this is bbc news, i'm martine croxall — the headlines: health officials warn parents to look out for symptoms of a condition caused by strep a — six children have died in england and wales after contracting the infection. 39 unaccompanied albanian children who have come into the care of kent county council this year have gone missing — raising fears of human trafficking. a newspaper in greece says the british museum and the greek government have been in "secret talks" over a possible return of the elgin marbles. the former government minister, conor burns, has been cleared of misconduct — and he'll have his conservative party whip restored. and, at the world cup, the round of 16 kicks off with the usa facing the netherlands — the winner will face argentina or australia, who meet later this evening.

good afternoon. almost a fifth of unaccompanied albanian child migrants who have come into the care of kent county council this year have gone missing. charities fear they could become the victims of trafficking. our correspondent, simon jones, has more. we're talking here of 39 children who have gone missing who were in the care of kent county council. this year we have seen a huge increase in the number of albanians making the crossing over the channel in small boats. so unsurprisingly there has also been a big rise in the number of unaccompanied children from albania arriving in kent. 200 children have been passed into the care of kent county council, and around a fifth of those have gone missing. that has raised some concerns.

you've got the charity, ecpat uk, who basically campaign to try to make the life of vulnerable children more safe, they are saying it is possible the children are now being forced to work in the so—called grey economy, it could be in construction, car washes, or perhaps even more seriously in cannabis factories. we know from the national crime agency that albanian gangsters play a lead role in running those cannabis factories. these children could also end up being sexually exploitated. what is being done to find them? kent county council says initially proactively what it is trying to do is identify children at risk of going missing in the first place to try to stop them going from going missing. and if necessary, it can refer people to the national mechanism where you can flag up people who are at risk of potentially falling victim to modern—day slavery. but after people have gone missing, kcc says it is working closely with the police and home office to try

to locate the children. but in this case, 39 this year have not been located. we have no idea where exactly they are. if a child is found, we are told by the authorities that there is a full debrief with that child afterwards to find out reasons why they went missing and whether any lessons can be learnt from the cases. simonjones there. parents are being urged to know the symptoms of scarlet fever after six children in england and wales died recently from the bacteria that causes it. the strep a infection is normally mild, but there have been more cases than usual, and a higher number of deaths compared to recent years. here's our health editor, hugh pym. pupils at this school in penarth, in south wales, have been saying goodbye to hanna roap. she died after contracting invasive group a streptococcal disease. in a tribute online, her parents say, "our hearts have been broken into a million pieces." infections caused by group a strep bacteria are usually mild, with symptoms like sore throat

or skin infections. the bug can also cause scarlet fever. health officials say they are seeing more scarlet fever this year than usual. in the week to november 20, there were 851 cases recorded in england. the average for the same week in preceding years was 186. it can cause a variety of illness, including impetigo, which is a skin infection, and scarlet fever, which is an infection quite often proceed by a sore throat, which is very common with group a streptococcal infections, but then proceeds to high fever, headache, and a classical rash that people get, which is like sandpaper, can be red or purple on lighter skin types. it is believed one reason for the increase in cases is that children were less exposed to scarlet fever and other infections during the pandemic, and very rarely strep a can cause the invasive condition which can prove fatal. strep a infections and scarlet

fever are easily treated with antibiotics and, if there are clear symptoms, parents are advised to contact nhs iii or a gp. if a child shows signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever or serious symptoms develop, the advice is to seek urgent medical help. hugh pym, bbc news. the former chancellor, george osborne — who is the chair of the british museum — has been holding secret talks with the greek prime minister over the possible return of the elgin marbles. negotiations have been taking place in london since november 2021. earlier i spoke to our culture editor, katie razzall, who told me more about these latest talks. it is a greek newspaper who have this exclusive story today. as you say, the secret talks have been happening, the latest of which supposedly happened this week at a hotel in central london between george osborne, who is now chair of the british museum,

and the greek prime minister. more than 13 months, they say, these talks have been going on, not just with the greek prime minister but also with other greek politicians. clearly this has been briefed by the greek side. i think it is interesting that the british museum, though they certainly are not confirming the status of the talks — because let's remember what is being said in this newspaper is that the greek side say an agreement is 90% complete — the british museum certainly not confirming that, but they're not denying that these talks have happened. they have said to me today that they have publicly called for a new partnership with greece and will talk with anyone, including the greek government, on how to take that forward. i'm sure everybody will remember what these beautiful sculptures are, we have quite a few of them in the british museum here in the london and the uk because back in the early 19th century, lord elgin, a scottish diplomat and ambassador

