this is bbc news. the headlines... the nhs in england is to get thousands of extra hospital beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but there are questions about who will staff the extra resources. we have 100,000 vacancies in the nhs, more than 150,000 vacancies in social care, so staffing really becomes the absolutely critical constraint about whether some of the ambitions and improvements in today's plan will be able to be delivered. rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs, saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. what i've done is follow a process, which is the right process. integrity is really important to me.

at least 32 people have been killed and 150 others injured, in a blast in the pakistani city of peshawar. the kremlin has dismissed as a "lie" a claim by borisjohnson that he was threatened by vladimir putin before the russian invasion of ukraine. new research suggests uk bosses are reluctant to hire over—50s, preferring younger workers. ministers and nhs leaders have announced plans to provide hundreds more ambulances and thousands of hospital beds in england by next winter. £1 billion of existing funding is being allocated and there are also measures to try to reduce the number of patients who turn up at a&e

and then stay overnight. but there are questions about how the extra resources will be staffed, and some health experts warn the proposals will be undermined by a "burnt out" workforce. 0ur health correspondent, katherine da costa, has the details. right, hi, how are you? i'm rishi, nice to see you. after weeks of unprecedented strain on the nhs, and criticism over record delays in a&e... it's incredibly complicated, actually, managing the flow through... ..the prime minister and health secretary were keen to hear what's working well at north tees hospital... it's a model that we need to make sure we can do more of across the country. so thank you. ..ahead of setting out new plans in front of an audience of health staff. more beds, more ambulances, more staff, better social care, and if we can deliver on it, if we can deliver on it, then i think we will see, in fact, i know we will see the largest and fastest ever improvement in emergency waiting times in the nhs's history. that is the ambition of our plan

that we've set out today. by next winter, there should be 5,000 more per hospital beds in england, an increase of around 5%. 800 new ambulances purchased, around half of those to replace older vehicles. and there will be a new push to get people who are well enough out of hospital more quickly. hello, sir, how are you? the plan builds on work to care for patients in their own homes by monitoring them remotely. it includes greater use of rehab and physiotherapy to avoid overnight stays in hospital. the money to pay for this will come out of funds already promised last autumn. health experts broadly welcomed the proposals to boost capacity, bring down waiting times and improve patient care, but they stress you can't achieve that unless you have got the right number of staff in the right departments. really important that the government publishes a long—term workforce - strategy for the nhs, _ a plan that has now been promised

and delayed quite often, - because that's absolutely critical. we have 100,000 vacancies - in at the nhs, more than 150,000 vacancies in social care, . so staffing really becomes i the absolutely critical constraint i about whether some of the ambitions and improvements in today's plan will be able to be delivered. - the government says it will publish a plan to boost the nhs workforce in england. meanwhile, labour has accused the government of watering down standards by lowering ambulance and a&e targets. there is still a long way to go if we are to avoid long queues and waits like this next winter. katherine da costa, bbc news. let's get more with our health correspondent nick triggle. let's break this is not new money. it has been announced before? yes. it has been announced before? yes, this was coming _ it has been announced before? yes, this was coming from _ it has been announced before? yes, this was coming from the _ it has been announced before? yes this was coming from the port of money announced in the autumn statement which pervaded the nhs with an extra 6.6 billion over the

next two years. but that money was already on top of planned for increases so the budget was increasing because of inflation, they have increased even further and are using some of this extra money to spend on new ambulances. haw to spend on new ambulances. how ambitious are _ to spend on new ambulances. how ambitious are the _ to spend on new ambulances. how ambitious are the new targets? it| ambitious are the new targets? it would be astonishing if we did not see some improvement anyway in the coming months as we get closer to spring, the rates of flu and covid are coming down. that should naturally improve performance. some question the scale of the ambition because the target is march 202a. 76% of patients are coming to a&e will be treated or admitted within four hours. the official target is 95%. this is still a long way short of where the nhs was seven or eight years ago. some say we should be trying to do more, trying to be more ambitious than the government is. we

have heard from some union leaders like the royal college of nursing saying it's notjust beds and more ambulances, it is more star. that is their critical factor behind —— staff. that is the factor behind the long waits in the nhs, just a huge shortage of nhs staff and what is being done to address that? there is, ou being done to address that? there is. you are — being done to address that? there is. you are right— being done to address that? there is, you are right to _ being done to address that? there is, you are right to say _ being done to address that? there is, you are right to say that. - being done to address that? there is, you are right to say that. one l is, you are right to say that. one in ten posts in the nhs are vacant and the vacancy rates are even worse in nursing, nurses are the ones who will be staffing a lot of these new beds so it is why organisations like the kings fund are warning that without investment in staff, there will be problems achieving progress. what those working in the health service had been crying out forfour years as a workforce plan set out how staff will be recruited and exactly how many need to be recruited in the coming months. the government promised it would publish

in the autumn, we're still waiting, it should be published by the end of march and we have also got the matter of social care vacancy rates in social care which are even worse than they are the nhs and that is why many in, are arguing a reform plan for social care is also long overdue. . , plan for social care is also long overdue. ., , . miriam deakin is head of policy and strategy at nhs providers, the membership organisation for nhs trusts in england. that is the membership organisation for nhs trusts in england, thank you for nhs trusts in england, thank you for being with us. we were mulling this over with our health correspondence, suggesting that actually it's staffing that is key, notjust new beds and ambulances? yes, thank you, i agree with that. we do _ yes, thank you, i agree with that. we do welcome to the's plan as an important — we do welcome to the's plan as an important step forward to help the nhs address the severe challenges that we _ nhs address the severe challenges that we see over the winter and there _ that we see over the winter and there are — that we see over the winter and there are many positives. the plan is looking — there are many positives. the plan is looking to invest in a number of

different— is looking to invest in a number of different services which we think is important — different services which we think is important to really alleviate the pressure — important to really alleviate the pressure points in hospitals. it's making — pressure points in hospitals. it's making some commitments around hospital— making some commitments around hospital beds and an extra 5000 beds but also _ hospital beds and an extra 5000 beds but also expand ambulance capacity including _ but also expand ambulance capacity including specialist mental health ambulances and to make an investment in community services to help people recover— in community services to help people recover at _ in community services to help people recover at home if they do not need that trip— recover at home if they do not need that trip to — recover at home if they do not need that trip to the hospital and also to invest — that trip to the hospital and also to invest in rehab, readable mensah people _ to invest in rehab, readable mensah people can — to invest in rehab, readable mensah people can leave hospital a lot more promptly _ people can leave hospital a lot more promptly when they are well. but the constraining factor is nhs staffing. as you _ constraining factor is nhs staffing. as you said, we have got peak levels of vacancies— as you said, we have got peak levels of vacancies across the nhs. all eyes _ of vacancies across the nhs. all eyes will— of vacancies across the nhs. all eyes will be on the chancellor in the march — eyes will be on the chancellor in the march budget and we will be looking — the march budget and we will be looking to see whether the new nhs workforce _ looking to see whether the new nhs workforce plan, the new long—term plan for— workforce plan, the new long—term plan for the — workforce plan, the new long—term plan for the nhs workforce, can be fully funded by government so we can recruit— fully funded by government so we can recruit and _ fully funded by government so we can recruit and retain staff in the numbers— recruit and retain staff in the numbers we need.— recruit and retain staff in the numbers we need. �*, ., ,, .,

numbers we need. let's talk through the taruet. numbers we need. let's talk through the target. suggestions _ numbers we need. let's talk through the target. suggestions the - numbers we need. let's talk through the target. suggestions the targets i the target. suggestions the targets are not that ambitious, for example 76% of a&e patients to be dealt with within four hours. that's not really very ambitious, is it? i within four hours. that's not really very ambitious, is it?— very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of— very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of the _ very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of the winter - very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of the winter we - very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of the winter we have | very ambitious, is it? i think on . the back of the winter we have just seen _ the back of the winter we have just seen where — the back of the winter we have just seen where we have seen unprecedented levels of demand for all services, we have seen some of the worst— all services, we have seen some of the worst levels of performance for the worst levels of performance for the most _ the worst levels of performance for the most urgent 999 calls and overcrowding in a&e departments, hospitals _ overcrowding in a&e departments, hospitals running at levels of occupancy many professional say are not safe _ occupancy many professional say are not safe. what this plan tries to do is provide — not safe. what this plan tries to do is provide a — not safe. what this plan tries to do is provide a key step for the nhs to return— is provide a key step for the nhs to return to _ is provide a key step for the nhs to return to the levels of performance and quality — return to the levels of performance and quality of care that everybody working _ and quality of care that everybody working in — and quality of care that everybody working in the nhs wants to deliver. ithink— working in the nhs wants to deliver. i think there is agreement around that aim — i think there is agreement around that aim. what we need to underpin that aim. what we need to underpin that our— that aim. what we need to underpin that our staff in enough numbers and funding— that our staff in enough numbers and funding to— that our staff in enough numbers and funding to recruit and retain those staff~ _ funding to recruit and retain those staff we — funding to recruit and retain those staff. we need to take a look at the bricks _ staff. we need to take a look at the bricks and _ staff. we need to take a look at the bricks and mortar of our nhs and make _ bricks and mortar of our nhs and make sure — bricks and mortar of our nhs and make sure we have got enough capital funding _

make sure we have got enough capital funding in— make sure we have got enough capital funding in the system to make invest in safe _ funding in the system to make invest in safe buildings, safe environments for the _ in safe buildings, safe environments for the new— in safe buildings, safe environments for the new beds and the equipment we need _ for the new beds and the equipment we need. ., . ~' for the new beds and the equipment we need. ., ., ,, ., , .p we need. you talked about staff aaain and we need. you talked about staff again and recruiting _ we need. you talked about staff again and recruiting and - we need. you talked about staff. again and recruiting and retaining staff. that's one of the keywords. staff retention. that comes down to pay, doesn't it? nurses, ambulance workers, staff, they want more pay, they want a pay rise, they are not happy with what they have been offered. surely improve pay is a key part of recruiting and retaining staff? i part of recruiting and retaining staff? ~ . part of recruiting and retaining staff? ,, . ., ., , staff? i think that we have to see -a as a staff? i think that we have to see pay as a central— staff? i think that we have to see pay as a central pillar— staff? i think that we have to see pay as a central pillar in - staff? i think that we have to see pay as a central pillar in both - pay as a central pillar in both recruiting _ pay as a central pillar in both recruiting and retaining staff. i think— recruiting and retaining staff. i think there are other aspects which could _ think there are other aspects which could support staff retention. the plan today has some helpful measures around _ plan today has some helpful measures around staff well— being and it's plan today has some helpful measures around staff well—being and it's a bit around staff well—being and it's a hit of— around staff well—being and it's a hit of a _ around staff well—being and it's a bit of a self—fulfilling prophecy. the more — bit of a self—fulfilling prophecy. the more that leave the service we know _ the more that leave the service we know lots _ the more that leave the service we know lots of our experienced staff are leaving early, the more that leaves, — are leaving early, the more that leaves, the more pressure in the places— leaves, the more pressure in the places of— leaves, the more pressure in the places of those who stay so it has to he _ places of those who stay so it has to he a _ places of those who stay so it has to be a package of measures but

certainly— to be a package of measures but certainly to bring the industrial action— certainly to bring the industrial action to — certainly to bring the industrial action to an end, considerations of tay have _ action to an end, considerations of tay have got to be central for the thank you. a line of breaking news coming in the last few seconds. from the world of football. everton have named former burnley boss sean dyche as their new manager, succeeding frank lampard. hejoins are 2.5 as their new manager, succeeding frank lampard. he joins are 2.5 year contract untiljune 25. in a statement, sean dyche said, "it is an honour. he said he and his staff are eager to get this great club back on trap. everton are languishing towards the bottom of the premier league table. frank lampard was sacked after a run of pretty bad results. sean dyche she has been in this situation before trying to save clubs is back once again for everton.

rishi sunak says he "acted pretty decisively" when the former conservative party chairman, nadim zahawi, was found to have broken the ministerial code. labour has called on the prime minister to clarify exactly when he became aware that mr zahawi had paid a penalty to hmrc. this morning, the prime minister addressed the issue of nadhim zahawi at a q&a session in county durham. what i've done is follow a process, which is the right process. - integrity is really important to me. all of you guys want to see that government is run properly, . that it's run with integrityl and there is accountability when people don't behave the way that they should, | or if something doesn't go right, and that's what we've done. - i asked the adviser to get to the bottom — i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of— i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it _ i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it and _ i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it and on _ i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it and on the - i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it and on the basis i i asked the adviser to get to the bottom of it and on the basis of| i asked the adviser to get to the . bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which — bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which he — bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which he did _ bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which he did quickly— bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which he did quickly over- bottom of it and on the basis of the facts which he did quickly over the i facts which he did quickly over the part of— facts which he did quickly over the part of last — facts which he did quickly over the part of last week— facts which he did quickly over the part of last week i— facts which he did quickly over the part of last week i was _ facts which he did quickly over the part of last week i was able - facts which he did quickly over the

part of last week i was able to - facts which he did quickly over the l part of last week i was able to make a very— part of last week i was able to make a very quick— part of last week i was able to make a very quick decision _ part of last week i was able to make a very quick decision that _ part of last week i was able to make a very quick decision that it - part of last week i was able to make a very quick decision that it was - a very quick decision that it was not appropriate _ a very quick decision that it was not appropriate for— a very quick decision that it was not appropriate for nadhim - a very quick decision that it was i not appropriate for nadhim zahawi a very quick decision that it was - not appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue _ not appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue in _ not appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue in government— not appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue in government and - not appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue in government and that's i continue in government and that's why he _ continue in government and that's why he is— continue in government and that's why he is no— continue in government and that's why he is no longer— continue in government and that's why he is no longer there. - continue in government and that's why he is no longer there. that i continue in government and that's why he is no longer there. that is| why he is no longer there. that is what _ why he is no longer there. that is what i _ why he is no longer there. that is what i have — why he is no longer there. that is what i have done. _ why he is no longer there. that is what i have done. it _ why he is no longer there. that is what i have done. it relates- why he is no longer there. that is what i have done. it relates to . what i have done. it relates to things— what i have done. it relates to things that _ what i have done. it relates to things that happened - what i have done. it relates to things that happened well- what i have done. it relates to i things that happened well before what i have done. it relates to - things that happened well before i was prime — things that happened well before i was prime minister— things that happened well before i was prime minister so _ things that happened well before i was prime minister so i _ things that happened well before i was prime minister so i cannot- was prime minister so i cannot change — was prime minister so i cannot change what _ was prime minister so i cannot change what happened - was prime minister so i cannot change what happened in- was prime minister so i cannot change what happened in the i was prime minister so i cannot- change what happened in the past. what _ change what happened in the past. what you _ change what happened in the past. what you can — change what happened in the past. what you can hold _ change what happened in the past. what you can hold accountable - change what happened in the past. what you can hold accountable for| change what happened in the past. i what you can hold accountable for is what i _ what you can hold accountable for is what i did _ what you can hold accountable for is what i did about _ what you can hold accountable for is what i did about it. _ what you can hold accountable for is what i did about it. as _ what you can hold accountable for is what i did about it. as soon - what you can hold accountable for is what i did about it. as soon as- what you can hold accountable for is what i did about it. as soon as i- what i did about it. as soon as i knew— what i did about it. as soon as i knew about _ what i did about it. as soon as i knew about the _ what i did about it. as soon as i knew about the situation - what i did about it. as soon as i knew about the situation i - what i did about it. as soon as i- knew about the situation i appointed someone _ knew about the situation i appointed someone independent, _ knew about the situation i appointed someone independent, looked - knew about the situation i appointed someone independent, looked at. knew about the situation i appointed someone independent, looked at it, | someone independent, looked at it, .ot someone independent, looked at it, got the _ someone independent, looked at it, got the advice — someone independent, looked at it, got the advice and _ someone independent, looked at it, got the advice and acted _ someone independent, looked at it, got the advice and acted pretty- got the advice and acted pretty decisively— got the advice and acted pretty decisively to— got the advice and acted pretty decisively to move _ got the advice and acted pretty decisively to move on. - got the advice and acted pretty decisively to move on. that's l got the advice and acted pretty- decisively to move on. that's what i think— decisively to move on. that's what i think you _ decisively to move on. that's what i think you all — decisively to move on. that's what i think you all deserve _ decisively to move on. that's what i think you all deserve from - decisively to move on. that's what i think you all deserve from me - decisively to move on. that's what i think you all deserve from me and i think you all deserve from me and government _ we can speak now to our political correspondent, jonathan blake. she used those words, integrity, accountability, the words he used when he came into downing street to talk about his government but there are questions about how he has handled it and why did he appoint nadhim zahawi in the first place? yes, as you said, rishi sunak is trying to draw a line under the matter, there are lingering questions about firstly as you say, why he appointed nadhim zahawi in

the first place and the way that he went about doing something, the claims around his taxes which led to him being sacked as conservative party chairman. there is a bit of lingering you feeling too for those around nadhim zahawi who do not really think he was given a fair hearing by the government was like independent ethics adviser. they suggest he only had one conversation with nadhim zahawi although downing street making it clear that there was a follow—up conversation as well. as for nadhim zahawi, we have not heard publicly from him yet save for the letter he sent to the prime minister in which he offered no apology for his actions and he suggested that he was intending to hang around for an mp on the backbenches for years to come. labour are suggesting that the prime minister needs to come clean about when he knew about an investigation,

in their words, into nadhim zahawi's taxes. the prime minister's official spokesman was asked about that earlier and said the prime minister was advised that no outstanding issues involving hmrc were there when he appointed nadhim zahawi but would not go into private discussions between the two men. they reject suggestions of the investigation being rushed, saying there was no timeframe given at all and other opposition parties, the lib dems say nadhim zahawi cannot continue as an mp, he needs to have the whip withdrawn, given everything that has come out and he was found to have done in terms of breaking the ministerial code around his taxes. some difficult questions for nadhim zahawi and the prime minister who is trying his best to shake it off but given that he settles high standards for himself on day one in thejob of standards for himself on day one in the job of integrity, accountability, professionalism at every level in government, it follows that he is going to keep

