this is bbc news with the latest headlines... calls for conservative chair nadhim zahawi to be sacked — after questions over a multi—million pound tax settlement. a report has found failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to commit the murder of zara aleena, just days after he was released from prison. the chief inspector of the service says it is �*chronically understaffed'. it is impossible to say whether the murder could have been avoided but we did find severe deficits in practice at many stages of jordan mcsweeney�*s supervision. ministers have rejected a proposal from mps to introduce �*menopause leave�* pilots in england, arguing it could be �*counterproductive�*. police in california

arrest a suspected gunman, after the second mass shooting in days leaves seven dead. we have special reports from afghanistan where the taliban continue to crack down on the rights of women. set and...action! and a behind the scenes look at hit show happy valley, with star of the showjames norton. opposition parties have called for the conservative party chair, nadhim zahawi, to be sacked now — rather than wait for the outcome of an investigation. the government�*s independent ethics advisor has been asked to look into mr zahawi�*s financial affairs — after it emerged he paid a penalty to hmrc over previously unpaid tax —

while he was chancellor. he maintains he acted properly. our political correspondent, iain watson, reports. are your tax affairs a distraction for the party, mr zahawi? the conservative party chairman, nadhim zahawi, insists he�*s not on his way out, but he is under pressure. last summer he insisted reports that he was being investigated by the tax authorities were smears. but in a statement at the weekend, he said he�*d reached a settlement with revenue and customs over a careless but not deliberate error. downing street said they hadn�*t been aware until the weekend that nadhim zahawi had had to pay a penalty to the tax authorities. and the prime minister�*s new ethics adviser is now looking into whether mr zahawi broke the ministerial code, which requires honesty, openness, accountability and integrity. the labour mp who chairs the commons committee which scrutinises tax and spending believes the conservative party chairman should go.

carelessness for a chancellor of the exchequer or even a politician isjust too much. this is not somebody like you and me scribbling away, sorting out our tax returns as we approach the 31st of january. this is somebody in business with lots of advisors who can make sure that he�*s done the right thing. and the key thing here is he has been very sparse with information. i think it�*s very murky. i think rishi sunak�*s kicking it into the long grass with the ethics adviser when he should have just sacked him. labour is arguing that there was an apparent conflict of interest because nadhim zahawi�*s tax affairs were being looked into when he was briefly chancellor of the exchequer in the summer of last year. and it�*s the chancellor who�*s ultimately responsible for tax. but some of his conservative colleagues say there shouldn�*t be a rush to judgment. the prime minister isn'tjumping to sack someone based on a couple of news reports over the weekend. he's asked his independent ethics adviser to carry out a probe. and i think that's the right thing to do, get the evidence together and then take a judgment on whether the position is or is not tenable. nadhim zahawi says he�*s confident he acted properly,

but few mps are openly defending him and questions remain over exactly why he had to pay a multi—million pound tax bill. iain watson, bbc news. i�*m joined by forrmer secretary of state for culture media and sport and chief secretary to the treasury underjohn major in the 90s, david mellor. thank you forjoining us. what do you think nadhim zahawi should do nois entitled to have this investigation and put this case, isn�*t he? {iii investigation and put this case, isn't he? _, , investigation and put this case, isn't he? , , ., , ., isn't he? of course years and i seak isn't he? of course years and i speak as _ isn't he? of course years and i speak as a _ isn't he? of course years and i speak as a friend _ isn't he? of course years and i speak as a friend of— isn't he? of course years and i speak as a friend of 35 - isn't he? of course years and i speak as a friend of 35 years i isn't he? of course years and i l speak as a friend of 35 years and standing of nadhim zahawi who was a cancer in my old constituency and i have a great deal of respect for his ability and what worries me about nadhim zahawi as he will now become like a haircut in the drawers of two

—— jaws of two fierce animals in the contest and does he have to ask himself if he wants to do this. the best thing is, i would have thought, to step aside whilst all this is clarified, and if it is clarified, he is not lost anything by being saved, being assaulted by the likes of angela rayner, who i don�*t imagine angela rayner has any expertise any more than i do. either in tax law or in his tax affairs. a lot of people are piling on this matter because they see a good old punch—up and they want to join in that, but the idea that any of them have any real detailed knowledge of what went on, they don�*t. and that is why the facts need to be established. in order to give nadhim zahawi, most of all, a proper chance to resume his career in due course, he should step aside. and i say that, we say once again as a friend

and admirer of nadhim zahawi, an extremely talented person. henge and admirer of nadhim zahawi, an extremely talented person. have you told him that — extremely talented person. have you told him that directly _ extremely talented person. have you told him that directly yourself- told him that directly yourself personally? figs told him that directly yourself personally?— told him that directly yourself ersonall ? �* , ., , , , ~ personally? as it happens i think he has a lot of— personally? as it happens i think he has a lot of young, _ personally? as it happens i think he has a lot of young, inexperienced i has a lot of young, inexperienced bodice type advisors, he does not need a pure old salt like me, —— boris type. i hope you —— he will pick up on this but the last thing you need to summon sticking their nose in and telling you what to do, but i�*m not telling them what to do, i�*m someone who said 21 when he decided to go into politics, he had an extremely good business, said what on earth do you want to be doing wasting your time in politics? anyway, he decided to do so because he has a great interest in public service, but i think it is better if his public service resumes after all this has cleared up, then he takes himself out of the middle of the battle. he is no longer the here in

the competition. you battle. he is no longer the here in the competition.— battle. he is no longer the here in the competition. you see people want a --unch-u the competition. you see people want a punch-up and _ the competition. you see people want a punch-up and do — the competition. you see people want a punch-up and do not _ the competition. you see people want a punch-up and do not have _ the competition. you see people want a punch-up and do not have great - the competition. you see people want a punch-up and do not have great tax| a punch—up and do not have great tax expertise but you don�*t need that, it is plain and obvious to push payday tax that is due and if your chancellor, and you are the boss of hmrc, there is clearly a conflict—of—interest. it looks very damaging to maintaining public trust in government. but damaging to maintaining public trust in government.— damaging to maintaining public trust in government. but we don't know has ha ened. in government. but we don't know has happened- it — in government. but we don't know has happened- it is — in government. but we don't know has happened. it is not _ in government. but we don't know has happened. it is not like _ in government. but we don't know has happened. it is not like he _ in government. but we don't know has happened. it is not like he is _ in government. but we don't know has happened. it is not like he is you - happened. it is not like he is you and me getting paid a bit of this and me getting paid a bit of this and a bit of that, he had a big business, a very successful big business, a very successful big business of what she was a shareholder, and it�*s very difficult to know exactly what the rights and wrongs are, why do you suppose there are so many fat, rich and happy tax lawyers around, because it is a greatjob lawyers around, because it is a great job for lawyers around, because it is a greatjob for them to do. i think the key thing is, we live in the world of instant experts. i don�*t believe there is anyone here who understands much of what is going on. the people who do are hmrc, and