for the ottoman empire, he brought them, took them. we understand at some cost to himself, i think £70,000 it cost him to remove some of these items from the parthenon temple and bring them back to the uk. the british government bought them and they ended up in the british museum. but they are hotly contested and of course greece have been asking for them back for a very, very long time. so it is interesting to hear that we might perhaps be close to an agreement. i think they are one of the big draws to the british museum. would they literally be sent back to greece, orjust ownership returned to greece? it is interesting. greece absolutely wants them back in athens. between 2000 and 2010, they built this new museum on the acropolis. one of the galleries is the parthenon gallery, and it has the items, the artworks from the parthenon that didn't get taken by other countries, and they have left spaces where they have put very good plastic replicas of, for example,

the works there in the british museum. but they have always been clear that these items need to be reunited with the rest of them and they need to be back in greece. but the british museum is pointing out that unlike a lot of museums up and down the uk, the british museum is bound by very different laws. according to laws set by parliament — and parliament would have to change them — they can't de—accession items in their collection. basically, that means they can't give ownership of these unless the government decides they are going to change that. at the moment, we understand the government is not minded to do that. having said that, greece won't take

anything else other than ownership. you can imagine they do a deal where they send them back on a long loan, but imagine if you are greek and you feel those things really belong to you. i'm not sure the greeks can sell it to their citizens that they are being loaned these items that they think belong to them. maybe that's the crucial 10% they need to get over the line. at the football world cup, in qatar, the netherlands are facing usa in the first match of the knock out stage. the dutch team have reached three finals but never won. the usa have not progressed to the quarterfinals since 2002. later, argentina will take on australia. our europe correspondent, anna holligan, is a bar in the hague. they holligan, is a bar in the hague. must be hop time? inaudible.

cheering. inaudible. well, we get the picture. the netherlands have scored but we could not hear a word that anna was saying. we will maybe try again a little later. they are obviously in full voice in that bar in the hague. let's try the united states instead and speak to nomia iqbal, who is in and speak to nomia iqbal, who is in a beer hall in washington. probably just as busy as well. a little bit quiet out there, given what has just happened? quiet out there, given what has “ust ha--ened? quiet out there, given what has “ust ha ened? . , happened? it did give really quiet “ust then happened? it did give really quiet just then when that _

happened? it did give really quiet just then when that goal- happened? it did give really quiet just then when that goal that - happened? it did give really quiet| just then when that goal that went through _ just then when that goal that went through. obviously this is a big game _ through. obviously this is a big game for— through. obviously this is a big game for the eight us men's team, they want— game for the eight us men's team, they want to get to the quarterfinals for the first time in two decades, the last time was in 2001— two decades, the last time was in 2002~ that — two decades, the last time was in 2002. that goaljust went through a moment_ 2002. that goaljust went through a moment ago. i don't think the fans are losing — moment ago. i don't think the fans are losing hope over it. i am going to bring _ are losing hope over it. i am going to bring over— are losing hope over it. i am going to bring over and say no. sorry to -et to bring over and say no. sorry to get you _ to bring over and say no. sorry to get you over_ to bring over and say no. sorry to get you over at this moment. how did you feel_ get you over at this moment. how did you feel when that goal went in? up until you feel when that goal went in? until that you feel when that goal went in? up until that moment it kind of felt like the — until that moment it kind of felt like the us— until that moment it kind of felt like the us was _ until that moment it kind of felt like the us was controlling - until that moment it kind of felt like the us was controlling the. like the us was controlling the netherlands, _ like the us was controlling the netherlands, they— like the us was controlling the netherlands, they were - like the us was controlling the netherlands, they were not i like the us was controlling the netherlands, they were not in| like the us was controlling the . netherlands, they were not in the final third — netherlands, they were not in the final third to — netherlands, they were not in the final third to a _ netherlands, they were not in the final third to a lot. _ netherlands, they were not in the final third to a lot. memphis- netherlands, they were not in the final third to a lot. memphis was. netherlands, they were not in the| final third to a lot. memphis was a -- is _ final third to a lot. memphis was a -- is a _ final third to a lot. memphis was a —— is a world—class _ final third to a lot. memphis was a —— is a world—class striker- final third to a lot. memphis was a —— is a world—class striker so - final third to a lot. memphis was a —— is a world—class striker so you i —— is a world—class striker so you have _ —— is a world—class striker so you have to _ —— is a world—class striker so you have to concede _ —— is a world—class striker so you have to concede we _ —— is a world—class striker so you have to concede we will- —— is a world—class striker so you have to concede we will concede | —— is a world—class striker so you l have to concede we will concede at some _ have to concede we will concede at some point — have to concede we will concede at some point now— have to concede we will concede at some point. now they _ have to concede we will concede at some point. now theyjust - have to concede we will concede at some point. now theyjust need i have to concede we will concede at some point. now theyjust need to| some point. now theyjust need to buckle _ some point. now theyjust need to buckle down~ — some point. now theyjust need to buckle down. the _ some point. now they 'ust need to buckle amt buckle down. the still a lot of time, buckle down. the still a lot of time. anything _ buckle down. the still a lot of time, anything can _ buckle down. the still a lot of time, anything can happen. i buckle down. the still a lot of. time, anything can happen. this buckle down. the still a lot of- time, anything can happen. this is the second — time, anything can happen. this is the second youngest team in at the tournament for the us. you could say at the _ tournament for the us. you could say at the netherlands have not faced mighty— at the netherlands have not faced mighty opponents get in at the