getting questions about his judgment and actions in relation to his ministers and those who have not lived up to those standards. ianthem lived up to those standards. when ou sa lived up to those standards. when you say ministers _ lived up to those standards. when you say ministers it's _ lived up to those standards. when you say ministers it's not - lived up to those standards. when you say ministers it's notjust - you say ministers it's notjust nadhim zahawi, there are others. dominic raab in particular that he may face more questions about? that investigation — may face more questions about? that investigation is _ may face more questions about? trust investigation is ongoing. by an independent lawyer, appointed by the prime minister before his current adviser was in place who would normally conduct such an investigation. accusations of bullying against the deputy prime minister and justice secretary dominic raab. he denies any wrongdoing. the longer that investigation goes on, of course the more questions we will be about dominic raab's future. should it find that there was a breach of the ministerial code and what the prime minister will do as a result of that. you would think downing street would hope that investigation resolves itself sooner than later so that they can take action

accordingly.— the former prime minister, borisjohnson, has told the bbc that vladimir putin personally threatened him in the run—up to russia's invasion of ukraine. in a documentary series about mr putin's leadership, he described how the russian president told him it would "only take a minute" to hurt him with a missile. a kremlin spokesman has called mrjohnson's claim a "lie". more from our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. kyiv, last february, a city on the brink of war. borisjohnson arrives in a show of support, for a president who is yet to replace his suit and tie with army fatigues. alongside other countries, we are also preparing a package of sanctions and other measures. the prime minister publicly urges russia not to invade, prompting an astonishing reaction

from president putin. i get back from kyiv and the following day, i've got putin on the blower again. and this is a very long call, and a most extraordinary call. he was being very, very familiar. mrjohnson told him invading ukraine would mean more nato forces on his border. he said, "boris, you say that ukraine is not going tojoin nato any time soon," he said it in english, "any time soon." "what is any time soon?" and i said, "well, it's not going to join nato for the foreseeable future." and then this. you know, he sort of, he threatened me at one point and said, you know, "boris, i don't want to hurt you, but with a missile, it would only take a minute," or something like that, you know. you know, jolly. but i think from the very relaxed tone that he was taking, the sort of air of detachment that he seemed to have, he was just playing along with my attempts

to get him to negotiate. the following week, the defence secretary flew to moscow to meet russian military chiefs, where, he says, they lied to him about their plans for ukraine. i remember saying to minister shoigu that they will fight. and he said, "my mother's ukrainian, you know, they won't." he also said he had no intention of invading. i think that would be "vranyo" in the russian language. vranyo, i think is a sort of demonstration of bullying or strength, which is "i'm going to lie to you, you know i'm lying, i know you know i'm lying, and i'm still going to lie to you." it was the fairly chilling

but direct lie of what they were not going to do that, i think, to me, confirmed they were going to do it. and he was right. within days, the invasion began, as russia unleashed a barrage of missiles on targets across ukraine and its tanks and troops stormed across the border. james landale, bbc news. the first episode of the bbc documentary putin versus the west will be broadcast tonight on bbc two at 9pm, and all three episodes are available on the bbc iplayer. at least 32 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the pakistani city of peshawar. the blast, in the northwest of the country, happened at around 1.30pm in the afternoon, when the mosque was packed with worshippers. more than 150 people were injured. a section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. several others are being taken to local hospitals. the cause of the explosion is unclear. a peshawar police chief has said

they cannot rule out the possibility of a suicide bombing. the headlines on bbc news... the nhs in england is to get thousands of extra hospital beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but there are questions about who will staff the extra resources . rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs, saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. at least 32 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a blast in the pakistani city of peshawar. for the first time, reporters are to be allowed into family courts in england and wales, as part of an experiment

to promote more openjustice. journalists will be given access to three court centres in cardiff, leeds, and carlisle, where they will be able to report what they see and hear, and speak to families, provided they keep their identities anonymous. 0ur correspondent sanchia berg, who has reported widely on the family courts, has been speaking to one mother who went through the process. actor's voice: he's my best friend. like, it sounds bizarre to say that when it's your child, but ijust don't know what i'd do without him. i absolutely love him. caitlin has a young son and two older children who were taken into care several years ago, when they were very small. i've missed out on everything, because i've never taken my older two children to school. i don't get to tuck them in bed at night and read them stories. i've lost a lot of time. social workers advised, but it was a judge in the family court who decided her children's future. a teenage mother, she says now

she was unable to take in what was happening. when i first went to court, the only way that i can explain this is, it's like, i can see everything, i can see people, but i can't hear anything that anyone's saying and it's all a bit of a blur. and when i heard those words "adoption", it was like everything just stopped, there was nothing happening, i couldn't hear anyone any more, i couldn't see anything, i couldn't breathe. every year, there are over 200,000 cases in the family courts in england and wales. most are separating parents, a small minority are care cases, like caitlin's. today, for the first time, journalists will be able to report these cases in three court centres, as long as they keep families anonymous. it's very significant. for decades, this has been talked about, but it has been put in the,

"too difficult" box, because of the need to open up but at the same time keep closed the identity of the family. so this is the first time that we've actually experimented with allowing journalists to report what they see and hear. the archie battersbee case in the family division of the high court captured the headlines last year. supporters of openjustice hope more family cases of all kinds will be reported through the pilot. most enthusiastic are parents, like caitlin. people behave better if they think that this information could go outside. i also think that i probably would have understood what was happening a little bit better if someone was reporting it. but also, i just think that the courts have been so closed and so private for so long, it's so old—fashioned. 0ne mother's story of dealing with the family court as told

to our correspondent, sanchia berg. at least 32 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the pakistani city of peshawar. we can now go live to lahore and speak to tarhub asgharfrom bbc urdu. and speak to tarhub what and speak to tarhub more do we know about what happened? what more do we know about what happened? this what more do we know about what ha ened? , ,.,, what more do we know about what ha--ened? , ,., .,, what more do we know about what hauened? , , ., happened? this blast happened at around two or _ happened? this blast happened at around two or 3pm. _ happened? this blast happened at around two or 3pm. , _ happened? this blast happened at around two or 3pm. , one - happened? this blast happened at around two or 3pm. , one or- happened? this blast happened at around two or 3pm. , one or 2pm. j around two or 3pm. , one or 2pm. initially people were offering prayer blast happened. according to a person who was there, he told that when he entered the mosque, there was a huge blast and he ended up in hospital. if i talk about the locality of that mosque where the blast happened, that is quite important because it is in up

headquarters, there are many important buildings like several secretariat and interior, provincial interior ministry's office not so far. army commander house is nearby, there is huge questions about how this happened, there is a clear security lapse. recently, the prime minister and chief of army staff have inquired people who got injured in the blast are not only this, they have asked officers to submit a report on how this happened. i report on how this happened. i gather from reading the reports that some of the people who died were members of the police force? if this was an attack, suicide attack potentially, who might have been responsible for this?— potentially, who might have been responsible for this? officially, no one has taken _ responsible for this? officially, no one has taken responsibility - responsible for this? officially, no one has taken responsibility for i responsible for this? officially, no | one has taken responsibility for the attack but on social media, people from the ttp, and different kind of

photographs of a suicide bomber claiming this is a revenge attack in a series of the fact that the leader was dead in the fight. this is the fourth attack on pakistan and this is one of the biggest ones in recent weeks. it is one of the biggest ones in recent weeks. , . . is one of the biggest ones in recent weeks. , ., ., . ., ., weeks. it is a real challenge for the authorities _ weeks. it is a real challenge for the authorities and _ weeks. it is a real challenge forj the authorities and government weeks. it is a real challenge for. the authorities and government to try to restore order?— the authorities and government to try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, _ try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, because _ try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, because that - try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, because that is - try to restore order? yes, this is a | real challenge, because that is the reason after this huge attack, the prime minister and chief of army staff, they have reached to peshawar, called the security meeting and raise important questions like warnings by official that these kind of attacks can be carried out by different terrorist groups and not only this, how that person managed to reach to that spot because when we see the locality of

that mosque, that is quite important and there are security checks you have to clear to get to that point. there is only one main gate of the most and how that person managed to get through the gates, these are the major questions high officials have raised to the people who work on the ground and taking care of security. thank you. a boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of 15—year—old holly newton in northumberland. the teenager died after a suspected stabbing incident in hexham on friday. another boy was also injured and is in a stable condition in hospital. 0ur north of england correspondent fiona trott reports. northumbria police have described this as a suspected stabbing incident. it happened in hexham on friday evening. 15—year—old holly newton was taken to hospital where she later died. a 16—year—old boy was also injured. he is still being treated in hospital and is said to be

in a stable condition. the police say they believe all the teenagers were known to each other. today, a 16—year—old boy appeared here at newcastle magistrates�* court. he cannot be identified because of his young age. he confirmed his name, his date of birth and his address and the judge explained to him that because the charges were so serious, they would have to be dealt with at the crown court and the boy spoke quietly to confirm that he understood the court proceedings, that he understood what would be happening next. he is due to appear at newcastle crown court on february the 1st. holly newton's family have paid tribute to her today. they called her a bright and bubbly teenager, they say that she was loved by many across the north—east of england and was a dancer who took part in competitions all over the country. she had her whole life ahead of her, they said.

"rest in peace, baby girl. 0ur lives will never be the same." now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there. the majority of the country will stay fine and settled for most of this week, in fact, thanks to high pressure. but there is a deep, low pressure system expected to bring some stormier weather to the north of the uk, around the middle part of the week. today, though, we're under the ridge of high pressure. so a lot of dry and settled weather around. lighter winds, too. but this is the low pressure system that will start to bring gales and some rain to the north of the uk. now, as we move through this evening and overnight, first band of rain will spread southwards across the country, lying through central areas by the end of the night. ahead of it, there will be some clear skies, a little bit of cloud, quite chilly here, but behind it, because the winds will be picking up then, not as cold, but there will be plenty of showers rattling in from the west. and you can see lots of isobars on

the charts. it will be turning windier and windier through the day across scotland and northern ireland, with gales developing here, sunny spells, scattered showers, wintry on the hills. further south, once you lose that morning band of cloud and rain, it'll brighten up with plenty of sunshine and again, double figure values in the south, feeling a bit colder further north. let's see what is going on in the world of sport. we have news that all everton fans will be interested in, a new manager appointed to try and rescue them from the threat of relegation. absolutely, a familiar feeling having a new managerial announcement. the club's now confirmed sean dyche as their new manager. the former burnley boss replaces frank lampard who was sacked last week with the side joint bottom

of the premier league. jane dougall is at everton's training ground for us. jane, this was no secret, he was the favourite from the moment lampard was sacked. and dyche's got quite some challenge ahead of him? yes, it certainly was no secret because we saw sean dyche arriving here this morning and he is currently taking training as we speak which is currently ongoing and confirmation came from the club that he did indeed have thejob. it is a 2.5 year contract untiljune 2025 and he will be taking charge of everton's next match this saturday against the league leaders arsenal, so as you say, a pretty tough task to even begin with. he said in a club statement, i know about everton's passionate fan base and how precious this club is to them. we are ready to work and give them what they want. that starts with sweat on the shirts, effort and getting back to some of the basic

principles of what everton football club has stood for for a long time. he does not have much time to get the team playing the way he would like them to and what the fans really want them to do is to stay up. everton arejoint really want them to do is to stay up. everton are joint bottom really want them to do is to stay up. everton arejoint bottom on 15 points and contenders to be relegated from the premier league after such a port string of results under previous manager frank lampard who of course was sacked last week. —— poor string. who of course was sacked last week. —— poorstring. his who of course was sacked last week. —— poor string. his first act may be to bring in a couple of new players as tomorrow's transfer deadline day. the question is will he be given the record is to do so because the owner, farhad moshiri, has put the club up for sale and may not be willing to part with any more money for sean dyche to do so. that we can confirm he has been given thejob as everton manager. confirm he has been given the 'ob as everton mangafi everton manager. some tough tests ahead of him. — everton manager. some tough tests ahead of him, arsenal— everton manager. some tough tests ahead of him, arsenal and - everton manager. some tough tests ahead of him, arsenal and liverpool in the offing for sean dyche. thank you. will move to golf.

rory mcilroy says he's glad he kept his emotions in check, as he beat patrick reed to win the dubai desert classic. the rivalry has intensified between the two since reed joined the breakaway liv golf series which mcilroy has strongly criticised. mcilroy led the field by three shots overnight but reed picked up six in his first 11 holes to wipe out that advantage. they were level heading into the 18th, but mcilroy holed a 20—footer to win. finishing one shot ahead. i knew that i had the chances coming up, ten, 13, 17, 18, but it is tough when you see the person right in front of you birdie those holes or eagles or whatever it is, so i felt the pressure of having to answer and for the most part i did answer but i always felt like it with the way the back nine is here, my legs would give me a bit of an advantage with the parfives and driving give me a bit of an advantage with the par fives and driving the car four. —— parfour.

leeds united are understood to be closing in on their third signing of the january transfer window, withjuventus midfielder weston mckennie due to arrive at the club today. it's anticipated he'll sign a loan deal but that could turn into a permanent transfer. the usa international had attracted interest from elsewhere in the premier league but has opted for leeds, where fellow countrymen tyler adams and brenden aaronson already play. the international paralympic committee's confirmed that all 22 sports included at the tokyo and upcoming paris 2024 games will retain their paralympic places come los angeles 2028. a record 33 para sports submitted applications to the ipc for consideraton for inclusion at the la paralympic games. there could yet be a further addition though with the organisers given the opportunity to choose one new sport. para climbing is among those under consideration for what would be a games debut, as is para—surfing. the final line—up will be confirmed by the end of the year. that's all the sport for now. we will have more reaction for you from sean dyche a's appointment at

everton later on bbc news. for now, back to you, ben. thank you, much more on that breaking news from the premier league this afternoon. schools across england and wales are set to face closures and disruption in the first of a series of strikes by teachers over pay on wednesday. of those who voted, more than nine in ten members of the largest teaching union, the national education union, called for the action. teachers are also expected to walk out for further dates in february and march. for most working parents that will mean taking a day off, working from home, or seeking alternative childcare. fiona lamdin has been talking to families about their plans. we want 10%! these are becoming all too familiar scenes in scotland, where they're already in the middle of a 16—day wave of rolling teacher strikes. and, on wednesday, it's expected over 100,000 teachers in england and wales will strike in a pay dispute.

at this bristol parkrun, families are still working out the logistics. wednesday, currently, is unsure, but one of us will need to take half a day's pay to look after this one. 0ur eldest daughter is allowed to go into school, but adeline needs to stay at home with us. how will you feel about being at home for the day? i'm really happy because if there's no school, you canjust lie in bed. i'm a teacher and i've got two children in primary school, i who we don't yet know whether their teachers j are going to be striking. but i am going to be striking. so we think that maybe his teacher is staying in school— and his teacher isn't. so i think i'll be marching i with the younger one here. it's good that it's open, so we can do more learning, but it would also be nice to have a day off, as well. you might be marching with your mum.

what will that be like? boring. would you rather be at school? probably. i have to go to work. i'm a gp. but my husband can work from home, so fortunately, he'll be working to look after the children. it'll probably be a bit more fun at school because my dad's working. the decision to close or not will be made by each school. this head has decided it's only safe to open for vulnerable pupils or those with an education, health and care plan. so for headteachers up and down the country, it's a challenge as to whether we open the doors of the school to students or whether we have to close down certain year groups or, indeed, the whole school. as heads, we don't know which members of staff will be striking and indeed which ones will come to school and which ones won't. and, obviously, logistically, that's extremely challenging. the department for education says these strikes are highly damaging to children's education

and is urging schools to try and stay open for key year groups facing exams. 15—year—old nancy is taking her gcses in four months, but, despite this, she'll have no lessons on wednesday. 0bviously, i'm in year 11 now, so it is quite a big problem because lessons from now until summer actually count and they go towards our final grade, some of them. so it's quite important that we're in school. and we've missed a lot of school due to covid already. we have to weigh up the short term disruption of these strikes with what's going to be the longer—term disruption being caused by funding cuts and the recruitment and retention crisis. for many pupils and their families, it will be a four—day week with more disruption coming later. fiona lamdin, bbc news. new research into the hiring of the over—50s shows that employers are much less open to bringing in older workers than they are younger people.

the study, carried out by the chartered management institute, showed just 42% of employers are open to hiring people aged between 50 and 64. it comes days after the chancellor jeremy hunt urged people who've retired early to return to work in order to help grow the economy. let's talk more about this with ann francke, she's the ceo of the chartered management institute, a professional body focusing on management and leadership. tell us more about this study and some of the findings you have made. yes, it is very interesting, because just as you said, less than half of employers are willing to hire those people aged over 50 and yet the overwhelming majority are very happy to hire younger people and of course

we have a lot of acute labour shortages and the chancellor is right to say to the older workers, of course, please rejoin the economy, but the reality is that message it needs to go to employers. employers need to be willing to work with and higher older workers and our survey shows that that is simply not the case for the majority. and yet there are very many simple things that can be done to address this. ~ . .., things that can be done to address this. . ., , ., ., things that can be done to address this. . . , ., ., ., things that can be done to address this. . , ., ., ., this. what can be done? how are you auoin to this. what can be done? how are you going to persuade — this. what can be done? how are you going to persuade reluctant - going to persuade reluctant employers they should be hiring some of this age group? the employers they should be hiring some of this age group?— of this age group? the interesting thin is of this age group? the interesting thing is and _ of this age group? the interesting thing is and actually _ of this age group? the interesting thing is and actually many - of this age group? the interesting thing is and actually many of - of this age group? the interesting thing is and actually many of the i thing is and actually many of the things that are used to attract younger workers that are well known will also appeal to older workers, so let me give you some examples. flexible working, older workers frequently have other care responsibilities either for their parents or children's children, but they appreciate the ability to work flexibly, whether that is part time

or days from home. another very important factor is that an inclusive, open culture, and a sense of meaningful work and purpose, again at things we know appeal to younger workers. and leveraging their talents and experience, so giving them mentoring roles or indeed having younger people participate in reverse mentoring with older workers. these are all simple practical things beyond a salary that can be done to get people over 50 back into work. iloathed people over 50 back into work. what is it about older— people over 50 back into work. what is it about older people that employers do not like, do you think? is it pure ageism? is there a kind of prejudice there? because older workers obviously have a more experience in many ways, don't they? they have decades that sometimes. they have decades that sometimes. the irony there is not only do they have decades of experience but they have decades of experience but they have a lot of spending power. let's not forget these older workers have

a lot of money to spend so it is actually notjust it behoves companies to attract older workers from the perspective of their own inclusivity, it also makes perfect economic sense because if customers see older people reflected in for example a customer facing see older people reflected in for example a customerfacing business thatis example a customerfacing business that is serving them, they are going to think it i will give my money to them. so it makes a huge amount of sense, but it is age discrimination which actually is illegal and i would add that companies need to include age in their diversity and inclusion programmes and this is not always the case. fight! inclusion programmes and this is not always the case-— always the case. and are you convinced — always the case. and are you convinced that _ always the case. and are you convinced that members - always the case. and are you convinced that members of l always the case. and are you i convinced that members of this always the case. and are you - convinced that members of this older age group are determined to work, wanting to work? because we hear a lot of reports that post—pandemic quite a lot of the over 50s kind of became i think the technical phrase

is economically inactive, in other words it decided to leave the workplace?— words it decided to leave the worklace? , , ., workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why — workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why the _ workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why the onus _ workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why the onus is _ workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why the onus is as _ workplace? yes, they did indeed, and so this is why the onus is as well- so this is why the onus is as well not only on government but also on employers to attract them back in. make it worth their by leveraging some of the things that we have been discussing, like flexible working, meaningful work, discussing, like flexible working, meaningfulwork, giving discussing, like flexible working, meaningful work, giving them meaningful work, giving them meaningful roles. the other thing i think is very important is that all of our policies and government policies need to make sure that they are also age inclusive, so when we hear things like apprenticeships should only be for young people, thatis should only be for young people, that is actually not true and it is not helpful. many older people need access to retraining programmes to be able to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.— be able to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. very good to talk to the workforce. very good to talk to ou, it to the workforce. very good to talk to you. it is — to the workforce. very good to talk to you. it is an _ to the workforce. very good to talk to you, it is an interesting - to you, it is an interesting subject, isn't it? ceo of the chartered manufacturer institute, thank you very much.