nadhim zahawi�*s advisors. they need to sit down and sort it out. nadhim zahawi's advisors. they need to sit down and sort it out.— to sit down and sort it out. on the question of trust, there is - to sit down and sort it out. on the question of trust, there is this - question of trust, there is this other question over richard sharpe, who i gather you also know personally. who i gather you also know personally-— who i gather you also know personally. who i gather you also know ersonall . , ., ., , personally. yes, i know very well. questions — personally. yes, i know very well. questions about _ personally. yes, i know very well. questions about whether - personally. yes, i know very well. questions about whether he - personally. yes, i know very well. questions about whether he is - personally. yes, i know very well. | questions about whether he is able to stay in post at the top of the bbc which has a duty to be seen to be impartial, and the investigation thatis be impartial, and the investigation that is being carried out, his daughter works in government. as this really going to have the trust of the public? that these investigations are fair and restore trust in our institutions?— trust in our institutions? some eo - le trust in our institutions? some peeple will _ trust in our institutions? some people will never _ trust in our institutions? some people will never trust - trust in our institutions? some people will never trust their i people will never trust their institutions, i understand that, however richard sharp is a much more straightforward case will stop he was a very senior in serious investment banker, and in that capacity as someone who knows his

way around, he got involved in mentioning, as i understand it, the name of someone who was happy to step in and help borisjohnson and his many and various financial issues. and good luck to him. but the idea that richard sharp, by making use of his knowledge and awareness of people, by merely mentioning a name, suddenly exposed himself to being regarded as an unsuitable person to be chairman of the bbc, ijust don�*t believe that it. the bbc, i 'ust don't believe that it. �* ., y the bbc, i 'ust don't believe that it. �* ,,_ the bbc, i 'ust don't believe that it. but nobody declared this on either side. _ it. but nobody declared this on either side. that _ it. but nobody declared this on either side. that is _ it. but nobody declared this on either side. that is the - it. but nobody declared this on l either side. that is the problem, isn�*t it? either side. that is the problem, isn't it? ~ , ., , isn't it? well, the question is, what was _ isn't it? well, the question is, what was there _ isn't it? well, the question is, what was there to _ isn't it? well, the question is, what was there to declare? i l isn't it? well, the question is, - what was there to declare? i don't what was there to declare? i don�*t want to get into this, if you want me to put on my way can a kc again, i�*m only too happy to do it, but what i�*m saying is natural common sense, we live in a society now where every time someone gets involved in a controversy, they are thought to have done something

awful. no wonder politics does not attract people of first class ability like it used to. thank you very much _ ability like it used to. thank you very much for— ability like it used to. thank you very much for your _ ability like it used to. thank you very much for your time - ability like it used to. thank you very much for your time today. | let�*s talk to our chief political correspondent nick eardley. on the question of nadhim zahawi, on the front pages today, this is going to be investigated, but do you think nadhim zahawi can survive the length of the investigation? calls from allies to step down. aha, of the investigation? calls from allies to step down.— of the investigation? calls from allies to step down. a very good question- _ allies to step down. a very good question- i _ allies to step down. a very good question. i think— allies to step down. a very good question. i think his _ allies to step down. a very good question. i think his position - question. i think his position remains pretty precarious this morning, the open government will have been that by launching this investigation they take some of the heat out of this, and probably by nadhim zahawi a bit of time. put in the hands of the ethics adviser, let him looking into things and then make a decision once that report was done. but clearly some

conservatives, extremely uncomfortable with the situation, this american common control with the impact it�*s having on the party and the cloud over their chairman, and the cloud over their chairman, and this morning we have heard the first conservative mp say that nadhim zahawi should stand aside during this investigation. here�*s what carolyn noakes told bbc breakfast earlier. i what carolyn noakes told bbc breakfast earlier.— what carolyn noakes told bbc breakfast earlier. i think nadhim zahawi to stand _ breakfast earlier. i think nadhim zahawi to stand aside _ breakfast earlier. i think nadhim zahawi to stand aside until - breakfast earlier. i think nadhim zahawi to stand aside until this | zahawi to stand aside until this matter— zahawi to stand aside until this matter is— zahawi to stand aside until this matter is cleared up, the longer it drags— matter is cleared up, the longer it drags on_ matter is cleared up, the longer it drags on the worse it gets for him so i drags on the worse it gets for him so i hope — drags on the worse it gets for him so i hope the investigation is swept. — so i hope the investigation is swept, but for his own sake he should — swept, but for his own sake he should allow there to be some space between _ should allow there to be some space between him being a government minisier— between him being a government minister and the sort of investigation. i minister and the sort of investigation.— minister and the sort of investigation. minister and the sort of investiuation. ., �* ~ ., �* , investigation. i don't think that's nadhim zahawi's _ investigation. i don't think that's nadhim zahawi's planet, - investigation. i don't think that's nadhim zahawi's planet, has - investigation. i don't think that's i nadhim zahawi's planet, has been nadhim zahawi�*s planet, has been made perfectly clear by his allies he intends to fight his corner, he thinks he has behaved appropriately and wants to make that case to be end of an the government has continued to face those questions