tournament, so you never know. it has been _ tournament, so you never know. it has been the — tournament, so you never know. it has been the tournament of the underdogs, right?— has been the tournament of the underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or _ underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or lose, _ underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or lose, the _ underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or lose, the us - underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or lose, the us with - underdogs, right? regardless, this match win or lose, the us with the | match win or lose, the us with the second _ match win or lose, the us with the second youngest _ match win or lose, the us with the second youngest team _ match win or lose, the us with the second youngest team have - match win or lose, the us with the second youngest team have shown match win or lose, the us with the i second youngest team have shown so much _ second youngest team have shown so much promise — second youngest team have shown so much promise. this— second youngest team have shown so much promise. this is— second youngest team have shown so much promise. this is the _ second youngest team have shown so much promise. this is the most- much promise. this is the most excited — much promise. this is the most excited i— much promise. this is the most excited i have _ much promise. this is the most excited i have ever— much promise. this is the most excited i have ever been - much promise. this is the most excited i have ever been for- much promise. this is the most excited i have ever been for a l much promise. this is the most. excited i have ever been for a us squad _ excited i have ever been for a us squad we — excited i have ever been for a us squad. we had _ excited i have ever been for a us squad. we had at— excited i have ever been for a us squad. we had at the _ excited i have ever been for a us squad. we had at the upset- excited i have ever been for a us squad. we had at the upset with| squad. we had at the upset with ghana _ squad. we had at the upset with ghana in— squad. we had at the upset with ghana in 2010. _ squad. we had at the upset with ghana in 2010. 2014, _ squad. we had at the upset with ghana in 2010. 2014, we - squad. we had at the upset with ghana in 2010. 2014, we got- squad. we had at the upset withj ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out squad. we had at the upset with i ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out of the group _ ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out of the group with _ ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out of the group with that, _ ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out of the group with that, everybody - ghana in 2010. 2014, we got out ofj the group with that, everybody was excited _ the group with that, everybody was excited i_ the group with that, everybody was excited. ithink— the group with that, everybody was excited. i think this _ the group with that, everybody was excited. i think this is— the group with that, everybody was excited. i think this is the - the group with that, everybody was excited. i think this is the first - excited. i think this is the first group — excited. i think this is the first group where _ excited. i think this is the first group where we _ excited. i think this is the first group where we feel— excited. i think this is the first group where we feel in- excited. i think this is the first group where we feel in 2026 l excited. i think this is the first i group where we feel in 2026 we excited. i think this is the first - group where we feel in 2026 we will not he _ group where we feel in 2026 we will not he let _ group where we feel in 2026 we will not he let down— group where we feel in 2026 we will not be let down and _ group where we feel in 2026 we will not be let down and we _ group where we feel in 2026 we will not be let down and we can - group where we feel in 2026 we will not be let down and we can actually| not be let down and we can actually be competitive _ not be let down and we can actually be competitive. would _ not be let down and we can actually be competitive. would i— not be let down and we can actually be competitive. would i like - not be let down and we can actually be competitive. would i like to- be competitive. would i like to advance — be competitive. would i like to advance now? _ be competitive. would i like to advance now?— be competitive. would i like to advance now? ~ , ., . advance now? absolutely. i notice ou have advance now? absolutely. i notice you have got _ advance now? absolutely. i notice you have got a _ advance now? absolutely. i notice you have got a baseball _ advance now? absolutely. i notice you have got a baseball shirt - advance now? absolutely. i notice you have got a baseball shirt on. i advance now? absolutely. i notice i you have got a baseball shirt on. do you have got a baseball shirt on. do you think— you have got a baseball shirt on. do you think soccer, as you guys call it, you think soccer, as you guys call it. do— you think soccer, as you guys call it. do you — you think soccer, as you guys call it, do you think it is getting there in terms — it, do you think it is getting there in terms of— it, do you think it is getting there in terms of its profile, in terms of the interest— in terms of its profile, in terms of the interest that american people have in— the interest that american people have in the sport? i�*ve the interest that american people have in the sport?—

