? ~ , , , , in office? absolutely. this is something — in office? absolutely. this is something which _ in office? absolutely. this is something which should i in office? absolutely. this is something which should be l something which should be celebrated. i am the child of indian immigrants, my parents were talking us today and you could hear the pride in their voices. ifelt proud when i saw rishi sunak, pictures of him and that is a huge moment, we should celebrate, as we celebrated sadiq khan becoming mayor of london. but it does not give rishi sunak a free pass, particularly when 70

people right now are worried about their own finances. people are facing life on the poverty line, people are very angry after the disastrous mini budget that we saw. there is no doubt that his elevation to prime minister is a big moment. given that britain has been quite an international laughing stock on the international laughing stock on the international stage, all eyes are on britain now, in a good way, because rishi sunak has made history by being the first british asian prime minister. but it is important to note that it is important and good, but he does not have a mandate from the public. but he does not have a mandate from the ublic. ., ~ but he does not have a mandate from the ublic. ., ,, , ., but he does not have a mandate from the ublic. ., ~' , ., , . but he does not have a mandate from the ublic. ., ~ , ., , . ., the public. thank you very much for our the public. thank you very much for your time- — northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris, who was reappointed to the role in new prime minister rishi sunak�*s cabinet, is to hold talks with stormont party leaders as friday�*s deadline to restore an executive draws closer. if it�*s missed, another election would have to take place within 12 weeks. let�*s speak now to our correspondent

in belfast, charlotte gallagher. bring us up to date with what the reaction has been to the new government of rishi sunak. the reaction has _ government of rishi sunak. iie: reaction has been government of rishi sunak. tie: reaction has been pretty government of rishi sunak. i“i9: reaction has been pretty much that it doesn�*t matter who is in charge, in westminster, they have to sort out northern ireland. it has to be a priority. the dup and sinn fein have all said they will work with whoever is the northern ireland secretary, but something really does need to be done about stormont, the lack of devolved government on the issues need to be sorted. there hasn�*t been a functioning devolved government he since february. that�*s an incredibly long amount of time when decisions are being made about health care, education, for example. people here, voters are really fed up. as you said, there is a deadline looming, friday, if the devolved government is back at stormont, working by then, chris heaton—harris has said he will call an election, and steve

baker, his minister, said there would be absolutely no u—turn on that issue. realistically, i think that issue. realistically, i think that there is little chance of them getting back to stormont before friday, because the dup have said that they will only go back once the northern ireland protocol, there is post—brexit trading arrangements, are either scrapped or significantly altered. they said they will not go back until there is action on that. they will not take it on the promise. forthe they will not take it on the promise. for the chance of that happening in the next two days, they would really have to have a miracle. we are looking at another election here in northern ireland, in the weeks before christmas. the last thing that voters want, and the last thing that voters want, and the last thing that voters want, and the last thing that politicians want. but chris heaton—harris says this is a legal deadline, and he has been left with no option. he is having these talks today with leaders of the different parties. the assembly is going to be recalled tomorrow here as well. but the likelihood is that there are still going to be a stalemate here.— there are still going to be a stalemate here. . , :, ., stalemate here. when you said that --eole stalemate here. when you said that people there _ stalemate here. when you said that people there are — stalemate here. when you said that people there are fed _ stalemate here. when you said that people there are fed up, _ stalemate here. when you said that people there are fed up, what i stalemate here. when you said that people there are fed up, what are i people there are fed up, what are they saying about what seems to be

an endless political stalemate at the moment?— an endless political stalemate at the moment? ,, :, , :, , ., the moment? quite a few people have said to me that — the moment? quite a few people have said to me that they _ the moment? quite a few people have said to me that they voted _ the moment? quite a few people have said to me that they voted in - the moment? quite a few people have said to me that they voted in every i said to me that they voted in every election, but they are not going to bother voting this time. they say they have had enough, because what is the point, in their view? if stormont is not going to get back together, if it�*s not going to be working, why should they go out in the weeks before christmas, in the darkin the weeks before christmas, in the dark in the obviously a lot of die—hard voters will still vote, but a lot of people are thinking, well, wejust will still vote, but a lot of people are thinking, well, we just going to have the situation again, when the votes come in, that the democratic unionist party says we are not going to go back, and stormont will again collapse? that could happen if, after the election results come in, there still isn�*t a deal on the northern ireland protocol. rishi sunak is seen as a bit more conciliatory about the protocol, ready perhaps to make a deal with the eu, not as hard—line as his predecessors. but this has to be a deal agreed with the uk and the eu, and one that parties in northern ireland are happy with. and it�*s not just them. interestingly, rishi