about why it was set up pm queues last week that the matter had been dealt with. the answer seems to be that richey soon acted not know the full details on number ten of city did not find out until the weekend, that there had been a penalty paid as part of the final tax bill. we�*ve heard this morning from the government minister who said he thinks when those additional questions about the tenancy of a race over the weekend rishi sunak decided to launch an investigation and insisted it was not necessary for nadhim zahawi to stand aside just now. i for nadhim zahawi to stand aside 'ust now. ., �* , for nadhim zahawi to stand aside 'ust now. ~ �*, ., ,., ., , just now. i think it's reasonable that where _ just now. i think it's reasonable that where there _ just now. i think it's reasonable that where there is _ just now. i think it's reasonable| that where there is investigation the person— that where there is investigation the person concerned _ that where there is investigation the person concerned is- that where there is investigation the person concerned is allowed| that where there is investigation i the person concerned is allowed to continue _ the person concerned is allowed to continue serving _ the person concerned is allowed to continue serving while _ the person concerned is allowed to continue serving while the - continue serving while the investigation _ continue serving while the investigation continues. . continue serving while the i investigation continues. we continue serving while the - investigation continues. we have a principle _ investigation continues. we have a principle in — investigation continues. we have a principle in this— investigation continues. we have a principle in this country— investigation continues. we have a principle in this country innocent . principle in this country innocent until— principle in this country innocent until proven _ principle in this country innocent until proven guilty, _ principle in this country innocent until proven guilty, that - principle in this country innocent until proven guilty, that appliesl principle in this country innocent i until proven guilty, that applies in a whole _ until proven guilty, that applies in a whole range _ until proven guilty, that applies in a whole range of— until proven guilty, that applies in a whole range of different - a whole range of different circumstances, _ a whole range of different circumstances, so - a whole range of different circumstances, so the - a whole range of different - circumstances, so the investigation has been _ circumstances, so the investigation has been launched _ circumstances, so the investigation has been launched by— circumstances, so the investigation has been launched by the _ circumstances, so the investigation has been launched by the prime - has been launched by the prime minister. — has been launched by the prime minister, that's— has been launched by the prime minister, that's the _ has been launched by the prime minister, that's the right - has been launched by the prime minister, that's the right thing i has been launched by the primel minister, that's the right thing to do is _

minister, that's the right thing to do is i— minister, that's the right thing to do is. ~ ., i. minister, that's the right thing to do is. ~ ., ., ,, ., minister, that's the right thing to dois. ~ ., .,~ do is. i know you talk to people in westminster _ do is. i know you talk to people in westminster all _ do is. i know you talk to people in westminster all the _ do is. i know you talk to people in westminster all the time, - do is. i know you talk to people in westminster all the time, what'sl westminster all the time, what�*s yoursense westminster all the time, what�*s your sense of where the backbench conservative voters on this? do they think nadhim zahawi deserves the time to make his case? because he has been a very successful front line politician for a while? or are they worried this is really damaging? i they worried this is really damaging?— they worried this is really damauain? ., �* ~' they worried this is really damauain? ., �* ~ , ., damaging? i don't think there is a black answer— damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to _ damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to it, _ damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to it, to _ damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to it, to it, - damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to it, to it, to - damaging? i don't think there is a black answer to it, to it, to be - black answer to it, to it, to be fair. i think there —— black—and—white answer to it to be fair. there are some that think nadhim zahawi is a very capable politician, you think you did a good job as vaccines minister and should be allowed to stay in the strop if it proves that he was doing everything how he said. i think there is also a lot of discomfort in there is also a lot of discomfort in the conservative party, frankly, about the mood this creates a cross government, not only this story, but the question about borisjohnson�*s appointment of the bbc chairman as

well. a lot of that is a hangover from thejohnson era, nadhim zahawi was chancellor under borisjohnson, rather than under rishi sunak, but these are rishi sunak�*s issues to address now, there are conservative mps worried about the impact this has on the party and i think some will be asking, whatever that independent ethics adviser comes up with, whatever his conclusions on the strict letter, there will be some asking over what has gone on the last few days of paul�*s rishi sunak�*s, suna k�*s, you can sunak�*s, you can bet your bottom dollar opposition party see an opportunity here to try and continue some of the criticisms they have had over what they describe as tory sleaze and would expect a lot of

those criticisms to continue over the next few days, that is uncomfortable for the government. the chief inspector of the probation service says it�*s impossible to say that the public are safe, after a watchdog the chief inspector of the probation service has warned it�*s not possible to say the public are safe and protected from criminals who are out on probation. an investigation has found that failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to murder the law graduate, zara aleena, lastjune. the killing happened days afterjordan mcsweeney was released from prison. in a damning report, the chief inspector, justin russell, said a "catalogue of errors" led to mcsweeney carrying out the "terrifying and ruthless" attack. our home affairs correspondent, june kelly reports. zara aleena�*s family and friends have said she was just walking home when she was attacked and sexually assaulted. her aunt has always spoken for theirfamily. we�*re constantly stuck in a loop of disbelief. constantly stuck in a loop of images in our mind about what happened to her, the horror that she faced,

the pain that she must have endured. for the length that she was attacked. you're under arrest for rape and murder. jordan mcsweeney, who was arrested shortly after he killed zara, had already served nine prison sentences. and he had been released from jail just nine days before the murder. today�*s report by the probation watchdog describes how shortly afterwards, he�*d been recalled to prison for failing to attend probation appointments. but because he�*d been wrongly assessed as medium rather than high risk, he wasn�*t arrested as soon as he could have been. it really is impossible to know if zara aleena would have been alive today if things had been done differently, but certainly, if his risks had been correctly assessed and if more urgent action had been taken to recall him back to prison, that would have maximised the time that the police had to go out and find him.

the man was known to the criminal justice system, and to the police. what can we do with criminals who are institutionalised, who have had 36 felonies and don�*t know how to live outside? the report said probation officers in london have excessive workloads and there are high vacancy rates. and in mcsweeney�*s case, it says there was a lack of communication between prison and probation services about the risk he posed. so, i�*m not going to sit here and blame our members, doing their best, trying to hold the service together. i think the blame of this systemic failure lies firmly at the hands of the secretary of state forjustice. and i want that secretary of state to meet with me and practitioners so they can get an idea of how hard it is on the front line. the government has apologised to zara�*s family for the failings in the case, saying there would be better training to improve risk assessment and investment to recruit

thousands more probation officers. june kelly, bbc news. the government has rejected a proposal to make menopause a protected characteristic in the equality act. it was one of a number of proposals from the women and equalities committee, which the mps said would help support women in the workplace in england. ministers accepted recommendations to allow women to request flexible working, and introduce a bespoke prepayment certificate for hormone replacement therapy. but they rejected a call for a standard menopause policy. let�*s talk to the mp carolyn harris mp, who chairs the all—party parliamentary group on menopause. thank you for your time. your response to the government�*s decision on this? i response to the government's decision on this?— response to the government's decision on this? i am absolutely a- alled. decision on this? i am absolutely appalled- i'd _ decision on this? i am absolutely appalled. i'd like _ decision on this? i am absolutely appalled. i'd like to _ decision on this? i am absolutely appalled. i'd like to say - decision on this? i am absolutely appalled. i'd like to say i'm - appalled. i�*d like to say i�*m surprised but i�*m not because it�*s indicative of the total disinterest indicative of the total disinterest in women�*s health this government has, and especially disappointing we