have in the sport? i've -- i think absolutely- _ have in the sport? i've -- i think absolutely. you _ have in the sport? i've -- i think absolutely. you look— have in the sport? i've -- i think absolutely. you look at - have in the sport? i've -- i think absolutely. you look at the - have in the sport? i've -- i think. absolutely. you look at the youths in this _ absolutely. you look at the youths in this team — absolutely. you look at the youths in this team. you _ absolutely. you look at the youths in this team. you have _ absolutely. you look at the youths in this team. you have got - absolutely. you look at the youths. in this team. you have got probably about— in this team. you have got probably about half— in this team. you have got probably about half of— in this team. you have got probably about half of the _ in this team. you have got probably about half of the players _ in this team. you have got probably about half of the players who - in this team. you have got probably about half of the players who play l about half of the players who play internationally, _ about half of the players who play internationally, christine - about half of the players who play internationally, christine pulisic. internationally, christine pulisic at chelsea _ internationally, christine pulisic at chelsea. these _ internationally, christine pulisic at chelsea. these are _ internationally, christine pulisic. at chelsea. these are world—class players. _ at chelsea. these are world—class players, internationally— at chelsea. these are world—class players, internationally that - at chelsea. these are world—class players, internationally that theyl players, internationally that they are recognised. _ players, internationally that they are recognised. full— players, internationally that they are recognised. full disclosure, i players, internationally that they i are recognised. full disclosure, and only wearing — are recognised. full disclosure, and only wearing this _ are recognised. full disclosure, and only wearing this because _ are recognised. full disclosure, and only wearing this because this - are recognised. full disclosure, and only wearing this because this is - only wearing this because this is the first— only wearing this because this is the first time _ only wearing this because this is the first time that _ only wearing this because this is the first time that i _ only wearing this because this is the first time that i feel- only wearing this because this is the first time that i feel like - only wearing this because this is the first time that i feel like i. the first time that i feel like i can actually _ the first time that i feel like i can actually buy _ the first time that i feel like i can actually buy a _ the first time that i feel like i can actually buy a us - the first time that i feel like i can actually buy a us soccerl the first time that i feel like i- can actually buy a us soccerjersey and be _ can actually buy a us soccerjersey and be proud — can actually buy a us soccerjersey and be proud of— can actually buy a us soccerjersey and be proud of the _ can actually buy a us soccerjersey and be proud of the jersey. - and be proud of the jersey. groaning _ groaning. you guys feeling confident that the us can _ you guys feeling confident that the us can do — you guys feeling confident that the us can do it?— us can do it? there is still plenty of time left _ us can do it? there is still plenty of time left in _ us can do it? there is still plenty of time left in this _ us can do it? there is still plenty of time left in this game. - us can do it? there is still plenty of time left in this game. i - us can do it? there is still plenty of time left in this game. i will i of time left in this game. i will let ou of time left in this game. i will let you guys — of time left in this game. i will let you guys get _ of time left in this game. i will let you guys get on _ of time left in this game. i will let you guys get on with - of time left in this game. i will let you guys get on with it. - of time left in this game. i will let you guys get on with it. always awkward _ let you guys get on with it. always awkward to disturb fans watching the game _ awkward to disturb fans watching the game. just— awkward to disturb fans watching the game. just to remind you, the scot isi-0_ game. just to remind you, the scot isi-0 to— game. just to remind you, the scot is 1-0 to the — game. just to remind you, the scot is 1—0 to the netherlands. as you header— is 1—0 to the netherlands. as you header from antony, the us is a very young _