one of the simplest ways to ease pressure on the nhs is to keep people out of hospital in the first place and a community in devon is trying to do that by focusing on keeping them warm. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has been to see how it works. winter in north devon. on days like this, it's best to stay indoors, hopefully in the warm. good morning. mradams? yes. my name is mel. mel eyers is an energy adviser who's been sent to visit roger adams by his gp. i understand you've got some health conditions that you feel the cold more? the pensioner takes 15 tablets a day for a variety of health problems, including asthma. these are energy efficient light bulbs. basically, if you had led light bulbs throughout the whole house, you would save money annually. she hopes to improve his health by warming his home and cutting his bills.

roger has six children and 20 grandchildren and has been married to carol for over 50 years. they have £a5 a week to spend on food. she buys everything from the reduced section. i go look for the bargains. that's what i do, - i look for the bargains. with the money we got, - we spread it as best as we can. and that's it. it don't allow for days out, - or holidays or abroad like that. but we get by. there's a lot of people worse off than us. - have a nice weekend. mel departs with a promise to return to help the couple claim a benefit they may be entitled to. she's off to another client. gps in northern devon have identified hundreds of people, like roger, who have respiratory problems and live in fuel poverty. a year—long scheme sees them visited by advisers who try to improve each home's energy efficiency. living in cold, damp, dark homes is really bad for you if you've got

pre—existing respiratory illness. in the severe group, they often have medical devices that need electricity, such as oxygen concentrators, which they can't afford not to run. and so that's one of the reasons why we chose this population. lots of old, poorly—insulated homes, combined with low incomes, means that fuel poverty levels are higher in devon than nationwide. mel eyers has been shocked by some of what she's seen. i've been in houses where they've got a selection of candles and they're telling me that that's where they get their heat from. they've refused to open their post because they're too scared to, so theyjust don't put the heating on. why won't they open their post? because they're too scared to find out what their energy bills are going to be. i know it's. .. health is not something that we can all control, but certainly, having the heating on, we should be able to do that. mel eyers ending that report and michaeljoins me now.

michael, related to this there's been a survey about the impact of winter pressures? indeed, they are a surveyed just overfour indeed, they are a surveyed just over four and a indeed, they are a surveyed just overfour and a half indeed, they are a surveyed just over four and a half thousand people across britain in the four weeks up to do the 18th, so that is in the lead up to christmas and you may remember there was that cold start late november early december, so it looks at that, and they found around one four people are finding they are struggling to heat their homes comfortably, but at the same time one in seven are actually struggling to feed themselves, without number saying they had concerns that they would run out of food before their next wage was given or next benefit payment arrived, so they were cutting down on portion sizes or in some cases there were actually eating food that was out of date. all of those pressures

understandably have health consequences, with around half of people on the survey almost same they had symptoms of depression because of the pressures they were under, but at the same time as that was happening, the survey also says a one in four wood struggling to get a one in four wood struggling to get a gp appointment within a fortnight and around one in five are struggling to get hospital test. think the cost of living is one of these things that everybody is talking about and everybody is living with, but the impact is not even, it is impacting the poorest in society much more, so most obviously you go to food banks and you see the pressure they are under. you go to a crisis centre and juicy charities then overwhelmed and that is the

extreme and. —— you see charities. there is a lot happening under the service which we are not aware of, i was talking to a woman who has huge debts and relies on credit cards, making minimum payments, so that is giving her sleepless nights. you have people living in rural communities and perhaps there is a rare bus service at they want and they got out during the week was to go to a coffee morning, they can no longer afford the taxi they used to get to go there so they are more stuck at home. one woman i was talking to cannot afford a haircut because of the pressures that she is trying to live with in terms of managing food costs, so there are these headline figures you see from these headline figures you see from the ons these headline figures you see from the 0ns but there are millions of people struggling to make ends meet in a variety of ways as we speak. yes, lots of the combined pressures. thank you very much performing the report and talking through some of the issues. the headlines on bbc news... the nhs in england will get

thousands of extra beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but critics say there won't be enough staff. rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs, saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. at least 32 people have been killed and 150 others injured in an explosion in the pakistani city of peshawar. the parents of a young woman in the uk who died after taking a highly toxic chemical compound sold illegally in diet pills are to meet government ministers ahead of it being reclassified as a poison. campaigners say that tablets containing dnp have been responsible for the deaths of at least 32 vulnerable adults. rhaya barton reports. bethany shipsey was just 21 when she ingested the dnp that would kill her. she had been raped and had a history of overdose.

but no—one in the hospital in february 2017 was prepared for the effects of dnp. there's no antidote, and herfather has campaigned for greater awareness ever since. the body heats up to an extent where they're like... literally like an athlete running an 0lympics, where eventually, unfortunately, they go into cardiac arrest. their body can't withstand it anymore. so that's no reason to thank the minister for what should have already been prevented happening in the first place. bought over the internet as a slimming aid, there were no controls other than the food standards agency treating it as not fit for human consumption. mr shipsey�*s campaign took him to confront the man, who sold her the dnp from ukraine. who is this? you sold her the dnp that killed her. i watched her die in

hospital in four hours. i'm really sorry if i could do anything. if i could, at that moment, if i knew. firing. but as well as a poison, dnp is also an explosive — a highly dangerous substance that should have been on the statute book. the government will now class it as a poison. look at the green eyes. absolutely amazing. totally natural. but for mr shipsey, after 32 deaths, it's not enough. what we'd actually like to see now, immediately, is a ban on dnp. we're aware that other countries, for example, australia and russia, have applied bans for any uses — based on the number of deaths in the uk, which is quite ironic. unfortunately, the uk has the highest number of deaths. bethany�*s legacy means that from next year only a pharmacist can sell dnp and only to someone with an explosives licence

in the hope that no more young people will lose their lives. rhaya barton, bbc news. police in the us state of georgia have rescued a man from an overturned patrol car seconds before it was hit by an oncoming train. the man had stolen a police vehicle during a traffic stop, leading police on a high—speed chase, where he subsequently lost control of the car, which overturned on the train tracks. let's on the train tracks. just take a look at some of the let's just take a look at some of the pictures now. radio: radio, the train struck the patrol car, i it has struck the patrol car. i believe that they may have just got the guy out in time. radio: someonejust got in my patrol car! |

radio: whoever got it is driving at a high rate of speed - with the lights on eastbound. we have eyes on it. coming up to the connector eastbound. he is coming up to university. a1, standby. 41. 41 hard on the train tracks. he is going to roll over. a1, rollover. train! get up! train! move! radio: radio, traini struck the patrol car. good job, officers. got everybody safe. they just saved that man's life for sure. that really was a very narrow

escape. shifting gears now to amsterdam, where it's opened a new underwater bicycle parking garage. the new space was built at a cost of 65 million dollars and is capable of holding thousands of bikes. the facility is seen as a solution to some of the challenges created in a city where almost everyone gets around by cycling. anna holligan takes a look. entering the world's first ever underwater bike park. does it feel surreal to you? actually, no. no. for me, it all feels very normal. i do really like this, but this is what is really special for me, here is that we really go below the water. in a country with more bicycles than people, it's a constant battle to stop lost, abandoned bikes from clogging up the streets. in amsterdam, only to keep the canals functioning, they drag out about 20,000 bicycles each year. this is designed as a safe, secure and spacious sanctuary. before, they were not really like a parking spot.

there was one outside of the station which is, like, quite big as well. but it's always full. actually i always missed the train because it was so difficult to find a spot for my bike. and here we are now, inside what they consider to be the solution. an underwater bike park with space for 7000 bicycles. but it also creates a new problem because it makes it even more attractive to use this system. and we are here in the middle of the city centre of amsterdam, which is already packed and very busy. so this makes it, the system sort of reinforces itself, that more people will use central station to go to and from the train. so how did the dutch capital create this subterranean space? engineers built dams to stop water flooding in from the harbour. the section was pumped dry, the sand dredged up, edges reinforced with concrete walls, and a labyrinth of columns were planted to support the roof. but the challenges

go beyond parking. there are bicycle trafficjams and along those bike paths that have a lot of traffic on them, there are people that are going at different speeds is something that can become quite stressful. and whether that is related to delivery drivers that are often working under quite precarious conditions and have to go very fast to earn their wages and are using e—bikes that are basically electrified motorcycles, as opposed to a child going to school or an elderly person going to the market. then that creates safety challenges for the city. and so they are trying to think about many different ways, whether that is widening bicycle lanes, but also thinking about limiting e—bike speeds, kind of a whole myriad of solutions that need to be implemented quite fast. and also this whole area around amsterdam centraal is quite car—centric and it's not very comfortable to even ride around. and developing infrastructure that promotes bicycle storage actually opens up the space for people. even here, city planners are racing to catch up. anna holland, bbc news, amsterdam.

and we are racing to catch up with the weather. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. today we are under ridge of high pressure so a lot of giant settled weather around with lighter winds but this is the low pressure system that will start to bring gales and rain to the north of the uk. the first band of rain will spread southwards across the country in central areas by the end of the night. ahead of its there will be some clear skies, a with the cloud, quite chilly here but the winds will be picking up and not as cold. plenty of showers rattling in from the west. you can see lots of isobars on the chart. it will be turning windier and windier through the day across scotland and northern ireland, gales developing here. sunny spells, scattered showers, wintry on the hills. further south,

once we lose that morning band of rain, it will brighten up with plenty of sunshine and double—figure values in the south, feeling colder further or. —— further north. this is bbc news, i'm ben brown. the headlines... the nhs in england will get thousands of extra beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but critics say there won't be enough staff. we have 100,000 vacancies in the nhs, more than 150,000 vacancies in social care, so staffing really becomes the absolutely critical constraint about whether some of the ambitions and improvements in today's plan will be able to be delivered. rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs,

saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. what i've done is follow a process, which is the right process. integrity is really important to me. 47 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a blast in the pakistani city of peshawar. the kremlin has dismissed as a "lie" a claim by borisjohnson that he was threatened by vladimir putin, before the russian invasion of ukraine. new research suggests uk bosses are reluctant to hire over—50s, preferring younger workers. ministers and nhs leaders have announced plans to provide hundreds

more ambulances and thousands of hospital beds in england by next winter. 0ne—billion pounds of existing funding is being allocated and there are also measures to try to reduce the number of patients who turn up at a—and—e, and then stay overnight. but there are questions about how the extra resources will be staffed — and some health experts warn the proposals will be undermined by a "burnt out" workforce. 0ur health correspondent, katherine da costa, has the details. right, hi, how are you? i'm rishi, nice to see you. after weeks of unprecedented strain on the nhs, and criticism over record delays in a&e... it's incredibly complicated, actually, managing the flow through... ..the prime minister and health secretary were keen to hear what's working well at north tees hospital... it's a model that we need to make sure we can do more of across the country. so thank you. ..ahead of setting out new plans in front of an audience of health staff.

more beds, more ambulances, more staff, better social care, and if we can deliver on it, if we can deliver on it, then i think we will see, , i know we will see the largest and fastest ever improvement in emergency waiting times in the nhs's history. that is the ambition of our plan that we've set out today. by next winter, there should be 5,000 more per hospital beds in england, an increase of around 5%. 800 new ambulances purchased, around half of those to replace older vehicles. and there will be a new push to get people who are well enough out of hospital more quickly. hello, sir, how are you? the plan builds on work to care for patients in their own homes by monitoring them remotely. it includes greater use of rehab and physiotherapy to avoid overnight stays in hospital. the money to pay for this will come out of funds already promised last autumn. health experts broadly welcomed the proposals to boost capacity, bring down waiting times and improve patient care, but they stress

you can't achieve that unless you have got the right number of staff in the right departments. really important that the government publishes a long—term workforce - strategy for the nhs, _ a plan that has now been promised and delayed quite often, - because that's absolutely critical. we have 100,000 vacancies - in at the nhs, more than 150,000 vacancies in social care, . so staffing really becomes i the absolutely critical constraint i about whether some of the ambitions and improvements in today's plan will be able to be delivered. - the government says it will publish a plan to boost the nhs workforce in england. meanwhile, labour has accused the government of watering down standards by lowering ambulance and a&e targets. there is still a long way to go if we are to avoid long queues and waits like this next winter. katherine da costa, bbc news. 0ur health correspondent

nick triggle has more. this was coming from the port of money announced in the autumn statement which provided the nhs with an extra 6.6 billion over the next two years. but that money was already on top of planned—for increases, so the budget was increasing. because of inflation, they have increased even further and are using some of this extra money to spend on new ambulances and hospital beds. new targets, how ambitious are the new targets? it would be astonishing, ben, if we did not see some improvement anyway in the coming months, as we get closer to spring the rates of flu and covid are coming down. that should naturally improve performance. some are questioning the scale of the ambition, because the target is, by march 2024, 76% of patients who come into a&e will be treated or admitted within four hours. the official target is 95%.

this is still a long way short of where the nhs was seven or eight years ago. some say we should be trying to do more, trying to be more ambitious than the government is. miriam deakin is head of policy and strategy at nhs providers, the membership organisation for nhs trusts in england. we do welcome today's plan as an important step forward to help the nhs address the severe challenges that we see over the winter and there are many positives. the plan is looking to invest in a number of different services, which we think is really important to really alleviate those pressure points on hospitals. it's making some commitments around hospital beds, an extra 5,000 beds, but also expand ambulance capacity, including specialist mental health ambulances and to make an investment in community services to help people recover at home, if they do not need

that trip to the hospital, and also to invest in rehab, reablement so people can leave hospital a lot more promptly when they are well. but i agree the constraining factor here is nhs staffing. as you said, we have got peak levels of vacancies across the nhs. so i think all eyes will be on the chancellor in the march budget and we will be looking to see whether the new nhs workforce plan, the new long—term plan for the nhs workforce, can be fully funded by government, so we can recruit and retain staff in the numbers we need. let's talk through the target. suggestions the targets are not that ambitious, for example, 76% of a&e patients to be dealt with within four hours. that's not really very ambitious, is it? i think on the back of the winter we have just seen, where we have seen unprecedented levels of demand for all services, we have seen some

we have seen some of the worst levels of performance for the most urgent 999 calls, and overcrowding in a&e departments, hospitals running at levels of occupancy many professional say are not safe, so i think what this plan tries to do is provide a key step for the nhs to return to the levels of performance and quality of care that everybody working in the nhs wants to deliver. i think there is agreement around that aim. what we need to underpin that are staff in enough numbers and funding to recruit and retain those staff. we also need to take a look at the bricks and mortar of our nhs and make sure we have got enough capital funding in the system to invest in safe buildings, safe environments for the new beds and the equipment we need. rishi sunak says he "acted pretty decisively" when the former conservative party chairman, nadim zahawi, was found to have broken the ministerial code. labour has called on the prime minister to clarify exactly when he became aware that mr zahawi

had paid a penalty to hmrc. this morning, the prime minister addressed the issue of nadhim zahawi at a q&a session in county durham. you know, what i've done is follow a process, - which is the right process. integrity is really important to me. all of you guys want to see that government's run properly, i that it's run with integrityj and there's accountability when people don't behave in a way i that they should, or if something i doesn't go right, and i that's what we've done. so we have an independent adviser, that's what the government has, it's not me who's doing it. - and what i asked, when all these questions started i coming to light about nadhim zahawi, i asked the independent adviser to get to the bottom of it - and to provide me with the facts. and then on the basis i of the facts, which he did over the part of last week, i was able to make a very quick decision that it was no longer. appropriate for nadhim zahawi to continue in government, i and that's why he's no longer there.

that's what i've done. it relates to things that happened |well before i was prime minister, j so unfortunately, i can't change what happened in the past. i what you can hold me accountable for is, "what did you do about it?" what i did as soon as i knew. about the situation was appoint somebody independent, i looked at it, got the advice, and then acted prettyl decisively to move on. because that's what i thinkj all of you deserve from me and from government. earlier, i asked our political correspondentjonathan blake earlier whether the prime minister can now draw a line under this. rishi sunak is trying to draw a line under the matter, there are some lingering questions about, firstly, as you say, why he appointed nadhim zahawi in the first place and the way that he went about doing something, about the claims around his taxes, which eventually led to him being sacked as conservative party chairman.