sunak and his first phone call last night with us presidentjoe biden. northern ireland under the good friday agreement was brought up. joe biden has not made a trade deal yet with the uk, and i think a lot of that hangs on whether things can get back working in northern ireland. we know he is a president who really stresses his irish roots, it�*s very important to him. and he has put real emphasis on the good friday agreement and getting things back to normal. ,:, :, agreement and getting things back to normal. ,., :, :, ., ,, agreement and getting things back to normal. :, ., ,, :, normal. good to talk to you, charlotte _ normal. good to talk to you, charlotte gallagher - normal. good to talk to you, charlotte gallagher in - normal. good to talk to you, charlotte gallagher in fast. l charlotte gallagher in fast. directors of public health in england are urging the governor not to make more cuts to their budget, they say they are on a cliff edge and any more reductions in funding will hit the poorest communities hardest. 0ur health correspondent, dominic hughes, reports. this is what public health in action looks like. hi, i�*m carole. i�*m from the quit smoking team. anthony is a smoker, but with a fractured foot and shoulders, he�*s now stuck gateshead�*s queen elizabeth hospital.

so how many cigarettes do normally smoke day, anthony? ten at the most. so, carole, one of the hospital�*s stop smoking advisers, sees a chance to help anthony quit. we can offer you some patches for your arm, and we can give you an inhalator, it�*s something to do with your hands, and that�*s full of nicotine as well. carole herself gave up smoking five years ago. she understands how hard it can be. if i could do it, anybody can, and i did it. so you can as well. and she fears what might happen if this kind of service didn�*t exist. i think people will die sooner because they�*re not getting the support that they need, and i think now if we�*re educating the grannies, the mothers, they�*re going to educate their children not to smoke as well, because it�*s them that�*s the future, isn�*t it? and on the respiratory ward, the medical team can see that carole�*s work is getting results. if i can help support

a patient diagnosed with lung cancer to stop smoking, they live longer. as powerful as having palliative chemotherapy. so it has a real impact straightaway, being able to offer these services, and if they get cut, that willjust be devastating. it's a critical tool in my armoury. in england, public health measures like stop smoking services are funded by local authorities with a grant from the department of health and social care worth £3.4 billion this year. but budgets have been squeeze hard over the last decade, and now rising inflation means the money is getting spread ever more thinly. the public health grant has been cut by around a quarter since 2015—16, and with higher—than—expected inflation at the moment, we�*re expecting another real term cut this year. a fresh analysis of what impact that�*s had on public health spending since 2015 shows where reductions have already been made. stop smoking services have been hardest hit, with budgets down by more than 40%. money for adult drug and alcohol services has been reduced

by more than a quarter. and sexual health services saw funding fall by more than 20%. and in communities like gateshead, with areas of severe deprivation, talk of further budget cuts is a bleak prospect. it really concerns me, you know. i�*m here to improve and protect the health and well—being of the population in gateshead, having some of the limitations around budgets is really concerning. so if you take tobacco, for example. tobacco harm in gateshead costs about £62 million a year, about £9 million to the nhs. so if we were reducing some of those services that help us to tackle that issue, it doesn�*t make any sense. the department of health and social care says public health grants for next year will be announced in due course, but the worry is that double—digit inflation will mean vital services will be lost and the health of the poorest communities will suffer. dominic hughes, bbc news, gateshead.

rishi sunak claimed he would deliver levelling up. but with inflation at 10%, eating into government budgets, and spending cuts in prospect — what chance is there of levelling up places like blyth and bishop auckland and burnley? amidst days dominated by political movements in westminster sima kotecha has been talking to families to see how the cost of living crisis is affecting them. louisa�*s on her half term break and her grandparents have brought her here to this place on the outskirts of burnley, where ponies and horses rescued from cruelty are taken care of. but people are feeling the pain of the economic crisis, with some contemplating cutting back on day trips to save a few pounds. my granddaughter absolutely loves coming here, and i do bring her quite often. it�*s £5, which is not a lot of money. but, you know, if you keep coming once a week, it does add up. i try my best to give to charities.