header from antony, the us is a very young team, — header from antony, the us is a very young team, the second youngest team, _ young team, the second youngest team, they have six english premier league _ team, they have six english premier league players in their side, so they— league players in their side, so they are — league players in their side, so they are pretty confident it is not over yet. — they are pretty confident it is not over yet, that they could maybe break _ over yet, that they could maybe break through.— break through. keep the faith, everybody- _ break through. keep the faith, everybody. thank _ break through. keep the faith, everybody. thank you, - break through. keep the faith, everybody. thank you, nomia| break through. keep the faith, - everybody. thank you, nomia iqbal, in washington. our europe corresponding, anna holligan, is there in the appropriate colour hat. let's see if we can hear her now. you have to be wear orange to get into any of these kind of establishments. you can still hear... inaudible. speaking to so many of the fans in this year, they want to do what many commentators suggested the dutch should do... inaudible.

like so many places across the country, this place is absolutely packed. the dutch would be happy with this 1—0 to take them through. anna holligan, thank you very much. struggling to hear her a bit, i think we have got some sound issues as well as at the likeliness of the bar. let's get some more sports news with gavin. the netherlands have reached at least the quarterfinals in four of the last five appearances at the world cup.

memphis depay with the finishing touch to put the dutch ahead. the winner goes through to face argentina or australia — in the quarterfinals. the ahead of sunday's last 16 game with senegal — england and manchester city player phil foden has been reflecting on tuesday's performance. england's second—half showing saw them not only sweep aside their welsh neighbours, but also reach the last 16 as group winners. it is definitely up there for one of the best feelings in my career so far, to score in your first start in a world cup against wales as well. i a world cup against wales as well. i special moment for me. i was thinking that i a lot of lads on the wing have scored now, so when is going to be my chance? so i wasjust hungry to get into the back post as much as i could. thanks to harry

kane, what a ball that was from him to find me, i wasjust kane, what a ball that was from him to find me, i was just there at the back post ready to tap it in. meanwhile excitement is building in dakar ahead of senegal�*s match against england. giant screens have been installed in several parts of the senegalese capital for the fixture on sunday. traders are using the game to make and sell merchandise with senegal�*s colours and branding. football is of course one of the most popular sports in the west african country. england's persistence was rewarded with crucial late wickets on the third day of the first test against pakistan. in tough conditions on a lifeless pitch in rawalpindi, the tourists looked set to be frustrated by a century from home captain babar azam. but when babar departed for 132, james anderson followed up by removing mohammed rizwan, before debutant willjacks had naseem shah caught at deep mid—wicket. that gave off—spinnerjacks 3—132 and put pakistan on 499—7 at the close,

still 158 behind. that's all the sport for now. we'll keep you updated. still 1—0 to the nine wins in that match against the nine wins in that match against the usa. -- the nine wins in that match against the usa. —— to the netherlands. the late payment of invoices to small businesses is placing them under more pressure at a time when the cost of living crisis is affecting how much customers are spending. the government has now launched a review into the issue to coincide with small business saturday — a day designed to celebrate independent shops. our business correspondent, marc ashdown, has the details. at the tomfoolery cafe, in shoreham by sea, make a mean cappuccino, but the past few years has been nojoking matter for husband and wife team, bob and vanessa, as they struggle with difficulties facing many small businesses. numerous. numerous challenges. darling? i think one of the key challenges we have been facing is recruitment along the south coast. our cost of goods, the things we are buying, the prices are up and down.

we keep a weekly spreadsheet of costs. we are all being squeezed, both the suppliers from their end, and us who serve the public. today is small business saturday, the annual chance to celebrate britain's legion of entrepreneurs. and it's welcome. a new survey suggests around two thirds of small firms see rising costs as their biggest challenge over the next year, with energy bills the main worry. five and a half million small businesses in the uk, they employ nearly 17 million people. so it is a really tough time, and businesses feel powerless in the face of these costs. but what they can impact is the top line — getting more customers in, more footfall, or fingerfall — digital businesses as well — can really help businesses get through this difficult time. during the pandemic, when we could go out, we tended to shop local so high streets like this got a real boost. already that is starting to change.