there is a bit of lingering ill feeling too from those around nadhim zahawi, who do not really think he was given a fair hearing by the government's independent ethics adviser. sir laurie magnus. they suggest he only had one conversation with nadhim zahawi, although downing street making it clear that there was a follow—up conversation as well. as for nadhim zahawi, we have not heard publicly from him save for the letter he sent to the prime minister in which he offered no apology for his actions and he suggested that he was intending to hang around for an mp on the backbenches for years to come. labour are suggesting that the prime minister needs to come clean about when he knew, in their words, about an investigation, into nadhim zahawi's taxes. the prime minister's official spokesman was asked about that earlier and said the prime minister was advised that no outstanding

issues involving hmrc were there when he appointed nadhim zahawi, but would not go into private discussions between the two men. they reject suggestions the the investigation was rushed, saying there was no timeframe given at all and other opposition parties, the lib dems say nadhim zahawi cannot continue as an mp, he needs to have the whip withdrawn, given everything that has come out and he was found to have done, in terms of breaking the ministerial code around his taxes. so some difficult questions for nadhim zahawi and the prime minister, who is trying his best to shake it off, but given that he settles high standards for himself on day one in the job of integrity, accountability, professionalism at every level in government, it follows that he is going to keep getting questions about his judgment and actions in relation to his ministers and those who have not lived up to those standards. when you say ministers, it's notjust nadhim zahawi, there are others. dominic raab in particular that he

may face more questions about? that investigation is ongoing. by an independent lawyer, appointed by the prime minister before his current adviser was in place who would normally conduct such an investigation. accusations of bullying against the deputy prime minister and justice secretary dominic raab. he denies any wrongdoing. the longer that investigation goes on, of course the more questions we will be about dominic raab's future. should it find that there was a breach of the ministerial code and what the prime minister will do as a result of that. you would think downing street would hope that investigation resolves itself sooner than later so that they can take action accordingly. at least 47 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the pakistani city of peshawar. the blast,

in the northwest of the country, happened at around 1.30pm in the afternoon, when the mosque was packed with worshippers. more than 150 people were injured. a section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. several others are being taken to local hospitals. the cause of the explosion is unclear. a peshawar police chief has said they cannot rule out the possibility of a suicide bombing. earlier, i caught up with tarhub asghar from bbc urdu, she joined us live from lahore with the latest. this blast happened at around 2pm or 3pm. 1or2pm. when, initially, people were offering prayer, the blast happened. according to a person who was there, he told that when he entered the mosque, there was a huge blast and he ended up in hospital. if i talk about the locality of that

mosque where the blast happened, that is quite important, because it is in police headquarters, nearby there are many important buildings like secretariat and interior, provincial interior ministry's office not so far. army's commander house is nearby, so there is huge question how this blast happened, there is a clear security lapse as well. recently, the prime minister and chief of army staff have reached to pashawar inquired people who got injured in the blast are not only this, they have asked officials to submit a report on how this happened. i gatherfrom reading the reports that some of the people who died were members of the police force? if this was an attack, a suicide attack potentially, who might have been responsible for this? officially, no—one has taken

responsibility for the attack but on social media, people from the ttp, are surfing different kind of photographs of a suicide bomber claiming this is a revenge attack in a series of the fact that the leader was dead in the fight. taking revenge from pakistan. this is the fourth attack on pakistan and this is one of the biggest ones in recent weeks. it is a real challenge for the authorities and government to try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, because that is the reason that after this huge attack, the prime minister and chief of army staff, interior minister, they have reached to peshawar, called the security meeting and raise important questions like there were warnings by official that these kind of attacks can be carried out by different terrorist

groups and not only this, how that person managed to reach to that spot, because when we see the locality of that mosque, that is quite important and there are three security checks you have to clear to get to that point. there is only one main gate of the mosque and how that person managed to get through the gates, these are the major questions high officials have raised to the people who were on the ground and taking care of security. tarhub asgharfrom bbc urdu, the headlines on bbc news... the nhs in england will get thousands of extra beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but critics say there won't be enough staff. new research suggests uk bosses are reluctant to hire over—50s, preferring younger workers. the kremlin has dismissed as a "lie" a claim by borisjohnson that he was threatened by vladimir putin, before the russian invasion of ukraine.

for the first time, reporters are to be allowed into family courts in england and wales, as part of an experiment to promote more openjustice. journalists will be given access to three court centres in cardiff, leeds, and carlisle, where they will be able to report what they see and hear, and speak to families, provided they keep their identities anonymous. 0ur correspondent sanchia berg, who has reported widely on the family courts, has been speaking to one mother who went through the process. actor's voice: he's my best friend. like, it sounds bizarre to say that when it's your child, but ijust don't know what i'd do without him. i absolutely love him. caitlin has a young son and two older children who were taken into care several years ago, when they were very small. i've missed out on everything, because i've never taken my older

two children to school. i don't get to tuck them in bed at night and read them stories. i've lost a lot of time. social workers advised, but it was a judge in the family court who decided her children's future. a teenage mother, she says now she was unable to take in what was happening. when i first went to court, the only way that i can explain this is, it's like, i can see everything, i can see people, but i can't hear anything that anyone's saying and it's all a bit of a blur. and when i heard those words "adoption", it was like everything just stopped, there was nothing happening, i couldn't hear anyone any more, i couldn't see anything, i couldn't breathe. every year, there are over 200,000 cases in the family courts in england and wales. most are separating parents, a small minority are care cases, like caitlin's. today, for the first time, journalists will be able to report these cases in three court centres, as long as they keep families anonymous.

it's very significant. for decades, this has been talked about, but it has been put in the, "too difficult" box, because of the need to open up but at the same time keep closed the identity of the family. so this is the first time that we've actually experimented with allowing journalists to report what they see and hear. the archie battersbee case in the family division of the high court captured the headlines last year. supporters of openjustice hope more family cases of all kinds will be reported through the pilot. most enthusiastic are parents, like caitlin. people behave better if they think that this information could go outside. i also think that i probably

would have understood what was happening a little bit better if someone was reporting it. but also, that the courts have been so closed and so private for so long, it's so old—fashioned. a boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of 15—year—old holly newton in northumberland. the teenager died after a suspected stabbing incident in hexham on friday. another boy was also injured and is in a stable condition in hospital. 0ur north of england correspondent fiona trott reports. northumbria police have described this as a suspected stabbing incident. it happened in hexham on friday evening. 15—year—old holly newton was taken to hospital where she later died. a 16—year—old boy was also injured. he is still being treated in hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. the police say they believe all the teenagers were known to each other. today, a 16—year—old boy appeared here at newcastle magistrates�* court.

he cannot be identified because of his young age. he confirmed his name, his date of birth and his address and the judge explained to him that because the charges were so serious, they would have to be dealt with at the crown court and the boy spoke quietly to confirm that he understood the court proceedings, that he understood what would be happening next. he is due to appear at newcastle crown court on february the 1st. holly newton's family have paid tribute to her today. they called her a bright and bubbly teenager, they say that she was loved by many across the north—east of england and was a dancer who took part in competitions all over the country. "she had her whole life ahead of her," they said. "rest in peace, baby girl. 0ur lives will never be the same."

schools across england and wales are set to face closures and disruption in the first of a series of strikes by teachers over pay on wednesday. of those who voted, more than nine in ten members of the largest teaching union, the national education union, called for the action. teachers are also expected to walk out for further dates in february and march. for most working parents that will mean taking a day off, working from home, or seeking alternative childcare. fiona lamdin has been talking to families about their plans. we want 10%! these are becoming all too familiar scenes in scotland, where they are already in the middle of a 16—day wave of rolling teacher strikes. and on wednesday, it's expected over 100,000 teachers in england and wales will strike in a pay dispute. three, two, one, go! at this bristol parkrun, families

are still working out the logistics. wednesday currently is unsure, i but one of us will need to take half a day's pay to look after this one. 0ur eldest daughter is allowed to go into school, but adeline needs - to stay home with us. how will you feel about being at home for the day? really happy, cos if there's no school, you canjust lie in bed. i'm a teacher, and i've got two children in primary school who, we don't yet know whether their teachers are going to be striking, but i am going to be striking. it is nice it is open but it would be good — it is nice it is open but it would be good to—

it is nice it is open but it would be good to learn _ it is nice it is open but it would be good to learn as _ it is nice it is open but it would be good to learn as well. - i have to go to work. i'm a gp. but my husband can work from home, so fortunately, he'll be working to look after the children. it'll probably be a bit more fun at school because my dad's working. the decision to close or not will be made by each school. this head has decided it's only safe to open for vulnerable pupils or those with an education, health and care plan. so for headteachers up and down the country, it's a challenge i as to whether we open the doors of the school to students - or whether we have to close down certain year groups or, _ indeed, the whole school. as heads, we don't know- which members of staff will be striking and indeed which ones will come to school— and which ones won't. and, obviously, logistically,i that's extremely challenging. the department for education says these strikes are highly damaging to children's education and is urging schools to try and stay open for key year groups facing exams. 15—year—old nancy is taking her

gcses in four months, but, despite this, she'll have no lessons on wednesday. 0bviously, i'm in year 11 now, so it is quite a big problem because lessons from now until summer actually count and they go towards our final grade, some of them. so it's quite important that we're in school. and we've missed a lot of school due to covid already. we have to weigh up the short term disruption of these strikes with what's going to be the longer—term disruption being caused by funding cuts and the recruitment and retention crisis. for many pupils and their families, it will be a four—day week with more disruption coming later. fiona lamdin, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there. the majority of the country will stay fine and settled for most of this week, in fact, thanks to high pressure. but there is a deep, low pressure system expected to bring some stormier weather

to the north of the uk, around the middle part of the week. today, though, we're under the ridge of high pressure. so a lot of dry and settled weather around. lighter winds, too. the clouds will build across scotland _ the clouds will build across scotland and _ the clouds will build across scotland and northern i the clouds will build across i scotland and northern ireland the clouds will build across - scotland and northern ireland this evening _ scotland and northern ireland this evening and — scotland and northern ireland this evening and as _ scotland and northern ireland this evening and as we _ scotland and northern ireland this evening and as we move - scotland and northern ireland this evening and as we move through. scotland and northern ireland this. evening and as we move through the i'iili'it evening and as we move through the night iihe _ evening and as we move through the ni. h. i, evening and as we move through the nii hi i, , ~' evening and as we move through the nih- i, , ~ night the rain will sink south. l ini to night the rain will sink south. lying to central _ night the rain will sink south. lying to central parts - night the rain will sink south. lying to central parts by - night the rain will sink south. | lying to central parts by dawn. chilly clear spell, further north and west. it will be less cold but windy with frequent showers. that will work south through tuesday.

this area of low pressure starts to exert its force now across the north of the country. so the winds will be picking up across scotland and northern ireland with gales developing later in the day. there'll be sunny spells and plenty of showers running in on that strong westerly wind, a bit of wintriness over the high ground across scotland, too. but for much of england and wales, once we lose that early band of cloud and rain, it'll be bright with some sunshine temperatures into double figures again. but through tuesday night, certainly we've got some concerns with some very strong winds which will affect scotland, particularly the northern half of scotland. we could see gusts in excess of 70, 80 miles an hourfor northern scotland in towards the northern isles. and you can see the squeeze in those isobars as that low pressure system moves in towards the norwegian sea early on wednesday. so a very windy start across the north of the uk. the winds will ease down though through the day. we'll have some rain affecting northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england. to the south of it though, variable cloud, some sunshine, temperatures into double figures and the winds are not a feature there, but the winds will ease down further north as you move through thursday and friday. and if anything, this area of high pressure starts to exert its force across the country again, just keeping the weather front and the stronger winds at bay,

mainly affecting northern parts of the uk. but generally speaking, for the end of the week and indeed into the weekend, it will be largely settled thanks to high pressure.

hello, this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines: the nhs in england will get thousands of extra beds and hundreds of ambulances to tackle delays in emergency care, but critics say there won't be enough staff. we have 100,000 vacancies in the nhs, more than 150,000 vacancies in social care, so staffing really becomes the absolutely critical constraint about whether some of the ambitions and improvements in today's plan will be able to be delivered. rishi sunak defends his handling

of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs, saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. what i have done is follow a process which is the right process. integrity is really important to me. at least 47 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a blast in the pakistani city of peshawar. the kremlin has dismissed as a "lie" a claim by borisjohnson that he was threatened by vladimir putin before the russian invasion of ukraine. new research suggests uk bosses are reluctant to hire over—sos, preferring younger workers. sport and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. some big news from the premier league. absolutely, from everton,

almost a familiar story without managerial merry go round since owner farhad moshiri took over, this is his seventh in seven years. the club's now confirmed sean dyche as their new manager. the former burnley boss replaces frank lampard who was sacked last week with the side joint bottom of the premier league. jane dougall is at everton's training ground for us. it is a 2.5 year contract untiljune 2025 and he will be taking charge for everton's next match this saturday against the league leaders arsenal, so as you say, a pretty tough task to even begin with. he said in a club statement, "i know about everton's passionate fan base and how precious this club is to them. we are ready to work and give them what they want. that starts with sweat on the shirts, effort and getting back to some of the basic principles of what everton football club has stood for for a long time." he does not have much time to get the team playing

the way he would like them to do and what the fans really want them to do is to stay up. everton are joint bottom on 15 points and contenders to be relegated from the premier league after such a poor string of results under previous manager frank lampard who of course was sacked last week. his first act may be to bring in a couple of new players as tomorrow's transfer deadline day. the question is will he be given the resources to do so because the owner, farhad moshiri, has put the club up for sale and may not be willing to part with any more money for sean dyche to do so. but we can confirm he has been given thejob as everton manager. jane are speaking to me a short while ago and mentioning the transfer window closing tomorrow. brighton have rejected a second bid from arsenal for midfielder moises caicedo and say he is not for sale. the ecuador international has told brighton he wants to leave the club and in turn caicedo has been instructed to remain away

from training until the transfer window closes tomorrow night. arsenal as well as chelsea had offers for caicedo turned down last week. the latest offer from mikael aretea's side is thought to be in the region of £70m, but brighton remain adamant he will not be sold. one man who could be moving before tomorrow's transfer deadline is manchester city full backjoao cancelo. he was seen as a key player in the city squad, but has started just two games since the world cup, which both ended in defeat. the emergence of teenager rico lewis and nathan ake's form have improved pep guardiola's options on the left side of defence. bayern munich are understood to be looking for a loan deal with the option to buy. rory mcilroy says he's glad he kept his emotions in check, as he beat patrick reed to win the dubai desert classic. the rivalry has intensified between the two since reed joined the breakaway liv golf series which mcilroy has strongly criticised. mcilroy led the field by three shots overnight but reed picked up six in his first

11 holes to wipe out that advantage. they were level heading into the 18th, but mcilroy holed a 20—footer to win, finishing one shot ahead. i knew that i had the chances coming up, ten, 13, i7, 18, but it is tough when you see the person right in front of you birdying those holes or eagling those holes or whatever it is, so i felt the pressure of having to answer and for the most part i did answer, but i always felt like with the way the back nine is here, my length would give me a little bit of an advantage with the par fives and then with 17, the drivable par four. australian open champion novak djokovic says he's focused on making more history in the sport after winning his 22nd grand slam title which brought him level with rafael nadal. the 35—year—old world number one has been showing off the trophy he's now won ten times. djokovic admits this year's tournament in melbourne took a huge mental toll on him due to off—court controversies, and fears about how the crowd would respond to him after he was deported from australia last year due to his

covid vaccine status. djokovic says he was delighted by how he was welcomed in melbourne, and is already planning his return next year. that's all the sport for now. back to you, ben. thank you very much indeed. the former prime minister boris johnson has told the bbc that vladimir putin personally threatened him in the run—up to russia's invasion of ukraine. in a documentary series about mr putin's leadership, he described how the russian president told him it would "only take a minute" to hurt him with a missile. a kremlin spokesman has called mrjohnson's claim a "lie". more from our diplomatic correspondent james landale. kyiv, last february, a city on the brink of war. borisjohnson arrives in a show of support, for a president who is yet to replace his suit and tie with army fatigues. alongside other countries, we are also preparing a package of sanctions and other measures.