i do donate through my wage every week through work, which i�*ve done for the last 20 years, donated £5. but, i am actually thinking, am i going to have to stop this because i maybe can�*t afford it any more? and the older visitors are nervous about the winter months. even though our pensions may not go up, we are managing. but the biggest worry is that our heating has got to be on all day. i also do quite a lot of cooking, so we are quite anxious about the next bills and what they're going to be like and we're trying to sort of take precautions to keep the heating down if we can. yes, there�*s a new prime minister, but the cost of living crisis remains. and what is palpable from speaking to people here in burnley at places like this is that it�*s affecting all sections of society, with some telling us they�*re optimistic about the new administration, while others are saying they�*re terrified about what could lie ahead. we�*re going to feel it.

we feel the crunch already and we�*re just sort of getting our heads around the fact that... winter is always difficult anyway so for us, we�*re kind of preparing and asking people to give what they can and accept that sometimes that might not always be what they�*ve been able to afford in the past. the cafe on site is paying more for its food, like the rest of society. new 0ns figures show the basics, such as chips, bread and milk, have dramatically increased in price over the last year. vegetable oil has gone up by more than 65%, while the cost of tea has increased by 46%. here they tell us food inflation is impossible to ignore and means a weekly shop isn�*t what it used to be. just everything�*s gone up. especially the products like fruit and veg that i use a lot and margarine is gone up a lot. what about the basics you feed these children? yeah, that�*s been really affected in the shop. you�*re just not getting as much in your trolley as you used to. it�*s clear the government has some tough choices to make with a massive financial hole worth billions of pounds to fill. the cost of living going up, even though we�*re pensioners so even though our pensions may not go up, we are managing.

but the biggest worry is that our heating has it is so warm, carol, that i could be wearing a t—shirt? it it is so warm, carol, that i could be wearing a t-shirt?_ it is so warm, carol, that i could be wearing a t-shirt? it has been a really mild — be wearing a t-shirt? it has been a really mild start _ be wearing a t-shirt? it has been a really mild start to _ be wearing a t-shirt? it has been a really mild start to the _ be wearing a t-shirt? it has been a really mild start to the day. - mild theme is going to continue by day and night. it is also going to be blustery, more windy than it has been. low pressure is firmly in charge of the weather, with this front dragging rain northwards and eastwards. you can seejust front dragging rain northwards and eastwards. you can see just by looking at the isobars that it is windy, but the wind is coming from a very mild direction. namely from the south. dragging mild or very mild conditions across our shores. the first band of rain is almost cleared. we have heavy rain moving currently across scotland, pushing steadily north eastwards. behind it, we see a return to bright spells, sunny spells and some showers. more

cloud at times. the dregs of the weather front in the far south—east, and blustery. these are the temperatures we can expect. 12 or 19 or 20 degrees. the wind will be a feature across the irish sea, and also the western isles. here, it will be pretty gusty and it will be producing large waves around the south western approaches, and also the irish sea, something to consider if you are tempted to go down to the shoreline today. as we head through the evening, many showers will fade. the weather front flips around and moves northwards, taking rain across parts of england and wales. another weatherford comes into the west, introducing rain. the wind will strengthen. we are looking at severe gales with exposure around the outer hebrides. yeah, they will be large waves whipped up. it�*s going to be a mild night across the board. tomorrow, all of this rain moves northwards, and also eastwards. the rain in scotland pushes northwards, and what will be left in scotland

and what will be left in scotland and northern ireland is a fair bit of cloud. for england and wales, we will start to see holes develop in that cloud and some sunshine coming through. depending on how much sunshine we get, we could hit 22 celsius somewhere in the south—east. generally, the range will be 13—20 . as we head into friday, low pressure are still with us. the weather front crosses smartly from the west to the east, taking rain with it. behind it, back into some sunshine, one or two ago showers and temperatures are still 12 to about 20 degrees. as we head into the weekend, the weather will be changeable at times, we will see some rain. that will move through quite quickly and it will be sunshine and showers, brisk winds on sunday.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines from the uk and around the world. i�*m ben brown in westminster. ministers have arrived in downing street for the first cabinet meeting under the new uk prime minister rishi sunak. he has warned of tough choices ahead. i will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government�*s agenda. this will mean difficult decisions to come. suella braverman is back as home secretary, despite having broken the ministerial code last week. the foreign secretary says mr sunak wanted an experienced team around him.

and it's clear that suella knows the home office, having very recently been there,