as the cost of living is rising, it seems we are turning back to bigger names, bigger brands who are better placed to cut costs and offer us a bargain. but it is the little touches, the personality, the attention to detail, that really makes a difference, as another husband and wife team, simon and sophie, know all too well. you can't have a more personal experience or a more intimate experience than you get when you buy locally and when you support a local business. the people running the business, making those decisions are the people you meet every day. they are the ones you take your coat when you come in, they are the ones who cut your hair, they take your bill, they're doing the social media. that is just not feasible with a larger brand. they are also the ones chasing invoices. today the business secretary, grant shapps, is launching a review into late payments, estimating businesses are owed £23 billion in outstanding invoices. he wants to make sure smaller

firms aren't being ripped off by larger clients. small businesses themselves are just hoping this time next year they'll have a bit more to celebrate. marc ashdown reporting. joining me now is the conservative mp and business minister, kevin hollinrake. just how big a problem is the issue of late payments at the moment? because it is something that grant shapps has been talking about looking into.— shapps has been talking about lookinl into. , ,, �*, , looking into. yes, i think it's set in our looking into. yes, i think it's set in your piece _ looking into. yes, i think it's set in your piece £23 _ looking into. yes, i think it's set in your piece £23 billion - looking into. yes, i think it's set in your piece £23 billion is - looking into. yes, i think it's set in your piece £23 billion is owed | looking into. yes, i think it's set i in your piece £23 billion is owed to small businesses by larger customers, so it is a very big problem, and it is probably the number one thing i have been contacted about since becoming minister for small business, so contacted about since becoming ministerfor small business, so it is a very big problem. their most important thing for any business of course is cash flow, getting the cash end. there are a few things, really, is plugged to hear like

everywhere else, i have been around varies many businesses around my small area. the number one thing people talk about is needing more customers, needing more turnover and people buying their stuff. but also when you're selling your stuff, you want to get their money into buy that stuff. businesses waiting for payments are really suffering and that can be life—threatening for many businesses. we are launching this review looking at what progress has been made already, and we have made some progress but i think there is much more we can do, and lots of ideas on how we can improve things for smes. i want to do that quickly. it is all very well having a review, but what is the solution? the labour party have suggested transparency, perhaps publishing a list of bigger companies haaland how quickly are to pat’- companies haaland how quickly are to pay. what you think that idea? i don't think there is a solution, but i think that is one of them. i don't

think there is any silver bullet solution to all of this, i think we have got to look at all options. it is important to take a little bit of time. i have smoke into the federation of small businesses already, the small business commissioner, lots of businesses about this, all about different ideas on how we solve it. we need to distill those ideas down to a few really important ones and implement those as quickly as possible to stop thatis those as quickly as possible to stop that is exactly what i am determined to do. ., , , ., that is exactly what i am determined todo. ., , ., ,., to do. you built your own estate alen . to do. you built your own estate agency- how— to do. you built your own estate agency. how optimistic - to do. you built your own estate agency. how optimistic would i to do. you built your own estate i agency. how optimistic would you feel about trying to set up a company like that in this current climate? because it is so tough. that's what we did back in 1992. it was a horrendous time in the property market. as with any business, you go through some tough times, but your best years come after your worst years. the key thing is getting businesses through the next few months, it will be a

very bumpy road but that is why the governor stepping in with schemes to help businesses through the sticky patch. i very much hope and believe the economic difficulties we have got will be pretty short left, so we need to get as many businesses as we can through these difficulties and there will be some better times ahead. yes, businesses that are setting up now orjust trying to get through this, the optimistic, we'll get through it and will do everything we can to help you do that. ., ,., , ., ., ., that. one of the popular demand from small businesses _ that. one of the popular demand from small businesses as _ that. one of the popular demand from small businesses as the _ that. one of the popular demand from small businesses as the cutting - that. one of the popular demand from small businesses as the cutting of - small businesses as the cutting of business rates. again, labour have said that fewer small businesses would pay business rates under their system to replace the current structure. what is the government going to do to help small businesses with business rates? brute going to do to help small businesses with business rates?— going to do to help small businesses with business rates? we have already cut £13.6 billion — with business rates? we have already cut £13.6 billion of _ with business rates? we have already cut £13.6 billion of business - with business rates? we have already cut £13.6 billion of business rates -