the prime minister publicly urges russia not to invade, prompting an astonishing reaction from president putin. i get back from kyiv and the following day, i've got putin on the blower again. and this is a very long call, and a most extraordinary call. he was being very, very familiar. mrjohnson told him invading ukraine would mean more nato forces on his border. we will leave that reports from james and go to the commons because the health secretary stephen barclay is delivering a statement there on what he has called the urgent and emergency care recovery plan. called the urgent and emergency care recovery plan-— recovery plan. let's listen to what he has to say- _ recovery plan. let's listen to what he has to say. the _ recovery plan. let's listen to what he has to say. the backlog - recovery plan. let's listen to what he has to say. the backlog of- he has to say. the backlog of two—year waits in england and our primary care recovery plan will be published in the next few weeks to support the vital front door to the

nhs through primary care. today, together with nhs england, we are setting out our plans to reduce waiting times in urgent and emergency care. through an increased focus on management before patients get to hospital and greater support to enable patients to leave hospital more quickly. that will be through care at home or in the community supported with a clinical safety net. in addition, this plan sets out how we will adopt best practice within hospitals, learning from those that have displayed the greatest resilience in meeting the heightened pressures this winter. mr speaker, today's announcement on urgent emergency care does not sit in isolation. it is part of a longer term improvement plan building on the legislative change in enacted last year to better integrate health and social care through the 42 integrated health boards. those became operational injuly last became operational in july last

year. became operational injuly last year. this in turn was prioritised for additionalfunding year. this in turn was prioritised for additional funding through the 14.1 billion announced for health and social care in the autumn statement. following the spike in flu cases over christmas, with impatient through case emissions 100 times that of the previous year, and that despite having extremely quickly having a sevenfold increase into december. —— in—patient case admissions. we give extra capacity to the departments. today's plan developed in partnership with nhs england and social care partners, builds on those actions and that investment as i set out to the house earlier this month. as we put in place more substantive changes

required to enable the nhs have greater resilience this time next year. to do so, this plan involves embracing technology and new ways of working to transform how patients access care before and after being in hospital. that in turn will help break a cycle of emergency departments in particular coming under significant strain in winter. mr speaker, our plan has a number of commitments that are both ambitious and credible. first we are committed to a year on year improvements in a&e waiting times. by next march we won 70 patients seen within three hours. —— 76%. our next commitment is to improve ambulance response times, in particular category two, to allow a time of 30 minutes by next march. again in the following

year, we work to bring i'm jealous response times towards pre—pandemic levels. the college of paramedics i'm pleased to say has welcomed the planet saying it is pleased to see a strong focus on the recovery of the category to cohort and this will not be the limit of our ambition but it is vital we get these first steps right and that we are credible as well as ambitious. to put these targets in context, achieving both would represent one of the fastest and largest sustained improvement in the history of the nhs. underpinning these promises, mr speaker, is at one or more essential commitment, a commitment to better data and better, greater transparency. 0n data, the best performing hospitals have benefited from the introduction of patient control centres to quickly identify blockages in a patient�*s jenny. quickly identify blockages in a patient�*sjenny. e bad management systems to speed up the availability

of beds when they become free. —— e—bed. through this time we will prioritise investment in improving systemwide database within the integrated care boards and on an individual trust and hospital site basis. this will allow quicker escalation when issues arise and a better systemwide response when individual sites face specific challenges. 0n individual sites face specific challenges. on it greater transparency, first summertime, voices across the nhs have called for the number of 24—hour weights from the time of arrival in a&e to be published, something i know the royal college of emergency medicine has long campaigned for and i can see the honourable lady nodding her head. indeed there has been criticism, including from the benches opposite, with the government refusing to revise this transfer is the data published to date has been from transmission and not arrival in a&e. —— refusing to

provide this data. fur transversely to be meaningful, we must be prepared to publish data even when that transparency brings challenges. today i can conform the house that from april we will publish the number of 24—hour weights from the time of arrival. doctor adrian boyle, president of the royal couege boyle, president of the royal college of emergency medicine, previously said the full publication of this data will be an immensely positive step that could be the catalyst for the transformation of the urgent and emergency care pathway that should help to improve the quality of care for patients and i hope it is a transparency that is welcomed across the house. mr speaker, our plan focuses on five areas, setting out increased capacity and emergency care, growing workforce, speeding discharge, new services in the community and making

it easierfor people services in the community and making it easier for people to access the right care. action in each area is based on evidence and experience. learning lessons from the pandemic and building on what we know can work. more than that, we are backing our plan with the funds we need. the government is committed to additional targeted funding to boost capacity in acute services and the wider system. that is why, mr speaker, this package includes a 1 billion of dedicated funding to support hospital capacity, building on the 500 million we provided over this winter to support local areas to increase their overall health and social care capacity. taken social care capacity. ta ken together, social care capacity. taken together, mr speaker, this plan will cut urgent and emergency care waiting times. it will do so firstly ijy waiting times. it will do so firstly by increasing capacity with 800 new ambulances on the road, of which 100 are a new specialist mental health ambulances which come together with funding to support 5000 new hospital beds as part of the permanent bed

base for next winter. secondly, by growing and supporting the work space and we are on track to deliver on our manifesto commitments to recruit over 50,000 nurses with over 30,000 recruited since 2019. the nhs will publish its long—term workforce plan this year. weirdo are also boosting capacity and staff in social care by investment of up to 2.8 billion next year and 4.7 billion the year after. —— we are also boosting. speeding up discharge of patients who are ready to leave hospital, freeing up more beds, like the successful approach i saw this morning at the university hospital of north tees. 40, by expanding a better connecting news services in the community like joined better connecting news services in the community likejoined up care for the frail and elderly. this includes a new service, so more elderly patients can be treated

without admission to hospital. virtual wards are also showing the way forward for hospital care at home. with a growing base of evidence showing virtual awards are a safe and efficient alternative to being in hospital. 0uraim is a safe and efficient alternative to being in hospital. our aim is to have up to 50,000 people a month being supported away from hospitals in high—tech virtual awards, the sort that watford general hospital has been pioneering, which i saw last month. finally, we are improving patient experience by making it easier to access the right care, including a better experience with nhs one—on—one and better advice at the front door of a&e is so patients are triage to the right part of the hospital without always needing to go through the emergency department. as is currently the case at maidstone hospital, as i saw earlier this month. these arejust some of the practical improvements

already being delivered in a small number of trusts, which through this plan we will adopted more widely across the nhs and in doing so, deliver the greater resilience ahead of next winter. mr speaker, i am pleased that nhs providers has welcomed today's plan and that the royal college of emergency medicine has called it, and i quote, a welcome and significant step on the road to recovery. taken together with all the other vital work happening across health and care, including our plans to cut waiting times, today's plan will enable better care in the community and at home and that care to be more integrated with services in hospitals and for existing practice sir be more widely adopted. recommend this statement to the house. , i, i, , i , recommend this statement to the i house._ , thanked house. shadow secretary. , thanked the secretary _ house. shadow secretary. , thanked the secretary of _ house. shadow secretary. , thanked the secretary of state _ house. shadow secretary. , thanked the secretary of state for _ house. shadow secretary. , thanked the secretary of state for advanced l the secretary of state for advanced site for statement? after 13 years

of conservative mismanagement, patients are waiting longer than ever before. heart attack and stroke victims are waiting more than an hour and a half for an ambulance, 24 hours in a&e is notjust a tv programme, it is the grim reality forfar too many programme, it is the grim reality for far too many patients. programme, it is the grim reality forfar too many patients. 7.2 million people are waiting for nhs treatment. why? the front door is broken, people are finding it impossible to get a gp appointment so they end up in a&e. at the same time at the exit door is broken because care in the community is not available. patients are trapped in hospital, sometimes for months, and in between the two, is a workforce thatis in between the two, is a workforce that is overstretched, burnt out, ignored by government ministers and forced out on strike. does this plan even attempt to get patients a gp appointment sooner? no. does the time resort district nursing so patients can be cared for in at the

comfort of their own homes? no. does this planet see ministers swallowing their pride and entering negotiations with nurses and paramedics? no. does this plan expand the number of doctors and nurses are needed to treat patients on time again? no. the health secretary said a lot of things but he did not say when it patients can expect to see a return to save waiting times. his colleague, the ministerfor waiting times. his colleague, the minister for social care, rather let the cat out of the bag this morning. she was asked to, and i quote, is there any plan at all for when we will get back to 95% of patients in a&e being seen within four hours? she responded, and i'm notjoking, her answer was, and i quote, she responded, and i'm notjoking, heranswerwas, and i quote, i cannot tell you that. how can he claim his plan is ambitious and credible? what kind of emergency care plan does not even attempt to return waiting times to safe levels?

it is a plan that is setting the nhs up it is a plan that is setting the nhs up to fail right from the start. a planet for managed decline. these targets are not plucked out of thin air, patients waiting more than five hours in a&e are more likely to lose their lives, so our heart attack and stroke victims waiting more than 18 minutes for an ambulance. sadly, thatis minutes for an ambulance. sadly, that is exact what has happened this winter. that is what happened this summer and it has been going on since before the pandemic began. the four our a&e waiting time target has not been met since 2015. the only time the conservatives have met the 18 minute target for ambulance response times was during lockdown. what is his ambition are now? 30 minutes. 30 minutes waiting for a heart attack and stroke victim to receive an ambulance when every second counts. isn't it the truth

that they miss the target so they are moving the goalposts, fiddling the figures rather than fixing the crisis? and he boasts he is pouring more money in, £14 billion, almost as much as his department has wasted on dodgy unusable ppe. yet standards are being watered down, so can he explain why patients are paying more in tax but waiting longer for care? why is it that under the conservatives we are always paying more but getting less? so what is their answer? more but getting less? so what is theiranswer? i more but getting less? so what is their answer? i quote again, there are so many people in hospital who would not need to be there if we could provide quality care at home. medical science and technology offers a world of possibility for the nhs to transform patient care, virtual awards allow people to receive hospital care at home, and quote. there is a the secretary of

state's words, mr speaker, that is my party conference speech. he did not have a plan for the nhs so he is nicking labour's. i not have a plan for the nhs so he is nicking labour's. lam happy for not have a plan for the nhs so he is nicking labour's. i am happy for him to adopt our plans, but here is what he missed. you cannot provide good care in the community and people's homes or in the hospital without the staff to care for people. that is the supermassive black hole in his account published today. people. virtual awards without any staff is not hospital at home, it is home alone. so where is his plan to restore care in the community? labour will double the number of district nurses qualified every year, so can he hurry up and nick that plan too? and of course a good care in the community is not a substitute for good care in hospital, we need both now. so why in the middle of the biggest crisis in the middle of the biggest crisis in the middle of the biggest crisis in the history of the nhs, with hospitals so obviously short of

staff, is his university is a minister writing to medical schools to tell them not to train any more doctors? this is ludicrous. labour will double the number of medical school places and create 10,000 new nursing and midwifery pinnacle placements all paid for by abolishing the non—dom tax status. i know the prime minister might not like that last bit... the prime minister might not like that last bit, they are all complaining opposite but they do not complain when they put up income tax, mr speaker. the prime minister does not like it, but perhaps this would be a good time for the conservatives to act tough on tax dodgers, so when he is he going to nick that plan? and when is he going to finally get his act together and end the strikes in the nhs, or perhaps i'm speaking the monkey when the chancellor is the organ grinder? if that is the case, when will we get a chance to question the real health secretary on the strikes this one is causing

in the nhs? labour will create more front doors in the nhs, tackle the crisis and social care. he offers at sticking plasters and by now it is very clear only labour can offer patients the fresh start the nhs needs. he patients the fresh start the nhs needs. , i. patients the fresh start the nhs needs. , i, i, ' _ i, ,, needs. he started off by thanking for advance _ needs. he started off by thanking for advance sight _ needs. he started off by thanking for advance sight of _ needs. he started off by thanking for advance sight of this - needs. he started off by thanking l for advance sight of this statement and then— for advance sight of this statement and then gave a series of remarks that simply— and then gave a series of remarks that simply ignored what was in the statement. even his last pointjust shows_ statement. even his last pointjust shows how— statement. even his last pointjust shows how riddled with contradictions at the approach from the opposition benches. he says in a to b is _ the opposition benches. he says in a to b is that_ the opposition benches. he says in a to b is that he supports the pay review— to b is that he supports the pay review body process, that is the officiai— review body process, that is the official position or at least was but he — official position or at least was but he says we should beat negotiating individually with the trade _ negotiating individually with the trade unions and disregarding the pay review process. —— he says in interviews — pay review process. —— he says in interviews. there is no consistency on that_ interviews. there is no consistency on that at— interviews. there is no consistency on that at all. he talks about operational... you have just had your— operational... you have just had your go. — operational... you have just had your go. you _ operational... you have just had

your go, you can hear the answers. he says _ your go, you can hear the answers. he says it— your go, you can hear the answers. he says it is— your go, you can hear the answers. he says it is about operational performance and i try to be fair to the fact— performance and i try to be fair to the fact that actually these are challenges that are shared across the united kingdom. they are shared globally _ the united kingdom. they are shared globally. you seem to think of these were just _ globally. you seem to think of these were just unique to england alone and yet _ were just unique to england alone and yet you only need to look at the fact that _ and yet you only need to look at the fact that more than 50,000 people in walesi _ fact that more than 50,000 people in wales, notwithstanding it is a smaller— wales, notwithstanding it is a smaller population, but more than 50,000 _ smaller population, but more than 50,000 people in wales are waiting over two— 50,000 people in wales are waiting over two years but the operation and when _ over two years but the operation and when we _ over two years but the operation and when we cleared that in the summer in engiand _ when we cleared that in the summer in england with fewer than 2000 in that cohort. he talks about workforce, obviously did not bother to read _ workforce, obviously did not bother to read what we said in the statement, we are on track to dether— statement, we are on track to deliver our— statement, we are on track to deliver our manifesto commitment with over— deliver our manifesto commitment with over 50,000 nurses, we have over 30,000 so far. just compared to last year. _ over 30,000 so far. just compared to last year. it _ over 30,000 so far. just compared to last year, it would have thousand more _ last year, it would have thousand more nurses in the nhs this year compared — more nurses in the nhs this year compared to last year. —— two and a

half thousand — compared to last year. —— two and a half thousand more nurses. the first five years— half thousand more nurses. the first five years we were dealing with the letter _ five years we were dealing with the letter that — five years we were dealing with the letter that said no money was left, so the _ letter that said no money was left, so the first— letter that said no money was left, so the first five years were indeedm _ so the first five years were indeed... they do not seem to like the response, mr speaker, but the facts— the response, mr speaker, but the facts speak— the response, mr speaker, but the facts speak for themselves, two and a half— facts speak for themselves, two and a half thousand more nurses this year— a half thousand more nurses this year than — a half thousand more nurses this year than last year. they have an older— year than last year. they have an older population, more convex needs and the _ older population, more convex needs and the consequences of the pandemic are severe _ and the consequences of the pandemic are severe but they are severe across — are severe but they are severe across the _ are severe but they are severe across the uk and other countries across— across the uk and other countries across the — across the uk and other countries across the globe. he says that the statement — across the globe. he says that the statement did not cover the plan for gps but _ statement did not cover the plan for gps but again i was clear this was one of— gps but again i was clear this was one of three plans. we have the elected — one of three plans. we have the elected plan in the summer which hit its first— elected plan in the summer which hit its first milestone. we have at the second _ its first milestone. we have at the second component today in terms of urgent _ second component today in terms of urgent and _ second component today in terms of urgent and emergency care. we will set out _ urgent and emergency care. we will set out in _ urgent and emergency care. we will set out in the coming weeks, through the work— set out in the coming weeks, through the work nry— set out in the coming weeks, through the work my colleague on the front bench _ the work my colleague on the front bench is _ the work my colleague on the front bench is doing, our approach in terms — bench is doing, our approach in terms of— bench is doing, our approach in terms of primary care. that is the

approach — terms of primary care. that is the approach we are taking. we do not have _ approach we are taking. we do not have the _ approach we are taking. we do not have the pandemic 13 years ago, sow _ have the pandemic 13 years ago, sow i_ have the pandemic 13 years ago, sow i can — have the pandemic 13 years ago, so... i can only surmise, mr speaker, _ so... i can only surmise, mr speaker, he— so... i can only surmise, mr speaker, he did not quite get his remarks — speaker, he did not quite get his remarks right which is why he feels the need _ remarks right which is why he feels the need to— remarks right which is why he feels the need to keep chuntering now and have a _ the need to keep chuntering now and have a second, third, fourth go. perhaps — have a second, third, fourth go. perhaps next time. on ambition, he ignores _ perhaps next time. on ambition, he ignores the — perhaps next time. on ambition, he ignores the fact that we need to balance — ignores the fact that we need to balance being ambitious about being reaiistic— balance being ambitious about being realistic and these metrics are and if realistic and these metrics are and it view— realistic and these metrics are and it view of— realistic and these metrics are and if view of nhs england, they've sustained improvement. and on funding, — sustained improvement. and on funding, we are putting in an extra £141 _ funding, we are putting in an extra £141 hiiiion — funding, we are putting in an extra £14.1 billion of funding funding, we are putting in an extra £141 billion of funding into health and £14.1 billion of funding into health and social— £141 billion of funding into health and social care over the next two years _ and social care over the next two years which — and social care over the next two years which reflects the fact that notwithstanding the many competing pressures _ notwithstanding the many competing pressures that the chancellor faced at the _ pressures that the chancellor faced at the autumn statement he prioritise health and social care, alongside — prioritise health and social care, alongside education, as the key

areas _ alongside education, as the key areas that— alongside education, as the key areas that were prioritised, not least _ areas that were prioritised, not least with— areas that were prioritised, not least with standing the competing challenges. 0urvirtualawards, hannah— challenges. 0urvirtualawards, hannah quite realised he was the clinician— hannah quite realised he was the clinician that invented virtual awards _ clinician that invented virtual awards -- _ clinician that invented virtual awards. —— i had not quite realised. ithink— awards. —— i had not quite realised. i think the _ awards. —— i had not quite realised. i think the credit for virtual wards goes _ i think the credit for virtual wards goes to— i think the credit for virtual wards goes to the staff such as i met at watford — goes to the staff such as i met at watford who are the ones who are driving _ watford who are the ones who are driving forward that innovation and it is slightly strange he wants to sometimes claim ownership of something that has been clinically led something that has been clinically ied try— something that has been clinically led by those working at the front line _ led by those working at the front line we — led by those working at the front line. we have recognised its value and that— line. we have recognised its value and that is— line. we have recognised its value and that is why on various visits i have _ and that is why on various visits i have been— and that is why on various visits i have been discussing how we scale those _ have been discussing how we scale those virtual water plans. chair have been discussing how we scale those virtual water plans.— those virtual water plans. chair of the select committee. _ those virtual water plans. chair of the select committee. will - those virtual water plans. chair of| the select committee. will forward to iioin the select committee. will forward to going through — the select committee. will forward to going through the _ the select committee. will forward to going through the plan - the select committee. will forward to going through the plan with - the select committee. will forward to going through the plan with the | to going through the plan with the secretary of state in detail when it comes to the select committee tomorrow. will cause attempt to prevent them, what if you need to

put this ambition and practice? the fundini as put this ambition and practice? the funding as part of the 2.8 billion share _ funding as part of the 2.8 billion share put— funding as part of the 2.8 billion share put in place, actually i think one of— share put in place, actually i think one of the — share put in place, actually i think one of the key things is the equity of the _ one of the key things is the equity of the data to see where there are gaps. _ of the data to see where there are gaps, how— of the data to see where there are gaps, how we get the right levels of community— gaps, how we get the right levels of community response. that is something that has been set up to take an _ something that has been set up to take an integrated approach on and i think that _ take an integrated approach on and i think that will be one of the control— think that will be one of the control centres that they will set ”p control centres that they will set up which — control centres that they will set up which will allow greater visibility of where that is being delivered and how we escalate it when _ delivered and how we escalate it when it — delivered and how we escalate it when it is— delivered and how we escalate it when it is not.— when it is not. thank you, mr speaker- _ when it is not. thank you, mr speaker. 300,000 _ when it is not. thank you, mr speaker. 300,000 vacancies | when it is not. thank you, mr l speaker. 300,000 vacancies in when it is not. thank you, mr - speaker. 300,000 vacancies in health and social care means his plans will never be delivered, so what is he doing to retain the burnt out traumatised staff who currently work in the nhs and resolve their pay dispute and to put enough money on