are yet again letting women down. watches the key move they should have done, new view, that would affect most women are working and worried about this? it is affect most women are working and worried about this?— worried about this? it is a lack of knowledge _ worried about this? it is a lack of knowledge and _ worried about this? it is a lack of knowledge and information - worried about this? it is a lack of| knowledge and information within workplaces, within the medical profession, within women. we need to have better education and more knowledge. anything would have been better than what they�*ve done. they talk about the prepayment certificate, that was a result of my private members bill, the government had done nothing except push this back. i am allegedly meant to co—chair the government�*s task force on the menopause. we have not met since before last summer recess. borisjohnson was the prime minister when we last met. we list the commitment there to making sure women, and my personal interest menopause, as a priority? it is not a priority for them and this is about over 50% of the population. we

are 13 million menopausal women in this country and only one quarter, 14% of those are actually having treatment, diagnosis and the adequate respect they deserve. it is absolutely appalling. in adequate respect they deserve. it is absolutely appalling.— absolutely appalling. in terms of makin: absolutely appalling. in terms of making this _ absolutely appalling. in terms of making this a — absolutely appalling. in terms of making this a protected - making this a protected characteristic, what difference would that have made if the government had agreed? would that have made if the government had aareed? ~ ., government had agreed? women could have one government had agreed? women could have gone to — government had agreed? women could have gone to employers _ government had agreed? women could have gone to employers and _ government had agreed? women could l have gone to employers and demanded, if need be, better protection, better working environment, it would have allowed women who we know have lost theirjobs because of employer�*s ignorance to the menopause to actually have a legal footing as to challenge those decisions, but it does not really matter what they�*ve rejected, the government always rejects anything which means women�*s health this put on a better footing. which means women�*s health this put on a betterfooting. thea;r which means women's health this put on a better footing.— on a better footing. they are auareein on a better footing. they are agreeing to _ on a better footing. they are agreeing to flexible - on a better footing. they are agreeing to flexible working | agreeing to flexible working request, i think. agreeing to flexible working request, ithink. will that agreeing to flexible working request, i think. will that help a bit? and where would you see that making a difference? most

bit? and where would you see that making a difference?— making a difference? most big companies _ making a difference? most big companies who _ making a difference? most big companies who are _ making a difference? most big companies who are really - making a difference? most big - companies who are really interested in making a change for theirfemale workforce, they are already doing that, so yet again this is the government piggybacking on everybody else�*s work. they themselves are doing nothing. i5 else's work. they themselves are doing nothing-— doing nothing. is there a genuine wor if doing nothing. is there a genuine worry if they _ doing nothing. is there a genuine worry if they had _ doing nothing. is there a genuine worry if they had put _ doing nothing. is there a genuine worry if they had put further - worry if they had put further measures in that it would have had an economic cost at a time when lots of companies, businesses are struggling anyway?— of companies, businesses are struggling anyway? definitely not. in fact it would _ struggling anyway? definitely not. in fact it would have _ struggling anyway? definitely not. in fact it would have reversed - struggling anyway? definitely not. in fact it would have reversed any| in fact it would have reversed any economic problems. when you think about the man to woman ending up on benefits because they cannot continue to write because they�*re working any bad environment, how many women end up depending on pension credit because they have not paid full national insurance because they�*ve had to leave work early because of menopausal symptoms, you think of how many companies are losing really valuable women from their workforce... the money they would be saving, let alone how much money they are spending on the nhs

and misdiagnosis, very short—sighted of the government, but am i might surprise? no, i�*m not. of the government, but am i might surprise? no, i'm not.— surprise? no, i'm not. thank you very much _ surprise? no, i'm not. thank you very much for— surprise? no, i'm not. thank you very much for your _ surprise? no, i'm not. thank you very much for your time. - there are growing fears that 2023 could see a wave of firms collapsing as higher costs, reduced consumer demand, and the end of government support measures overwhelm businesses. in the uk, the number of companies in "critical financial distress" jumped by more than a third in the last three months of 2022 — that�*s according to insolvency experts begbies traynor. an increasing number of business owners report what they�*re calling "director fatigue". the boss of the uk�*s biggest business lender, natwest, has been speaking to our business editor simonjack about the challenges. a lot of businesses are coping with the here and now. obviously, there are different pockets of businesses who are surviving and doing well. but we�*re not seeing what i would call real long—term investment going on at the moment.

that�*s reflected in the very, very low business confidence levels that you�*re seeing. that for me is a real concern as we look forward to the future, because that�*s future growth that could be affected. so i think a lot of businesses are managing the here and now. for a lot of businesses, and, i would say, the majority of business owners, they haven�*t really operated their business through a high inflation, high interest rate environment and a lot of them are recovering, just still recovering from covid. so it�*s very much managing the short term rather than investing for the long term. and that�*s actually quite worrying in a way for future growth and productivity, and all those kind of good things that happen when you invest for the future are not going to happen. yeah, i mean, it is a worry because i think that talks to, what is the growth going to be in the economy in two years�* time? now, you know, there are pockets of optimism, that i would say. we�*re seeing a record number of start—ups, so new businesses starting up. and that�*s important for a thriving economy and a recovery. we are seeing employment at very full levels. so people are employed and that means wages are being paid.

and that�*s a really important factor of economic stability. but most businesses are focused on the short term. turning our focus to consumers for a moment, you look at things like retail sales, they were off a little bit, but some of the supermarkets had very good christmases, whatever. ijust wonder how people are paying for this stuff. when you look at things like savings, credit card balances, what�*s the picture there, and what does that mean for the wider economy? so it�*s interesting, we�*re seeing things like subscription levels being adjusted. we�*ve seen through our debit card spending, for example, people changing where they spend their money. so maybe rather than spending at a higher supermarket cost point, sort of a lower supermarket cost point. so we�*re seeing those adjustments in spending. interestingly, in q3 last year, we saw deposit levels go down

and transaction levels go up. so people saved up to go on holiday, but they were still keeping a buffer. so people are sort of reducing their spend o to take account of those higher costs that were coming, in particular with christmas and with, you know, the winter higher energy costs expected. people were adjusting their spending. but what we�*re not seeing, which is the bit where you say this feels slightly counterintuitive, we�*re not seeing customers ask for, you know, deferments on their mortgages or not paying their credit cards. there is very little in terms of that. a firefighter is in a critical condition in hospital, and four more are injured, following a majorfire in the heart of edinburgh. more than 22 crews were called to the former jenner�*s department store building on princes street yesterday. a joint investigation will be carried out between the scottish fire and rescue service and police scotland. the taliban authorities in afghanistan continue to face international condemnation over their treatment of women and girls. it�*s been a month since they announced a ban on female

students attending universities, and it�*s still unclear if they will be able to return. our correspondent yalda hakim has been speaking to those fighting for change. a basement in kabul, now a place of learning. this 21—year—old used to be a jeweller. she started this secret school seven months ago, running classes for girls of all ages every day. "despite all the risk, i don�*t want students to forget what going to school means," she tells me. "i want them to still feel they can learn and they should learn." if the taliban authorities find out this secret school is operating, they will be in trouble. usually, more than 30 teenage girls come here. today, only ten. schools closed for girls over the age of 12 when the taliban first swept to power.