cut £13.6 billion of business rates over the next five years. that is increase the discount for small businesses to 75% if you are in retail, hospitality and leisure, which are probably the businesses most affected. i think one thing i would say is beware of false promises, talk is very cheap. it is very easy to make promises in opposition. it is much more difficult when you're in the hot seat of government. labour have not set out what they are going to replace the income up with. they are talking about scrapping business rates completely, but that is £25 billion of revenue. how are you going to replace that? there has grown to be something there that will cost the taxpayer money. i don't think you can present half a solution, you can you say you will scrap something. you have got to talk about what system you will put in place instead of what you are you going to replace that? has grown to be something there that will cost the taxpayer money. i don't think you can present half a solution, you can you say you will scrap something. you have got to talk about what system you will put in place instead of what you're taking away. place instead of what you're taking awa . ., ~' place instead of what you're taking awa . . ~ , ., place instead of what you're taking awa. . ~ ., place instead of what you're taking awa. . ., ., ~ ., place instead of what you're taking

awa. . ~ ., ., ~ ., , away. thank you for talking to us, kevin hollinrake. _ the mp for bournemouth west, conor burns, is to be reinstated of misconduct. he was suspended as patron of the party's lgbt+ group and sacked as trade minister following a complaint about his behaviour at the tory party conference. mr burns consistently denied any wrongdoing, and said the experience was "a living nightmare". our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, has more. conor burns, mp for bournemouth west, he was a government minister under boris johnson. when liz truss became prime minister, she kept him on him on as a minister. but he was swiftly sacked from that position and suspended from the party in october of this year after a complaint of serious misconduct. the bbc was previously told this came after an eyewitness said they saw him touching a young man's thigh at a hotel bar during the conservative party conference. it was a third party, not the man mr burns had been seen with. they raised the incident with party

whips that led to his suspension. that obviously has lasted for the last couple of months, but now that investigation has concluded and they found that conor burns has no case to answer and he will be getting the conservative party whip back. he's took an interview talking about how unhappy he was with how the whole thing has been handled. he spoke to his local paper, the bournemouth echo, making it clear he did not think this was handled well. for one thing, he talks about this being quite a long process for him, he called it a living nightmare. he told the paper he felt he had been thrown to the wolves and it smelt and felt like a stitch up. his suspension came when liz truss was prime minister. conor burns has suggested in this interview that a comment he made at the conservative party conference praising kemi badenoch, another member of the cabinet, she ran to be leader at the time that liz truss won. he was reported to have made a comment about her not being too focused on instagram and being focused on her dayjob.

liz truss, a big fan of instagram. some took it as a bit of a dig at her. so he is sort of suggesting there was an element, when he talks about it being a stitch up, that there was retribution perhaps. people close to liz truss are pushing back on that. they are saying she acted decisively based on what she had been told at the time and the right thing to do was to launch an investigation. a conservative spokesperson has said the party investigated in line with its code of conduct. the matter is now closed, conor burns will be back in the party. a third teenager has been charged over the murders of two 16—year—old boys a mile apart in south—east london last week. kearne solanke and charlie bartolo died last saturday after being found with stab wounds on two different streets. 18—year—old hussain bah is due to appear at bromley magistrates' court charged with their murders. two other teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons,

were remanded in custody yesterday after being charged with murder at bexley magistrates court. the prince of wales has awarded his earthshot prizes, for environmental innovation, at a ceremony in boston. the event — which was also attended by celebrity supporters of the prince's foundation — marks the end of william and catherine's us visit. let's take a look at those five winners. london—based notpla won the build a waste—free world prize for its packaging products made of seaweed. the protect and restore nature award went to indian firm kheyti, whose greenhouses help protect small—hold farmers' crops. the fix our climate award went to oman—based 44.01, which removes cardon dioxide from the atmosphere by turning it into rock. mukuru clean stoves of kenya won the clean our air category for its stoves that burn with 70% less pollution than traditional stoves.

and the queensland indigenous women rangers network won the revive our oceans category for training women to preserve australia's great barrier reef. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello there, it is feeling quite bitterly cold this weekend, particularly when we compare to what we have been used to for so long. stays cold into part two of the weekend with strong easterly winds, a few showers feeding in off the north sea, all tied in with an area of high—pressure centre to cross at the north—west of russia. cold air circulating it. the easterly wind will continue to feed in showers to eastern scotland, eastern england and eastern parts of northern ireland during the overnight period. some clear spells with temperatures likely to drop below freezing. where we see showers and where skies cleared afterwards there is just

the risk of some ice in places. a similar story for sunday, a bit more cloud around generally,