the table to pay social care staff enough to come and work in the service? staff enough to come and work in the service? we staff enough to come and work in the service? ~ i i, , service? we recognise the huge iressure service? we recognise the huge pressure on _ service? we recognise the huge pressure on a — service? we recognise the huge pressure on a social— service? we recognise the huge pressure on a social care, - service? we recognise the huge pressure on a social care, that l service? we recognise the huge| pressure on a social care, that is why at the autumn statement, the chancellor set out the biggest ever increase in funding of 7.5 million over two years into social care of any government. we are putting more funding in. in terms of workforce more generally, the prime minister has committed, as has the chancellor, to bring forward the workforce plan, which will set out the longer plan ambition on the workforce, and for that to be independently verified. in addition, we are recruiting more staff. i updated the house, 3% more doctors this year compared to last year, 3% more nurses, the increase, 40% more paramedics compared to 2010, or more consultants compared to 2010. we are recruiting more staff, but the grown—up position is to recognise that there is more demand. i warmly welcome the plan set out by my right honourable friend today. he

will know that one of the reasons we face so much pressure is because successive governments have not focused enough on the prevention agenda. indeed, last week's news that the government will not be going ahead with individual focus plans on cancer, dementia and mental health has concerned many. can i asked my right honourable friend just to assure this house that when it comes to the government's new major condition strategy, that it will be published properly, it will be comprehensive and significant. i'm happy to give my honourable friend that assurance, but i can reassure the house that our commitment to the missions through the offices is absolutely there. he is right that we are bringing out together, and i think we should take a holistic view to that approach, but i absolutely share his ambition in terms of prevention, and what i set out in early january was the

three phased approach, which is the immediate response to the pressures we saw from the flu spiked over christmas, the 250 million, and the second part of that is what i have just announced today, how do we build greater resilience into the system looking ahead to next winter, and the third element is the major condition is paper, which is around the prevention piece, which is bringing forward the very innovative work that the college of life science are doing, and bringing that forward into impacting the front line of the nhs much sooner than might have otherwise been the case. i want to raise the case of a constituent who described the state of the salford royal a&e earlier. he set her partner was taken earlier, with severe infection and breathing problems. it is one of the great alliances of

modern history. we shower common interests which are growing by the day, we shower common values. two strong democracies which will remain, i assure you, two strong democracies. this alliance is something president biden has committed to, i have known him for 40 years, he is a true friend of israel, a true champion of this alliance, as are you, i am not sure alliance, as are you, i am not sure all of his real no your own contribution of helping us with mizzle defence will sub you helped us with one crisis in record time and did so again i havejust helped us push back on the attempts to delegitimise israel at the united nations and we are grateful for that and your continued friendship. your visit comes at an important time, a

time when many of the international community, most of the international community, most of the international community have seen the two face of iran, the barbarism of this regime against its own people, how it exports aggression beyond its borders and beyond the middle east. and i think it is a common consensus this regime must not acquire nuclear winds. we have had very good discussions on forging a common policy trying to work together to thwart the danger. i can repeat something you have heard me say many times. 0ur something you have heard me say many times. our policy under my policy is to do everything within israel's power to prevent iran from acquiring nuclear met weapons and the means to deliver them. that will remain so but the fact we in the united states are working together is something thatis are working together is something that is important for this common goal as well. in addition to

thwarting the danger we also see an opportunity to seize opportunities. the opportunities of expanding the circle of peace, we intend to deepen the peace we have made, we discussed some of the initiatives we are considering doing together. but also to perhaps achieve dramatic breakthroughs that i think could be both historic and enormously significant in our common efforts to bring prosperity, security and peace to this part of the world and beyond. with this in mind i have to tell you i believe expanding the circle of peace, working to close finally the... with this in mind i have to tell you i believe expanding the

circle of peace, working to close, finally, the file of the arab—israeli conflict would help us find a solution with our palestinian neighbours and i once again welcome you tojerusalem. it is neighbours and i once again welcome you to jerusalem.— you to jerusalem. it is very good to see ou. you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you- i— you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you- i want _ you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you. i want to _ you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you. i want to thank _ you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you. i want to thank you - you to jerusalem. it is very good to see you. i want to thank you for. see you. i want to thank you for what _ see you. i want to thank you for what has — see you. i want to thank you for what has been as always a very productive, very candid, and i think important _ productive, very candid, and i think important discussion that covered a lot of— important discussion that covered a lot of issues. as identifying arrival— lot of issues. as identifying arrival in _ lot of issues. as identifying arrival in israel i expressed directly— arrival in israel i expressed directly to the prime minister my condolences and that of the united states— condolences and that of the united states government for the seven israeiis _ states government for the seven israelis who were killed in the horrific— israelis who were killed in the horrific terrorist attack earlier this week— horrific terrorist attack earlier this week outside their synagogue. president _ this week outside their synagogue. president biden called the prime minister— president biden called the prime minister immediately after the attack— minister immediately after the attack to underscore the united states's— attack to underscore the united states's support for israel and its people. _ states's support for israel and its people. a — states's support for israel and its people, a message i reaffirm at the meeting _ people, a message i reaffirm at the

meeting we just had. in the context of this— meeting we just had. in the context of this attack, and escalating vioience. _ of this attack, and escalating violence, it is important to government and people of israel know america's_ government and people of israel know america's commitment to their security— america's commitment to their security remains ironclad. that commitment is backed up by nearly 75 years of— commitment is backed up by nearly 75 years of united states support. america's— years of united states support. america's commitment has never wavered, — america's commitment has never wavered, it — america's commitment has never wavered, it never will and today the prime _ wavered, it never will and today the prime minister and wavered, it never will and today the prime ministerand i have wavered, it never will and today the prime minister and i have discussed ways we _ prime minister and i have discussed ways we can continue to strengthen our partnership and our shared security— our partnership and our shared security interests. we agree that iran security interests. we agree that iran must— security interests. we agree that iran must never be allowed to acquire — iran must never be allowed to acquire a _ iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and we discussed — acquire a nuclear weapon and we discussed deepening cooperation to confront— discussed deepening cooperation to confront and counter iran's destabilising activities in the region— destabilising activities in the region and beyond. just as iran has lon- region and beyond. just as iran has long supported terrorists that attacked israelis and others there providing — attacked israelis and others there providing jones to kill innocent special— providing jones to kill innocent special innocent civilians. russia's

ongoing _ special innocent civilians. russia's ongoing atrocities underscore the importance of providing support for all of— importance of providing support for all of ukraine's needs, humanitarian, economic as it bravely defends— humanitarian, economic as it bravely defends its— humanitarian, economic as it bravely defends its people and it's very right— defends its people and it's very right to — defends its people and it's very right to exist, at topic we also discussed _ right to exist, at topic we also discussed today. one of the most effective — discussed today. one of the most effective ways to make israel more secure _ effective ways to make israel more secure is _ effective ways to make israel more secure is to— effective ways to make israel more secure is to continue to build hridges — secure is to continue to build hridges in _ secure is to continue to build bridges in the region and even well treyond _ bridges in the region and even well beyond the region. that is why we have _ beyond the region. that is why we have worked relentlessly to deepen and broaden the abraham accord and other normalisation agreements between — other normalisation agreements between israel and arab states. eariier— between israel and arab states. earlier this month a large delegation from across the us governmentjoint representatives government joint representatives from egypt, governmentjoint representatives from egypt, iran, morocco, uae in abu dhahi — from egypt, iran, morocco, uae in abu dhabi for the first meeting of the working group. this was the largest— the working group. this was the largest gathering of israeli and arab _ largest gathering of israeli and arab officials since the 1991 madrid conference. these groups are focusing — conference. these groups are focusing on issues affecting the lives _ focusing on issues affecting the lives and — focusing on issues affecting the lives and livelihoods of other people _ lives and livelihoods of other people. food and water security, ciean _ people. food and water security, clean energy, health care, education

and coexistence, tourism, regional security~ _ and coexistence, tourism, regional security. part of a comprehensive effort _ security. part of a comprehensive effort to — security. part of a comprehensive effort to enable collaboration between our governments and also businesses, entrepreneurs, civil societies, — businesses, entrepreneurs, civil societies, young people. the prime minister— societies, young people. the prime minister has spoken about our ability— minister has spoken about our ability to— minister has spoken about our ability to do big things together. israei's — ability to do big things together. israel's greater integration the region— israel's greater integration the region is— israel's greater integration the region is very much one of them. a few years _ region is very much one of them. a few years ago, this can of cooperation would have been unimaginable. today it is genuinely fostering _ unimaginable. today it is genuinely fostering opportunities across the collaborating countries to team up on start—ups, green energy, drought was resistant agriculture. the sports — was resistant agriculture. the sports and real sports. these interactions help chip away enduring triases— interactions help chip away enduring biases and _ interactions help chip away enduring biases and mistrust and this would not have _ biases and mistrust and this would not have happened without the leadership of the prime minister. we are determined to build on that progress — are determined to build on that progress on new issues, with new countries, — progress on new issues, with new countries, as we work to strengthen the circle _ countries, as we work to strengthen the circle of— countries, as we work to strengthen the circle of peace. these efforts

are not— the circle of peace. these efforts are not a — the circle of peace. these efforts are not a substitute for progress between — are not a substitute for progress between israelis and palestinians. but as— between israelis and palestinians. but as we — between israelis and palestinians. but as we advance israel's integration we can do so in ways that improve the daily lives of palestinians in the west bank and gaza and — palestinians in the west bank and gaza and that is crucial to moving towards _ gaza and that is crucial to moving towards our — gaza and that is crucial to moving towards our enduring goal of palestinians and israelis enjoying eguai— palestinians and israelis enjoying equal measures of freedom, security, opportunity. _ equal measures of freedom, security, opportunity, justice, and dignity. president — opportunity, justice, and dignity. president biden remains fully committed to that goal. we continue to believe _ committed to that goal. we continue to believe the best way to achieve it is through preserving and then reaiising — it is through preserving and then realising the vision of two states. as i realising the vision of two states. as i said. — realising the vision of two states. as i said, anything that moves us away— as i said, anything that moves us away from — as i said, anything that moves us away from that vision is in our judgment _ away from that vision is in our judgment detrimental to israel's long—term security and its long—term identity— long—term security and its long—term identity as— long—term security and its long—term identity as a — long—term security and its long—term identity as a jewish and democratic state~ _ identity as a jewish and democratic state. that's why we are urging all sides— state. that's why we are urging all sides to _ state. that's why we are urging all sides to take urgent steps to restore — sides to take urgent steps to restore calm to de—escalate. we want to make _ restore calm to de—escalate. we want to make sure — restore calm to de—escalate. we want to make sure there is an environment in which _ to make sure there is an environment in which we _ to make sure there is an environment in which we can, i hope at some

point, _ in which we can, i hope at some point, create the conditions were reconstructed restore a sense of community for israelis and palestinians alike which of course is sorely— palestinians alike which of course is sorely lacking. we also remain committed — is sorely lacking. we also remain committed to supporting diversity inciuding — committed to supporting diversity including injerusalem. we continue to support _ including injerusalem. we continue to support upholding the historic status— to support upholding the historic status quo at jerusalem's holy piaces — status quo at jerusalem's holy places. we are grateful the prime minister— places. we are grateful the prime minister for his repeated expressions of support. for that position — expressions of support. for that position. 0ne expressions of support. for that position. one of the things that makes — position. one of the things that makes a — position. one of the things that makes a partnership between us so strong _ makes a partnership between us so strong is _ makes a partnership between us so strong is that it goes well beyond any american or israeli government. few people — any american or israeli government. few people understand that better than president biden who has worked closely— than president biden who has worked closely with every israeli prime minister— closely with every israeli prime minister since... studio: we will leave that news conference injerusalem. benjamin conference in jerusalem. benjamin netanyahu conference injerusalem. benjamin netanyahu and the visiting antony blinken. against a backdrop of an upsurge of violence in the middle east. a couple of important breaking news stories here at home. one is a

bit more industrial action. we are hearing that members of the fire brigade union, firefighters, have voted to carry out a nationwide strike in a dispute over pay. they say that they have voted overwhelmingly for strike action, 88% in a ballot voted yes on a 73% turnout. the fire brigade union side follows more than a decade of real terms pay cut. they say that is a decisive mandate for strike action. 88% of their members voting in strike action, a 73% turnout. rejecting a 5% pay offer in november. that is what is happening with firefighters. we are also heaving the teacher strike is going to go ahead as planned on wednesday.

union leaders say the education secretary has squandered an opportunity to avert strike action. teachers in england and wales, members of the national education union due to begin seven days of walk—outs this week and after talks with gillian keegan the education secretary this afternoon, the secretaries of the any you said the government has been unwilling to seriously engage with the causes of strike action and seems incapable of getting a grip of the issues. pay, retention and recruitment. more on those breaking developments coming up those breaking developments coming up in the next hour. in the meantime, let's take you back to one of our top stories. ministers and nhs leaders have announced plans to provide hundreds more ambulances and thousands of hospital beds in england by next winter. £1 billion of existing funding is being allocated and there are also measures to try to reduce the number of patients who turn up at a&e,

and then stay overnight. but there are questions about how the extra resources will be staffed and some health experts warn the proposals will be undermined by a "burnt out" workforce. our health correspondent, katherine da costa, has the details. let's talk more about this — i'm nowjoined by steve brine, who is the chair of the health & social care select committee/ that is a criticism. there may be plans for new ambulances and hospital beds and targets, but at the end, it is all about staffing. there is a huge crisis of staffing in the nhs and it is about recruiting more staff and retaining existing staff? qm. recruiting more staff and retaining existing staff?— existing staff? ok, that is all very true, if existing staff? ok, that is all very true. if i'm _ existing staff? ok, that is all very true. if i'm may — existing staff? ok, that is all very true, if i'm may say _ existing staff? ok, that is all very true, if i'm may say that's - existing staff? ok, that is all very true, if i'm may say that's a - existing staff? ok, that is all very true, if i'm may say that's a very l true, if i'm may say that's a very glass half—full approach. yes, it is a plan i welcome today, it is as the secretary of state literally just

said in the chamber because we are doing a statement on it at this moment, this is planned to three. the elective care plan was first, this is the emergency care plan, primary care plan will come next. there is an asterisk next to today's plan as well as we are concerned which comes down to workforce. my select committee called for there to be a comprehensive plan from nhs england, independently there verified. i expect that will come out around the time of the budget it will probably be consulted upon. this would be the sensible way to do and it will be sealed by the time of the autumn statement. that comes together to form this plan. there are many good things in the plan, you have listed some of them. ijust raised in the house the idea of the two response time for errol dolly with trips and falls should not be admitted to hospital ordinarily. that was set out in the long—term plan when i was a minister, it has not been delivered. if it can be delivered, that would be really, it would move the dial on the number of

our words are running so hot. let would move the dial on the number of our words are running so hot.- our words are running so hot. let me ask ou our words are running so hot. let me ask you about — our words are running so hot. let me ask you about one _ our words are running so hot. let me ask you about one of _ our words are running so hot. let me ask you about one of the _ our words are running so hot. let me ask you about one of the targets. - ask you about one of the targets. let's pick a target by march 2020 for the average response time should be 30 minutes for category two calls, strokes or heart attacks. half—an—hour is the target. the official target currently has been 18 minutes. as the opposition spokesman said, isn't it a case of the government missing the target then moving the goalposts? weill. the government missing the target then moving the goalposts? well, the other ilass then moving the goalposts? well, the other glass half-full _ then moving the goalposts? well, the other glass half-full way _ then moving the goalposts? well, the other glass half-full way of _ then moving the goalposts? well, the other glass half-full way of looking i other glass half—full way of looking at it is its more realistic to try to get back to where we want to get. you are right in the figures you have given, also on the four—hour wait in a&e, the nhs constitution talks about that being 95% of cases whereas today's talks about 75%.