in march last year, they were told they could come back to their classes, only to be sent back. translation: when i travel here, i am really frightened. _ the situation is really bad under taliban rule, and we are banned from school, but i want to keep coming here for as long as our schools are closed. the taliban government says the ban is temporary. but a 15—year—old student says she doesn�*t understand why afghan girls are being denied this basic right. translation: i find it so painful that they are not allowing - us into our schools. this decision is against islam. it is illegal. why can boys learn and girls can�*t? winter in afghanistan poses all sorts of challenges. some days, it gets as cold as —21 in kabul.

but still, the students and their teacher come. "seeing their passion gives me energy," the teacher tells me. "they are full of hope so i have no choice but to take this risk." it is unclear when these girls will return to their schools. until then, women like their teacher are the only hope they have. yalda hakim, bbc news, kabul. a scheme offering people cheaper bills if they cut their electricity use at peak times will be offered again today. it will kick in between 4:30 and 6:00 o�*clock this evening for customers with smart meters. the aim is to avoid blackouts during the cold weather. the swedish music streaming service, spotify, is cutting about 600 jobs. its chief executive said he�*d been too ambitious and needed to improve efficiency. spotify has never posted a full—year profit, despite its dominance in the online music market.

now — the chinese city of mo—huh has recorded its lowest temperature since records began. known as "china�*s north pole", the city lies close to the russian border. on sunday, the local weather station recorded a record—low temperature of minus 53 degrees celsius at seven o�*clock in the morning. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol. good morning, everybody. there is also fog around as well as ice, this will be sold to clear from treasured towards the welsh marches. when it does live, we are looking at some trait across the central swathe of the country, cloud across the south—east, and many northern and western parts of the country a fair bit of cloud around the spots of rain. across north—east scotland and north—east england we will see cloud

break and sunshine come through. temperatures around a0 degrees around the moray firth, about a degrees in norwich. clear skies follow on behind with two weather fronts, bringing rain, the heaviest across north—west scotland, mild across north—west scotland, mild across northern heart of the country, called with some frost in sudden. tomorrow will be cloud and rinsing southwards, behind we see sunshine, temperatures down a touch in the north and be touch in the south. —— copy touch. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. calls for conservative chair nadhim zahawi to be sacked — after questions over a multi—million—pound tax settlement. a report has found failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to commit the murder of zara aleena, just days after he was released from prison. the chief inspector

of the service says it is "chronically understaffed". it is impossible to say whether the murder could have been avoided but we did find severe deficits in practice at many stages of jordan mcsweeney�*s supervision. ministers have rejected a proposal from mps to introduce "menopause leave" pilots in england, arguing it could be "counterproductive". we have special reports from afghanistan where the taliban continue to crack down on the rights of women. set, and...action! and a behind the scenes look at hit show happy valley, with star of the showjames norton. sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here�*sjohn watson. morning. the biggest shock in the history of the scottish cup, one of the biggest shocks in football. that�*s how sith tier darvel�*s win over premiership side aberdeen�*s being described.

it will go down as one of the great moments in the club�*s history. the hero wasjordan kirkpatrick, who got the only goal to send the 2000—odd supporters into delirium. the aberdeen manager said his side were disappointed, humilated, embarrassed. his side are fifth currently in the top flight. that will be lost on darvel manager mick kennedy who delivered a stirring team talk before the game, whilst the goal—scorer still had to try and get out of work. isaid i said before the game it was imparted _ i said before the game it was imparted what —— it was important we started _ imparted what —— it was important we started well— imparted what —— it was important we started well to impose ourselves on the game _ started well to impose ourselves on the game and i thought we did in stages _ the game and i thought we did in stages and we deserved to go in front, _ stages and we deserved to go in front, had two or three opportunities, and then after that, we had _ opportunities, and then after that, we had to— opportunities, and then after that, we had to show togetherness and team spirit at _ we had to show togetherness and team spirit at times, everyone in the trenches, — spirit at times, everyone in the trenches, fighting hard for one another— trenches, fighting hard for one another and i hope that drive and determination came to the moment, it was unbelievable. it�*s a bit surreal. i think it�*ll digest over the night, but it�*s hard to believe right now. but you see the crowd here that�*s

came tonight, it�*s amazing. itjust shows you how much it means to them and to us where we are as a level. i�*m meant to be at work, so i need to phone my boss and ask him if i can get the night off! they�*ve surely been watching and they�*re surely on the phone already to say, "nah, don�*t come in!" i might get a day off tomorrow — a wee sick day, hopefully. england captain harry kane has pulled level with the late, great, jimmy greaves as tottenham�*s all—time leading goal—scorer. his 266th came in a 1—0 win over fulham last night, as he once again demonstrated his worth to the club. it�*s his 199th premier league goal, only wayne rooney and alan shearer have scored more in what continues to be a stuttering season for spurs. we had a good talk amongst ourselves and the manager, you know, in the week, and just to kind of get back to what we�*re good at and what got us into the champions league last year, and that�*s clean sheets and being compact and being hard to break down and then we always know we�*re going to get a chance

or two, and we have the players who are able to take it. meanwhile, everton are looking for a new manager after sacking frank lampa rd yesterday. having steered them to premier league safety last season, they�*re second bottom in the table, facing yet another fight to stay up. a lot of frustration has been aimed at the club�*s owners. they�*re now looking for a sixth permanent manager in five years. marcelo bielsa and shaun dyche are two of the names in the frame. more action overnight at the australian open which is really opening up. there has been some rain in melbourne but play has resumed. world number threejessica pegula is taking on two—time champion victoria azarenka right now. azarenka took the first set 6—a. she is currently leading in the second. the winner of that match will play the wimbledon champion elena rybakina. earlier, she swept past jelena ostapenko in straight sets to reach the last four. despite that surprise success at wimbledon, rybakina is still ranked only 25th in the world because ranking points

were not awarded at sw19 last year. i had tough periods before wimbledon, in the sense of, i was very tired mentally, i had played a lot of tournaments so i was not at my best, and i took a break, so it was kind of not really expected, the win at wimbledon. but here, it is different because first of all, i already did it once, and of course, i got confident that i can do it again. and something of an anti—climax over in the men�*s draw, with russian karen khachanov reaching the semifinals after his american opponent sebastian korda retired from the match through injury. korda was two sets down and trailing 3—0 in the third when he threw in the towel. that�*s all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that�*s bbc.co.uk/sport.