it's important actually the government is realistic because otherwise the opposition, you, we turn around and say you have failed again. this is a two—year plan, well funded by the autumn statement, 6.6 billionjeremy hunt put into the nhs in england, it is staging posts to move back to where we need to get to and happily for us, maybe not for him, we have the secretary of state in my select committee at 4pm tomorrow afternoon where we will be going through the planning quite a lot more detail on one of aerobics sessions with him. let lot more detail on one of aerobics sessions with him.— lot more detail on one of aerobics sessions with him. let me press you on that one — sessions with him. let me press you on that one example. _ sessions with him. let me press you on that one example. if— sessions with him. let me press you on that one example. if you - sessions with him. let me press you on that one example. if you are - on that one example. if you are having a heart attack or stroke, the target, the target is that an ambulance will get to you within half—an—hour, is that acceptable? h0 half-an-hour, is that acceptable? no it is half—an—hour, is that acceptable? fir: it is not. just because that's the target does not mean that should be the aim. i'm pretty sure and we will ask the secretary of state tomorrow, that's not the limit of his ambition. we're pretty sure there will be ambulance services that will beat that time and they will all

want to. the new ambulances in the plan today, the mental health ambulances take the pressure of the wider system. ambulances take the pressure of the widersystem. if ambulances take the pressure of the wider system. if a&e is not running so hot, ambulances are more available. i would so hot, ambulances are more available. iwould hope so hot, ambulances are more available. i would hope 30 minutes is an absolute outside because you are absolutely right it's not acceptable. if you are having a category two heart attack or stroke, you want an ambience quicker than that. i. ~ you want an ambience quicker than that. i, ,, , i, you want an ambience quicker than that. i, ~' , i, , you want an ambience quicker than that. i, ,, , i, , i let's talk now to the vice president of the royal college of emergency medicine, ian higginson. what are your thoughts on the package that has been announced in terms of bed and ambulances, is it going to signal an improvement? goad going to signal an improvement? good afternoon. thank— going to signal an improvement? good afternoon. thank you _ going to signal an improvement? (ems afternoon. thank you for having us on the programme. will the signal improvement? it is really hard to be

certain, what we see in the plan is a lot of words in a bit of paper, we have seen many of these words before. different bits of paper. the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. we will be interested in whether the stuff is going to be delivered. we have a long record of failing to deliver on words on paper in the nhs and who is going to be accountable for the deliverer on it? you say it is words on paper which it is at the moment. what would you like to see in an ideal world if you were health secretary, what would you be announcing? i were health secretary, what would you be announcing?— were health secretary, what would you be announcing? i think many of the words are _ you be announcing? i think many of the words are the _ you be announcing? i think many of the words are the right _ you be announcing? i think many of the words are the right sort - you be announcing? i think many of the words are the right sort of - the words are the right sort of words. i guess without like to see is how they are actually going to be translated into action on one of the major issues we face in the nhs is around the workforce. all of these things require people and the plan is a bit light on detail of how we are going to achieve that. i appreciate that we have heard for a long time now about the imminent

publication of a workforce plan. we could have done without ten years ago. it will be welcome when it comes, we don't know how good will be but without the people to deliver these initiatives, this is going to go nowhere. i think we need to see the detail around that has well. in the detail around that has well. in terms of people and i wasjust terms of people and i was just talking with the trade of the select committee about this, staffing, in terms of recruiting and retaining staff, nurses and paramedics, ambulance staff, whoever we are talking about in the nhs, it comes down to wages and pay and that is why we are getting strikes at the moment. does itjust mean paying people more to recruit and retain more staff which is what the nhs needs? it more staff which is what the nhs needs? . more staff which is what the nhs needs? , i, , i, , i, more staff which is what the nhs needs? , i, , i, needs? it is not 'ust wages and pay but they — needs? it is not 'ust wages and pay but they in — needs? it is notjust wages and pay but they are in important _ needs? it is notjust wages and pay but they are in important part - needs? it is notjust wages and pay but they are in important part of. but they are in important part of the picture. it is also for many professionals, it is doing job properly and feeling they are able

to come to work and do what they were trained to do. can they do the job they were trained to do, can they do it effectively and are they being directed fairly to do that? at the moment neither of those conditions exist or many of our staff really don't exist in terms of remuneration and at the moment, for many staff, they do not feel they can do the job properly. many staff, they do not feel they can do thejob properly. we need to get those right, we have to make working in the nhs a sustainable thing to do so we attract people at one end and stop them leaving at the other. i, i i, i, , i, other. your college was warning earlier on _ other. your college was warning earlier on this _ other. your college was warning earlier on this winter _ other. your college was warning earlier on this winter about - other. your college was warning earlier on this winter about the l earlier on this winter about the number of excess deaths actually that we were suffering in the national health service. because of various problems. delays in waiting times and so on. are we through the worst of it this winter do you think? are things starting to improve? think? are things starting to im-rove? i. think? are things starting to imirove? i. . think? are things starting to improve?— think? are things starting to imirove? i, , i, i, think? are things starting to imirove? i, , i, improve? that is really hard to say at the moment. _ improve? that is really hard to say at the moment. with _ improve? that is really hard to say at the moment. with all— improve? that is really hard to say at the moment. with all the - improve? that is really hard to sayi at the moment. with all the things

that are changing, i would not like to comment on that. what i would say, while crowding exists in emergency departments which is an indicator of the problems in the wider system, indicator of the problems in the widersystem, people indicator of the problems in the wider system, people are going to continue to come to harm unnecessarily and that may include unnecessary deaths. at the moment we have a step in the right direction, a step into a very long tunnel with a step into a very long tunnel with a glimmer of light at the end of it. i think we need to see how things pan out. i would not be overlooked mystic at this stage that we are going to see great improvement in that, certainly the short—term. this has to be a long—term project and it has to be a long—term project and it has to be backed up by the right workforce. has to be backed up by the right workforce-— has to be backed up by the right workforce. i, ,, , i, , i i, workforce. thank you very much for our workforce. thank you very much for your time- — at least 47 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the pakistani city of peshawar. the blast in the northwest of the country

happened at around 1.30pm in the afternoon when the mosque was packed with worshippers. more than 150 people were injured. a section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. several others are being taken to local hospitals. the cause of the explosion is unclear. a peshawar police chief has said they cannot rule out the possibility of a suicide bombing. earlier, i caught up with tarhub asghar from bbc urdu, she joined us live from lahore with the latest. this blast happened at around 2pm or 3pm. 10r2pm. when, initially, people were offering prayer, the blast happened. according to a person who was there, he told that when he entered the mosque, there was a huge blast and he ended up in hospital. if i talk about the locality of that mosque where the blast happened, that is quite important, because it is in police headquarters, nearby there are many

important buildings like secretariat headquarters, nearby there are many important buildings like civil secretariat and interior, provincial interior ministry's office not so far. army's commander house is nearby, so there is huge question how this blast happened, there is a clear security lapse as well. recently, the prime minister and chief of army staff have reached to pashawar inquired people who got injured in the blast are not only this, they have asked officials to submit a report on how this happened. i gatherfrom reading the reports that some of the people who died were members of the police force? if this was an attack, a suicide attack potentially, who might have been responsible for this? officially, no—one has taken responsibility for the attack but on social media, people from the ttp,

are surfing different kind of photographs of a suicide bomber claiming this is a revenge attack in a series of the fact that the leader was dead in the fight. taking revenge from pakistan. this is the fourth attack on pakistan and this is one of the biggest ones in recent weeks. it is a real challenge for the authorities and government to try to restore order? yes, this is a real challenge, because that is the reason yes, yes, this is a real challenge, because that is the reason after this huge attack, the prime minister and chief of army staff, interior minister, they have reached to peshawar, called the security meeting and raise important questions like there were warnings by official that these kind of attacks can be carried out by different terrorist groups and not only this, how that person managed to reach to that spot, because when we see the locality of that mosque, that is quite important and there are three security checks you have to clear to get to that point. there is only one main gate

of the mosque and how that person managed to get through the gates, these are the major questions high officials have raised to the people who were on the ground and taking care of security. rishi sunak says he "acted pretty decisively" when the former conservative party chairman, nadim zahawi, was found to have broken the ministerial code. labour has called on the prime minister to clarify exactly when he became aware that mr zahawi had paid a penalty to hmrc. this morning, the prime minister addressed the issue of nadhim zahawi at a q&a session in county durham.

we can speak to william atkinson now, assistant editor of the website conservativehome. rishi sunak would like us to draw a line under this, is that going to happen? i line under this, is that going to haiien? ~ line under this, is that going to hai ien? ~ . ~ , happen? i think it is unlikely especially — happen? i think it is unlikely especially with _ happen? i think it is unlikely especially with the _ happen? i think it is unlikely especially with the reports i happen? i think it is unlikely| especially with the reports on happen? i think it is unlikely - especially with the reports on the paper today as to whether the process of producing the report on nadhim zahawi's reports was fair. there is some saying he was not given to sufficient opportunity to respond to sir laurie magnus, the independent adviser on ethics and conduct and as a consequence that reports and any sacking has been far too rushed. and that he is in fact innocent. i, i i , i, innocent. some other critics of the government _ innocent. some other critics of the government and _ innocent. some other critics of the government and prime _ innocent. some other critics of the government and prime minister. innocent. some other critics of the . government and prime minister would say he has been too fair, given him too long and allowed this to drag on and should never have appointed him in the first place in fact, some people say. i in the first place in fact, some people say-— in the first place in fact, some iieolesa. ~ i, , i, i, people say. i think that is one of the crucial _ people say. i think that is one of

the crucial things, _ people say. i think that is one of the crucial things, half— people say. i think that is one of the crucial things, half the - people say. i think that is one of the crucial things, half the story| the crucial things, half the story is what does the prime minister know and when that he know it? it is easy to criticise rishi sunak for the way he has handled this. one could say it was obvious from the start as soon the latest furore over his tax affairs was ignited he should have immediately sacked nadhim zahawi but i think actually the prime minister would say he was being fair and has the details of the situation involved, he put in place a proper process by which an investigation is held and it happened relatively swiftly compared to how often these investigations can go on. in that sense i think the prime minister was dealt a bad hand and played it as well as he could have. is dealt a bad hand and played it as well as he could have.— well as he could have. is the difficulty _ well as he could have. is the difficulty of _ well as he could have. is the difficulty of a _ well as he could have. is the difficulty of a rishi _ well as he could have. is the difficulty of a rishi sunak - well as he could have. is the. difficulty of a rishi sunak that when you came into downing street he talked about standards of integrity, accountability and professionalism in government. people are holding him to those standards and to what he said. there is other ministers where there are clouds, dominic raab

for example, various allegations of bullying and so on. allegations against him. this kind of thing won't go away partly because of what rishi sunak said when he first came into downing street.— rishi sunak said when he first came into downing street. quite. one also has to remember— into downing street. quite. one also has to remember a _ into downing street. quite. one also has to remember a lot _ into downing street. quite. one also has to remember a lot of _ into downing street. quite. one also has to remember a lot of these - has to remember a lot of these stories are hangovers from previous governments. the investigation into dominic raab for example in the allegations about bullying are long—standing and have been reported on for quite a while. similarly i think the prime minister to head every reason to expect the situation with nadhim zahawi was cleared up as far as the allies are arguing today he had informed the secretary at the time and it was resolved by the time he was appointed by liz truss to the cabinet office. in that sense i think this is the natural tendency of a government, a party which has beenin of a government, a party which has been in powerfor 13 years... a hangover from been in powerfor 13 years... a hangoverfrom previous been in powerfor 13 years... a hangover from previous government rishi sunak came on as prime minister and could have appointed anyone he wanted to his government, he did not have to appoint these

people into his government, did he? i don't think that's entirely true. first of all, both are experienced ministers. secondly, the reason we have we have processes like this investigation is you are innocent until proven guilty. in the words of the late queen, regulations may vary on some of those. if you think the prime minister's political position is quite weak, we had an unprecedented number of former mps unprecedented number of former mp5 on the backbench, former ministers, he has to balance various interests for the party and i would say at this point, any person who is in power would have to balance these different conflicting interests and the government has been in power this long, the british media usually hunt as a pack so stories like this become ever more important and damning and i think the individual circumstances surrounding various ministers are being blown out of

proportion based on the fact this is a government that is very much not in reduced state of health.- in reduced state of health. thank ou ve in reduced state of health. thank you very much — in reduced state of health. thank you very much indeed _ in reduced state of health. thank you very much indeed for - in reduced state of health. thank you very much indeed for your. in reduced state of health. thank. you very much indeed for your take on what has been happening in the last few days. we will have much more in the next 30 minutes. before that, let's get the latest weather forecast. enough to come and work in the service? high pressure will be the dominant feature, so a lot of dry and weather but tuesday night and wednesday a bit of a spanner in the works with a deep blow that will bring stormy weather to the northern half of the uk. the first of that low pressure will arrive on this a frontal system across scotland and northern ireland over the last few hours it has been a turning wet and windy at that rain will continue to journey southwards and eastwards overnight. landing

across more central parts of the uk by around dawn. ahead of it, dry, some close spells, quite chilly behind it. windier with plenty of blustery showers and not quite as cold because of the wind. that when the front waltzing southwards during isobars keep together through the north of the uk, windy. finals in england, gales certainly across the north west of scotland. sunny spells around as well as plenty of sunshine across england and wales once that morning frontal system that moves away. temperatures reaching 12 in the south, closer to the seasonal average. you are watching bbc news. the latest headlines... the nhs in england will get thousands of extra beds and hundreds of ambulances in eight attempted to tackle delays but critics say there will still not be

enough staff. at least 47 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a blast in the pakistani city of peshawar. rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi's tax affairs, saying he "acted pretty decisively" in sacking him. the kremlin has dismissed as a "lie" a claim by borisjohnson that he was threatened by vladimir putin, before the russian invasion of ukraine. new research suggests uk bosses are reluctant to hire over—505, preferring younger workers. a very young work are is here at the bbc sport centre! i will take that as a complement, not revealing my age. everton have confirmed sean dyche as their new manager.

the former burnley boss replaces frank lampard who was sacked last week with the side joint bottom of the premier league. a bigger challenge lying ahead of sean dyche. jane dougall is at everton's training ground for us and spoke to me a short while ago. it is a 2.5 year contract untiljune 2025 and he will be taking charge for everton's next match this saturday against the league leaders arsenal, so as you say, a pretty tough task to even begin with. he said in a club statement, "i know about everton's passionate fan base and how precious this club is to them. we are ready to work and give them what they want. that starts with sweat on the shirts, effort and getting back to some of the basic principles of what everton football club has stood for for a long time." he does not have much time to get the team playing the way he would like them to do and what the fans really want them to do is to stay up. everton are joint bottom on 15

points and contenders to be relegated from the premier league after such a poor string of results under previous manager frank lampard who of course was sacked last week. his first act may be to bring in a couple of new players as tomorrow's transfer deadline day. the question is will he be given the resources to do so because the owner, farhad moshiri, has put the club up for sale and may not be willing to part with any more money for sean dyche to do so. but we can confirm he has been given thejob as everton manager. and to be clear, sean dyche is at 51, which is of course very young. jane mentioned the transfer window closing tomorrow. things are getting busy ahead of the deadline. chelsea have bid over £105 million for benfica's argentina midfielder enzo fernandez, in a move that would make him the british transfer record signing. if the deal goes through, it would eclipse the 100 million manchester city paid aston villa for jack grealish last year. fernandez was named young

player of the tournament during argentina's world cup win in qatar. and wolves have confirmed this afternoon that they've agreed a £15 million fee with flamengo for midfielderjoao gomes. the 21—year—old only made his debut in 2020 but has become a regular in the brazilian league, winning the copa libertadores last season. rory mcilroy says he's glad he kept his emotions in check, as he narrowly beat patrick reed to win the dubai desert classic. the rivalry has intensified between the two since reed joined the breakaway liv golf series which mcilroy has strongly criticised. mcilroy birdied the final two holes to shoot a four—under 68 and finish on 19 under to win by one shot. massive positives. i think they were managed in this week, it was as good as i can remember. definitely some things i need to tidy up with the long game, but overall, if i can win a golf tournament of this calibre

not having my best stuff, it gives me a lot of confidence going forward. australian open champion novak djokovic says he's focused on making more history in the sport after winning his 22nd grand slam title which brought him level with rafael nadal. the 35—year—old world number one has been showing off the trophy he's now won ten times. djokovic admits this year's tournament in melbourne took a huge mental toll on him due to off—court controversies, and fears about how the crowd would respond to him after he was deported from australia last year due to his covid vaccine status. djokovic says he was delighted by how he was welcomed in melbourne, and is already planning his return next year. and in cricket, two new zealand internationals have signed for lancashire. colin de grandhomme and daryl mitchell here will be available for both their county championship and t20 blast campaigns in 2023. lancashire finished as runners—up in both last year. that's all the sport for now. i will have more few later, but for

now it back to you. thank you very much indeed. new research into the hiring of the over—505 shows that employers are much less open to bringing in older workers than they are younger people. we were just talking about that! only four out of ten surveyed said they would be open to hiring people aged between 50 and 64. it comes days after the chancellor jeremy hunt urged people who've retired early to return to work in order to help grow the economy. let's get more on this from michael o'reilly, the founder of the age diversity network which works with employers and those seeking work to highlight the benefits of older workers. thank you very much for being with us. do you think there is a kind of inherit, in—built biased against older workers? inherit, in-built biased against older workers?— inherit, in-built biased against olderworkers? i, i, , , , older workers? unfortunately, yes. it is not necessarily _ older workers? unfortunately, yes.

it is not necessarily always - it is not necessarily always directed as a direct bias, but i think certainly this is a mix of direct or indirect, unconscious bias. the older worker certainly does have issues in terms of being accepted in an environment which may be seen as maybe something that is a younger workplace and not understood that those two generations can mix and work well together. what that those two generations can mix and work well together.— that those two generations can mix and work well together. what are the iositives of and work well together. what are the positives of hiring _ and work well together. what are the positives of hiring someone - and work well together. what are the positives of hiring someone a - and work well together. what are the positives of hiring someone a bit - positives of hiring someone a bit older, may be over 50? experience for one thing. i older, may be over 50? experience for one thing-— for one thing. i think it is experience, _ for one thing. i think it is experience, from - for one thing. i think it is experience, from my - for one thing. i think it is i experience, from my point for one thing. i think it is - experience, from my point of view the one thing to make clear is that just because of the years of experience does not necessarily make them any better than someone already working in an employer's establishment. however, ithink working in an employer's establishment. however, i think one of the things it does do is give you a life experience which you have gained over the time of your career, things you have probably done, been in situation, you've managed to work through those situations that other

people have not yet faced so life experience is something to take into account and that is something unfortunately dismissed. because it is said that there _ unfortunately dismissed. because it is said that there are _ unfortunately dismissed. because it is said that there are quite - unfortunately dismissed. because it is said that there are quite a - unfortunately dismissed. because it is said that there are quite a large l is said that there are quite a large number of people who are a bit older who left the workforce after covid and potentially retired earlier than they would have done otherwise and they would have done otherwise and they are now a quote economically inactive, and that is part of the issue with trying to drive a gross, that was what the chancellor was getting out, we need to get the workforce bolstered and get those people back into work. to think that will happen? it people back into work. to think that will happen?— will happen? it will take a long time, it would _ will happen? it will take a long time, it would be _ will happen? it will take a long time, it would be interesting i will happen? it will take a long| time, it would be interesting to drill down on those figures. out of the six odd million who are inactive, about a fifth of those apparently happy to work and the rest are not, so i think in terms of the older workers, i would go

against the common theme that because of covid, a lot of people left the workplace and did not bother to go back. i think what happened was a lot of people were probably furloughed, keen to get back into the workplace but are now fading this ageism barrier which basically stops them from gaining the opportunities that they otherwise would have had. so i do not think it is necessarily based on people leaving the workplace, needs to be looked at they may have left the workplace but not through their own choice. you the workplace but not through their own choice. i, . the workplace but not through their own choice-— own choice. you 'ust use that word aieism, own choice. you 'ust use that word ageism. is _ own choice. you 'ust use that word ageism. is that— own choice. you just use that word ageism, is that a _ own choice. you just use that word ageism, is that a kind _ own choice. you just use that word ageism, is that a kind of _ own choice. you just use that word ageism, is that a kind of prejudicel ageism, is that a kind of prejudice really against older workers? is that how you see it? it really against older workers? is that how you see it?— that how you see it? it is. not everybody _ that how you see it? it is. not everybody is _ that how you see it? it is. not everybody is a _ that how you see it? it is. not everybody is a jest _ that how you see it? it is. not everybody is a jest of - that how you see it? it is. not everybody is a jest of course, | that how you see it? it is. not. everybody is a jest of course, but again it is a common thing because ageism isn't something that is across all ages. —— ageism is