back to you. let�*s get more on the questions being asked about nadhim zahawi�*s tax affairs and the prime minister�*s promise of transparency and accountability. the independent committee on standards in public life hasjust published a report promoting ethical leadership in the public sector. let�*s talk to hannah white, from the think tank the institute for government. do you think this new report is going to make any difference to the problems facing this government? well, i think problems facing this government? well, ithink it problems facing this government? well, i think it serves as a really important reminder to leaders of their role in maintaining high ethical standards across the public sector. so in a sense, it is restating what those leaders should already know but actually, i think some of the principles it sets out and the question is that it suggests leaders should be asking about how they lead organisations and of course, in this case, we are thinking about the key leader being rishi sunak, the prime minister,

some of those are really useful and the prime minister might be well to have a look at them. fin the prime minister might be well to have a look at them.— have a look at them. on the specifics _ have a look at them. on the specifics of _ have a look at them. on the specifics of the _ have a look at them. on the specifics of the nadhim - have a look at them. on the i specifics of the nadhim zahawi have a look at them. on the - specifics of the nadhim zahawi case adversely and then coming on to richard sharp a bit later, on zahawi, do you think there are real questions that are still unanswered and do you think any minister should have to step aside while these kind of investigations are being carried out? ~ ., . of investigations are being carried out? ~ ~ ., , of investigations are being carried out? ~ “ ~ , , out? well, i think that it is very important _ out? well, i think that it is very important to — out? well, i think that it is very important to have _ out? well, i think that it is very important to have all _ out? well, i think that it is very important to have all the - out? well, i think that it is very important to have all the facts l out? well, i think that it is very i important to have all the facts on record. that is what all the ministers who have been on the broadcast round this morning that have been saying and that is why we have been saying and that is why we have an independent adviser on ministerial ethics, who can do those investigations. so that is why it is really welcome that the prime minister did appoint somebody who can now be playing this role. but at the end of the day... but can now be playing this role. but at the end of the day. . ._ the end of the day... but that advisor only _ the end of the day... but that advisor only reports - the end of the day... but that advisor only reports to - the end of the day... but that advisor only reports to the . the end of the day... but that. advisor only reports to the prime minister, i mean, how independent are any of these people?— minister, i mean, how independent are any of these people? exactly, at the end of the _ are any of these people? exactly, at the end of the day, _ are any of these people? exactly, at the end of the day, the _ are any of these people? exactly, at the end of the day, the facts - are any of these people? exactly, at the end of the day, the facts are - the end of the day, the facts are the end of the day, the facts are the facts and rishi sunak will have to make a judgment. the function of

the ministerial code is to enable him as prime minister to set out the standard he wants his ministers to meet and he is going to have to look at those facts as they pertain to nadhim zahawi and say, do i think it was acceptable? do i think that there was a reality or a perception that nadhim zahawi broke the ministerial code? you know, it is very strict, the ministerial code, in respect of possible conflicts of interest so it is not enough to say, well, in reality, there was no breach. actually, it has to be, could there be any perception and should nadhim zahawi have recognised that when he became chancellor, with overarching cabinet level responsibility for hmrc, two at the same time be sorting out his tax affairs with them was maybe not appropriate? i affairs with them was maybe not appropriate?— affairs with them was maybe not appropriate? i mean, rishi sunak himself whilst _ appropriate? i mean, rishi sunak himself whilst chancellor - appropriate? i mean, rishi sunak himself whilst chancellor did - appropriate? i mean, rishi sunak himself whilst chancellor did not | himself whilst chancellor did not publicly declare his wife�*s non—dom status. as prime minister, will he have known all the facts around

nadhim zahawi um own tax affairs? not necessarily, it depends what nadhim zahawi chose to disclose and we don�*t know that. we also know that the process which is always supposed to be followed in those circumstances is that the prime minister decides who they would like to appoint their cabinet and then they ask from advice from the propriety and ethics team in the cabinet office who look into the background and say, no, there is this outstanding issue that needs to be taken into account. but at the end of the day, we don�*t know if that process was followed or if the advice was given and whether or not it was taken. it is for the prime minister ultimately, even if he did know and we don�*t know if he did, to make a judgment about whether he thinks it is material or not to his decision to make an appointment. i5 decision to make an appointment. is there an argument for all members of any incoming government to declare their tax returns?— their tax returns? um, that is obviously _ their tax returns? um, that is obviously a — their tax returns? um, that is obviously a point _ their tax returns? um, that is obviously a point of _ their tax returns? um, that is i obviously a point of contention. politicians might think that it would get away from sudden revelation is being made partway

through their position which end up being distracting from the business of government that they are trying to get on with. others would say, you know, it is a private matter and it should not have to be disclosed, it should not have to be disclosed, it is between the taxman and individual ministers. but i do think, my view would be that greater transparency often means that these issues go away and don�*t have to be dealt with because ministers, or individuals in public life, are forced to have to think before they take on these important positions and responsibilities, is there anything i need to get result and cleared up before i step into this role? , ., ., ., �* �* role? just moving on to the bbc because that — role? just moving on to the bbc because that is _ role? just moving on to the bbc because that is the _ role? just moving on to the bbc because that is the other - role? just moving on to the bbc because that is the other big - because that is the other big question that has been dogging the government in the last few days, the question of richard sharp and what he, his involvement with boris johnson�*s personal finances, he, his involvement with boris johnson�*s personalfinances, what do you think the heart of the issue is, there? do you think that again, somebody likes their william shawcross, whose family are involved in working with rishi sunak�*s