something across all ages. they can be this unconscious bias when looking at interviewing older workers for roles that they may be looking to fill and if immediately they see that person in the interview, that they feel does not fit the culture, they will not deep enough to understand what that person can bring to the role and how the company can benefit so i do believe ageism is rife but it is something that has been there for quite some time and has taken time to come to the top of the pile, it must say. to come to the top of the pile, it must say-— to come to the top of the pile, it mustsa. ~ i i, i, must say. michael, thank you. good to talk to. it was billed as "the coolest club you never want to be a part of" and "a candid guide to all the highs and lows of cancer". now, after five years of laughter, tears and honesty, the podcast you me and the big c will soon be taking a break. they're broadcasting a special one—off episode,

filmed in front of a live audience. tim muffett was there. we are three friends, we are also bloggers, we all have one thing in common — we all have or we have had cancer. rachael bland, lauren mahon and dame deborahjames. the original presenters of you, me and the big c. launched in 2018, it was funny... i'm not going to look at you. i'm going to... a crying poo is not what we need right now. it was heartbreaking. all the way home, i was just saying to freddie, i'm so sorry, i'm so sorry. 0h. don't, because you're going to make me... i sorry. it's the first thing that made me cry and the whole 12 episodes. now a very special episode. see you, m and the big c, we are going live to a studio audience. and we are very excited. cheering dame deborahjames died last year. rachael bland died in 2018. her husband, steve, then became

one of the presenters. hello, everyone. hello, everyone, good evening. welcome to you, me and the big c live! it feels like kind of the essence of the podcast. it was never reallyjust meant to be in a studio talking to a microphone. it's bringing people here who, i imagine most of them are quite experienced, or have something to do with cancer. and, you know, sharing the podcast with them. i'm the fifth person in my family to develop breast cancer. why did you want to share it publicly? i thought i could wait until the surgery is over and i hopefully make it through and i'm feeling stronger and feeling ok to talk about it, but that could be months. i've listened from virtually- the first episode and they have totally altered the perception of cancer~ _ i do encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy if you have been scheduled for one. don't be scared of them because they are quite funny, at the same time. you talk about shining light in the dark. i really felt an affinity, - particularly with rachael bland, because i had exactly the same type as breast cancer as her. _

and it gave me hope. you need to know where you are so that you can get on and do the things that you need to do. unfortunately c is in our life, everyone's life, at some point. and so, yeah, it resonates massively. he is now officially in remission. cheering you, me and the big c has made people laugh, it's made people cry, but, most importantly, it has been informative. both the nhs and the institute of cancer research say it's given a major boost to the number of people checking potential cancer symptoms early. last year, honorary doctorate degrees were awarded to lauren and steve for the impact the podcast has had. a posthumous degree was awarded to dame deborahjames, whose sister sarah and brother ben were at the live show. i think the spontaneity of her is how i remember her.

and just her laugh. # when you touch me like this...# she just had this vision of wanting to give more people more time through doing something good and using her platform to raise as much money, as much engagement, as much awareness and she could, really. it must make you feel immensely proud? yes. tinged with sadness, obviously, deborah not being here any more, but the legacy she's left behind. this is what deborah wanted. lauren and steve are now stepping away from the podcast. it has been a massive privilege. you have been like our therapy group, our best mates, our support group, our everything. so it's been... oh, it is going to get all teary now, isn't it? it's like a very organic end for us to step back because we've both got... i've not had cancer for five years. steve has moved on with his life, remarried. yeah, hopefully, we have done a good job in changing the way

people talk about cancer. by talking, listening and sharing, the impact of this podcast has been profound. you can watch that special episode of you, me and the big c right here on the bbc news channel at 8.30pm tonight, and of course you can listen to that episode — and all of the previous ones — on bbc sounds. we are going to talk about it all a little more now. joining us now from the institute of cancer research in sutton is kate fulton, who's a psychologist at maggie's at the royal marsden which is next door to the research facility. and also eloise, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer aged 28 — she was supported by maggie's, which is a charity providing free cancer support. kate, let me start with you. how

important is it something like you, me and the big c in terms of debunking some of the myths, taboos, fears about cancer? yes. debunking some of the myths, taboos, fears about cancer?— fears about cancer? yes, i think crucially important. _ fears about cancer? yes, i think crucially important. the - fears about cancer? yes, i think crucially important. the more . fears about cancer? yes, i thinkl crucially important. the more we fears about cancer? yes, i think- crucially important. the more we are able to talk about it and open up, essentially the mass alone we feel and i think time and time again people come in to the centre and they say how cancer feels isolating and having a space where they can talk freely and openly like listening into podcasts like you, me and the big c, it is crucial to feeling supported during a really challenging time in your life. == challenging time in your life. -- less alone- _ challenging time in your life. —— less alone. do you think there taboos have changed and those fears and the way cancer has been pursued, has that changed down the generations and decades? yes. has that changed down the generations and decades? yes, i think without _ generations and decades? yes, i think without a _ generations and decades? yes, i think without a doubt. _ generations and decades? yes, i think without a doubt. we - generations and decades? yes, i think without a doubt. we are i think without a doubt. we are absolutely moving in a really good direction where that reducing those

taboos. i think of the social media platform has enabled that greatly. i think as well, actually, a few decades ago receiving a cancer diagnosis was a bit like receiving the death sentence and the developments in cancer treatment now means that more and more people are living a really long time and living really well with cancer, so there is a real dialogue of hope around cancer now, which i think allows us to talk about it more freely. yes. to talk about it more freely. yes, exactl . to talk about it more freely. yes, exactly- let's _ to talk about it more freely. yes, exactly. let's talk _ to talk about it more freely. yes, exactly. let's talk to _ to talk about it more freely. yes, exactly. let's talk to eloise - exactly. let's talk to eloise because i think you got your diagnosis a couple of years ago, you arejust 208! think? diagnosis a couple of years ago, you are just 208! think? just tell us about your diagnosis and how you are doing at the moment. —— you were just 28. doing at the moment. -- you were 'ust 28. �* i, i, , i, just 28. i'm doing really well at the moment. _ just 28. i'm doing really well at the moment. was _ just 28. i'm doing really well at the moment. was diagnosed i just 28. i'm doing really well at - the moment. was diagnosed about three _ the moment. was diagnosed about three years ago and it difficult to receive _ three years ago and it difficult to receive the diagnosis, but i think through— receive the diagnosis, but i think through support from friends family

and coming to maggie's and seeing familiar— and coming to maggie's and seeing familiar faces i made it through the other— familiar faces i made it through the other side — familiar faces i made it through the other side and i'm doing really well now and _ other side and i'm doing really well now and in— other side and i'm doing really well now and in a really good place, feeling — now and in a really good place, feeling really positive. how important _ feeling really positive. how important is _ feeling really positive. how important is it _ feeling really positive. how important is it to _ feeling really positive. how important is it to talk - feeling really positive. hm" important is it to talk about it openly and try and get as much information as you can, which i suppose is easier nowadays in this online age where you can get information at the touch of a iphone really, but notjust that, talking to people like kate and all your friends and being really open about it? i, 4' friends and being really open about it? i, ~ i, , ,, i,, it? for me, i think the openness was the most important _ it? for me, i think the openness was the most important thing. _ it? for me, i think the openness was the most important thing. it - it? for me, i think the openness was the most important thing. it meant l it? for me, i think the openness was the most important thing. it meant i| the most important thing. it meant i was able _ the most important thing. it meant i was able to— the most important thing. it meant i was able to get support from my friends, — was able to get support from my friends, my family were able to be there _ friends, my family were able to be there for— friends, my family were able to be there for me and ijust think being honest— there for me and ijust think being honest about where i was at different _ honest about where i was at different points throughout my treatment and diagnosis was really helpful. _ treatment and diagnosis was really helpful, so people could respond to me how— helpful, so people could respond to me how i _ helpful, so people could respond to me how i needed. ithink helpful, so people could respond to me how i needed. i think if i did not speak— me how i needed. i think if i did not speak about it, i would have felt very— not speak about it, i would have felt very alone, isolated, and kind of that— felt very alone, isolated, and kind of that i_ felt very alone, isolated, and kind of that i had to fight this battle

by myself but i had this little army of friends — by myself but i had this little army of friends and professionals who really _ of friends and professionals who really helped me through. kate. of friends and professionals who really helped me through. kate, tell us more about _ really helped me through. kate, tell us more about what _ really helped me through. kate, tell us more about what maggie's - really helped me through. kate, tell us more about what maggie's does i really helped me through. kate, tell i us more about what maggie's does and what you do to help people like eloise through what is obviously an immensely traumatic time. yes. eloise through what is obviously an immensely traumatic time. yes, like ou said, immensely traumatic time. yes, like you said. we — immensely traumatic time. yes, like you said, we have _ immensely traumatic time. yes, like you said, we have centres _ immensely traumatic time. yes, like you said, we have centres that - you said, we have centres that anyone can come into, so do not need anyone can come into, so do not need an appointment or referral, you have an appointment or referral, you have a welcoming team ready to greet you and sit down with a cup of tea and really meet you where you are at, so to be able to ask questions about your treatment, to be able to ask questions about yourtreatment, be to be able to ask questions about your treatment, be listened to and it really work out on an individual basis what is the support you need at the moment and that can be practical, it can be solving money worries and it can be looking at really reducing the stress and anxiety that come along with a cancer diagnosis, which is huge, huge impact, and we can take some of

that away which makes it a little bit more bearable and tolerable. i bit more bearable and tolerable. i suppose when someone like eloise has that first diagnosis, they must have 1,000,001 questions? yes. 1,000,001 questions? yes, absolutely- _ 1,000,001 questions? yes, absolutely. that _ 1,000,001 questions? yes, absolutely. that is - 1,000,001 questions? yes, absolutely. that is so - 1,000,001 questions? yes, | absolutely. that is so normal 1,000,001 questions? yes, - absolutely. that is so normal and 1,000,001 questions? isis, absolutely. that is so normal and we are quite passionate add maggie's as making people feel i get activated to be a real participant in their own care so they are able to go in and ask those questions and talk to their medical teams about it, not just passively receive that treatment, that can feel really out of control actually, so the bits you can have control over make all the difference. i, . can have control over make all the difference-— difference. eloise, you mentioned our difference. eloise, you mentioned your friends. _ difference. eloise, you mentioned your friends, they _ difference. eloise, you mentioned your friends, they are _ difference. eloise, you mentioned your friends, they are important l difference. eloise, you mentioned| your friends, they are important to talk to as well as the experts, people like kate and the doctors and nurses, but you just need a close network of friends around you as well at a time like this?- well at a time like this? 10096. i think your _ well at a time like this? 10096. i think your friends _ well at a time like this? 10096. i think your friends and _ well at a time like this? 10096. i think your friends and family - well at a time like this? 10096. i | think your friends and family are really— think your friends and family are really important and i guess with

me, maggie's connected we were people _ me, maggie's connected we were people in— me, maggie's connected we were people in the same position as me, similar— people in the same position as me, similar age. — people in the same position as me, similarage, similar diagnosis, and similar age, similar diagnosis, and also similar— similarage, similar diagnosis, and also similar personalities, so i made — also similar personalities, so i made some really good friends that were going through the same thing as me, were going through the same thing as me. so— were going through the same thing as me. so i_ were going through the same thing as me. so i had — were going through the same thing as me, so i had them as well as my friends _ me, so i had them as well as my friends that _ me, so i had them as well as my friends that were not in the same position— friends that were not in the same position as — friends that were not in the same position as me, and i think that was really— position as me, and i think that was really helpful and that is how i connected with maggie's and how i worked _ connected with maggie's and how i worked with the charity and a really valued _ worked with the charity and a really valued and — worked with the charity and a really valued and appreciated that. and the have valued and appreciated that. fifis they have been an important part, maggie's, and helping you, really to help you come to terms with this? 100%, they were also important for my friends— 100%, they were also important for my friends and family, my mum would come _ my friends and family, my mum would come to— my friends and family, my mum would come to chemo with me and then go spend _ come to chemo with me and then go spend some — come to chemo with me and then go spend some time in the centre when i was having _ spend some time in the centre when i was having treatment. they were really _ was having treatment. they were really helpful with that connection. with kate, i have not seen her for a couple _ with kate, i have not seen her for a couple of _ with kate, i have not seen her for a couple of years now, but she knows me, couple of years now, but she knows me. she _ couple of years now, but she knows me, she knows about my life and there _ me, she knows about my life and there is— me, she knows about my life and there is still that ongoing connection and i think that is something that is really special and quite unique about the charity and the support they offer. you

mentioned _ the support they offer. you mentioned your _ the support they offer. you mentioned your family, - the support they offer. gm mentioned your family, it is mentioned yourfamily, it is traumatic to get that diagnosis, not just for you but of course all your close family as well?— just for you but of course all your close family as well? yes, 10096. i think it is traumatic _ close family as well? yes, 10096. i think it is traumatic but _ close family as well? yes, 10096. i think it is traumatic but i - close family as well? yes, 10096. i think it is traumatic but i also - think it is traumatic but i also think— think it is traumatic but i also think people respond to how you are feeling _ think people respond to how you are feeling at _ think people respond to how you are feeling at the time and i think with me, feeling at the time and i think with me. just _ feeling at the time and i think with me, just making sure i was kind of in the _ me, just making sure i was kind of in the best— me, just making sure i was kind of in the best place possible at such a difficult _ in the best place possible at such a difficult time i think gave them a bit of— difficult time i think gave them a bit of reassurance, but they were along _ bit of reassurance, but they were along the — bit of reassurance, but they were along the journey with me every step of the _ along the journey with me every step of the way— along the journey with me every step of the way and theyjust provided such great support, so i think they found _ such great support, so i think they found it _ such great support, so i think they found it difficult but managed to cope _ found it difficult but managed to co e-. i, . found it difficult but managed to co e-. i, , i, ~ found it difficult but managed to coie. i, , i, ~ found it difficult but managed to coe, i, , i, " i cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send ou cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send you all— cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send you all our— cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send you all our good _ cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send you all our good wishes - cope. eloise, thank you so much, we send you all our good wishes and - send you all our good wishes and kate, psychologist ada maggie's, thank you so much for talking to us tonight. thank you very much indeed tonight. thank you very much indeed to both of you. just to say if you have been affected by anything we have been affected by anything we have just been talking about or you would like some help, you cannot contact the bbc�*s action line. ——

you can contact the bbc action line. there are several billion combinations, but only one solution — for many, the rubik's cube isn'tjust a game, but a competitive sport too. hundreds of the puzzle's fans have descended on glasgow this weekend for a competition, racing against the clock, and each other, in speed time—trials. the cube has experienced something of a renaissance recently, with a new generation taking up the puzzle during the covid pandemic. we went along to meet some of the competitors. i can usually solve the cube in under six seconds. my name is tymon kolasinski and i'm one of the current 3x3 rubik's cube world record holders. we're at a competition here in glasgow. there are 155 registered competitors and they're all trying to compete

and get their best results. the rubik's cube is very important to me because it's, like, i have my own distraction from whatever's happening. it's reallyjust something that's really calming to me. i first started cubing two years ago on christmas day and the first one i solved was a couple of hours later. once i picked it up, i couldn't put it down. we always had a rubik's cube lying somewhere around the house, so at one point i was like, "well, it'll be cool to solve one". so i looked up how to do it on the internet, and when i did, i also came across competitions. basically, ever since then, i'vejust been cubing, like, all day, every day. you can choose how competitive you are about it. i mean, for me, it's all competitive! as well as the standard 3x3, this competition offers - events such as one—handed, i 3x3 blindfolded, then variations for 3x3 like the 2x2, - which is a smaller version, and the 6x6 or 7x7, i which are a lot bigger.

i can personally do it one—handed, but i'm trying to learn blindfolded, but it's really hard. it's really addicting and sometimes you can be up really late doing it and not even realize it. blood plasma because if we can solve the puzzle of the weather and what it will do next. —— let's see if we can solve the puzzle. hello, there. much of this week will be fine and settled, thanks to higher pressure. you can see this frontal system working in scotland and northern ireland, bringing outbreaks of rain. the isobars are squeezing closer together, so it will be telling when you're during the night. further south, will hold on to clearer skies, lighterwinds, south, will hold on to clearer skies, lighter winds, that cloud and

rain band, across parts of central uk by the end of it, chilly with clear spells and behind it so there will not be any problems with temperatures from five to 7 degrees. blustery day across the board on tuesday. that weather front will be pushing southwards. valley anything on it by the time it reaches southern and south—east england. sky is present here, could see the odd shower in western areas but the northern part of the country with gales developing here, plenty of blustery showers, some are sunny spells but it will be extremely windy for northern and western scotland and parts of northern ireland. temperatures in single digits across the north, up to ten to 12 in the south. concerns as we head three tuesday evening, certainly overnight the winds really pick up across scotland, northern ireland, particularly for the northern isles we could see gusts up to 80 mph so severe gales moving

across this north and north—east corner of scotland are even into the early hours of wednesday. could see some disruption here for example to the ferry services. the winds at slowly easing through the day but it will be a blustery one on wednesday. sunny spells, scattered showers, vertically through northern ireland, sunny scotland and northern england. —— southern scotland. temperatures range from seven to 11 degrees. is a route was the end of the week, it looks as though the serry of high pressure to the south will slowly push northwards tending to keep these weather fronts at bay, so it could be northern parts of scotland which could see the windiest of the weather, we rain at times, but for most it will be largely settled thanks to high pressure. generally on the mild side.

the headlines firefighters have voted to go on strike for the first time in 20 years, following a dispute over pay. the health secretary announces £1 billion to tackle delays in nhs emergency care, but critics say there won't be enough staff, despite thousands of extra hospital beds. today, together with an interest we are sitting out times to reduce waiting time. at least 47 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a blast in the pakistani city. rishi sunak defends his handling of allegations about nadhim zahawi tax affairs, saying he acted pretty decisively and sacking him.