government and funding the conservatives, you know, is there going to be any real trust, openness, transparency on that question, to? so openness, transparency on that question. to?— openness, transparency on that question, to? so i think the heart ofthe question, to? so i think the heart of the questions _ question, to? so i think the heart of the questions around - question, to? so i think the heart of the questions around the - question, to? so i think the heart of the questions around the bbc. of the questions around the bbc chairman come down to the fact that he was... had made this intervention on behalf of sam blythe, to say to the cabinet secretary, how should i introduce this offer that i have had from him to borisjohnson? the question is whether the fact of that introduction having been made was disclosed to the panel who were advising, the interview panel who were advising on the bbc appointment. did they know about it? because as we have seen, lots of discussion in the past few days, many people believe it was a material fact which ought to have been known. it may well not have changed the outcome. you know, it is well known that richard sharp had a long—standing relationship with borisjohnson and people may not have seen this in any different

light and those other things will have been taken into account by the interview panel but the fact is that there was a process which emphasises maximum disclosure, so nothing like this can happen, that things come out after the event that then cast doubt on whether the appointment was inappropriate in some way, so i think that... inappropriate in some way, so i think that. . .— inappropriate in some way, so i think that. .. going forward, again for ublic think that. .. going forward, again for public institutions, _ think that. .. going forward, again for public institutions, which - think that. .. going forward, again for public institutions, which is i for public institutions, which is what today�*s report focuses on, is it right that the bbc should have, you know, politically appointed chair people at the top, given this is supposed to be a completely neutral editorial organisation? well, on the one hand, i think my understanding is that the chair should not be involved in editorial decision—making but of course, his role is to safeguard perceptions of the bbc. it has long been the case that there has been a chair of the bbc who has had political experience and to some degree, that is desirable because you want people who understand the context in which the bbc is operating in order to

understand, you know, its organisational strategy and those kind of thing is that the chair has a role in. but i think we need to be careful that the rules for public appointments reflect what everybody is comfortable with and at the end of the day, there are many public appointments where the final say comes down to the prime minister, and you know, the prime minister has to make a judgment on how, you know, the background of the candidate that they are choosing will influence the operation and perceptions of those public institutions. you know, i think that we have seen over time, different governments tend to put more people into those roles who are politically aligned with their views. it was no different under the labour party in many ways. this is an ongoing debate. it is an important one to have because it affects perceptions of the bbc which, as you say, is supposed to be absolutely politically neutral. thank you forjoining us. let�*s get more now on that damning report by the chief inspector

of the probation service, after a watchdog investigation found that failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to murder law graduate zara aleena lastjune. the attack happened days afterjordan mcsweeney was released from prison. the chief inspector of probation told the bbc that there�*s a chronic understaffing problem. london is chronically understaffed in terms of its probation services at the moment. when we inspected them last time, we found that they had over 500 vacancies, and at some key grades and in some boroughs in london, over 50% of key probation posts are vacant. in this particular case, we found a very heavily overloaded senior probation officer supervising, a probation officer who had 50% more workload than they should have had. it is impossible to say whether the murder could have been avoided, but we did find severe deficits in practice at many stages of jordan mcsweeney�*s supervision. he was a career criminal who had a long string of violent and property convictions. he had served nine previous prison

sentences when he was released. in our view, he should clearly have been assessed as being a high risk of serious harm to the public. he wasn�*t. if he had been assessed as high risk, greater controls would have been put on him after he came out of prison and more urgent action would have been taken to return him to prison after he missed several probation appointments. ten out of the 17 local areas that we have inspected over the last year and a half, we have given an overall rating of inadequate, which simply isn�*t good enough. two thirds of the individual probation cases that we inspect, we have found to be unsatisfactory in terms of the quality of risk assessment work that is being done. so, yes, recruitment is happening, there are more probation officers in training but that is not yet feeding through in terms of the quality of the work that they are doing. the service needs to hold on to more experienced officers and i am very concerned it is those more experienced probation officers that are actually leaving the service, people who have served over five years. they are very important in terms

of mentoring morejunior and inexperienced colleagues. it is crucial that the service holds on to those more experienced staff as well as recruiting new ones. it is impossible to say that the public are safe, given that the quality of work that sometimes is happening in local probation areas. it really should be a priority for probation to improve the quality of the risk assessment and the way that dangerous offenders like jordan mcsweeney are being managed after they have been sentenced or after they have come out of prison. i met with farah naz, zara aleena�*s aunt, last week to brief her on the findings. understandably, she was upset and angry about what we told her. she wanted reassurance that our report will lead to real changes and our recommendations are accepted and acted upon in the future. police forces in england and wales are adopting a new strategy for tackling serious and organised crime — that was first developed in warzones.

the tactic, called "clear, hold, build", aims to draw out gangs from criminal hotspots and ensure they can�*t return. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has been finding out more. grinding their way into a shop selling fake designer goods, greater manchester police are in the middle of an intensive drive against organised crime. the fake goods shops in the cheetham hill area have drawn in drug dealing, violence and prostitution. to fight that, police are adopting a new tactic developed against the taliban in afghanistan called clear, hold, build. what is it you�*re trying to do? make people safe to come here. you know, we see mothers walking their children to school, the primary school at the top of this road, stepping over rubbish, needles, passing anti—social behaviour daily, running battles in the middle of the street. no longer. we�*re giving it back to the community. this machete attack in broad daylight was just one example of the recent violence and left

the victim with a punctured lung. after what�*s called operation vulcan shut down dozens of shops, and with a permanent police presence, the drug dealing and violence has started to reduce. clear, hold, build means clearing out organised crime, holding the area to prevent its return and building a new future, working alongside the local council. over the last nine weeks, police have driven criminals out of all these premises. the idea is to take back the area for the community who live here, and the hope is that legitimate businesses will eventually return. the home secretary told me she wants all forces in england and wales to adopt the clear, hold, build tactic against organised crime. the reason why organised crime is so important is it�*s the root cause of so much crime that we see blighting communities. it�*s the cause of young

people taking up drugs, it�*s the cause of violent crime, it�*s behind anti—social behaviour. police! on merseyside, where a cannabis factory was raided yesterday morning, they�*ve been using the tactic for several months as part of a pilot project, and police believe it is having an effect. so do you actually own this whole block here? back in manchester, ali parsaer, who runs a lighting shop, told me he lost 95% of his customers when the violence began in cheetham hill, and he�*s had to move much of his business online. he says the police crackdown is a very welcome gift. sometimes you tell yourself, it�*s not a film, it�*s not a movie, because in the street you see people are fighting each other with a machete, big sword, something. fighting or destroying the cars. so it is not something you used to see here in manchester. of course, the residents of cheetham hill have seen police crackdowns many times before,

and the men on the street corners still returned. but they�*re hoping that this time, clear, hold, build will make a difference to what has been an unsolvable problem. daniel sandford, bbc news, manchester. seven people have been killed in california in the second mass shooting in the state in two days. the latest attacks occurred at two separate locations in the coastal city of half moon bay. a 67—year—old man has been arrested. david willis sent this report. the victims of this attack in the tight—knit coastal community known as half moon bay are all thought to have been chinese—american agricultural workers. they died in separate shootings at two separate locations, within about two miles of each other. the gunman�*s arrest was captured in dramatic tv news footage, and he has since been identified as a 67—year—old asian—american, zhao chunli.

officers say that they have recovered a semiautomatic handgun following his arrest, and they say that at the moment, a motive for the attack is unknown although the gunman is thought to have worked at one of the farms that he targeted. this is what local law enforcement officials had to say. at a:a0pm, zhao was located in his vehicle in the parking lot of the sheriff�*s substation here in half moon bay by a sheriff�*s deputy. zhao was taken into custody without incident and a semiautomatic handgun was located in his vehicle. zhao is believed to have acted alone and there is no further threat to this community. all this comes less than a8 hours after 11 people were shot dead in a los angeles suburb, the predominantly asian—american suburb of monterey park, to the east of la. both the perpetrator

and the victims of that attack were asian—american. the gunman, 72—year—old huu can tran, later shot himself dead after a stand—off with the police, and officers later recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his home. california�*s governor, gavin newsom, was meeting with the victims of that shooting when he was made aware of the incidents up north. california has some of the toughest gun control laws in this country, but the two shootings near san francisco constitute the sixth mass shooting in this country this year alone. the white house has said that president biden is being kept aware of developments. it�*s been the drama that�*s kept millions of viewers glued

to their tv screens for nearly a decade, and the level of tension and despair is only growing, as the finale of happy valley approaches. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson has been speaking to lead actorjames norton on set, as last sunday�*s explosive episode was filmed. spoiler alert — if you haven�*t caught up yet, you might want to choose this moment to go and make a cup of tea. but do come back! quiet, please, guys. 0k, set and...action. james norton filming the final season of happy valley. james, where are we? we are in a disused magistrate�*s court in bolton, um... as you can see behind me, and we�*re set up for a court case where tommy lee royce has been accused of a historical murder and he�*s back in the dock. yes, this is doubling for greater leeds crown court — the location for a crucial scene. alarms ringing, panicked shouting. stop him! do something!

one of the big moments in this series has been your escape, and that�*s where it happened — down there in that box. what was that like to film? yeah, that�*s not... that�*s not that low of a thing to scale. it�*s high! it�*s high, yeah! lock down! lock down the building! as you get older, stunts get a little bit more disconcerting because you�*re always pumped full of adrenaline, and then you think you can do anything and then you do it and then at the end, you�*re like, "ow!" and yesterday, i looked down and my leg was bleeding. there�*s an energy about tommy. there�*s a kind of animal, vital and unstoppable kind of force. and so when he�*s allowed to let rip, like he was yesterday, it�*s so fun. it�*s clearjames norton has loved making the first happy valley series since 2016. to come back is a complete pleasure, and commenting on how we�*ve changed in seven years — you know, there�*s a few more grey hairs, a few more wrinkles — but everyone sort of feels the same. apart from rhys, who plays ryan, my son, who has changed into... a man. yeah, yeah, very much. he�*s very much tracked the passing of time. you�*re saying how much fun it is.

yeah. it must also have a certain degree of pressure, because people love this show. i think we just feed off that expectation, i think. so that can only sort of fuel us in a positive way, and hopefully embolden us, galvanise us to give it the justice it deserves. and tommy�*s had quite a look in this series. he has. well, actually, every series tommy�*s had quite a look. there�*s always a kind of significant chunk at the beginning of every script describing how he�*s looking. we�*ve gone from the kind ofjesus messiah complex in the first few eps, and now here i am, a little more clean—cut. but, yeah, he�*s a vain man. he�*s very narcissistic. he takes care of his image, even if he�*s in prison. how much of that hair was yours? quite a lot. it�*s quite a lot. yeah, i spent quite a lot of time growing it — and growing the beard. i�*m not a massive fan of growing beards. gets itchy. and are you confident — it�*s the final, third series —

that people will be happy with the ending? i think it�*ll leave people satisfied, yeah. i don�*t want to give anything away, but it was an absolute roller—coaster to shoot it, so... you�*re looking confident! i hope... yeah, i hope — i hope that the viewers will get the same excitement that we got from shooting it. you�*ve got quite a time of having to sit on top of secrets now. are you good at it? i am pretty good, yeah. i haven�*t told many people — including my family. my dad is the worst holder of any secrets, so i fiercely kept it away from him. also, no—one really wants to know. you know, i�*ve rarely found someone who knows and loves the show who�*s keen to hear what happens. i think most people want to go through the, you know, happy valley experience. what was your face when you read the final page of the script? give us a demonstration. this might be a spoiler, though, isn�*t it? if i give you... if i give you my face. i think it was sort of, put down, breathe.

there�*s also a little bit of melancholy because it�*s the end of a very significant chapter for everyone — ten years of our life. i mean, amongst the shock and the awe and the excitement, there was... there was an element of nostalgia, i guess, creeping in, as this is the end. two episodes to go until it�*s revealed if happy valley has a happy ending. colin paterson, bbc news, bolton. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol. hopefully a happy ending, any warmer weather coming? probably better to describe it as less cold. if you have just rented out this money, you may notice temperatures in parts of the south are below freezing still. also some freezing fog around, especially around the welsh and english borders. you can see where that lifts, that is where we will see the

best of the sunshine. into the far south—east, a line of cloud will be with us for much of the day. a bit more clout across scotland, north—west england, northern ireland and also north west wales. but it should brighten up as we go through the day across eastern parts of scotland and also the north—east of england. but no heatwave in prospect, four in norwich today, possibly 13—1a around the moray firth. this evening and overnight, the weather front pulls away. some clear skies following behind. then two weather fronts both heading south, both bringing some rain with them and as they bump into the high pressure, they are going to weaken. still cold with some frost in southern areas but still comparatively mild further north.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. calls for conservative chair nadhim zahawi to be sacked — after questions over a multi—million pound tax settlement. more questions over claims that bbc chairman richard sharp was involved in securing a loan for the then—prime minister, borisjohnson. in an interview, mr sharp says he welcomes a review into his appointment. iam i am comfortable that i was appointed on merit, and i�*m also comfortable that a result of my discussion with simon case that i avoided a conflict or potential conflict because i was not party to any transaction. a report has found failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to commit the murder of zara aleena, just days

after he was released from prison. the chief inspector of the service says